Chapter 2719: Zhao Chengdong

The area around Caishikou South Line had become a huge construction site, right near the overpass in Rufu Li, with many blue bricks and blue tiles stacked there, along with timber and old furniture. Looking out, it covered a large area, but the placement was not messy; it looked very orderly.

Around these blue bricks, blue tiles, timber, and old furniture, there were forty or fifty people wearing Jin Dun security uniforms, holding rubber batons, patrolling back and forth.

Not far from these security personnel, a cordon had been set up, and outside the cordon there was another group of people, whose number appeared to be about double that of the Jin Dun security. They all held steel pipes, wore safety helmets, and looked very arrogant.

But despite their numerical advantage, not one of them dared to step over the line, cross that cordon. They could only stand outside the cordon, pointing with the steel pipes in their hands, occasionally cursing.

Zhou Andong's car was parked not far away; he rolled down the window, lit a cigarette, and silently watched.

After about half an hour or so, as the time approached nine o'clock, a black Santana appeared.

Before the black Santana had even come to a stop, in the crowd outside the cordon, a youth holding a big brother phone ran over quickly.

When the Santana stopped, the youth immediately stepped forward and opened the car door. Then came out a middle-aged man with a big belly, about fifty years old.

Zhou Andong narrowed his eyes; he didn't need to ask—this middle-aged man was probably Zhao Chengdong of the District Construction Bureau. As soon as he got out of the car, he turned his head and looked over.

"Wentian!" Zhou Andong said softly: "Drive the car over."

Wang Wentian started the car, slowly drove it over, then stopped beside the Santana. Zhou Andong opened the car door and got out. Immediately, Yushao, Liankai, and Shen Weiming walked over and stood behind Zhou Andong.

"You must be Director Zhao Chengdong of the Urban Construction Bureau, right?" Zhou Andong sized up Zhao Chengdong, smiled, and extended his hand: "Hello, I'm Zhou Andong, the factory manager of the woolen mill."

As soon as Zhou Andong got out of the car, Zhao Chengdong recognized him. He had guessed that the Gonggong Group would send someone today, but Zhou Andong coming in person surprised him greatly.

"Director Zhou, I've long admired your name!" Zhao Chengdong shook Zhou Andong's hand with a false smile, pretending not to know the answer as he said: "This construction site is full of flying dust—Director Zhou, why would you come to a place like this?"

Zhou Andong said with a smile on his face: "I came to look at these removed blue bricks."

"Oh!" Zhao Chengdong exclaimed, then slapped his forehead, his face showing sudden realization: "Look at my memory—these former residences of celebrities and ancient buildings are being demolished with funding from the Gonggong Group, so it's only natural you'd come to see them."

After saying that, this guy extended both hands, grabbed Zhou Andong's hand, and shook it, while enthusiastically continuing: "Director Zhou, here I must solemnly represent our district government in expressing our heartfelt thanks to you.

Although these blue brick and tile fragments aren't valuable in monetary terms, their historical significance and cultural connotations are something we cannot ignore. Because these blue brick and tile fragments all come from celebrity former residences and ancient buildings, they have undergone the washing and sedimentation of long ages.

Every piece of blue brick, every piece of gray tile, is a witness to history. Every texture, every mark, bears the imprint of time. They have witnessed countless changes in wind and rain, seen the rise and fall, honor and disgrace of the eras.

These blue bricks and tiles are not merely material objects; they are also a symbol of spirit. They carry the weight of our historical heritage, passing down the splendid civilization of our Chinese nation for thousands of years..."

Zhao Chengdong rambled on with a smug tone, meaning: We thank you for spending money and effort to demolish these buildings and protect the blue bricks and tiles. But this is national cultural relics, not your personal property—you cannot take them away.

Zhou Andong smiled, his smile looking very radiant: "Director Zhao, what you say is not wrong at all. These blue bricks and tiles have witnessed the rise and fall, honor and disgrace of the eras, carrying the weight of our historical heritage. But our Gonggong Group, having paid for the demolition and reconstruction elsewhere, has signed a contract..."

"Contract?" Zhao Chengdong dropped the act, firmly waving his hand to interrupt Zhou Andong: "I haven't seen any contract. If your Gonggong Group signed a contract with someone, go find that person. The notice I received is that these precious cultural relics belong to the state—no one can privately take them away."

Zhou Andong sized up Zhao Guodong—this guy couldn't possibly not know his connections with the city. Since he knows his connections with the city yet still stands here disgusting him, he must either be an idiot or have someone behind him pulling the strings. And that person's background must be very deep—at least able to withstand pressure from the city and protect him.

Zhou Andong immediately thought of the Yin family—only the Yin family could give Zhao Guodong such confidence, such boldness to stand here and disgust him.

A smile crept onto Zhou Andong's face, and before he could even speak, he saw five cars speeding toward him from not far away, kicking up dust all over the sky.

In just over ten seconds, the five cars, trailing dust, stopped beside Zhou Andong. Then the car doors flew open one after another, and fifteen or sixteen people got out.

Zhou Andong took a look—several were familiar faces, especially Seeing Tong Huaiyu, who got out of the leading Crown, someone he knew extremely well.

Since the side grain market was liberalized, Seeing Tong Huaiyu had disappeared without a trace. Zhou Andong had almost forgotten this piece of trash, never expecting to see him here today.

Looking at these guys, each holding a big brother phone, with bulging briefcases tucked under their arms, it was clear they had made plenty of money.

At this moment, Zhou Andong realized: Zhao Guodong's backer is Seeing Tong Huaiyu. As for the Yin family, they probably also participated—could the Tong and Yin families have started cooperating?

Zhou Andong's mind raced quickly, and he soon dismissed this idea. The Yin family has always been under his thumb, rubbing his head—Tong Zheng that old fox would absolutely never do something like sending charcoal in the snow.

Even if the Tong family also wanted to flay him and extract his tendons, in this situation, sitting back and reaping the benefits would be the best choice. There's absolutely no need to get involved—gains would be minimal, and it might instead leave them covered in filth.

Unless the Yin family could pay the price to move that old fox Tong Zheng—just how likely is that? Yin Quanrong, that old thing, is also sly and sly. Losing control of the woolen mill, losing several people— for the Yin family, that's indeed a significant loss.

But this can only be said as the meat hurting a bit—it hasn't reached the point of life or death, so it's absolutely impossible for them to offer huge benefits to seek cooperation with the Tong family. Therefore, Seeing Tong Huaiyu appearing here must be his own private decision.

Thinking this, Zhou Andong looked at Seeing Tong Huaiyu's face and a hint of a smile appeared: "Young Master Tong, does your old father know you're here?"