The voting process was simple.
The wealthy individuals and businessmen present only needed to choose one out of the eight candidates and hand their ballots to the staff for recording.
Thus, the results were out quickly!
Tao Wenyu, as the representative sent by the Jiangsu Provincial Chamber of Commerce, was responsible for announcing the vote counts.
Standing on the stage with a smile, he said, "This election was fair and just. The one with the most votes will be the president of this term's Yangzhou Chamber of Commerce. Does anyone have any objections?"
Seeing everyone nod, Tao Wenyu continued, "Since no one objects, I shall begin. The first vote – Chen Guangyi!"
"Chen Guangyi, Chen Guangyi, Wu Xianwen, Chen Guangyi..."
"Tang Xinwan, Chen Guangyi, Chen Guangyi..."
After more than a dozen votes, Chen Guangyi had secured more than half of them.
Many people wore strange expressions, and even Tang Xinwan frowned slightly.
Ye Cangtian curiously asked, "I've never heard of this Chen Guangyi?"
"Chen Guangyi is a wealthy businessman in the pharmaceutical industry in Yangzhou. He was once a titan in Yangzhou's pharmaceutical sector. However, with the rapid development of Haitian Pharmaceuticals in the past two years, his company has gradually been on the decline," Tang Xinwan explained, knowing more about Chen Guangyi as he was a competitor.
"So, his pharmaceutical company is now not as good as our Haitian Pharmaceuticals?"
If even Haitian Pharmaceuticals was inferior, how could this fellow have so many votes?
Ye Cangtian felt that this matter was definitely not that simple.
Tang Xinwan sighed slightly, "Although Chen Guangyi's pharmaceutical company is not as good as Haitian Pharmaceuticals, and he is just average in the Yangzhou business community, he is Tao Wenyu's uncle!"
Uncle?
Ye Cangtian rolled his eyes. This was clearly an inside job!
He couldn't believe Tao Wenyu had just spoken of fairness and justice.
"It seems the Tao family wants to suppress our Haitian Pharmaceuticals!"
Tang Xinwan frowned, her tone filled with helplessness.
Haitian Pharmaceuticals was currently soaring, even having a great reputation throughout Jiangsu Province. The Tao family was worried that Haitian Pharmaceuticals would threaten their interests, so they couldn't sit still and intended to support Chen Guangyi.
Once Chen Guangyi became the president of the Yangzhou Chamber of Commerce, he would definitely suppress Haitian Pharmaceuticals, which was the Tao family's true objective.
"Chen Guangyi, 13 votes; Wu Xianwen, 1 vote; Tang Xinwan, 3 votes..."
At this moment, Tao Wenyu was still announcing the votes, a satisfied smile on his face.
A total of thirty-one wealthy individuals participated in the election today. Twenty ballots had been announced so far, with two abstentions. Eleven ballots remained.
This was basically a sure win!
Tao Wenyu let out a slight sigh of relief. The voting process was indeed fair, but he hadn't been idle these past few days. He had met with many wealthy businessmen, and these votes were mostly secured under the Tao family's name.
Now that his uncle Chen Guangyi had 13 votes, even with Tang Xinwan's 3 votes, he had a lead of 10 votes.
Unless the remaining eleven ballots were all for Tang Xinwan.
But such coincidences rarely happened in the world.
Tao Wenyu chuckled and then took out another ballot, "Tang Xinwan, four votes!"
"Tang Xinwan, Tang Xinwan..."
After four or five votes in a row, they were all for Tang Xinwan!
This stunned Tao Wenyu, and his brow furrowed. He hadn't expected that woman to have so many supporters. It seemed she had been actively campaigning behind the scenes.
Hmph!
Tao Wenyu snorted unhappily, then continued to read the next ballot.
However, gradually, his expression became increasingly solemn.
Tang Xinwan's votes kept increasing. By the time the last ballot was reached, she had surprisingly garnered 13 votes.
The hall also quieted down, as if everyone was waiting for the final result!
"The last ballot!"
Tao Wenyu wiped the fine sweat from his forehead, took a deep breath, and opened the final ballot. When he saw the contents, his face turned pale.
Impossible! How could she have won?
"Young Master Tao, who is the last ballot for?" someone below couldn't help but ask.
"The last ballot is for Tang Xinwan!"
Tao Wenyu uttered the result through gritted teeth. He wished he could falsify the list, but as he had said, the election results were fair and just.
At this point, cheating was impossible.
He looked up at Tang Xinwan, feeling unwilling and incredulous, "This can't be right, how did Tang Xinwan get so many votes?"
"I say, Young Master Tao, you personally managed the election process, and you just said it was fair and just. Why are you doubting yourself now?"
A wealthy individual quipped mockingly.
Many people also chuckled.
The people present were all magnates in the business world, not fools. Who couldn't see that the Tao family was favoring their relative?
They just didn't expect that they would end up digging their own grave.
"Young Master Tao, shouldn't you announce the final results now?" the same wealthy individual asked with a smile.
Tao Wenyu's face was worse than if he had eaten dirt. Seeing everyone looking at him, he finally took a deep breath and announced the most unacceptable result.
"Chen Guangyi, 13 votes; Tang Xinwan, 14 votes. Tang Xinwan has the most votes!"
In the end, Tang Xinwan won.
Many wealthy individuals offered their congratulations to the still somewhat stunned Tang Xinwan.
"Congratulations, Ms. Tang. From now on, you are the new president of our Yangzhou Chamber of Commerce!"
"President Tang, as expected, a strong woman, truly outstanding!"
Listening to everyone's congratulations, Tang Xinwan finally woke up from her daze and quickly thanked them.
She had absolutely not expected to receive so many votes!
After all, in terms of qualifications, she was not as good as the other seven candidates on the list. In terms of influence, she still fell short.
Yet, she was the one who ultimately received the highest number of votes! This made Tang Xinwan feel as if she were dreaming.
Where there is joy, there is sorrow. Tao Wenyu, standing on the stage, had a grim expression.
In addition, a middle-aged man not far away also had a darkened face. Clearly, this was Chen Guangyi, Tao Wenyu's uncle.
Neither of them had expected such an outcome.
"Wait!"
Suddenly, Tao Wenyu spoke, "Although Ms. Tang has the highest number of votes in the end, the position of Chamber of Commerce President requires someone with sufficient ability to hold the office. I think the election just now was too hasty!"
Upon hearing this, the wealthy individuals present widened their mouths in astonishment.
However, Tao Wenyu directly ignored their strange glances and continued, "Although Ms. Tang is outstanding, I personally believe she lacks the prestige and has insufficient experience in the business world, and cannot be competent for the position of president!"
"Young Master Tao, the election results are actually the recognition of everyone present. This already indicates Ms. Tang's prestige. As for business experience..."
It was the same wealthy individual from before. He smiled and said, "Ms. Tang was able to take a company on the verge of bankruptcy and turn it into what it is today in just two years. I ask, who among those present can achieve this?"
This left Tao Wenyu speechless.
He had already been shameless enough to go back on his word, but he hadn't expected someone to call him out so directly.
Below the stage, Ye Cangtian also glanced at the wealthy individual and asked curiously, "Who is this person? He even dares to offend Tao Wenyu?"
Tang Xinwan recalled for a moment, then explained, "He seems to be named Pang Ping. His family is the largest textile enterprise in Yangzhou, encompassing various industries such as textiles and clothing. I also heard that their family has a factory that specifically supplies clothing to the military."
"I understand!"
Ye Cangtian realized that companies cooperating with the military must have a certain backing.
Even if the head of the Tao family was the vice president of the Jiangsu Provincial Chamber of Commerce, and even if the Tao family was wealthy and influential, what did it matter? This person was not afraid of offending him at all!
Having relations with the military?
Ye Cangtian raised his eyebrows. This person was likely a member of the Dragon Group, arranged by Zhang Liang?