Chapter 2373: Probing

Zhou Andong couldn't be bothered to deal with this idiot Gu Bing, and walked into the dining room on his own. As soon as he entered, he saw Sister Liu had already served breakfast on the table, which looked quite rich.

Gu Bing said to Old Zhou and Yuan Liying: "Uncle, Auntie, aren't you eating?"

Yuan Liying said with a smile: "We'll eat in a while, you guys eat first!"

"Good!" Gu Bing entered the dining room, sat opposite Zhou Andong, grabbed a

"Yesterday afternoon, Tan Sheng from the factory administrative office came to me to report on work, and he also arranged a secretary for me."

Zhou Andong, unhurried and composed, picked up an egg, tapped it lightly on the table, and then began to peel the shell carefully, speaking as he peeled.

"The position of director of the administrative office is destined not to be used for our purposes. So, Tan Sheng coming to you to report on work is mostly a delaying tactic; his goal is to stabilize you and show you favor. Next, they will definitely have other moves, and the most likely one is to test you."

"Test me?" Gu Bing asked with a puzzled look: "Test what?"

Zhou Andong put the peeled egg into his mouth, took a bite, and said while chewing: "Of course, it's to test whether they can buy you off. If they can buy you off, they will definitely support you at all costs. By then, you will become a pawn they use to keep me in check."

Gu Bing stared with his clear, large eyes—which had never been polluted by wisdom—and asked: "How will they test me?"

Zhou Andong, unhurried and composed, picked up his bowl, took a sip of the steaming porridge, then picked up a piece of pickled cucumber, put it in his mouth, and chewed it with relish, the crisp sound of chewing echoing in the air. Only after swallowing what was in his mouth did he say irritably.

"Can you not ask me about everything? Can't you use your own brain?"

Gu Bing ate his deep-fried dough stick in a leisurely manner, his movements elegant and calm, giving people a feeling of being as steady as Mount Tai. Hearing Zhou Andong's words, he just smiled slightly and said unhurriedly: "If I could figure it out just by using my brain, would I still be asking you?"

Looking at Gu Bing's neither pale nor red face, and that expression of taking it for granted, Zhou Andong really wanted to spit on his face. How could there be such a shameless person in the world, taking ignorance and stupidity for granted?

Gu Bing, having received no response, tilted his head to look at Zhou Andong and let out a laugh: "Are you cursing me in your heart?"

"Eh?" Zhou Andong looked him up and down as if he didn't recognize Gu Bing: "Your IQ has grown by at least half a liang."

"If you won't say it, fine!" Gu Bing's face turned dark instantly, and he bit down hard on the dough stick: "Fine, anyway, I'm not the kind of person with a firm heart. If one day I can't resist the temptation and get bought off by them, don't blame me."

Zhou Andong sighed helplessly: "If we were mortal enemies and you wanted to buy me off, what methods would you use?"

Gu Bing thought for a moment and replied: "I would first show you some goodwill to make you lower your guard against me."

"That's right, isn't that exactly what Tan Sheng is doing?" Zhou Andong nodded and continued: "Then tell me, what would you do next?"

Gu Bing really started to think. After a while, he said slowly: "Next, I would conduct a test. And the simplest and most effective method is to find an excuse to invite you to dinner. If you accept the invitation, it means you don't have much resentment toward me."

At first, Gu Bing's speaking speed was very slow, but after saying this, his speed increased, as if his brain had suddenly opened up: "Then next, I would continue to test you by inviting you to some entertainment venues.

If you still don't refuse at this point, then I can test you further. For example, using women or money to tempt you, and finally completely corrupting you."

Zhou Andong shook his head slightly, saying with great emotion: "They say a man's potential is like a lactating woman; as long as you squeeze it, there will always be milk. Seeing it today, it really doesn't deceive me."

"Less nonsense!" Gu Bing glared at Zhou Andong and asked: "Will they really do as I said?"

Zhou Andong chuckled: "Pretty much. As long as they buy you off, they will be in an invincible position, and even have the ability to block the audit of the finances."

"Indeed, the Party committee has a total of eleven votes, and you only account for three, and that includes you." After hearing Zhou Andong's words, a smug smile appeared on Gu Bing's face: "It seems I really have to consider being bought off by them. With their support, the Woolen Mill will be run by me, Gu Bing, in the future, and you, Zhou Andong, will have to stand aside."

"Just a moment ago I said your IQ had grown by half a liang, and in such a short time, it's dropped back down."

Zhou Andong looked at Gu Bing's smug appearance and shook his head helplessly. He put down his chopsticks, picked up a napkin to wipe his mouth, and then continued unhurriedly.

"Believe it or not, after they use you to squeeze me out, they will immediately sideline you, making it so your orders can't even leave the office. By then, you will be just like you were at the Jiangzhou Winery—you won't even have a say in whether there's toilet paper in the restroom."

Gu Bing opened his mouth, wanting to retort, but in the end, he wisely closed it. Because he knew that this bastard across from him had a mouth that was too foul, so he'd better not bring humiliation upon himself.

…………………………

At the same time, Tong Yuanxi, director of the factory's Discipline Inspection and Supervision Department, had already left home early. After arriving downstairs and getting into the car, ten minutes later, the car stopped in front of a Cantonese tea restaurant.

This tea restaurant had just opened not long ago. Perhaps because its popularity wasn't high enough, or perhaps because the prices were too expensive, or perhaps the flavors didn't quite suit the preferences of the people in the capital, in short, there weren't many customers in the shop.

Tong Yuanxi walked into the restaurant, his gaze quickly scanning the room, and he soon noticed his cousin Tong Yuancheng sitting in a corner seat. This guy was Tong Huaiyu's uncle, and at this moment, he was lowering his head, eating shrimp dumplings with relish. Then, upon raising his head, he saw Tong Yuanxi, a smile appeared on his face, and he raised his hand to wave.

Tong Yuanxi walked straight toward Tong Yuancheng. Just as he reached the table, Tong Yuancheng raised his head, and their gazes met. A smile appeared on Tong Yuancheng's face, and he raised his hand to greet Tong Yuanxi.

Seeing this, Tong Yuanxi hurriedly quickened his pace, walked to the seat opposite Tong Yuancheng, and sat down, casually placing his briefcase on the chair next to him.

Tong Yuancheng smiled and said to Tong Yuanxi: "Order whatever you want to eat, my treat!"

Tong Yuanxi didn't stand on ceremony either; he called the waiter, pointed to the food already laid out on the table, and said to the waiter: "Just give me one portion of this!"

"Okay, please wait a moment!" The waiter responded with a smile and then turned and walked away quickly.

Tong Yuancheng looked at Tong Yuanxi, his eyes bloodshot and his face showing fatigue, and asked with concern: "You have red bloodshot eyes; haven't you been resting well these past few days?"

Tong Yuancheng's words were like a lit match thrown onto gasoline; with a bang, it ignited the anger in Tong Yuanxi's heart. He then took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the raging fire in his heart.

"Zhou Andong established a Supervision and Inspection Office and placed this department under the factory's Discipline Inspection and Supervision Department, but it's one department with two signs. Then, he adjusted the leadership's division of work."

Speaking of this, Tong Yuanxi's anger was already completely uncontrollable, and his voice involuntarily rose by an octave: "I am the factory Party committee, and the factory Discipline Inspection and Supervision Department is independent. What right does he have to do this?"

Tong Yuanxi's chest heaved violently, and his fists were involuntarily clenched. If it weren't for the inappropriate occasion, he probably would have started cursing loudly long ago.

"What's even more excessive is that he actually arranged a bossy mother-in-law for me!" Tong Yuanxi's voice was full of resentment and helplessness: "That Dai Weimin, an old thing who has been sitting on the bench for several years, now he's actually letting him be in charge of the Supervision Department's work!"

Tong Yuanxi's emotions became increasingly agitated, and his voice grew louder and louder, as if he wanted to release all the anger in his heart. By the end, he finally couldn't help but explode with a curse: "Fuck his mother, that dog-day Zhou Andong!"

Then, this guy continued: "There are cases in the Supervision and Inspection Office, and I can't get my hands on them at all. However, if I want to make any moves here, I must report to that old thing Dai Weimin. And no matter what the matter is, without exception, everything gets suppressed by Dai Weimin!"

Tong Yuancheng slowly picked up his bowl, carefully blew away the heat on the surface of the soup, and then took a light sip. Then, he slowly put the spoon back into the bowl, making a light clinking sound, and said in a calm tone: "Zhou Andong, good tactics."

"Zhou Andong won't be smug for much longer." Tong Yuanxi snorted angrily: "He acts perversely, audits the finances, and even wants to check back twenty years. He has offended too many people."

Speaking of this, the dark clouds on Tong Yuancheng's face dissipated, and his tone became somewhat gloating: "Some old comrades have already made arrangements, preparing to go to the factory to cause trouble. At that time, that old one from the Yin family will come to inspect the Woolen Mill, and use this as a breakthrough to dismiss Zhou Andong from his post."

Tong Yuancheng's eyes narrowed, staring tightly at Tong Yuanxi, and he pressed: "Yin Zongquan is going to enter the arena himself? Who did you hear that from?"

At this time, the waiter brought the food up, and Tong Yuanxi was hungry, so he picked up a shrimp dumpling and put it in his mouth before saying: "Shi Guoqiang said so!"

"Impossible!" Tong Yuancheng shook his head slightly: "It hasn't reached the point of life and death yet. Yin Zongquan cannot enter the arena himself. If he does that, there won't be any room for relaxation."

Tong Yuanxi sneered and retorted: "If Yin Zongquan enters the arena himself, he can beat Zhou Andong to death with one stick. Does he still need to leave any retreat?"

"How do you know Zhou Andong will be beaten to death with one stick?" Tong Yuancheng said with some dissatisfaction: "Without three-thirds of skill, how dare one go up Mount Liang? If Zhou Andong were so easily beaten to death, he would have died long ago. Could he have lived until now?"

Tong Yuanxi was obviously still a bit unconvinced and sneered: "What kind of thing is Zhou Andong? Can't Old Yin kill him if he enters the arena himself?" His words were full of disdain and contempt for Zhou Andong.

Tong Yuancheng looked at his cousin, and the expression on his face became serious: "The Yin family has already competed with Zhou Andong. Did they gain any advantage?"

Tong Yuanxi opened his mouth, wanting to say something to retort, but in the end, it was as if someone had pinched his throat, and he couldn't make a sound.

Because he had to admit that what Tong Yuancheng said was the truth. The Yin family had indeed fought a battle with Zhou Andong, but the result was that not only did the Yin family not gain any advantage, but they suffered a loss instead.

"Don't hold too much hope for the Yin family!" Tong Yuancheng said earnestly. He finished the last shrimp dumpling, put down his chopsticks, and continued: "You shouldn't make any moves for the time being, and you must keep your distance from Shi Guoqiang and Hu Dajun."

Upon hearing Tong Yuancheng's words, Tong Yuanxi couldn't help but be stunned and asked suspiciously: "You mean..."

"Wait and see!" Tong Yuancheng said calmly: "Before Zhou Andong took office, I gave Jiao Liwei six 'nots', which are: do not participate, do not interfere, do not disturb, do not help, do not make decisions, and do not speak!"

After hearing this, Tong Yuanxi frowned: "However, according to my observations and understanding over the past two days, Zhou Andong is a domineering person. In his world, things are either black or white; they are either enemies or friends. He absolutely will not allow neutral parties to exist."

Tong Yuancheng smiled: "Zhou Andong's biggest enemies right now are Shi Guoqiang and Hu Dajun. Only by eradicating them can Zhou Andong be at ease. And you have already been sidelined by Zhou Andong and pose no threat to him, so he won't move against you for the time being."

Tong Yuanxi pondered for a moment, nodded, and said: "Alright, I'll wait and see for now!"

"Hmm!" Tong Yuancheng hummed and asked: "Are there any moves from Jiao Liwei's side?"

"No!" Tong Yuanxi said while eating: "He has indeed been implementing your six 'nots'. In the two days since Zhou Andong took office, he hasn't made any moves, rarely speaks, goes to work on time, and leaves work on time."

A satisfied smile appeared on Tong Yuancheng's face: "Jiao Liwei isn't stupid, but he isn't that smart either. However, his strength lies in being obedient enough."

……………………

At the Xicheng District Branch, an old man with somewhat graying hair arrived at the gate early. Because it wasn't time for work yet, he could only stand there and smoke with his head down.

As time passed, the time for work drew closer, and the district branch became lively. As a jeep drove into the branch courtyard, the old man walked in quickly. Seeing Huang Minwei getting out of the car, he hurriedly shouted.

"Director Huang!"

Huang Minwei, who had just gotten out of the car, turned his head to look over and saw an old man trotting over: "Director Huang, my name is Ren Baolin, and I am Ren Jiazhong's father."

"Oh!" Huang Minwei reached out and shook hands with Ren Baolin: "Old leader called me last night. Come with me!"

The two entered the gate of the branch building one after the other. Huang Minwei summoned a police officer: "Little Wang, take this comrade to the detention room to see Ren Jiazhong."

Since there was no problem with Jiadai, there was no need to stop Ren Baolin, the father, from wanting to see his son, as he was worried. Besides, this wasn't a bad thing. At the very least, it could keep Jiadai inside honestly, so as to avoid causing trouble.