This day, Luo Yonghao would never forget.
Even after ten or twenty years, the re thought of it would send chills down his spine.
That morning, as soon as he arrived at the office, before he even had ti to warm his seat, a group of people marched into his office.
"Yaowen, don't tell the system crashed."
Luo Yonghao joked with a smile. Even though the company's account was empty and a handful of ignorant people online were spreading rumors of bankruptcy, a charismatic leader needed to face everything with a positive, optimistic, and cheerful deanor.
If even he, was constantly frowning, then the company wasn't far from truly hitting rock bottom.
He must have confidence to instill confidence in his employees.
Zheng Yaowen spoke solemnly: "Mr. Luo, the system is fine, and the new version is expected to launch on schedule next Tuesday."
"What's the matter then?"
Luo was puzzled. The seventeen people in front of him were all key mbers of the system developnt team, and he suddenly had a bad feeling.
The next second, Murphy's Law took effect; what he feared most plopped onto the desk—seventeen resignation letters, neatly arranged.
Luo's face turned grim: "Old Zheng, can't you give so more ti? The company will be receiving an investnt of five hundred million soon."
Although they hadn't paid salaries for three months, both Suning and Tianfu Municipal had already expressed their intention to invest in Hamr.
At this ti, so many people resigning could lead to a failed loan review and the complete collapse of the company.
Several people looked at each other. Zheng Yaowen, with a guilty expression, spoke first: "Mr. Luo, I'm sorry, you know my situation. Both of my children just started elentary school."
He was adamant, and others followed suit: "Mr. Luo, I'm sorry, as you know, I live paycheck to paycheck. Without a few months' salary, I really can't hold on."
"Mr. Luo, you know I just got married and just bought a house. I have to pay over thirty thousand a month in mortgage."
"Mr. Luo, I'm sorry…"
One by one, they all had their compelling reasons, but the resolve in their attitudes was decisive, seeming beyond persuasion as if resignation was inevitable, even if it ant walking out.
"Who is it? Byte, izu, or Xiaomi?"
Luo's face grew darker—he wasn't a fool.
If it had been just one or two people resigning, maybe they were genuinely unable to persevere and couldn't accompany the company through the low ebb.
But seventeen key mbers of the developnt team leaving indicated that soone was poaching aggressively.
The intent behind such an act was malevolent, aiming to completely strip Hamr Technology of its engineers.
Everyone was silent; Zheng Yaowen sighed, "Mr. Luo, let's not ask about it, and part ways amicably."
They were bound by contracts and couldn't reveal it.
The other party was imnsely powerful.
Although Luo didn't know why they were targeting Hamr, it was evidently a force he couldn't resist.
A stifled frustration built up in Luo's chest, eager to know who the authoritative and aggressive poacher was who didn't even allow others to speak.
He inquired, "Do you really have to go? Is your mind made up?"
Luo couldn't hold them back with a contract since the company hadn't paid salaries for months, already breaching the terms.
They wanted to leave, and they didn't even need his permission.
"Yes."
Led by Zheng Yaowen, the group had determined looks.
Even if Luo hadn't exaggerated, and the five hundred million in loan funds had been received on ti, they had already decided to leave.
Because the inviting company had imnse potential—saying it sat on a mountain of gold and silver was not an exaggeration. In comparison, Hamr was like a mayfly viewing the sky, a frog in a well gazing at the moon.
Rather than staying with Hamr, waiting for an uncertain future, they preferred to pursue a brighter financial prospect.
The new company offered significantly superior benefits and had signed a three-year guarantee against salary cuts or layoffs; they had to consider whether this was a once-in-a-lifeti opportunity.
Luo remained silent for a long while, his gaze sweeping over everyone. The older ones t his eyes unflinchingly, while the younger ones looked down in sha.
"The rain falls, and a woman marries; if salaries can't be paid, employees will leave. How could he possibly stop them?"
All Luo could do was play the pity card, heaving a weary sigh: "If you want to leave, then go. Even if Hamr is no more, as long as I'm still here, I'll make sure to pay you the salaries you're owed for these months."
After speaking, he paused intentionally, but only received thank-you's and no response like he had imagined.
Luo remained silent, solemnly signing and stamping the seventeen contracts, officially releasing them from their employnt agreents.
The employees were reluctant, yet no one spoke out. Each of them collected their contract, bowed deeply, and then departed.
If anyone were to ask, they would definitely say, "We loved Luo, we were devoted Luo's fans."
But if given a second chance, they would still choose to resign.
Talking about money hurts relationships, but talking about relationships hurts money.
People work to earn money; otherwise, who would want to endure this forced labor.
Companies that only talk about feelings and ignore money are nothing but hooligans.
Until the last person had left, the office was filled with crackling sounds.
After a while, Luo vented his emotions and sat atop the ruin, gasping for breath.
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.
His voice grave, he said, "Co in."
The assistant, looking at the debris everywhere, spoke bravely, "Mr. Luo, Jingfang Technology and Hongxing Communication are taking us to court again."
Luo exhaled a murky breath, forcibly suppressing his blood pressure, "What did Mr. Duan from Jingfang and Mr. You from Hongxing say?"
"The assistants of Mr. Duan and Mr. You didn't pick up the phone; they told us to contact our lawyer directly," the assistant said, looking displeased.
Jingfang Technology and Hongxing Communication were two major suppliers of Hamr Technology, currently owed a total of 185 million yuan by them.
Previously, lawsuits could always be discussed; as long as so part was cleared first, they would withdraw the lawsuit.
But this ti, their attitude was unprecedentedly resolute, refusing even an out-of-court settlent as if they wouldn't rest until the court enforced judgnt on Hamr Technology.
"There's more," the assistant hesitated.
Luo gave a wry smile and looked up, "Go ahead and say everything, I can still handle it."
Hesitantly, the assistant said, "ICBC is also urging you to quickly pay back the 12.05 million yuan for the second phase."
This year, the company's financial situation was very bad, and Luo had also signed a personal unsecured guarantee totaling 125 million yuan.
According to the loan agreent, even if the company went bankrupt, it had to be repaid, and ICBC, concerned about risk control, also required Luo and his wife to sign.
"I understand, you can leave now."
After the assistant left, Luo's expression turned heavy, his agitated emotions gradually cald, and he understood that he had been betrayed.
Otherwise, employees wouldn't resign, suppliers wouldn't be so resolute, and banks wouldn't rush to demand repaynts.
Though this year was indeed difficult for Hamr Technology and rumors of bankruptcy or acquisition had surfaced multiple tis,
There was always room for maneuver; blustering could buy so ti because those in debt were always in charge.
But this ti, clouds suddenly gathered overhead, and a storm seed imminent; Hamr was like a solitary leaf on the vast ocean, ready to be engulfed at any mont.
Luo pondered for a long ti and dialed Zhu Hu's number, "Mr. Zhu, are you busy?"
"Actually, the company's funds are a bit tight recently."
"Oh, okay, okay; then I won't bother you."
Luo smiled bitterly. As soon as he ntioned needing money, Zhu Hu directly showed disinterest and reminded him about the 70 million yuan financing.
This money had also been secured under a personal agreent, requiring repaynt to Golden Sand River even if Hamr later filed for bankruptcy.
Luo then called Zhang Yiming from Byte, who was slightly more tactful, explaining that Douyin was focusing on international market expansion and couldn't allocate funds temporarily.
He thought of Ali's Huang Hao, pondered for a long ti, and finally decided to first contact Shen Peng from Redwood to see if he had any investnt interest.
Ali's ambition was known to all.
He had already pledged 27.84% of the shares; if he went to Ali now, Hamr would eventually be owned by the Ma family.
It was a last resort Luo truly did not want to seek Ali's help, especially since he knew that izu's new flagship was using the Boundaryless, and Ali's YUN system was looking for a new host.
When Shen Peng tactfully declined, Luo's mood sank to rock bottom; even when he invited investnt at a very low price, the other party still refused.
"Who is it?" Luo felt a chill, an invisible pressure engulfing him from all directions, nearly suffocating him.
Those invisible hands were like a signal jamr, preventing anyone from extending a helping hand to them.
After pondering for long, holding on to his last shred of hope, Luo contacted Suning's Zhang Zuofeng, "Mr. Zhang, hello."
After pondering, Zhang Zuofeng sighed, "Mr. Luo, you should contact Ali."
He had just received a ssage from their financial backer, instructing them not to invest in Hamr. Last August, Ali had invested 28.2 billion yuan and beca the second largest shareholder of Suning.
"Alright, thank you for the reminder, Mr. Zhang."
Luo's face turned pale; the situation he feared most had still happened—he was being targeted by Ali.
He realized that only Ali had the power to orchestrate a comprehensive blockade against them.
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