Chapter 1931 Big News

Zhao Fusheng, along with Zhang Qian and others, carried relief supplies and followed the People's Liberation Army into the disaster area.

Back in the capital, the Future Group officially announced its donation.

One hundred million!

As soon as the news broke, it ignited public opinion.

At any other time or for any other event, it might not have attracted much attention, but now, when the whole nation was focused on earthquake relief, the announcement sparked massive discussion.

The company donated one hundred million!

He personally donated another hundred million!

Two hundred million!

The names of Zhao Fusheng and the Future Group quickly dominated the front-page headlines of major portals.

China is not lacking in wealthy people; there are plenty richer than Zhao Fusheng.

But the question is, how many would do as he did?

The answer is obvious.

None.

Money is a good thing, but in most people's eyes, it's better kept in one's own hands.

The media swarmed the Future Group, wanting to interview Zhao Fusheng.

There was no help for it—this man was too mysterious. Normally, there was no news of him at all; he lived a reclusive life and never attended any events.

But this time, he gave everyone a surprise!

Unfortunately, even though the journalists were eager to interview Zhao Fusheng, they still didn't get to see him.

What greeted the journalists was Xue Yuanfang, the head of the Future Group's Public Relations Department.

"I'm sorry, friends from the press. The chairman went to Jincheng the day after the earthquake," Xue Yuanfang said smoothly to the reporters. "When we last contacted him, he was carrying relief supplies organized by our Future Group and walking into Suxi County, the epicenter, alongside PLA comrades."

"Minister Xue, may I ask whether this generous charitable act by your company is Mr. Zhao's personal decision or part of your consistent policy?" a reporter asked decisively.

"Of course, it is our Future Group's consistent policy."

Xue Yuanfang smiled slightly: "The Future Group has always been a company with a strong sense of social responsibility. For many years, we have steadfastly engaged in charitable activities. This time, we will continue to practice our philosophy of giving back to society."

This was routine for him, and Xue Yuanfang answered without effort.

"Then why did Chairman Zhao go to the disaster area?"

Another reporter followed up.

"Well..." Xue Yuanfang looked troubled and hesitated.

"Minister Xue, is there something inconvenient?" The reporters perked up—this was big news!

Xue Yuanfang smiled wryly: "It's not inconvenient. It's like this: the chairman went to Xichuan partly to visit the cast of 'Let the Bullets Fly,' since they were filming there. Also, he went to pick someone up."

"Pick someone up?"

The reporters exchanged glances. They knew 'Let the Bullets Fly' was filming in Xichuan and that Zhao Fusheng had a close relationship with Jiang Wen, but what did 'pick someone up' mean?

"It's like this: our chairman had a very good friend who worked in a poor county in Xichuan. During the earthquake, while trying to save others, he unfortunately lost his life. He was the chairman's high school classmate, and they were very close..."

As Xue Yuanfang spoke, the reporters fell silent instantly.

Big news!

Absolutely big news!

At that moment, the reporters felt that although they hadn't met Zhao Fusheng in person, today's interview was well worth it.

The chairman of the Future Group, a billionaire, risked entering the disaster area for relief. His classmate died saving others!

Either one was big news!

Seeing the reporters' eyes light up, Xue Yuanfang nodded inwardly.

This was the result he and Zheng Yao had discussed.

No matter what, they had to build up the momentum this time.

Since Zhao Fusheng and the Future Group had done good deeds, they should receive the glory.

After all, they couldn't do good and let others take the credit, could they?

Besides, Xue Yuanfang felt that Zhao Fusheng deserved such praise.

Not everyone had his level of awareness.

...

...

The power of the media has always been a double-edged sword.

Zhao Fusheng never expected to use the media for anything; he just did what he wanted to do.

Moreover, Zhao Fusheng believed that for thousands of years, the Chinese people's inherent spirit of valor remained.

In times of national crisis, apart from a tiny minority, most people were still good.

Many like to criticize Confucianism, thinking it's all dross, but that's not true. The Chinese people have been deeply influenced by Confucianism from the bone.

From unique family values to national values, attitudes toward children, attitudes toward parents.

It's no exaggeration to say that Confucian thought influences all of China.

Compared to foreign countries, China's main characteristic is having a well-developed set of social values.

Every individual is responsible for the rise and fall of the nation.

For every Chinese person, there may be various dissatisfactions in daily life, but when the nation faces crisis, every Chinese person makes their own choice.

Future Group Headquarters.

Xue Yuanfang hurried back to the meeting room, where a meeting was in progress.

"How did it go? Did those reporters leave?"

Zheng Yao asked him as he entered.

Xue Yuanfang nodded: "They left. They were relatively easy to handle."

Then he smiled: "For now."

Zheng Yao naturally understood what he meant. Reporters always love to chase news and sensationalism. In normal times, they would have hounded them and dug deep into the whole story.

But at this moment, everyone knew that the Future Group and Zhao Fusheng had put themselves in an invincible position. Anyone who hounded them would be causing trouble for the higher-ups.

Reporters aren't fools; they wouldn't go looking for trouble.

It's like Wang Sicong. Though he's called the entertainment industry's disciplinary committee, cursing out whoever he wants, have you ever seen him curse someone he shouldn't?

Why doesn't he curse corrupt officials?

The reason is simple: he's just a merchant's son. It's fine to intimidate entertainers, but if he dared to take on higher-level people, he'd face more than just a few warnings.

The 'national husband' is quite clever.

He knows exactly who he can offend and who he can't.

That's why Young Master Qin can be his friend, while Mr. Huang and Mr. Wang can only be cursed by him.

In short, it's because of different levels.

"Build momentum! We must build momentum!"

Zheng Yao said to Xue Yuanfang: "Take this opportunity to establish the image of the company and Fusheng personally. I'm not asking for special treatment from the higher-ups later, but at least I want everyone to know that the Future Group's image is positive."

She was in advertising and excelled at seizing the moment. Although Zhao Fusheng hadn't said anything, Zheng Yao felt this was the best time.

For the Future Group, if they handled this well, they wouldn't have to worry about their image in the future.

"Don't worry, I understand."

Xue Yuanfang nodded: "But should we really not inform Fusheng?"

"Him?"

Zheng Yao glanced at Xue Yuanfang with exasperation: "Do you think he has time to bother with us?"

"Forget I said that." Xue Yuanfang shook his head decisively.

As Zheng Yao said, Zhao Fusheng probably had no time to deal with them now.

That was the truth.

Zhao Fusheng was indeed busy now—busy being a volunteer.

Originally, Zhao Fusheng planned to deliver the supplies there and contact Chen Shijie's colleagues to find out what had happened.

But when he arrived, he found that he couldn't reach anyone.

More importantly, they desperately needed manpower.

So Zhao Fusheng sent out everyone around him, leaving only Zhang Qian, two bodyguards, and Liu Yiming.

"Chairman, maybe you should go back to Jincheng first."

Seeing Zhao Fusheng about to help search for survivors, Liu Yiming stopped him and said earnestly: "It's too dangerous here. If something happens, I can't bear the responsibility."

"Go back? No."

Zhao Fusheng waved his hand, unconcerned, and smiled: "There are over a hundred thousand people here. How dangerous can it be? Besides, you can see they need people here. If you can stay, why should I leave?"

Liu Yiming looked helplessly at Zhang Qian: "General Zhang, please talk to him."

Zhang Qian spread his hands: "I know him better than you. It's useless."

He had known Zhao Fusheng for so many years and was all too familiar with his personality. Zhao Fusheng was the type who yielded to persuasion but not to pressure.

And once he set his mind on something, not even a team of oxen could drag him back.

Now that he was determined to stay, not even Liu Yiming, or even Fan Baobao, could talk him out of it.

Liu Yiming smiled bitterly. That might be true, but given Zhao Fusheng's status, if something happened, who would take responsibility?

Thinking this, he gritted his teeth and said to Zhao Fusheng: "Chairman, how about this: I'll stay in Suxi County, and you go somewhere else, okay?"

In his mind, Suxi County was the hardest hit and the most dangerous. If he stayed and let Zhao Fusheng go elsewhere, at least there would be some buffer.

Zhao Fusheng smiled and waved his hand: "Don't overthink it. We won't be here long; we'll go back in a couple of days."

"Sigh!" Liu Yiming looked helpless but had to let Zhao Fusheng continue forward.

He didn't know that without this performance, he might have been transferred away by Zhao Fusheng.

Or, to be precise, it was precisely because he repeatedly urged Zhao Fusheng to leave that Zhao Fusheng was very satisfied with him as his secretary.

The duty of a secretary is not just to echo the boss but also to advise the boss.

Of course, the boss might not listen, but he still had to speak.