71: Chapter 71 Reaching a Consensus

"If I'm going to die, so be it. I'll call right now." As brothers for many years, Zhu Pengfei knew Zhang Wei wouldn't speak without reason.

He sat directly in his sports car and cautiously dialed his father's number. The phone rang for a long time before it was finally answered.

At this moment, Zhu Zhendong, wearing his pajamas, had just arrived in his study when he picked up the phone. "Speak. What trouble did you cause this time?"

"Huh? Dad, what are you talking about? Can't I have some serious business for once?"

Zhu Zhendong gave a light chuckle. "You? What serious business could you have in the middle of the night? Tell me, was it a street fight, getting caught for drag racing, or did someone set you up in a honey trap?"

"Dad! Can you please think better of me? I really do have serious business. Is our group bidding on a City Name project in the next few days?" Zhu Pengfei asked.

Zhu Zhendong's eyebrows twitched slightly. Why was his unreliable younger son suddenly concerned about company matters? City Name indeed had a project bidding tomorrow, and it was a major project concerning whether the Zhu Group could establish a foothold in the infrastructure sector.

"There is one. What are you up to, kid?"

"I'm not entirely sure about the details." Zhu Pengfei briefly repeated what Zhang Wei had said. There was a long silence on the other end of the line before he spoke. "Don't worry about this matter anymore. Send me this Zhang Wei's mobile number."

With the continuous decline in housing prices, infrastructure projects were becoming fewer, and the construction industry had entered a winter period. In a situation where there were many competitors and few opportunities, although the Zhu Group was powerful, they had to maintain themselves carefully. This infrastructure project from the City Construction Bureau was a massive undertaking worth over a billion yuan. If the bid were successful, the Zhu Group's Infrastructure Department wouldn't have to worry about performance for the next few years, and the promotional effect would be of immeasurable value. Conversely, they might never recover and be kicked out of the infrastructure industry.

The Infrastructure Department was one of the pillars of revenue and profit for the Zhu Group. Any issues there would cause the group significant damage.

Zhu Pengfei said worriedly, "I'll give you the number, but he's my good brother. Don't scare him."

Zhu Zhendong ignored him and hung up, then immediately dialed another number. "Help me check on a young man named Zhang Wei. He's currently in Shenghai City, about 25 years old. I need his detailed information within an hour." Caution was never a mistake; the whole situation felt strange, and he had to be on guard.

More than half an hour later, Zhu Zhendong stared at the file sent to his phone in shock. He had originally thought this Zhang Wei was just trying to use his status as his younger son's college roommate, a social climber trying to latch onto the Zhu Group.

But what was this about donating an Infantry Cannon? Over twenty million in his bank account? And the owner of the imperial seal of china valued at over a hundred million? Even the mayor had met him personally? He even caught a fugitive a few days ago and collected a 4 million reward? All of this was done by one person?

If Zhang Wei knew what Zhu Zhendong was thinking, he would surely give a shy smile. "Old comrade, your information is outdated. I even got an original Picasso painting yesterday."

By now, Zhu Zhendong had cast aside his dismissiveness. It seemed his younger son's friend was no ordinary person. After hesitating for a moment, he picked up his phone and dialed Zhang Wei's number.

At this point, Zhang Wei was getting a bit impatient. After all, it was the middle of the night, and a young man like him needed his sleep. Just as he was thinking of nudging Zhu Pengfei, his phone rang.

Seeing an unfamiliar number, he asked, "Hello, who is this?"

A dignified voice came from the other end. "I am Zhu Pengfei's father. Are you Zhang Wei?"

"Oh! Uncle Zhu, hello." Zhang Wei exchanged a brief pleasantry. "Since you're calling personally at this hour, it seems the Zhu Group is indeed participating in the project bidding the day after tomorrow."

There was a moment of silence on the other end before he said, "Since you are good friends with my Zhu Pengfei, I won't hide it from you. This project is very important to our company. Xiao Zhang, have you heard some news?"

Zhang Wei directly recounted the information about the traitor provided in the intelligence. At the end, he added, "Uncle Zhu, my source of information is absolutely reliable. I can guarantee that."

Zhu Zhendong's face was grim. The business world was like a battlefield, and he knew well that his company surely had undercovers sent by competitors or traitors who had been bought off. But the project bidding was imminent; trying to change the bidding plan at the last minute was unrealistic. The top priority was to stop the traitor's transaction.

Ignoring the fact that the mobile call was still active, Zhu Zhendong picked up the landline on his desk. "Secretary Li, send a car to pick me up immediately. Call an emergency meeting for the company's middle and high-level management."

After giving a few instructions, he hung up the landline and said to Zhang Wei, "Xiao Zhang, thank you for the information. Things are quite urgent here, so I'll go handle them first and contact you later."

Zhang Wei quickly stopped him from ending the call. "Uncle Zhu, I know you're in a hurry, but don't rush just yet. Is it true that the bidding plan can't be adjusted in time? I actually have a plan that can perfectly resolve this. Why don't you hear it out, Uncle Zhu?"

Realizing that Zhang Wei provided the information out of goodwill, Zhu Zhendong patiently said, "The bidding plan took over a month to finalize; it certainly can't be replaced in just a few days. Tell me, what's your plan?"

Zhang Wei carefully explained, "The bidding is the day after tomorrow in the morning. According to my information, the traitor named Qin Mulin will make the transaction tonight. Since there's no time to change the bidding plan, why not let the competing company get a fake one?"

Zhang Wei had already thought of a solution. Now that they knew the other side's plan, there was plenty of room to maneuver against an unsuspecting opponent. As long as they kept Qin Mulin in check and let both parties believe the transaction was successful, they could pull off the deception.

Half an hour later, Zhu Zhendong laughed heartily and said, "Xiao Zhang, this plan of yours is excellent. I believe you can help me solve this problem."

Zhang Wei said modestly, "My little tricks are nothing compared to an old hand like you. However, could you let Zhu Pengfei get involved in this? He might seem unreliable, but he's loyal and responsible. I believe he will achieve great things in the future."

What father doesn't like hearing their son praised? Zhu Zhendong was also very pleased. "It's truly that rascal's luck to have a friend like you. Alright, it's settled then. I'll wait for your good news in Location City. After this is over, I'll give you a grand gift—I guarantee you'll like it."

An hour later, although it was past three in the morning, the large conference room of the Zhu Group was brightly lit and filled with leaders from various departments. Just as everyone was wondering what emergency had occurred in the company...

Secretary Li walked in with Zhu Pengfei. He walked to the podium and said, "Sorry to take up your precious time. I'm here to announce a temporary decision by the Chairman. Zhu Pengfei is appointed as the temporary person in charge of this City Name infrastructure project. Other positions in the Project Team remain unchanged. Alright, the meeting is adjourned."

Everyone looked at each other in bewilderment. Calling all the company leaders together just to announce this? Had the Chairman lost his mind?