Chapter 284: The Way of Survival

[Jiangjin Group Chairman's Office]
"So, this won't affect us at all?"
Qin Han, Chairman of Jiangjin Group, let out a long sigh of relief, his tense nerves finally relaxing.
"Yes, Chairman. The French government has completely conceded defeat this time; the policy is entirely null and void.
The semiconductor-related tax we were worried about naturally doesn't exist anymore."
Qin Han felt a wave of relief mixed with lingering fear.
His group's operations in Europe were too extensive. If France had actually implemented the tax increase, and it had triggered a similar trend across Europe, the extra money he would have had to pay would have been astronomical.
"Times have truly changed..." He leaned back in his chair, deeply moved.
"Who could have imagined that a riot could escalate to such a terrifying extent in such a short time through the internet?"
"So, after smartphones, what truly changes the world is social networks," the secretary replied respectfully.
"This time, if it weren't for Fang Huan Investment's backing, fanning the flames with their 'PicPic,' and their coordinated efforts with Facebook and other media giants to create a massive buzz, the French would probably have succeeded long ago."
The secretary's words once again refreshed Qin Han's perception of Su Hao.
Not long ago, he had always thought that Su Hao's investment of so much time and money in social media was a complete waste of time.
With that spare money, he should have invested more in semiconductors, a pillar industry representing the future.
But this time, Su Hao, through a "performance" that overturned the political landscape of a country, proved to the world why he was investing so heavily in social networks, regardless of the cost.
A single "PickPick" has nearly turned a permanent member of the UN Security Council upside down!
Social media can easily manipulate public opinion and unleash a wave powerful enough to bury everything!
Fanghuan Investment has revealed its sharpest fangs to the world.
And this has become their most terrifying weapon.
'So, money alone cannot truly hold power…' Qin Han thought, deeply shaken.
Times have changed.
It's no longer an era where climbing to a high position and making a fortune meant you could do whatever you wanted and call a deer a horse.
Now, whoever can control the hearts of the masses, whoever can manipulate the emotions of hundreds of millions of netizens… is the true king!
“Also, Chairman, Fanghuan Investment just announced the establishment of a foundation.”
“Hmm? A foundation? They're donating money?”
“Yes. It's said that as soon as the foundation was established, it directly donated 100 million to France for urban reconstruction.”
“What’s going on? What are they donating money for…”
But Qin Han quickly realized the deeper meaning behind it.
“This is to plant a flag of Fanghuan on French soil in front of the whole world, to establish their authority!”
The secretary’s voice trembled slightly.
“Do you remember what I reported last time, about a mysterious Eastern capital group using hundreds of billions to short the French stock market?”
“Yes…you mean, that was really done by Fanghuan Investment?”
“Although there’s no direct evidence, all the rumors point to them.”
This storm severely damaged the French stock market; they made at least tens of billions from this one investment.
Donating a hundred million… to them, it's probably not even a transaction fee; it's just throwing it out to make a noise.”
He suddenly realized!
This wasn't a donation at all!
This was clearly the victors mocking and humiliating the vanquished!
Fang Huan Investment, on the front lines, stirred up public opinion, turning France upside down;
and on the financial front, while France was scrambling to put out the fire, they stormed into its home, looting and plundering, leaving with their spoils.
Before leaving, they even threw down a few bills, claiming it was for medical expenses.
For a major power, this is probably a more devastating humiliation than a direct attack!
The most infuriating thing is that even though France is furious, they don't even have a single way to retaliate.
"That kid Su Hao..." Qin Han muttered to himself, "He looks so kind, but I never expected... he's so vengeful."
"Yeah, after all, if this policy passes, Fang Huan will be the one who suffers the most.
So, he's retaliating in the most direct and ruthless way."
The secretary whispered, "Anyone who dares to touch his cake and eat it too!"
Su Hao's young face, always carrying a gentle smile, flashed through Qin Han's mind.
But who would have thought that beneath that seemingly harmless, sunny smile lurked a ruthless, domineering beast!
When drinking and chatting together at the dinner table, Su Hao was such a witty, humorous, and approachable friend.
And it was precisely because of this that Qin Han often felt a chill that ran deep in his soul.
“However, Chairman, the future direction of the Fanghuan Foundation is probably…not so simple.”
“Oh? What do you mean?”
“This donation to France is just a pretext.
They publicly claim that the foundation's main focus in the future is to support gifted young people in all fields within the country.”
“All fields?”
“Yes, you heard right, that's exactly what they said: all fields.”
Qin Han's pupils suddenly contracted.
What was the Fanghuan Foundation for?
At first, he thought it was just a temporary platform set up to handle the French donation.
But now it seems that it was just a smokescreen!
“They…have other purposes?”
“Yes, Chairman. Think about it, didn't our Jiangjin Group establish a foundation a long time ago specifically to support impoverished university students?”
The Jiangjin Group's foundation has supported countless impoverished university students over the years, but its focus is especially on top law students!
Although Jiangjin Group has never admitted it, the legal professionals who benefited from its investment and are now thriving have indeed provided countless boosts to the group's development over the years.
However, Fang Huan's investment strategy is far more ruthless!
Jiangjin Group has only cautiously focused its funding on the legal field.
Fang Huan, on the other hand, intends to use its seemingly endless stream of funds to sow seeds in all fields!
They aim to cultivate future scientists, artists, economists, sports stars, legal professionals…
To cultivate loyal "knights" for the future Fanghuan Empire!
To build a legion of geniuses, capable of protecting Fanghuan's future across all industries!
"Holy crap, they...want to control the future of all fields?"
Qin Han's voice was hoarse.
"Yes. We might not see any results right now, but once they keep pouring money in like this, nurturing those seedlings into towering trees..."
"Then, Fanghuan will grow into an unprecedented behemoth."
Qin Han finished the sentence, feeling a chill rise from the bottom of his heart.
"Yes. However, Chairman, you don't need to worry too much.
This kind of wide-net approach is actually very inefficient and easily leads to a huge waste of funds.
After all, it's impossible to predict where things will blossom and where they will bear fruit."
The secretary tried to comfort him.
Waste?
Qin Han sneered inwardly.
They simply didn't understand Su Hao!
The Su Hao he knew was a monster who wouldn't waste a single penny!
Would he really do something like skipping stones?
Since he dared to use the guise of donations to establish such a grand foundation, there must be a shocking scheme behind it!
Especially the phrase "regardless of field," which precisely demonstrates his absolute confidence in his ability to precisely find the shining gold from countless grains of sand!
Because when it comes to "investment," Su Hao's intuition is unparalleled!
Whether it's an investment company or... an investor!
'Doesn't that mean that in the not-too-distant future, every industry in this country will be filled with "Fang Huan's people"?'
A terrifying thought arose in Qin Han's mind.
The most fatal thing is that, facing this monstrous beast that has already begun to accelerate wildly, there is simply no way to stop it!
Even the French government has bowed down before it; what power can possibly stop it?
Power, like wealth,
once it begins to accelerate, it expands uncontrollably and wildly!
In the near term, it means controlling a country.
In the long term… ruling the world!
Maintain a friendly relationship with this colossal beast that is about to devour the heavens and earth, and stay close behind it.
This is probably the only option available to Jiangjin Group in the future.
The best,
and only,
way to survive!