Chapter 273 - 234: A Gathering of Big Shots

Chapter 273: Chapter 234: A Gathering of Big Shots

"When we’re done here, I’ll take my girlfriend over to check it out."

Gu Heng handed his empty cup to a passing waiter and said with a smile, "Young women like lively places. The way I see it, spending New Year’s Eve at Sound Wave would be perfect."

"Of course!"

"Chairman Gu, your presence would truly honor us!"

"I’ll call the manager of the Sound Wave Guilin Road Store right now and have him reserve the best table for Chairman Gu tonight!"

As he spoke, Chu Zhengxiong began to pull out his phone.

"It’s New Year’s Eve. I’m afraid the good tables are probably all booked by now, aren’t they?"

Gu Heng smiled. "If they’re all booked, any table will do."

"How could just any table do?"

"It has to be the best table!"

While on the phone, Chu Zhengxiong said grimly, "If the table’s already booked, have the manager work something out with the customer. If he can’t even handle a simple thing like this, then what good is he as a manager? He can just pack his bags and get out."

In reality, the person on the other end had answered the moment Chu Zhengxiong called. Hearing Chu Zhengxiong speaking, however, they hadn’t dared to interrupt. As a result, they heard every single one of Chu Zhengxiong’s final words.

"This is Chu Zhengxiong. I have something I need you to do..."

After speaking to Gu Heng, Chu Zhengxiong immediately began issuing orders over the phone. His tone was completely commanding, leaving no room for discussion.

Seeing this, Gu Heng could only let Chu Zhengxiong make the arrangements.

The entire call lasted less than a minute. Once Chu Zhengxiong had given his orders, he hung up.

"Chairman Chu, I’ll be at the Sound Wave Guilin Road Store for New Year’s Eve tonight. It’ll be a good chance to see the atmosphere and results of the upgrade for myself. If there’s truly a significant difference from Sound Wave 1.0, then at the next board meeting, I will agree to the industrial upgrade proposal."

After a month of extensive restructuring, Xingchuan International Group had been completely transformed. Its leadership, from top to bottom, had undergone a near-total shake-up.

The capable rose, the incompetent fell.

This time, Chu Zhengxiong had even used an iron fist to dismiss many of the old guard who had been with him since the company’s humble beginnings.

Gu Heng had taken note of all this. He saw Chu Zhengxiong’s determination and boldness in his desire to make Xingchuan International grow and improve.

Under these circumstances, it no longer seemed right for him to keep holding Xingchuan International back. It was time to make his stance clear to Chu Zhengxiong.

"Chairman Gu, rest assured."

"The atmosphere and experience at Sound Wave 2.0 definitely won’t disappoint you. Even someone my age feels years younger just being there, to say nothing of young people like yourselves. You’re guaranteed to love it."

Chu Zhengxiong hadn’t expected Gu Heng to suddenly relent, and he was overjoyed.

"I’m looking forward to it."

Gu Heng smiled faintly.

As the guests mingled and their glasses clinked, the clock quietly struck seven.

As a side door to the banquet hall opened, a succession of middle-aged men in official-looking jackets emerged. They all carried the unmistakable air of high-level government bureaucrats.

The hall grew much quieter upon their arrival.

"The man in the lead is Tan Guocheng, the vice-governor in charge of finance. The man to his left is Wei Ze’gong, Director of the Ji Province Department of Commerce, and the man to his right is Song Zhikai, Director of the Ji Province Development and Reform Commission."

Chu Zhengxiong knew that Gu Heng was new to the scene and that this was his first time at the Ji Province entrepreneurs’ banquet. So, as soon as the officials appeared, he immediately leaned in and quietly introduced them, saving Gu Heng from any confusion.

"That’s a formidable lineup of officials,"

Gu Heng remarked in a low voice after listening to Chu Zhengxiong’s introduction.

According to Chu Zhengxiong, the heads of nearly every department in Ji Province related to economic development were present tonight.

The Development and Reform Commission, the Department of Commerce, the Department of Finance, the Department of Industry and Information Technology, the Department of Culture and Tourism, the Market Supervision Bureau, the Federation of Industry and Commerce... The list went on, leaving Gu Heng slightly overwhelmed.

After the officials took the stage, they all stood in a single row.

The lowest rank on stage was the director level; deputy directors could only stand in the audience below.

Even for someone with Gu Heng’s experience, the sight was truly staggering.

Once the officials were in position, the prominent Ji Province entrepreneurs at the front began to applaud, giving them a warm welcome.

Afterward, the Director of the Department of Commerce took on the role of emcee.

After a brief opening, Tan Guocheng, as the highest-ranking official present, naturally stepped forward to deliver the first New Year’s address.

CLAP CLAP CLAP...

Amidst thunderous applause, Tan Guocheng walked slowly to the podium.

"My friends, our esteemed entrepreneurs, good evening!"

"On this wonderful occasion, as we bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new, we are fortunate to gather here to greet the arrival of 2024. On behalf of the Ji Province Party Committee and the Provincial Government, I wish to extend my sincerest greetings and best wishes to all the entrepreneurs here tonight!"

Tan Guocheng’s voice was deep and steady, carrying an unspoken, mountain-like weight of authority.

In terms of social standing, this was likely the most powerful person Gu Heng had ever seen in his life.

In any province, a vice-governor entrusted with assisting the governor in overseeing finance is almost always the Executive Vice-Governor. Ranking third in the entire province, they are unquestionably figures of immense power and authority.

"The year 2023 was the inaugural year for the full implementation of the guiding principles of the 20th Party Congress, and it was also an extraordinary year in the revitalization and development of Ji Province. We faced a complex and challenging external environment, as well as the arduous tasks of pursuing reform, ensuring development, and maintaining stability..."