Chapter 223: Phone Call with Niu Ju

The next morning I contacted Secretary Li and asked him to tell Niu Ju that, due to a sudden matter, the afternoon meeting with Niu Ju was cancelled.

At the same time I gave Niu Ju Zhou Fuhai's mobile number so he could contact me by phone.

Secretary Li agreed and went to contact Niu Ju.

At about two o'clock in the afternoon I was sleeping in the hotel.

Suddenly Zhou Fuhai's phone rang.

I looked at the number and saw it was Niu Ju calling.

I got up from the bed to answer.

A respectful voice of Niu Ju came through the line,

"Hello Brother Zhou, this is Niu Chunsheng. Glad to speak with you by phone."

I quickly said in Mandarin, "Hello Niu Ju, I had an unexpected matter today and couldn't meet you. I'm really sorry."

"Brother Zhou, no need to be formal. Though we have never met, I have heard your great name many times; I have long admired you, and in my eyes you are like a deity. The old leader has praised you repeatedly, saying you are exceptionally brave and conduct yourself low‑key."

"This time the old leader sent you to Zaocheng; for us here in Zaocheng it is the greatest blessing. I truly hope to meet you, so we can have a good chat."

I heard Niu Ju refer to the old leader; that old leader is obviously Zhou Renfeng.

When I considered Niu Ju's identity, I immediately understood his relationship with Zhou Renfeng.

I hurriedly said, "Niu Ju, no need to be formal. My brother has mentioned you many times, saying Niu Ju is loyal and trustworthy. I originally came to Zaocheng to meet you, but a sudden matter arose."

"It's a real regret not to have met you."

"Brother Zhou, we have plenty of opportunities. I know you came to Zaocheng on a mission; whatever the old leader means, please tell me plainly so I can understand," Niu Ju said courteously.

"Niu Ju, fine, you're straightforward. I'll stop hiding anything. Someone filed a complaint against you, saying you are overbearing and unruly in Zaocheng."

"If my brother doesn't intervene, something could happen. Is that true?" I said over the phone.

"Who the hell has a son without an asshole, talking nonsense? Was it Kong Fanli who filed the complaint? Brother Zhou, tell me plainly," Niu Ju said angrily on the phone.

I replied, "Some things can't be stated openly. We have just taken over Da Heng Group, and stability is paramount. Any conflict between you and Kong Shi should be settled through negotiation."

"Otherwise it will affect the overall situation. Niu Ju, your position is now very dangerous."

"I hope you understand what I mean."

"Thanks for the reminder, Brother Zhou. The guy surnamed Kong and I have a private grudge; we must make it a you‑die‑I‑die"

"…life. Damn, this guy is terrible, constantly using underhanded tricks against me."

"Although I work with him, I am a follower of the old leader. He gives me a tight shoe, but never gives face to the old leader."

"Da Heng Group actually complains that I intervene too much; without me stirring things behind the scenes, how could we have taken over Da Heng Group so quickly."

"He drags his feet all day and can't accomplish anything."

"This Zhao Jianqiang fled, and they tried to pin it on me,"

"Damn it, I'm not responsible for the capture."

"He used external forces to catch Zhao Jianqiang; the fact he ran away shows his ability is too weak."

"He even captured my god‑son; what did I say? He is a villain who files complaints first."

"I know this guy is setting me up, trying to bring me down."

"Brother Zhou, I just want to ask the old leader's intention. If the old leader says I can't continue, I'll resign immediately."

"I, Niu, will never break my word." Niu Ju grumbled on the phone.

When I heard this, I suddenly recalled that Shangguan Zhuren had instructed me to first take Niu Ju down.

Because this guy is now more dangerous than Kong Shi.

I smiled on the phone and then said, "Niu Ju, don't be angry. I'll be direct: my brother's intention is that you should take a rest."

"There are some things you didn't handle well. Letting Zhao Jianqiang escape was due to the leak you caused; Sun Dajun has already recruited him. These matters need no longer be hidden."

"Niu Ju, I'm telling you this so that you can leave with dignity, which is better than anything; don't cling to this position."

"Otherwise it will be dangerous later."

After I finished speaking,

Then he suddenly shouted: 'I don't believe the old leader would say that; I have always followed the old leader's orders. Letting Zhao Jianqiang escape was just an accidental incident. It's because Kong Fanli didn't handle things thoroughly enough.'

Then he suddenly shouted, "I don't believe the old leader would say that; I have always obeyed the old leader's orders. Letting Zhao Jianqiang escape was just an accidental incident. It was because Kong Fanli's actions were not thorough."

"Brother Zhou, I beg you, tell the old leader on my behalf, plead for me. I don't want to step down; I still want to continue serving the old leader. Brother Zhou, tell me, what conditions can you meet?"

"How much money, what kind of woman—just say a word and I'll fulfill it immediately." Niu Ju said frantically.

First, let's get some money; anyway, I'm not qualified to speak to the old leader about anything.

First get some money, then talk; anyway, I'm not in a position to speak for the old leader.

Damn, I'll make them spit out all the money they blackmailed me for.

Niu Ju, this matter is not easy to handle; my older brother's stance is already clear, and furthermore, Kong Shi keeps lodging complaints,

"Niu Ju, this matter is hard to handle. My brother's intention is already clear, and on top of that Kong Shi keeps filing complaints,"

"There's no way. You also know Kong Shi's relationship with Zhang Zong of Southern Group and Mr. Liu."

'Brother Zhou, although we've never met, I believe in your abilities. This surnamed Kong, I won't spare him in the future. He's spreading false accusations against me. Just wait. Brother Zhou, you just need to get this done.'

"Brother Zhou, although we have never met, I trust your ability. This Kong fellow, I will not spare him in the future. File a black complaint against me. Wait for it. Brother Zhou, as long as you get this matter done,"

"keep my position, name your price." Niu Ju said directly.

It seems Niu Ju is also fighting desperately for his own interests.

"Niu Ju, this matter is truly hard to handle. The main issue is Kong Shi's side; I fear"

"he will have my brother file another complaint against you, causing a bad impact, which would be troublesome." I said hesitantly.

"There's nothing to worry about on Kong Shi's side; I'll find a way to silence him. Brother Zhou, as long as you can advise the old leader to keep my position, that's enough."

"Because the old leader only trusts you; you're the most prominent person by his side, I know that. Brother Zhou, is this acceptable?"

【61】 "Can ten million be used to retain it?" Niu Ju said through clenched teeth.

【62】 Damn, that's truly ruthless—offering ten million outright for his own position.

Niu Ju is fierce enough; compared to Kong Shi's three million, it's truly a small witch seeing a great witch.

I thought to myself, Niu Ju can come up with ten million, but is he still short of that ten million?

Humph, I want to swallow all this money.

"Twenty million, let me try." I said over the phone.

"Twenty million, deal, Zhou Ge, I'll leave this matter to you. Will the money be handed over to your home in Sijiucheng, or sent somewhere else?" Niu Ju said without hesitation.

"Tomorrow, deliver the cash to Room 906 of the Zaocheng Grand Hotel. I'll return to Zaocheng from out of town. Then I'll head straight back to Sijiucheng and tell my brother in person, so he knows the situation."

"After all, you're his old subordinate. I believe my brother will remember the old ties and keep your position." I said over the phone.

"All right, Zhou Ge, that's settled. I'll definitely deliver the cash tomorrow. Thank you, Zhou Ge, for taking on this matter." Niu Ju thanked.

"Besides, there's one more thing: we must make Kong Shi shut up and stop slandering you; otherwise, I really won't be able to handle it." I said deliberately.

"Don't worry, Zhou Ge, I'll take care of this. I really want to meet and chat with you. Zhou Ge, when are you free? I'll treat you to a drink." Niu Ju said happily.

"Let's talk about drinking later; I'll first handle this matter for you. As long as it's settled, you'll be fine, I'll be fine, everyone will be fine. Niu Ju, just wait for the good news."