Chapter 14: Kong Shi's Advice

Kong Shi is right,

Back then, when our Da Heng Company was thriving, they leveraged Kong Shi's connections and demanded that we cooperate with them because they could see the profit.

Now, our company is on the brink of collapse; if they were to lend us more money, they would surely be crazy.

I could only let out a long sigh,

then, powerless, I lay on the sickbed. Anxiously, I took out a cigarette,

lit it and took a fierce drag,

"Kong Shi, if they don't help us, then our Da Heng Company can only await death. Right now Da Heng Company has no way to liquidate any assets."

Kong Shi, after hearing me finish,

stood up somewhat angrily,

"Jianqiang, I don't want to hear you speak like that; roads are made by people walking them. A living person can't die of holding in urine. If they don't lend money, there will always be someone willing to lend. I have already asked around for a company willing to lend you money."

When I heard Kong Shi say that, I immediately felt revived.

"Kong Shi, such a company really exists; they truly would provide aid in a snowstorm."

Kong Shi nodded,

"Indeed, this company—you know it—is the Southern Group that approached you for cooperation a few days ago. This time I went south and met their boss, Zhang Zong. He is a very generous person.

I discussed your company's situation with him,

He expressed deep sympathy for your company's current predicament and said he is willing to help your company get out of it."

After hearing Kong Shi's words,

I fell silent.

Again, the Southern Group.

Little Hua from the Southern Group had told me about cooperation, but I refused.

Now, Kong Shi mentioned the Southern Group again.

Could this be a coincidence?

I asked myself in my heart.

Seeing that I offered no comment,

Kong Shi continued, "Jianqiang, I want to hear your opinion. Are you willing to accept the Southern Group's helping hand?"

I took another drag of the cigarette,

"Kong Shi, they wouldn't help us so selflessly, would they? If they put up money, what conditions are there?"

Kong Shi smiled,

"Jianqiang, you really have it. Yes, there is no free lunch in the world. This time the Southern Group sincerely wants to cooperate with your company.

They are willing to put forward a hundred million in capital to settle the wage arrears.

Then they will provide 4.2 hundred million to repay your Zaocheng Bank loan.

That way there will be no overdue issues.

Of course, since they are putting out so much money, they certainly won't help you selflessly.

Their Zhang Zong has already told me,

These funds are to help you get through the difficulty, but they must be repaid after half a year, with interest. That is their condition."

After hearing Kong Shi finish, I felt this condition wasn't harsh; the Southern Group didn't even mention any company equity or management rights—just repay the money and pay interest normally.

"Kong Shi, isn't this too abnormal? I have no connections with the Southern Group; we don't know each other. On what basis can they help us like this?"

Kong Shi laughed, "Jianqiang, you're overthinking. That Zhang Zong, I know him. Zhang Zong heard me talk about you, greatly admires your character, and is also willing to get to know you."

After they help you this time, once you get through the difficulty, the two companies can cooperate. Then a strong joint venture will take you out of Zaocheng to the Provincial Capital to open up new horizons."

Hearing Kong Shi's words, my mood lifted greatly.

It turns out they are offering real gold and silver to help us solely for the future cooperation between the two group companies; it seems my perspective was truly narrow.

As long as they sincerely help us, the future cooperation will naturally fall into place.

I let out a long breath,

"Kong Shi, I overthought it; as long as the Southern Group truly helps us, I am willing to go to the Southern Group in person to thank them. The next steps of corporate cooperation are just minor matters."

"Alright, you just need to agree. I'll call their Southern Zhang Zong tomorrow, tell him you have no objections. They need to send someone over; then Xiao Hua can meet them and chat."

Sigh, get them to transfer the money quickly; once your wage arrears are solved, the burden on us will be lightened." Kong Shi also let out a long breath.

I said, "Do I still need to report this to Zhu Sheng?"

Kong Shi said, "You don't need to. As long as the wage issue is resolved, that's enough; I'll find time to report to Zhu Sheng."

I of course understood Kong Shi's meaning; for such a good thing, he needs to flaunt it before Zhu Sheng. How could I compete with Kong Shi for credit?

Kong Shi stood up, pounded his own waist with his hand and said, "I'm old, really old; just after the flight today I felt my waist ache. Jianqiang, I'm going back to rest now; tomorrow, just wait for my letter."

I said, "Kong Shi, thank you for your effort. Once my health recovers, I'll treat you to a drink."

Kong Shi laughed, "That's about right; I've quit smoking, but not drinking. I brought back a case of fine wine from the South; when you're well, we'll call old Huang and Niu Ju, and we'll drink until we're drunk."

I said, "Don't worry, Kong Shi; I'll arrange the meeting then."

"Alright, I'm leaving, Jianqiang. I advise you to go to a better ward; you're just too cautious. Returning to Zaocheng and wanting no one to know—how is that possible? By the way, tell Xiao Hua about the Southern Group matter so he can prepare the reception task."

"The Southern Group matter—have him get ready for the reception task."

Kong Shi finished speaking and walked out of the ward.

I watched Kong Shi's back,

"Kong Shi, don't worry, I'll arrange everything."

After Kong Shi left,

I called Li Ming in.

"Li Ming, tell Dean Yang that we're changing rooms. The wage‑arrears issue has already been resolved, so I have no need to hide any longer."

After hearing my words, Li Ming asked, "Brother, how was the wage‑arrears issue solved? Was it that a bank was willing to lend?"

I shook my head,

"Li Ming, it wasn't a bank loan; Kong Shi introduced the Southern Group, and they are willing to fund us to get through the difficulty."

"Southern Group, on what grounds would they help us?" Li Ming asked.

"Is that it? They said that as long as they help Da Heng Group get through the difficulty, then we can discuss cooperation with our company."

"Just as Kong Shi said, we will form a strong alliance, and then together go to the Provincial Capital for real‑estate development. In the future, Da Heng Group will go even higher and farther," I said confidently.

After I finished speaking, Li Ming showed a puzzled expression,

"Brother, to be honest, why would the Southern Group, having no kinship or prior ties, help us, and they only propose cooperation with our company? That's too cheap a deal, isn't it?"

I said, "I had the same doubt at the time, but Kong Shi said that they only have that request and no other demands."

They had previously proposed cooperation through Xiao Hua, but I refused.

Now that they've helped me this time, I can only take the initiative to cooperate with them. All right, Li Ming, stop overthinking.

As long as the wage‑arrears issue is resolved, everything becomes easy. Go summon Shi Yong and Dean Yang.

Li Ming could only nod.

Shi Yong and Dean Yang entered,

I said to Shi Yong, "Shi Yong, our wage‑arrears issue has been resolved, so I will no longer hide. We need to go public to boost the morale of our Group Company's employees. Find a way to contact the radio program 'Xiao Fang Helps You'; I am willing to be interviewed."

Shi Yong said, "Brother, the people at the radio station aren't respectable; they just spout nonsense. Why would you meet them? Let Director Feng handle this."

I said, "Now is an extraordinary time; I must step forward. Shi Yong, stop talking. Dean Yang, please arrange a good ward for me so I can be interviewed."