Chapter 12 — Seven Years of Silence, One Life of Freedom

I turned around and went into the office. Close the door. The living room was quiet for a long time. It's the sound of footsteps. The sound of the door opening. Then the door closed. He left. One week later. The esteemed supplier conference of Thua Thinh Biological Group was held at the hotel's banquet room. This is an annual event. All core supplier managers will attend. The host is always Tran Thieu Quan. As for this year... I informed all the guests in advance. The host will be me. More than thirty supplier representatives attended. There are five businesses affiliated with Chu Dinh Van. I stood in front of the banquet room door. Shake hands with each guest in turn. This is the first time... I publicly appear as the actual controller of Thua Thinh. Some people were surprised. Someone silently observed. There are also people who intentionally hold hands for a few seconds longer to investigate. Tham Tue stood next to introduce.

"This is President To."

"Representative of the group's controlling shareholder."

After hearing that sentence, each person had a different expression. Exactly two o'clock in the afternoon. The conference officially begins. I sat in the middle of the chair's table. On the left is Tran Thieu Quan. On the right is Tham Minh. More than thirty supplier representatives took their seats. Chu Dinh Van did not come. But his people do. General Director Ma Quoc Dong of Thinh Dat Precision Components Company — the largest enterprise in the group of companies affiliated with Chu Dinh Van — is sitting in the second row, on the left. After a few introductory polite words. I get straight to the point.

"Everyone is invited here today."

"In addition to the annual summary."

"I still have something important to announce."

The whole hall immediately became quiet.

"Starting next quarter."

"Thua Thinh will officially implement the supply chain optimization plan."

"All current partners will be re-evaluated."

"Evaluation criteria include three aspects."

"The first."

"Level of price transparency."

"Delivery stability."

"Technological relevance."

I stopped. His eyes slowly scanned the entire hall.

"Suppliers that do not meet assessment standards."

"After the current contract expires."

"There will not be an extension."

There were immediately low voices below. Ma Quoc Dong's face changed clearly.

"Evaluation criteria details."

"After the meeting ends."

"The procurement department will send it to each unit."

I turned to look at Tham Tue.

"General Manager Tham."

I turned to look at Tham Tue.

"Would you mind introducing the progress of the technological alternative?"

Tham Tue stood up. Open the projector. A comparison table of three sensor modules appears on the screen. On the left are product specifications from the current supplier. On the right are the parameters of the domestic alternative.

"Present."

"Domestic replacement for three core sensor modules has completed laboratory testing phase."

"It is expected that after six weeks it will enter the mass production testing phase."

Her voice was calm and clear.

"The performance is over 97% compared to the original plan."

"While costs decreased by 22%."

The whispers in the auditorium immediately turned into a clear wave of discussion. Ma Quoc Dong's face was completely dark. He raised his hand.

"I have a question ask."

"Invite General Manager Ma."

"Thinh Dat has cooperated with Thua Thinh for five years."

"Things have always been stable."

"Now you suddenly implement so-called supply chain optimization."

"Are they targeting us?"

I looked straight at him.

"General Manager Ma."

"Evaluation standards apply equally to all suppliers."

"If Thinh Dat fully meets the price."

"Delivery progress."

"And technological prowess."

"Of course we will continue to cooperate."

"So what if we think your evaluation is unfair?"

"That is your right."

I calmly replied.

"After the contract expires."

"Both sides have the right to choose."

"Should we continue to extend or not?"

Ma Quoc Dong's face turned red. Lips moved a few times. In the end, no more words were said. When sitting down. He bowed his head and glanced at the phone. Texting Chu Dinh Van. During the tea party after the conference. There were more than ten suppliers who proactively came to greet me. Many people still speak frankly.

"We support the optimization plan."

"If you need to coordinate anything."

"Just tell us."

I shook each person's hand in turn to thank them. All day long. Tran Thieu Quan just sat next to him. Almost didn't say a word. It's time for the conference to end. He stopped me right in front of the door.

"This move of yours..."

"Chu Dinh Van will not leave it alone."

"I know."

"Are you prepared?"

I looked at him.

"You care about that?"

Tran Thieu Quan's expression suddenly stiffened. Just turned around and left. Eleven o'clock that night. I received a message. The sender is... Chu Dinh Van.

"I know all your moves today."

"I will give you one last chance."

"Sit down and talk to me."

"If not..."

"Starting from next Monday, five suppliers including Thinh Dat and related businesses will simultaneously stop supplying to Thua Thinh."

"Is your domestic alternative in time..."

"You consider it yourself."

I finished reading the message. Put the phone down on the table. Then pick up the desk phone. Enter a series of numbers. The other end of the line quickly picked up the phone. His voice was still a bit sleepy.

"Uncle Phuong."

The other side was silent for two seconds. Then there was a soft laugh.

"Little girl Niem."

"The letter my grandfather left..."

"Is it finally open?"

"I opened it three years ago."

"I'll call you now."

"Are you ready to take action?"

"What do you need my help with?"

"Uncle Phuong."

"In your hands..."

"Do you still have the list of backup suppliers that your grandfather left behind?"

The other end of the line was silent for three seconds.