Chapter 266 - 220: Zhenyuan Restaurant

Chapter 266: Chapter 220: Zhenyuan Restaurant

In truth, Gu Heng had instructed Zhuang Hanyu to begin preparations the very moment he decided on Zhen Cui Group’s full-scale expansion plan.

The urgency was primarily because time waits for no one.

With the Lunar New Year’s Eve festival just around the corner, it was a heaven-sent opportunity.

No one is a saint; everyone has a weakness.

Regardless of their status, everyone has a weakness.

And where there’s a weakness, one can carry out a precision strike.

A lustful man can be taken down with a honey trap.

A vain person can be won over by feeding their ego.

A clever person can be brought down by ruinous praise.

A brave person can be swayed by appealing to their sense of justice.

...

Of the thousands of schemes in the world, there is always one tailor-made for you.

Right now, the four teams dispatched by Dingdun Capital were like a demolition crew, heading to their target cities to carry out these targeted precision strikes and clear the way for Zhen Cui Group’s subsequent expansion.

"Since the list has been drawn up, have them set out as soon as possible."

Now that he had a clear picture, Gu Heng handed the phone back to Zhuang Hanyu and added, "I’ll have to trouble you to oversee this closely, President Zhuang. Make sure they handle it with the right touch. We’re going to show our sincerity. It would be a disaster if things backfired."

"Rest assured, Chairman Gu."

"Yesterday, while reviewing the list of personnel with Hu Rong, the Director of the Public Affairs Department, I already gave her instructions. Once all the teams are dispatched, we will immediately activate a three-tiered coordination mechanism."

Zhuang Hanyu replied with a serious expression, "Director Hu Rong will coordinate daily. Yuan Ruixiang, the Vice President in charge of the Public Affairs Department, will coordinate every two days. And finally, I will coordinate every three days. This will ensure the operation stays on track, proceeds smoothly, and is completed on schedule."

"I’m always at ease when you’re handling things, President Zhuang."

Gu Heng nodded slightly, clearly satisfied with Zhuang Hanyu’s arrangements.

"Hmm..."

"It’s about time."

"Let’s head to the conference room."

Gu Heng glanced at his watch and gestured to Qi Min and Zhuang Hanyu.

"Alright."

...

At one in the afternoon, when Gu Heng returned to the corporate conference room with Qi Min and Zhuang Hanyu, the many group executives were already seated in neat rows.

"The group meeting will now resume."

Qi Min’s somewhat authoritative voice rang out, and the faint whispers that had filled the conference room instantly vanished.

"The second item on the agenda for today’s general meeting is the creation of a new brand."

Once the room was completely silent, Gu Heng got straight to the point, announcing another major decision for Zhen Cui Group.

As Gu Heng finished speaking, two large words instantly appeared on the LED screen behind him:

Zhenyuan Restaurant!

Looking at the two words on the LED screen, the many group executives knew this must be the name of the new brand Gu Heng had just announced.

"Zhenyuan Restaurant. Its future business will be focused on the field of medicinal cuisine."

"The ’Zhen’ is from our own Zhen Cui Group, signifying the pursuit of the utmost quality and perfection. The ’Yuan’ alludes to the source of vitality—’yuanqi’—echoing the concept from traditional Chinese medicine."

Gu Heng concisely explained the origin of the "Zhenyuan Restaurant" brand name to the assembled executives. Then, his expression turned serious. "And now, I am here to announce a personnel change."

"Effective immediately, Fan Hong is relieved of his duties as Assistant to the Chairman."

"Fan Hong’s new position will be General Manager of the first flagship store for Zhenyuan Restaurant. He will be fully responsible for the creation of the Zhenyuan Restaurant brand going forward."

When he finished, the gaze of every executive involuntarily shifted to a spot in the front row. Seeing Fan Hong’s somewhat stunned expression, their own expressions became hard to read and thought-provoking.

Assistant to the Chairman versus General Manager of a flagship store. On the surface, one was an "assistant" and the other a "general manager," so the latter seemed far superior. In reality, in terms of status within the group, the latter position was far inferior to the former.

Take Xu Liang and Guo Jia Hui, for example. They were both general managers of the group’s directly-owned restaurants, effectively the group’s "Governors." Yet, they wouldn’t dare show the slightest disrespect toward Fan Hong; they would even unconsciously use honorifics when speaking with him.

The Assistant to the Chairman was equivalent to a member of the emperor’s inner circle in ancient times.

It was a position that could only be held by someone highly valued;

by someone deeply trusted;

by someone exceptionally talented.

He was always by the chairman’s side, the first to know of any major corporate decisions, and was also fully responsible for handling all matters, large and small, related to the chairman.

It wasn’t just the likes of Xu Liang and Guo Jia Hui; even group Vice Presidents like Xie Jianlin had to be polite and amiable toward Fan Hong. Even Qi Min had to treat him cordially.

On paper, he was the Assistant to the Chairman, but in reality, his status was nearly on par with a Vice Chairman of the group.

Under these circumstances, for Fan Hong to be suddenly removed from his post and assigned to take full responsibility for creating a new brand was, in the eyes of the executives, a clear-cut case of being kicked upstairs.

’Could it be? Has Fan Hong lost Chairman Gu’s trust?’

The same thought surfaced in the minds of all the executives.

Facing the crowd’s stares, Fan Hong quickly composed himself, his expression returning to its usual calm.

"Thank you, Chairman Gu, and the group for this vote of confidence!"

"The creation of this new brand is a matter of corporate strategy, and I will give it my all!"

Fan Hong rose to his feet, his voice firm and powerful.

"President Fan is correct. The creation of this new brand is indeed a strategic initiative for the group. In fact, its importance and long-term significance far exceed even the comprehensive expansion plan for Zhen Cui Group’s northern market."

Gu Heng had taken in everyone’s unreadable gazes and thought-provoking expressions. Now, after Fan Hong accepted the task without any hesitation, Gu Heng’s voice suddenly rose, becoming much louder.