Song Yuzhang: Chapter 133 - Take Up a New Post
Chapter 133: Take Up a New Post
Song Yuzhang froze completely — his eyes, his breathing, everything came to a halt.
Meng Tingjing smiled at him, his tone soft. “Chairman Song, I’ll be counting on your guidance from now on.”
Song Yuzhang’s expression remained calm, but his gaze was fixed steadily on Meng Tingjing’s smiling face.
This was something he had not expected at all.
Meng Tingjing… didn’t want the position of Chamber of Commerce chairman anymore?
For a brief moment, Song Yuzhang’s mind went blank. He had always been the kind to prepare for every possible scenario — yet he had never once considered the possibility that Meng Tingjing might simply and decisively abandon the chairman’s seat. His thoughts were still tangled, but instinct told him this was not a good sign.
Meng Tingjing lifted the hem of his long robe with a smooth motion, elegantly crossing one leg over the other, smiling faintly as he looked at Song Yuzhang.
Since Song Yuzhang wanted his respect — very well, he would give it.
Normally, he disdained playing mind games. He had always acted openly, crushing obstacles head-on. But since Song Yuzhang liked to play with power and politics, he would respect that — and accompany him for a round.
The chairman’s seat of the Chamber of Commerce?
Rather than sit in that position burdened with restrictions and compromises, it was better to toss this burning coal back.
He who desires nothing is truly strong. Since he didn’t want the position, what leverage could Song Yuzhang possibly hold over him?
If Song Yuzhang wanted it — then let him have it.
Let him take the chairmanship that half the chamber opposed. When he tried to issue directives later, he’d be flayed alive before anything moved.
Meng Tingjing waited patiently for Song Yuzhang to understand the implications of his choice.
The man he liked was intelligent enough to match him — he should figure it out soon.
Sure enough, after a short while, Song Yuzhang’s gaze refocused, a faint gleam flickering in his eyes as he smiled. “Tingjing, you really surprise me.”
“Do I?” Meng Tingjing returned the smile. “Then I’ll take that as a compliment.”
Song Yuzhang’s eyes were bright as he looked at him. “I thought you were never one to bow to others.”
“Being above or below others isn’t defined by a title,” Meng Tingjing said lightly. “Besides—” His smile deepened. “The view beneath Chairman Song is quite splendid. I’d be happy to admire it.”
“I’m not the chairman yet, Boss Meng. Don’t call me that so soon.”
“I have over two hundred votes in agreement, and you—your hundred or so supporters are certainly eager to see you in that seat. Together, that makes you the people’s choice. Who else but you could take the position?”
When he finished with that smiling jab, Song Yuzhang said nothing. Meng Tingjing watched his calm, handsome face and knew the man had completely turned the corner.
Now Song Yuzhang should be satisfied — wasn’t he the one who liked political games? Fine, he’d give him his full attention and play seriously, treating him as an equal opponent.
Song Yuzhang rested one hand on the armrest, silent for a long moment before he began to laugh — slowly shaking his head at first, then less and less, while his smile grew broader.
“Tingjing.”
Meng Tingjing answered with familiar warmth, “Yes?”
Song Yuzhang looked at him, his eyes gleaming with sharp amusement. Meng Tingjing met his gaze, smiling as well, though his eyes were cold.
“You’re very clever,” Song Yuzhang said.
“And you’re no fool either,” Meng Tingjing replied.
Their mouths spoke praise, but their eyes traded curses — foul ones at that.
Song Yuzhang’s blood surged. Suddenly, he said, “Come here.”
Meng Tingjing smirked, sitting perfectly still. “I’m not your dog. Why should I listen to you?”
Song Yuzhang nodded slightly. “True. I never fed you, so I suppose you’re not mine.”
“That’s right. You’ve been feeding that fish of yours instead. Spending all that effort on an engineer — must be exhausting.” Meng Tingjing’s tone was mocking. “When you become chairman, I wonder if you’ll still have time for such things.”
Song Yuzhang smiled faintly. “You worry too much. I’ve plenty of energy — enough to handle quite a few people.”
Meng Tingjing glared at him, then forced his anger back down and said coolly, “Well said. Practice makes perfect — you’re bound to improve.”
“Not necessarily,” Song Yuzhang replied. “Some people, no matter how much they practice, can never make up for what they lack in talent.”
Meng Tingjing’s eyes widened — he shot to his feet and pointed a finger at Song Yuzhang. “Stop bringing that up!”
“What did I say?” Song Yuzhang asked, feigning innocence.
Seeing him play dumb made Meng Tingjing’s anger flare again, but he pushed it down once more. With a cold laugh, he said, “You can only win with words.”
Song Yuzhang said evenly, “Strange. What exactly did I win?”
“You’re trying to provoke me?” Meng Tingjing looked down at him, calm and proud. “I won’t give you that satisfaction. Pack up and take office — go be your chairman.”
In the main hall, the old chairman was waiting when Meng Tingjing came out alone. “Chairman Qian,” Meng Tingjing said politely, “this turned into quite an unpleasant scene today. I’ve troubled you. I’ve thought it over — I’m not suited for the Chamber chairman’s role. It’s better for President Song to take the position. He’s young but capable, and I’d be glad to see him in that seat.”
The old chairman was stunned. “This…”
“I’ve conveyed my decision. There’s still work waiting at the docks, so I’ll take my leave.”
Meng Tingjing inclined his head slightly, then turned and walked away.
The old chairman, astonished by this turn of events, hurried back to the conference room. Inside, sunlight streamed over Song Yuzhang, outlining him in a gold-white halo that blurred his edges.
“President Song,” the old chairman said quickly, “how did the talk go? Boss Meng just told me he wants you to take the chairman’s position?”
Song Yuzhang turned his head and smiled faintly. “Yes.”
The old chairman was dumbfounded again.
He had been disappointed in Meng Tingjing — but not hopelessly so. In fact, he had thought appointing Meng Tingjing as chairman with two deputy chairmen beneath him might have worked nicely. But now that Meng Tingjing had withdrawn altogether, something about the situation felt wrong.
He couldn’t yet put his finger on it.
But as for Song Yuzhang — after sitting there for a while, he had understood everything perfectly.
A brilliant retreat to advance.
He hadn’t seen it coming — simply because he had never before seen Meng Tingjing retreat.
Meng Tingjing’s pride ran so deep that Song Yuzhang had once believed he was a man who would only ever advance, never retreat.
So what was this now? A countermove? A reversal?
Song Yuzhang let out a quiet laugh — perhaps it was an honor, in a way, to have forced Meng Tingjing into a retreat.
After leaving the old chairman’s house, he went to the Nie residence.
Nie Qingyun was out socializing, but Nie Yinbing was there, in the courtyard, training a horse.
Song Yuzhang arrived travel-worn — not in his clothes, but in his face. Nie Yinbing caught sight of him, pulled the reins to steady the fierce stallion, and gave him a questioning look.
Dressed in a white suit, hands clasped before him, Song Yuzhang said in a low tone, “Meng Tingjing has withdrawn from the race for the Chamber of Commerce chairmanship.”
“Why?” Nie Yinbing asked.
“He said,” Song Yuzhang glanced at him, “that I should take the position instead.”
Nie Yinbing thought for a moment, and the cold composure on his face turned grave. He wasn’t deeply versed in business, but he understood command, and he understood rebellion.
If half your soldiers aren’t your own men, forget fighting the bandits — you’d be lucky if they didn’t revolt first.
“It won’t be an easy job,” he said.
“No. It’s a hot potato — not easy to take.”
“Then don’t take it.”
“I can’t refuse. Everyone’s watching. If I back down now, the people who stood with me at the meeting will turn against me.”
“Then I’ll take it.”
“Enough,” Song Yuzhang waved his hand impatiently. “With your mouth? If you took it, the Chamber would save on meetings — we’d barely have any left.” He was still fuming, but after saying that, the corners of his lips twitched. A chuckle slipped out despite himself, and with it, most of his frustration. He turned toward Nie Yinbing. “I didn’t mean you’re bad at it.”
“I know,” said Nie Yinbing.
He gave the reins another tug. “Want to clear your head?”
“Forget it. No time for that. Better to think about our next move.”
Song Yuzhang shook his head, smiling. Then he sighed deeply. “Still, it was careless of me. I didn’t expect him to pull something like this.”
Nie Yinbing lowered his eyes and said evenly, “No one can think of everything. You’re human, not a god.”
“You’re right. I’m no immortal — I can’t foresee every outcome. We’ll handle what comes when it comes.”
When he’d first taken over the bank, he’d inherited billions in debt — and hadn’t he managed that? Surely the chairmanship wouldn’t be impossible either.
Revived by that thought, Song Yuzhang glanced at the chestnut horse and suddenly felt a spark of mischief. “Yinbing, let it go — I want to try this one.”
“Careful. It’s wild.”
Song Yuzhang had already taken the reins. “I like wild ones.”
He could ride, but had no experience taming. The moment he mounted, the stallion bucked furiously, tossing him about. Nie Yinbing followed close with a whip in hand, ready to catch him if he fell. Song Yuzhang clung to the reins for dear life, barely lasting a minute before shouting, “Pull it back—!”
Nie Yinbing seized the reins and halted the horse. Song Yuzhang dismounted at once, soaked in sweat from head to toe. After just one minute, he’d learned a humble truth — no one is good at everything, and riding was not his strength.
The battle over the Chamber chairmanship had raged for more than a month before a historic compromise was reached. The Chamber underwent reform: one chairman, two deputy-chairmen, and a core committee of seven members — ten people in total. Every major decision henceforth would require joint deliberation and a majority vote. If over half opposed, the proposal would be dismissed. The left vice-chairman held precedence, following old customs. Terms lasted three years, with detailed divisions of responsibility.
It was the best outcome Song Yuzhang could have secured.
The chairmanship itself had become impossible to decline. Forced into the role, he also fought tooth and nail to claim three of the core seats.
In truth, he suspected Meng Tingjing had deliberately left those three spots open — a way to maintain a five-to-five balance between their factions, to preserve surface harmony. Too much advantage on one side, and Meng Tingjing might find it dull.
Had Meng Tingjing known what Song Yuzhang was thinking, he would have laughed aloud and praised him — exactly the kind of man he had chosen to respect.
Yes, he intended to face Song Yuzhang head-on within the Chamber, to let him fully experience what it meant to be respected — and perhaps, someday, to understand the “good intentions” behind his challenge.
The inauguration day was carefully chosen by the old chairman — March 4th, an auspicious day for forging alliances.
That morning, torrential rain poured from the heavens. The thunder of Jingzhe came early; lightning split the skies, gales howled, black clouds pressed so low they seemed to crush the city. The business elites arriving for the ceremony were blown about like spinning tops, umbrellas useless against the storm.
Reporters were supposed to take photos at the entrance, but with the weather this bad, they had no choice but to flee indoors.
Song Yuzhang entered through the rain — even with people holding umbrellas along the way, he was drenched through, hair and suit soaked halfway. When he reached the hall, he found he wasn’t alone: the entire assembly looked like a gathering of drowned rats.
The old chairman, his own hair dripping, directed the ten new members into position.
Song Yuzhang stood in the center, Meng Tingjing to his left, Nie Yinbing to his right, the remaining seven forming the back row.
The soaked reporters managed to take one group photo of the new Chamber leadership — every one of them wet through.
Thankfully, the printed photo didn’t show it. Instead, the three chairmen appeared strikingly handsome and refined — their hair slicked and shining as though carefully styled, every strand obediently in place, as if they’d all applied an extra layer of pomade for the occasion.
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