Chapter 325: Opening
Xinshi Group, a company on par with Jiangshi Group, is the other of the two major giants in Shu County's education industry.
Xinshi Junior High and High School, along with their own Jianghe Junior High and High School, monopolize over ninety percent of Shu County's high-quality student enrollment, leaving public junior and high schools to pick up the scraps, with educational resources completely dominated by these two private schools.
"What is he doing here?" Jiang Shu couldn't help but ask.
The two groups are sworn enemies, and the opening of the Cultural Center is a highly valued project for the county. He wouldn't be foolish enough to cause trouble at this time, given how large he has grown his company.
"He's here for you," Jiang Father said, looking at Jiang Shu.
"Me?" Jiang Shu was a little surprised.
"Yes, his son is useless and not very good at inheriting the family business. My son is not only stronger than me but also took over my company with a new one. Of course, he'd want to see a big shot like you, who returned from abroad," Jiang Father said, unable to stop smiling at this point.
He and Wang Xin had been rivals for most of their lives, neither willing to concede, yet unable to determine a winner. However, among their descendants, the first generation had already settled the score.
Jiang Shu turned to look at Choi Ji-yeon, who immediately understood Jiang Shu's meaning and said, "Compared to Jiangshi Group, which has diversified into education, real estate, and hotels, Xinshi Group specializes in the education industry. Besides their core junior and high schools, they also have kindergartens, elementary schools, training institutions, and many other education-related businesses, and they also have partnerships with many well-known universities. In terms of depth in the education industry alone, Jiangshi Group cannot compare to Xinshi Group."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Father wanted to say something, but Su Wan reached out and stopped him.
Compared to Jiangshi Group, which grew wildly in a single county, DM Entertainment, a company that emerged from the fiercely competitive business environment of Korea, possesses an extremely comprehensive information analysis and value assessment department.
Their evaluation is actually far more objective than what they themselves believe.
"However, based on the educational resource allocation and high school graduate admission rates in recent years, from 2019 to the present, Xinshi High School's data in all aspects has been lower than Jianghe High School's. A significant reason for this situation can be attributed to Xinshi High School's overly rigid teaching methods."
"Xinshi High School's educational philosophy is that all professions are inferior, only studying is supreme. Their attitude towards non-exam subjects is to discard them if possible, and for non-exam subjects with strict requirements, they deal with them perfunctorily, focusing primarily on exam subjects."
"In contrast, Jianghe High School adopted the mainstream individualized teaching approach of first-tier cities. Although not thoroughly implemented, it happened to achieve a localized effect. This semi-individualized, semi-mandatory educational approach might be the reason why Jianghe High School has completely surpassed Xinshi High School in the past three years."
"From the market department's feedback, if Xinshi Group still does not change, it is only a matter of time before Jianghe High School seizes their market share. Furthermore, because they chose to specialize in the education sector, the threat to the Group is very low and can be ignored."
Jiang Shu nodded; he was listening for the last sentence.
No threat to DM Entertainment is enough.
"Director Choi, if our company wanted to establish an analysis department like yours, how long would it take?" Su Wan asked curiously.
The other members of the Group behind her also perked up their ears. The professionalism Choi Ji-yeon displayed was exactly like something out of a movie, which truly opened their eyes.
Choi Ji-yeon did not reply immediately but looked at Jiang Shu. Only after receiving Jiang Shu's permission did she speak.
"Madam, you can just call me Jiyeon," Choi Ji-yeon said, bowing her head respectfully. "Regarding the establishment of a data analysis department, our company used headhunting to recruit a professional team by offering the highest salaries in the industry."
"Our team has already been converted into the Group's Data Analysis Office; you do not need to form another one."
"How much does it cost to put together a team like that for a year?" Jiang Father asked from the side.
"Around ten million," Jiang Shu said abruptly, stunning everyone present except Choi Ji-yeon.
"That expensive?" Su Wan also widened her eyes.
"Any industry, when you reach the top, the income is not low. A team assembled with the highest-level salaries in this industry costs this much," Jiang Shu waved his hand. "One for the Group is enough. If you form another one, where would you get the money to support such a team?"
Although Jiangshi Group's annual income is not low, it is still far less than an entertainment company that prints money. No matter how niche the culture, DM Entertainment earns money globally, while Jiangshi Group only earns money from Shu County, so there is no comparison.
"That's true."
DM Entertainment paid the bulk of the money for this Cultural Center and hotel. Their money needs to sustain the operations of schools and other industries, so they cannot afford that much.
And the hotel belongs to a capital-intensive industry; anything less than tens of millions won't make a splash, let alone building a landmark hotel.
Just throw money at it.
At this moment, Su Wan's secretary walked over, whispered something, and then retreated.
"Director Zhang said they have finished their meeting and will be going to the Cultural Center with the county leaders soon. Should we go now?" Su Wan asked Jiang Shu.
Jiang Shu nodded.
"Then let's go."
Since it was a K-pop Cultural Center and not a traditional Chinese Cultural Center, the senior leader who came this time was a deputy. It would be somewhat inappropriate for the principal leader to come. The deputy's presence already expressed a high level of importance; otherwise, they would have only sent the head of culture and tourism.
Since the other party showed such importance, Jiang Shu, as the Group's chairman, naturally would not be negligent. Respect is mutual, after all.
The group got into their respective cars and drove to Jin Street, where the Cultural Center was located.
As one of Shu County's most prosperous commercial streets, the Cultural Center's location was directly opposite Jin Street, also on a major thoroughfare. The foot traffic and vehicle flow here were very high, making it highly visible and prominent.
Jiang Shu looked up at the Cultural Center in front of him, designed according to the DM Entertainment logo. The entire building, made of high-strength transparent materials, was filled with a sense of science fiction under the refraction of sunlight.
The underground parking lot and the parking spaces in front of the Cultural Center provided a large number of parking spots for visiting tourists.
When Jiang Shu and his group arrived, the area around the Cultural Center was already crowded with tourists from other regions and K-pop enthusiasts. Many people held various cheering items, and upon closer inspection, they were all light sticks for artists and groups under DM Entertainment.
The identity of the group performing had not been announced yet, so fans from various fandoms were present.
As the motorcade passed through the crowd and stopped in front of the Cultural Center, the surrounding tourists pulled out their phones. When Jiang Shu stepped out of the car, gasps erupted from the crowd.
