Chapter 48: This Secretary Has Some Tricks Up His Sleeve (Please add to library, please vote)

The special envoy is Zhou Xiangxian... Hong Zhiyou quickly began to analyze.

Negotiations require technique.

Who is sent largely determines the nature of the matter.

If Mao Sen had requested the headquarters inspection office, or a confidant of Mao Renfeng, it would likely be a show of force or pressure.

That would mean Mao Sen was determined to get the items back.

Even at the cost of tearing off the mask of civility.

But the one who came is Zhou Xiangxian.

Then this round, the Jinhai Station has already won.

Zhou Xiangxian has a high reputation and is an old acquaintance of Zhang Tinge.

Hong Zhiyou believes that when Zhou Xiangxian set off, he must have called Zhang Tinge first.

After all, whoever negotiates with a major Military Statistics Bureau figure like Wu Jingzhong must do their homework.

Mao Sen sent Zhou to negotiate.

The signal released is very clear:

One, he does not want the negotiations to collapse.

Two, he is indirectly offering an olive branch.

This shows that this batch of goods is definitely not a gift for Boss Dai.

At most, it is for Mao Renfeng.

Mao Renfeng is very aggressive, but Wu Jingzhong is no pushover either.

He is a confidant of Boss Dai and a classmate of Jianfeng.

If they really were to arm-wrestle, it is hard to say who would win.

Neither Mao Sen nor Mao Renfeng wants to take this to Boss Dai.

If the stolen goods have nothing to do with Boss Dai, then the matter is easy to handle!

"Mr. Zhang, the one who came is Mr. Xiangxian.

"He is your old friend, so please put in a good word for us later."

Hong Zhiyou stood up and said with a smile.

"Secretary Hong, you are too polite.

"Who I put in a good word for is not yet certain."

Zhang Tinge had a very good impression of Hong Zhiyou and spoke quite affably.

During the last crackdown on the Boatmen Gang docks.

He did not participate at all and was not even aware of it.

But when Hong Zhiyou divided the spoils, he gave a share to him and Du Jian, which shows that this kid is smooth and tactful.

Otherwise, would he and Du Jian be able to invite Hong Zhiyou to dinner and play tennis?

"Please!"

The two arrived outside the station gate.

Once the car arrived, after a brief exchange of pleasantries, the two greeted Zhou Xiangxian and led him into the conference room.

"Zhiqin, Secretary Hong, where is Station Master Wu?"

Upon entering, Zhou Xiangxian's expression was very displeased.

"Mr. Zhou, the Station Master is currently investigating the matter of Mu Liancheng smuggling stolen goods and has not been able to get away," Hong Zhiyou said.

"That's fine, I will wait for him here.

"Director Mao and Station Master Mao have entrusted me with an important task; it cannot be treated as child's play."

Zhou Xiangxian sneered.

"Xiangxian, it is fine to discuss matters with Secretary Hong.

"In our Jinhai, everyone knows he is Station Master Wu's shadow."

Zhang Tinge looked at him with a smile.

"He is responsible?

"He killed Station Master Mao's men and detained Station Master Mao's items; can he take responsibility for that?"

Zhou Xiangxian feigned anger.

He only took this lousy job because he had no other choice.

He might as well lay it out clearly and see how Secretary Hong handles it.

"May I ask what items were detained? I ask Mr. Zhou to clarify."

Hong Zhiyou served tea, neither humble nor pushy.

"Of course, it is Mr. Zhuang's property," Zhou Xiangxian said after taking a sip.

"Mr. Zhuang has many personal belongings.

"It is inevitable that there was some damage during the fight; if there are any valuable items, or important secrets or tokens belonging to Station Master Mao, please be sure to specify.

"My subordinates will have people look for them immediately, so as not to delay Station Master Mao's important affairs."

Hong Zhiyou stood to the side, hands clasped, smiling gently.

Zhou Xiangxian frowned, not expecting this young secretary to be so shrewd.

He only knew that this batch of goods was Mao Sen's private property.

Mao Sen was very anxious.

But as for what exactly it was, the other party hadn't mentioned a word.

How could he possibly say what it was?

"Of course, all of it.

"What, do you still want to detain Station Master Mao's items?"

Zhou Xiangxian simply pretended to be boorish and foolish.

If the negotiation succeeded, there was no credit.

Those two stingy misers, Mao Sen and Mao Renfeng, wouldn't necessarily give a reward anyway.

If the negotiation collapsed, it was a matter between Wu Jingzhong and Mao Sen.

At least he had done his best; no one could find fault with him.

"I don't understand what Mr. Zhou is saying.

"Our station's Director Yu captured Zhuang Cheng and the traitor Mu Liancheng trading stolen goods.

"As a high-ranking official of the Party-State, and with family rules in place, how could Station Master Mao break the law?

"At present, the Generalissimo, Jianfeng, and Boss Dai are strictly investigating corrupt practices; I ask Mr. Zhou to speak carefully, lest you implicate Station Master Mao."

Hong Zhiyou's expression turned solemn as he gave a stern reminder.

"You..." Zhou Xiangxian was suddenly speechless.

"Don't play games with me. Since Mao Sen sent me here, let's stop playing deaf and dumb and speak plainly.

"In one word, are you Jinhai Station people giving it back or not?

"If you are, be quick about it.

"If not, I'm going straight back to Hangcheng to report."

He met directness with directness, not pretending at all.

"To be honest, Station Master Wu has already investigated.

"Zhuang Cheng was smuggling stolen goods with the traitor Mu Liancheng behind Station Master Mao's back. As family, Station Master Wu specially permitted Director Yu to purge the traitors to prove Station Master Mao's integrity.

"Station Master Wu has decided: One, this matter belongs to the internal affairs of the Hangcheng Station and Jinhai Station, to be handled internally and not reported to headquarters.

"Two: The smuggled goods will be handed over to Station Master Mao in their entirety, for Station Master Mao to handle and decide.

"I wonder what Mr. Zhou thinks of this?"

Hong Zhiyou's eyes were sharp as he announced this in a firm voice.

Zhou Xiangxian breathed a sigh of relief.

Why did Mao Sen send him?

Asking for the items was secondary.

The main thing was to persuade Wu Jingzhong not to report it to Boss Dai.

It seems Old Wu is a smart man.

He knows the ropes, he really knows the ropes.

"Wait a moment.

"Allow me to convey Station Master Wu's intentions; please arrange a phone for me," Zhou Xiangxian said.

"There is one in the inner room, please," Hong Zhiyou said, gesturing with his hand.

A moment later, Zhou Xiangxian walked out, beaming:

"Please take me to see Station Master Wu; Station Master Mao has expressed that he wants to speak with him personally."

"Please follow me."

Hong Zhiyou smiled and nodded, leading the way.

Upon reaching the station master's office, he and Wu Jingzhong exchanged a secret glance.

Wu Jingzhong understood; after they sat down and tea was served, he pointed to the phone on the table.

Zhou Xiangxian connected the call, and after a few brief sentences, he turned and said:

"Station Chief Wu, Station Chief Mao wants to speak with you."

The gloom on Wu Jingzhong's face vanished, and he took the phone and began to laugh heartily:

"Brother Mao, it has been a long time.

"Your reach is long enough to extend all the way to Jinmen; we are old friends of many years, so why not give me a hint if there is a mission? I would be happy to help you out.

"Right now, the Bureau Chief has strong opinions about Station Chief Ma Han; did Director Mao tell you?

"The pressure from above is great, and the crackdown on corruption in Jinmen is strict.

"A misunderstanding?

"That's right, it is just a misunderstanding.

"The Bureau Chief is busy with official business, and since we are old friends, I will not report it.

"The items can be handed over to you to handle.

"Rest assured, I will ensure not a single bit is damaged.

"Look at you, why be so polite with your own brother? Please give my regards to Director Mao when you see him.

"Alright, remember you owe me a meal next time you come to Hangcheng.

"Goodbye!"

"Clack!"

After finishing, Wu Jingzhong hung up the phone.

"Mr. Zhou, I have already ordered the stolen goods from Zhuang Cheng to be transported to the airport.

"Station Chief Mao is in a hurry, so I won't keep you."

Wu Jingzhong said with a radiant face.

"Ah!

"It is good that you two have reached an agreement!"

Zhou Xiangxian, having fulfilled his mission, breathed a sigh of relief and said.

"Please."

Wu Jingzhong stood up and saw him to the door.

"You have quite a few capable people under you, brother."

"Young man, if you can't stay with Station Chief Wu one day, come to Hangcheng and work for me."

Zhou Xiangxian said, looking at Hong Zhiyou with approval.

"Brother, you are poaching my talent," Wu Jingzhong laughed.

"Haha, not at all!

"Stay there, stay there!"

Zhou Xiangxian laughed a few times and left happily.

"Old Wu, Mayor Zhou is right.

"With Secretary Hong here, I am basically of no use; I just came here to mooch a good cup of tea from you.

"Haha."

Zhang Tinge said with a loud, joking laugh.

"Mr. Zhiqing, you are too polite; I wouldn't give anyone to Old Zhou even if he asked.

"But you and I are family; if you like him, feel free to take him."

Wu Jingzhong patted him and laughed in a great mood.

"Forget it, I won't deprive you of your treasure.

"Besides, Secretary Hong has a bright future following you; he might not even look at me."

Zhang Tinge also laughed heartily.

Hong Zhiyou bowed politely.

After Zhang Tinge left, Wu Jingzhong let out a long, satisfied sigh of relief.

Then, he beckoned with a beaming smile:

"Zhiyou, come in and talk."

……

I've broken into the new book rankings again; thank you to all the big shots for following, bookmarking, and voting. Mwah.

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(End of chapter)