Chapter 28: Creating Momentum

Murong Ze’s secretary had indeed managed to find information on the Poison of Phosphorus Frost. The data revealed that it was a specially manufactured toxin, intricately formulated and fiercely potent. The report stated that with current medical technology, there was no cure. Once afflicted by this poison, death was inevitable—no medicine could help.

Murong Ze was utterly shocked after reading this, and the way he looked at Lin Yang changed completely. “Is there truly such miraculous medical skill in this world? And possessed by a young man barely in his twenties? It’s unbelievable!”

As the Director of the Health Bureau, Murong Ze understood well the complexity and depth of medicine. Without professional study and years of experience, it was impossible to cultivate such extraordinary medical expertise.

“Ask the experts at the Provincial Hospital whether this poison really exists, and if they can treat it,” Murong Ze, unwilling to give up, issued another order to his secretary.

After solemnly expressing his gratitude to Lin Yang, Cao Keming congratulated Murong Zhang on his birthday, then walked over to shake hands and greet Murong Ze.

“Director Cao, I heard you were poisoned, your life hanging by a thread, but you look remarkably well today,” Murong Ze said.

“All thanks to Divine Doctor Lin. Your Murong family is truly fortunate to have such a friend—it inspires envy,” Cao Keming replied with a hearty laugh.

Murong Wan’er whispered in Murong Yun’s ear, “Now our eldest brother should have nothing more to say—he must believe in Mr. Lin.”

Murong Yun chuckled softly, “Director Cao arrived just in time.”

Murong Yun’s secretary, Jiang Lin, entered again. “President Yun, President Qin of Starshine, President Liu of Sincerity, and several other business owners are outside. They wish to see you and say they’ve prepared gifts to personally congratulate the Old Master on his birthday.”

“Tell them I will not see anyone, nor accept any gifts. They need not trouble themselves. As for who will establish cooperation with us, I’ll announce it once the banquet begins.”

When it came to business, Murong Yun instantly reverted to her keen and assertive queenly demeanor.

Jiang Lin left the lounge and went to the banquet hall outside. “President Yun is entertaining distinguished guests and has no time to see anyone. Furthermore, no gifts will be accepted this year—please put your gifts away. The new partner for Prosperity Group will be announced during the birthday banquet.”

Liu Chengzhi’s face turned grim with disappointment upon hearing this. Compared to the other companies, Sincerity Group was the smallest and stood little chance against the competition; hope was all but lost.

Qin Monong frowned slightly. She had come well prepared, personally drafting the cooperation plan and drastically reducing her profit margins.

She believed that once Murong Yun saw her proposal, she would surely agree to continue their partnership. No other company could demonstrate such sincerity.

Their focus was always on immediate gains, eager to latch onto the Murong family’s ship to earn more. But Qin Monong’s vision was longer-term. Her plan was to use the Murong family’s platform to expand Starshine Group’s scale, move into Nanjing in the provincial capital, and eventually cover the whole province.

Breaking into the provincial capital was essential to access a larger platform; for Qin Monong, the Murong family was merely a stepping stone.

The Murong family’s status as an elite clan stemmed from their legacy—the Murong family in Luocheng was only a branch of the provincial capital’s main house.

Qin Monong’s ambition was to create an elite family with her own hands; immediate profits meant nothing to her.

But now, Murong Yun refused even to see her, leaving Qin Monong uncertain.

“What game is Murong Yun playing?” Qin Monong pondered silently.

Someone nearby asked, “Who is President Yun entertaining? Could there be a VIP at today’s birthday banquet?”

“It must be Director Cao. When I arrived earlier, I saw President Yun personally welcoming him.”

“Director Cao is here? That’s unusual. He never attends such events, no matter how influential the Murong family is.”

“This just shows President Yun has her ways! I saw Director Cao with his wife and daughter—they must be in the VIP lounge now.”

Qin Monong was also surprised, wondering what special purpose lay behind Cao Keming’s personal attendance at Murong Zhang’s birthday celebration.

She got up and found Jiang Lin in the banquet hall. “Secretary Jiang, did Director Cao really come?”

“Yes, he’s in the lounge,” Jiang Lin replied quietly.

Qin Monong had invested considerable effort in winning Jiang Lin over; it was thanks to Jiang Lin that she had initially been able to establish cooperation with the Murong family.

Qin Monong believed business was like war—information was crucial to the marketplace, so she willingly spent effort to buy Jiang Lin’s loyalty.

“Which company will Murong Yun choose for cooperation?”

“I don’t know who President Yun will pick, but your chances are still the best. I’ll secretly help you,” Jiang Lin said.

A hint of a smile appeared on Qin Monong’s face; she thought, “What right do those others have to compete with me?”

“By the way, why did Director Cao come? Is Murong Ze getting promoted, or being reassigned to Luocheng as mayor?” Qin Monong continued to ask.

“Neither. Director Cao came entirely on his own, for the sake of another important figure,” Jiang Lin replied.

“Oh? Who could it be? Who has enough influence to make Director Cao, who is always principled, break precedent?” Qin Monong was startled and intensely curious.

The only person who could make Director Cao break precedent, apart from Luocheng’s chief administrator, was no one else.

“I don’t know him—everyone calls him Mr. Lin. He is the Murong family’s honored guest, and even Director Cao holds him in high esteem.”

“When the banquet begins, Mr. Lin will appear and you’ll see for yourself.”

With that, Jiang Lin left with the refreshments.

Qin Monong was left deep in thought, pondering silently. “Mr. Lin? The Murong family’s guest, respected by Director Cao—why have I never heard of such a person? Could he be from the provincial capital?”

“If I can establish contact with this Mr. Lin, my plan to enter the provincial capital might be greatly accelerated, and I’ll no longer have to bow to Murong Yun.”

“This is an opportunity of a lifetime—I must plan carefully.”

Qin Monong began to strategize.

Jiang Lin returned to the lounge and whispered in Murong Yun’s ear, “President Yun, I’ve already leaked the information to Qin Monong. At the same time, I’ve quietly passed word about Mr. Lin to the other business owners as well.”

“Good, you may go now,” Murong Yun nodded.

Jiang Lin was Murong Yun’s personal secretary. She had indeed taken many favors from Qin Monong, but all with Murong Yun’s consent.

The first time Qin Monong tried to bribe her, she immediately informed Murong Yun.

Qin Monong was not the only one to attempt to buy Jiang Lin’s loyalty.

As Murong Yun once said, “Why refuse free benefits?”

Murong Yun intended to use this birthday banquet to build momentum for Lin Yang, making him an instant new celebrity in Luocheng, someone honored by all as Mr. Lin.

Cao Keming’s arrival undoubtedly added fuel to Murong Yun’s plan, making the momentum even stronger.