Chapter Sixty-Four: Cooperation

Zheng Yuan's gaze rested on Zhao Zejun’s face, his lips curved in a faint smile.

When Zhao Zejun first appeared before him, Zheng Yuan merely regarded the young man as someone brimming with ideals and passion. There was a way to put it kindly—innocent and naïve. Less charitably, such people were cannon fodder, fools. Yet when Zhao Zejun spoke about “purpose” and “choice,” his impression deepened. Not only was there passion, but also intellect. This sort of person either met an early end, or, so long as he preserved his fervor, might carve out a remarkable path.

Now, Zheng Yuan was curious to see what reasons Zhao Zejun could offer to persuade him.

Zhao Zejun set down his cup and said, “Mr. Zheng, I am young and have some ideas. If I say anything out of line, please don't take offense.”

“Not at all,” Zheng Yuan waved his hand. “If you have something to say, speak freely.”

Zhao Zejun nodded. His words came at a measured pace, calm and unhurried.

“Reconstruction, as the name suggests, is to build new homes for the villagers of Gaogang who suffered in the disaster. That’s the obvious, surface-level goal—the easiest to achieve, in fact.”

He placed his teacup steadily back on the table and continued, “I’ve experienced the rainy season in Gaogang Village firsthand. I know the situation there very well. Every year, floods come to Gaogang at this time, yet the village persists. Why is that?”

Without waiting for Zheng Yuan's answer, he replied to himself, “Because the disaster is not as severe as the publicity suggests. Leaky roofs are common throughout Gaogang, but truly collapsed houses requiring reconstruction are very few. Moreover, Gaogang is a shantytown. Even if rebuilt, the homes are simple single-story dwellings, with low construction difficulty and technical requirements. Frankly, as long as there’s funding, even a ragtag crew could easily complete the project.”

At the mention of a “ragtag crew,” Zheng Yuan smiled faintly. “You really hold a grudge, young man. Go on.”

Zhao Zejun paused, then continued, “Huayang Group expressed willingness to donate, but hasn’t specified an amount. I suspect your company has noticed what I just described: rebuilding Gaogang doesn’t require much money. If the actual figure were announced, people might accuse Huayang Group of stinginess instead.”

Zheng Yuan neither confirmed nor denied it. “No matter the amount, what you’re saying only proves anyone could handle the donation. Why should it be you?”

Unhurried, Zhao Zejun replied, “As I said, reconstruction is just the surface. You mentioned ‘business is business,’ and I agree completely. For a company, whatever the pretext for spending money, the ultimate goal is always return—sometimes direct profit, sometimes indirect benefit. Reputation, for example, is an indirect benefit. I imagine your company’s donation to Gaogang is also intended to promote Huayang Group’s image?”

Zheng Yuan fell silent for a moment, then said, “That’s correct, it is one of our reasons.”

Zhao Zejun said, “Forgive my candor, but though Huayang Group is a well-known provincial enterprise, it began with coal mining—a business which, to ordinary people, doesn’t carry a good reputation. In fact, it’s rather poor. If your company wants to expand into other fields, it’s necessary to gradually change this perception. The Gaogang Village donation is a perfect start.”

Zheng Yuan laughed. “Young man, isn’t that a bit harsh?”

“Mr. Zheng, I feel I have only one chance to discuss this donation with you, so I must express my true thoughts directly, and seize the opportunity as best I can,” Zhao Zejun said earnestly.

“Your temperament is a bit like Chairman Wang’s—military style, straightforward, always striking right at the heart,” Zheng Yuan nodded. “Go ahead.”

“Now, when people hear ‘Gaogang Village,’ they immediately think of me, Zhao Zejun, and my disaster relief team.”

His tone grew firmer as he said, “Mr. Zheng, you just mentioned that my construction crew started from nothing. I’d beg to differ. From the standpoint of publicity, my team actually has the best starting conditions and an excellent reputation—advantages no other company possesses. Whoever partners with my team now will ride the wave of previous positive publicity. To put it another way, working with another construction firm is like buying an ad on a local TV station; working with us is like spending the same—or even less—on a national broadcast. That’s why I say my team is the best partner for Huayang Group.”

“So in that sense, Huayang is benefiting from your reputation?” Zheng Yuan asked, smiling.

“Mutual benefit!” Zhao Zejun replied calmly, then explained, “Without Huayang Group’s funding, everything my team and I have done would gradually fade from memory, and our efforts would yield no financial return. I’d feel ashamed before the brothers who followed me through the storm. At the same time, working with my team would maximize Huayang’s publicity. This benefits both sides.”

Seeing Zheng Yuan’s attitude soften, Zhao Zejun pressed his advantage. “Mr. Zheng, the fastest way for Huayang Group to build a positive image is to partner with someone who already represents one. Once we cooperate, the positive reputation I’ve built will immediately reflect on Huayang Group as well.”

Zheng Yuan lowered his gaze, weighing Zhao Zejun’s words internally.

Zhao Zejun glanced at him, then fell silent, sipping his tea.

After a brief pause, Zheng Yuan finally spoke, his tone serious. “We can cooperate. But there are two conditions.”

Joy rose in Zhao Zejun’s heart, but his face remained expressionless. “Please, go ahead.”

“First, Huayang Group will assign a dedicated auditor to oversee and approve the use of the donation.”

“Of course,” Zhao Zejun replied without hesitation.

“Good. Second, all subsequent publicity related to the cooperation will be handled entirely by Huayang’s PR department. You and your construction company are obliged to cooperate. Naturally, it will all be positive—we wouldn’t spend money to undermine ourselves,” Zheng Yuan said.

Zhao Zejun suddenly shook his head with a smile.

“What is it?” Zheng Yuan’s expression darkened slightly. “If you can’t accept this, we won’t invest.”

“Mr. Zheng, that’s not it. I laughed because we’re thinking along the same lines,” Zhao Zejun explained. “Even if you hadn’t mentioned it, I would have proposed this condition. We’re partners; your company wants a good reputation, and I’ll do my utmost to help achieve that.”

“Excellent. Let’s quickly draft a detailed contract.” Zheng Yuan stood and extended his hand to Zhao Zejun. “Let me wish us a pleasant partnership in advance.”

“It will certainly be pleasant,” Zhao Zejun replied.

They discussed the finer points of the contract for a while longer. As they were about to leave, Zheng Yuan asked, “Zhao, may I ask you a personal question?”

“Of course,” Zhao Zejun said.

“When you first began your disaster relief work, were you already thinking of today?”

Zhao Zejun pondered for a moment, then smiled. “Mr. Zheng, I’m no oracle—I couldn’t possibly foresee this far ahead. My disaster relief efforts were genuine, and so was my decision to use the opportunity to develop my construction team. The two aren’t contradictory.”

Zheng Yuan looked at him intently, then patted his shoulder. “Very well. Let’s move quickly to finalize the contract and begin our cooperation.”

“Agreed.”