Chapter 715: Zhuang Shi's Arrangements

Fine, as long as you know. Don't forget, the matter we agreed upon between us—when the time comes, our Xue County's tourism development project, you must come and participate." I said on the phone.

Don't worry, Zhao Ge, I'll take part in whatever you do. It's your doing that puts people at ease.

Besides, Xue County is also my hometown; being able to serve my hometown is a matter of great joy." Qian Director said happily on the phone.

Old Qian, I've got other things to attend to here; I won't chat more. Wishing you a happy Lantern Festival.

Wishing you a happy Lantern Festival, Zhao Ge." Qian Director said.

I hung up the phone and returned to the Blue Sky Grand Hotel.

After arriving at the hotel, Shi Yong was sleeping.

It seems chatting is also tiring.

Then let him sleep.

I silently smoked.

Time quickly passed to after eight in the evening, when Secretary Wu called.

He asked me to go to Room 902 of the hotel.

I quickly prepared and then went to Room 902 of the hotel.

In the room, Zhuang Shi was already waiting for me,

upon seeing me arrive, he happily extended his hand,

"Jianqiang, you've waited long enough. Sigh, endless meetings."

"Zhuang Shi, nothing much—I'm just revisiting old grounds." I laughed.

"Have a seat." Zhuang Shi pointed to the sofa and said.

I then sat down.

Zhuang Shi tossed me a cigarette,

I took it and saw it was no longer the old Da Su, but Redwood, an old brand.

The flavor is rich, not inferior to Bai Jiang.

Moreover, it has an indescribable fragrance; it used to be very popular locally in our Zaocheng.

Zhuang Shi laughed: "Jianqiang, try this cigarette—how is it? Actually, men should smoke something strong-flavored."

I lit it and took a puff,

"It's still the familiar taste, Zhuang Shi—do you know that more than ten years ago, a pack of this cigarette could be exchanged for a meal of mutton soup in our Zaocheng? I don't know why it's no longer produced."

Zhuang Shi said,

"It was merged. It's still produced now, but only in tiny quantities, specially supplied for us to entertain guests. If you like it, I'll have Secretary Wu send you a case later."

"That's great, Zhuang Shi. I thank you first. I really enjoy smoking this." I happily laughed.

"These are trivial matters." Zhuang Shi took a puff of his cigarette.

"Zhuang Shi, you didn't finish your words yesterday in Zaocheng; today I came precisely to hear your arrangements—tell me what to do." I hurriedly said.

Zhuang Shi waved his hand,

"Jianqiang, don't rush. Sigh, have you visited the Ancient City?"

"I have, and the management is still not bad." I said.

"Not bad my ass. Don't I know in my heart? We've reverted to the old ways—charging admission, no longer holding lottery events.

If we keep going like this, the Ancient City will sooner or later die in their hands.

We've collected so much rent,

not willing to spend a single cent—how can that work?

Actually, I know exactly what they have in mind.

That is, we must kill the Ancient City's development." Zhuang Shi said helplessly.

If that's the case, Zhuang Shi, I don't understand why you'd let Bureau Chief Guo take over the Ancient City so urgently.

Back then we hadn't signed a contract either; we could have continued operating—nothing would have happened.

Jianqiang, there are some things I never clearly told you before.

This Bureau Chief Guo is not my ally; he's always opposed me. But I can't do anything about him.

Because he has someone behind him,

the Wang family's agent is the person behind him.

Sometimes I also have no choice but to compromise and handle it.

Letting you take charge of Huaihai Ancient City is merely a temporary relief of my pressure.

It cannot thoroughly solve the problem.

They see the Ancient City thriving under your management, full of life, and immediately want to take it back.

I can only agree. Let Bureau Chief Guo take over the operation of the Ancient City.

But such a thing cannot be spoken of.

That is a compromise with the subordinates.

My authority has already been challenged by others.

Sometimes I feel I've been constantly yielding, but I cannot yield without limit.

If I keep yielding, I'll end up with nothing.

Now I must strike back." Zhuang Shi said fiercely while smoking.

"Then how should we counterattack?" I asked, not understanding.

Let's put it this way: nowadays, people with status operate through agents.

Those who truly have status generally stay out of sight.

There is no chance of a direct conflict between the Liu Family behind me and the Wang Family of Sijiucheng.

Everyone will mind their own face.

Then we have to let the proxy step forward to act; if anything goes wrong, it's the proxy's fault.

Just as the Wen Family pushed you onto Wang Ge,

Anyway, you wouldn't dare betray the Wen Family; if anything goes wrong, it's your responsibility.

It has nothing to do with the Wen Family.

But the profit belongs to the Wen Family; you can only reap a meager gain in the background.

Now Huaihai is the same; the Wang Family has fostered a proxy,

This proxy's surname is Hao, named Hao Tao.

He also works in the system.

Director Guo is a dog in his hands.

To be honest, I was the one who promoted Director Guo, but later Hao Tao bought him out.

Also, that incident when you came to Huaihai last time, Ren Xagua's fraud against you?

Someone behind it was also pulling the strings, Zhuang Shi said.

"Someone behind it was also pulling the strings; who could that be? I never thought Huaihai's waters were that deep," I said with a smile.

"It's Director Guo. Think about how much money you took from the Cultural Tourism Bureau; how would Ren Xagua know that,

this is clearly Director Guo's doing.

Jianqiang, actually the waters of every city run deep.

As soon as you touch their interests, they'll find a way to kill you.

This time Ren Xagua underestimated you; he didn't expect you would act directly, obtain the evidence, and hand it to me to handle.

Ren Xagua has already gone in, and he also spilled Director Guo's matter.

Only then did I learn about what's happening here.

Now Director Guo and that Hao Tao have teamed up to plot against me,

They think they're Wang Ge's people; I don't dare move against them.

So they feel bold enough to act recklessly.

Jianqiang, I want you to deal with Hao Tao and his group.

"How should I deal with them?" I asked.

"How to deal, is there a way to make him disappear for a while?

If we go through the authorities, even if they have protectors, we still couldn't handle them.

Is there any other method that makes them untraceable? Even Wang Ge wouldn't know where they've gone.

And we wouldn't be breaking the law.

Jianqiang, think of a plan," Zhuang Shi said, looking at me.

I whispered, "I don't want them to go in, and I still can't kill them.

This is truly difficult.

Zhuang Shi, here's what I'm thinking.

Director Guo is just a minor figure,

Hao Tao behind him is the key; if we make Hao Tao disappear,

then Director Guo would lose his backing. You could handle him easily.

I'll go all out against Hao Tao—how about that?

"That works, but how will you deal with that Hao Tao?" Zhuang Shi asked.

"That person? I haven't decided yet. Do you have information on Hao Tao? I need to learn about him," I said.

"I'll have Secretary Wu send it to you.

Jianqiang, are you sure you can make this guy disappear for a while?" Zhuang Shi asked again.

"Zhuang Shi, I can only do my best; no one can guarantee it 100 %.

Why do you only want Hao Tao to disappear for a while?"

"Jianqiang, if he only disappears for a while, I'll arrange someone else to take his job. When he returns, I'll give him an idle position.

The purpose of this is to avoid offending the Wang Family.

There are some things I don't want to take to the extreme. I'm also leaving a way out for myself," Zhuang Shi said cautiously.