Chapter 2144: Appeasement

Zhao Fusheng's decision was undoubtedly the final word for Future Group or Hanxing Investment.

Especially at this moment, it was even more so.

The expressions of Liang Jingyu and Wu Sijie visibly relaxed.

"Chairman, rest assured, we will handle this as soon as possible."

Wu Sijie said to Zhao Fusheng.

"You two..."

Zhao Fusheng was no fool; the behavior of these two had already betrayed their thoughts.

"It would be best if you could think of it."

Liang Jingyu said sincerely to Zhao Fusheng: "Wu and I discussed it privately. Actually, if we tie ourselves too closely with Samsung, it's not a good thing."

Zhao Fusheng nodded: "I understand."

Although he was no professional, he still understood basic principles.

After letting Wu Sijie and Liang Jingyu leave, Zhao Fusheng thought for a moment and then dialed Lee Kun-hee's number.

"Chairman Zhao, long time no see."

Lee Kun-hee's voice still sounded strong. It had to be admitted that the old man's vitality was tenacious; rumors had long circulated about his poor health, but to this day, Samsung Group remained firmly in his grasp.

"Yes, Chairman Lee."

Zhao Fusheng smiled faintly: "I'm calling presumptuously to discuss something with you."

"Is it about Hanjin Shipping?"

Lee Kun-hee said directly.

Clearly, the old fox knew what Zhao Fusheng was going to say.

Zhao Fusheng nodded: "Yes, Chairman Lee. Sister Boo-ri mentioned a cooperation to me before. After much consideration, I feel this matter is not suitable."

"Therefore, Hanxing Investment will not get involved in Hanjin Shipping."

Lee Kun-hee frowned and remained silent for a long time.

Clearly, he hadn't expected Zhao Fusheng to give him such an answer.

Of course, it could also be that Lee Boo-ri had not yet informed Lee Kun-hee of the outcome of her meeting with Zhao Fusheng.

As for the reason, Zhao Fusheng didn't want to know and wouldn't investigate the truth.

"Alright, I understand."

After a long while, Lee Kun-hee nodded.

Zhao Fusheng smiled faintly: "Chairman Lee, to be frank, I am not optimistic about Hanjin Shipping's future development. I apologize."

"It's fine. Let's have a meal together sometime."

Lee Kun-hee smiled and said nothing more. Soon, they both hung up.

……

……

Although not explicitly stated, both Lee Kun-hee and Zhao Fusheng understood that the honeymoon period between the two companies had ended.

Previously, Samsung and Hanxing Investment had cooperated extensively across South Korea, working closely together.

But now, with Zhao Fusheng rejecting Lee Kun-hee's cooperation, everyone knew that from then on, each would go their own way.

Whether Samsung would continue to invest in Hanjin Shipping had nothing to do with Hanxing Investment.

Zhao Fusheng always meant what he said.

In his view, since the global shipping industry might fall into trouble, he didn't see anything special about Hanjin Shipping that would allow it to escape unscathed.

That said, Zhao Fusheng would not dissuade Lee Kun-hee.

After all, he was the helmsman of Samsung. In other words, given his status, even if he incurred losses, he could afford them.

"That's that."

Putting down the phone, Zhao Fusheng shook his head, smiled, and muttered to himself.

He had said all that needed to be said; whether Lee Kun-hee would heed it was his own affair.

In the following days, accompanied by Wu Sijie and Liang Jingyu, Zhao Fusheng, along with a group of Hanxing Investment executives, inspected many of Hanxing Investment's industries in South Korea.

It had to be said that Liang Jingyu was truly capable. Although Zhao Fusheng had guided him from behind in the past, over these few years, he had still achieved considerable success in South Korea.

"Very good."

Zhao Fusheng said to Liang Jingyu as he sat in the car returning to Seoul.

"You flatter me, Chairman."

Liang Jingyu quickly expressed modesty.

He was an extremely shrewd man and naturally knew when to show what attitude.

"Good work is good work."

Zhao Fusheng waved his hand and said to Liang Jingyu: "I don't like beating around the bush. You've done very well."

Then he smiled: "Don't think that just because Wu Sijie was my secretary, you can't point out his mistakes. Next time, you can tell me directly."

"Yes, Chairman."

Liang Jingyu nodded, his face full of gratitude.

He naturally knew that his position was very sensitive.

If it were back home, he wouldn't have to worry so much, because being under Zhao Fusheng's nose meant that even if problems arose, he wouldn't bear too much responsibility.

But this was South Korea!

In other words, the emperor was far away. Running such a large company as Hanxing Investment, if anything went wrong, it would be beyond his ability to bear.

All along, Liang Jingyu had been worried that Zhao Fusheng might suspect him.

That was why he had been so cautious.

Even though he knew the decision on Wuji was problematic, he didn't report it directly to Zhao Fusheng but merely insisted on opposing it.

And now, Zhao Fusheng's initiative to say such words truly surprised Liang Jingyu.

……

……

The young cry for love; the adult cry for poverty.

Zhao Fusheng understood this truth well, so he thought of focusing all his efforts on making money, to increase his wealth as much as possible.

"I'll be back soon."

Zhao Fusheng called Fan Baobao to ask about the children and the elders.

"How is everything going?" Fan Baobao laughed.

"Not bad."

Zhao Fusheng smiled: "When are you coming back to the country for a while?"

"Let's talk about it later."

Fan Baobao thought for a moment: "The child hasn't been moving much lately."

Since she said that, Zhao Fusheng naturally couldn't insist and had to agree.

"Then I'll come over."

Zhao Fusheng thought for a moment. Originally, he planned to return home, but since Fan Baobao didn't want to go back, he might as well go to Italy.

"Future Film is about to go public. Are you really not going to Hong Kong?" Fan Baobao asked Zhao Fusheng.

Zhao Fusheng smiled: "I'll pass. Zheng Yao and the others can go."

"Alright."

Fan Baobao nodded and didn't pursue the matter.

As an old married couple, she naturally knew that Zhao Fusheng had no interest in such public appearances.

Speaking of which, her husband was a peculiar figure in the business world. Over the years, Zhao Fusheng had never accepted a single media interview. Even Fan Baobao couldn't help but laugh at the thought.

And Zhao Fusheng himself had told those around him more than once that he had little interest in public appearances.

The reason was simple: Zhao Fusheng felt that doing so would make him a slave to wealth.

Having worked so hard to get where he was, he didn't want to be burdened by money.

No sooner had he put down the phone than Liu Yiming knocked and entered.

"Chairman, Ms. Lee Boo-ri is here." Liu Yiming said to Zhao Fusheng.

Lee Boo-ri?

Zhao Fusheng was slightly startled, somewhat surprised.

Ten days had passed since his phone call with Lee Kun-hee, and he had had no contact with the Lee family. In contrast, Lee Jae-hyun had called to greet him upon hearing that he was in South Korea.

But at that time, he was touring various parts of South Korea with Liang Jingyu and Wu Sijie, so they agreed to meet after returning to Seoul.

He hadn't expected that upon returning to Seoul, the first to visit would be Lee Boo-ri, not Lee Jae-hyun.

With that thought, Zhao Fusheng said to Liu Yiming: "Please ask her in."

Regardless, since Lee Boo-ri had come in person and lowered her stance so much, he had to show her some respect.

Zhao Fusheng had always been like this.

Respect me a foot, and I'll respect you ten feet.

That was Zhao Fusheng's principle in dealing with people.