Chapter 690: 675 Arriving in Jin Ling, Ms. Zhang

The Viceroy's Mansion.

The chandelier cast warm yellow light onto the dark brown walnut desk.

Patten sat half-reclined in a leather sofa, his fingertips tracing the rim of a whiskey glass; the sound of ice cubes clinking was crisp and clear.

Bai Lide sat diagonally opposite him, his words earnest:

"Mr. Viceroy, this is by no means just a crisis for Hong Kong Telecom as a single company~~"

"The Five Star Group is inciting public opinion to attack the monopoly, but in reality, they are trying to shake the foundation of the British Empire in Hong Kong!"

"Look at HSBC..."

"Look at Cathay Pacific..."

"We are losing our British control over Hong Kong's key industries step by step..."

"Once sovereignty over telecommunications is lost..."

Bai Lide wore an expression of being "for the country and the people."

Patten couldn't help but sneer inwardly.

Do you really think I'm the same person I was a few days ago?

Sorry!

My bottom line is terrifyingly low now!

Patten said with a sympathetic face: "Mr. Bai Lide, I understand your feelings. To be honest, I want to help you too... but the recent turmoil in the Political Department hasn't passed yet. Any 'special care' I give you will only bring trouble."

Bai Lide lowered his head: "We certainly understand the difficulties of the Hong Kong government, but Hong Kong Telecom contributes nearly 20% of the tax revenue to the treasury every year. If it collapses due to public opinion..."

Patten was getting a bit impatient.

Why aren't we talking about money yet?

Don't you know that not talking about money is very damaging to relationships?!

What is my status?

Viceroy!

I've already given you a chance, and you're using this "big picture" to pressure me?

I gave you a chance, but you're useless!

Patten stood up: "I'm tired. You should go back..."

Upon hearing this, Bai Lide knew he hadn't satisfied the Viceroy, so he hurriedly said:

"Your Excellency the Viceroy,"

He took out an envelope and gently pushed it across the desk to in front of Patten: "Our Telecom company is willing to do our meager part for the Hong Kong government's cause."

Only then did Patten's expression soften.

That's more like it!

If you had taken it out earlier, I would have almost drawn my sword.

Patten took the envelope and glanced at it.

His face immediately turned dark.

500,000 USD?

No, just this? Just this?

Can my throne as Viceroy suffer this kind of grievance?

Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu gave 1 million USD for a tiny matter.

And you?

With annual profits of two or three billion, you're giving this little bit?

"With just this little bit from you, it's a bit hard to handle!"

Patten pushed it back.

Bai Lide was stunned for a moment. Realizing he had given too little money, he hurriedly slapped his own face—*slap*—with an apologetic look:

"Oh my, Your Excellency the Viceroy, I really handled this poorly... I don't know how much you want, Your Excellency?"

Patten took a slow sip of his drink: "You have to understand, this money isn't just for me to take alone. The people below doing the work need to take some, right? And the Prime Minister above, he needs to take some, right... With you only giving 500,000 USD, how am I supposed to get things done?"

Patten stopped pretending entirely and laid his cards on the table.

Bai Lide lowered his head even further: "Then, Your Excellency the Viceroy, what is your figure?"

Patten held up one finger: "20 million USD."

*Hiss~~~*

Bai Lide gasped sharply.

How ruthless!

Patten stood up and patted Bai Lide on the shoulder:

"Think about your Hong Kong Telecom's market value of over 100 billion HKD and annual profits of over 2 billion. What is this mere 20 million USD compared to that?"

"That Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu doesn't blink when he kills, and now he wants to deal with your Hong Kong Telecom... tsk tsk..."

"If you can't think it through, take your time. I'm going to rest."

"If you've thought it through, come find me again."

Having said that, he left the study.

Bai Lide hesitated for a moment, caught in an internal struggle.

On one hand, there was the 20 million.

On the other hand, there was the prospect of a company with a market value of over 100 billion being dismantled and losing its monopoly status.

Just as Patten was leaving the office,

Bai Lide gritted his teeth: "Your Excellency the Viceroy, please stay!"

Patten's footsteps paused, the corner of his mouth curling up.

Bai Lide: "Your Excellency the Viceroy, 20 million is not a small amount. I need to report to the UK headquarters. I hope Your Excellency can be lenient and give me one day."

Patten's face fell.

Damn it,

Where is the big-picture thinking?!

……

……

On the other side,

21:30,

A Dragonair flight from San Francisco landed at Kai Tak Airport.

Zhang Chunru dragged her suitcase, wearing no makeup, got off the plane, and made her way to the arrival hall.

She looked around.

"Over here~~ Ms. Zhang..."

She followed the voice and saw a handsome man waving a sign that read—Zhang Chunru.

She walked over quickly.

"Ms. Zhang, I've long admired you..."

"Ah? Long admired?" Zhang Chunru was stunned for a moment. She was just a student who had graduated not long ago; where would the "long admiration" come from?

"Yes, long admired~~~" Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu shook hands with Zhang Chunru, full of respect.

Everyone in this world has their own role.

And this Ms. Zhang was that kind of great woman, unique and shouldering an important historical responsibility.

Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu introduced himself: "My name is Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu, you can call me Ah Zu..."

Zhang Chunru was surprised: "Ah, you're that boss of Jie-ge's?"

Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu: "That's right."

Zhang Chunru hurriedly said: "I'm very sorry, I didn't expect you to come pick me up yourself."

Zhang Chunru felt a bit puzzled. It was unnecessary for a big boss to come pick her up personally, and she felt that the attitude of this Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu in front of her seemed a bit different.

Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu: "It's only right, it's only right."

"Let's go, let's go to the hotel first. I've already booked a hotel for Ms. Zhang."

"Thank you~~~~"

Soon,

Zhang Chunru followed Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu into a black Chevrolet.

"Is Ms. Zhang going to Jin Ling this time?"

"Yes."

"When are you going?"

"I'm going tomorrow."

"Why not stay in Hong Kong for a few more days? I can arrange for someone to take Ms. Zhang around to have a good time?"

"Thank you, no need. I want to go to Jin Ling as soon as possible."

Zhang Chunru refused.

Perhaps it was the sense of mission in her heart pushing her, making her feel a bit urgent about wanting to go to Jin Ling.

Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu looked at her with awe: "Alright... It's a pity I have a major matter to attend to recently, otherwise I could go to Jin Ling with you. I am also full of anger regarding that period of history, and I hope to contribute a part of my own strength."

Soon,

They arrived at the Shangri-La Hotel.

Because it was closest to Central Plaza, the Five Star Group's receptions were all held here.

They arranged for her to stay in an executive suite.

……

……

A new day.

Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu got up early in the morning and, after breakfast,

went downstairs.

Seeing Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu, Ding Hu quickly stuffed bread into his mouth.

"Ah Hu~"

This time, Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu didn't say in a snide way that Ding Hu had no girlfriend, but said seriously:

"I have a mission to entrust to you."

Ding Hu stood at attention: "Please speak, Boss."

Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu: "During this time, Ms. Zhang is going to Jin Ling. Her purpose is admirable, so I want to send someone to assist her..."

It wasn't that no one else could do this, but Ms. Zhang was the most successful.

Moreover, her status as a Chinese-American meant her publicity in the US would be more successful than an ordinary person's. Later, she would even publicly debate with the Japanese on television, leaving the Japanese devils speechless. In terms of the international influence of this matter, Ms. Zhang Chunru was the strongest.

Ding Hu immediately became solemn: "Understood, I will resolutely complete the mission!"

Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu came to a newsstand,

took a glance,

"Boss Lin's Heavy Bombardment! Hong Kong Telecom's Monopoly Evils Exposed"

"Tycoon Shao and Tycoon Huo Speak Out Together, Condemning Hong Kong Telecom's Eavesdropping Misdeeds"

"Hong Kong Telecom Deep in a Storm of Public Opinion, Criticized for Monopoly and Eavesdropping Chaos"

"Hong Kong Telecom's Stock Price Suffers..."

Public opinion was fermenting.

At this moment,

Gang Sheng ran over quickly, out of breath: "Zu-ge."

Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu: "Have you had breakfast?"

Gang Sheng: "I have."

"Then let's go, get in the car."

Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu bought a few newspapers and got into the car. Ah Xing was driving: "Zu-ge, where to?"

Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu: "Go to the Shangri-La Hotel first."

In the car,

Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu said to Gang Sheng: "You came from the mainland. I'll give you a mission for this period: you go to Jin Ling with Ms. Zhang, and then assist Ms. Zhang in her work in Jin Ling for a period of time."

Gang Sheng had been fed talent cards by Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu and had been cultivated for a period of time; her abilities were already enough to handle things on her own.

Moreover, Zhang Chunru was not proficient in Chinese and needed a translation assistant.

Gang Sheng nodded: "Alright."

……

At three in the afternoon,

Ms. Zhang took Gang Sheng and Ding Hu.

And Gao Jin took a team, and together they boarded the plane, flying to Jin Ling.

……

……

In the evening,

The sun was setting.

Jin Ling, Dajiaochang Airport.

This airport was one of the largest aviation bases in Chinese history. It was built in the 18th year of the Republic of China (1929) and was the best-equipped airport at the time, serving as an air force base for the Republic of China Air Force.

However, after several decades, it had gradually aged.

This year, another airport in Jin Ling—Lukou International Airport—was officially approved, and then it would be put into operation in 1997, gradually replacing this airport.

At this time,

Inside the airport, it was a busy scene, with staff members preparing for the welcome ceremony in an orderly manner.

Several leaders, along with their subordinates, protocol staff, and elementary school students, had been waiting for a long time.

One of the leaders said to the person next to him: "The ones coming this time are from the Five Star Group in Hong Kong. Everyone should be clear about the Five Star Group; it has been on CCTV News so many times. They are definitely super-rich Hong Kong businessmen. The province specifically instructed us to receive them well and absolutely not let any mistakes happen."

More than a month ago, as CCTV reporters returned to the Imperial Capital, they also brought back a large amount of video material from Hong Kong.

Although they only selected a tiny bit to report, they had already seen the tip of the iceberg of the Five Star Group.

Their assets were at least at the 100-billion level.

Not only were they rich, but they also liked to run to the mainland to do charity, investing a lot of money in Shaanxi and Sichuan.

Other provinces were drooling with envy.

With the Five Star Group coming to Jin Ling this time, were they going to invest in Jin Ling?

Just then,

A car sped over.

The leader looked at the license plate—good heavens, the provincial leader was here.

The provincial leader had originally said he couldn't make it, but he hadn't expected him to rush over after all.

The car stopped.

The provincial leader got out: "How is it, have they arrived?"

The city leader: "No, but the tower says they are close."

Soon,

The tower called to say they had reached the airspace and were preparing to land.

4 minutes later,

They saw the plane coming from afar, diving toward the airport runway, then continuously decelerating, finally turning around, entering the parking bay, and stopping at the location where everyone was.

The plane stopped.

The boarding stairs were moved over.

The cabin door opened.

The first to walk out was a handsome man in a suit.

The wind in Jin Ling was very strong.

Yet it couldn't blow the handsome man's hair.

His face was cold.

Gao Jin.

Behind Gao Jin was Zhang Chunru.

Gao Jin was purely arranged by Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu to come and help stand on the stage this time. With the government's attention and help, many things would go much more smoothly.

Otherwise, relying solely on Zhang Chunru to come over, search for information, contact scholars, contact the survivors of that year... these were all very troublesome things.

After all, at this time, Zhang Chunru hadn't written "The Thread of the Silkworm" yet and was still an ordinary Chinese-American.

"Welcome Mr. Gao to Jiangsu..."

The leaders were full of enthusiasm and quickly stepped forward to greet them.

Handshakes.

Gao Jin smiled: "Hello, leaders. It is an honor to be able to come to Jiangsu, to come to Jin Ling."

Then he introduced Zhang Chunru next to him: "This is Ms. Zhang Chunru. She is from the United States."

"Welcome Ms. Zhang to Jin Ling!" The lead leader enthusiastically reached out his hand to shake Zhang Chunru's.

Zhang Chunru was slightly stunned; she hadn't expected such a high-standard reception.

The leader continued: "Mr. Gao, Ms. Zhang, you've had a hard journey. We have already arranged a hotel for you. It is our Jin Ling's very famous East Suburb State Guest House..."

Zhang Chunru hurriedly thanked them: "Thank you, you've really gone to too much trouble."

"No trouble, no trouble, this is what we should do." The leader responded with a smile.

Subsequently, the crowd surrounded Zhang Chunru and the others, walking toward the parking lot, preparing to head to the famous East Suburb State Guest House on Purple Mountain.

Then the next day,

Gao Jin, Zhang Chunru, and others, accompanied by them, went to the "Memorial Hall for the Victims of the Massacre."

Construction of the venue began on February 20, 1985, and it was completed and opened on the 40th anniversary of the victory of the War of Resistance.

It was the only specialized museum in the East regarding the massacre and the main venue for the National Memorial Day.

Zhang Chunru watched halfway through,

beheadings, live burnings, live burials, heart-digging, dismemberment... one bloody historical fact after another made her unable to bear watching any further.

The next day, her state became very bad; her eyes were red, and she had nightmares last night.

Perhaps it was precisely because of this empathy that she could write words that touched people.

Over the next 2 days, Gao Jin accompanied her to finish watching the entire venue.

When she stepped out of the door into that ray of sunshine,

the guide said a sentence: "Don't look back, walk forward. There is light at the exit, there is the smoke and fire of the human world, there is a peaceful and prosperous country. Don't forget the road you came from; there is national suffering, there is national hatred and family enmity!"

At this moment, she finally burst into tears.

The third day,

Gao Jin officially met with officials for talks, conveying Director Director Director Guan Zu Zu's meaning: he was willing to refer to the Shaanxi model and donate 500 million in Jiangsu to build elementary schools, while simultaneously donating over 100 million to several universities.

At the same time, he solemnly proposed that he hoped the government could provide help in various aspects for Ms. Zhang Chunru's creation.

The leaders naturally agreed solemnly.

During this time of contact with Zhang Chunru, her persistence had also moved the leaders here very much. Even if the Five Star Group didn't invest, they would vigorously support Zhang Chunru's creation.

10 days later,

Gao Jin took the team and left Jin Ling by plane.

Zhang Chunru, Gang Sheng, and Ding Hu remained in Jin Ling; this stay might last three months or half a year.

With the vigorous support of the local area, perhaps her book would be born ahead of schedule.

……

That night,

In a room at the State Guest House, the desk lamp was bright.

These past few days, she had experienced insomnia, nightmares, weight loss, hair loss...

At this time, Zhang Chunru was bent over her desk writing a letter:

"

Dear Grandparents:

I have arrived in Jin Ling.

It has been less than ten days since I arrived in Jin Ling, yet I feel as if I have experienced a sorrow I will never be able to forget for the rest of my life.

I have seen many, many tragedies...

After watching every video, every testimony, I have had many nightmares...

But the more painful it is, the more a fire in the bottom of my heart burns.

This period of history should not be buried by time, and even less should it be denied and distorted.

I plan to stay in Jin Ling for at least half a year, visiting every witness who is still alive, and flipping through the sealed archives.

Perhaps the process will be difficult, but please don't worry about me. I know I am doing something worth completing with all my heart and blood..." ===== CHAPTER 691 =====