Chapter 833

Zhou Andong raised his head once more and looked at Zhi Wanshan: "You said it yourself, many people are currently in office, and some have even gone to the city. Even if I were to place this material on Zuo Xingqing's desk, have you ever thought about whether he would have the courage to investigate?"

Zhi Wanshan did not speak, and Zhou Andong continued: "I think you are also a smart person; you should be able to imagine that even if Zuo Xingqing had the courage to investigate, the final result would most likely be catching the small fry and letting the big fish go."

Because he must keep the situation under control within a certain scope; otherwise, it would cause a massive earthquake and trigger dissatisfaction from the higher-ups, which would only bring him harm and no benefit.

The final result would be that the matter was handled, but a huge tail was left behind. I wouldn't have gained any benefits, but instead, I would have offended a large group of people. My investment here would very likely face retaliation."

Zhi Wanshan opened his mouth to say something, but Zhou Andong waved his hand to interrupt: "Don't tell me anything. The water plant project in Zhenxing Village is Zuo Xingqing's political achievement; it's impossible for him not to care."

In this world, the people you can trust the least are politicians. I am a pure businessman, not a Comrade Lei who only speaks of dedication without seeking returns. What I should do is honestly earn money, not participate in these messy affairs and put myself in danger."

Zhi Wanshan fished out a wet cigarette from his pocket; fortunately, it had a plastic wrapper on the outside, so the inside was still relatively dry.

He silently lit one and smoked it puff by puff without saying a word. Zhou Andong once again turned his gaze to the documents.

It wasn't until Zhi Wanshan finished the cigarette that he made up his mind: "I have a medium-sized coal mine in Baorixile with an annual output of over 900,000 tons. The paperwork is complete, and I guarantee there are no problems at all. As long as you help me deliver this information to Zuo Xingqing, I will let you have the coal mine at half price."

"Sigh!"

Zhou Andong sighed: "You know better than I do what the current coal price is like. Many coal bosses have lost their shirts; even if they want to sell the coal mines in their hands, there is no one to take them over. Let alone half price, even if you gave it to me for free, I wouldn't want it."

Coal is currently eight or nine yuan a ton. Many coal bosses, in order to maintain the normal operation of their coal mines, have to borrow money everywhere and even withhold miners' wages to make ends meet.

Because they don't pay the miners' salaries, retaliatory incidents emerge one after another. Some, in order to avoid debts, don't even dare to return home for the New Year. Some coal bosses even go down into the pits to dig coal themselves to maintain the mine's operation.

Zhi Wanshan looked earnest: "Chairman Zhou, if someone else said this, I wouldn't be surprised. But since you said it, I think you are telling a joke. Because I believe in your vision; you must be able to judge that coal, as a non-renewable resource, will definitely rise in price."

Zhou Andong certainly knew that coal prices would rise, and he also knew how rich those coal bosses would be in the future. Those with tens of millions or hundreds of millions were just small bosses. There were plenty of people with net worths of over a billion or several billion.

But the rise in coal prices wouldn't happen until the second half of 2003, which was ten years away.

"I don't quite understand." Zhou Andong put the documents in his hand on his lap and looked at Zhi Wanshan, "This matter happened almost ten years ago. Even if you have hatred in your heart, you have to think about your own family. Why gamble everything you have now and insist on hitting a stone with an egg?"

Zhi Wanshan gave a miserable smile: "Because my brother-in-law and my nephew were both arrested by them; one was sentenced to death with a reprieve, and the other was sentenced to life imprisonment. If I don't take them down, my brother-in-law and nephew will never see the light of day again."

Zhou Andong was silent for a moment: "If I promise you to deliver the things to Zuo Xingqing, but the final result is not satisfactory, I can just walk away, but what about you?"

"I have already sent my family to Harbin!" Zhi Wanshan was very calm; it was clear he had already found a way out, "If you don't take over the coal mine, I will dispose of it and then go to the Middle East."

"Go to the Middle East?" Zhou Andong was taken aback.

"Yes!" Zhi Wanshan said: "A friend of mine is doing oil business over there. I'll go over and take a look; I should be able to find an opportunity."

Zhou Andong's heart stirred, and he stood up and paced back and forth. He had no interest in coal, but he couldn't resist the temptation of oil.

Although Zhi Wanshan's words sounded a bit like a child's play, is oil something you can just get into if you want to?

But just as Yuan Zhe said, if you have a dream, you have to try it. Lying on the kang, it's impossible to eat a meat pie.

Moreover, anyone who dares to open a mine in this era is definitely a ruthless person. Zhi Wanshan wore nearsighted glasses and looked a bit scholarly.

But since he dared to say he would go to the Middle East to find opportunities, he might as well get involved and try his luck. If it doesn't work out in the end, it's just losing some money.

Thinking of this, Zhou Andong stopped his steps and looked down at Zhi Wanshan: "I can promise you to handle this matter, but there is one condition."

Zhi Wanshan's spirit lifted, "No matter what the condition is, I will agree."

Zhou Andong said in a deep voice: "I will send someone to go to the Middle East with you. If we can really find an oil well and get the mining rights, we will cooperate."

Zhi Wanshan's eyes lit up immediately. In fact, he didn't have much capital in his hands, and going to the Middle East was also out of desperation.

Now that Zhou Andong wanted to participate, he would have strong capital behind him as a backing. Going to the Middle East would not be trying his luck, but truly seeking investment.

"Okay!" Zhi Wanshan agreed without hesitation, and then asked unwillingly: "Are you really not interested in the coal mine? My mine is an open-pit mine, and the mining cost is very low. Moreover, the heat value is high, and the price is two or three yuan higher than ordinary coal."

Zhou Andong pondered for a moment. If it was really an open-pit mine as Zhi Wanshan said, and the coal had high heat value, then taking down this mine would be fine.

At worst, he would just hire a few people to maintain the operation of the coal mine. When the coal price rises, a medium-sized coal mine with good coal quality and low mining costs would have an annual net profit of at least three or four hundred million.

Then he thought of Su Su. Since they were destined to be father and daughter in this life, he had to prepare a dowry. After all, Xiao Qin and Lao Si both had one; his daughter couldn't be without one.

"Alright!" Zhou Andong said somewhat reluctantly: "Since you insist on selling it to me, then I will take it over. Tell me, how much money?"

Zhi Wanshan breathed a sigh of relief secretly. To tell the truth, his mine could be worth four or five hundred thousand at a normal price, but in the current situation, no one would want it even for forty or fifty thousand.

"Two hundred thousand!"

Zhou Andong shook his head and said: "I don't know the current price of coal mines, but your asking price is definitely high."

Zhi Wanshan gave a bitter smile: "Chairman Zhou, this price is really half price."

Zhou Andong waved his hand: "One hundred and fifty thousand!"

Zhi Wanshan stared with wide eyes, gritting his teeth, as if he wanted to eat Zhou Andong: "Chairman Zhou, you don't have any sincerity at all."

Zhou Andong smiled: "Even if your mine is worth one million, but right now, can you sell it for fifty thousand? Besides, I'm giving you one hundred and fifty thousand, which is already generous enough."