Chapter 48

"My brother-in-law, getting these supplies is already pretty good; this was given to us by Director Li out of consideration for our Security Section's help with transport, and I should keep some for our Security Section people too," Li Qiang said deliberately.

"Alright, although it's a little less, having some is better than none," Li Dashan knows that being able to get these supplies now is already pretty good.

"First, let me make clear, these supplies have no paperwork at all," Li Qiang emphasized deliberately, after all, back then whatever you did required paperwork.

"I can understand that, and besides, who would dare go to the Public Security Bureau to check paperwork?" Li Dashan could understand what Li Qiang said; obtaining supplies in bulk definitely came through the back door—having proper paperwork would be unthinkable.

"Alright, wait for my news; it's just a matter of these next couple of days."

Li Huaide

Li Bin

"Got it, I'm not unaware of this rule," Li Dashan said with a smile.

Li Qiang left the sub-bureau and went straight home. Now Li Qiang and Li Bin, the couple, go to work; Li Tao is basically staying at He Yuzhu's place; Yu Li's mother helps take care of He Xiao, and also helps look after Li Tao; previously Li Tao was always taken to work by Zhou Rong, but since Yu Li gave birth to He Xiao, Li Tao has been unwilling to go to work with Zhou Rong.

Bring Li Tao home, Li Qiang also didn't go to the Yagangchang in the afternoon; anyway, Li Huaide knows he's out looking for supplies, and even if others ask, he'll speak up for him; as long as he can get supplies, who cares whether he's at work or not.

The next morning, Li Qiang found Li Huaide.

"Qiangzi, how's the thing going?" Li Huaide saw Li Qiang's enthusiasm—even more affectionate than seeing his own father.

"Brother Li, I haven't disgraced the mission; my comrade is willing to provide us with 5,000 catties of white flour, 10,000 catties of corn flour, and pork and beef totaling 5,000 catties," Li Qiang said with a smile.

"Good brother, you've helped me a lot; with this batch of supplies I can finally sleep soundly," Li Huaide said excitedly.

"Brother Li, however, this batch of supplies has no paperwork at all—is that okay?" Li Qiang asked.

"Nowadays, as long as you can get hold of supplies, that's enough; whether there's paperwork or not doesn't matter." That's why Li Huaide said that, because the higher authorities had once issued related instructions; when Li Huaide went to his superiors to ask for more quotas for the Yagangchang, the leaders had already said that, in these difficult times, the higher authorities also don't have much material to give the Yagangchang, after all, there are too many enterprises under the Ministry of Industry, it's a situation of many monks and little porridge; the leaders can only let them figure things out themselves, and as long as they don't violate the major principles, the higher authorities turn a blind eye, after all, nothing is more important than solving the workers' food problem.

Public Security Bureau

"Brother Li, I think it's best to let Factory Director Yang know about this as well; moreover, my comrade said that these supplies need us to transport them back ourselves, and they only want cash."

"What you say makes sense; using such a large sum of cash without Old Yang's nod would indeed be a problem."

I'll have the Security Section take responsibility for safety and assist with the escort, but the transport matter will need you to have the Transport Team cooperate.

These are all minor matters; come with me to see Old Yang and explain the situation to him. After all, Factory Director Yang is the director of Yagangchang; although there is a secretary above him, the secretary basically doesn't handle affairs, and basically everything at Yagangchang is decided by Factory Director Yang. No matter how capable Li Huade is, he's merely a logistics director; if Factory Director Yang doesn't sign, he really can't come up with that much money to pay for the goods.

Brother Li, I'm not going; you go yourself. Li Qiang truly didn't want to get involved in their affairs.

All right. Li Huade also saw that Li Qiang truly didn't want this credit.

After just over ten minutes, Li Huade came running down with a full smile.

Qiangzi, Old Yang has agreed, and he's offering the highest market price: meat at 1.2 yuan per jin, white flour at 0.8 yuan per jin, corn flour at 0.4 yuan per jin. Li Huade said with a smile.

Fine, then I'll go contact my comrades to confirm the delivery time. Li Qiang was very satisfied with this price. This is the first year of the disaster; meat prices have nearly doubled, grain prices have increased severalfold. Grain has risen so much because people can go without meat but not without grain. This is just the first year; prices are expected to rise even more outrageously in the next two years.

Okay, go ahead.

By the way, Brother Li, does our factory have any idle warehouses? With this much material we can't just leave it at his place; if we find a warehouse, we can have him deliver directly to our warehouse, then we'll transport from there—it's both safe and convenient. Li Qiang suddenly realized they still lacked a suitable storage spot, so he wanted Li Huade to help find a warehouse.

This is a minor matter. There's an independent warehouse two kilometers east of our factory that was allocated to us by the higher-ups earlier; it's been idle and unused. I'll take you to have a look later. Upon hearing Li Qiang say that more materials could come later, Li Huade was naturally pleased; he had thought it would be a one‑off deal. He hadn't expected future business, so how could he refuse? Not only would he look for an idle warehouse, even if he were to give the warehouse to Li Qiang, as long as Li Qiang could keep bringing in goods, he wouldn't object.

All right, let's not delay—let's go take a look now.

Let's go. I'll take you to see it right now. Li Huade didn't stand on ceremony.

Li Huade led Li Qiang to the side of a large courtyard; in fact, this courtyard wasn't far from Yagangchang.

This courtyard was left behind when the Nationalists retreated; I'm not exactly sure what it was used for. After the public‑private partnership, because it's near our factory, the higher‑ups allocated it to us. We haven't had any use for it, so it's remained idle, though we send people regularly each year to maintain it, and the buildings are all intact. Li Huade took out a key, opened the gate, and gave Li Qiang an introduction.

I think this courtyard is quite suitable; there's a main road right in front, so transportation is convenient. Li Qiang was very pleased with the courtyard; it isn't large—about two or three mu—and contains a dozen or so rooms, which are also very clean inside.

All right, since you're satisfied, I'll hand over the key. Li Huade said with a smile.

Fine.

After the two left the warehouse, Li Qiang made an excuse to go find his comrades to discuss the transaction and parted ways with Li Huade.

Li Qiang didn't return to Yagangchang until late in the afternoon, just before quitting time.

Brother Li, the time is set—tonight at eight. Just have the Transport Team personnel go to the warehouse to move the goods; at that time I'll have the Security Section personnel cooperate with us.

Good, I'll have the Transport Team get ready right now and have them service the vehicles. Li Huade immediately picked up the phone and dialed out.

Li Qiang also went to the Security Section, told Chen Shanhe to have his squad cooperate in carrying out a mission tonight; Chen Shanhe is now Li Qiang's confidant, and his squad is practically Li Qiang's private troops.

Back in the office, Li Qiang called Li Dashan again, asking him to arrange personnel to come at ten p. m. to transport the goods, and also gave him the address. Li Qiang deliberately staggered the times so that if the two groups ran into each other it would be troublesome.