Chapter 1003: 998. Seeking Help

If Zhao Hu were merely using Zhang Ran's reputation to conduct business, Zhang Ran would not interfere much; after all, he is someone who has followed by his side for many years.

Although some mistakes were made, as long as they were not the kind Zhang Ran could not tolerate, there was still some sentiment left.

Plus, Zhang Ran himself is a person who values relationships, so if Zhao Hu were only doing that, Zhang Ran would have just turned a blind eye.

People all have feelings, especially since Zhao Hu did not contribute nothing back when Zhang Ran was just rising to prominence.

Back in the day, Zhao Hu had also risked his life for Zhang Ran; after all, at that time, many businesses in the country were not so easy to manage.

Zhang Ran needed to seize the initiative and accumulate strength; otherwise, even if Zhang Ran knew the general trend of future development, it would have been difficult to achieve much in many matters.

Therefore, at times, Zhang Ran would also act aggressively, which would offend quite a few people; Zhao Hu and those others certainly fought hard for this reason back then.

Added to the situation at that time, many things, even if they happened, and even if it was known that those people were violating the law, one could only resist stubbornly.

So, Zhang Ran also holds a measure of tolerance for Zhao Hu.

This is also why, after seeing Zhao Hu, although Zhang Ran spoke very sternly, in reality, Zhang Ran was vaguely looking out for him in every aspect.

Although Zhang Ran did not do it personally or say anything himself, if it were not for Zhang Ran's tacit approval, He Yong would not have paid any attention to Zhao Hu.

He Yong is mindful of the brotherhood with Zhao Hu, but if he were forced to make a choice between brotherhood and Zhang Ran, it would definitely be Zhang Ran.

Zhang Ran is not only He Yong's boss but also his brother.

Therefore, in many matters, when Zhao Hu went to beg He Yong for help, He Yong would be stern in his words, but in reality, he helped him every time.

However, Zhao Hu has now somewhat violated Zhang Ran's taboos; Zhang Ran has never interfered in certain matters, and even when people throw out olive branches, Zhang Ran acts as if he does not see them.

If one speaks of Zhang Ran's cooperation with those above, it is limited only to business; Zhang Ran has never had the intention to interfere in any personnel matters.

In fact, it is precisely because of this that those above give Zhang Ran such great support.

Many times, no matter what one does, once one reaches the top of an industry, one certainly needs to have contact with those above.

And some people cannot hold themselves back, or rather, they see a more convenient and faster path and throw themselves directly into it.

Just like Zhao Hu; at first, he might have only tried it slightly, or perhaps he wanted to gain a little more benefit.

But when he felt that the benefits obtained here were much easier to get than those on Zhang Ran's side, his mindset changed a bit.

At this moment, Zhao Hu began to make phone calls, filled with anxiety.

"Yong Ge, you must help your little brother this time," Zhao Hu immediately pleaded.

He knew that if He Yong did not help him, he would have no chance at all.

Don't look at how he is riding high right now, and even has his own network of influence; in reality, these things are very fragile, and at the very least, he is a very fragile link within them.

Whether he is there or not makes no difference.

If Zhang Ran were to spread the word, or tell those people directly that Zhao Hu has no connection to him, then Zhao Hu would be abandoned immediately, and it might even incite the anger of those people, who would believe that Zhao Hu had deceived them.

Hearing Zhao Hu's words, He Yong frowned; he was currently back in his hometown, as He Qing had fallen seriously ill upon returning there.

Afterward, his father and mother were busy for a while, and they didn't tell him, fearing he would be distracted.

Just when He Qing finally showed signs of improvement, his mother fell ill again; the elderly are not like young people, so for the first time, He Yong took the initiative to ask Zhang Ran for leave.

"What is going on?" He Yong asked, frowning.

Zhao Hu dared not hide anything and immediately told him everything, without the slightest concealment, because he knew that no matter what, He Yong would come to verify it personally later.

If he were found to have lied then, then even those who might have helped would not help.

When he heard Zhao Hu finish speaking, He Yong suddenly felt a fire of anger rise; his mood had already been bad these past two days, and now Zhao Hu had committed such an act.

"How did I tell you all? Don't you know what Zhang Ge's taboos are? What is the use of coming to me now?

If I had known you were going to do such a thing, I would have broken your legs long ago," He Yong said angrily.

Zhao Hu was in the wrong, but at this moment he could only say: "Yong Ge, I know I was wrong, please help me once; I guarantee there will definitely not be a next time."

Following Zhao Hu's repeated pleas, He Yong felt his heart soften for a moment; he was getting on in years, after all.

Added to the illness of the elderly this time, although they were showing some improvement now, he could see that he didn't know when they might pass away.

Therefore, toward his old friends, He Yong also had a bit more softness.

"Sigh, I really don't know what to say to you, but I will not go and plead for you regarding this matter," He Yong said.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Hu became anxious and hurriedly pleaded: "Yong Ge, if you don't help me, I will really be finished this time; Mr. Zhang is truly angry this time."

"You knew Zhang Ge would be angry, yet you still did it?" He Yong said loudly.

Zhao Hu did not know what to say; in fact, he knew, but he assumed that his current level was too far from Zhang Ran's, and that Zhang Ran could not possibly know.

The reason Zhao Hu had such confidence was mainly because he would not do things that were too illegal or undisciplined.

Previously, others had come to him for help, but as long as it involved anything major, he would not even pay attention.

Even acting as a middleman was out of the question; this was the reason Zhao Hu was not worried, as long as no major incidents occurred, the possibility of Zhang Ran knowing was very small.

But who could have imagined that Zhang Ran would suddenly bring his grandson and granddaughter over to play today? What was even more coincidental was that he had come over himself, and had even said those words, leaving no room for reversal.

Just by listening to the words he said, Zhang Ran could basically guess what Zhao Hu was doing.

"Forget it, how about this: you first write down everything you have done over these years into a report; as long as there is nothing that violates the law, I will show the report to Zhang Ge.

Also, no matter what, after this time, you must cut off contact with those people, and do not use Zhang Ge's name to do anything, otherwise, let alone Zhang Ge, even I will not let you off," He Yong warned sternly.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Hu felt a sudden sense of relief in his heart, knowing that He Yong had actually agreed to help, otherwise he would not have said these things.

Zhao Hu hurriedly said: "Yong Ge, don't worry, from now on, I will definitely do business honestly and will absolutely not make any mistakes; please tell Mr. Zhang to give me one more chance."