Chapter 714: Talent is the Most Valuable Asset!

That meal in the Dragon Core cafeteria left Liang Mengsong with decidedly mixed feelings.

On one hand, Chief Qiu’s enthusiasm and Liu Yutong’s demonstrated financial resources had shown him a platform completely different from Taiwan Semiconductor—one brimming with vitality and ambition.

When Chief Qiu spoke with him about technical roadmaps, that light in his eyes was something he hadn’t seen in Taiwan Semiconductor’s executives for a very long time.

He felt that working alongside someone like that would be genuinely exhilarating, filled with passion.

But on the other hand, that strange, underlying message from Chief Qiu and Chairwoman Liu—that once you were here, there was no leaving—left him feeling a bit on edge.

He even felt less like a candidate here for evaluation and more like a detained hostage.

After the meal.

Liu Yutong could see that Liang Mengsong needed time for deeper discussions with Chief Qiu, so she arranged for Chief Qiu to accompany Engineer Liang on a tour of the completed production lines and R&D centers.

“Engineer Liang, Chief Qiu is the expert when it comes to technical matters. Take your time discussing things, and if you need anything, you can come directly to me.”

“Chief Qiu, I’m entrusting Engineer Liang to you. Treat him well and make sure he feels the warmth of home here at Dragon Core.”

Chief Qiu understood implicitly: “Rest assured, Chairwoman. Now that Engineer Liang is here, he’s one of us. I’ll make sure he feels completely at home and deeply experiences the cohesive force of our Dragon Core family!”

As he spoke, he gave Liang Mengsong’s shoulder a hearty pat—one that nearly knocked Engineer Liang off balance, his smile turning somewhat rigid.

Only then did Liu Yutong turn to Zeng Jin: “President Zeng, shall we speak somewhere else?”

“I’d be delighted!” Zeng Jin hurriedly nodded.

The two left the cafeteria and made their way to the Dragon Core chairman’s office.

Though the office had been renovated for some time, Liu Yutong had only visited a handful of times.

Su Mansu brewed tea for them both, then withdrew, gently closing the door behind her.

“Chairwoman Liu, this trip has truly been worthwhile.”

Zeng Jin spoke first, his tone still respectful: “Dragon Core’s vision and strength far exceed my imagination, especially the execution capability of your people—truly impressive!”

He thought back to the security guards at the entrance—even her guards dared to stand firm against officials and media. This showed that Wanlong Society truly had substance.

This was sufficient proof of Wanlong Society’s power on the mainland. Under normal circumstances, what security guard would dare talk back to officials like that?

Liu Yutong smiled faintly, neither confirming nor denying: “For a company to develop and become world-class, the prerequisite is ensuring that employees’ work environment isn’t disturbed by irrelevant people. Only then can everyone focus wholeheartedly on their work.”

See that? See that? This is what it sounds like when someone truly has power and confidence—she speaks differently!

In her mouth, even officials had become “irrelevant people.”

But Zeng Jin expressed deep agreement with her words: “Chairwoman Liu, your words truly humble me. Today I’ve witnessed your management style, and it’s something our generation should definitely learn from!”

Liu Yutong had no interest in mutual flattery, so she cut straight to the chase: “President Zeng, you came here so eagerly to discuss cooperation, didn’t you? Tell me, which sector does the Zeng family want to enter, and what are your thoughts?”

Zeng Jin straightened up and said solemnly, “Chairwoman Liu is perceptive. I came this time indeed hoping to hear your thoughts first.”

“First, regarding our Zeng family’s investment direction on the mainland. Besides cooperating with your chip talent recruitment program, we also hope to ride the fast train of the mainland’s economic growth. Our Zeng family in Taiwan is mainly involved in trade, real estate, and some cultural entertainment businesses. What I’m considering first is the entertainment sector—I have a newly established talent agency that’s signed several artists.”

“These artists are eager to break into the mainland market. But as you know, the entertainment circle is full of twists and turns; the waters run deep. Young artists, in particular, without backing, can easily be bullied, and unspoken rules are all too common.”

He paused, then continued: “I heard that in the early days, many Hong Kong artists relied on triad backgrounds to establish themselves and make it big. So this time, as they prepare to enter the mainland, they’d like to ask you, Chairwoman Liu… to look after them.”

He said this to test Wanlong Society’s true strength—just how much influence they had, and whether they could truly protect his people.

In his view, having a “darker” background in this industry was actually a good thing—the “darker” it was, the more people would be wary, allowing artists to suffer less injustice and securing resources more easily.

Liu Yutong also had some understanding of the entertainment industry’s inner workings. It could be said that entertainment was the sector with the most rigid seniority-based hierarchy, its ranks clearly stratified.

Moreover, entertainment was an industry that capital greatly favored participating in nowadays, which inevitably led to various conflicts of interest and even sordid dealings.

For instance, the media company under her corporate umbrella currently had singer Xue Qian as its flagship talent.

Now with Wanlong Society Group’s resource support—such as endorsements for its products, Weibo promotions, group-buying site campaigns, and more—Xue Qian’s popularity and commercial value far exceeded what it once was, solidifying her status as a first-tier singer.

Even so, in certain situations, Xue Qian still encountered deliberate or inadvertent difficulties.

As for newcomers who hadn’t yet made a name for themselves, they often had no choice but to attend social drinking events, begging others in a subservient manner.

It was perfectly normal for Zeng Jin to have such concerns.

This was mainly because most of his artists weren’t particularly famous. Taiwan wasn’t what it used to be—the industry was fiercely competitive, and anyone with opportunities and resources was fleeing to the mainland.

Of course, Zeng Jin’s decision to use his entertainment company as the vanguard for entering the mainland had one primary purpose: to gauge Wanlong Society’s true strength.

Because this industry was most prone to attracting trouble. If you could resolve issues with ease, your strength was undeniable. If you couldn’t, then the Zeng family’s other industries would probably struggle to gain a foothold on the mainland as well.

You had to admit—the guy was shrewd!

Liu Yutong took a sip of tea before slowly speaking, making her position clear: “President Zeng, Wanlong Society is a legitimate corporate group. That will never change.”

“As for your concerns, President Zeng, there’s no need to worry at all.”

“Wanlong Society is a legitimate company and group, but that doesn’t mean we’re pushovers. No one dares to lay a finger on anyone under our protection. As for our strength, you’ll witness it with your own eyes very soon.”

“The artists under your management want to enter the mainland market, and they can collaborate perfectly with industries under my umbrella. Wanlong Society Group has a video platform called DragonPanorama Vision that’s currently competing with platforms like Douya, Kuku, and Leshi. We’re in desperate need of quality talent.”

“There’s also the group’s Weibo platform, currently the largest social media marketing channel in the country. Your artists can start by establishing a presence on Weibo, and I’ll have my team provide you with substantial traffic support.”

“Additionally, one of my media companies is investing in self-produced web dramas. Your artists will receive priority casting.”

“Just these internal resources I’ve mentioned would be enough to give your company’s artists sufficient exposure. This is my first gift to you for our cooperation.”

Zeng Jin was stunned. He’d only wanted to test Wanlong Society’s strength, but he hadn’t expected to be almost overwhelmed by the entertainment resources Liu Yutong held.

He’d originally thought Wanlong Society’s main businesses were things like real estate—industries perfectly suited for a society-like organization.

Yet he hadn’t expected Wanlong Society to play at such a high level—on one side, semiconductors; on the other, internet and entertainment industries, all thriving.

This made him, a former society man, wonder where he stood!

He used Weibo himself. It was indeed the big brother of mainland social media, with top-tier users and traffic. Especially its user base—rumored to have exceeded one hundred million, which was staggering.

As for why he used Weibo, it was actually because he’d become obsessed with a game called “stealing crops.”

This little game felt like an addiction—he’d set countless alarms throughout the day, terrified someone would steal his harvest.

Now, hearing that Weibo also belonged to Liu Yutong, he really wanted to ask: Could you send me some rare seeds?

Of course, he understood that Liu Yutong could be so generous, offering so many resources right off the bat, largely because he’d brought her a talent she desperately wanted.

If she was this generous with just one talent, wouldn’t she provide even more resources if he brought more?

The more Zeng Jin thought about it, the more excited he became. He truly hadn’t anticipated that Liang Mengsong alone would command such importance from Liu Yutong. If he could package up all of Taiwan Semiconductor’s talent and deliver them…

Wait, no—why did this feel a bit like human trafficking?

But none of that mattered. Successfully entering the mainland market and establishing roots to make money—that was what was important.

At this thought, Zeng Jin excitedly slapped the table, stood up, and extended his hand: “Then thank you, Chairwoman Liu, for your protection.”

As he said this, he glanced at the calligraphy hanging behind Liu Yutong: “Talent is the Most Valuable Asset.”

This Chairwoman Liu truly practiced what she preached, walking the walk in a way that set her apart!

Liu Yutong also stood and shook his hand: “President Zeng, you’re too kind. This is cooperation, and cooperation naturally requires mutual benefit and win-win outcomes.”

“Chairwoman Liu, those words truly resonate with me. You’re absolutely right—cooperation must be about mutual success!”

“To be honest, I brought detailed profiles of several artists this time, and I’d like you to review them…”

Mid-sentence, the office door was gently knocked.

“Come in.”

Su Mansu pushed the door open, quickly walked to Liu Yutong’s side, and whispered the latest news in her ear—coincidentally about their majority-owned video platform.

“Boss, President Lin has run into some trouble—he’s being jointly targeted by several competitors.”

Liu Yutong merely nodded after hearing this, her face expressionless, and said only: “Understood. Arrange a car back to Pearl City.”