Murong Ba's words truly hit the nail on the head; even Liang Ren couldn't find fault with them.
Initially, Liang Ren had planned to support Kaixuan Jewelry regardless of any arguments presented. However, with Murong Ba now occupying the moral high ground, he had struck Liang Ren's Achilles' heel!
If Liang Ren continued to back Kaixuan Jewelry and the Jiang family, it would mean disregarding the future of the city and the nation, making him a sinner!
Liang Ren fell silent.
This situation seemed unsolvable.
Although Murong Ba appeared calm, his heart was brimming with joy. He knew he had won. By standing on the moral high ground, he could corner Lu Ming and Jiang Mengxin!
At this moment.
Lu Ming suddenly spoke, "Murong Ba, you claim Kaixuan Jewelry is a minor company, lacking both talent and funding. Hmph, what if Kaixuan Jewelry were to acquire talent and funding, then what?"
Murong Ba had anticipated Lu Ming's question.
He sneered, "Funding might be manageable. After all, the Jiang family has some roots in Jinling, and diverting funds from there could suffice. The real issue is talent! The 996 project is no ordinary undertaking; it's not something you can accomplish by simply finding a few people. The talent required for the 996 project is one in ten thousand."
As he spoke, he produced a document.
Murong Ba handed the document to Liang Ren. "I had considered this issue before coming. Anyone who can be considered 'talent' must meet all the conditions listed on this form!"
Liang Ren scanned the document from top to bottom and was aghast.
The requirements were incredibly stringent.
The basic requirements demanded graduation from a 985 university, a Master's degree, and a Ph.D.
The advanced requirements were even more demanding, requiring the publication of no less than 50 professional papers and at least 10 articles in international scientific journals.
Work experience needed to be over 30 years, with prior experience in national-level institutions such as academies of science or research institutes.
Item by item, those who met these criteria were truly the elite of the elite, chosen from among tens of thousands.
Such individuals were paragons in their fields, pillars of the nation, and even national treasures.
They possessed accolades, wealth, and renown, lacking virtually nothing and proving exceptionally difficult to poach.
Not only Kaixuan Jewelry, but even Liang Ren himself would struggle to recruit such outstanding talent.
What's more crucial...
Murong Ba added insult to injury, "The form specifies that a company must have ten such talents to be considered qualified and eligible to join the 996 project!"
Liang Ren's face darkened immediately.
Ten?
Hmph.
Let alone ten, finding even one would be a monumental task for Liang Ren. Even if one were found, the probability of them agreeing to join would be slim.
And he expected ten?
This was clearly an intentional attempt to make things difficult.
Liang Ren remained silent and handed the document to Lu Ming. Meanwhile, Liang Jiadong also leaned in to take a look, and his jaw dropped.
Liang Jiadong exclaimed, "Murong Ba, are the requirements on this form not excessively unreasonable? The people you're asking for, there are probably only a dozen or so like them in the entire country! The ones I can think of are all top-tier national scientific research experts. It's hard enough to recruit even one such person, and you're demanding ten all at once? Aren't you deliberately making things difficult for Kaixuan Jewelry and trying to ruin the Jiang family?"
While the facts supported his statement, Murong Ba refused to concede.
He chuckled, still holding the moral high ground, "Minister Liang, I am acting solely for the future of our city. I have no selfish motives; it is all for the sake of a brighter future for the city! If Kaixuan Jewelry cannot find ten such outstanding talents, then they are not worthy of joining the 996 company!"
Liang Jiadong's face turned green with anger.
He knew Murong Ba was deliberately making things impossible, but with him on the moral high ground, what could he say?
Liang Jiadong looked at Liang Ren. "Uncle, I believe these requirements are inappropriate. At least a few should be removed!"
Murong Ba loudly declared, "Not a single one can be removed! These are the sincere opinions of patriotic individuals, wise counsel. Removing any would be detrimental to the city and the nation!"
He couched his every demand in terms of benefiting the city, leaving Liang Jiadong both furious and helpless.
Finally.
Liang Ren conceded.
"Hoo—"
Liang Ren took a deep breath and said to Liang Jiadong, "Jiadong, go to the Ma family immediately. Give this document to Ma Tengyun and Jiang Mengxin, and tell them that Kaixuan Jewelry will only be allowed to join the 996 project if they find ten such outstanding talents."
"Uncle!" Liang Jiadong's eyes reddened with urgency. This was tantamount to cutting off Kaixuan Jewelry's path forward!
"Go!" Liang Ren said sternly.
With no other choice, Liang Jiadong took the document and, with a heavy heart, left the ward to go to the Ma family.
Liang Ren turned back to Murong Ba. "Are you satisfied now? Let's go."
Murong Ba smiled faintly and exited the ward.
Only Liang Ren and Lu Ming remained in the room.
Liang Ren looked at Lu Ming with considerable guilt. "Lu Ming, I apologize. I had intended to do my utmost to secure Kaixuan Jewelry's eligibility for the 996 project. But now, it seems the opposition is too strong."
Lu Ming smiled and replied, "It's alright."
Liang Ren continued, "However, rest assured, I won't let you be wronged. I will help contact people regarding these ten outstanding talents and do my best to assist you in finding them."
Lu Ming countered, "Can you find them?"
This...
Liang Ren fell silent.
Indeed, it was incredibly difficult. Even for Liang Ren, the mayor of the city, finding ten such super research luminaries was an uphill battle.
Even if he found them, how could he persuade them to join?
One or two might be manageable.
Ten?
It was akin to climbing a mountain of glass, almost an impossible feat.
Finally, Liang Ren sighed, "I will do my utmost to help you."
Unexpectedly.
Lu Ming gently shook his head and said, "No need. We must handle our own affairs. I will find these ten talents myself. Mayor Liang should focus on recuperating."
He refused Liang Ren's kind offer!
Liang Ren asked, "You are just an ordinary person, how will you find them?"
Lu Ming replied mysteriously, "I have my methods. Moreover, even if you, Mayor Liang, were to find ten talents for me, Murong Ba would then claim they are not 'our' people but yours, and it would lead to endless disputes."
"Sigh..." Liang Ren let out a long sigh. In his opinion, Kaixuan Jewelry's chances of joining the 996 project were effectively over.
He consoled, "If Kaixuan Jewelry loses this opportunity, I will compensate you in other ways in the future."
Lu Ming, however, said with determined eyes, "Lose the opportunity? Don't worry, Mayor Liang, that won't happen!"