Chapter 2926 - 2034: The Sound of War Drums (Part 2)

Chapter 2926: Chapter 2034: The Sound of War Drums (Part 2)

This isn’t exactly bad news for them.

That acting chairman, Bai Xuanyu, has always been a conservative, dedicated to maintaining the status quo and stability of the group, and is the least willing to see conflict.

Moreover, Vice Chairman Morgan was one of those who supported his ascent, and Bai Xuanyu also values Vice Chairman Morgan particularly.

So, if he can’t make it to this meeting, for Bai Xiaosheng and Wen Yan, it isn’t really a bad thing and could even be advantageous.

Soon, Bai Xiaosheng and Wen Yan reached the door of Conference Room No. 1, and entered.

This so-called No. 1 Conference Room of the Zhenbei Group is essentially a medium-sized meeting room with an interesting layout inside.

In the center, there’s an enormous round table made of heavy, stable mahogany, with the group’s logo embossed in gold in the center, shining impressively yet solemnly.

Some might jokingly call it a "round table meeting."

Around the massive mahogany round table are fifteen chairs, also made of finely carved mahogany, with high backs that give an imposing look.

These fifteen seats represent the top structure of the Zhenbei Group: The Chairman, seven vice chairmen, six division managers, plus a seat for the chief of the Inspection Branch.

Hence, this meeting is also referred to as the "Fifteen-Person Meeting," representing the pinnacle of power within the Zhenbei Group, besides the board.

At this moment, the room is almost full, except for three seats, respectively for the absent acting chairman Bai Xuanyu, the ailing Vice Chairman Lu Cheng’an who is hospitalized, and the head of the Inspection Branch. Although the president of the Sixth Business Division, Mrs. Margery, couldn’t attend either, her representative at headquarters is present, which Vice Chairman Morgan agreed to.

Bai Xiaosheng, this special business division president, has attended so few meetings here that he has no fixed seat, usually because not everyone invited manages to attend, so it doesn’t matter where he sits.

"Good morning, everyone!" Wen Yan greeted the crowd with a courteous smile.

Even though his level is on par with the vice chairmen, it’s not considered impolite for him to appear later, and Bai Xiaosheng, the current second-in-command of the Inspection Branch, being called to a meeting by the leader and then showing up together is also not improper.

The crowd returned the greetings to Wen Yan.

Bai Xiaosheng also greeted everyone.

"Sheng, since Vice Chairman Lu Cheng’an couldn’t come, why don’t you sit in his seat." Wen Yan casually arranged.

Bai Xiaosheng nodded his head.

However, just as Bai Xiaosheng approached the seat, Vice Chairman Morgan, sitting by, suddenly remarked with a bit of sarcasm, "Are you planning to sit here, Mr. Bai Xiaosheng?"

Bai Xiaosheng paused, and nodded.

"That’s not appropriate; that’s a vice chairman’s seat. Even if Mr. Lu cannot attend, it doesn’t mean a business division president should sit there." Vice Chairman Morgan sneered coldly, "If nothing is done by the rules, wouldn’t that be disordering the group’s hierarchy?"

The attendees couldn’t help but glance at Vice Chairman Morgan, trading looks amongst themselves.

Though his words were somewhat harsh, they seemed not without reason.

Bai Xiaosheng looked at Vice Chairman Morgan, saying nothing.

Seeing this, Wen Yan quickly said, "That was my thoughtlessness. Someone, bring a chair..."

"Mr. Wen Yan!" Vice Chairman Morgan casually interrupted Wen Yan, leaning slightly, "This table always only had fifteen chairs; that’s the rule! Adding more, how, where would you add it? Are you going to discard the old chairman’s rules, and change them at will?"

Wen Yan’s eyes narrowed.

Vice Chairman Morgan made it clear that he was causing trouble.

"Mr. Morgan, rules are dead, people are alive, don’t be overly harsh!" Next to him, Li Yunyuan frowned and said in a deep voice, "Don’t always use rules as an argument; we were all involved in drafting the old chairman’s rules. If he were here, he certainly wouldn’t emphasize such formalities!"

"Vice Chairman Li Yunyuan, the old chairman is not here, and you claim rules are mere formality? And you outright tell the juniors it’s unnecessary to comply. If the group spirals into chaos later, can you shoulder the responsibility?" Vice Chairman Morgan squinted slightly, tapping the table coldly.

"You!"

Li Yunyuan didn’t expect Vice Chairman Morgan to publicly accuse him like that, and was immediately rendered speechless with anger.

Others either agreed with Vice Chairman Morgan, or mediated, but none dared speak of ignoring rules.

After all, the heavy accusation would be unbearable, even for a vice chairman.

Wen Yan’s gaze held some chill; he hadn’t expected to be targeted by Vice Chairman Morgan right at the beginning.

If Bai Xiaosheng couldn’t smoothly attend the meeting, losing face is secondary; it would disrupt their plan’s implementation.

Wen Yan couldn’t help but consider taking a hard stance, even at the cost of being accused of defying the old chairman’s rules.

But before he could speak, Bai Xiaosheng gave him a signal.

Wen Yan was moved, stabilizing his emotions. He cleared his throat and raised his voice, "Could everyone please be quiet."

The attendees, all of the group’s top level, with qualities beyond ordinary individuals, quickly quieted down.

Taking advantage of the moment, Bai Xiaosheng approached Vice Chairman Lu Cheng’an’s seat, looked at Vice Chairman Morgan and asked with a smile, "Mr. Morgan, is it that during this kind of occasion, only those of equal rank can sit in a vice chairman’s seat?"

"Naturally!" Vice Chairman Morgan replied, lifting his chin.

Bai Xiaosheng pointed to the person substituting for Mrs. Margery and quietly asked, "Then why can this person sit here?"

The person was immediately flustered, glancing at Vice Chairman Morgan, "I..."

"He’s the resident group head replacing Mrs. Margery from the Sixth Business Division; Mrs. Margery is not present, he substitutes, which I agreed to." Vice Chairman Morgan replied matter-of-factly, "Same department, Mrs. Margery also agreed; why not? Furthermore, that seat isn’t a vice chairman’s."

Vice Chairman Morgan clearly played a "double standard" game.

Li Yunyuan couldn’t help but frown, showing some irritation.

Wen Yan’s emotions became a bit harder to contain.

Bai Xiaosheng grinned, "Then following your logic, great, I shouldn’t sit here, but surely, Mr. Wen Yan, who’s of equal rank with the vice chairmen, can."

Vice Chairman Morgan’s smile froze at these words, casting a glance at Wen Yan.

Suddenly, Wen Yan understood and laughed.

"Correct, Vice Chairman Morgan said only someone of equal rank can sit in a vice chairman’s seat, so I certainly can, adhering to the rules!"

Bai Xiaosheng added, "I am employed in the Inspection Branch. Mr. Wen Yan and I are in the same department; if the leader agrees, can I temporarily sit in his seat? Earlier, Vice Chairman Morgan mentioned strict rules only for vice chairman seats."

Li Yunyuan burst into laughter too, "Yes, according to his logic, you can sit!"

Vice Chairman Morgan felt as if he swallowed a fly, his eyelids twitching.

Bai Xiaosheng grinned, said no more, and headed directly over.

Wen Yan smiled at him, and moved towards Vice Chairman Lu Cheng’an’s seat.

Vice Chairman Morgan was seething inside.

Once again, he was embarrassingly outmaneuvered by Bai Xiaosheng, enraging him.

But, you won’t be gloating for long. Soon enough, I’ll have you crying without time to spare! Vice Chairman Morgan thought furiously.

Caroline, among the attendees, felt somewhat speechless, from the start sensing Vice Chairman Morgan’s provocation as rather childish. However, since he insisted, what could she do? Seeing Vice Chairman Morgan thwarted again, she sighed inwardly.

To deal with Bai Xiaosheng, one can’t simply think of embarrassing him, but should instead aim to decisively incapacitate him!

Seated in Vice Chairman Lu Cheng’an’s place, Wen Yan smiled as he looked at Bai Xiaosheng taking a seat, then surveyed the attendees and said, "Today’s meeting will be presided over by me. As usual, each department has ten minutes to outline key work points from the past month, successes and failures, followed by discussion of major issues..."

Wen Yan’s speech was interrupted by the sound of someone knocking on the table.

He looked over in confusion, with others following suit.

Vice Chairman Morgan’s expression was stern, and he said coldly, "I suggest that this meeting not drag on; let’s go straight to the focus! I have an exceptionally serious matter here!"

Vice Chairman Morgan stared at Bai Xiaosheng, "It concerns some high-ranking member here, with grave, outrageous issues!"