Chapter 56

The conference room suddenly fell silent, followed by the scraping of chairs against the floor, a grating, incessant noise.

No one paid any attention to Zhou Andong anymore; Gao Qingkui strode out, Zhang Deyou followed with arms crossed, then Qu Hongqi, and soon everyone was gone except Gu Bing, Qian Zhen, Jian Qiu, and Yan Guohai.

Yan Guohai wore a look of deep worry—he had thought good days were coming, but now realized the crisis had only just begun, especially since Gao Qingkui hadn’t even glanced at him, and Zhang Deyou’s icy gaze made him feel like he was sitting on needles.

“Secretary, what do we do now?”

“Don’t look so gloomy,” Gu Bing said. “Soldiers come, we meet them with soldiers; water comes, we block it with earth. What’s there to fear?”

Qian Zhen stood up: “The leadership is inspecting—let’s go see for ourselves.”

Jian Qiu and Qian Zhen exchanged a knowing glance: “Yeah, I think we should go take a look.”

From afar, Gao Qingkui called out: “Leader, why didn’t you notify us in advance? We could’ve made preparations.”

Zuo Peiming replied coolly: “I just came to take a look. What’s there to prepare?”

Gao Qingkui sensed Zuo Peiming’s coldness toward him—it was nothing like before, and his heart sank into turmoil.

“Leader, why not sit in the conference room for a moment and give us a few words?”

Zuo Peiming said: “Nothing to say. Let’s go see the workshop first.”

Gao Qingkui’s body stiffened suddenly: “Production has stopped.”

“Stopped?” Zuo Peiming frowned. “Jiangzhou Yugong Wine was booming—why has production stopped?”

Zhang Deyou’s heart leapt—he sensed an opportunity: “Leader, even if you hadn’t asked, I was planning to report this to you.”

Zuo Peiming’s brow furrowed deeper: “Speak.”

Zhang Deyou wore an expression of deep regret: “For the past two days, the Sales and Supply Department’s phones have been ringing nonstop—everyone wants to order Yugong Wine. But Secretary Gu has been holding back sales, claiming insufficient inventory. That’s pure nonsense—there are eighty tons stored in the warehouse. If we opened the floodgates, production could resume tomorrow.”

Gao Qingkui sighed: “This reform was led by Comrade Gu Bing—we can’t easily interfere. All factory workers are eager to resume work, but with eighty tons of wine sitting idle in storage, we can’t restart. Frankly, I don’t understand it either.”

The two of them played their parts in perfect tandem, beginning to smear Gu Bing.

Zuo Peiming looked up at the crowd: “Where is Comrade Gu Bing?”

“Leader, I’m here!” Gu Bing called from behind the crowd.

The crowd parted, allowing Gu Bing, Jian Qiu, and Qian Zhen to step forward; Yan Guohai lacked the courage to approach and stayed hidden at the back.

Seeing Gu Bing, Zuo Peiming smiled and extended his hand: “I have two reasons for coming: first, to inspect the brewery’s production; second, to meet you and Comrade Zhou Andong.”

Upon hearing Zuo Peiming mention Zhou Andong, everyone’s expressions changed—especially Gao Qingkui, Zhang Deyou, and Qu Hongqi, who felt a chill race from their spines to their skulls.

Qu Hongqi glanced at Gao Qingkui and Zhang Deyou, quietly stepped back a few paces, then turned and ran.

Gu Bing shook Zuo Peiming’s hand: “Leader, let me explain the issues with Director Gao and Deputy Director Zhang. The wine isn’t being sold—it’s a strategic decision for product positioning and future marketing.”

“Positioning and marketing?” Zuo Peiming’s interest stirred. “Tell me more.”

Gu Bing smiled: “This plan was devised by Comrade Zhou Andong. He only gave me a brief outline—the full details must come from him personally.”

Jian Qiu’s lips curled slightly—Gu Bing had finally shown some wisdom, learning to use others’ strength to his advantage.

Zuo Peiming scanned the crowd: “Where is Comrade Zhou Andong?”

Gu Bing said: “Zhou Andong isn’t here—he made a mistake and was arrested by the Security Department. At today’s all-staff meeting, Director Gao convened a vote by show of hands and expelled Zhou Andong. He’s scheduled to be handed over to judicial authorities.”

Gao Qingkui and Zhang Deyou’s vision darkened—they nearly fainted, forcing themselves to stand straight, only to feel Zuo Peiming’s icy gaze fixed upon them.

“What crime did he commit? So severe that he’s not only being expelled but handed over to judicial authorities?”

“It’s extremely serious,” Gu Bing said with grave expression. “This morning, at the factory gate, Zhou Andong beat up several hooligans. Security Department Head Qu Hongqi was furious and demanded severe punishment for Zhou Andong.”

“Most factory cadres also believe that Zhou Andong’s gang fight at the factory gate disrupted social harmony and stability, bringing grave negative influence to our factory. So all agreed to expel this rotten apple, to provide workers with a clean, safe living and working environment.”

“Nonsense!” Zuo Peiming exploded, his face dark with rage as he glared around. Everyone lowered their heads in terror—especially Liu Zhiguang, who nearly wet himself, bending over and keeping his gaze down, terrified Zuo Peiming would notice him.

“Gao Qingkui, you’re a veteran cadre, a long-standing Party member, a former factory director, respected and venerable—you’re about to retire. I’ve repeatedly spared your face, yet this is how you repay my trust?”

Gao Qingkui’s face turned ashen, beads of sweat breaking out on his forehead. Zhang Deyou’s throat bobbed as he subtly shuffled his feet backward, as if that could make Zuo Peiming overlook him.

“This is outrageous!” Zuo Peiming was furious. “You’re expelling him over beating a few hooligans? What’s your real intention?”

The room fell utterly silent. Gu Bing was about to speak when Jian Qiu pinched him hard, forcing the words back down.

Zuo Peiming let out a heavy, icy snort: “Comrade Gu Bing, take me to see Zhou Andong.”

Qu Hongqi rushed back to the Security Department and saw Zhou Andong handcuffed. He snapped: “Who ordered these handcuffs?”

A guard replied, defensive: “I was afraid he’d run, so I put the cuffs on.”

“Take them off,” Qu Hongqi said, not dwelling on it, then turned to Zhou Andong: “You’re free to go.”

Zhou Andong blinked, a wry smile tugging at his lips—let him go? They were letting him go? But Qu Hongqi didn’t look like he’d lost his mind—something must have happened, something about him, which was why this man was so eager to release him.

“Hey? What are you doing?” Zhou Andong raised his hands, dodging the guard trying to unlock the cuffs. “Is this Security Department your family’s private business? You control me when you want, cuff me when you want, unlock me when you want, let me go when you want? Do you think I’m clay—mold me round, flatten me flat, however you please?”

Watching Zhou Andong lounging there lazily, Qu Hongqi’s eye twitched violently—he was terrified. He knew full well what had happened today; if this were investigated, his position as department head would be over.

“We’ve investigated. Those thugs provoked you—you were acting in self-defense.”

“No, no, no!” Zhou Andong shook his head vigorously. “Zhang Xingfei was innocent—I beat him, so I must face legal consequences. A true man owns his actions—I won’t run away.”