Reborn in 72, I hunt to support my family and spoil my younger sister rotten.

Chapter 606 Of course, a counterattack is necessary.

As they were talking, Wang Ergou rushed in: "Xiangyang, something bad has happened! There was someone loitering around the factory area just now, acting suspiciously, like they were scouting the place."

Li Xiangyang immediately stood up: "Where is he now?"

"He ran away after our security guards spotted him, but I had someone follow him, so he should still be in town," Wang Ergou said.

“Third Brother, it seems you were right.” Li Xiangyang turned to Ma Laosan. “Now we need to take the initiative.”

Old Ma flicked his cigarette ash: "What do you plan to do?"

“First, I need to establish an information network,” Li Xiangyang said, pacing around the room. “Scattered friendships aren’t enough; we need a systematic source of information.”

“That’s a good idea,” Ma Laosan nodded. “I have connections in both the provincial capital and Beijing; I can help you make those connections.”

“Besides business information, we also need to understand these people’s behavioral patterns,” Li Xiangyang continued. “For example, what methods do they usually use, and do they have any weaknesses?”

Wang Ergou interjected, "Xiangyang, I think we should strengthen security in the factory area. What if they try to take action?"

“Of course we have to do that,” Li Xiangyang nodded. “But more importantly, we need to let them know that we’re not to be trifled with.”

That evening, Li Xiangyang convened a meeting with several core employees.

"Things might get a bit turbulent lately," Li Xiangyang said bluntly. "Everyone needs to be vigilant, especially those on the night shift. Report any unusual activity immediately."

Liu Wanshan asked, "Director Li, is someone trying to sabotage our factory?"

“That’s possible,” Li Xiangyang said without hiding anything, “but don’t worry, we have a solution.”

"What do we need to do?" Old Zhang asked.

"Work normally, but be careful," Li Xiangyang said. "Also, if strangers come to the factory asking about anything, don't give them any information."

After the meeting, Li Xiangyang kept Liu Wanshan behind alone.

"Old Liu, I have something I'd like to discuss with you," Li Xiangyang said. "You've been in this industry for so many years, you must know quite a few people, right?"

Liu Wanshan nodded: "I do know some people. Is there anything I can help you with?"

“I want to create a circle for information exchange,” Li Xiangyang explained his idea, “not just business information, but also information on… special circumstances.”

Liu Wanshan pondered for a moment: "You mean, something like what happened today?"

“Yes.” Li Xiangyang nodded. “We can’t always be on the defensive; we have to take the initiative and control the situation.”

Liu Wanshan remained silent for a moment, then lit a cigarette in his office.

“Director Li, I understand your idea.” He took a deep breath, “However, building such a network is not something that can be done overnight.”

“I know, but there has to be a beginning.” Li Xiangyang sat down in the chair. “Tell me first, who are the people you know?”

“There are a dozen or so colleagues in the technical field, scattered across various factories,” Liu Wanshan said, stubbing out his cigarette. “And a few of my former bosses, now in different positions.”

Li Xiangyang's eyes lit up: "That's enough. Let's start with the tech community and expand gradually."

"But..." Liu Wanshan hesitated, "What if people misunderstand?"

"What misunderstanding?" Li Xiangyang retorted. "We're not doing anything shady; it's just normal information exchange."

Liu Wanshan thought for a moment and nodded: "Then I'll give it a try, but I'll have to take it slowly."

The next morning, as soon as Li Xiangyang arrived at the factory, he saw Wang Ergou running over in a hurry.

"Xiangyang, something happened last night!" Wang Ergou whispered. "Someone tried to break into our warehouse, but the night shift security guard caught them."

Li Xiangyang's face darkened: "Have you caught him?"

“He got away, but left this behind.” Wang Ergou handed over a crowbar. “Old Zhang said this guy’s methods were very professional; he’s clearly a repeat offender.”

Li Xiangyang took the crowbar and examined it carefully. There were new scratches on it, indicating that it had just been used.

"Looks like they're really going to take a hard line." Li Xiangyang put down the crowbar. "Starting today, the number of night shift security guards will double, and there will be people patrolling the factory area during the day as well."

As they were talking, Liu Wanshan ran over from the workshop, his face filled with anxiety: "Director Li, something's happened! Several workers just said they were followed on their way home last night."

Li Xiangyang frowned deeply: "Who are they?"

“Old Zhang, Little Wang, and that new guy Little Li,” Liu Wanshan wiped the sweat from his brow, “they all said someone was following them, but they disappeared as soon as they turned around.”

"It seems they're trying to target our employees." Li Xiangyang paced back and forth in his office.

Wang Ergou gritted his teeth and said, "Xiangyang, we can't just sit here and wait to die. We have to find a way to fight back."

Li Xiangyang stopped, a cold glint in his eyes: "A counterattack? Of course we'll retaliate. But not with their underhanded tactics."

Just then, the phone rang. Li Xiangyang answered it; it was Chen Zhiming calling.

"Xiangyang, I have news from my side." Chen Zhiming's voice sounded excited. "That Wufu Trading Company definitely has problems, and big problems at that."

"Tell me in more detail." Li Xiangyang picked up his pen, ready to take notes.

“This company is officially registered with a capital of one million, but in reality, it only has one hundred thousand,” Chen Zhiming said. “Moreover, their main business is not trading, but rather acquiring small factories and then reselling them to large corporations.”

Li Xiangyang stopped writing: "Sell it to a large corporation?"

“Yes, my friend said they’re just a bunch of middlemen,” Chen Zhiming continued. “They lure small manufacturers into signing exclusive agency agreements with high prices, then control production and sales, and finally package and sell the products to large, powerful companies.”

What happened to those acquired manufacturers in the end?

Chen Zhiming sighed: "They either go bankrupt or get acquired. In short, none of the original owners have a good ending."

After hanging up the phone, Li Xiangyang told Wang Ergou and Liu Wanshan about the situation.

"No wonder they were in such a hurry," Wang Ergou suddenly realized. "They wanted to sell us like commodities."

Liu Wanshan frowned and said, "Then what do we do now? They certainly won't give up easily."

Li Xiangyang pondered for a moment: "Now that we know their background, things will be easier." He picked up the phone. "I'll call Ma Laosan first."

The call was quickly connected, and Li Xiangyang told Ma Laosan about Chen Zhiming's investigation results.

“I knew these people were no ordinary folks,” Ma Laosan said on the other end of the phone. “Xiangyang, what are your plans?”

"I'd like to ask Third Brother for a favor," Li Xiangyang said. "Could you use your connections to find some manufacturers they used to work with?"

“That’s fine,” Ma Laosan readily agreed. “I’ll go to the provincial capital tomorrow and make the trip myself.”