Chapter 827: Tian Shi Returns

In fact, Yang Tao is even worse than Pan Jinlian; after Pan Jinlian ran off with Xi Menqing, she killed Wu Dalang and still refuses to observe mourning for Wu Da.

She even won't observe mourning.

Director Qi would feel how heart‑broken after learning it. But everything is already too late.

One of the famed four unreliables is a man taking a concubine.

The other three are false spring chill, autumn warmth, and imperial favor.

After leaving Yang Tao's place.

I hurriedly told Xiao Feng,

Yang Tao has already contacted someone to set up an offshore company.

Don't let her look for anyone else.

After contacting Xiao Feng, I thought of driving back to Niushiling to take a look.

Since returning from Huaihai, I haven't been back to Niushiling.

I'm a bit free today, so I can go home to see Qian Niang.

Just then, my phone rang,

I saw it was Secretary Qin's call,

"Hello, Secretary Qin."

"Hello, Mr. Zhao, Tian Shi has returned from the Provincial Capital. He wants to see you and asks when you're available," Secretary Qin said over the phone.

"Secretary Qin, perfect, I'm in Xin Cheng.

I'll go to Tian Shi's office right away," I said.

"No need to go to the office; go straight to the Reception Center's third‑floor conference room, Tian Shi is waiting there," Secretary Qin said.

"Alright, I'm on my way," I said and hung up.

Then I drove toward the Reception Center in Xin Cheng.

I arrived at the Reception Center quickly; Secretary Qin was already waiting at the entrance.

"Mr. Zhao, Tian Shi just returned today.

He wants to see you right away.

That shows how important you are."

"Secretary Qin, hearing you, many things I must thank you for. The road‑construction matter, if not for you, wouldn't have started so early," I said, shaking hands with Secretary Qin.

"Mr. Zhao, those are minor matters; no need to bring them up again. Come, let's go up to the third floor," Secretary Qin led me to the third floor.

After reaching the third floor,

He asked me to wait a moment; Tian Shi was holding a meeting with the city's leadership.

Saying some encouraging words to them,

That he has returned, everything is stable, and we must not let these people indulge in wild thoughts.

Secretary Qin went inside for a moment, then came out, and then led me to another room on the third floor.

I had just sat down on the sofa,

the waiter quickly poured me a glass of water.

At that moment, Tian Shi hurried in,

as soon as he saw me, he cheerfully said, "Jianqiang, you're here."

"Yes, Tian Shi, I've been thinking about you these past few days. You returned from the Provincial Capital."

"He came back this morning; as soon as he arrived, he held a meeting to get everyone on the same page,

so they stop daydreaming," Tian Shi laughed.

At that point, Secretary Qin tossed two packs of cigarettes onto the table and closed the door,

Tian Shi said to Secretary Qin, "Around six, arrange some food,

I want to have a drink with Jianqiang."

"Alright, Tian Shi, I'll arrange it; once it's set, I'll let you know," Secretary Qin said, then shut the door and left.

I picked up a cigarette, tore open the pack and tossed him one,

"Tian Shi, the Provincial Capital was hard work; did you see Zhu Sheng?"

Tian Shi took the cigarette,

"Of course I've met Zhu Sheng.

All external relations here rely on Zhu Sheng's handling.

As for Wen Han's matter, sigh, I will also be implicated.

Fortunately, we cut ties with him early; otherwise we'd already be in deep trouble now.

"Tian Shi, I heard from Zhuang Shi of Huaihai that he also contributed a lot— is that true?"

"It's true; the Investigation Team members are Zhuang Shi's classmates.

With that connection, many things become easy to explain.

Going to the Provincial Capital to study this time made me very nervous.

Wen Han's affair is too far‑reaching; after all, he and his father have been cultivating within the system for many years.

Many people will be implicated.

Sigh, this time Liu Yong wants to kill off Wen Han.

Indeed, the evidence they found are all crimes committed by Wen Han's father.

I guess Wen Han's father won't see the light of day in this life.

Jianqiang, you of course can't be left out of this.

"If it weren't for you, Wen Han wouldn't be so easy to topple." Tian Shi said, smoking.

"Ah, Tian Shi, even if we topple Wen Han, what then? Wen Han's gone, Liu Yong has come." I said helplessly.

"You can't put it that way; Liu Yong arranged for Kang Yali to be chairperson, and I've already heard Secretary Qin report on it."

For this matter, for now we can only do it this way.

Jianqiang, our aspirations aren't the Da Heng Group,

We are developing the tourism project in Xue County.

As for the Da Heng Group's affairs, let them handle them however they like.

Speaking frankly, being able to detach from Wen Han's side,

is what makes me happiest, because I know Wen Han will eventually run into trouble.

But, in this position, if no one supports you, it still won't work.

I now feel completely at ease.

We need to roll up our sleeves and really get to work." Tian Shi said happily.

I want to report on the development of Xue County's tourism project.

For now, just getting started, a lot of work hasn't been done yet." I said.

Tian Shi waved his hand,

"Jianqiang, during that period things were unstable, so many matters couldn't be launched.

If there are changes, we'll end up with a half‑done project—what would that make us?

Li Jia has already talked with Tang Ju, letting the highway bureau fix the road first.

In this city we can temporarily advance funds.

As for the port matter, have you arranged for Cui Chengshan to go to Shanghu Town?"

I nodded,

"I've already arranged for Cui Chengshan to go to Shanghu to talk; they opened with a demand of fifty million."

My idea is to let Cui Chengshan talk first, then you, Tian Shi, step in—try to get the cost reduced.

That works, Jianqiang—you know the poorer the place we develop, the higher the cost.

Because there's no other income here, as soon as anyone comes to invest, everyone wants a piece, never thinking about future development.

"Tian Shi, you're absolutely right about the land requisition in Xue County,"

the surrounding villages are all trying to get money, but I've already had Cui Chengshan settle this.

I know what they're thinking—spend little to achieve big." I reported to Tian Shi.

"Right, that's right—don't refuse to spend a penny just to get something done; that's utterly impossible.

Where we ought to spend, we must spend.

And where we ought to save, we must save.

As for the Shanghu port matter, first let Cui Chengshan make contact, then I'll step in to coordinate.

We aim to sign the contract by May.

Besides, Zhuang Shi told me he plans to invest five hundred million.

Isn't that great?

With Zhuang Shi's five hundred million, our preliminary work can proceed smoothly." Tian Shi said.

"Tian Shi, Zhuang Shi is right about the five hundred million—I think we shouldn't use it for now."

"Why? Jianqiang, explain your reasoning." Tian Shi asked.

"Because before I returned from Huaihai, Zhuang Shi and I had a talk.

He explicitly told me that this five hundred million is what Liu Yong intends to invest. Of course, this money isn't Liu Yong's.

Liu Yong's investment in our Xue County tourism project aims to make him the controlling shareholder.

Then he can control us.

Because Liu Yong doesn't trust me,

Think about it—the Zhou family's downfall, the Wen family's downfall—this concerns me.

Although he's gotten hold of the Da Heng Group, he still has no solid base." I said to Tian Shi.

At that moment Tian Shi took a puff of smoke,

then he froze for a moment,

before saying, "I thought this matter was simple—I assumed Zhuang Shi's investment money was his own, not realizing Liu Yong was pulling the strings behind the scenes."

Fortunately Zhuang Shi reminded us; otherwise, if we'd used it, we'd be in trouble.

By then it won't be clear—if Liu Yong really controls the tourism project, we'll be doing nothing.