Chapter 6 — The Creator Cannot Be Erased

"Right now, the outside world still doesn't know what company Trung Quang is. If it only makes sanitary equipment, the valuation will be limited. But if it is a space intelligence business, we will have a completely new story."

That statement... is not wrong. After the meeting, I told the brand department to keep him there to continue the discussion. Not long after, Chu Khai Minh completed a new set of introductory slides for investor meetings. Neat layout. Clear data focus. Previously, it took us ten minutes to finish presenting the product system. To him... Just three pages. During the second discussion with investors, someone asked whether the slowing growth rate of foreign markets would affect the company's valuation. Chu Khai Minh is in no hurry to explain the revenue. He foretells the transition of the international market, from "selling equipment" to "providing service networks". Only then will data on after-sales service and recurring subscription models be released. At the end of the meeting, Tuong Viet told me:

"The Chairman's son didn't just come to show up. His presentation ability is really very good."

I admit it. Chu Khai Minh is not the type of person who doesn't understand financial reports. He knows what investors care about. Also know what type of headlines the media likes. The problem is... He knows it all too well. The second week after joining the company, the brand department rewrote the startup story. The original title was:

"Nine years of Trung Quang: Starting from a prototype machine with a water leak."

By the time the manuscript arrived on my desk... The title had changed to:

"The new generation helmsman brings Trung Quang into the era of space intelligence."

I returned the manuscript.

"Where's the part about the prototype leaking water?"

The brand manager hesitated.

"General Director Chu believes that those details are too tragic and will affect the image of a high-tech company."

"But that was the real starting point for the company."

"General Manager Chu said... the capital market doesn't need to know how each of our screws has been tightened."

That afternoon, I went directly to find Chu Khai Minh. His office hasn't been cleaned yet. Next to the table is also filled with books just sent from abroad. Do not hang product photos on the wall. There is only one new brand identity design.

"You fix the startup story?"

"I just told them to rearrange."

"Why erase the history of the early years?"

"Not deleted."

"Just shortened."

He opened his computer, placing the two versions of the document side by side.

"General Director Trinh, the past nine years are of course very important. But foreign media cannot focus evenly. If we talk too much about warehouses, water leaks or debt collection, people will just think we are a manufacturing enterprise struggling to survive."

"But we are inherently a manufacturing enterprise that has risen from those days."

"But we can't forever live in the past."

His voice was still very calm.

"The market needs to know who will take Trung Quang to the next stage."

I looked at the screen. On the last page of the new document... is a bust photo of Chu Khai Minh. Below is a line. Chu Khai Minh Deputy General Director Executive Director Trung Quang Smart, the initiator of the Space Intelligence strategy.

"Who decided this title?"

"The President's Office and the human resources department have agreed."

"The Spatial Intelligence Strategy has not yet been approved by the Board of Directors."

"That's just an expression when communicating."

"Not an investment decision."

He is very proficient. It is always possible to turn a problem of substance... into a problem of words. I won't argue anymore. At that time, preparations for listing officially began. The supply chain department is also implementing a full-year cost reduction plan. From morning to night, I have a full schedule of meetings. I no longer have the strength to directly confront the Chairman's son for the sake of a propaganda article. More importantly... I still believe in Chu Dinh Son's words.

"Just let him learn with you."

I think Chu Khai Minh just wants to quickly prove his ability. A young person wants to be seen by everyone... There's nothing wrong with that. What really made me start to feel uneasy... Was the interview with the media a month later. The reporter asked Chu Khai Minh:

"Why did you choose to return home to join Trung Quang?"

He replied:

"This is the career that my father built over many years, and the company I grew up with as a child. Now it's time for a new generation to take on the responsibility."

After the interview was published... A lot of people started calling him...

"Junior Marshal of Trung Quang."

That same day... The company's official website also quietly changed. On the previous leadership introduction page... My name is right behind Chu Dinh Son. Position is: Co-founder and person in charge of operations. But in the new version... My title is only: Chief Operating Officer (COO). Zhou Kaiming was ranked ahead of me. Below his name... There's another line of gray text. Driver of the new generation.