Chapter 684: Deployed to the Ancient City

I hurried to relieve Shi Yong.

"All right, Xiao Wu, you're making things difficult for Shi Yong—he's not in good health, he's been hospitalized the past few days; when he recovers, you can find him for a drink."

"Jianqiang, you don't know, Shi Yong used to bully me when he drank. Now I've found a chance to settle the score with him. Shi Yong, you must drink today." Xiao Wu shouted at Shi Yong.

"Brother Ren, this is your turf, you say something—we're all brothers, drinking is a small matter, health is the big one, right." I deliberately kicked the ball to Ren Xiagou.

"What Brother Jianqiang said is right, Xiao Wu, enough, stop making a fuss—this Brother Shi Yong is an honest guy; let's drink after he recovers."

"But Xiao Wu's feelings show that he and Brother Shi Yong are truly friends; since it's genuine, we can only express it with wine—come, pour the wine, let's keep drinking." Ren Xiagou said with a smile.

That Ren Xiagou was deliberately smearing mud.

"Shi Yong, how about it—is the feeling between us real? It's all in the wine."

"I've finished mine; you can do as you like—if you really can't, just take a small sip, like a woman drinking." Xiao Wu mocked Shi Yong.

At this point, Shi Yong was about to lose his temper.

He was just about to speak.

I grabbed Shi Yong's hand.

"Shi Yong, you can't drink—remember, no one can persuade you to drink, no one can provoke you to drink. Jinghe, you drink for Shi Yong."

Shi Jinhe stood up at this time.

"Brother Xiao Wu, I've long heard your name but never had the chance to meet. Brother Shi Yong and I are sworn brothers."

Since Shi Yong is unwell and can't drink, I'll drink in his place.

"Brother Xiao Wu, Brother Ren, you tell me—how should we drink?"

Xiao Wu looked at Shi Jinhe's weathered face,

"Brother Jinghe, since you want to drink for Shi Yong, I recall that Shi Yong used to like drinking from a bowl."

"How about we use a bowl?"

"Since Brother Xiao Wu said so, let's use a bowl." Shi Jinhe readily agreed.

Soon the waiter brought two large bowls.

I looked at Xiao Wu and thought,

You're finished—Shi Jinhe can drink even more than Shi Yong.

In the end, Xiao Wu was carried away from the banquet.

I, together with the driver, brought Shi Yong and Shi Jinhe back to the hotel.

Shi Jinhe felt nothing at all.

Shi Yong's mood was very bad.

You should know that the drinking table is also a man's battlefield.

To be humiliated on the battlefield feels terrible inside.

I comforted Shi Yong,

"Shi Yong, the way you used to treat others has now come back to bite you."

So, from now on, keep a clear mind when doing things, and don't casually pour drinks for others at the table.

You can't drink now, so Xiao Wu will naturally humiliate you,

you haven't hesitated to humiliate Xiao Wu in the past.

All right, wash up and go to sleep—don't dwell on it; as long as you don't drink from now on, it'll be gone.

Shi Yong didn't speak, his expression very dejected.

At this point, Shi Jinhe asked me, "Brother, is that Ren Xiagou reliable? Don't take the money and not do anything."

I laughed and said, "Expecting them to be reliable is unrealistic."

"Because they're all just mixing in society—there's no reliability in that."

"Then we still have to ask him." Shi Jinhe asked, puzzled.

"Jinghe, some things are just like that—since we've come to Huaihai to work, we must first pay respects to the dock."

"In life and work, observe courtesy before force; he pays attention to propriety, and so do we."

"If he doesn't, then we'll meet him head‑on."

"All right, it's getting late—everyone wash up and go to sleep. We still have to go to the Ancient City tomorrow." I said this and yawned.

Just then my phone rang,

I saw it was a call from Ruan Wei,

I hurriedly answered,

"Brother Zhao, we've already arrived in Huaihai City—tell me what the task is."

"Ruan Wei, first find a hotel to rest; if anything comes up, I'll let you know."

"Make sure the brothers eat and drink well." I said.

"All right, Brother Zhao." Ruan Wei said and hung up.

"Brother, you also had Ruan Wei come over?" Shi Yong asked.

I shushed,

"Shi Yong, Jinghe, you just need to know about this—absolutely don't tell anyone. Our work requires both openness and secrecy. Go to sleep."

After saying that, I lay down on the bed and went to sleep.

In the morning, Yang Tao came,

This woman was wearing the trendiest clothes, believing she knew Li Jia was here and wanting to compare herself with Li Jia.

So I took Yang Tao, Li Jia, Shi Yong, and Shi Jinhe, drove three vehicles, and set out for the Ancient City.

Ding Li had already brought his Security Team to the Ancient City ahead of time to take up their posts.

When we arrived at Huaihai Ancient City, Director Guo was also waiting for me with his people.

I walked up to them and shook hands with Director Guo.

Director Guo then said to the ancient city's staff: "Gather everyone together, I'm just going to hold a meeting,

The operation of Huaihai Ancient City has already been contracted out to Mr. Zhao of Zaocheng.

From now on, your work will be under the management of Mr. Zhao's team.

However, your employment relations remain with the Cultural Tourism Bureau.

Please welcome Mr. Zhao to say a few words."

I stepped forward, looked at the ancient city's staff, and didn't expect there to be over thirty people working here. One can imagine how many people the ancient city needs to support.

I cleared my throat,

then said: "Good morning, everyone. I'm Zhao Jianqiang. I'm the one who contracted the operation of the ancient city. I now have people ready to start work at the ancient city.

Your original positions will have to be vacated, and they will be taken over by our people."

I hadn't finished speaking,

when some people below immediately shouted: "If your people take over, what are we supposed to do? Are you not letting us work? This won't do; we must be given an explanation.

Otherwise, we'll go to the city to seek redress."

As soon as one person shouted, others joined in the clamor.

The scene below became chaotic.

Director Guo looked at me,

"Mr. Zhao, what you're doing isn't proper. If you don't let these people work, what will they do for a living, and who will pay their wages?

Why didn't you clarify this when you took the contract? I'm now going to contact Secretary Wu; you're messing around."

As soon as Director Guo said that, the staff below shouted even louder.

"We must be given an explanation; otherwise we won't allow them to take over."

Looking at the shouting crowd,

my heart was very calm.

If it were the past, I would have already had Ding Li bring security to arrest a couple of typical cases and deal with them.

But now is not the time to cause trouble.

I smiled and then said loudly: "What are you shouting about? Your work will be taken over by our people, but your wages will continue to be paid by me as usual.

If anyone wants to keep working, please report to Li Jia.

Just continue working."

After hearing me say that, the people below immediately stopped shouting.

Director Guo also froze,

After a moment, Director Guo whispered,

"Mr. Zhao, do you mean you don't want these people to work, but instead support these elders?"

"Yes, Director Guo, everyone has been working hard during this period.

We need to let everyone rest, and the wages and benefits of the older staff will remain unchanged.

As long as everyone is happy, that's fine." I said to Director Guo.

"That's what you said, but the wages of these people are all paid by you." Director Guo immediately said.

He didn't want to take responsibility.

"Fine, we'll do it. As long as I, Zhao, contract the ancient city for a day, your wages will be paid by me." I said easily.

What more is there to say? The wages are generous, and you don't even have to work.

The atmosphere on site relaxed considerably.

The handover of work went smoothly.

Moreover, no one raised objections; everyone happily handed over their tasks to us.