Chapter 199 Black Fission (Middle)
ifying at times. So, are you interested in being number eight You'd automatically fall into the short-term observation category."Yu Cen scratched his head awkwardly and said, "You sure have a high opi...Chapter 718: Black Fission (Part 2)
In June of the year 2004, Shanghai was about to enter its rainy season. Unlike the bleak northern winds carrying snowflakes or the oppressive humidity and rain in the vast western regions, it was still characterized by the intricate and delicate nature unique to Southern China, reminiscent of the graceful young ladies from wealthy families in Jiangnan towns, dressed in red robes and adorned with exquisite embroidery, like a fleeting moment in time that evokes sorrow and longing.
The financial center of Shanghai continued to witness influential figures commanding the ebb and flow of the financial economy within the Yangtze River Delta region. Various movements stirred up data on the stock exchange screens which gripped millions of hearts with their fluctuations.
High above towering skyscrapers, countless middle- and upper-class individuals as well as giants in various industries would occasionally catch glimpses of rumors about a change in leadership at Facebook China through newspapers or news reports. They might buy Starbucks coffee from downstairs or brew aromatic coffee using expensive company machines.
The interconnected or business-related ones would text Joe Shuxin to confirm the rumor or offer comfort.
For most high officials and economic giants in Shanghai's financial center, these rumors seemed just another story that could evoke their sympathy and rouse their interest. It was a topic worth discussing during afternoon tea meetings at business clubs or golf resorts with friends.
Nowadays, many eyes were focused on the new media and political form emerging from overseas. In contrast, the local version of Facebook China stirred endless speculation. A CEO turnover in such a prominent social network would incite curiosity about the potential unveiling of the mysterious entity that had been revered and shrouded in secrecy.
“American president, Mark Zuckerberg, social influence, emerging political form, gift economy, Chinese Facebook, changing flags...” At the headquarters of China's most authoritative financial newspaper, the news team covering Facebook wrote these interconnected terms fluently with chalk on a blackboard for the internet technology journalists. The buzz of chatter from below grew louder as emotions intensified.
It seemed that all major newspapers and magazines across China, including those in Beijing, Shanghai, Southern cities, Sichuan Province, and Hong Kong's Phoenix TV, were silently awaiting this news and its subsequent developments.
However, for most ordinary people at the time, everything remained calm.
The news that Joe Shuxin, then CEO of Facebook China, had left his position seemed irrelevant to many. Whether it was a rumor or an actual event, they could still use Facebook as their instant messaging tool and log into their personal pages to share information with friends. Companies, foreign-funded enterprises, and banks could continue using the business communication tools developed by Facebook for video conferences and transmitting confidential files without any change.
The most significant concern might be whether this event indicated a rift between the Chinese and American CEOs of Facebook. It was unfortunate that these two individuals had co-founded the social network in their high school dorm room, an inspiring story worthy of being written into a biography. The question remained about how to continue writing this story.
Would tomorrow be sunny
In the Shanghai Municipal Committee,
Liu Changhui received confidential documents in his office at the municipal committee's secretariat. As the city party secretary was accompanying a State Council inspection team on an expedition to Xinjiang for regional revitalization research, Liu had many matters to attend to but still found the internal reference document that needed his attention. The eye-catching title of the report read "Be Wary of Social Media Marketing Stirring Up War." Without doubt, this was one of the numerous aggressive statements currently in circulation, openly citing articles from international media and reports on Facebook abroad.
The secretary from the second office saw Liu reading the document quietly. He put aside the State Council’s Yangtze River Delta Youth Talent Development Plan and Shanghai Bridge and Road Construction Fund Audit Scheme that he had to submit and waited patiently for Liu's review.
Everyone knew that the Diamond City University Project of the 15th Five-Year Plan, jointly initiated by the municipal government and national departments such as the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Education, was spearheaded by Facebook China. Liu and his superiors aimed to foster a new software information and internet industry layout capable of rivaling Beijing's Tsinghua University Park and Peking University Science Park, which had a complex relationship with the rising Pineapple Network.
More importantly, the lines involved in this matter extended from Liu and several high-ranking officials to various channels at the central level. The secretary, who had worked closely with multiple deputy secretaries due to his family's extensive political connections, knew that the document was submitted by a vice-secretary who recently returned from Europe. This vice-secretary, an administrative master’s graduate himself, presented the article as a scholar-official and was well-qualified to make such assertions.
"Is this Vice-Secretary Zhao's piece scheduled for release today" Liu sighed after reading it, raising his brows.
The secretary nodded. "Vice-Secretary Zhao wrote it in Beijing upon returning from Europe. After completing the draft, he discussed it with Director Li and Deputy Minister Song. At that time, Deputy Minister Song said Vice-Secretary Zhao still had sharp insights and did not need any editing."
Liu nodded, handing back the document. He knew there were many officials close to former leader Hu Jintao in Shanghai. This vice-secretary was one of them. However, this vice-secretary was a hands-on official who never spoke out of turn or made reckless statements; his current focused approach might be influenced by brief interactions with high-ranking officials in Beijing.
Liu wondered how many others held similar views regarding the potential for失控的社會媒體。
But people should understand that what was once feared and treated as a threat could ultimately prove outdated. During China's early internet era, there was initial caution towards Western technology, with state security agencies even intervening in internet companies' operations. There were incidents where individuals organizing online dissent were imprisoned under charges of subverting the state.
Later, it was Premier Zhu Rongji who said, "If we can't control the Internet, we shouldn't try." This paved the way for a more relaxed regulatory approach.
This year marked another review period for Facebook China's ICP license according to central regulations. Given the international public opinion surrounding American Facebook, this review might pose significant challenges and even become a battleground, putting Facebook China in greater peril.
"What do you think of Deputy Secretary Zhao's article" Liu Changhui asked, looking up at the secretary from the second department.
The secretary was taken aback for a moment before saying, "Deputy Secretary Zhao is an ideologue whose theory is absolutely solid. Su Chen probably has major issues." The secretary still found it hard to imagine why someone like Su Chen would be personally endorsed by Deputy Secretary Zhao. If one were to list the personnel that Deputy Secretary Zhao met after returning from Europe in Beijing, many of them pointed directly at the Gao family. No matter how long this secretary had been immersed in officialdom with a wide network of contacts, he could not fathom why such an involvement would lead to so much high-level confrontation directed at this young head of a private or joint venture company. What kind of person was Su Chen
"I don't think so." Liu Changhui gave a faint smile. He didn't say that even if several people like Zhao Zhenhui came out to criticize, they still might not be able to shake the foundation of this young man.
Liu Changhui thought about the old man at Central Party School and the man standing in Western Sichuan Province, as well as the powerful Gao family system. Over the years, he had gradually noticed certain sharp edges accumulating and tensing up, while the youth who founded FaceBook China and Da Bolo was caught between them. What direction would this youth's future take
In Jiangnan Province, where central leaders were being inspected, the top-tier state guesthouse Jinlong Hotel used for reception had guards stationed every ten steps. Occasionally, groups of two or three officials walked by whispering and dared not make any loud noises.
As the provincial Party Secretary with economic competitiveness in Jiangnan Province, Tian Kuihua was also known for being strong and domineering on the political stage, often leaving fellow party members angry but speechless.
If these people were ordinary, they would have long been buried under strict rules and crushed by history's wheels. However, with a pillar-like third son of the Gao family as both an official and businessman, and the powerful Elder Mr. Gao overseeing them all, this structure was enough to support the mixed-up grand scene of the Gao family.
This final conflict did not escalate further; it was brought to a halt when Jiangnan Province's then-Provincial Governor Gao Langtao intervened directly by calling Gao Xiangdong's phone and shouting, "How many brains do you need to dare do something like this!"
Afterwards, nearly half of the Gao family personnel in Jiangnan Province were alarmed. Private debates continued endlessly, even reaching outside Jiangnan Province to Beijing.
When Old Grandpa Wang heard about it from his secretary, who was still indignant and added, "The Gao family... they really lack manners," Old Grandpa Wang simply smiled faintly. Through the window on the sixth floor of Jinlong Hotel, he looked out at Jiangnan Province's night sky.
The stars were dim, while a bright star shone steadily.
Gao Xiangdong was summoned to Gao Langtao's room in the middle of the night. Gao Langtao, rarely showing anger, scolded fiercely, "Have you had your head kicked by a donkey Ruining everything!" Gao Xiangdong was struck dumb; all the present Gao family officials knew that despite Gao Langtao’s usually gentle demeanor, he could occasionally explode in rage and even curse—no one dared say anything on behalf of Gao Xiangdong.
Everyone understood what "ruining everything" meant. Although the Gao and Wang factions wouldn’t engage in life-or-death struggles (that wasn't realistic or possible), any future conflicts would likely be centered around leadership changes far into the future, where both sides were amassing power like a mighty tide rushing forward to advance their faction’s interests. Gao Langtao was anxious about this; he had lost his composure because of Wang Bo possibly entering the Politburo earlier due to gaining support sounds, and thus moved before Jiangnan's faction matured, but actually made two blunders.
If today's incident spread further and happened right under Gao Langtao’s nose, many wouldn't see it as Gao Xiangdong being domineering; they'd think Gao Langtao was incapable and immature for letting personal emotions cloud his judgment. This could affect the Gao faction's initiative in upper echelons of power, even making more voices lean towards the more stable Wang family.
As a political star like Wang Bo, if he remained calm and steady moving forward without error, he would gain significant influence points.
A phone call came in at this moment; Gao Langtao was still boiling mad. He nearly smashed the phone down when answering it.
But then his expression gradually calmed, even showing a hint of... joy.
The officials present couldn’t understand what could make Gao Langtao calm down from this potentially future-threatening rage.
Gao Xiangdong knew that it was news about his second sister's husband Liao Jiaming arriving. Liao Jiaming came from a Hong Kong tycoon family; after marrying his second sister, the Hong Kong Yuanxin Group could rely on the Gao family background to open doors in mainland China. Liao Jiaming alone had ST Juyuan Group and other listed companies on the mainland. Early this year, when the third young master of the Gao family, Gao Heng, controlled Zhongkong Group, they planned to inject 20 million yuan in profits into ST Juyuan under their main construction business line, integrating all previously acquired subsidiaries into ST Juyuan and boosting performance. The original plan was to merge and restructure the acquired Senchuan China Company with ST Juyuan Group this year, but due to an unknown reason involving a young man in Shanghai, Zhongkong Group's scheme of extracting funds from banks as assets failed.
Liao Jiaming himself, although an in-law, was deeply trusted by the Gao family. His graduation from Oxford University and exceptional ability made him very promising to Gao Heng, becoming a left-hand man in Hong Kong. This time Liao Jiaming's arrival brought extremely good news long rumored within the family.
"Go back and reflect on your actions yourself!" To Gao Xiangdong’s surprise, Gao Langtao had no intention of keeping him, harshly saying that before leaving to meet Liao Jiaming outside Jinlong Hotel.
Regarding Wang Bo's creation, the Da Bolo faction, if they could strike a blow, it wouldn't just destroy his political career’s foundation but might even uncover secrets lethal to Wang Bo. The Gao family had already covertly laid plans for this; who knew when it started—perhaps when Su Chen's father was still working at Dafeng Construction and in conflict with the Gao faction while the Wang faction secretly targeted them from behind, or perhaps disrupting the layout of Senchuan Group. Whatever the case, the unavoidable collisions between the Wang and Gao factions made the Gao family realize that if they could first take down Su Chen's Da Bolo Holdings System in their future competition with the Wang family, it might be a key move to hit Wang Bo.
But the Da Bolo faction was deeply rooted; even for the powerful Gao family, moving against Su Chen wouldn't be easy. But there were still cracks. The crisis at American Facebook and the arrival of CEO Mark Zuckerberg in China during this period stirred speculations. Added to the rumors about Qiao Shuxin's departure, all these pointed towards a young man who had taken an unbelievable path in a short time—these constituted certain vulnerabilities.
Cai Jiaming came with several respected elders from the Gao family's surroundings. They were in a guesthouse called Jinlong Hotel, which was opposite to Wang Laoye's VIP building where central leaders were accommodated, and it looked magnificent under the night fog lights.
Highland Waves and other leading figures involved both domestically and internationally were in this large luxurious meeting room with carpeted floors. The atmosphere there was intimidating.
A woman who seemed elegant had red-rimmed eyes, and she spoke through her sobs, "… So far Gao Fourth is still missing... We haven't received any news about him... As his wife, I should do something for him..." She then looked at them with resentment in her eyes, "If we can accomplish this task, it will also give us a chance to vent our frustrations... If Gao Fourth isn’t alive anymore, he would rest in peace."
Another middle-aged man remained silent for a long time before finally speaking in a low voice, "Gao Fourth's problem is that he’s overly greedy. He has been warned not to be tyrannical and only think about himself when it comes to his interests. Does he really believe our Gao family can’t be touched Someone dared to challenge us... Sheng Tang and Century were taken over by Wang Bo, resulting in over 5 billion dollars being lost... It's not just Gao Fourth who has suffered... In Shanghai, that founder of the Facebook equivalent even dared to take a stab at us..."
The woman slightly suppressed her sobs and looked at Highland Waves with flirtatious eyes. "These years, Canghai High is up high; he spends millions on fancy cars and easily spends tens or even hundreds of thousands on meals... He sponsors racing and football for hundreds of millions in Europe and America... Where does he put us Only you and my brother take care of us poor relatives... help us to get back our dignity from being bullied by outsiders..."
Sitting opposite Cai Jiaming, Highland Waves lit a cigarette. He did not want to listen to these words but asked Cai Jiaming instead, "How is it going"
"Young Master Gao has interacted with Redwood Capital and there’s deeper contact now. In summary, if we continue this way... everything will be fine."
"Of course, no problems would be ideal, but don’t overstate things. That young man established the Big Banana empire in just five years, which means he's not a fool. Don't underestimate him or let his age confuse you. He could be one of your most challenging opponents ever... until the last moment, we can’t afford to slack off..."
"Thinking about it again, I agree that his age is scary," Cai Jiaming admitted.
He then rubbed his hands together in excitement and nodded seriously. "However, this makes things more interesting... every plan has been detailed, with Young Master Three personally overseeing them, plus詹化and Redwood's assistance, I believe that Su Zan can't escape this time."
Highland Waves nodded. "Go ahead then. Once everything is set in stone, Wang will be no longer a concern."
In the faraway place under the dark and unclear sky, these hidden currents and powerful forces started to lay out their plans with a simple gesture that could change many people's fates in an instant. From this moment on, it seemed they had already decided the destiny of the man who caused countless people’s regrets.
Su Zan occasionally thought about what would happen if everything left him one day. As the saying goes: a barefoot person is not afraid of wearing shoes. The happiest thing in life is not what you have gained but what you can lose without fear.
But Su Zan feared losing things, despite his rebirth giving him confidence to disregard many rules and bring advantages from another era. He was still scared of losing everything he had acquired through hard work and luck.
He feared losing the company he built because it wasn't just talent and effort but also good fortune that got him there. Su Zan didn’t think himself very capable, even though since his rebirth he excelled in school from junior high to college; yet he knew he still lacked capability to create another Big Banana or Facebook empire without such an advantage.
He feared losing Tang Wu because the length between her and him felt like a century. Due to its length, any separation would tear his heart apart. As someone with two lifetimes’ experience and age adding up to middle-age, he was not exaggerating.
He also feared losing Lin Luoran, that devilish girl who appeared in his life. He loved her vibrant energy and sensitive mind, even the strength she hid under her tough exterior.
The night at Nan University was full of excitement, from the love scenes staged by male students in Dorm 602 to sudden awakenings like nightmares: if he had met her before Tang Wu, would their fate have been different But life isn’t a story; it doesn't end and continue infinitely until death.
Su Zan once had a wet dream where he was smelling the neck of a girl, tracing down to her beautiful body like moonlight. She had black hair falling elegantly on proud shoulders and long slender legs, perfect toenails that didn’t need coloring. He looked up and saw Lin Luoran looking at him with displeasure; then that night Su Zan exploded.
Chapter 718: A Trip to Chengdu to Meet the Host
The sponsor was Dunhuang Group back then.
Wang Yue wore a tank top and silk shirt over it, with loose cotton pants. She looked like she had just come from a yoga studio. More surprisingly, she got out of an unsuitable Buick Roadmaster car for her style. Maybe Wang Yue cursed Lin Guangdong many times in the car.
Walking beside Su Zan, Wang Yue seemed more like a seductive senior who was trying to get close to a junior.
Su Zan was famous at Nan University but there were many celebrities around. People here wouldn't come up and talk unless they had ulterior motives. The seniors or same-grade students knew him would greet him warmly or briefly before continuing their paths, showing modesty befitting scholars.
Most people didn’t realize what the signs inside Facebook implied.
"I heard about it online and in newspapers; Jo Shuxin’s departure and Zach's arrival. So I guessed you’d feel bad and wanted to talk and cheer you up." Wang Yue smiled, looking at this man who had achieved her dream of leaving that small city for a high standpoint.
"It's nothing serious, don't worry. Things won't get worse. I'll nip any trouble in the bud before it gets out of hand," said Su Cen with a smile.
"I have no doubt about you. Just like what you told me on that flower bed at Xiahai Government's backyard... It changed my life from then on..." Wang Yue’s morning flight was delayed, and she only left in the afternoon and arrived in Shanghai around noon. After contacting Lin Guangdong of Pineapple Media, she came to find Su Cen, who had already been waiting for her as the twilight fell.
The crimson sunset illuminated her beautiful, worldly eyes. If someone had told him a few years ago that he personally shaped this wise and elegant businesswoman, Su Cen wouldn’t have believed them.
"Since you proposed our small shop merging with yours to become one store, I no longer doubt your ability to help me leave that city." Wang Yue paused for a moment before continuing: "You said let me personally see the world. It may not be as beautiful as imagined, but it is worth seeing. Indeed..." She supported herself on her hands and kicked at the ground with her feet. She truly looked like an older sister of Nankai University’s female students. "The world isn’t so wonderful. But because there's Dunhuang, Pineapple Network, you all... It makes me want to take a look. That is enough..."
"Don't worry. Though I can't fight battles for you and can only secure the rear provinces," Wang Yue stretched out her hand, pushing a strand of hair away from her chest, "if there's something necessary... I’ll do anything for you."
Wang Yue still had to go to Guangzhou that day. She was going to attend a meeting the next day, so she couldn’t stay long in Nankai University either. Before leaving, she waved at Su Cen and drove away from the university. Leaves were falling onto the road, and male and female students walking by with books. At this moment, no matter what future awaited him, Su Cen felt inexplicably better.
He understood that despite setbacks and lows in his rebirth, he never missed out on those climactic moments and wonderful experiences, making it worthwhile living again.
"Su Cen, why is your American friend causing trouble behind everyone’s back Why am I only hearing this crap now—your Mr. Qiao resigned" Lin Zouwu called that night. He seemed to be in a room with some friends, whispering about something. As expected of the sociable Lin Zouwu, he probably didn’t even need to dig up several media sources for him to hear this news.
Although Lin Zouwu’s tone was crude and straightforward, Su Cen couldn't help but be touched by his familiar voice defending him on the phone.
"Doesn't everyone understand that a position can increase power but not authority; strength but not courage; wealth but not grace"
“There’s nothing serious...” Su Cen was amused by Lin Zouwu's occasional profound musings and said, “Everything is fleeting, everything will pass.”
"I'm in Beijing, Wang Weiwei is beside me. We are always monitoring the situation; you just have to say a word, we can gather people to get rid of that American guy at any time if he continues with his feather-picking schemes."
Su Cen didn't know who was present on the other line with Lin Zouwu and Wang Weiwei. He wasn’t sure whether they would actually do something like this—bring a group from Beijing to deal with that American friend. Even if these people weren't reckless youths, they might inadvertently bring about some changes if they got closer to Wang Lin. This could attract the attention of certain higher-ups.
“Qiu Shuxin was dispatched by the US side anyway; his departure is a normal personnel adjustment and shouldn’t be influenced by external factors,” Su Cen said.
After pausing for a while, Lin Zouwu replied, “Just handle it yourself. The brothers are watching you.”
Moved in an inexplicable way, Su Cen nodded and added, "Don't worry; I'll take care of it."
When he received the news about Qiu Shuxin, Su Cen was still at Nankai University. Although several high-ranking executives had sent him messages asking for his opinion, he hadn’t gone to the Fortune Global East Asia Hotel or Facebook Chinese yet, even though they were facing Zuck.
To many people, this seemed like a statement of attitude—trying to silently convey dissatisfaction with how things are handled. Without prior discussion with either Facebook Inc. or Qiu Shuxin himself, the American side made decisions unilaterally. This wasn’t in line with his original vision for Facebook when he founded it; rather, it resembled actions taken by a strict and militarized transnational company like Microsoft.
Thus, Su Cen decided to face Zuck directly.
As he stepped out of the elevator, the bustling and three-dimensional Facebook lobby suddenly relaxed as if they had found their leader. Then everyone was pleasantly surprised when they saw Qiu Shuxin behind him.
Su Cen noticed Mu Guotao coming over quickly and whispered seriously to him, "Zuck is in his office. Two people from the American side are here—one’s Chris Cox, VP of Product Development, and the other is Chris Kelly, Legal Counselor. They brought Qiu Shuxin's contract for US employment."
Su Cen saw several high-ranking executives approaching: Zhao Yanbin from Operations Maintenance Department, Liu Wenqiang, Director of Operations, as well as others; he asked in surprise, "Where’s Kate, the Financial Director"
Zhao Yanbin's face turned strange and said, “She is with Zuck. He has been talking to her these two days...” Without continuing, Zhao knew that originally, Kate was sent from the American side. During this time when Qiu Shuxin was dismissed, what Zuck asked Kate and what she told Facebook Chinese were unknown. Whether these involved crucial parts nobody could say for sure; but there was no doubt that Kate was a wedge placed by the US side in Facebook Chinese.
Zhao Yanbin then asked, "Where’s Tang Wu"
"Her parents are here in Shanghai; she can’t leave," Su Cen replied. He understood that his situation with Facebook Chinese might make Tang Wu's parents take it seriously as well. Knowing and agreeing to her dual flag internship at both Nankai University and Facebook, they naturally wanted to know what would happen next.
Su Cen looked up through the glass floor at the second-floor president’s office, then led Qiu Shuxin, Zhao Yanbin, Liu Wenqiang, and others up the spiral staircase. Everyone on the first floor turned their gazes towards them.
"Come with me."layed out on a little box could be the entire world for a teenager.Did Lin Mingmei's voice fade into the vast cosmos Did seven bare-chested young men bully a snake demon woman Did someone shed tears u...