National Tide 1980.

Chapter 1301 Value

It's similar to what's happening here in St. Tropez.

Almost at the same time, a similar discussion with different opinions was taking place in the president's office at Pierre Cardin's headquarters next to the Elysee Palace in Paris, France.

The two people talking here are Pierre Cardin and his first assistant Takada Mei.

"Mr. Carton, I don't understand why you allowed Ning to invest in Yves Saint Laurent?"

"why not?"

Pirca was reviewing several design drafts on the table and said without looking up, "Didn't I also ask him to help me get shares in LVMH?"

"That's different."

Takada Mei took a few documents from the table. She had just brought them to the master for his signature, and they had already been signed.

"LVMH's main businesses are luggage, beauty, champagne and cognac. Saint Laurent is a fashion company like us, and the purpose of their fundraising is to develop their ready-to-wear business and try to go public. I am worried..."

"You are worried that Yves Saint Laurent's business overlaps with ours. With his help, you may be able to achieve your goal and surpass us quickly with your huge funds..."

"Yes, don't you think so too? Ning is helping the company's competitors. How could he do this?"

"What if?"

Pierre Cardin finished signing some important documents and finally looked up at Takada Mei, but his eyes were inexplicably calm.

"If I stop him, do you think he will listen to me and not invest?"

"I……"

Takada Mei hesitated for a moment, but still expressed her opinion, "I think he will. He respects you very much and is grateful to you. As long as you ask, he will most likely..."

But in the end the master still shook his head.

"I think so too. Generally speaking, people are selfish. In this world, no matter how deep the love is, it does not mean that people know how to be grateful and know how to repay. Only a few people understand the value of friendship. Ning is one of the few. But precisely because of this, I can't do this."

"Why?" Takada Mei really didn't understand.

"Because although he may agree, he will definitely be reluctant. And I can't easily waste the favor he is grateful to me for."

Although Pierre Cardin is old, his years of business experience have not turned him into a cunning old man, and his artistic attributes still play an important role in his character.

He has always been a man of upright character and upright behavior.

"If I do that, it would be like using moral coercion on him, which is too hypocritical. It goes against my principles and is unfair to him. It would also make people laugh. You have to know that Yves Saint Laurent doesn't mind that he is my man and allows him to invest and become a shareholder of the company. So if I stop him, it would be too petty."

"Why do you think so? He was the one who betrayed you. He is sorry for the company..."

This time, Pierre Cardin did not allow Takada Mei to express everything she wanted to say, but instead defended Ning Weimin's behavior.

"No, no, Takada, you're wrong. The incident happened suddenly, and it was Catherine Deneuve who took the initiative to invite him to help. Ning bought the shares with his own money as a gift to his wife. Not only did he explain the situation to me in advance, but he also promised to make a pure financial investment and took the initiative to say that he would never interfere in the management and operation of Saint Laurent. He even invited me to participate in this investment. Is this also considered betrayal?"

"But...but...this is not good for the company..."

Gao Tianmei hesitated a little, but after thinking for a while, she maintained a skeptical tone and said, "No matter what, he doesn't care about the interests of the company. I think he is unworthy of your high regard for him..."

"Takada, I admire that you always put the interests of the company first. That's why I have always trusted you. However, you always consider things based on facts and handle things impartially, and tend to ignore the relationship between one thing and another. This is a bit regrettable."

Takada was somewhat sad that he didn't expect the master to have such an attitude.

"Isn't it better to just talk about the facts?"

"The fundamental bond between people is not only interests, but also emotions. Many things are not isolated. Take Ning for example. I personally selected him to join the company and gave him the conditions to play freely. It can be said that a large part of his current wealth should be attributed to me. However, he has also done a lot for me. I almost didn't manage anything at Huaxia Company, but now that branch has almost monopolized the high-end clothing market in the Republic and has its own building. This is an achievement that even I couldn't achieve in France, and I know very well that it is the credit of Song and Ning. Especially Ning, he also gave me an extra company called Easy-Draw. Do you know how big the market is for Easy-Draw ties and trolley suitcases? So he and I have always been in a mutually beneficial relationship. I never regarded him as an ordinary subordinate, but a partner."

  “Partners!

"Takada Mei was really surprised, even a little jealous, she didn't expect the master to think so highly of Ning Weimin.

With her knowledge, she still couldn't recognize the logic, nor could she accurately measure this relationship.

"If that's the case, shouldn't you stop him? Now he only has a small stake in Pierre Cardin China, but owns a large amount of Yves Saint Laurent shares. This far exceeds his interests in Pierre Cardin. If this continues, then..."

At this point, Takada Mei once again showed a worried expression.

However, Pierre Cardon just smiled after hearing her words. The problem she was worried about did not cause any pressure to the master.

"No, no, you're wrong again. In addition to the dividends of equity, some free clothing and beauty products provided regularly, what else can Yves Saint Laurent bring to Ning? Considering Pierre Bergé's character, that's all. He will never let others touch the Yves Saint Laurent company he runs and take away his power. Even in terms of personal relationship, he will never allow Ning to have too frequent contact with Yves Saint Laurent himself. Although he trusts Ning, it must be based on the sense of security created by the long distance between China and France, and it is a limited trust agreed upon in the contract within the most basic framework of shareholder rights."

"But I'm different, and so is Pierre Cardon. Ning and I are truly one family. My unreserved support and trust in him will not change. In fact, for someone like him who wants to do something, monetary gain is no longer the most important thing. Unfettered and all-round resource support is the most valuable. And these are exactly what we can provide him. So I am confident that I can maintain a lasting friendship with Ning that will never end."

"Also, Pierre Cardin is too big now. We developed the ready-to-wear business earlier than Yves Saint Laurent, and our brand has long gone beyond Europe and spread all over the world. With our size, Yves Saint Laurent will care about our share of the European market, but we don't need to pay too much attention to their actions. They can't catch up with us in five to ten years. Now, as Ning suggested, it's time for us to do subtraction, digest and solve the problem properly."

"So, I have absolutely no reason to stop him. Besides, the world can accommodate more excellent fashion companies. Even without Yves Saint Laurent, there are still Chanel, Gucci and Givenchy. Should I forbid him to invest every time? In fact, if I do so, it will be more harm than good, and it will seriously damage the emotional and trust foundation between him and me. If there is no trust, and he feels that he has repaid a favor, then he will soon stop lingering in Pierre Cardin and choose to leave. If this really happens, it will be our biggest loss."

"As for the number of shares, what's the big deal! Am I not reasonable enough? Am I a stingy person? Do I like to treat my subordinates harshly? As long as his request is reasonable and proves that he is indeed worthy, I can certainly transfer more company shares to him. The important thing is to ensure that this kind of thing will not cause turmoil in the company and will not attract the ill will of others. After all, everyone has jealousy. So I have to choose a good time. Only when the company remains stable can we all have a bright future."

The master's words once again made Takada Mei lose her composure. She was at a loss as to what to do with the hints in the master's words.

After all, she knew best that the master was getting older and his energy was declining day by day.

The target selection of the company's successor has become the biggest issue affecting the company's future development.

In fact, this matter had already begun in the master's mind.

And as far as she knew, the past three shortlists had not fully satisfied the master.

So the master was very conflicted and in great pain.

And now, it seems that Ning Weimin's name has been added to these candidates.

Is this a clear tendency?

  Has the master made a completely new choice?

Takada Mei's heart was pounding, and she was shocked by some of the thoughts that the master unexpectedly revealed.

She unexpectedly discovered that she seemed to have underestimated how much Pierre Cardon valued Ning Weimin.

She really wanted to ask what the master was planning.

It seems that he really wants to make Ning Weimin his successor?

  What about the other veterans of the company?

What about the master’s own relatives?

What's more, there are so many branches all over the world.

Even Huaxia Company has Song Huagui.

So she didn't dare to speak.

This issue is really too important. A single move will affect the entire body and the impact is too great.

…………

Also in Paris, also a fashion clothing company, in the general manager's office of the Yves Saint Laurent headquarters, two other people were talking about Ning Weimin.

"You won't believe this..."

Catherine Deneuve walked in and said to Pierre Bergé behind the desk, "Ms. Matsumoto's capital injection has been transferred in advance. It will be from tomorrow, and you will be able to complete the transfer procedures. You will get 100 million francs."

"So soon!" General Manager Pierre stood up happily to greet Catherine and hugged her warmly. "I've said before that it's a pity for you to act in movies. With your talent, you should go into politics even if you don't go into business."

"Well, that's not what you said a few days ago. You should be an actor." Catherine teased Pierre with a smile.

Pierre laughed. "Haha, forget it. With my conditions, I can only act in comedy. Fortunately, I didn't go that way. God bless me."

Then he asked, "Catherine, you didn't come here just to tell me this good news? Is there anything else?"

That's true. If it was just for this matter, Catherine wouldn't have to come at all. It could have been solved with just a phone call.

As for Catherine, she expressed everything with rich expressions.

She took a step back and looked at Pierre with a sharp, clever, and slightly gloomy look. "You guessed it right. I do have something else to say. It's not convenient to talk about it over the phone."

Pierre was a little surprised, "What's going on? Catherine?"

He was still a little panicked. "I think you are a little scary now. Are you going to say something to embarrass me? Do you also want to withdraw your investment?"

"Me? Divest your investment? Why do you think so?"

Catherine couldn't help laughing, and finally failed to maintain the image of a conspirator she had deliberately created. "Do you think I came here for the 100 million francs you are about to get? Pierre, Pierre, I am not a fool. I worked hard to find funds for everyone. Am I going to sell my shares just to do so? Besides, the rights and interests of the new shareholders still need me to represent them. I am now a big shot on the board of directors. Why should I withdraw?"

"Oh, sorry. I'm just being sensitive."

Pierre secretly breathed a sigh of relief. "To be honest, at this critical juncture, we are about to start expanding our business, and what we need most is money. I can't afford any more problems. All right, please sit down, and just tell me what's going on. As long as it doesn't require you to withdraw funds, we can discuss it."

Catherine walked happily to the sofa for entertaining guests and sat down next to Pierre.

"I'd be lying if I said it wasn't a problem for you. But if you're willing to help, our friends will be happy to hear that you can do it. They'll remember your kindness."

"Who? What on earth are you talking about?" Pierre was becoming more and more confused.

Fortunately, Catherine finally stopped keeping us in suspense. "It was Ning who asked me to do him a favor at the airport. He hoped that I could ask you for a favor in private. Their country is very closed, and it is not easy for girls to come to Paris to work in this industry. If possible, he hopes that you can use more Chinese models in future Yves Saint Laurent press conferences. Of course, he knows what he has agreed to, and he also knows that this is something that only you, the general manager, can decide. So he is just asking you for help, and he can understand if you refuse. What do you think?"

Catherine is indeed a good lobbyist. Pierre originally thought that Ning Weimin was going to interfere with his work, and his brows were frowned.

But after listening to everything Catherine said, his mood returned to calm, and he just held his chin with a worried look.

"This is not good, really not good. Models will directly affect the level of performance and the effect of the performance. He is also in the fashion industry, he should not be unaware of this..."

"I know, you are right, and he knows it very well. So he just hopes to have a preference for Chinese girls when the models are of similar condition. Anyway, doesn't Yves also hope that the image of the models can be more diversified? What do you think? After all, this is the first time that our friend has taken the initiative to ask for it. Even if it is for the sake of 100 million francs..."