'get lost, leave quickly'"Chen Lingshan sighed: "Okay, forget it. Today you're the boss; do as you please." Su Can heaved a sigh, deciding to let go of his anger and try to win her over by virtue.The...Chapter 128: Fireworks

"Reading your Greater Pine Construction Group's annual report is not any less tiring than reading the government work report. It seems that, apart from military expenses and propaganda department spending, everything else is included. Even defense industry has some involvement," on New Year’s Eve, during a dinner banquet, Zeng Quanming spoke to Su Licheng at the dining table.

The Greater Pine Construction Group was an enterprise that had been consistently expanding its operations recently and featured in the latest issue of Chengdu Commercial News. The construction group made investments across more than ten cities, going north as far as Shenyang, south to Hainan Island, east to Shanghai, and westward into Lhasa. They were involved in over a dozen industries ranging from real estate, trade, retail, manufacturing, cultural industry, advertising, printing, and military industry, generating a tax revenue of three billion yuan last year. Su Licheng had taken the position as the general manager of Greater Pine Construction Group that same year, which was both prominent yet controversial. With so many people eyeing his position, there were likely many who coveted it. Furthermore, this year also saw indicators for state-owned assets to maintain their value.

From an external perspective, last year's management restructuring of the Greater Pine Construction Group could be seen as a fundamental overhaul. The retired chairman Xu Zheng’s push from behind was undoubtedly a strong engine propelling the group into the ranks of companies worth over a hundred billion yuan. Chairman Xu’s network and influence made the Greater Pine Construction Group one of the leading state-owned enterprises in Chengdu, serving as a stabilizing force for the city's economy.

However, when news broke that something had happened at the Greater Pine Construction Group and Xu Zheng stepped down from his position, the stock prices of the construction group fell by 24%, marking their largest decline over the past decade. This drop indirectly indicated a loss of confidence in the company externally. Many people did not expect the new chairman Sun Jiayong and general manager Su Licheng to be able to steer the company successfully towards state asset appreciation, despite it being the minimum requirement set by SASAC (State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission).

Thus, during that period last year when Su Licheng first took up his position, he faced frosty conditions. This year, under pressure, the stock price had slightly recovered but was still a great test for him as the helmsman.

"I also noticed this issue; although diversified investments spread out resources, putting all eggs in one basket can indeed be risky, yet this prudent approach also limits the group's further development. It restricts their progress fundamentally due to an unreasonable business structure. While we had Elder Xu’s support before, this year we clearly feel that many areas are hard to push forward. Some previously smooth channels now face bottlenecks. Despite having a good management system and efficient work efficiency, profits have been diluted."

Su Licheng clinked glasses with Zeng Quanming, took a sip of wine, and expressed his concerns.

Su Can pondered for a moment before sharing some valuable insights he had. "I read the recent newspapers. While Chengdu Commercial News says that Greater Pine Construction Group’s business model is to add more, maybe it would be better for them to simplify their operations instead. A diversified path might not suit the group. Take Kangjia as an example; even though it has no history like Greater Pine Construction, its development in the mid-1980s paralleled that of Greater Pine's reform and management transformation. But Kangjia always followed a specialized route, which is why their sales kept rising every year. Similarly, GREE Air Conditioning Company also adheres to specialization and currently ranks as one of Asia’s largest air conditioning manufacturers. The Greater Pine Construction Group could adopt a moderate diversification approach while managing its business scope according to internal capabilities dynamically. In simpler terms, it means setting up an industrial framework and cutting off unnecessary branches beyond the core industries. Some people within the company might be followers, but others must lead. I hope that the Greater Pine Construction Group can become a leader in their industry both locally and nationally."

The Nansong University that this Su Cen II attends has given Su Chen not only a different direction and platform in life but also more knowledge he craves. If the memories of the future stored in his brain are dry wood, then these new pieces of knowledge from various fields are like raging flames. The encounter between dry wood and blazing fire is naturally very intense.

Large conglomerates sometimes have no shortage of professionals who can provide strategic advice based on data analysis. However, many leaders find it most challenging to decide the direction for their companies. His father Su Licheng was also facing this dilemma at present. For every step Dafeng Construction Group takes, there are countless experts providing guidance behind the scenes. But the crux is which step should be taken; that depends on the leader's will. Su Licheng was troubled by where to lead the construction group and how to align with market trends, but who could truly predict what the future market would look like

In this situation, no one else could offer opinions except for Su Chen.

"Simplification" asked Su Licheng thoughtfully. Zeng Quanming did not raise any objections to what Su Chen had said.

At the dinner table, the women would usually whisper about their own topics and generally step aside when serious business was discussed, though they still listened with half an ear.

Su Chen then proposed his opinion on restructuring Dafeng Construction's business framework to focus primarily on real estate development. As he spoke, he had already formed a clear model in his mind; now, he was simply articulating it through language: "To establish a clear path for our main business and eliminate all peripheral businesses that do not directly contribute to it—whether they are profitable or have promising market prospects, such as advertising or cultural industries. We should divest these unrelated sectors gradually and allocate all the group's resources and energy to real estate development. Only then can we become leaders in the real estate industry rather than being left behind."

In his heart, Su Chen harbored a grand vision that might change everything if implemented. Perhaps, due to this integrated advice blending past and present insights, his father’s Dafeng Construction Group could achieve leadership status in this critical transitional period, becoming the top player nationwide in real estate. This was also his power to reshape the world he knew, making him feel exhilarated at the thought.

And if his father were truly able to accomplish this transformation, how glorious would it be for Su Licheng

Afther listening patiently and silently to everything Su Chen had said, Su Licheng leaned back in his chair with interlocked hands, rubbing his fingers together. He then said softly, "Su Chen, do you know how many people's lives will change if what you've suggested is implemented"

The dining table fell silent for a moment.

Su Cen nodded; he was well aware that many people's fates would change because of this statement. In the summer of 1997, these massive changes had already begun.

After remaining quiet for a long time, Su Licheng sighed deeply and said, "Many companies will detach themselves, and many promising enterprises will be sold off. Many people won't want to leave under the large umbrella of Construction Group."

Just thinking about it would make one realize how many people would point their fingers at the senior management of Great Willow Construction, and how many interests would be affected. Zeng Na knew that Su Licheng was now a general manager in charge of ten thousand employees; whatever strategies they discussed here could affect countless families and alter destinies.

Su Cen remained silent for a while before saying, "This is also a form of protection."

"Industrial restructuring and optimized allocation are tasks that must be carried out continuously. The only basis for adjustment is the market; as long as the market changes, everything done must cater to these changes. Now, should these companies cut off their ties with Construction Group and face tough competition in the real world rather than staying under its umbrella and losing their fighting ability How can we choose between these two options"

Su Licheng stared at Su Cen for a long time before nodding after some time, "Su Cen, you've truly grown up."

After returning from the family gathering, Su Cen stood by his window and looked out at the deep night sky. In the distance, faint trails of smoke rose into the air and then burst into the most splendid fireworks in the night.

A jolt of realization flashed through Su Cen's heart as he suddenly panicked: wasn't it because of internal restructuring that Fourth Project Department was abandoned like unwanted children in the future in Xia Hai! During those years when Fourth Project Department declined, vitality vanished from the company, many people lost their jobs, and the neighborhood gardens withered. Most of the employees' families found new ways to make a living elsewhere, including Xue Yiyang and Liu Rui, as well as other friends who had shared similar fates.

And now, all of this is happening because the management at Great Willow Construction was divided, leading to the disintegration of the group. Now, strategic adjustments are being made in key industries to accelerate the pace of construction and integrate resources, which inevitably affects peripheral branches like Engineering Division Four. More likely than not, these subordinate companies will be completely separated from the group, leaving many people's lives transformed beyond recognition.

One used to be among those feeling powerless amid all this.

Was what I did right or wrong But does any of it really have a right or wrong

The city’s night sky was lit up by fireworks, with a constant hum in the background like rumbles of spring thunder.

The phone rang; Tang Wu had sent a text message: "Xiaocan Su, Happy New Year."

"Happy New Year."

After replying to this message, Su Canghai inexplicably shed tears.

New Year’s Eve in 2002 was illuminated by a dazzling display of fireworks.

(To be continued)h regret. At the same time, they cheered for Zhao Lijun’s latest round of anti-black campaigns that brought about a new situation.In Zhao Lijun's dormitory, a long-distance call came in; he picked it...