Chapter 488: Spreading Rumors and Making Trouble

"This matter is also related to the demolition compensation funds..."

Cai Chenggong explained the ins and outs of the matter, then looked at Hou Liangping with an earnest expression.

Hou Liangping was speechless after hearing this; who could he blame for his own poor management? But seeing his childhood friend's pitiful look, he couldn't bear it.

"In the final analysis, this is your fault. If anyone can suppress those old workers, it can only be Chen Lao."

"That's right, how could I have forgotten Chen Lao? Thank you, Liangping, I'll go to Chen Lao's place to seek some advice."

After saying this, Cai Chenggong didn't wait for Hou Liangping's reply and rushed off to the nursing home, only to find Zheng Xipo there as well.

"Chen Lao, I've come to see you. Zheng, you're here too."

"Factory Director Cai, give me the bottom line: is the demolition compensation fund really only the amount shown on the books?"

Because his eyelid kept twitching, Zheng Xipo had come to find Chen Yanshi to understand the specific situation of the demolition funds, but who would have thought Cai Chenggong would also show up.

"Zheng, didn't I already tell you, that money..."

"Don't give me that routine. Chen Lao is just about to call Municipal Party Secretary Li Dakang to ask, you sit down and listen too."

"Little Cai, Zheng, what exactly is going on here?"

"Sigh, Chen Lao, this matter is actually..." Seeing that he couldn't hide it any longer, Cai Chenggong had no choice but to confess everything.

"What? You say there is less than 200 million in demolition compensation funds left?"

"It's over, it's all over," Zheng Xipo kept muttering to himself.

"Chen Lao, I didn't know there were so many external debts either! Even Shanshui Group took away nearly 100 million."

"What? Didn't Shanshui Group go bankrupt? Why are they involved in this? No, I must ask Li Dakang."

In his office, Li Dakang looked at the Dafeng Factory issue that had finally been resolved and let out a long sigh of relief. Just as he wanted to rest, his phone rang. Seeing it was Chen Yanshi's number, he frowned, but still answered it.

"Hey, Chen Lao, haven't you rested yet?"

"Li Dakang, I'm asking you, what is going on with the Dafeng Factory demolition compensation funds? Settling other normal supply payments is one thing, but why is Shanshui Group involved?"

"You are no longer Zhao Lichun's Secretary; you are the Municipal Party Secretary of Jingzhou. If you can't handle this, I'll have Little Jin talk to you."

"Chen Lao, Dafeng Factory also owed Shanshui Group for goods; there were some issues before because of the share mortgage."

"Now that the shares have been returned to Dafeng Factory, the money they owe Shanshui Group should be repaid."

"But with such a small amount of demolition compensation, what are the workers at Dafeng Factory supposed to do?"

"Chen Lao, they are all workers and all need to support their families. We can't just prioritize Dafeng Factory alone."

"You just said I am the Jingzhou Municipal Party Secretary; I have to consider things for Jingzhou. Besides, compared to when you reformed it, these shares have increased in value a thousandfold. Isn't that enough?"

"The problem with Dafeng Factory is ultimately caused by poor management. No one has taken advantage of Dafeng Factory at all."

Li Dakang was also a bit annoyed by what Chen Yanshi said. What did he mean by "not Zhao Lichun's Secretary"? Li Dakang asked himself that since he entered politics, he had never once failed the people, nor had he ever engaged in favoritism.

For Chen Yanshi to say such a thing was simply an insult to him. If it weren't out of respect for Qi Tongwei and Sha Ruijin, he would have hung up the phone long ago. Explain? Do I need to explain myself to an old man like you?

"..."

Li Dakang's words directly stopped Chen Yanshi's mouth. Yes, they were all workers; why should Dafeng Factory be given special treatment?

Moreover, as Li Dakang said, the shares from back then had increased so much, it wasn't a loss. What else was there to be dissatisfied about?

"You all heard it too. Little Cai, organize all your debts and give me a list. I'll help you make one last effort, but don't hold your hopes too high."

In the end, Chen Yanshi couldn't let go of his pride, and he had feelings for Dafeng Factory. The gap between nearly one billion and less than 200 million was something those old workers definitely couldn't accept.

"Hey, hey, okay, Chen Lao, I've troubled you."

"It's the only thing this old bag of bones is still good for," Chen Yanshi said, waving his hand.

Cai Chenggong and Zheng Xipo said their goodbyes and left. On the way, Cai Chenggong was still urging him:

"Zheng, we've worked together for so many years; you know what kind of person I am. Tomorrow you must help me cover the lie; don't let anything slip."

You have to know that Zheng Xipo had already planned to buy a house for his son to get married, but now, he could only pin all his hopes on Chen Yanshi.

"I'm not feeling well, I won't go tomorrow."

"..."

Zheng Xipo's mind was filled with the fact that the money was gone. He didn't even know how he got home. His Huangmao son, Zheng Shengli, saw his father's state was off and couldn't help but ask:

"What's wrong, Dad? We're about to become millionaires, and you're still not happy? When the time comes, I'll get you a daughter-in-law, and next year I'll give you a grandson. Just be content."

Zheng Xipo didn't pay him any mind, as if he hadn't heard him, his soul wandering outside his body.

"Dad?"

"Dad!"

Seeing his father didn't react, Huangmao couldn't help but raise his volume, which gave Zheng Xipo a fright.

"Ah, what's wrong?"

"What are you thinking about?"

"Nothing, nothing."

"Did something happen at the factory again? Why don't I spread the word on the internet for you? This time I'll charge you cost price, 200 yuan, how about it?"

"Go, go, go," Zheng Xipo was annoyed now, he had no energy to joke around with his son.

"Dad, nothing really happened at the factory, right? Don't scare me. Baobao and I have already picked out a house."

"No, say something! Didn't Chen Lao already resolve the matter? Why is there another change?"

"Son, our family's money has shrunk. Currently, the government has only given less than 200 million in demolition compensation. It's hard to say if there will be more later."

"What? Why? Is someone embezzling? But is the current Provincial Party Secretary close with Chen Lao? Do they dare to embezzle this money?"

"Son, it doesn't have much to do with them. It's Factory Director Cai..." Zheng Xipo repeated Cai Chenggong's words again.

"This—no, what right do they have to make decisions for us? What right do they have to take our money to pay off debts? And that Cai Chenggong is a loser, managing a perfectly good factory into this state."

"Alright, Shengli, this matter hasn't been announced to the public yet. Chen Lao will give us justice. Don't talk about this to anyone else."

"Got it."

Zheng Shengli returned to his room, and the more he thought about it, the angrier he became; he began posting uncontrollably, denouncing the actions of the Jingzhou government, attached the footage of the standoff at the Dafeng Factory from that day, and then gave a shout in the group, prompting his internet trolls to begin mindlessly reposting.

……

After Sha Ruijin left Yi Xuexi's home, he had a few bags of tea leaves in his hands, which were given to him by Yi Xuexi's wife, Mao Ya.

"Comrade Tian Guofu, what do you think of this man, Yi Xuexi?"

"He is very rare; he has been able to work diligently and without complaint in one position for twenty-five years, and his political achievements during that time are not inferior to any other term."

"Hahaha, right? How do you feel about transferring him to Jingzhou to serve as the Discipline Inspection Commission secretary?"

"Secretary Sha, that is a good proposal, but the leap is a bit large; it is inevitable that people will talk."

"Hmm... that is true, then let him transition in the position of Luzhou Discipline Inspection Commission secretary first."

"That is good; Secretary Sha is still the one who considers things thoroughly."

In fact, Tian Guofu was also feeling doubtful in his heart; a promotion skipping two levels was already rare, so how could one skip three levels at once?

That same day, Sha Ruijin and his entourage concluded their inspection work in Handong and returned directly to Jingzhou.