Xue Yaoguo was actually not yet forty this year, but the long-term heavy thinking had already streaked his hair with some gray. People wouldn’t believe that someone who took over as the chairman of a state-owned enterprise in his thirties had no deep background.
In fact, Xue Yaoguo's family background was indeed extraordinary; from his grandfather’s generation, they had been active in China's political arena. Especially his father, who, in the turbulent era of reform and opening up, shone brilliantly in the country's economic field.
Being able to take charge of Guangqi at a young age was partly due to his PhD in economics, but his background also played a role. However, that role was limited. Under his leadership, Guangqi transformed from a company into a group in less than ten years. Starting with the automobile business, it expanded into surrounding areas and has now become a giant integrating complete vehicles, parts, commerce, finance, and insurance.
This process had nothing to do with his father. Achieving such success was entirely due to his own efforts and hard work.
For a state-owned enterprise like Guangqi, private shareholding is very limited, with the majority being state-controlled. The enterprise lacks rigorous supervisory bodies; organizations like the board of supervisors, the labor union, and the workers' congress are all under the absolute leadership of the chairman. Moreover, audits from higher authorities are infrequent, occurring only once in a while, serving merely as a deterrent.
Normally, such a system easily fosters a patriarchal dictatorship, breeding corruption.
In fact, Guangqi has already formed a dictatorship internally, but this dictatorship, led by Xue Yaoguo, has not fallen into corruption like some other state-owned enterprises. Instead, with absolute leadership, it has taken the group step by step to higher levels.
Achieving this requires not only outstanding political acumen and personal qualities but also a firm belief. Just for this, Xue Yaoguo surpasses ninety percent of domestic state-owned enterprise leaders.
At this moment, he was in his office, looking puzzled at the package in front of him.
It was a rectangular package as long as the desk, quite heavy, and it took two security guards a lot of effort to carry it up.
Looking at Kang Tongcheng beside him, he asked for confirmation, "This was sent by Li Fanyu?"
Kang Tongcheng smiled wryly, looking at the package, "Yes, that kid is really too casual. Returning a gift by express delivery, what nonsense."
Xue Yaoguo’s brows formed a "川" shape, not out of displeasure but because he often frowned, and it had become a habit over time. Thinking of the somewhat demonized president of Zhengxin in the industry, he rarely smiled, "Extraordinary people do extraordinary things, no need to fuss over this. Open it and see what it is."
With his instruction, the two security guards, who had just caught their breath, quickly began to unpack the package. It seemed that someone was afraid of damaging the gift, so the package was wrapped in multiple layers: foam, sponge, cardboard, everything that could be used was used.
After more than ten minutes, a plaque about three meters long and one meter wide appeared in front of Xue Yaoguo.
"Heh... this is interesting. I gave him four characters, and he returned eight. If it weren't for the casual way of returning the gift, it would be quite courteous." Xue Yaoguo touched his chin and smiled.
Kang Tongcheng bent down, cleaned the foam off the plaque, and read, "Heroic talent, great strategy; good governance, capable leadership... Chairman Xue, this kid’s evaluation of you is quite apt."
Looking at the completely silver plaque, Xue Yaoguo waved his hand, "It's one thing for outsiders to flatter, but why are you, old Kang, playing along? Alright, although this gift is a bit casually returned, it is thoughtful. I can't hang this in my office, or people might think I bought it myself online to praise myself. Take it to the storage room and put it away."
Kang Tongcheng scratched his head and, with a dry laugh, called the security guards to lift the plaque.
Two security guards, both over 1.8 meters tall and burly, felt a sense of bitterness when they realized they had to carry it downstairs to the storage room—it was too heavy! However, they dared not show any reluctance to carry out the chairman’s orders. So, they grabbed the bottom corners and lifted it with a grunt.
Due to the sudden movement, some of the foam on the plaque dispersed, and as the sunlight from the window shone on it, the entire plaque reflected a brilliant light. Xue Yaoguo noticed the light on the characters, hesitated slightly, and then raised his hand to stop the security guards. "Wait a moment."
He walked over and touched the plaque. Feeling its unbelievably smooth surface and noticing the seamless connection between the characters and the plaque, he was stunned.
"Tongcheng, take a look at this..."
"What's wrong, Chairman Xue? Is there something wrong?"
"This seems... not to have been made by a carving machine."
"Chairman Xue, if it wasn't made by a carving machine, could it be handmade? There are plenty of such things online. Who would make metal items by hand?"
Kang Tongcheng curiously came closer and carefully examined it. He then realized that the entire plaque was formed in one piece, perfectly integrated!
This might sound simple, but with current sculpting machinery, it's impossible to achieve this! No matter the precision of the carving machine, it couldn’t produce such a complex shape without leaving any edges or processing marks. Moreover, the characters and the plaque were seamlessly joined, something beyond the capability of ordinary craft companies.
As he touched the gleaming characters, Xue Yaoguo was somewhat dazed. "An alloy... could technology achieve this? Did they make a special mold? If so, this return gift is truly valuable."
"No way, this was done in just three days. Even if they managed to create such a precise mold, it would take at least ten days or half a month to rush the job! But if it was done with sculpting technology, the precision is terrifying!" Kang Tongcheng said in disbelief.
Unable to figure it out, Xue Yaoguo resisted the urge to call Li Fanyu. Seeing the two security guards struggling to hold it, he said, "Put it down for now. Later, find a decorator to hang this plaque behind my desk."
Kang Tongcheng, surprised, smiled and said, "Didn't you just say that hanging this might make others think you're bragging?"
Xue Yaoguo smiled faintly and didn't argue.
What Kang Tongcheng didn't know was that Xue Yaoguo was stimulated by the technology behind this gift. If Zhengxin could produce such a plaque in three days, they certainly had the capability to manufacture any auto part within the same timeframe. The "Zhengxin speed" demonstrated during the A4 development had left Xue Yaoguo puzzled, but now, seeing this gift, he began to understand.
With such technology, what is impossible?
It seemed that this collaboration with Zhengxin was indeed the right decision. The hidden strength displayed by this company deeply impressed him.
For a private company established less than half a year ago to show such prowess in such a short time was astonishing. As the chairman of a state-owned enterprise, someone who has always committed himself to developing the national automobile industry, he felt his own progress was far too slow.
So, placing the plaque behind him was more to remind himself. Guangqi still had a long way to go.
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