Chapter 2774

With the ammunition depot silk manuscript, Zhou Andong wasn't very interested in other things anymore. He just took a quick look. But since they were all good items and the quantity was large, the total price exceeded ten million, not even counting the ammunition depot silk manuscript.

This was the highest single transaction amount he had ever had since collecting antiques, but also the most precious and valuable one, all these old-timers' treasures kept at the bottom of their chests.

Zhou Andong wrote a check and handed it to Old Cricket, they took the money and went to split it themselves. Then, he invited a few old gentlemen to the restaurant, and Wang Wentian brought in a box of tribute wine.

Soon after, Wang Xiaocui, who had already become the true head steward of the Zhou mansion, also entered the restaurant, with seven women following behind her.

"Chairman!" Wang Xiaocui introduced: "This is the head chef, Yan Chanying."

Zhou Andong sized her up—Yan Chanying wore a white chef's uniform, a white hat, her hair tied up, looking neat and tidy. Moreover, her skin was very fair, probably due to her profession—shielded from wind and sun—making her look much younger than her actual age.

"Big Sister Yan, welcome." Zhou Andong shook hands with Yan Chanying: "From now on, our kitchen is entrusted to you. If you have any requests, just tell Xiaocui, or come directly to me."

Yan Chanying said respectfully: "Chairman Zhou, thank you for your trust—I will surely pass this kitchen test."

"Chairman!" Wang Xiaocui introduced another girl, about twenty-two or twenty-three: "This is the pastry chef, Jin Yunqiao."

Jin Yunqiao was plump but not bloated, not particularly tall, with a small round face, but her features were well-proportioned, making her look quite pretty.

Zhou Andong shook hands with Jin Yunqiao again: "Comrade Jin Yunqiao, welcome."

Jin Yunqiao looked a bit nervous: "Chairman Zhou, hello!"

Then Wang Xiaocui introduced another five people, two of whom were Jin Yunqiao's apprentices. The other three: one was Yan Chanying's assistant chef, two were knife specialists. After all, with over a hundred people in the household, preparing three meals a day is no small task—too few people simply won't do.

Zhou Andong said with a smile: "It's so late already—still troubling you all. Hope it didn't affect your rest?"

"No!" Yan Chanying said: "At the State Guesthouse, we also knock off at ten o'clock."

"We've already finished our meal." Zhou Andong instructed: "Just want to have a few drinks, casually prepare a few dishes—nothing fancy."

Jin Yunqiao asked: "Chairman, what should we have for staple food?"

"You decide." Zhou Andong said with a smile: "Just make less."

"Got it!" Jin Yunqiao replied.

While waiting, Zhou Andong brought up the topic of tomb raiding again.

At the same time, in the Municipal Committee's family compound, Zhang Qinghe and Jiao Lwei—this father-in-law and son-in-law pair—had just finished dinner, then proceeded to the study.

Jiao Lwei's wife was Zhang Zhuo, very beautiful—whether figure or face, she was top-notch. Especially wearing straight-leg trousers on the bottom and a lady's small suit on top, she had the aura of a domineering female CEO from later times.

Zhang Zhuo also followed into the study, first pouring tea for the two, then sitting beside Jiao Lwei. During this period, her husband's days haven't been easy, so she also wanted to learn more.

Zhang Qinghe lifted his teacup, blew away the floating tea leaves, then set it down: "Lwei, you went to see Zhou Andong today—what did he say?"

Jiao Lwei's expression wasn't good, he recounted his talk with Zhou Andong: "It was very brief, he even let me take the tea leaves back, he gave me not a shred of face."

"What face do you have in front of Zhou Andong?" Zhang Qinghe chuckled: "Don't say it's you—even I, in front of Zhou Andong, might not have any face either."

"Is Zhou Andong really that arrogant?" Zhang Zhuo frowned: "Not even giving you face?"

"This isn't arrogance—it's confidence." Zhang Qinghe said solemnly: "If I could secure the position of full-time deputy secretary this time, I'd definitely have some face with Zhou Andong, but the three words 'secretary general' still lack weight in his eyes."

Zhang Zhuo pouted: "If it really doesn't work out, just transfer Lwei away from the woolen mill—why hang yourself on one tree?"

"You don't understand!" Zhang Qinghe shook his head: "Lwei's credentials are too shallow, he hasn't made any dazzling political achievements yet—he can only be sidelined, and even then, only to some peripheral posts."

"If he stays in the woolen mill, with Zhou Andong's ability, the mill's reform will definitely succeed. As long as he stays on board, once the mill bears fruit, Lwei can be transferred later and land a good position."

Zhang Zhuo complained: "But can we really let Lwei keep enduring Zhou Andong's attitude?"

Zhang Qinghe turned to Jiao Lwei: "Zhou Andong just had you bring back the tea leaves—didn't say anything else, did he?"

Jiao Lwei shook his head, speaking bluntly: "No!"

"Impossible!" Zhang Qinghe muttered: "Tell me his exact words."

"Exact words?" Jiao Lwei thought: "He said give the tea leaves to your father-in-law to take back—only good tea shows its value in his hands."

Zhang Qinghe looked at Jiao Lwei's helpless sigh, himself thinking this son-in-law has ability and a quick mind, but lacks political sensitivity—only able to stand firm in the woolen mill when facing fools like Shi Guoqiang and Hu Damu. Now facing Zhou Andong, that little cleverness of his isn't enough.

"Lwei, haven't you figured out the meaning behind Zhou Andong's words yet?"

Jiao Lwei startled, hearing his father-in-law's words, only then realized Zhou Andong's speech had hidden meaning. After pondering carefully, he gradually came to understand.

"He thinks I lack weight, wants to talk to you instead."

"Not bad, not completely clueless." Zhang Qinghe finally smiled: "Only, he doesn't think you lack weight—he thinks you have zero value to him, not qualified to sit at the same table and eat with him."

Upon hearing this, Jiao Lwei's face turned instantly ashen. Saying he lacks weight is still acceptable. But saying he has no value? That's an insult, calling him trash—because only trash has no value.

Seeing Jiao Lwei's ashen face, Zhang Qinghe laughed: "What, hurt your pride?"

Jiao Lwei said nothing, Zhang Qinghe chuckled again: "You don't need to hurt your pride—at least in Zhou Andong's eyes, you're better than Shi Guoqiang and Hu Damu. Otherwise, he'd just make you take the tea leaves back and never say tea only shows its value in his hands."

Jiao Lwei took a deep breath: "Dad, do you know what Zhou Andong wants to talk to you about?"

Zhang Qinghe lifted his teacup—the tea had turned pale yellow—he took a light sip: "He wants to talk to me about only two things: one, support the woolen mill reform; two, preserve Sun Baocun. But no matter which, the price I'd have to pay won't be small."

Jiao Lwei looked puzzled: "I can understand him asking you to move against Sun Baocun, but supporting the woolen mill reform? The municipal government is pushing it, and the reform plan has already reached consensus in the Standing Committee—what more support do you need?"