Chapter 0828: The Efforts of a Small Fry

Zhao Fusheng loved watching *Let the Bullets Fly*. There was a dialogue between Ge You and Jiang Wen that he remembered vividly.

"I finally managed to rob a train and become a county magistrate, but I still have to cozy up to the gentry, cook the books, and damn it, kowtow to others. Am I not just a beggar on my knees?"

"If you put it that way, buying an official post to be a county magistrate is indeed begging on your knees. Even so, how many people want to kneel but don't have the connections."

"I became a bandit because my legs aren't nimble enough to kneel."

"If you want to earn money standing up, you might as well go back to the mountains and be a bandit."

"Why?"

"Making money is business. Kneeling isn't shameful."

"But the thing is, I want to earn money standing up."

"Then what do we do?"

"Just have power and guns."

Zhao Fusheng also wanted to earn money standing up, but unfortunately, he wasn't Zhang Muzhi from the movie. He had neither guns nor power, only memories that surpassed this era.

In other words, Zhao Fusheng could only do what people often said in unfavorable game situations: play it safe, don't be reckless.

Not putting all eggs in one basket—that was Zhao Fusheng's current idea. That's why he suggested that Future Advertising split its film investment and advertising planning businesses.

Whether the former or the latter, in Zhao Fusheng's view, they were both part of his future business empire.

Seeing Zheng Yao and Dong Chenxi still agonizing over it, Zhao Fusheng couldn't be bothered to say more. He had pointed out the direction; what to do next was their business.

Dong Chenxi and Bai Jie were one thing, but if Zheng Yao still didn't understand his intentions, Zhao Fusheng felt he might really consider replacing her.

"Alright, you guys take your time studying. I have things to do, so I'll head back first." Zhao Fusheng glanced at them and stood up.

Future Advertising had no business research team, which meant its market outlook was very insular—it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say they were building a cart behind closed doors. Under such circumstances, neither Zheng Yao nor Dong Chenxi could rashly make judgments.

Zhao Fusheng understood this well.

Watching Zhao Fusheng leave like that, Zheng Yao took a deep breath and looked at Dong Chenxi: "I know saying this might sound bureaucratic, but you have to admit, sitting in my position means that before I say or do anything, I have to think it through carefully, because what I decide affects not just one or two people's fates."

Dong Chenxi was taken aback, then understood what Zheng Yao meant.

She nodded: "Alright, I'll arrange for a market survey right away and send the materials to you."

After Zheng Yao also left, Bai Jie, who had been serious since the meeting ended, exchanged a glance with Dong Chenxi and finally showed a smile. If the worst outcome was Zhao Fusheng's proposal being flatly rejected, then Zheng Yao's attitude of acknowledging the plan's feasibility was the best result.

"It seems we need to put together that plan Fusheng mentioned as soon as possible," Dong Chenxi said to Bai Jie.

Bai Jie smiled and said, "I understand. I'll do the market research as soon as possible and perfect the plan."

"But do you really think Fusheng's idea has potential? In the film and television production market, most companies are losing money these days."

Changing the subject, Bai Jie said to Dong Chenxi.

"Don't forget, Zhao Fusheng knows this stuff better than you and me. At the very least, the scripts he brought in didn't lose us any money." Dong Chenxi shook her head, unconvinced by Bai Jie's words.

She knew Zhao Fusheng better than Bai Jie did, and she understood that he never fought a battle unprepared. In other words, since Zhao Fusheng had made this suggestion in front of Zheng Yao and the other two, he must have been fairly confident.

Otherwise, the merger of the two companies had nothing to do with him, nor would it affect his position in any way. He had no reason to wade into troubled waters.

Bai Jie's expression turned serious. She simply nodded, knowing that Dong Chenxi wasn't one to joke around. Since she had endorsed Zhao Fusheng's suggestion, all Bai Jie could do was to produce the survey plan as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, Zhao Fusheng, who had given Bai Jie and the others his advice, had already reached the company's main entrance.

Coming his way, he ran into Zhou Jing.

"Minister, you're here." Zhou Jing seemed to have just returned from an errand outside the company, looking travel-worn.

"Hmm, why didn't you stay at the company?" Zhao Fusheng raised an eyebrow and asked Zhou Jing curiously.

After all, because of the personal arrangements following the merger, many people had stayed at the company to wait for news instead of going out on business. Zhao Fusheng hadn't expected Zhou Jing to still be working.

"The merger doesn't have much to do with me. I'm a newcomer, and you took me in. I don't have the mind to worry about that." Zhou Jing smiled honestly, rubbed his head, and patted his briefcase. "I took this opportunity to land a print ad deal."

"So fast?" Zhao Fusheng was taken aback, not expecting Zhou Jing to have independently closed a deal.

"That Mr. Yang is a fellow townsman of mine. I chatted with him a bit, and since our company has a good reputation, he agreed." Zhou Jing replied honestly.

In his view, the biggest reason for the deal's success was Future Advertising's reputation. His fellow townsman, named Yang Yong, agreed to sign the contract after just a few words upon learning Zhou Jing was from Future Advertising.

"Not bad, you're doing better than I did back then." Zhao Fusheng said with a smile.

Young newcomers should be encouraged, after all, not everyone had as high a starting point as he did.

Zhao Fusheng himself was well aware of this; without his foresight, he might not even be as good as Zhou Jing.

"By the way, what does that Mr. Yang sell?" Zhao Fusheng asked casually.

"Ahem, Mr. Yang sells CDs..." Zhou Jing said with slight embarrassment.

These days, selling CDs wasn't a big business. There were plenty of such bosses in Zhongguancun. Someone once joked that if a signboard fell in Zhongguancun, it would hit at least eight CEOs and two VPs.

"That's fine, it's already pretty good. Besides, who knows, maybe that CD seller will become a big boss someday." Zhao Fusheng smiled and said to Zhou Jing, "Go back now. Don't worry about the company matters; you're not under their jurisdiction. Stick with me."

Zhou Jing's eyes lit up, and he quickly nodded, feeling a great weight lift off his mind.

After all, he was still young. Though he said he didn't care, he couldn't help but feel anxious about his future. But he knew he was insignificant and a newcomer in the company, without the qualifications to voice his opinion.

Now, Zhao Fusheng's words were like a calming pill for Zhou Jing. He knew he no longer had to worry about his future.