Chapter 13: Kong Shi Arrives

Kong Shi arrived on the evening of the second day,

Looking weary and dust‑caked. Kong Shi was still that thin; back then he was the office director of County Magistrate.

Now he has also become a leader governing a region.

My relationship with Kong Shi has spanned more than ten years; seeing Kong Shi made my eyes moist.

Kong Shi saw me and proactively reached out his hand,

"Jianqiang, are you okay? I just got back from the south, landed today, and happened to run into Li Ming. He said you had already returned to Zaocheng, so I hurried over to see you."

I said, "Kong Shi, I never expected I'd have such a car accident. Sorry to make you worry."

Kong Shi replied, "Jianqiang, what are you saying? No one wants a car accident. As long as you're physically fine, everything will be fine."

I sighed, "Alas, Kong Shi, my body is fine; the wound on my leg has healed, so I can get out of bed and walk. But my wife Zhou Wei still hasn't awakened."

"I heard Dean Yang about Zhou Wei's condition; if Zaocheng Hospital can't treat her well, we can invite experts from elsewhere. I have a few friends in the south; I'll have them look for southern experts," Kong Shi said.

I shook my head,

"Kong Shi, Zhou Wei just transferred here from the capital; I trust Dean Yang's skill. With his treatment, I believe Zhou Wei will have a good outcome," I said.

We can't have Kong Shi bring in experts anymore; Zhou Wei can no longer endure the ordeal.

Kong Shi said, "Dean Yang's skill is also excellent; treating Zhou Wei at our city's hospital should be fine. Jianqiang, why are you staying in such a ward? Is it because Dean Yang has no rooms left? You must move into a senior official ward."

I quickly waved my hand,

"Kong Shi, listen to me, I requested the room myself because I'm afraid others will disturb me in another ward. I need peace. Kong Shi, have Li Ming bring you over; there's something important to discuss. Please sit down quickly."

Li Ming promptly moved a stool behind Kong Shi.

Kong Shi sat down.

Li Ming pulled a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, tossed it into my hand, then closed the ward door and left.

I took out a cigarette and handed it to Kong Shi.

Kong Shi took it, did not light it, but held it to his nose and sniffed.

I said, "Kong Shi, what's wrong? It's real tobacco."

Kong Shi shook his head,

"Jianqiang, I know it's real tobacco, but I've quit. Honestly, once people reach this age, illnesses appear and we can't be willful. Moreover, this is a hospital; your body hasn't recovered, and you must not smoke."

After speaking, Kong Shi also took the cigarette from my mouth.

I gave a wry smile, "Kong Shi, I certainly know smoking harms health, but when I don't smoke I feel empty inside, not knowing what to do; that is even more harmful to health."

My life has been hard; I've never had a stable life since childhood, and finally I made a name for myself, yet who could have imagined that in middle age I'd have another car accident.

Not only is my body severely injured, my spouse still hasn't recovered.

And there's the Group Company matter,

This is the biggest trouble; Kong Shi, have you watched TV? Our company got into trouble. I must tell you honestly,

Unpaid wages have been pending for half a year, amounting to hundreds of millions of yuan. Zhu Sheng knows about this; he personally called me to resolve it.

I promised him a week to sort it out.

I rushed back from Provincial Capital to Zaocheng overnight, just to solve the workers' wage arrears.

But three days have passed in Zaocheng, and nothing has been resolved.

Because the company has run out of money.

In these times, without money, nothing can be accomplished.

Kong Shi, I don't know if Li Xingzhang in Zaocheng has reported to you.

I wanted him to help us get through the crisis, but he outright refused.

Kong Shi, Da Heng Company is truly in trouble this time.

I had Li Ming bring you here to discuss how to get Da Heng Company out of its current difficulty.

If Da Heng Company cannot get out of the present predicament, the company will be finished."

I spoke to Kong Shi, almost in tears, describing my current predicament.

I truly hope Kong Shi can find a way to help me get through this crisis.

After Kong Shi finished listening to me,

his expression grew somewhat solemn,

then he patted my shoulder with his hand,

"Jianqiang, don't get worked up. Calm your emotions. I understand how you feel. Regarding Da Heng Company, I've already heard a report from the secretary. Zhu Sheng also called me, asking me to find a way to assist you and get through the current difficulty."

The reason I cut short my business trip and returned from the south is to resolve Da Heng Company's wage arrears. Since the issue has been exposed by the media, both I and Zhu Sheng are under great pressure.

We cannot stand by and watch Da Heng Company be destroyed in an instant.

Zhu Sheng has already coordinated with the media, so they will no longer continue coverage. Online public opinion has quieted. We must settle the wage arrears; otherwise, with so many people and so much money, they will cause more trouble,

and we really won't have a good ending."

Hearing Kong Shi say that, my heart felt much better.

I believe that at the crucial moment they will all help me; they are the people I trust most.

I said to Kong Shi, "Thank you, Zhu Sheng and Kong Shi, for your concern and kindness. I would like to hear Kong Shi's opinion on how Da Heng Company can get out of the current predicament and what to do to resolve the wage arrears."

Kong Shi said, "Jianqiang, the finances of your Da Heng Company have been investigated by a city inspection team; the financial situation is truly dire, and the company has not a single cent on its books. It's impossible for your company to produce any money now. I don't know why Da Heng Company has suffered such losses."

I blamed myself, "Kong Shi, it's my poor management; the real estate market has boomed these past two years, and I poured all the money into new development projects, so the funds have been tied up. Kong Shi, I am responsible."

Kong Shi patted my shoulder again,

"Jianqiang, this is not the time to talk about responsibility; it's time to find a solution. If we don't resolve Da Heng Company's wage arrears, and it drags Zhu Sheng into it, it will be even more troublesome."

I nodded,

"Kong Shi is right; now is the time to solve the problem, and we must not cause trouble for Zhu Sheng."

Kong Shi continued, "Li Xingzhang also reported to me that Zaocheng Bank's capacity is limited now; you originally already loaned them 420 million, and if you default, Li Xingzhang doesn't know what he'll do later. So having Zaocheng Bank pull out another 100 million to support you is really difficult."

Hearing Kong Shi say that, it seemed Li Xingzhang wasn't speaking nonsense.

A local bank has already done its best to help us.

I said, "Kong Shi, I've already met Li Xingzhang, and he also told me. In this situation, Kong Shi, can we approach the four banks—Bank of China, China Construction Bank, Agricultural Bank, and Industrial and Commercial Bank? I hope Kong Shi can act as an intermediary, letting me discuss the loan matters with these four."

Upon hearing this, Kong Shi shook his head,

"Jianqiang, this could be done before. Back then the higher‑ups were flooding money; as long as there were good resources, I could step in, and those four would definitely grant loans. But now the higher‑ups have tightened, no longer flooding money. Trying to take the old route again is impossible."

Before I met you, I had already called the heads of the four banks.

Their attitude was very clear,

It was an outright refusal.

You have to understand, given the uncertainty of your company's situation, no one

would want to wade into this murky water. If the shoes get wet, what then?

Their banks would rather add flowers to a brocade than send charcoal in the snow.