Chapter 201: Fanatical Loyalty

The atmosphere in Fang Huan Shipping's conference room was as oppressive as the calm before a storm.
"How's the handover at the dock? Those bastards didn't try anything funny, did they?"
General Manager Du Yuanhang's voice was laced with grief and indignation, as if his heart were bleeding.
"Reporting to General Manager Du, those guys were like wolves eyeing their prey, moving at an alarming speed!
As soon as the formalities were completed, they rushed to empty all our goods, as if they were afraid we'd back out."
This would be unsettling for anyone.
Rotterdam Port was Fang Huan's core hub for penetrating the European market.
It was the gateway connecting Asia and Europe, and also its largest stronghold in Europe.
Fang Huan had invested countless resources and effort into operating and maintaining it.
But the American-led alliance, relying on its vast wealth, had forcibly pried this prized possession out of Fang Huan's grasp.
Although the money was sufficient, everyone knew the strategic value of this location was such that even ten times the price wouldn't be enough for Fang Huan to relinquish it.
"Damn it, in the end, it's because we're incompetent!"
An executive slammed his fist on the table, his face full of dejection.
This incident deeply stung Du Yuanhang and all the senior executives of Fang Huan Shipping.
"If we were capable, how could we have been robbed of our things like this?"
"But... Mr. Du," another executive said, his tone full of incomprehension and resentment,
"Chairman Su... he really didn't say a word and just let us hand it over?
I always thought Chairman Su had a lot of influence!"
This question hit the nail on the head.
Indeed, Chairman Su had previously acquired the operating rights to numerous ports from the Europeans almost like a robbery.
His methods back then were so ruthless, practically etched the word "tough" onto his face, forcefully driving the transfer price down to a level that would give the other party a stroke on the spot.
Therefore, everyone was certain that this young chairman was ruthless and had powerful connections!
He had originally expected Chairman Su to rise up and lead Fanghuan Shipping in a powerful counterattack!
But what happened? Chairman Su didn't even choose to fight.
As soon as pressure was applied, he decisively let go, packing up the Port of Rotterdam and all its assets, and giving it away.
Even though he knew how important that place was to Fanghuan Shipping.
Du Yuanhang, the person in charge of Fanghuan Shipping whom Su Hao had personally promoted, now looked like a wise sage, glanced at everyone, and sighed:
"You guys are still too naive, you don't understand."
"Huh?" Everyone was taken aback.
"Think about it yourselves. If Chairman Su chooses to fight to the end, won't those people resort to all sorts of underhanded tactics, even threatening to use 'long-arm jurisdiction' to arrest me?"
Du Yuanhang gave a self-deprecating laugh. "To be honest, even if I were arrested, how much would Fanghuan Shipping suffer?"
Everyone fell silent.
"As long as Chairman Su is still around, a pawn like me is useless if I'm discarded. But the question is, if I go in, then what?"
His gaze swept over each executive. "Do you think you'll be safe and sound?"
His words were a wake-up call!
If Du Yuanhang falls, his successor won't be able to hold their position either; they'll just be purged one by one using the same methods.
In the end, the entire management team will be wiped out!
"To put it bluntly, even if we all go down in jail, for Chairman Su, it's just a matter of replacing us with new people. But,"
Du Yuanhang's tone shifted, his voice tinged with an indescribable admiration, "Chairman Su didn't do that!"
"Then...why did he..."
"He's protecting us!" Du Yuanhang's voice suddenly rose, like a resounding bell, striking everyone's hearts!
"Chairman Su would rather suffer in silence, losing a huge piece of business, than let us old bones be out of the woods, protecting us completely!"
"!!!"
A thunderous roar!
The entire conference room fell silent instantly.
All the previous frustration, confusion, and resentment transformed in that instant into an indescribable surge of shock and overwhelming warmth.
“In this game between great powers, we’re just pawns crossing the river on a chessboard, destined to be cannon fodder.”
Du Yuanhang’s eyes reddened, yet brimming with pride.
“But Chairman Su, he didn’t treat us like pawns! He treated us like human beings, like living, breathing members of his company, like true brothers!”
At this, everyone could no longer hold back.
A surge of fervent magma, the spirit of “a scholar dies for one who understands him,” exploded within each of them!
In an instant, everyone understood.
They finally understood that Chairman Su’s seemingly “cowardly” decision was, in fact, the epitome of manly responsibility!
They all knew that with Su Hao’s abilities and methods, if things really came down to it, he could unleash a bloody war!
Even if he couldn’t achieve a complete victory, he could at least leave his opponents severely scarred!
But he gave up.
He didn't want his ruthless maneuvering to sacrifice his loyal subordinates.
So, he was willing to bear the stigma of "weakness," willing to forgo that mountain of gold and silver, just to ensure the safety of all his brothers!
"Damn it...this world," someone cursed fiercely, his eyes reddening,
"Any other boss, what do they care about the lives of their subordinates? Their own interests are always the most important...
Only Chairman Su...only he treats us like human beings, like brothers!"
"Chairman Su...he's so much younger than us, yet his magnanimity, his sense of responsibility, I've never admired anyone in my life, but today I admire him!"
"What is loyalty? This is what loyalty is!"
These seasoned veterans who had spent half their lives navigating the business world, what kind of boss hadn't they seen?
Over the years, they'd witnessed countless betrayals and schemes; their hearts had long since grown cold.
But at this moment, that frozen heart was completely ignited by Chairman Su's decision!
He was young, but he understood loyalty better than anyone!
He was ruthless, but his tenderness was reserved entirely for his own people!
"Get your spirits up, all of you! From now on, work hard for me!" Du Yuanhang slammed his fist on the table, his eyes burning with fire.
"Chairman Su protects us, so we must protect him!
If there's a next time, even if Chairman Su doesn't let us go, we'll grab our weapons and fight them ourselves!
We can't let Chairman Su suffer this kind of injustice for us again!"
"Yes, President Du!"
The executives roared in unison, their eyes burning with fervor!
That ignited fanatical loyalty seemed capable of burning through the heavens, transcending time and space, converging on Chairman Su, who was not present at the moment but had become their sole source of faith!