Stronger by Paying Salaries and I Have 1 Billion Employees

’This man is far smarter than Cheng Congwu!’

”Of course, President Chen. This way, please!” Hou Jun said with a broad smile.

The group walked into the lobby, took the elevator, and arrived on the second floor.

As they walked, Cheng Congwu introduced the place to Chen Yansen. ”President Chen, this is Gaode’s most core department, responsible for map data collection and surveying.”

Chen Yansen nodded slightly. A quick glance revealed about four hundred people on the entire floor.

”The third floor is the mobile products department, which is mainly responsible for the R&D, upgrades, and optimization of the Gaode app. The fourth floor is the B2B team, whose core business is collaborating with automobile manufacturers on pre-installing navigation systems. There are about 2,000 employees at the headquarters.”

”In addition, we have a data production base in Changping District, and we’ve set up marketing and sales centers and navigation engine R&D bases in Hu City and Lu City, respectively.”

Cheng Congwu meticulously detailed Gaode’s fixed assets and technology patents.

”President Cheng,” Chen Yansen asked, ”I heard Gaode has another founder. Why don’t I see him?”

Cheng Congwu froze for a moment, his expression a little unnatural. He quickly composed himself and explained calmly, ”Xiao Jun is the former COO of Gaode Map. He left last year but currently serves as a board member and consultant for Gaode. He rarely comes to the company.”

’A consultant?’

Chen Yansen found it amusing. The position had been completely debased by the domestic internet industry. Anyone who served as a consultant at some company without any real power was more than likely a high-level executive who had lost an internal power struggle and been forced out.

The titles of board member and consultant were simply the last shreds of dignity Cheng Congwu had left for Xiao Jun.

Chen Yansen just smiled and didn’t press the matter.

After touring the Gaode headquarters, he finally signaled for Cheng Congwu to lead him to the conference room.

Hou Jun barely spoke the entire time, seemingly not wanting to steal Cheng Congwu’s thunder.

They entered a spacious and bright conference room, and everyone took their seats.

The conversation returned to the previous night’s topic, and both sides resumed their discussion on the acquisition price.

This time, Chen Yansen didn’t get involved. He left it entirely to Gao Weilin while he chatted idly with Hou Jun, holding his teacup.

Hou Jun, who hadn’t been in the mood to talk, was completely unaware that once Chen Yansen started speaking, he began to feel a strange sense of affinity. His gaze toward Chen Yansen softened, and the more he looked at the young man, the more he liked him.

As they chatted on, Hou Jun unexpectedly found himself revealing his latest project.

This was a project he hadn’t even mentioned to Xiao Jun.

’What’s gotten into me today?’ Hou Jun vaguely felt that something was off, but he couldn’t quite put his finger on what it was.

”Phoenix Ancient City?”

Chen Yansen was slightly surprised. He hadn’t expected that Hou Jun, true to his reputation as a cultured man, had set his sights on a cultural tourism project back in 2012. He had even used 900 million in capital to successfully secure the 50-year operating rights for the eight major scenic spots in Phoenix County.

”Does President Chen think this type of project has market potential?” Hou Jun asked with a smile.

”President Hou has a unique eye. These kinds of cultural tourism projects aren’t something an outsider can just pull off,” Chen Yansen said in praise.

This wasn’t just empty flattery. Just imagine an outsider trying to develop tourism in an unfamiliar place. Even if they managed to navigate the initial procedures and paperwork, they’d get skinned in the process.

Chen Yansen knew Chunshen wanted to get into the tourism industry, but he hadn’t said a word. It was because he understood all too well that small ponds often harbor big monsters.

Hou Jun lowered his voice. ”President Chen, you flatter me. To be honest, I had to rely on a local agent to get the project off the ground without any major hitches.”

Chen Yansen understood. In his eyes, Hou Jun was a smart man who wouldn’t make amateur mistakes, especially when it came to handling relationships. So, he had found a proxy.

After some more conversation, he also figured out the main reason Hou Jun had resigned as CEO of Gaode. The man was simply focusing his energy on the cultural tourism project.