Chapter 109: Discussing with Du County

I whispered, "Du bro, have you ever thought about the road ahead?"

"What future road?" Du County asked, not understanding.

"That's to guard against you being stripped, leaving you with nothing, making life meaningless." I probed.

Du County's eyes rolled,

then he understood what was going on,

"Brother, lay it out, let me hear. I really haven't thought about this; any good ideas?"

I laughed and said, "Du County, how about Qi He Kuang?"

"Qi He Kuang, it's not in production. How could we keep it as a backup?" Du County shook his head and said.

"Because it's shut down, no one wants it, so it can be a backup; if it were profitable, I believe many would fight for it."

"Then it wouldn't be our turn." I took a puff of cigarette.

"Qi He Kuang has always belonged to your Da Heng Group; our county only holds a portion of the shares. Brother, frankly, this backup has little to do with me." Du County also took a puff.

"Du bro, you now use your authority to acquire our Da Heng Group's shares. This way, Lanling County would fully take control of Qi He Kuang." I said.

After hearing me finish, Du County laughed,

"Well done, Jianqiang, you've been going on about this just to sell Qi He Kuang, right? I won't fall for it; Qi He Kuang is already shut down, and besides, production costs are high. Outside coal is cheaper. Even if we take over, we'll still lose money."

"By then, this hot potato Qi He Kuang will end up smashed in my hands."

"I won't fall for your trick."

Upon hearing Du County say that,

I chuckled and said, "Du County, you misunderstand me; how would I let Qi He Kuang end up in your hands?"

"After you buy it, someone will later buy Qi He Kuang from you."

"It won't leave you in an awkward position."

"If someone else buys my Qi He Kuang, why wouldn't they just buy it directly from you?" Du County asked.

"Buying from me would let people know. I'll be frank: the buyer of the mine is me; I want to fully control Qi He Kuang. As long as Qi He Kuang is in my hands, you'll get your share of dividends."

"Du bro, this is the backup I'm leaving for you." I said, looking at Du County.

"You sell it to me, then buy it back from me. I just don't get it—how does this work?" Du County asked, not understanding.

"Du bro, some things don't need full understanding; I'll explain later. If you trust me, we'll proceed this way."

"First I'll sell Qi He Kuang to you."

"Qi He Kuang is currently shut down, with many workers to support. Sell it at the lowest price."

"You invest 10 million, buying all my shares." I said.

"10 million, the price isn't high, but the mine is like this; after we buy it, how much will you pay to buy it back?" Du County asked.

"8 million." I held up a finger.

"8 million. That means we'd lose 2 million." Du County said.

"The loss is the county's, not yours personally. This 2 million, later you'll get half—1 million. And as long as the mine resumes operation and profits, you'll get monthly dividends. We'll handle this together." I said seriously.

Du County took a puff, saying nothing.

After a while he said, "Jianqiang, do you have a way to make Qi He Kuang profitable? Otherwise you wouldn't be doing this."

I laughed,

"Du bro, trust me, we brothers have wine and meat; even if you're stripped, it won't hinder your earnings."

"If you don't believe me, forget it; it's as if I never said anything." I said.

"Okay, brother, I trust you. I expect I'll be stripped before long. So, let's do this:"

"You figure out how to get the people at Qi He Kuang to cause trouble and demand wages,"

"you still don't resolve the issue, our county steps in to settle it, then we go to the company to negotiate and buy Qi He Kuang legitimately."

"After we get it, I'll first pacify the workers, giving them some living expenses,"

"not resuming production,"

"then you step in and buy all of Qi He Kuang from us."

"That way no one will notice anything, and I can explain it to my superiors."

"Okay, Du bro, that's settled. I'll go back and do it this way. This is our secret; no third person must know." I said.

"Don't worry, my lips are sealed. Brother, I won't say a word. Pleasant cooperation." Du County extended his hand.

I also happily extended my hand,

"Pleasant cooperation."

The two of us shook hands.

"Actually, sometimes business is just like this: find the key person, say the main points, get the important things done."

After finishing talks with Du County,

Xiao Long helped me out of the house; we'd been on the road a long time, my legs ached.

Sat in the car,

I took out my phone,

I needed to contact Mine Director Chen.

Mine Director Chen answered the phone quickly,

"Hello Chairman Zhao, what are your orders?"

I said, "Mine Director Chen, contact the workers now and have them demand wages; even better, go to our Da Heng Group to demand them."

"Why, Chairman Zhao? I don't understand." Mine Director Chen asked.

"Don't ask why; just do as I say. Only this can resolve the Qi He Kuang matter." I said.

Okay, Chairman Zhao, I'll find someone to discuss it with in a moment." Mine Director Chen said and hung up the phone.

After hanging up the phone,

I said to Xiao Long: "Our group company."

Xiao Long said: "Okay, I'll drive the car really fast. We'll soon arrive at the group company."

After arriving at the group company,

I directly found Shi Yong,

I said to Shi Yong: "Shi Yong, call over Yu Zong, the building materials dealer we've been cooperating with; I have something to discuss with him."

Shi Yong said: "This Yu Zong has also been looking for you; we owe him a lot for building materials."

I said: "I came specifically to settle this matter."

Shi Yong then went out to contact Yu Zong.

In the evening, Yu Zong arrived, bringing two packets of fine tea.

Upon seeing me, he immediately said: "Hello, Chairman Zhao, I've always wanted to go to the hospital to visit you. But we couldn't get into the hospital, couldn't see you."

"Today I finally have the chance to meet you. How is your recovery?"

I laughed and said: "Thank you, Yu Zong, for your concern."

"As soon as my health recovers, I'll meet you right away, so you won't have to worry."

Yu Zong laughed,

"Chairman Zhao, saying that, these past few days I really haven't slept well."

"If your company really were like that, I estimate I'd have to jump off a building."

"Haha, Yu Zong, how could I let you jump off a building? It's just that we owe you some building materials money; to me that's not much."

"It's just that these past few days our company's cash flow has been a bit tight; please understand, and next month Zaocheng Bank will give us a 4.2 billion loan."

"Then we'll prioritize paying your dues." I said with a smile.

Yu Zong clasped his fist toward me,

"Chairman Zhao, thank you; your words put my mind at ease. I can now sleep soundly."

"Chairman Zhao, we've cooperated for so long; our company has always had good reputation. Believe me, this bit of money isn't even money,"

"So I've never gone to Chairman Zhao to ask for money."

"It's just to support our Da Heng Group's endeavors. I believe Chairman Zhao's ability will surely make Da Heng Group grow bigger and stronger."