Final Civilization

Chapter 30: Professionalism

At 8:30 AM, Huang's Noodle Shop.

A bowl of steaming hot beef noodle soup finally brought Han Ming back to life from the terrifying nightmare of the previous night, and also confirmed to him that he was not dreaming at this moment.

This was an extremely dangerous feeling.

Han Ming's own ability to foresee the future already made him prone to a sense of disconnection from current reality, and that horrifyingly realistic dream further intensified his confusion.

This made Han Ming realize that he must learn to anchor himself in reality; otherwise, he estimated he would genuinely go insane within a month.

After finishing breakfast, Han Ming drove to the riverside to catch the morning breeze.

Last night's dream seemed to be some kind of warning.

He could not reveal even a sliver of the dream's contents to anyone. Even now, that sense of danger made his scalp tingle.

"April, 1992, Taiping Town."

This information he could only investigate himself.After a while by the river, Han Ming felt much more refreshed and clear-headed. He got in his car, preparing to head to Tianzhou International.

Just then, Director Qi's call came through. Han Ming put on his earphones and answered while driving.

"Director Qi."

"Attorney Han, are you scheduled to interview Guo Chang, the General Manager of the Tianqi Financial Credit Department today to negotiate the non-compete agreement issue?"

"Yes."

Director Qi got straight to the point: "I suggest this matter doesn't need to be rushed. This morning, I contacted Yingcheng to get some background. That Guo Chang is no easy customer. Knowing the group is targeting him, he's been in contact with people from several financial companies over the past few months. If nothing goes wrong, he holds some very troublesome trump cards. So, it's not that Yingcheng has been dragging their feet; it's that Tianqi doesn't dare to act."

"What they're worried about isn't the over one million in severance pay at all. I made some indirect inquiries; this matter could likely cause significant impact for Tianqi."

"I know."

Han Ming said: "Tianqi is testing a new risk assessment model. But the problem is, Guo Chang definitely knows about it, and his biggest trump card isn't that anyway."

"So, Tianqi dragging things out won't be very effective. And in the eyes of industry peers, these remedial actions will only allow Guo Chang to negotiate a higher price."

"From your tone, it seems you're quite confident in resolving this?" Director Qi asked with interest.

"This person is very greedy."

Han Ming chuckled and said: "And excessive greed often makes people walk the edge of danger. I'll have a simple chat with him first; I won't show my hand too quickly. Please rest assured, Director Qi."

"Alright then, I trust your professionalism."

"I trust my professionalism too."

At Huatian Tower, after Qi Rong hung up the phone, she looked at her mobile and inexplicably smiled.

"This young man is so confident. Good, that's a good thing."

...

"I am very clear about Fang Tiancheng's reputation. I believe Chairwoman Yan's judgment cannot be wrong. You've just arrived, yet you've swiftly and perfectly taken over all legal operations with efficiency. This level of professionalism, I, Liu, cannot help but praise."

Liu Qigang had the typical demeanor of an entrepreneur, speaking gently and elegantly, full of polite formalities.

Yan Li smiled, though inwardly she felt somewhat indignant.

Clearly, they had faced obstruction at every turn while taking over Tianqi Financial's business. The people from Yingcheng didn't have a good opinion of those who started with usury. Yet here was Liu Qigang praising their efficiency, while also subtly expressing his loyalty to Yan Jing. It was utterly hypocritical.

"You flatter us, Director Liu. This is what we should do."

After a simple polite exchange, Yan Li got straight to the point: "Is it about the Credit Department reorganization? Do you need our assistance on the legal side?"

"You could say so."

Liu Qigang sat in his executive chair, his thumbs continuously rotating around each other, and said: "The group's decision to reorganize the Tianqi Credit Department was made early this year. But you should understand the issues involved; there are indeed risks. I heard you had brief discussions with several department executives yesterday, so I wanted to ask for your perspective."

Yan Li smiled: "Director Liu, we only handle legal-related matters. We cannot provide opinions on business operations and talent management."

"That's not what I mean."

Liu Qigang shook his head, his gaze sweeping over the two lawyers, Yan Li and He Jin, as he said seriously: "I won't beat around the bush. Regarding Guo Chang, first, I know this matter is definitely troublesome. I haven't let Yingcheng initiate termination negotiations precisely because I'm worried about the serious consequences it might trigger. I've mentioned this multiple times at board meetings before. However, Chairwoman Yan is young and capable, with zero tolerance for flaws. The reorganization must be implemented."

"There certainly are commercial risks involved. Our position is to resolve the problem at its source through negotiation and compensation."

Yan Li responded: "Director Liu, please rest assured. In this regard, our Fang Tiancheng has extensive experience."

"Of course, I have confidence in your capabilities. What I mean is, to avoid a worst-case scenario, could we adopt a more conciliatory policy?"

"A conciliatory policy?"

"Yes." Liu Qigang nodded.

"For example, we could use the reorganization as a pretext to promote Guo Chang... Oh, my idea is to stabilize him first. After all, he's a veteran employee, bound by contract with the group. He just wants to earn more money. In business, harmony is paramount. If we present a contract for internal promotion, we are friends, partners. But if we talk termination, we become enemies."

Liu Qigang said meaningfully: "Attorney Yan, with your rich experience, you should understand what I mean, right?"

He Jin, sitting beside her, looked troubled and said: "Director Liu, we understand you want to use promotions to have all executives complete their legal agreements, and then make personnel adjustments later. But forgive my bluntness, Guo Chang is already fully prepared. If we extend an olive branch now, he won't believe it."

"But we can stabilize him first."

Liu Qigang's expression turned serious: "Right now, the most important thing is not to escalate the conflict, not to push things to an irreparable point. Then you can approach from the side, negotiating while managing the situation."

"I believe your Fang Tiancheng can handle this well. Just remember one thing: we are not afraid of paying compensation, but we absolutely cannot let those customer loan information leak out. We must keep the person stabilized."

"This point is the bottom line!"

His last sentence carried slightly more weight, clearly applying some pressure on Yan Li's side.

He Jin was almost speechless hearing this. For someone who had already turned traitor and held means to blackmail the group at any moment, they didn't want to find a way to fire him? To keep him, they had to promote him, give him a raise, and back down?

Yan Li also couldn't quite figure out Liu Qigang's intention. On the surface, it was a delaying tactic, but even a fool like Guo Chang would see through it. Moreover, keeping such a person close by, in a key position, wasn't that planting a huge landmine?

However, judging from Liu Qigang's words, this Guo Chang was much more troublesome than they imagined. Indeed, they couldn't act too hastily.

Thinking this, Yan Li also agreed, saying.

"Alright, our firm will discuss it first, get a clear understanding of Guo Chang's situation and some market changes, including some documents he previously signed. We can start from there."

"Now that's more like it."

Liu Qigang smiled, picked up the teapot, and poured tea for the two: "The matter can be urgent, but people cannot be. Guo Chang's situation didn't develop overnight. Sigh, actually, I bear some responsibility for this too."

Then, he shifted the topic: "I know your firm is very professional, but we still need to seek progress while maintaining stability. Come, try this Bingdao Pu'er I collected. It's excellent tea."

"Thank you, Director Liu." He Jin quickly accepted.

Yan Li then said: "The Guo Chang case is handled by Attorney Han and me. He started following up on it yesterday. Let me give him a call first, tell him to slow down."

Upon hearing this, Liu Qigang's eyes lit up slightly.

"Oh, is that the young lawyer who bravely rescued someone and earned Chairwoman Yan's appreciation?"

"Yes."

Liu Qigang nodded: "Good, then notify him quickly. Don't touch Guo Chang for now. Let's all plan this out carefully."

Yan Li said: "Although Attorney Han is young, his professionalism is solid, and he is widely praised in the industry. He has extensive experience with commercial disputes and HR issues like this. He is very steady and never acts rashly. Please rest assured, Director Liu."

"Of course, I'm assured on that point."

Liu Qigang said cheerfully: "Those selected by your Fang Tiancheng are surely all elites. In this regard, both Chairwoman Yan and I have good judgment."

"You are too kind, Director Liu."

After saying this, Yan Li took out her phone, preparing to contact Han Ming first.

Seeing Yan Li calling Han Ming, Liu Qigang gestured to He Jin to try the tea in front of him.

"Try it. Tasting Pu'er is like tasting life; you can't rush it, nor let it go cold. Drinking tea is a mood, but savoring tea is a state of mind."

Just then, Yan Li's call connected.

"Hello, Attorney Han, about Guo Chang..."

However, the next moment, her expression suddenly changed, and she exclaimed in shock.

"What do you mean you've already 'dealt with' Guo Chang? Where is he?"

"The police took him away and locked him up?!!!"

*Pfft!!!*

Hearing this, Liu Qigang and He Jin, who were in the middle of savoring their tea, instantly spat out the tea in their mouths!

A moment later, Yan Li hung up the phone with a stunned expression and looked at Liu Qigang, whose face had turned green.

"Director Liu, Guo Chang has already been... terminated by Attorney Han."

"Nonsense!" Liu Qigang slammed the table, flying into a rage:

"What is going on? Weren't we supposed to be cautious? How could you terminate him directly? Is this your Fang Tiancheng's so-called professionalism?!!!"

"Director Liu, please don't be upset." Yan Li immediately explained: "Guo Chang has already signed all the agreements and supplemented them with a confidentiality pledge. The risks in that regard have been mitigated. However, because he is involved in some occupational crimes, Attorney Han had the police take him away."

Upon hearing this, Liu Qigang abruptly stood up, his eyes nearly popping out, and blurted out:

"What are you talking about??!!"

*Hiss!*

He Jin drew in a sharp breath on the spot!

Her heart exclaimed in awe.

My heavens, Attorney Han, what on earth have you done?!!!!

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