How A Ride-Hailing Driver Comes To Dominate The World? [EN]: Chapter 452

“President Cheng, can you explain what’s going on?” Little Ma demanded, his voice sharp as he addressed Cheng Leyun, the vice president overseeing the Greater Entertainment division.

Cheng Leyun stammered, “Chairman, I had no idea Zhang Yumeng was involved in anything like this.”

Yang Chen interjected, “It’s not just Zhang Yumeng. At least a hundred people in the Content and Platform Business Group are compromised. I’ve reviewed the company’s financial reports, and several projects within that group are hemorrhaging money, especially the news division. It doesn’t take a genius to see the shady dealings going on.”

Kang Wen, the head of the news division, shot to his feet, protesting, “Mr. Yang, I admit the news division is operating at a loss, but I cannot accept your accusations of corruption.”

Yang Chen nodded to Jin Ming, who promptly distributed another document to everyone.

The document detailed instances of corruption within the news department, revealing widespread kickbacks. For example, a salesperson would negotiate a 1 million advertising deal with a client but only report 800,000 to the company. The remaining 200,000 would be split between the salesperson and the client’s representative.

With such practices, profitability was impossible.

The company invested in 1 million worth of promotion but only received 800,000 in revenue.

If it were an isolated incident, it wouldn’t be so dire.

But with nearly every salesperson engaging in such schemes, the company was being bled dry.

Kang Wen vehemently denied the allegations, “This data is fabricated. It can’t be accurate. Mr. Yang, how did you obtain this information?”

Yang Chen retorted, “That’s my business, and you don’t need to know. Since you’re so insistent on your innocence, are you willing to submit to an internal investigation? Open your banking app and show us the transaction history of the relevant account. That will quickly reveal the truth.”

Kang Wen’s face paled, and he stammered, “That’s a violation of my personal privacy. The company can’t infringe on my rights.”

Little Ma slammed his hand on the table, rising to his feet. “What’s wrong? Feeling guilty? If there’s truly nothing to hide, we’ll handle it internally. If you refuse to cooperate, we’ll involve the police.”

Kang Wen pleaded, “Chairman, are you going to doubt a loyal employee based on unsubstantiated data?”

Little Ma countered, “I treat you like family, but you don’t reciprocate. If these allegations are true, even executing you a hundred times wouldn’t be enough to quell my anger. Let’s just consider the news division. Back when QQ [a popular instant messaging platform in China] had massive traffic and before the rise of Douyin [TikTok’s Chinese counterpart], you still failed to make it work. I couldn’t understand why, given the favorable conditions. Now I see it was because of you—these rats stealing from the company!”

Kang Wen desperately wanted to avoid police involvement, which would likely lead to jail time.

If the group handled it internally, he could return the embezzled funds, face demotion, or resign, and the matter might be resolved.

Kang Wen reluctantly opened his banking app and allowed Little Ma to examine his transactions.

The bank records clearly showed the illicit activity. Numerous payments from partners were directly deposited into Kang Wen’s personal account, a blatant violation of company policy and the law.

Little Ma roared, “Kang Wen! What do you have to say for yourself now? Even a cursory glance at these details reveals the problem.”

Kang Wen confessed, “Chairman, it’s my fault. I succumbed to temptation. I betrayed the company and your trust. I’ll return all the money as soon as possible. I beg you to give me a chance to redeem myself.”

Little Ma slammed the table again, pointing at the others. “What about the rest of you? Are you going to confess, or should the company call the police?”

Resistance was futile. One by one, they confessed their illegal activities to Little Ma.

Just then, Zhang Yumeng, the producer of “Love of Cangming,” arrived.

He wouldn’t normally be allowed to attend a meeting of this level, but given the severity of his transgressions, President Ma had him brought in to provide an explanation.

Little Ma threw the document detailing Zhang Yumeng’s illegal activities at him. “Read it and then talk!”

Zhang Yumeng picked up the document, sweat beading on his forehead after only a quick scan.

How could such private information have been uncovered with such precision?

Little Ma demanded, “Zhang Yumeng, you really know how to line your pockets. A TV series with a 200 million investment, and you give Zhang Shuangshuang 160 million. How dare you? Were you planning to make a killing and then disappear?”

Zhang Yumeng instinctively wanted to argue, but seeing the detailed list of accounts he used for money laundering, he knew it was pointless.

“Chairman, I was wrong. I failed the group’s trust. I deserve to die. It only happened this once. I’ll return all the money. Please give me a chance to make amends,” Zhang Yumeng pleaded.

Little Ma scoffed, “You people in the Greater Entertainment Business Department are all the same, reciting the same lines. I never imagined the corruption within our group was so pervasive, reaching such shocking levels. A small-time producer dares to embezzle 110 million from a single project. I can only imagine the shady dealings in previous projects and how much money the group has wasted. Fortunately, Mr. Yang discovered the problem, or who knows how long you rats could have continued to hide.”

Zhang Yumeng turned to Yang Chen, asking, “Mr. Yang, how did you find out about this?”

Yang Chen explained, “Chen Wang, an employee of Julic Culture Company, which collaborated with you, boasted about you and Zhang Shuangshuang to attract others to join their company and participate in the filming of “Love of Cangming.” He must have told countless people before me. Imagine the impact on the group if this information had spread further. Even a one-point drop in the stock price would mean a loss of over 20 billion.”

Zhang Yumeng clenched his fists, seething with anger. It was Chen Wang, that bastard, who had betrayed him.

Others would have done everything to keep this secret, but he had brazenly flaunted it.

Zhang Yumeng sighed, “I understand. I deserve what’s coming to me. I have nothing to say. I accept my fate.”

Little Ma, usually known for his composure, was visibly enraged. He slammed the table again, shouting, “Does accepting your fate solve anything? Can you compensate for the group’s losses? The financial losses are secondary. The real issue is the time wasted and the market share lost. How will you make up for that?”

Zhang Yumeng lowered his head in silence.

Yang Chen sighed, stood up, and said, “President Ma, take your time to reprimand them. I need some fresh air.”

Little Ma quickly escorted Yang Chen out of the meeting room, apologizing profusely, “I’m ashamed that the corruption within the group is so rampant, and I was oblivious for so long. Mr. Yang, rest assured, I’ll handle this with the utmost seriousness and spare no one.”

Yang Chen smiled and nodded, “I trust in your resolve and courage, President Ma. I’ll leave you to it.”

Little Ma replied, “Okay! We’ll meet at Tang Court [a high-end restaurant] at noon.”

Yang Chen nodded and left with Jin Ming.

Little Ma returned to the meeting room, and soon his angry reprimands echoed through the building.

A small-time producer embezzled 110 million from the company in a single project. Who knows how many parasites are lurking within the entire group.

Little Ma was clearly ready to take decisive action. Losing money was bad enough, but these parasites were hindering the company’s progress, causing potentially profitable projects to fail or be shut down.

Yang Chen and Jin Ming left the Penguin Building. It was still early, and since they were returning to Haicheng in the afternoon, they decided to take a stroll.

They soon arrived at a fountain square in front of a building.

It was during working hours, so the square was relatively empty.

As they admired the fountain, a man in a suit and tie approached them.

“Excuse me, would you be interested in attending a financial lecture? Yang Chen, the mastermind behind Xingchen Investment, is speaking. Are you familiar with Xingchen Investment? They’re the investment firm that recently made waves in the US banking sector. We’ve hired Yang Chen at great expense to give a free lecture. Would you two like to attend?” the man said, handing Yang Chen a flyer.

The words “Yang Chen, the mastermind behind Xingchen Investment” were prominently displayed on the flyer, clearly the main selling point.

Yang Chen and Jin Ming exchanged amused glances.

Yang Chen asked, “Really? Are you sure you’re not mistaken?”

The man smiled confidently, “Absolutely! It’s a free lecture. If you’re not satisfied, you can leave at any time. We pride ourselves on our integrity.”

*Good heavens, are scammers really this brazen these days?*

*They’re lying through their teeth in front of the actual person, without even a hint of embarrassment.*

“In that case, we have to go. I’m curious to see what the real Yang Chen looks like,” Yang Chen said with a grin.

The man chuckled, “You’re in luck. Many wealthy individuals would pay a fortune for the chance to meet someone of his stature. Now you get to meet him for free, listen to his insights, and even have the opportunity to receive personalized investment advice. You’ve really hit the jackpot today.”

Jin Ming teased, “It seems we’re incredibly fortunate. Is Yang Chen handsome? Someone so accomplished must be very attractive.”

The man replied, “Well, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Heaven is fair. If it bestows wisdom, it often withholds good looks. Consider a man who can outsmart the US banking industry.”

The man continued, “He must be incredibly intelligent. Therefore, Heaven probably didn’t bless him with exceptional looks as well.”

*Yang Chen thought to himself, “Damn, does he mean an ugly guy is impersonating me?”*

Soon, Yang Chen and Jin Ming followed the man to an office on the 18th floor of the building.

Promotional posters at the entrance proclaimed “Meet Yang Chen, the Mastermind Behind Xingchen Investment” and other enticing slogans.

The three arrived at the “Yang Chen” lecture hall. Over twenty people were already seated in the room.

A bald, middle-aged man on stage was spouting financial jargon.

The man said to Yang Chen and Jin Ming, “Find a seat and listen carefully. I won’t disturb you further.”

Yang Chen smiled and nodded. He and Jin Ming found seats and listened.

Jin Ming suppressed a laugh and whispered to Yang Chen, “Old and ugly. I feel a little sorry for you. You’re being impersonated by someone like that.”

Yang Chen glanced at Jin Ming helplessly and smiled wryly.

The “Yang Chen” on stage continued, “Everyone must be wondering, why did Xingchen Investment dare to challenge the US banking industry and go head-to-head with Buffett? Right?”

The “students,” whether genuine attendees or, like Yang Chen and Jin Ming, simply lured in, nodded in agreement.

“When I first heard the news, I thought it was a hoax. How could anyone dare to take on the US banking industry and Buffett?”

“I had the same reaction. I didn’t think anyone would dare to pull a tiger’s teeth, but someone actually did it.”

“President Yang, please tell us what you were thinking at the time? Weren’t you afraid of offending the US and Buffett and facing retaliation?”

“Do you have powerful backers supporting you?”

…

“Yang Chen” chuckled, “I don’t have any backers. I dared to do it because I have confidence in my abilities. Before I acted, I thoroughly researched the US banking industry and Buffett’s holdings and made my decision after a comprehensive assessment. Let me tell you, when I decided to act, I was 100% certain of success. So, what can you learn from this? Professional knowledge is crucial. Could you have analyzed news reports, economic trends, and international events to predict the US banking industry’s impending collapse?”

The other students quickly shook their heads.

“Yang Chen” smiled and nodded, “Exactly! Without professional knowledge, you can’t decipher the data. If you want to invest and make money, you must acquire professional knowledge.”

At that moment, a chubby, somewhat naive-looking man stood up and asked, “But we’re just ordinary people without professional knowledge. We have to work to earn a living and don’t have time to study.”

“Yang Chen” replied with a smile, “Then you need to change your perspective. If you lack the expertise, you can seek help from someone who has it. Many of my peers manage private equity funds. They sign contracts with clients, guaranteeing at least 30% annual returns. However, clients pay them a 1-3% commission when they withdraw their money. You could try that. But! Remember, you must find someone you can trust.”

“What defines a trustworthy person? They must have a proven track record that everyone recognizes. This not only ensures their competence but also guarantees their credibility.”

The fat man continued, “But I don’t know any private equity funds. I only know you. You conquered the global oil industry, the US banking industry, and Buffett. Your achievements are widely known. So, can’t I just give you my money to manage? Do you manage private equity funds?”

“Yang Chen” quickly waved his hand, “Thank you for your trust, but I’m not currently involved in that. People in the stock market know that Xingchen Investment has never made a mistake. Frankly, if I accepted your money, it would be like giving you free money. I’m not that generous.”

The students erupted in excitement.

“President Yang, please take us with you! We’re all honest people. As long as we’re guaranteed returns, we’ll follow your lead.”

“President Yang, why don’t you start a private equity fund? There’s plenty of money to be made in the stock market. If we don’t earn it, someone else will. If you can guarantee a 30% annual return, I’ll give you a 5% commission when I withdraw my money at the end of the year.”

“I agree! President Yang, please consider it and take us with you. Please.”

…

Yang Chen realized that the purpose of this fake Yang Chen’s free lectures was to swindle the students out of their savings.

*Damn, that’s ruthless!*

*Training fees are no longer enough for these scammers. They’re targeting the life savings of people who dream of getting rich.*

*Damn it, I’m lucky I stumbled upon this today. If I hadn’t, and they continued to scam people like this, Yang Chen would be the one taking the blame when it all fell apart.*

The fake Yang Chen continued his charade, “I understand your eagerness, but I’m truly sorry, I don’t manage private equity funds. My company has ample working capital, and many wealthy individuals and officials are eager to invest with me. They’re just like you, not asking questions and simply expecting at least 20% dividends at the end of the year. Sometimes, when I meet influential figures, it’s hard to refuse, so I agree, earning them at least 100 million or more each year. But enough about that, let’s continue with the professional knowledge of financial investment.”

*High!*

*Really high!*

*First, whet people’s appetites, and then deliberately refuse to discuss private equity funds.*

*Some students who dream of getting rich are already salivating.*