Chapter 566: Chapter 566 Candidate for the Global Chamber of Commerce President

Dusk fell, and not a single seat was empty.

"AHEM..."

In a formal suit and brimming with confidence, Wang Yue took the microphone and stepped onto the stage. He deliberately cleared his throat to attract everyone’s attention.

Then, he said half-jokingly, "It’s seven o’clock in the evening. Everyone must be hungry, right?"

He wanted to interact with the crowd to liven up the atmosphere. As he’d hoped, smiles appeared on everyone’s faces. Though the reaction was subdued, Wang Yue was satisfied. Those seated before him were all global titans; he hadn’t expected an enthusiastic response.

Wang Yue smiled and said, "Let’s talk business first and then eat. Of course, once we’ve finished, this dinner will become a celebratory banquet."

At this, Wang Yue got down to business. "I’ve invited you all to gather here, and I’m sure you know why. That’s right. As the chief sponsor of the Mist Chant Martial Meeting, I am formally inviting you all to join the sponsorship team."

Upon hearing this, the smiles on the attendees’ faces broadened. When Ye Shaokang had previously contacted them, he had already stated the purpose of the gathering. However, they had arrived feeling skeptical. Now, hearing the confirmation from Wang Yue himself, they finally believed Ye Shaokang’s words.

"Mr. Wang, it seems there are quite a few sponsors for this year’s Mist Chant Martial Meeting!" Ye Tianming said with a laugh, playing the part of the hype man.

"I imagine no one here would think that’s too many, would they?" Wang Yue replied with a laugh.

This remark hit the nail on the head for everyone present.

Countless people were desperately trying to curry favor with Wang Yue in the hopes of joining the sponsorship team. This was because, for the duration of every Mist Chant Martial Meeting, its sponsors possessed astonishing power and influence. They even held the power of life and death over everyone else in the world, with the sole exceptions of the three Judicator Families and the Totem Inheritor. Anyone who disobeyed a sponsor’s command would be treated as an enemy of the three Judicator Families.

This meant that until the Mist Chant Martial Meeting concluded, the sponsors could use any means necessary to secure benefits for themselves. For instance, a company that had previously looked down on the Wang Family would not dare refuse a partnership now that they were sponsors. Or, if the Wang Family coveted a piece of land worth five billion, they could leverage their sponsor status to ignore all competitors and forcibly acquire it for just 100 million. They could even sign cooperative contracts with any company in the world lasting for ten years or more.

The more members in the sponsorship team, the easier it was to exchange benefits and share resources.

"Mr. Wang, please don’t keep us in suspense. Didn’t you say you had more good news to share?" Ye Tianming chimed in again, playing his part perfectly.

Oh?

Everyone’s eyes lit up. There was more good news?

"Mr. Ye is quite impatient," Wang Yue said with a laugh. "Alright, since he brought it up and you’re all so eager to know, I’ll tell you."

"All of you are here for the benefits afforded by the Mist Chant Martial Meeting. However, this advantageous period is far too short, lasting only three months. So, I was thinking, why don’t we establish a Global Merchants’ Association together? We could sign mutually beneficial contracts, and that way, we could permanently enjoy the perks that the Mist Chant Martial Meeting provides."

Upon hearing Wang Yue’s words, everyone was shocked. Wang Yue is incredibly ambitious! They were all shrewd individuals and understood exactly what the establishment of a Global Merchants’ Association would mean. It would be an organization with enough power to influence the economic situation of countries all over the world.

"Of course, joining the Global Merchants’ Association is entirely voluntary," Wang Yue added.

At that moment, a large group of servers approached, presenting each guest with a copy of the "Global Merchants’ Association Mutual Benefit Contract," along with a pen and an ink pad.

Everyone quickly opened the contracts and began to read carefully, growing more tempted by the moment. The terms were simply too enticing. For example, it stipulated that members would share resources and that if one member fell on hard times, the others were required to lend a helping hand.

"Ladies and gentlemen, have you had a chance to look over the contract?" Wang Yue asked with a smile. "If so, I invite those of you interested in joining the Global Merchants’ Association to sign your name and add your thumbprint."

Many people couldn’t wait to sign and press their thumbprints to the paper, especially those with a net worth of less than ten billion, who were the most eager. For them, an association like this offered only benefits and no drawbacks. The ones who hesitated were those with fortunes of a hundred billion or more. In the end, however, they signed as well. Since the majority had already joined, they feared being isolated if they refused.

"Mr. Wang, the Global Merchants’ Association could be considered the largest, most prestigious, and most populous organization of its kind in the world. With so many members, its management cannot be taken lightly!" Ye Tianming continued, playing his role as an enthusiastic supporter.

At these words, everyone’s gaze sharpened.

Since it was an association, it would need an organizational structure. This meant that positions like Chairman, Vice Chairman, Executive Director, Secretary-General, and advisory members would be of paramount importance.

Someone spoke up, "The Global Merchants’ Association is too vast. Its organizational framework, culture, location, and many other details require extensive discussion to decide."

"Besides," another added, "with so many members who don’t know each other, electing the entire management team now would be too hasty."

This sentiment received support from the majority.

Wang Yue was instantly embarrassed. He had hoped to be inaugurated as the Chairman of the Global Merchants’ Association tonight, but instead, he was met with a chorus of dissent. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

At this point, the ever-supportive Ye Tianming said, "That gentleman has a point. Electing the entire management team now is indeed premature. However, such a large association needs a leader. Otherwise, who will organize the future discussions on its structure and culture?"

Wang Yue’s eyes lit up. Ye Tianming really is a competent supporter, he thought, before saying aloud, "Mr. Ye makes a good point. How about this? Tonight, we’ll elect the Chairman. As for the other leadership positions, we can discuss and vote on them later. What do you think?"

This time, no one objected. The Global Merchants’ Association did indeed need someone to take charge immediately.

"Good. Since everyone agrees, I will have the staff distribute paper and pens. Please write down your choice for Chairman. The person who receives the most votes will be elected," Wang Yue announced with a smile.

As soon as he finished speaking, the staff began distributing the materials.

Seeing everyone pick up their pens and hesitate over whom to choose, Wang Yue gave Ye Tianming a meaningful glance.

Ye Tianming immediately began his pitch. "Mr. Wang is the founder of the Global Merchants’ Association and the chief sponsor of the Mist Chant Martial Meeting. Moreover, he is the one who brought all of us into the sponsorship team; you could say he’s our benefactor. I believe Mr. Wang is the most suitable candidate to be the first Chairman of the Global Merchants’ Association."

Everyone present was collectively dismayed by his words.

What kind of moral blackmail is this! So if we don’t choose Wang Yue, that makes us ungrateful?

"I think Xuanse Medicine King Ye Xiu is the most suitable candidate for the first Chairman of the Global Merchants’ Association!" someone suddenly declared.