Chapter 1180 Advertising Alliance

Watching Zhao Fusheng's expression shift between uncertainty, Zheng Yao smiled bitterly and said, 'The advertising company actually considered asking you to step in, but I think you shouldn't show up again.'

'Why? The reason is simple: you are the company's boss, not just its golden planner. If everything needs you to solve it personally, then what's the point of having so many employees? Let them all go home and sell sweet potatoes. They take their monthly salaries but rely on the boss to solve problems—what is the meaning of their existence?'

Zheng Yao shook her head and sighed, 'I would rather Future Advertising be crushed by Perfect Oriental Advertising than agree to your comeback.'

Zhao Fusheng nodded. Although he was somewhat surprised by Zheng Yao's words, he didn't think anything was wrong.

In fact, it was true. As the boss, he paid so many salaries to his subordinates every month. If they still relied on him to solve problems and expected him to be their savior, then these people really didn't need to stay at Future Advertising.

Taking the boss's salary and wages but unable to do anything, relying on the boss to solve troubles—did the company still need such people?

'So, you plan to endure it?' Zhao Fusheng looked at Zheng Yao and asked slowly.

Zheng Yao didn't speak, but her eyes were on Zhao Fusheng.

Clearly, she was waiting for Zhao Fusheng's decision, since he was the true owner of the company.

Seeing Zheng Yao's reaction, Zhao Fusheng understood what she meant. He sat there, lost in thought.

After a moment, he looked up, his gaze fixed on Zheng Yao, and said slowly, 'This time, we cannot back down.'

Zheng Yao was startled: 'Now their strength is formidable. If we confront them head-on, we might...'

She didn't finish her sentence, but her meaning was clear. Under the current circumstances, the situation was unfavorable. Perfect Oriental Advertising, formed by Baidu's acquisition of two large advertising companies, held an absolutely dominant position in the northern advertising industry.

In other words, they were now the industry leader.

If they really went head-to-head, Zheng Yao knew well that Future Advertising's losses might be even more severe than now.

Zhao Fusheng's expression was calm. He said slowly, 'There are many strong and brave people in this world. After their first compromise, they keep compromising. Eventually, they may even develop a distorted psychological state, shifting from compromise to active cooperation, from victim to perpetrator. Even they themselves don't understand why they have become like this.'

Zheng Yao looked at Zhao Fusheng with partial understanding. Clearly, she didn't fully grasp his words.

Zhao Fusheng smiled lightly and continued, 'If we back down today, within a year, Future Advertising will surely be squeezed out of the advertising market. In other words, the company will die. Even if it doesn't close down, it will have no room for development in the future. Do you think that is the result we wanted back then?'

Zheng Yao was stunned. In her mind, she involuntarily recalled the topics they had discussed when she and Zhao Fusheng started the business together.

At that time, she was a college counselor troubled by love, while Zhao Fusheng was just an introverted sophomore.

Now, their identities had undergone earth-shaking changes.

Zhao Fusheng's meaning was clear: Did Zheng Yao still have the ambition to turn Future Advertising into a national or even world-class advertising company?

'You mean, not backing down?' As the partner who knew Zhao Fusheng best, Zheng Yao naturally understood his intention and asked him directly.

Zhao Fusheng smiled: 'Why should we back down?'

Then his expression turned serious, and he said earnestly, 'Baidu is about to go public. Their goal is naturally to expand their company's influence and enter the advertising industry. Whether they target us or want a piece of the pie in this industry, they are our enemies. If we retreat this time, what about next time? If we encounter opponents in other industries, will we keep retreating?'

'The business world is like a battlefield. Retreating is a way to preserve strength, but if you retreat too many times, there will be no path left.'

Zhao Fusheng said to Zheng Yao lightly, 'It's like a decent person who insists on bowing his head to be a dog. Maybe this person thinks he is enduring humiliation to fulfill a mission, but the problem is, if you bark like a dog too many times, you might really become a dog.'

Zheng Yao was silent. She understood what Zhao Fusheng meant.

'Spend money,' Zhao Fusheng said slowly to Zheng Yao. 'If there are no golden planners in the north, poach from the south. If that doesn't work, poach from Hong Kong. In short, if money can solve a problem, it's not a problem. Understand?'

Zheng Yao nodded. She wasn't stupid. Since the boss Zhao Fusheng had given the nod, she naturally knew how to handle things.

'I plan to contact various advertising companies in the north,' Zheng Yao suddenly said to Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng was taken aback: 'What do you want to do?'

'Simple. Since they are forming a strong alliance, we'll encircle the cities from the countryside.' Zheng Yao smiled, revealing a meaningful grin, and explained to Zhao Fusheng, 'Capital power is strong, but if we can unite enough small and medium-sized advertising companies, we can still overthrow them.'

Zhao Fusheng was speechless. He really hadn't thought of that point.

Now, although Future Advertising's market share had been squeezed, it still held over twenty percent. If they could form an alliance as Zheng Yao suggested, they might really achieve what she described.

Don't forget, besides the market share previously held by the three major advertising companies, there was nearly forty percent of the market remaining.

In other words, if Zheng Yao's advertising alliance succeeded, she would be the real winner.

Doing business, especially advertising, is ultimately a winner-takes-all world.

For example, in real estate, if your properties don't sell, you can wait for new buyers. But advertising is different. Once you land a creative project or order, other advertising companies naturally can't intervene.

In other words, once Zheng Yao set up this alliance, at the very least, it could rival Perfect Oriental Advertising Group, and might even squeeze their living space through various means.

After all, many ants can kill an elephant. Sometimes, that can be quite terrifying.

'You handle it yourself; I won't interfere with this.' Zhao Fusheng chuckled and said to Zheng Yao, 'I only care about the result, not the process. Just don't tell me at the end that Future Advertising is going to file for bankruptcy.'

With that said, his meaning was clear: Zheng Yao could do whatever she wanted, as long as he got victory.

Victory would naturally bring praise.

Failure would naturally bring responsibility.

As for the current document, Zhao Fusheng didn't mention it, and Zheng Yao didn't say anything more.

But both knew clearly: if the counterattack succeeded, fine; if it failed, someone would have to step up and take responsibility.

Personal friendship was one thing. Zheng Yao knew well that if she couldn't do a good job as president of such a large company entrusted by Zhao Fusheng, he could naturally give it to someone else.

Watching Zheng Yao leave his office, Zhao Fusheng silently sighed. He couldn't help it. Although he trusted and respected Zheng Yao, that alone wasn't enough to run a company.

This was why many people were unwilling to go into business with friends. No matter how good the relationship, once business issues arose, cracks would appear due to one thing or another.

Cracks, once they appear, are hard to mend and often grow larger over time.

Just then, the office door opened, and Dong Chenxi walked in.

Glancing at Dong Chenxi, Zhao Fusheng said helplessly, 'What, do you have more bad news for me?'

Dong Chenxi was startled, looking at Zhao Fusheng strangely, wondering if this guy had learned to predict the future.