205: Chapter 205 Finding People

General Manager Hu Dakuan sat in a private room of a high-end hotel. The air conditioning was on full blast, yet sweat still hung on his forehead, whether from the heat or from worries in his heart, he did not know.

The dishes on the table had all been served, but he had not yet touched his chopsticks, clearly waiting for someone.

The people he was waiting for had significant backgrounds: they were Deputy Director Gao Qiang of the City Safety Supervision Bureau and Deputy Director Li Wenfu of the City Administration for Industry and Commerce.

Both of these men were powerful figures, and in the eyes of an entrepreneur from his county, they were like great bodhisattvas in the high temples of power.

The door was pushed open, and Deputy Director Gao Qiang entered first.

He was over fifty, with thinning hair and a belly even larger than General Manager Hu Dakuan's; when he walked, he looked like a moving mountain of flesh.

Deputy Director Li Wenfu followed behind, tall, thin, and gaunt, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, looking like a scholar.

General Manager Hu Dakuan hurriedly stood up to greet them, shaking Deputy Director Gao Qiang's hand with both of his, then Deputy Director Li Wenfu's, smiling until his eyes were mere slits.

"Deputy Director Gao, Deputy Director Li, your arrival truly gives me something to brag about whenever I go out to eat in the future."

Deputy Director Gao Qiang said with a chuckle, "General Manager Hu, you are too kind."

Deputy Director Li Wenfu nodded without saying anything, sat down next to Deputy Director Gao Qiang, took off his glasses to wipe them, and then put them back on.

General Manager Hu Dakuan beckoned the waiter to pour the wine. He personally filled the glasses for both leaders first, then raised his own glass to offer a toast.

Deputy Director Gao Qiang downed his in one gulp, while Deputy Director Li Wenfu took a sip and set his glass down. General Manager Hu Dakuan hurriedly filled it for him again.

After the food had been sampled and the wine had gone around three times, the atmosphere in the private room became lively.

Deputy Director Gao Qiang picked up a piece of braised pork with his chopsticks and stuffed it into his mouth, chewing until his mouth was oily. He leaned back against the chair, let out a long breath, and looked at General Manager Hu Dakuan with narrowed eyes.

"General Manager Hu, why did you suddenly think of inviting us to dinner today? Is there something you need our help with again?"

General Manager Hu Dakuan hurriedly waved his hands, his smile carrying a hint of embarrassment, but he quickly turned the conversation to the main business.

"Deputy Director Gao, you are joking. I just missed you leaders, so I invited you two for a casual meal."

"However, since Deputy Director Gao asked, I do have a small matter I would like to ask you two leaders to help oversee."

General Manager Hu Dakuan paused, raised his wine glass to take a sip, cleared his throat, and recounted the events of the afternoon, naturally omitting the part about Xu Weidong.

He only said that the County Work Safety Administration wanted to conduct a "comprehensive inspection" of their factory, that their attitude was very tough, and they even hinted at a possible suspension of production for rectification.

"Deputy Director Gao, you know about Cuican Fireworks; for so many years, there has never been a safety accident."

"Our factory's safety management is among the best in the entire city. The County Work Safety Administration's 'comprehensive inspection' this time has caused panic, and the workers have no heart to work."

"Could you please put in a word with the county and let them just go through the motions? Please stop tormenting us entrepreneurs."

Deputy Director Gao Qiang did not immediately respond, picking up his wine glass and drinking slowly.

Deputy Director Li Wenfu sat to the side, also not speaking, picking up a peanut and tossing it into his mouth, chewing with a crunch.

Seeing the attitude of the two leaders, General Manager Hu Dakuan knew that a few polite words were not enough; he had to bring out something real.

He took two cartons of cigarettes out of his briefcase, pushed them across the table, and then took out two envelopes, placing them in front of Deputy Director Gao Qiang and Deputy Director Li Wenfu respectively.

"Deputy Director Gao, Deputy Director Li, just a small token of my appreciation, nothing worth mentioning."

Deputy Director Gao Qiang glanced at the envelope; it was quite thick, but there was no change in his expression.

He raised his wine glass for another sip, leaned back against the chair, and tapped his fingers lightly on the tabletop twice.

"General Manager Hu, it's not that I won't help. You also know that the authorities are cracking down on production safety right now. If the county wants to inspect strictly, it's also to carry out the spirit from above."

"For me, a deputy director of the City Public Security Bureau, to go and tell the county to stop checking—that wouldn't be appropriate, and the impact if it got out would be bad."

General Manager Hu Dakuan hurriedly leaned in, lowered his voice, and a meaningful smile hung on the corner of his mouth.

"Deputy Director Gao, of course I wouldn't let you help for nothing."

"Besides, Young Master Zheng returned from abroad a while ago. We had tea together the other day, and he even mentioned you, saying that you have been in Lvjiang City for so many years and are a true man of action."

Deputy Director Gao Qiang's eyelid twitched. He naturally knew who Young Master Zheng was—Zheng Dongguo's youngest son.

Although the old man did not publicly acknowledge it, the blood relationship was there, and no one could deny it.

Who was Zheng Dongguo? He was the Deputy Director of the Provincial People's Congress, having operated in Lvjiang City for decades, with students and old acquaintances spread throughout every corner of the city. Even the current mayor, Deputy Secretary You Chuan, had once been his subordinate.

Young Master Zheng was Zheng Dongguo's most favored son. For some unknown reason, he had suddenly gone abroad back then, and now that he was back, it meant the old man's health probably wouldn't last much longer.

Young Master Zheng's return meant that the Zheng family's influence in Lvjiang City was about to be rearranged.

At a time like this, who wouldn't give Young Master Zheng some face?

Deputy Director Li Wenfu put down his chopsticks, leaned forward, his eyes carrying a hint of scrutiny and calculation.

"Young Master Zheng is back? When did this happen?"

Seeing his reaction, General Manager Hu Dakuan felt more confident.

"He's been back for almost a month, staying with the old man the whole time."

"When we were eating the other day, he even said that what he missed most during all those years abroad was the food in Lvjiang City; the taste of home is still the best."

"He also said that once he's done with this busy period, he wants to invite his old friends from back then to get together."

"Deputy Director Gao, Deputy Director Li, you are both honored guests he specifically named."

Deputy Director Gao Qiang and Deputy Director Li Wenfu exchanged a look. Deputy Director Gao Qiang picked up his wine glass and downed it in one gulp, the sound of him setting the cup down crisp.

"General Manager Hu, I cannot refuse to give Young Master Zheng face."

"Regarding the matter with the County Work Safety Administration, I will go back and put in a word with Changyuan County, telling them to pay attention to their working methods, not to use a one-size-fits-all approach, and not to affect the normal production and operation of the enterprise."

"As for your factory, I am aware that the safety management work has always been done well."

General Manager Hu Dakuan felt the stone in his heart drop; he hurriedly raised his glass to toast Deputy Director Gao Qiang, and then Deputy Director Li Wenfu.

Deputy Director Li Wenfu didn't say much, picked up his glass to clink with his, took a sip, and then quietly tucked the envelope into his briefcase.

After clinking glasses with him, Deputy Director Gao Qiang did not rush to drink, holding the glass and pondering for a moment.

"General Manager Hu, you mentioned just now that the County Work Safety Administration had a very tough attitude; which deputy director led the team?"

General Manager Hu Dakuan quickly calculated in his heart: should he tell the truth?

The words turned around on his lips a few times, but in the end, he swallowed them back.

The name Xu Weidong was a signboard in Changyuan County that no one dared to provoke, but he wasn't sure if Deputy Director Gao Qiang and Deputy Director Li Wenfu knew Xu Weidong's background. If he said it and they became afraid to help, that would be bad.

Moreover, Xu Weidong was the leader in charge and had personally led the team to Cuican Fireworks, which meant this matter had no room for maneuver. If they knew, it would be even harder to handle.

"I didn't notice exactly which deputy director it was. It was reported up by the people below, who said it was extremely urgent and that it was a unified action by the county."

"Deputy Director Gao, you know how those people at the County Work Safety Administration are—officials with sesame-sized power using a chicken feather as a token of authority."

"If you put in a word with County Magistrate Bai, they will behave."

Deputy Director Gao Qiang nodded, drank the wine in his glass, and did not ask again.

The drinking session continued for nearly another hour. General Manager Hu Dakuan served the two leaders comfortably; after drinking, he arranged for them to get foot massages, and while getting their feet washed, they chatted about a newly developed residential complex in the south of the city.

General Manager Hu Dakuan thanked them profusely and sent the two leaders off.