Chapter 104: Assuming Responsibility for the Merger and Restructuring

At the Jinli County Distillery, hundreds of employees gathered at the factory gate early in the morning, lined up in two rows, each holding small colored flags, with two others holding banners that read: Welcome Municipal Leadership to Inspect and Guide the Distillery!

County Magistrate Kang Yu kept glancing at his wristwatch; last night he received a call from the city, informing him that Deputy Mayor Zuo was coming to inspect the county distillery, which left him deeply puzzled.

Although the county distillery had not ceased production, all the liquor it made was consumed by local enterprises and institutions, in small quantities sufficient only to keep the factory running, supplemented by county fiscal subsidies, barely enough to feed the hundreds of employees.

Zuo Peiming was fully aware of this situation—there was absolutely no need for him to come here for an inspection, as there was nothing worth seeing. Yet Zuo Peiming insisted on coming down, and even formally notified him in advance, proving he had a specific purpose.

So after receiving the call, his heart grew uneasy; he made a round of calls to inquire, and finally picked up a whisper: Jiangzhou Distillery planned to merge and restructure the county distillery.

Although the source was uncertain whether the rumor was accurate, Kang Yu guessed it was almost certainly true. Otherwise, Zuo Peiming would never have made such a grand fuss—and another point: Jiangzhou Yugong Liquor was selling like wildfire, and the city distillery’s production simply couldn’t keep up.

He then called Factory Director Du Xiangchun, instructing him to gather all idle employees after lunch for a major cleanup, followed by making colored flags and banners, working until late into the night.

Kang Yu also went to Secretary Lian Zhongyu’s home and explained the situation: Jiangzhou Distillery’s merger and restructuring of the county distillery was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for them.

They had long wanted to shed this heavy burden to ease the county’s fiscal strain—but while getting rid of the burden was desirable, they would not give up any rightful benefits.

“They’re here!” said Kang Yu’s secretary, Wang Qin.

An Audi 100 pulled up, followed by a Jetta; Deputy Factory Director Feng Ermin waved his hand and shouted: “Light the firecrackers!”

“Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop!…”

Dust rose everywhere; the two cars arrived nearby. Inside, Zuo Peiming frowned—he clearly disapproved of the spectacle—but once the firecrackers finished and the dust settled, he concealed his displeasure perfectly and smiled as he prepared to step out.

Sitting beside him, Zhou Andong marveled: What an actor! He could switch emotions at will—no less skilled than seasoned performers in the entertainment industry.

As soon as Zuo Peiming stepped out, a crowd surged around him. No one noticed that someone else was still in the car.

Zhou Andong got out the other side of the car but couldn’t push his way through; a middle-aged man as fat as a pig shoved him aside, angrily saying:

“What are you pushing for? Which workshop are you from? Why aren’t you wearing your work uniform?”

Zhou Andong was about to explain, but the man snorted: “Go do your job. Is this a scene you’re allowed to crash? Don’t you see even I, head of Production Section, can only stand at the very back?”

Zhou Andong rubbed his nose: “I’m not an employee of this factory.”

“If you’re not from this factory, why are you here?” The man’s face darkened; he pointed at Zhou Andong’s nose, ready to yell—when Zuo Peiming called out:

“Where is he? Zhou Andong?”

Then the man saw the young man he’d just scolded raise his hand: “Here!”

Zuo Peiming said: “Why are you hiding back there? Come over quickly.”

The fat man froze in place, still pointing at Zhou Andong, his face shifting from dark to crimson, then instantly pale.

“Zhao Ke, what’s wrong?” A young man noticed Zhao Jinlai looked off and asked with concern.

Zhao Jinlai suddenly felt a wave of panic; though it was winter, sweat broke out on his forehead.

“N-nothing… just a sudden twinge in my lower back.”

The young man said obsequiously: “Let me help you back to the office to rest.”

“No!” Having offended some powerful unknown figure, even if his back wasn’t hurt, he dared not go back.

Zuo Peiming said to Kang Yu: “Have someone give a detailed account of the distillery’s situation—no embellishments, just the truth.”

From Zuo Peiming’s words, Kang Yu was now certain: the city distillery’s merger and restructuring of the county distillery was absolutely real.

“Director Du, you explain.”

Du Xiangchun nodded; he sensed something was off and dared not exaggerate a single detail.

After over an hour touring each workshop, Zhou Andong gained a deeper understanding of the county distillery.

Then they entered the conference room; besides Zuo Peiming, Zhou Andong, and Kang Yu, only Factory Director Du Chun and two deputy directors, Gu Cheng’an and Qu Wenjiang, attended.

Zuo Peiming lit a cigarette, then pushed the pack toward Zhou Andong.

Kang Yu and the others exchanged glances; they had been guessing Zhou Andong’s identity. After observing him for over an hour, they realized Zuo Peiming treated this young man with great respect—whenever he had a question, he asked Zhou Andong’s opinion. And Zhou Andong’s insights, though often unexpected, always struck straight to the heart, leaving them astonished.

Zuo Peiming took a drag, then looked at Kang Yu: “Do you know why I came down?”

Kang Yu smiled: “I know a little, but I’m not sure.”

Zuo Peiming smiled too: “The little you know is the truth—Jiangzhou Distillery will merge and restructure the county distillery. And Comrade Zhou Andong is the person in charge of this merger and restructuring.”

Zuo Peiming’s words shocked not just Kang Yu and the others—even Zhou Andong couldn’t believe his ears. This wasn’t a private company acquisition; you couldn’t just pick a capable person to handle it.

This was a state-owned enterprise. Such a critical task required the city to lead, forming a working group, with the group leader appointed by relevant departments. How could they assign this to me—a lowly distillery worker? Even if they had to pick someone, it should’ve been a leader from Jiangzhou Distillery.

Zuo Peiming offered no explanation—some things weren’t ready to be made public. He brought Zhou Andong here to give him a head start, so there’d be no last-minute panic or delays.

Zuo Peiming looked at Zhou Andong: “Speak.”

“Huh?” Zhou Andong looked bewildered. What am I supposed to say?

Perfect—that’s exactly how a young man should act. Zuo Peiming smiled; sometimes he felt Zhou Andong was too mature, nothing like a twenty-something.

“Since you’re in charge, you’ll handle the negotiations.”

Zhou Andong hadn’t expected Zuo Peiming to force him into this—but now that he was in, he had no choice but to push forward.

“We already understand the county distillery’s situation. Now tell us your demands.”