People in the Republic of China era began to rise from industry.

The once lively conference room fell silent as everyone turned to look at themselves.

But he sat motionless in the chair.

This made Wang Shiliang frown as he walked into the conference room.

Will there be three trials?

The thought popped into Wang Shiliang's mind, and his face immediately turned ugly.

His gaze swept around the room before finally settling on Wu Rongsheng's face.

The two had met before.

When Wu Rongsheng went to Nanjing to visit Minister Kong but couldn't get a meeting, he eventually had to ask for his help through his connections.

He still remembers the other person's almost obsequious politeness.

He asked arrogantly, "Mr. Wu, does this mean I'm not welcome?"

"If you weren't welcome, do you think you could even get into this meeting room?"

It was Lin Yi who spoke.

He was indeed planning to be the first to speak out.

To get a group of people to follow your lead and charge into battle with you, you naturally need to be able to handle things.

Just like the difference between "Charge!" and "Follow me!" on the battlefield, although they differ by only one word, their impact on morale is worlds apart.

The words were very blunt, and Wang Shiliang's face immediately turned frighteningly dark.

As for the others present, they all had smiles on their faces.

He appeared more relaxed than before Lin Yi spoke.

The jokes about Kong Yongzhi and his mother were just jokes.

The other party holds a high position and wields considerable power.

Although those present have large and powerful families, like Wu Rongsheng and other local Shanghai residents, they all have intricate connections with the Jiangsu and Zhejiang financial groups.

However, in front of Kong Yongzhi, they could only humble themselves and act subserviently.

He wouldn't dare say something as blatantly embarrassing as Lin Yi.

At this moment, the anger rising in Wang Shiliang's chest was about to burst forth.

If Minister Kong hadn't given him instructions before his departure to use a combination of firmness and flexibility to divide and win over people, he would have really been cursing at this point.

He stared intently at Lin Yi, and after a moment's hesitation, he spoke, "You are..."

"Lin Yi."

Upon hearing the name, Wang Shiliang's brows furrowed in confusion.

The Commerce Department is responsible for matters between the government and businessmen.

He would have heard of any prominent figure in the business world, even if he had never met them.

But he didn't remember anyone in the textile industry named Lin Yi.

However, his expression changed as soon as this doubt arose.

He looked utterly shocked.

I remembered.

These past two days, the news that Fenghua Metallurgical Plant is demanding five million in compensation has been making headlines throughout the ministry. The person involved is named Lin Yi!

Looking at Lin Yi's disdainful expression and his handsome, youthful face that made people envious, Wang Shiliang became even more certain that his guess was correct.

This Lin Yi is the same as that Lin Yi!

Damn it, we've run into a real troublemaker!

For a businessman to dare to claim five million in damages from the Ministry of Industry was unprecedented in the 21 years of the Republic of China.

Even if you search through all of Chinese history, it is unprecedented.

Especially since the matter has been circulating for several days, yet we haven't heard anything from Minister Kong about how to deal with this troublemaker, which shows just how difficult this person is.

Just as he was about to bend over, Wang Shiliang took a deep breath and straightened up again.

In the eyes of your superiors, if you fail to complete the task assigned to you, it may be your fault, but it may also be someone else's fault.

But if things don't get done, then that's your problem.

In this conference room, Lin Yi sat in the head seat, while even industry tycoon Wu Rongsheng sat in the second seat.

The situation is quite clear: Lin Yi was the one who instigated this trouble.

Wang Shiliang was absolutely certain that this time he would definitely have to slink back to Jinling in disgrace.

But Minister Kong's instructions still need to be conveyed.

Whether the people present listen or not is none of my business.

He quickly calculated and understood in his mind.

Wang Shiliang had no intention of continuing to put on airs as a high-ranking official in Nanjing.

Even if we tried to set it up, it probably wouldn't work.

The other party dared to disregard even Minister Kong's dignity; if I put on airs now, I'll only be humiliating myself.

He glanced around and found there were no empty chairs for him to sit on.

He sighed inwardly, realizing it had truly become a joint trial, but steeled himself and began, "Gentlemen, my name is Wang Shiliang, Deputy Director of the Commercial Administration Division of the Ministry of Industry."

"I was commissioned by Minister Kong to inquire about matters related to the establishment of the China Textile Federation."

I was standing, while a group of people were sitting.

One must carefully choose one's words when speaking.

What was supposed to be an investigation has turned into an interrogation.

This made Wang Shiliang, who felt like he was giving a report to his superiors, feel deeply aggrieved, and his voice became increasingly hoarse.

Even so, no one responded to him after he finished speaking.

I felt extremely embarrassed.

Fortunately, he brought up Minister Kong, which served as a shield to some extent.

These people not only disrespected me, they didn't even give Minister Kong any face!

Thinking about this made Wang Shiliang feel a little better.

He coughed lightly and continued, "Minister Kong has two things he wants me to convey to you all."

"First, to establish a national industry association, it must be led by the Ministry of Industry."

"Secondly, if you all ignore our advice and insist on forming your own association, that would be illegal association and a crime!"

In this situation, without taking down Lin Yi, this troublemaker, it's definitely useless to try to divide and win him over.

The principle of combining strength and gentleness can only be applied using strength.

Only by telling these people the seriousness of the problem can we make some difference.

If even intimidation fails... that's a problem Minister Kong needs to consider. In any case, he has delivered on his mission.

As soon as he finished speaking, the group remained silent, all turning their gazes to Lin Yi, their leader.

Just mentioning his name was enough to make Director Wang's face change three times in fright.

Although most people are unaware of the inside story, they can guess that Chairman Lin is probably even more extraordinary than they appear.

At this point, of course you should listen to the leader.

"Breach of the law?"

Lin Yi did not disappoint the group.

His smile remained unchanged, and his tone was gentle: "I'm sorry, I didn't study law."

"So, we would like to ask Director Wang to explain which article and clause we violated, as a way of educating everyone here about the law."

Wang Shiliang: ...

Minister Kong gave me these instructions; how would I know?

Besides, isn't it common knowledge that government officials represent the law?

If this question were raised in another context, by another person...

Wang Shiliang would absolutely dare to point to his own forehead and tell the other party that this is the law.

But facing Lin Yi, all he could do was stand there awkwardly, wishing he could just dig a hole in his toes and go straight back to Jinling.

Lin Yi shook his head, having no interest in making things difficult for such a nobody.

"Thank you, Director Wang, for going back and relaying this message to Minister Kong."

"First, this is a concession."

"Next time any orders are delivered here, please make sure the National Government finds a way to take back the concessions first."

"Otherwise, you'll feel embarrassed, but as a Chinese person, I'll feel embarrassed too."

"Secondly, our full name is China Textile Federation Company. All members of our company hold shares. How can we be considered an illegal association?"

"So please make sure you understand the situation before you speak, so as not to make a fool of yourself."

After a few words were spoken, Wang Shiliang was left speechless.

Others, including Wu Rongsheng, were also surprised.

Chairman Lin, you really don't give Minister Kong any face at all.

"By the way, on a side note."

"Please pass on a message to Minister Kong for me: the Ministry of Industry owes me five million, and it would be best if he gave it to me as soon as possible."

"Otherwise, I'll lose my temper."