61: Chapter 61 Xin

Xu Weidong laughed it off and did not take it to heart; time quickly arrived at October.

On the eastern outskirts of the county, there was a secluded courtyard with white walls and dark tiles, hidden among a few old locust trees.

There was no sign at the entrance, but people in the circle knew what it was.

This was President Cheng Xin's private club; it was not open to the public and only hosted distinguished guests.

President Cheng Xin, the richest man in Changyuan County, a member of the County CPPCC, and the former king of mining bullies.

His history of success was essentially the history of the rise and fall of organized crime in Changyuan County. From starting out by contracting small coal mines in the nineties, to later monopolizing the county's coal resources, and then washing his hands of crime to enter real estate and run hotels...

Nowadays, he wore a suit and leather shoes, looked refined and elegant, and spoke slowly and deliberately, like a retired cadre.

But those who knew him understood what kind of ruthlessness was hidden behind those seemingly gentle eyes.

Today, he was going to host a special guest.

At six in the evening, a black Audi drove into the courtyard. The door opened, and Xu Weidong stepped out.

President Cheng Xin was already waiting at the entrance. He was wearing a dark gray jacket, his hair was combed meticulously, and a perfectly measured smile was on his face as he stepped forward to greet him.

"Director Xu, I have long admired you! It is truly a great honor for me that you could grace me with your presence!"

Xu Weidong extended his hand to shake hands, wearing a standard official smile on his face.

"President Cheng Xin is too kind."

"You are a great entrepreneur and a major taxpayer in our county; I should have come to visit you sooner."

President Cheng Xin felt a slight tremor in his heart; these words were flawless.

It gave him face without lowering his own standing.

For a young man in his twenties to be able to say such things, he was no simple character.

"Director Xu, please come inside; it's cold out here."

The two entered the club, walked through a hall filled with mahogany furniture, and arrived at an elegant private room in the backyard.

The room was not large, but it was meticulously decorated.

A landscape painting hung on the wall, a few pots of orchids were placed by the window, and outside the window was a small bamboo grove that rustled as the wind blew through.

Several cold dishes were already set on the round table: pork with garlic sauce, jellyfish salad, peanuts in aged vinegar, and spiced beef.

In the center sat a bottle of Wuliangye, still unopened.

President Cheng Xin personally pulled out a chair for Xu Weidong and said, "Director Xu, please take the seat of honor."

Xu Weidong modestly declined at first, then took his seat in the guest of honor position.

President Cheng Xin sat in the host position, with one seat still empty beside him.

"Just the two of us today?"

President Cheng Xin nodded with a smile and said, "Just the two of us today. There are some things that are inconvenient to discuss when there are too many people around."

Xu Weidong smiled but didn't respond.

President Cheng Xin opened the bottle and prepared to pour a drink for Xu Weidong.

Xu Weidong reached out to block him and said, "President Cheng Xin, I won't drink. I still have things to handle at the Public Security Bureau tonight."

President Cheng Xin was stunned, then immediately smiled and said, "Director Xu is truly dedicated!"

Xu Weidong said in a calm tone, "If you want to chat, President Cheng Xin, tea will do just fine."

President Cheng Xin looked at him and quickly calculated in his mind.

"Fine, then we shall drink tea."

President Cheng Xin put down the wine bottle and personally poured a cup of tea for Xu Weidong.

"Director Xu, try this tea. It's Dahongpao from Wuyi Mountain; there isn't much produced each year."

Xu Weidong picked up the teacup, took a sip, and nodded, saying, "Good tea."

President Cheng Xin smiled and asked, "Does Director Xu know about tea?"

"Not really."

Xu Weidong put down the teacup and said, "My father loves it, so I've had it a few times with him."

"Director Xu is young and promising; your future is limitless."

President Cheng Xin picked up his teacup and said, "I will use tea in place of wine to toast you."

The two clinked cups, and the server began to bring out the hot dishes.

The first dish was iron pot stewed fish, a signature Northeast dish made with carp from the Songhua River, stewed until flavorful, with an intoxicating aroma.

President Cheng Xin used his chopsticks to pick a piece of meat from the fish's belly and placed it on the plate in front of Xu Weidong.

"Director Xu, try this fish. The carp from the Songhua River has tender meat; it's different from fish elsewhere."

Xu Weidong took a bite, nodded, and said, "Not bad."

President Cheng Xin smiled and said, "With this fish, it's all about the heat control."

"If the heat isn't right, it won't be flavorful."

"If the heat is too high, the meat becomes tough."

"It's just like how we do things; we have to pay attention to the timing. We can't be too hasty, and we can't drag our feet."

Xu Weidong put down his chopsticks, looked at him, and smiled, "President Cheng Xin, there is a hidden meaning in your words."

President Cheng Xin laughed heartily and said, "Director Xu has a keen eye."

"I am a straightforward person; I speak my mind and don't hide anything."

President Cheng Xin paused, refilled Xu Weidong's tea, and continued, "Director Xu, you haven't been in Changyuan County for long, but your reputation is renowned."

"That business in Hukuang Township was handled beautifully."

"The den in Qili Village was wiped out cleanly."

"The common people of our Changyuan County all appreciate your good deeds."

Xu Weidong waved his hand and said, "President Cheng Xin, you flatter me."

"That was the decision of the County Party Committee and the County Government; I am merely the executor."

President Cheng Xin looked at him and nodded inwardly.

This kid is too steady.

He doesn't claim credit, isn't arrogant, and pushes the credit upward.

This is the demeanor of a seasoned official. How did a young man in his twenties train himself to be like this?

"Director Xu is too modest."

President Cheng Xin changed the subject and continued, "I heard you are currently in charge of the Crackdown on Organized Crime and anti-trafficking work?"

Xu Weidong nodded and said, "Yes."

"I just took it over and am still getting familiar with the situation."

President Cheng Xin sighed and said, "I fully support the Crackdown on Organized Crime."

"Over the years, Changyuan County has indeed had some chaotic phenomena that needed to be rectified."

"As business people, we also hope for a stable environment."

Xu Weidong looked at him and didn't respond.

President Cheng Xin continued, "However, Director Xu, some things are easier said than done."

"For example, in Hukuang Township, Sihai Mining has been shut down for several months."

"Hundreds of workers at the mine are waiting for work to resume to earn money to support their families."

"If this continues, the workers will have nothing to eat, their families will have no support, and if it drags on, I'm afraid there will be trouble."

Xu Weidong picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said slowly, "It is a good thing that you care about the workers, President Cheng Xin."

"However, I am not in charge of the mining sector; you will need to find the leader responsible for economic affairs."

President Cheng Xin's heart sank; this kid was starting to dodge the issue.

"Director Xu, you are also a county leader and the executive of the Public Security Bureau; your words carry a different weight."

"If you could help put in a word, those hundreds of workers would be extremely grateful."

Xu Weidong put down his teacup and said with a calm gaze, "President Cheng Xin, you are flattering me."

President Cheng Xin quickly waved his hand, "I wouldn't dare, I'm just telling the truth."

Xu Weidong smiled and didn't take the bait, instead pointing at the dishes on the table and saying, "President Cheng Xin, this sweet and sour pork is well-made; it's crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and the sweet and sour balance is just right."

President Cheng Xin was stunned but followed his lead, "Director Xu has a good eye. This sweet and sour pork was made by a chef I specifically invited from Harbin; it's the authentic, old-school method."

Xu Weidong picked up a piece, tasted it, and nodded, "It's indeed authentic."

"When I was back home in Hanzhong, I rarely ate such authentic Northeast cuisine."

President Cheng Xin's eyes lit up, "Director Xu is from Hanzhong?"

"Yes, Ankang, Hanzhong."

Xu Weidong answered with a smile, "I grew up eating rice, so when I first came to the Northeast, I wasn't quite used to flour-based foods."

President Cheng Xin smiled, "Different environments nurture different people."

"We Northeasterners are honest; we say what we mean."

Xu Weidong looked at him and said meaningfully, "President Cheng Xin, are you praising Northeasterners or putting down Southerners?"

President Cheng Xin was stunned, then immediately laughed heartily, "Director Xu, how could I dare to imply that!"

Both laughed, and the atmosphere seemed to lighten a bit.

The server brought another dish, stewed chicken with mushrooms.

This is a staple dish in the Northeast, a must-have for holidays and festivals.

President Cheng Xin served a bowl for Xu Weidong and said, "Director Xu, try this."

"The mushrooms are hazel mushrooms picked from Changbai Mountain, and the chicken is a local free-range chicken; it's been stewed for over three hours."

Xu Weidong took a bite, nodded, and said, "Not bad, these mushrooms are indeed fragrant."

President Cheng Xin took the opportunity to say, "Director Xu, our Changyuan County actually has many good resources."

"Coal mines, forests, and mountain products are all resources."

"As long as the policies are right and the environment is stable, the common people can live very well."

Xu Weidong put down his bowl, looked at him, and said, "President Cheng Xin, did you invite me here today because you want me to help stabilize the environment?"

President Cheng Xin was stunned; he didn't expect him to be so direct.

"Director Xu, I just want to know if our county can find a balance between the Crackdown on Organized Crime and economic development?"

"Can some things be... a bit more flexible?"

Xu Weidong looked at him, his gaze calm to the point of being frightening.

"President Cheng Xin, the Crackdown on Organized Crime is a decision and deployment of the Central Government, and a clear requirement of the Provincial, Municipal, and County Party Committees."

"This work can only be strengthened, not weakened."

"As for economic development..."

Xu Weidong paused, picked up a piece of food with his chopsticks, chewed it slowly, and then continued, "The prerequisite for economic development is a legal environment."

"Without the rule of law, there is no true prosperity."

"Don't you agree?"

The smile on President Cheng Xin's face stiffened for a moment; these words were crystal clear.

The Crackdown on Organized Crime cannot be relaxed; the rule of law cannot be relaxed.

His hints about flexible handling were directly blocked.

"Director Xu is right, absolutely right."

President Cheng Xin nodded repeatedly, "The rule of law is the foundation; I understand that."

Xu Weidong smiled, picked up his teacup, and said, "President Cheng Xin is a smart man; I toast you."

President Cheng Xin quickly picked up his teacup and clinked it.

After finishing the tea, President Cheng Xin was not yet resigned and said again, "Director Xu, Sihai Mining in Hukuang Township has really been shut down for too long."

"The workers are causing trouble, and as the boss, I can't suppress it."

Xu Weidong looked at him and suddenly said, "President Cheng Xin, if the workers are causing trouble and you can't suppress it, you can call the police."

"What is the Public Security Bureau for? It's for maintaining order."

President Cheng Xin was stunned.

"As long as it's not illegal, call the police when you need to, and handle things as they should be handled."

Xu Weidong continued, "If anyone engages in smashing, looting, or robbery, then handle it according to the law."

"If anyone gathers a crowd to cause trouble, then deal with it according to the law."

"On this, I can clearly state my position."

President Cheng Xin understood completely; this kid had detached himself completely.

Workers causing trouble? Call the police. Someone breaking the law? Handle it. So he's just totally dodging the issue?

"Director Xu, doing this... will drive some people to a dead end."

Xu Weidong looked at him, his gaze still calm, and said, "President Cheng Xin, I don't like hearing that."

"What do you mean by a dead end?"

"Operating within the law and making money in an upright manner is the broad, sunny path. Engaging in crooked and evil ways—that is the dead end."

Xu Weidong paused, his tone becoming a bit heavier.

"President Cheng Xin is a smart man; you should know what time it is now."

"The special struggle for the Crackdown on Organized Crime is not just a passing gust of wind."

"Those who should have stopped have long since stopped."

"As for those who still want to jump around, you know better than I do what their final fate will be."

President Cheng Xin's expression changed slightly; this was a warning.

"Director Xu, you are... misunderstanding me."

"I, Cheng Xin, have long since washed my hands and came ashore; everything I do is legitimate business."

Xu Weidong smiled, "President Cheng Xin, you don't need to explain to me."

"Whether your business is legitimate or not, you know, and I know."

"I came today just to have a meal and get to know the place."

"As for anything else, you don't need to overthink it."

Xu Weidong stood up and said, "It's getting late, I should be going back. Thank you for your hospitality, President Cheng Xin."

President Cheng Xin quickly stood up, "Director Xu, let me see you out."

The two walked to the entrance, and Xu Weidong suddenly stopped, turned back, and said, "President Cheng Xin, I have one more thing to say."

President Cheng Xin immediately assumed a listening posture, "Please, go ahead."

"Regarding the shutdown of Sihai Mining, you should go find the leader in charge of economic affairs, not me."

"I am in charge of the Crackdown on Organized Crime and anti-trafficking; if you come to me, it's easy for people to misunderstand."

The smile on President Cheng Xin's face stiffened completely. After Xu Weidong finished speaking, he turned and got into the car.

The car drove out of the courtyard and disappeared into the night.

President Cheng Xin stood at the entrance, watching the receding headlights, and didn't move for a long time.

"President Cheng Xin, this kid is too slippery."

President Cheng Xin nodded, sighed, and said, "Not slippery, he's steady."

"To be so steady at such a young age, he will be... formidable in the future."

He turned and walked back. After a few steps, he stopped again and looked back into the depths of the night.

"Notify the mine to continue the shutdown. Tell the brothers to keep their heads down during this time. Whoever dares to go out and cause trouble, I will personally send them in."

"President Cheng Xin, what about the workers..."

President Cheng Xin waved his hand, "I will find a way."

"At this critical juncture, there can be no more mistakes."