Chapter 552: Chapter 547: Old Ma Seems to Be in Big Trouble

“Xiaomi has decided to go public in Hong Kong ahead of schedule, and Lei Jun still managed to get a piece of land next door?”

Daqiangzi is a meticulous person, always remembering the favor Lu Liang did for him in Mingzhou last year.

Every time Lu Liang comes to Beijing and Daqiangzi is in town, he always has his driver pick him up for a small gathering in Yizhuang.

They drink and chat; Daqiangzi mentioned that Xiaomi has acquired about 1,000 acres of land next to them, likely earlier this year, and the paperwork was just recently completed.

“Is it for a car factory?” Lu Liang asked curiously.

There’s no more space in Beijing, so an Economic and Technological Development Zone was established in the southeastern suburb, Yizhuang, quite early on.

Not only does it include JD, but also renowned companies like BOE, SMIC, Tongren Hall, and Northern Huachuang.

If Lu Liang were to lay roots in Beijing, his car factory would probably be built here.

After all, local 京K license plates are issued, which are fundamentally different from the Xiongan ‘翼’.

“I heard it’s initially listed under Beiqi and later they’ll apply for an independent production license.”

Daqiangzi had an unfriendly look in his eyes, always glancing at Lu Liang’s wine glass, jokingly saying fish are always praising.

Half the night had passed, and two-thirds of his glass was still full; even fish drink more than him.

“Has JD not considered getting involved?”

Lu Liang quietly took another sip.

He really didn’t like drinking baijiu; it was spicy, burned his throat, burned his stomach, and got him drunk too easily.

“Quality over quantity, a symbolic investment is enough; there’s still potential in developing the e-commerce market.”

Daqiangzi took a gulp and suddenly said, “Old Ma is in trouble; I’m waiting for his downfall.”

JD has three main sectors: e-commerce, logistics, and finance, with all plans revolving around these areas.

Although he also favors new energy, much like investing in NIO Tianxing, it’s enough to be an investor without needing to lead.

He wants to conserve his energy to compete for Alibaba’s payment resources, which will make JD Finance’s development smoother.

“What’s happening with Old Ma?”

Lu Liang was surprised, showing a look as if he were eating melons.

Daqiangzi paused and said, “I heard he overstepped, and the authorities reprimanded him. He seems quite defiant.”

“In a while, Modu will host the Bund Summit; you should be invited, and then you’ll find out.”

“I recall it being held in September or October; there’s still more than half a year to go.” Lu Liang remembered, as if he had been invited.

“Half a year is just the blink of an eye.”

Daqiangzi didn’t want to say more, suddenly rubbing his brow, shifted the topic: “I might have drunk too much.”

Old Ma is not someone who plays by the rules,

neither does Lu Liang.

Some things, some people hear and might forget.

But some other people, upon hearing, might develop strange ideas.

Lu Liang was developing just fine, with no need to create complications. Daqiangzi’s reluctance to clarify must not be to harm him.

“Dong, can you be any faker?”

Lu Liang was speechless, drinking only half a jin, far less than his usual minimum of one and a half jin, and already acting like he’s had too much?

“Saying I’m fake?”

Daqiangzi looked displeased, picking up the Moutai bottle from the ground, pouring it over his cup until it was empty: “And you?”

“It’s getting late; you should rest early.” Lu Liang chuckled awkwardly, making a quick getaway.

Every time they met, he would bring several bottles of Moutai, not stopping until drunk; even the car’s trunk had a large box available at any time. How could he possibly endure such a boastful god of drinking?

“Little Wu, see him out.”

Daqiangzi chuckled, picking up Lu Liang’s wine bottle, his expression suddenly darkening.

A standard 375ml bottle of Flying Moutai, with at least 300ml left inside, counting the unfinished half glass, even if he spat, he would have drunk more than Lu Liang tonight.

“Assistant Wu, no need to see me out.”

At the door, Lu Liang bid farewell to Daqiangzi’s assistant and got into a black Maybach.

Though he came with Daqiangzi’s special car, Fang Shiyu was following closely behind, as he often visited Beijing. Hu Weiwei had helped him buy a commuter car in the company’s name.

“Let’s head back to the city center.”

Lu Liang furrowed his brows, pondering what heavenly rule Old Ma had broken for Daqiangzi to speak of his downfall in such terms.

It must not have been literally, as Old Ma is the second richest Chinese and a strong contender for the richest, with many online followers, earning him the name Ma Ba Ba.

In the domestic transition to a cashless society, WeChat Pay is more popular, but the pioneer was Alipay.

In several Southeast Asian and even European and American tourist countries, Alipay has been breaking new ground.

This includes e-commerce too. While East Country’s e-commerce industry is advanced, only 1688 has developed and thrived internationally.

So, no unexpected events would happen to Old Ma, at most it’d be Alibaba being occupied by others while he is expelled.

If the founder is expelled, typically, the company experiences a period of management vacuum, where everyone is busy vying for power and wealth, unable to focus on anything else.

This is when competitors can take what they fancy, known colloquially as scavenging the corpse.

“Does Ali have any promising projects?”

Lu Liang pondered, a little interested in Ali Group’s Damo Institute, but only a little.

After all, it’s a research and development department that the group expects to be self-sufficient, the only one of its kind in the country.

“I’m worrying needlessly, busy all day and night, where’s the time to manage other matters.”

Gradually, Lu Liang understood Daqiangzi’s intention, probably preventing him from acting rashly and getting himself in trouble.

Daqiangzi now genuinely treats him as a brother, at least when there are no conflicting interests.

“Forget it; I’ll find out later.”

Lu Liang picked up his phone and saw a message from Reba, and said to Fang Shiyu: “Head to the Caris Hotel on the East Third Ring.”

Today is the 20th; yesterday Zhang Tian’ai started working again, and he needs to find a place to stay.

The borderland girl, although not a pure white tiger, is still very nice, with a unique exotic allure.

Following the address sent by Reba, Lu Liang arrived at room 1420 on the 14th floor of the hotel, the door half-open, he just pushed it and entered.

Reba seemed to have been standing behind the door, waiting, like a thief, she closed the door immediately upon his entry.

“Don’t you have a place to stay in Beijing?”

Lu Liang glanced around the luxurious business suite, noticing several large suitcases on the floor, a wardrobe filled with clothes, full of life’s traces, suggesting she had been staying a considerable time.

“Filming every day, hotels are more convenient.” Reba’s face was full of grievance.

Previously separated by distance, Lu Liang was busy, rarely responding to her messages, she had let it slide.

But according to her, Lu Liang had been in Beijing for at least five days, and she had messaged him for four consecutive days.

“You’re mad.” Lu Liang smirked, flashing a mischievous grin, suddenly reaching out to embrace Reba’s waist.

Clad in a purple, elegant long dress, with delicate makeup and distinct features, she resembled a Barbie doll more aligned with Oriental beauty.

“Honestly, a bit.”

Reba pouted, each time messaging Lu Liang she would recall those days they spent in Mohe.

She would also remember the wish whisker, eager to use one to test Lu Liang’s reaction, but she refrained.

If it was a joke from Lu Liang, or if they needed to meet for it to work, she couldn’t gamble, as she had invested too much sunk cost.

As Yang Mi said, once a woman sleeps with a man, she loses the greatest bargaining chip, especially with a man of means and power.

She felt she had understood something.

“I’ve been busy all day, and at night too, no time to manage anything else.”

Lu Liang spoke softly, spinning tales, brushing her hair with his hand, noticing he still had her in his arms while being not quite satisfied with the physical touch.

“Why are they all gone?”

“They were all gone?”

“How come there’s nothing left?”

“They’re all gone…”

Lu Liang gently said, fabricating words: “The three wishes are still valid, have you thought them through?”

“Not yet.” Zhilin replied reluctantly, feeling a sense of loss.

“Fine, never mind. Let’s just find out when we get there.”

Embracing his beloved, Lu Liang nestled into comfort, feeling less concerned with other matters.