A huge white cargo ship is docked at the shore, about to set sail for a distant country.
This is the first cargo ship under Zhengyang International Logistics Group. This voyage also marks the first time that Zhengyang International Logistics Group has undertaken logistics transportation business via sea freight.
The goods being transported consisted of a number of oversized equipment and machinery.
At this moment, a red banner was hung on the cargo ship, with slogans such as "Smooth Sailing" printed on it.
The head of Zhengyang International Logistics Group and several major shareholders were all present to celebrate the first sea voyage of the cargo ship.
At this moment, the senior executives, including Zheng Yaokai, president of Ronghua Group, Zhan Xiaohui, president of Jinghui Logistics Company, Wu Juan, general manager of Jinghui Logistics Company and general manager of Zhengyang International Logistics Group, and others, were all beaming with joy as they talked with some local government officials who had been specially invited.
Unlike the bustling port not far away, this place was filled with luxury cars and stood a group of well-dressed people.
On the periphery of the crowd, some police officers stood guard, keeping watch.
Several important city leaders are all here today, so the police must be on high alert. There can be no room for negligence.
In the distance, a line of six or seven black cars drove up through a road that parted between the jaggedly stacked containers.
"They're here, they're here..."
Wu Juan smiled and greeted Zheng Yaokai, Zhan Xiaohui, and several other company executives. The crowd, which had been chatting and laughing, immediately fell silent and turned to look in the direction the convoy had come from.
The convoy stopped about ten meters away from them, and the people greeted them with smiles.
The car doors opened, and a group of well-dressed men stepped out with smiles, shaking hands and greeting acquaintances among the welcoming crowd. The arriving convoy included several leaders from Fuhe City and Hedong Province. Zhengyang International Logistics Group, while not the largest conglomerate in Hedong Province, boasts a prestigious reputation in international freight forwarding, and its shareholders hold significant influence.
Ronghua Group is a top 100 enterprise in China, a truly prestigious and influential company.
If Ronghua Group's significance lies solely in its commercial standing, then another shareholder, little known to the public, carries weight that transcends the boundaries of either the business or political spheres. This individual possesses an extremely unique identity. In the business world, he is a rising star who has suddenly emerged, and even now, few know his official title or identity within the business community. In the political arena, while he holds virtually no official position, he enjoys a prominent reputation among countless officials at the city level and above nationwide, possessing an exceptionally special background.
However, in the minds of the general public across the country, the vast majority of people have no idea that such a person exists.
Okay. Let's think positively and not talk about anything else.
The main reason why government leaders are here is probably to maintain a positive image of the government in supporting large enterprises to expand overseas and encouraging them to seek new opportunities.
However, most of the business leaders and government officials present had never actually seen Xu Zhengyang in person.
Wu Juan, Zheng Yaokai, and others who knew Xu Zhengyang naturally greeted, welcomed, and thanked the newly arrived government officials first. The officials from Fuhe City and Hedong Province also warmly exchanged pleasantries and greetings with the local officials... As a result, Xu Zhengyang, walking at the back of the crowd, looked somewhat lonely and ignored.
Today, Xu Zhengyang wore a brand-new suit, his beard was clean-shaven, and he looked radiant and full of energy.
However, standing outside a circle of people, mostly in their forties and fifties, his image and status immediately established him as an equal to those of the business leaders and officials beside him, in addition to the police officers.
To be precise, judging solely from his appearance, he was less than 1.75 meters tall and had a thin build. His slightly uncomfortable expression in this setting was far less impressive than the natural and composed demeanor of his entourage.
He didn't care whether others were enthusiastic towards him or not. If Wu Juan hadn't insisted that he come today, and hadn't said that she had already contacted government officials and invited them, it would have been really inappropriate for him, as the chairman, not to come. Xu Zhengyang really didn't want to come here.
However, Xu Zhengyang found himself in an awkward situation.
If I go up and greet him, it seems I won't be able to get a word in edgewise; if I don't go up, it'll seem like he's deliberately playing the low-key card to show off...
Wu Juan was the first to react. She quickly smiled and walked through the crowd toward Xu Zhengyang, deliberately raising her voice as she said, "Mr. Xu, why are you so late?"
In fact, amidst the greetings from these entrepreneurs and government officials, some had already begun asking who Xu Zhengyang was.
Just then, Wu Juan's loud voice caught their attention.
Everyone turned to look in their direction.
“President Xu!” Wu Juan extended her hand.
Xu Zhengyang chuckled slightly and shook hands with Wu Juan, saying, "Manager Wu, thank you for your hard work..."
As he spoke, Xu Zhengyang smiled and nodded to each of the people looking at him, saying politely, "Welcome everyone, thank you for coming to participate in this... um, ceremony."
Most of the people in the crowd were puzzled, wondering, "Who is this...?"
A few people recognized Xu Zhengyang and nodded with smiles, but since they had come with him, they didn't need to go up and shake hands or greet him.
The scene became somewhat quiet.
Wu Juan said with a smile, "Everyone, this is Mr. Xu Zhengyang, the chairman of our Zhengyang International Logistics Group."
A buzz of excitement arose from the crowd as people turned to the entrepreneurs and officials from Fuhe City or Hedong Province, asking, "Is he Xu Zhengyang? So young?" "Oh...right. He is indeed very young. That was a rather tactless question."
"Zhengyang, your company has really brought honor to our Hedong Province!" Wen Qin, the governor of Hedong Province, who had come with him, walked up to Xu Zhengyang with a smile and turned to say, "Ronghua Group and Jinghui Logistics Company jointly invested in the establishment of Zhengyang International Logistics... I hope their company can have smooth sailing and create even greater glories!"
Governor Wenqin had some conflicts with Wang Duanhong and Xu Zhengyang before, but they did not escalate.
Later, Wen Qin, who was then the governor of Hedong Province, naturally heard some things about Xu Zhengyang's mysterious background. In addition, Xu Zhengyang's frequent contact with the highest-ranking figures made Wen Qin finally let go of his unease. Before the New Year, he went to Beijing and even visited Xu Zhengyang and his family at their residence in the Hanwang Villa District through Li Ruiqing.
In this way, a faint, subtle relationship is formed.
After Wenqin finished speaking, a round of applause immediately followed.
Amid applause, officials stepped forward to shake hands and greet Xu Zhengyang, followed by entrepreneurs who offered their congratulations and introduced themselves.
If Xu Zhengyang were not a deity with sufficient composure, and had never experienced such a scene before, he would surely have blushed, been overwhelmed, and probably wouldn't have been able to speak fluently.
Even so, Xu Zhengyang dared not say too many of these social niceties, lest he say something wrong and become a laughingstock.
Fortunately, Wu Juan was there to help with the social interactions, and because of his special status, no one thought he was ungrateful.
So after a flurry of noisy social engagements, Xu Zhengyang finally had some peace and quiet.
There were only Wu Juan and Wen Qin beside him.
First, Governor Wenqin and the Mayor of Haigukou City each gave a brief speech. Then, Wu Juan, on behalf of Xu Zhengyang, expressed her gratitude for the government's support, the help of the entrepreneurs, and so on...
Next, the ribbon-cutting ceremony began.
Xu Zhengyang and Wen Qin stood in the middle, followed by a dozen or so officials and three or four entrepreneurs in a long line. They held scissors, ready to go. Amid cheers and applause, they snipped the silk cloth tied with red flowers.
The sound of cannons rang out...
Then, led by the captain and Wu Juan, the guests boarded the cargo ship for a tour and inspection.
Xu Zhengyang naturally walked with Governor Wen Qin, smiling and chatting idly with him. Xu Zhengyang still didn't quite appreciate this kind of occasion; was it really necessary to make it so grand? Leaving aside the money and time wasted, just the fact that all these people would have to be taken to a hotel for food and drinks later—that would cost a fortune!
How many children in impoverished areas could receive this money to go to school?
Sighing inwardly, Xu Zhengyang felt a pang of heartache.
He wouldn't blame Wu Juan; she wasn't the type to be extravagant. The problem wasn't with her, but with the realities of society.
This is similar to the charity banquets that Xu Zhengyang has seen in the news. How much does the banquet alone cost? Wouldn't it be better to use that money for charity? Perhaps some people would say that without organizing such a lavish and extravagant charity banquet, how can we get the wealthy to willingly spend their money on good deeds?
So it is...
Xu Zhengyang could only sigh, "Formalism!"
Of all those present today, perhaps only Xu Zhengyang, with his eccentric personality, would connect this to charity, dragging the charity banquet into it, and then fiercely despise those who are all talk and no action.
With these thoughts in mind, Xu Zhengyang naturally lost all interest in today's itinerary.
However, while walking through the cargo ship's hold, Xu Zhengyang inadvertently discovered a book lying next to a table. It was printed with an exquisite and beautiful Bagua diagram and a golden immortal sitting in a halo. The book was inscribed with the words "Essential Reading for Beginners of Daoist Immortal Cultivation".
Xu Zhengyang frowned slightly.
Seeing this, Zhan Xiaohui, who happened to be standing next to him, said, "Dao Xian Gong, there are many people practicing this technique now..." After saying that, Zhan Xiaohui lowered his voice and said, "Sir, if you are interested, I have two copies in my car. My driver practices this and he recommended it to me."
"Are you practicing too?" Xu Zhengyang asked, frowning.
"Me? I don't have that kind of time, haha." Zhan Xiaohui shook his head and laughed, not taking it too seriously. "But I know some officials in our Fuhe City government practice it too, and they've recommended it to me. It's said that beginner practice can promote health and longevity, and after entering the basics, it can extend lifespan. At higher levels, one can break through the void and become an immortal..."
Xu Zhengyang nodded thoughtfully, suddenly recalling the incident at the Zhuyuan Club in the mountain city.
Governor Wenqin, who had already walked past, turned around and saw Xu Zhengyang flipping through the book "Essential Reading for Beginners in Daoist Immortal Cultivation," looking at it casually while Zhan Xiaohui whispered something beside him. He then turned back and walked over, smiling:
"Huh?" Xu Zhengyang was taken aback for a moment, then shook his head and laughed, "It's all nonsense. Governor Wen is learning this too?"
"Me? Hehe, I've only heard people mention it occasionally. I've thought about health and wellness, but I don't usually have the time or inclination to look into these things, haha." Wen Qin laughed.
Xu Zhengyang smiled, casually tossed the book aside, and continued to tour the cargo ship with Wen Qin.
However, Xu Zhengyang was deeply disturbed. This was no ordinary way of maintaining health. Last year, Chen Chaojiang had reported to him about this so-called "Daoist Immortal Skill," saying that the ghost messengers had discovered it in Zhongzhou City, Shannan Province, where some practitioners of "Daoist Immortal Skill" frequently gathered to learn and exchange ideas. At the time, Xu Zhengyang hadn't paid much attention. It was a normal Taoist belief that even the government wouldn't stop, and it was just practicing some health-preserving methods or martial arts for fitness—nothing special.
But now even the governor of a province has heard of it, and some officials are even practicing it.
What shocked him even more was that this technique actually mentioned the ability to shatter the void and attain immortality.
This is a serious matter!
Xu Zhengyang instructed in his mind: "Wang Yonggan, immediately notify Judge Li Haidong and Ghost Commander Su Peng to investigate what exactly is going on with the Dao Immortal Technique... Remember, don't alert them yet."
"Yes, sir!" Wang Yonggan bowed and retreated.
If it's just exaggerated claims in advertising, and some unscrupulous businessmen occasionally use this to attract attention and sell books for profit, then Xu Zhengyang certainly wouldn't pursue it too much; he would simply have someone deal with those unscrupulous businessmen.
After touring the cargo ship, everyone disembarked. Then, amidst the applause and cheers of the company leaders and officials, the ship's horn sounded, and the massive cargo ship slowly sailed away from the port.
Before the cargo ship had even completely left the port area, everyone had already climbed into their cars.
Cars carrying dignitaries were preparing to drive out of the port. Today's guests had all been invited to dine at a four-star hotel in Haigukou City.
After all the guests had boarded their cars, Xu Zhengyang, Wu Juan, Zhan Xiaohui, and Zheng Yaokai walked to their respective vehicles.
As he passed by Zhan Xiaohui and Deng Wenjing's car, Xu Zhengyang casually asked Zhan Xiaohui to give him a copy of "The Secret Techniques of Daoist Immortal Cultivation." He then took the book and walked back to his car, thinking that once he arrived at the hotel, he would have a few drinks with some people, exchange some pleasantries, and then hurry back.
Firstly, he disliked such lively scenes, and secondly, he wanted to go back and take a good look at what kind of cultivation method the "Dao Xian Gong" actually taught.
Wen Qin's casual remark on the ship earlier still makes Xu Zhengyang feel nauseous.
Wen Qin said, "Zhengyang, you didn't promote this immortal technique, did you?"
If high-ranking government officials truly mistakenly believe that this utterly absurd thing was something they themselves manipulated and created behind the scenes...
Zhu Jun opened the car door for Xu Zhengyang.
Xu Zhengyang walked to the Mercedes-Benz that had just moved aside from several containers, frowned, bent down, and prepared to get in the car.
However, the moment he lowered his head, a strong sense of unease filled his heart. The Nine Provinces Record flashed with golden light in his mind, transformed into a beam of light that appeared behind his head, and quickly flew more than a meter away, stopping in mid-air.
Bang!
Sparks flew everywhere!
The incoming bullet struck the vehicle, bounced off the rear wheel, and then struck the concrete road surface, sending up a cloud of debris.
An unexpected situation!
As Xu Zhengyang used the Nine Provinces Record to block the bullet, he suddenly turned around.
Zhu Jun reacted extremely quickly, shouting "Watch out!" and immediately lunging forward to shield Xu Zhengyang, while simultaneously drawing his pistol: "Get in the car! There's a sniper!"
Xu Zhengyang grabbed Zhu Jun and leaped into the air, dodging behind the container with lightning speed.