Soon, Hou Yuncheng also entered the meeting room with some people. Seeing everyone engaged in lively conversation, he smiled and said, "Good morning, all entrepreneurs! Thank you for your patience."

Upon seeing Hou Yuncheng, everyone greeted him with smiles.

Hou Yuncheng noticed Bai Xiaosheng right away and gave him a special smile before addressing everyone, "The time is almost right. Is everyone ready? If so, let’s set off. I will travel with you and join the inspection. Should you need anything during our trip, feel free to inform me."

His courteous manner elicited a chorus of kind remarks.

This time around, the two major companies they intended to visit were quite exceptional, consistently ranking among the top five in Lekram.

The group subsidiaries, like the ones Bai Xiaosheng and others discussed, were directly under the executive president Tike and held a notable standing globally in the same industry.

After exchanging a few words with the group, Hou Yuncheng invited everyone to depart.

This journey was relatively short, taking less than two hours. The business delegation traveled in a business coach arranged by Mulango City, with an escort at the front and rear, nearly two platoons of security personnel ensuring safety.

Everyone boarded systematically, with business delegation members in one vehicle and accompanying personnel in another.

The convoy drove off.

Speaking of Lekram, although it borders Xisuli, the customs and landscape are distinct. The architecture and scenery along the way differ as well. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

The group chatted and laughed, occasionally glancing at the scenery outside and appreciating the exotic flavor, finding it quite enjoyable.

The two-hour journey on smooth roads flew by as they talked and rested briefly.

Before they knew it, the convoy arrived at the first company they were visiting.

This was a large energy company, a private enterprise occupying a quarter of Lekram’s mining development and processing market, boasting world-leading new energy technology and craftsmanship with a global reputation for its products.

The convoy entered the new district where all the buildings and factories in sight belonged to this company.

Ultimately, the delegation’s vehicle parked in a square.

Upon disembarking, a sea of people dressed in uniform greeted them, numbering in the thousands. The front row held bouquets, and banners of welcome waved behind them, creating an impressive spectacle.

This was a welcome ceremony specifically for the Huaxia Business Group.

Later, the group learned that this crowd was just a small portion of the company’s employees. The number had to be kept limited as the square couldn’t accommodate more.

After an extremely warm welcome ceremony, the company’s founder personally guided them on a tour.

The tour required transportation; the business group rode in custom-made sightseeing vehicles, each priced comparably to several sports cars, demonstrating the company’s wealth and strength.

On the way here, Bai Xiaosheng privately informed Hou Yuncheng, Jia Chengshan, and others that he planned to just observe today, keeping a low profile and not seeking attention.

Everyone agreed.

Therefore, Bai Xiaosheng wasn’t pushed to the forefront, naturally opting for a spot in the back of a tour vehicle, pulling Lin Weiwei and Lei Ying along for easier communication during the inspection.

For this first company, Bai Xiaosheng planned merely to observe without pursuing any "direct" cooperation.

"Direct cooperation" refers to two companies signing contracts and establishing various collaborations.

Bai Xiaosheng wasn’t interested in that.

After all, the visiting entrepreneurs would want a share of any good cooperations. If Bai Xiaosheng competed for that, others would have to concede somewhat, potentially causing discomfort or resentment.

Bai Xiaosheng had already informed everyone, relinquishing those collaborations to them.

Nonetheless, major collaborations usually spawn numerous sub-collaborations in various areas, collectively accumulating even more mass than the initial agreement.

Bai Xiaosheng intended to collaborate in those areas or act as a connector to find partners.

It must be said, this was a clever strategy.

It honored others, built networks, helped others profit, and established himself as the bridge, firmly linking everyone around him, all while still securing his own profits.

Killing many birds with one stone.

And everyone agreed readily with this approach.

Bai Xiaosheng planned to employ the same strategy while visiting Zhenbei Group’s company in the afternoon, potentially "learning the ropes."

...

The morning passed with the group riding in sightseeing vehicles, shuttling through various factory areas until lunch, only to hear they had seen less than half of the facilities, underscoring the staggering scale of the company.

However, it’s worth mentioning that the untouched sections housed many redundant equipment and technology, making further inspection unnecessary.

After a brief lunch, the business delegation set off for their next destination.

The next company was a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bai Xiaosheng’s Zhenbei Group—Yorko Company, requiring more than a two-hour journey.

This company excelled in high-tech equipment design, research, development, and manufacturing. While possibly not as expansive as the energy company, its products were unparalleled.

From Africa to America, then across Eurasia, from the deep sea to outer space, their equipment left its mark.

The Americans, typically confident in their technology, also revered this company’s technology, machinery, and craftsmanship.

The company’s production line is stratified into high, medium, and low tiers, with numerous product categories ranging from civilian to military models.

Among the mid-range and low-end lines, many classic products can be found.

Before arriving, Xiahou Qi specifically mentioned this company to Bai Xiaosheng, repeating that their high technological level, competitive pricing, and superior quality control make any collaboration or learning opportunity immensely valuable.

Along the way, Bai Xiaosheng closed his eyes, resting in the vehicle while replaying the company’s information in his mind.

...

At the entrance of a large park, a welcoming group of several hundred people awaited, eagerly looking in one direction—the road leading to the park, anticipating the arrival of the Huaxia Business Group.

At the very front stood a slender, tall, mixed-race man with a clear appearance, like a steadfast pine, unmoving.

He too gazed in that direction, behind him stood all of Yorko Company’s top executives.

Yet, those people maintained a two-meter distance from the man, reverently watching without daring to stand alongside him.

This mixed-race man was Yorko’s general manager—Mr. Fiewood.

Beside Mr. Fiewood, a round black man muttered in his ear, "Mr. Fiewood, the Huaxia Business Group is approximately fifteen minutes away."

Their softly spoken conversation was inaudible to those further away.

Mr. Fiewood nodded slightly, casting his gaze into the distance, his eyes revealing ambiguous intent.

"It’s been confirmed that Bai Xiaosheng..." The black man paused, swallowing nervously, "is also in the delegation, coming together!"

Mr. Fiewood nodded slightly.

Currently, Bai Xiaosheng’s name resonated throughout Zhenbei Group’s African subsidiary companies, notorious and piercing.

The mere mention of him triggered noticeable reactions among many enterprise leaders, nearly demonizing him.

After all, how could so many companies face severe issues simultaneously? Why wasn’t anything noticed earlier? Yet, his arrival uncovered such significant problems, with thorough investigations leading even the regional top executives to be penalized.

Bai Xiaosheng seemed to incite problems out of thin air, finding skeletons where none existed.

Of course, those believing this were mainly mid-sized and small business heads outside the core operations.

Mr. Fiewood held a different view.

Because he knew more, even more so because he managed such a large company, inherently positioning him within the "core."

"Since they’re arriving soon..." Mr. Fiewood gave his chunky companion a meaningful glance, "Have you prepared everything?"