The other one had his back to the company entrance, holding a water cup in his hand, and slowly sipping the scalding hot tea. Only his back was visible, so his face could not be seen.
"Excuse me, I'd like to see Mr. Zhang from the European Coast Company," Song Tianyao said, knocking on the glass door after entering.
The young man who had caught the Gao Lao Cheng's short-handled axe with one hand last night looked up from the newspaper, glanced at Song Tianyao, and smiled disdainfully, "There are four bosses with the surname Zhang in this company. Which one would you like to see?"
"I'll see whoever can make the decision right now." Song Tianyao said with a smile, seemingly oblivious to the other party's obvious contempt, maintaining a polite and refined demeanor.
The young man stretched his neck. "The second room on the left, Third Young Master Zhang is out meeting friends, Fourth Young Master Zhang is inside."
"Thank you, thank you." Song Tianyao smiled at the young man and followed his instructions to walk towards the second office, praising him as he went, "Sir, your skills last night were quite impressive, almost on par with Brother Shing next to Young Master Shun. Which one are you?"
The young man continued reading his newspaper. Hearing Song Tianyao's praise, he didn't even look up and said, "Me? My name is Dai Feng, a lowly henchman for Fourth Young Master Zhang. I'm nothing compared to those intimidating Hong Kong triad Double Red Pole, and I wouldn't stoop to their level."
Song Tianyao didn't ask any more questions. He walked to the office door and knocked. "Mr. Zhang, I am Song Tianyao, the secretary of Likang Trading Company."
"Please come in." Zhang Yuliang's voice rang out in the office.
Song Tianyao pushed open the door. Zhang Yuliang was sitting behind a somewhat messy desk, leisurely teasing the two tabby cats lying in front of him with a torn piece of paper. He didn't stop when he saw Song Tianyao come in, continuing to play with the cats, saying, "Um, I'm sorry, it's not that I didn't want to get up and greet you, but I've just gotten to know these two cats, and I was afraid they would run away if I stood up. The neighbors next door went to a banquet and asked me to look after them. You're Secretary Song from Likang, right? Please have a seat."
"Mr. Zhang, I've come today to apologize on behalf of Young Master Shun. Young Master Shun had a few too many drinks last night and talked nonsense. I hope you can be magnanimous and not take it to heart, after all, you are good friends. Don't let such a small matter damage your past harmony and years of friendship." Song Tianyao carefully sat down on the sofa opposite Zhang Yuliang, looking at him nervously.
Zhang Yuliang teased the cat, but his eyes gently scrutinized Song Tianyao: "I'm not surprised that Chu Xiaoxin lost his temper after drinking and spilled a cup of leftover tea on me. What I am surprised about is that Chu Xiaoxin has never been good at business, and Likang seems to have laid off some workers recently. So how did he find the old accounts and how did he get the money? I guess it was Secretary Song who did it."
"I'm Likang's secretary, so I can understand the accounts. It was indeed my suggestion that Young Master Shun get rid of that batch of Santonin Deworming Tablets with low toxicity and make a small profit." Hearing Zhang Yuliang's words, Song Tianyao lowered his head, seemingly a little shy, yet also with a touch of youthful pride.
Zhang Yuliang loosened the note in his hand, then gently placed the two cats on the ground, letting them play with it. He then continued smiling at Song Tianyao, saying, "Earn a little? Seven hundred thousand is considered a little? Secretary Song, you're too modest. I think your visit today wasn't just to apologize on behalf of Chu Xiaoxin, was it?"
"I can't hide it from Mr. Zhang. That batch of deworming medicine has already been sold. Likang wanted to do a second deal, so they called the Britain Gaili Subsidiary Company using the phone number on the packaging. But the person on the other end said that all of Gaili Subsidiary Company's stock of Santonin deworming medicine had been ordered by European Coast Company in Hong Kong. I think Mr. Zhang must still be upset about what happened last night. Young Master Shun joking." Song Tianyao tried his best to lower his posture and said with a smile.
Zhang Yuliang turned his gaze away from Song Tianyao, picked up a document from the table and flipped through it, saying dismissively, "Since you know it was me, do you think I'll swallow my anger from last night just because you apologize on behalf of Chu Xiaoxin?"
"So the main reason I'm here today is to hear your terms, Mr. Zhang. As long as Gaili Subsidiary Company can continue supplying Likang, Mr. Zhang, would you prefer Young Master Shun to host a banquet at Lichi to apologize, or would you prefer Likang to compensate you for your financial losses? You can tell me either, and I'll tell Young Master Shun." Song Tianyao lowered his eyelids, not looking at Zhang Yuliang opposite him, and still spoke in a polite tone.
Zhang Yuliang chuckled softly, picked up a cat, and stroked its fur, saying, "Secretary Song, to be able to sell 300,000 yuan worth of Santonin Deworming Tablets, you're quite a sharp young talent. Chu Xiaoxin is really lucky to have found such a gem. I won't beat around the bush with someone as clever as you. Let's be frank. Have Chu Xiaoxin kneel down in front of me, in front of those people from Lichi last night, and beg me to throw that cup of tea back in his face. Perhaps then I'll consider having European Coast Company sell some deworming medicine to Likang."
"Mr. Zhang, this... is a bit unreasonable. Young Master Shun won't agree." Song Tianyao then anxiously raised his head and looked at Zhang Yuliang.
A warm smile slowly spread across Zhang Yuliang's handsome face, "Or, don't Likang this low-profit business to yourself. Tell me how you managed to sell the deworming medicine at such a high profit margin, and European Coast Company will supply it to Likang. Let's all make money together, and let's value harmony."
Chapter 115 Under the Holy Light, All Beings Are Equal
"The methods are worthless. The candy is just a front; the goal is simply to make a quick buck and then get back on track." Song Tianyao pursed his lips, looked at Zhang Yuliang, and took two breaths to steady his tone. "Likang prepared a batch of packaging, sold those deworming tablets as PAS Lung Tablets in Vietnam, and then used the profits to buy more deworming tablets, repackage them, and sell them as Penicillin to mainland China. European Coast Company's Western medicine business is already quite large; it's not worth ruining its reputation with such short-sighted methods. But Likang is different. After accumulating this capital, Likang can switch to other businesses. Mr. Zhang, do you still want to ruin your industry reputation with Likang to make this money?"
Zhang Yuliang's smile widened, "Not bad, not bad. If you don't plan to stay in this line of work, you can indeed make a fortune using such underhanded methods. It's rare that Secretary Song could think of such a thing, managing to turn that batch of medicine in Likang's warehouse into Hong Kong dollars 700,000. If those Hong Kong dollars 700,000 worth of deworming tablets were sold to the mainland as in-demand Penicillin, Likang could earn at least several million. A desperate last stand?"