Rebirth in 1985

Chapter 474 Royal Dutch Shell

Speaking of Phoenix Group, the reporters all crowded in like cats smelling blood, asking more and more questions, especially when Lu Shaohua mentioned his identity as the chairman of Phoenix Group. There were dozens of personal questions about Lu Shaohua.

Some asked Lu Shaohua's name, some asked Lu Shaohua's age, and even more outrageous was asking whether Lu Shaohua had inherited the previous generation's business. Well, there was an even more outrageous question, asking whether Lu Shaohua's identity was fake, questioning the authenticity of Lu Shaohua's invitation letter.

In response, Lu Shaohua just smiled faintly, pushed Liu Mingzhang forward a step, then pressed his hand to stop the reporters from talking, and then spoke in fluent English. "Friends from the press, this person in front of you should be familiar to everyone. Yes, he is the deputy executive president of Phoenix Group. If you have any doubts about my identity, you can ask President Liu. I believe he can give you a satisfactory answer."

As the saying goes, it is difficult to make a defense with a hundred mouths. Even if Lu Shaohua had a hundred or a thousand mouths, he would not be able to convince dozens of reporters. It would be better to push all the questions to Liu Mingzhang. This way, not only does it save time, but it will also be more convincing.

Liu Mingzhang did not disappoint Lu Shaohua. He stood there and spoke. "Hello, friends from the press, hello everyone. Some of you may know me, some may not. Well, whether you know me or not, let me introduce myself first. My name is Liu Mingzhang, and I am currently the deputy executive president of Phoenix Group. Well, how should I put it? I have been working in Phoenix Group since its inception, and I have been working there until now. Mr. Lu Shaohua is the chairman of our Phoenix Group and the founder of Phoenix Group. He is not the one who inherited the property of the previous generation."

Liu Mingzhang's words revealed two meanings. One was to confirm Lu Shaohua's identity, and the other was to explain that Lu Shaohua was not the one who inherited the property of the previous generation. He also said that he was a veteran, which was more convincing.

Sure enough, all the reporters in the audience stopped asking questions about Lu Shaohua's identity and turned to questions about Phoenix Group, such as what the next goal of Phoenix Group is.

Liu Mingzhang, the deputy executive president, did not disappoint Lu Shaohua. He looked back at Lu Shaohua, as if to seek his opinion. Lu Shaohua nodded gently. Liu Mingzhang then turned around and said to the guns and cannons. "We at Phoenix Group will not give up on development. As for the goal! Well, please allow me to quote an old Chinese saying: 'A soldier who does not want to be a general is not a good soldier.' We at Phoenix Group are just soldiers, so of course we want to be generals."

As soon as Liu Mingzhang finished speaking, the whole audience burst into laughter. They were not laughing at the arrogance of Phoenix Group, but at Liu Mingzhang's humor. No one dared to doubt the strength of Phoenix Group, a new upstart, and no one dared to underestimate it.

Because the facts are already in front of us. In the past, the Phoenix Group’s fame was limited to Phoenix Automobile and Phoenix Computer. As for the Phoenix Group in Hong Kong, no one paid attention to it. Now, the Phoenix Group in Hong Kong and the Phoenix Group in Shenzhen are actually the same company. It can be said that it has emerged as a dark horse and suddenly broke into the 37th place in the world, which is shocking and unexpected.

Such a group sells its products all over the world, and some reporters even drive Phoenix brand cars. Do they still doubt whether Phoenix Group is arrogant?

No, no one dares to doubt it. If nothing unexpected happens, Phoenix Group continues to develop at this speed, it will only be a matter of time before it becomes the world's number one.

No one doubted it, and Liu Mingzhang answered a few more questions from the reporters. Only then did the reporters in the audience let Lu Shaohua and Liu Mingzhang go in.

This party-like event was hosted by an international official organization, and as an invited party, Lu Shaohua would naturally be received by someone. Lu Shaohua was not kept waiting for long. After passing the reporter's level, someone was waiting inside, and Lu Shaohua also showed the invitation letter.

"Hello! Welcome to Phoenix Group, please come this way!" After reading the invitation, the waiter stepped aside, made a 'please' gesture, and then led the way.

The party was similar to a Western banquet, and was also a cocktail party favored by Hong Kong's wealthy families. Lu Shaohua had attended the Huo family's cocktail parties several times, so he was not unfamiliar with it. After entering with Liu Mingzhang, he took a glass of wine and found a quiet corner to sit down.

The banquet officially started at 10:30 in the morning. Lu Shaohua came up from downstairs at 10 o'clock, which was half an hour early, which was very early. However, after entering the hall, Lu Shaohua found that there were no less than 30 people who arrived earlier than them.

The gathering of the world's top 50 companies is held annually, and most of the top 50 companies remain the same, except for the companies near the bottom of the list which will change. The companies at the top are sitting on the Diaoyutai, not afraid of threats to their status.

It was also because they were well-placed that they would come to participate every year. People were relatively familiar with each other and would gather in groups of three or four to chat. However, it was the first time for Lu Shaohua and Liu Mingzhang to come here. There were almost no people they knew, so they could only find a quiet corner to sit down.

However, Lu Shaohua wanted to keep quiet, but others did not think so, especially those newly promoted business owners. They were eager to take this opportunity to get to know other business owners and see if there was any possibility of cooperation.

The CEO of a comprehensive British group was thinking the same thing. His company was a new company and ranked relatively low, at 49th, the second to last. He saw Lu Shaohua and Liu Mingzhang sitting quietly in the corner, so he took a glass of wine and walked over. He nodded to Lu Shaohua as a greeting, and finally stopped his sight on Liu Mingzhang. He walked over quickly and asked in fluent British English, "Excuse me, are you Mr. Liu Mingzhang?"

Liu Mingzhang couldn't be too rude since someone took the initiative to say hello, but he didn't know the other person, so he could only smile and nod, then said, "Yes, who are you?"

"Philip Watts, President of Royal Dutch Shell!" The visitor first introduced himself, and then continued, "Mr. Liu is known as a financial genius in Asia. I admire him deeply. Nice to meet you, nice to meet you."

The other person had already said this, so Liu Mingzhang knew what he needed to do next. He took the initiative to extend his hand and shook hands with the other person, then said, "Mr. Philippe Watts is well-known internationally, but I have only heard of him but never seen him. It is my honor to meet him today."

Two people flattering each other is the first step in socializing. But Lu Shaohua didn't pay much attention to it, but was thinking about the background of Royal Dutch Shell mentioned by Philip Watts.

According to Lu Shaohua's memory, this company was formed in 1907 through the merger of Shell Transport and Trading Co. and Royal Dutch Petroleum Co. Since then, the group has gradually become a major international oil company in the world, with its business covering more and more countries. By 09, its business had expanded to more than 130 countries with a wide range of partners.

As for its main business, it is oil, natural gas and petrochemicals. It has interests in more than 30 refineries in more than 50 countries and is a major seller of petrochemicals, road transport fuel (about 5 gas stations around the world), lubricants, aviation fuel and liquefied petroleum gas. It is also a pioneer in the liquefied natural gas industry and has extensive experience in the financing, management and operation of large-scale projects around the world.

In 1999, Royal Dutch Shell's total sales revenue reached 1497 billion US dollars and its profit was 85.8 billion US dollars. The company's operation also complies with the group's business purpose, taking health, safety and environmental standards as the group's top priority anywhere in the world, and paying great attention to employee training.

Oil is the main industry, and Lu Shaohua’s long-term plan is to operate in the oil industry. It is true that competitors are enemies, but Lu Shaohua does not think so. There are so many companies in the oil industry, why can only they be enemies?

Can't we be partners?

Yes, in addition to being a potential enemy, they can also become partners. It all depends on Royal Dutch Shell. Of course, nothing has been said yet, and whether they are enemies or partners is still an unknown.

"Mr. Liu, is your Phoenix Group in Hong Kong an agent for a car manufacturer with the same name as your group?" Philippe Watts suddenly asked at this time.

"..." Lu Shaohua was stunned by the question and was a little slow to react. He paused and then smiled and answered. "It's not an agency, but we are originally a company. Phoenix Car is also produced by our Phoenix Group."

"Oh!" This time Philippe Vaz was stunned, and smiled awkwardly, then revealed his purpose and said, "Our group's main business is the oil industry. I wonder if there is any possibility of cooperation?"

Philippe Watts asked questions to Liu Mingzhang and did not pay too much attention to Lu Shaohua. After all, Lu Shaohua was too young. Using normal logic, Lu Shaohua could not be a member of the Phoenix Group. If he had to say that there was someone, he was just a follower of Liu Mingzhang.

However, the facts often cannot be imagined using normal logic, and Lu Shaohua is the person in charge of Phoenix Group.

"Haha!" Liu Mingzhang laughed first, then stepped aside to make Lu Shaohua's full figure visible, and introduced him to Philip Watts. "This is Mr. Lu Shaohua, the chairman of our Phoenix Group. If Mr. Philip Watts has any cooperation plans, he can talk to our chairman."

This time Philippe Vaz was dumbfounded and completely frightened. He didn't expect that the most unlikely person would be the person in charge of Phoenix Group. This was far beyond his expectations. His mouth opened into an O shape, big enough to fit an egg.