Chapter 995: London Style

"Brother Zhao, are we going in?"

Bai Tiecheng looked at Zhao Wang Weidong and asked this hesitantly.

They had been here for quite a while, watching several groups of people go into the hotel.

Either go in or leave; standing at someone else's door in the pitch black of night, what kind of business is that?

It wasn't that they felt inferior, mainly because standing at the hotel entrance, if someone saw them, they'd think they were beggars.

Besides, the sun had set, and it was freezing cold!

Just think, in the dead of winter, even if you wore a wool coat, you couldn't stand on the street for an hour.

Others were stomping their feet and hugging their arms from the cold; Bai Tiecheng wasn't wearing much today, so he couldn't take it.

Zhao Wang Weidong's eyes were still fixed on the brightly lit big hotel across the street, his gaze filled with hesitation, fear, and even more hatred.

He still remembered October, when he had just returned from the frontier, high-spirited, with no one to rival his limelight.

But who would have thought that just because he looked at him one more time in the crowd, he'd get such a beating!

Zhao Wang Weidong didn't think Zuo Jie had such a big face, worth Li Erbala standing up for him.

In his concept, those mixing on the street—if they find you pleasing to the eye, anything goes; if they want to bully you, they'll beat you just for looking at them one more time!

Anyway, that's what he thought. The last beating had nothing to do with him fighting Zuo Jie; it was entirely running into a small-time villain.

Zuo Jie?

Zuo Jie didn't have such a big face; he had been beaten many times before, why hadn't he seen anyone stand up for him?

So, every debt has its debtor; where he fell, he had to climb back up.

A "Wan Zhu" (tough guy) mixes for a face; without a name or a face, who would mix with you?

He had really been ruthless these past few months, not looking for Zuo Jie's trouble, remembering this beating, basically figuring out the background of this Red Star International Hotel.

Whenever he had free time, he would come over to hang around; sometimes he could sit across the street and watch for a long time.

They say resentment makes people blind; Zhao Wang Weidong was a bit stubborn, but if he didn't do this, his influence would be considered a total failure.

"What I lost, I will take back bit by bit!"

Zhao Wang Weidong flicked the cigarette butt in his hand, shook his head, and said, "Let's go, follow me over to see what this International Hotel actually is!"

Bai Tiecheng followed behind, called the brothers who were smoking over there, and signaled them to follow quickly.

They finally moved; if they kept squatting there, they would have frozen to death.

Regarding Zhao Wang Weidong's words, he had no concept—what lost, what take back, you should just go!

If you don't go over, can they send it to you?

As for Zhao Wang Weidong taking them to find trouble, in Bai Tiecheng's view, it was entirely appropriate.

He was a tough guy, and in this city, he had a name and a face; you say you'll beat him up, and you just beat him up?!

Today, he had to regain his status and find back his face!

It was their butts that were beaten, but it was Brother Zhao's face that was lost!

Actually, these little brats like Bai Tiecheng were still lacking in experience, only seeing the surface.

Besides wanting face and finding back the field, Zhao Wang Weidong also wanted to do something.

He had been back for three months, and he couldn't say he had achieved nothing, but it was no different from doing nothing.

If he wanted to regain the prestige and influence of the little brats, he had to light a fire by borrowing the wind blowing from above.

Only if you light the fire will it be easy for those above to continue fanning the flames, so they could get benefits.

The big study activity had been going on for more than half a year; heads had already cooled down, and the initial dreams and impulses had turned into reality and interests.

Those above were using them, and they also wanted to borrow the momentum to seek actual benefits for themselves.

"Colluding with wolves and jackals" wasn't appropriate; they preferred to say "complementing each other."

Anyway, the Daxibei had already been visited, and the suffering and crimes had been endured. Either borrow the influence of the little brats to climb up and become a deputy director of the management committee, or make some money and enjoy it in time, not wasting the great youth.

Coming here today, he had also made a great determination. He heard that quite a few foreigners had moved in here, seemingly holding some activity.

He didn't want to manage these; he just felt that regarding the foreigners, he could make a bit of an article.

Zhao Wang Weidong had inquired that this Red Star International Hotel used to be the Six Nations Hotel that came last time, belonging to the Red Star Steel Rolling Mill.

"!"

If he could cause chaos, or form a discussion among the tough guys and the little brats, and everyone burned this place together, could he make something out of it?

Even if this fire couldn't be lit, he had to add some trouble for them to avenge the humiliation he suffered here on October 1st.

As for being beaten again or facing more serious punishment, it wasn't that he hadn't thought about it.

He hadn't really been hanging around these past three months; he had truly made some preparations.

At the very least, he had restored his identity as a little brat and re-established a certain influence among the tough guys.

Kicking the bicycles one by one, they rushed to the opposite side, the entrance of the International Hotel.

First, they parked their bikes in the parking lot; Zhao Wang Weidong very generously paid for everyone's parking tickets.

It was just that in front of the manager, he had to show his determination and prestige.

His eyes fixed on the lobby of the International Hotel, but his hand threw two bills on the table, arrogantly saying: "Watch the cars well, otherwise I'll break your legs!"

After speaking, he didn't even pay attention to the manager's face and led the people into the courtyard.

The courtyard of the International Hotel wasn't small, but when it was built, it also considered the street-facing nature, so it needed to turn a corner to get to the main entrance.

Seeing this group of people walking in arrogantly, the greeter at the door contacted security with a walkie-talkie.

Zhou Yao, who was on duty here, received the notification and walked out with the security supervisor.

"What are you here for?"

"To eat!"

Bai Tiecheng knew the responsibility of being a younger brother; some nonsense naturally couldn't be said by the big brother.

Seeing the other party put on a show, he also raised his neck and replied with a piece of nonsense.

Zhou Yao squinted her eyes and sized them up a few times, not intending to pay attention to them, so she signaled the security supervisor and turned to walk toward the back.

Bai Tiecheng saw that the little lady had "retreated," and really thought she was afraid of them. At this moment, he proactively stepped forward to open the way.

He was truly brave; seeing the entrance right in front of him, he raised his hand to push these security guards away to make room for Brother Zhao behind him.

But who would have thought, these three or five security guards were quite fierce; seeing him come to push people, they pushed him back with one palm.

What kind of person was Bai Tiecheng?

"What are you doing?"

Why be a younger brother for Zhao Wang Weidong?

Need to ask? Zhao Wang Weidong stayed for half a year, he stayed for two years; naturally, his background and strength weren't as good as the other's.

He hadn't encountered the things the little brats did in Beijing, but he had heard quite a bit, knowing that the bold ones are stuffed to death, and the timid ones are starved to death.

So at this moment, the security guards' resistance and rudeness made his ferocity flare up. His hand shook, a fork fell from his sleeve, and gritting his teeth, eyes wide, he was about to stab the few bastards in front of him.

Although it was pitch black, the International Hotel entrance didn't lack light, and they were staring right at them. With a flash of silver, the security guards all reached for their waists.

Here, one really has to mention the Steel Rolling Mill security equipment, otherwise these little brats would have been beaten without knowing how.

The predecessor of the International Hotel, the Six Nations Hotel, had hosted progressive students from other places; what was the security level back then, and it was still the same now.

That is to say, winter hats, military coats, black military boots, armed belts tied around their waists, with real Type 54 pistols and ammunition boxes, and even equipment like handcuffs.

Seeing these people acting maliciously and really daring to pull out weapons, could these security guards tolerate them?

The pistols were pulled directly from their waists. Before Bai Tiecheng could rush up, the muzzle was pressed against his forehead.

Within seven steps, the gun is fast; within seven steps, the gun is fast and accurate.

You dare to act rashly?

The security supervisor's eyes stood up; it looked like he was going to keep these few people here.

Zhao Wang Weidong's heart skipped a beat, and he pressed his hand on Bai Tiecheng's shoulder, not letting him be reckless.

Actually, this action of his was a bit redundant; he could clearly feel Bai Tiecheng's body trembling.

No way not to tremble; try having a muzzle pressed against your forehead!

Generally speaking, whether it's a factory or a school, those with guns on duty are generally equipped with long guns.

Especially in peacetime, there are no bullets in the guns at all.

But look at these people; Zhao Wang Weidong almost left himself here.

Security guards with short guns, and daring to pull them out in this situation—the movements were coherent, not losing to the guard platoon of their big courtyard; the level of professionalism can be imagined.

Nonsense, executing special security missions, can they not be professional?

Several departments of the Steel Rolling Mill security office are practicing for real, including the guard team, patrol team, security stock, etc.

Gate posts have live ammunition, patrols have live ammunition, security executing missions have live ammunition; you dare to play with your life, we won't mind giving you a shot.

"Go play somewhere else, we don't entertain you here."

The security captain controlled the situation with a sense of proportion; if it were normal, he would have done it long ago.

But today it wouldn't work. The foreign business travel group from Guangzhou was finishing their training mission today, and the factory management committee director would be bringing factory leaders to attend the dinner party in a moment.

If they really took these little brats and caused trouble outside, it could be described as not worth the loss.

Especially since people from the Foreign Affairs Department and the Investigation Department were watching here; if there was a problem, it would be a big problem.

Therefore, expulsion became the best way to solve the problem.

"Isn't this a hotel?"

Xie Qianjin wasn't afraid of them coming hard. At this moment, he raised his head to look at the neon lights overhead and sneered: "Is this how you open for business?"

"Or?"

He sneered and said: "Afraid we can't afford the money, or is this place itself a capitalist nest?"

"I'll say it one more time."

The security team leader controlled the situation with great discretion; if it had been any other time, he would have already taken action.

No matter what the other party said, he just emphasized: "You are not welcome here, please leave immediately."

"Fuck!"

Xie Qianjin pursed his lips, pulled the muzzle on Bai Tiecheng's forehead to his own forehead, stared with wide eyes, and said: "I want to eat here today; if you have the ability, shoot me dead!"

He had also thought about it: they weren't looking for trouble, they just wanted to eat at the door; if the other party really dared to shoot, it would definitely be a big deal.

As for the weapon in Bai Tiecheng's hand, they could explain it away no matter what.

Bai Tiecheng is holding a knife; what does it have to do with you shooting me dead!

The security captain shook his chin, squinting his eyes at Xie Qianjin, who was walking over with the muzzle pressed against him.

"You don't want to cause trouble, so don't look for pain for yourself..."

"Hey! I'm just not feeling well today!"

Xie Qianjin took another step forward, looked at him, and said: "I'm hungry, I want to eat!"

"Hungry, right?"

I don't know when, but Zhou Yao came back; she probably saw that weapons were drawn here.

The leaders were about to come, and the matter hadn't been solved yet; wasn't this putting eye drops on herself.

So while she was speaking, she walked to the front, bumped into the security guards, raised her hand, and gave Xie Qianjin a big slap directly on the face.

Slap!

This slap was so loud!

Even the parking lot manager heard it; he was secretly watching the excitement.

"Giving you face, right!"

Zhou Yao said with a cold face, finished hitting Xie Qianjin, and pushed Bai Tiecheng away, pointing her finger at Zhao Wang Weidong's nose and asking: "You want to find trouble, right?"

"I just want to eat~"

Zhao Wang Weidong tilted his head back slightly, wanting to avoid the finger pointing at his nose.

Clean and neat short hair, a uniform looking heroic, especially now with a cold face, quite a bit of a heroine's spirit.

However, he didn't have time to appreciate the other party's temperament. With a slap, Xie Qianjin was stunned, and he was also a bit stunned.

But Zhou Yao didn't let him go, pointed her finger at his chest, and said: "If you want to find trouble, there's plenty of space in the back; I'll practice with you!"

Saying this, her cold gaze swept over everyone, especially glancing at the fork in Bai Tiecheng's hand, pursing her lips, and saying: "You want to commit a crime with a weapon?"

After speaking, she sneered: "If you're really sending merit to us, then I'll take it."

"My brother is hungry, confused."

Zhao Wang Weidong put his arm around Bai Tiecheng's shoulder, suddenly smiling cheekily: "We really just want to go in and eat, absolutely not looking for trouble."

"You're playing with me, right?"

Zhou Yao stared at him and said: "Leave immediately, don't force me to do it."

"Li Kezhang Zhou!"

The leading cadre of the Investigation Department executing the mission walked out of the lobby, wearing a Zhongshan suit, a flat head, looking very capable.

He walked over and asked: "Something up?"

Zhou Yao didn't answer, but looked at Zhao Wang Weidong, her eyes giving an inquiry.

That meant: you're hungry, want to eat, do you want to talk to them and see if the Investigation Department's food is fragrant?

Zhao Wang Weidong wasn't blind; he had already seen the badge on the other party's chest, and there was no more smile on his face.

"If you don't let us eat, we won't eat; we'll change to another place."

He gave in very firmly, pulled Xie Qianjin and Bai Tiecheng, and said while retreating: "Sorry to bother you. Li Kezhang Zhou, right? We'll talk when you're free."

Greeting very familiarly, he turned around, pulled the two, and led the other younger brothers to walk quickly toward the gate.

How arrogant they were when they came, that's how panicked they were when they left.

That cadre from the Investigation Department walked slowly, his gaze sweeping over Zhou Yao, then smiled slightly and said: "It seems someone wants to cause some trouble."

Zhou Yao raised her eyebrows, turned to look at the gate; her task today was to ensure the factory's reception party was completed smoothly.

As for problems at other levels, she couldn't manage them, nor did she have that ability.

Seeing those people leave, she turned back and instructed the security captain: "Arrange two plainclothes posts at the gate, don't let anything happen again."

"Yes."

The security captain was very embarrassed facing the leader's words; this was all his work, and Li Kezhang Zhou still had to come and wipe his butt.

Especially the act of pulling a gun just now was a bit impulsive, fearing it would affect the activity and let outsiders see the excitement.

Zhou Yao didn't say anything more to him, nodded to the Investigation Department people, and went into the lobby.

That person from the Investigation Department smiled and sized up the security captain, then followed into the lobby.

"Fuck!"

The security captain was truly hateful; ten days per rotation, the security in the factory was mobile, how come it happened when he was on duty.

Don't look at the leader not saying anything; she definitely had an opinion of him.

During the execution of the mission, how could the leader scold people in front of outsiders? This instruction was already a very serious criticism.

He waved his hand, led the security guards to the gate, and saw if those little brats had left.

Naturally, they had to leave; with the Investigation Department here, could they stay?

Not to mention anything else, security was beaten, the female section chief was scolded—they had reasons for causing trouble.

But the Investigation Department couldn't be provoked; who knows how many entanglements or connections were behind the activity being held here.

Their fathers didn't dare to mess around, let alone them.

As for Xie Qianjin being beaten, as far as he was concerned, it didn't matter.

When taking the bikes to leave, Xie Qianjin even said that if they fell into the hands of the powerful departments in the future, they should just let female police officers execute it.

A tough guy must have the awareness of being thick-skinned and shameless, otherwise how could he mix in society?

Zhao Wang Weidong didn't feel he had lost face tonight; he just came to probe and see if his judgment was correct.

It was fortunate he came, otherwise, if he had rushed in, he would have lost half his life.

Actually, he had already found out some things, including the trouble when the Six Nations Hotel vacated the rooms, and the matter of the progressive students from other places.

Anyway, he was just looking for trouble; he really hadn't thought that foreigners were living here, and there were people from the Investigation Department.

After such a trip today, he at least knew that the foreigners here weren't as simple as he understood, and might have other entanglements.

Just as they said they were leaving, before they had left, Zhao Wang Weidong and the others had just spoken two sentences when they saw several cars drive over.

They wanted to hide, but didn't expect the speed to be fast, driving directly into the courtyard.

He was also unwilling to give up, standing at the gate looking.

This look was not trivial, but it made him see a person, or rather, a lost youth.

A dozen or so young and beautiful girls got off the car, giggling and walking quickly toward the side building; Zhao Wang Weidong recognized several of them.

The one that caught his eye the most was Zhou Miaomiao, who had changed from a girl to a woman.

An indescribable mature temperament, an indescribable different age—for a moment, he was a bit stunned.

Was this still that girl who used to play behind him? How did she become so...

"Still not leaving?"

The security captain walked out with a cold face, looking at the few people and saying: "If you have the ability, come over tomorrow, let's have a good talk."

"Who said we aren't leaving? Isn't this seeing an acquaintance!"

Zhao Wang Weidong habitually played the rogue, gestured toward the side building, and asked: "Can I go in and find someone? Just me alone."

"Find who, I'll call for you."

Hearing him say this, the security captain squinted his eyes, thinking that as long as there was an entanglement, it was fine.

He wasn't afraid of these people finding people or trouble, he was afraid of not knowing their background.

If he really found the person, this matter would have nothing to do with security; it was that person who attracted these bastards.

How to handle it then would be a muddled account.

Zhao Wang Weidong saw him say this, and also understood his meaning, smacked his lips, only feeling it was boring.

"Boring, let's go."

He waved his hand at Xie Qianjin and the others and said: "Dongfeng Restaurant, second floor, my treat!"

Xie Qianjin and others glared at the security captain, got on their bikes one after another, and pedaled away into the distance.

In front of the International Hotel, relative calm was restored once again.

Why say relative calm?

Because as time approached, the lobby entrance door was opened, and hot air sprayed out, forming a white mist at the door.

Security guards came out from the door and scattered, occupying favorable positions to prevent problems from happening again.

The security guards at the door stood on tiptoe and looked, seeing the factory's motorcade approaching, and ran to send the news into the courtyard.

This side, Zhang Songying and others welcomed them out in advance, looking forward to it, and the direction of their gaze was the gate.

After a while, a familiar command vehicle led the way, Li Director's Volga M24 followed closely, and behind that was Deputy Director Jing's Shanghai, as well as the cars of other factory leaders.

The not-so-large motorcade stopped at the gate with great momentum.

Security guards quickly stood in corresponding positions, helping the leaders open the car doors.

Li Xuewu was in the same car as Li Huai. At this moment, he got out of the car from the other side, looked up at the night view of the International Hotel, and said to Li Huai who got out of the car with a smile: "Quite good-looking."

Li Huai heard Zhang Songying's greeting. At this moment, he first looked at the night view of the building following Li Xuewu's words, then looked at Zhang Songying and shook hands with her.

"Comrades, you've worked hard."

"It's my duty, I dare not say it's hard work."

Zhang Songying was too suitable for such a position, especially after training for a year, her handling of people and things became more and more proficient.

After smiling and replying to Li Huai, she glanced at Li Xuewu, briefly introduced the situation of the building, and invited the leaders in.

Compared to the factory's reception center, the conditions here at the International Hotel were obviously much better.

Whether it was the marble-structured lobby, or the lighting and service inside the lobby, it gave people a sense of elegance and atmosphere.

Otherwise, why would foreigners come to Beijing and choose to move here to live, compared to the foreign affairs reception departments?

First of all, it's close to the office location, the living conditions are excellent, the service facilities are complete, and the service concept is more advanced.

Beijing hasn't seen many places that provide hot water around the clock and provide car pick-up and drop-off services.

Li Xuewu accompanied the several factory leaders, smiled, and looked at the reception and layout of the lobby.

There is an activity today, and the propaganda and layout here are naturally set according to the theme.

The form of exhibition boards and posters used when the factory was promoting cars was used for the propaganda here.

The text and patterns mainly introduced the Steel Rolling Mill's strong strength and foundation, from productivity to humanistic spirit, blowing quite hard.

It must be said that the propaganda department, after being driven by Li Xuewu several times, has made progress, at least it's not red background paper sticking white squares writing black characters.

From the moment they entered the door, led by Zhang Songying, the several leaders walked all the way to the reception hall, handing their coats to the accompanying service personnel while walking.

Whether it was the marble-structured foyer or the lighting and service inside the hall, everything gave one a sense of grace and grandeur.

Under Zhang Songying's introduction, they shook hands with Li Huai and the supervising leader Li Xuewu, which counted as knowing each other.

They were going to the reception hall to see the foreign businessmen; the people from the Foreign Affairs Department and the Investigation Department were just here to show their faces and brush their presence.

After a simple handshake, they didn't delay walking, and they flashed away.

Li Huai chatted and laughed with Zhang Songying walking in front, commenting that the service personnel's attire was elegant and atmospheric, very much in line with the needs of the era.

Mainly because the blue uniform-style clothing had a sense of fashion, especially the neckerchief and small leather shoes, which could greatly improve the service quality.

Hearing Li Huai praise the good service, Zhang Songying smiled and introduced that the International Hotel's waiters were learning foreign languages under the organization of the Foreign Affairs Office.

"Oh? Is that so!"

Li Huai appropriately expressed surprise, then smiled and glanced at Sha Qizhi who was following, nodded, and said: "Responding to the call of the progress of the era, you as service posts are also keeping up!"

"It's listening to your call."

Zhang Songying walked to the door of the reception room, made a gesture of invitation, and the half-open door was opened. Many foreign businessmen inside were already in place.

"Dear guests, dear friends, our factory's Director Li has brought the factory leaders to see you."

Actually, using "see" here is wrong. Guests come from afar; out of respect for foreign businessmen, using "meet" here is better, reflecting equal status.

But sing the song of the mountain you are on.

This is the Steel Rolling Mill; naturally, it must be led by the Steel Rolling Mill's leaders. In the first sentence of the opening, the main theme of tonight was set.

However, the translators beside the foreign businessmen were all equipped by the Foreign Affairs Department. They knew how to translate so as not to cause resentment from the other party.

This period of foreign work is basically this routine: you say yours, I say mine.

Unless there is an international negotiation that needs to issue a communique, internal propaganda is all beneficial to oneself.

A few years ago, Li Xuewu fought that battle; we all know we won, drove the other party out of the territory, hit the other party's arrogant spirit, and captured countless equipment from the other party.

But do you know how the Indians publicized it?

Can guess, yes, they won.

It's just so bizarre, just such a propaganda meaning.

Anyway, now Li Huai is receiving them as the host; naturally, it's fine to say whatever.

The foreign businessmen were also very polite. After Li Huai and others entered the room, they all stood up, and under the arrangement of the Foreign Affairs Office, shook hands and exchanged greetings with the several leaders of the Steel Rolling Mill who walked over.

The Foreign Affairs Office cadre responsible for reception stood beside Li Huai and introduced the other party's identity and simple information to him.

Li Huai first shook hands with the other party, said a polite word or two, and then went to the next one.

And Xiang Jingyu'en, who followed behind him, repeated his actions, only the words were different.

Cheng Kaiyuan, Xiang Jingyu'en, Xue Zhifu, and others followed suit.

This foreign affairs activity, Li Huai generously invited Cheng Kaiyuan to participate.

This was one of the few foreign activities he had had recently, which very much reflected Director Li's "special care" for him.

The foreign businessmen who came today not only included the commercial travel group from Guangzhou, but also the Italian businessman Andrew, a partner of the Steel Rolling Mill in shipbuilding.

There was also the Japanese office representative, Momotani Eriko, a partner of the Steel Rolling Mill in hardware and electronic industry.

A very simple meeting, shaking hands in a circle, basically everyone was familiar.

There were only a few leaders of the Steel Rolling Mill, while there were more than a dozen foreign businessmen, and the accompanying personnel were sitting in a circle outside.

First, Li Xuewu, the deputy director of the Management Committee responsible for trade coordination, made a simple welcome introduction.

Very relaxed and casual, he greeted everyone's observations on the way here one by one, and also expressed welcome to the banquet that he and Director Li did not attend.

Very friendly, he didn't proactively bring up the half-month ideological political training process; he believed these people were already numb.

However, this study wasn't arranged by the Steel Rolling Mill, but executed by the Foreign Affairs Department in accordance with the foreign policy formulated above.

So the Steel Rolling Mill didn't need to say sorry, nor could it express this layer of meaning.

Everyone tacitly understood; I don't ask, you don't say, this half month is just considered as the fatigue of the journey, cultivating the body and mind.

Seeing the meeting, others were still a bit restrained, afraid of saying the wrong thing.

However, Andrew, who was already very familiar with the Steel Rolling Mill's situation, talked to Naijishi about what he saw and heard in the interior, which was considered opening the defensive heart of everyone.

Both were Italian nationals; they knew each other originally. With them proactively starting the conversation, others followed suit.

The translator was introducing to Li Huai

First, Li Xuewu, the Deputy Director of the Commission Office responsible for trade coordination, gave a simple welcoming introduction.

He very casually and relaxedly greeted everyone about their observations on the road here, while also expressing that he and Director Li had not been able to attend the welcome banquet.

He very amicably did not take the initiative to bring up the half-month process of ideological and political training, believing that these people must already be numb to it.

However, this round of study was not arranged by the Steel Rolling Mill, but was executed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in accordance with the foreign policy formulated by those above.

Therefore, the Steel Rolling Mill did not need to apologize, nor could it show any such sentiment.

Everyone understood without speaking; I won't ask, you won't say, and we will just treat this past half-month as a period of rest and recuperation from the fatigue of travel.

At the meet-and-greet, the others were still somewhat reserved, afraid of saying the wrong thing.

However, Andrew, who was already very familiar with the Steel Rolling Mill's situation, began talking to Nigel about his observations in the interior, which served to lower everyone's defenses.

Both were of Italian nationality and already knew each other; with them taking the initiative to start the conversation, the others followed suit.

The interpreter was introducing to Li Huai De what they were saying; he had to speak half a beat slower, but today he was the host, and since he had spoken, the other interpreters had to interpret simultaneously.

Therefore, the topics of the meet-and-greet remained under Li Huai De's control, and under Li Xuewu's deliberate guidance, a relatively relaxed and pleasant atmosphere was maintained.

After just over half an hour, when everyone had basically eliminated the barriers and sense of strangeness from their first meeting, Sha Qizhi notified Zhang Songying to invite the leaders and foreign guests to move to the restaurant for a meal.

Foreigners actually understand etiquette too, knowing that guests should follow the host's lead; Li Huai De walked in front, talking to Andrew about something.

In the loose procession behind them, the factory leaders each handled one or two foreign businessmen, which was considered quite attentive in terms of etiquette.

The dinner party was arranged in the banquet hall, which is the largest multi-functional hall in the International Hotel.

It had marble floor tiles, traditional Chinese paintings hanging on the walls, and green plants and functional cabinets in the corners.

One end of the banquet hall had already been decorated with slogans and red flags, very characteristic of the era.

The banquet used long tables arranged in a circle, with uniform white porcelain, elegant and solemn.

The dining tables had already been marked with positions using recognizable text according to the corresponding identities.

Very cleverly, the leaders of the Steel Rolling Mill were dispersed, separated by foreign guests, fully embodying a harmonious atmosphere of cooperation.

The responsible persons from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Investigation Department were also invited to attend, but the person in charge from the Investigation Department was more cautious and did not come.

However, the person in charge from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs did come, sitting at the very end and appearing very cooperative.

Li Xuewu was originally supposed to sit at the end, but when he entered, he discovered that his seat was right next to Li Huai De's.

This was not hard to understand; it was likely that Li Huai De had specifically instructed the Commission Office to handle it this way.

He was the person in charge of trade and coordination, so when holding foreign affairs activities, he naturally needed to communicate at any time.

Especially since Li Xuewu knew more foreign languages, making it more convenient to communicate with foreign businessmen.

Today's seating was interspersed, with no status hierarchy, so his seat did not attract any attention.

After everyone was seated, they discovered that dishes were already being served on the tables in front of them; it was a cold appetizer platter.

Although it was said that Chinese food would be used to entertain the foreign businessmen today, the other party's dietary habits were still fully respected, with slight adjustments made to the dishes.

Today's head chefs could be said to have mobilized all the core strength of the Steel Rolling Mill.

Master Qian, Sha Zhu, and Master Shang each showed their abilities; focusing on quality rather than quantity, they truly raised the standard of the banquet dishes significantly.

Ding~ Ding~

According to dining etiquette and prior preparation, when the cold appetizer platter was served, Deputy Director Jing Yunong from the Steel Rolling Mill side served as the representative for the banquet opening and gave a speech.

Jing Yunong was also very talented and capable; her fluent and standard London accent immediately made many people at the scene widen their eyes.

Li Xuewu also listened carefully to her speech; for a cadre sent down from the Ministry, the speech draft naturally would not be bad.

One didn't need to listen closely to the phrasing; just by listening to the meaning and artistic conception within, one could tell the depth of her foundation.

Very naturally, Deputy Director Jing's speech won applause from everyone at the scene.

With her slender and aloof temperament, a pair of small gold-rimmed glasses, paired with a lady's shirt and gray plaid trousers, it was hard not to notice her and admire her.

Even Li Xuewu was thinking that next time he must try the English mode; he hadn't tried the London style yet.

After the Steel Rolling Mill leader's speech, it was the foreign representative's turn to speak.

First was the organizer of the commercial tour group, who was also the first foreign businessman Li Xuewu invited, the Italian businessman Nigel, who gave a speech.

He was somewhat excited at today's banquet; facing such a different reception, compared to the coldness of the past half-month, the Steel Rolling Mill gave them a different sensory experience.

This was inevitable; for the first half-month, they were entertained by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Investigation Department, and the other party only felt that the foreign businessmen coming to the interior was causing them trouble.

The Steel Rolling Mill was different; they saw these people as fellow countrymen who had come to deliver pigs, cattle, and sheep.

How could one not entertain the God of Wealth well? As long as they could cooperate and send money, he would be willing even if he had to let Li Huai De go on stage and sing a song.

After Nigel finished speaking, everyone at the scene applauded again, and service staff began serving hot dishes.

And Andrew, as the third representative, who was also the foreign representative who reached a cooperation agreement with the Steel Rolling Mill, gave a speech.

He started from the local customs and practices of the interior and talked about the interesting stories of his cooperation with the Steel Rolling Mill; a few words eased the somewhat awkward atmosphere at the scene quite a bit.

Once he mentioned the cooperation in Yingcheng, he even named Li Xuewu, talking about the communication in the cooperation, which served as an example for the foreign businessmen present.

Li Xuewu was also very proactive; when he finished his speech and stepped down, he shook his hand and cordially hugged him.

This old man was very cooperative with the factory's propaganda needs, which to a large extent eliminated the cautious attitude these foreign businessmen had toward cooperation in the interior.

Never mind giving him a hug; even for this kind of performative friendly gesture, what would it matter if he let him hug Erika Momotani? He didn't care; he could sacrifice anything for the factory.

This intimate action and casual way of conversing allowed other foreign businessmen to see a friendly state of cooperation.

Of course, they were all old foxes and would not be deceived by the actions before them.

But at least it showed that Andrew had made a breakthrough in his cooperation with the interior.

From the conversation between Nigel and Andrew, one could tell that the other party was also a very powerful big businessman and would not endorse a factory in the interior for nothing.

So after the banquet officially began, these foreign businessmen, with the help of interpreters, started dialogues with the nearby Steel Rolling Mill leaders.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs provided some interpreters, and the Steel Rolling Mill contacted Huaqing University to provide some.

It was mainly because they were afraid that the interpreters from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were too cautious and could not express some problems clearly.

Commercial cooperation cannot tolerate the slightest carelessness; a decimal point could potentially cause losses of hundreds of millions.

Of course, the banquet scene today would not discuss commercial content; it was more about local customs, romance, and leisure.

Meeting today was just to exchange feelings and lay the foundation for the subsequent cooperation negotiations.

The Steel Rolling Mill was the host and had to give the other party a process of familiarization and understanding.

According to Li Xuewu's instructions, the reception process done by the Foreign Affairs Office was very relaxed.

After today's banquet ended, there were no talks tomorrow, and they even gave them half a month of travel time to climb the Great Wall, see the Forbidden City, and eat Chinese delicacies.

In any case, the goal was to let these people form a certain impression of the interior to facilitate the subsequent equal negotiations.

These people were all curious about the interior and came hoping to tap into the trade potential of the interior.

If one really negotiated according to them, they would be overly cautious, which was not conducive to the communication of large projects.

Li Xuewu even had the heart to arrange for them to experience the joy of a bathhouse, but it was a pity; he searched all over Beijing, and no bathhouse dared to entertain so many foreign guests.

It would probably cause a lot of trouble at that time.

However, the grand bathing culture is indeed worth experiencing; it is richer and more colorful than the hot springs over at the little devils'.

Of course, if you want to talk about getting a few women in there to get ambiguous, the interior naturally isn't as good at playing games as the little devils.

The interior pays more attention to cultural labeling and focuses more on the underlying foundation.

For example, eating and chatting at the banquet; no one took the initiative to talk about trade, so no one talked about it, only discussing the international situation and talking about future prospects.

After being full of food and drink, naturally, they couldn't go upstairs; instead, under the guidance of the Foreign Affairs Office, everyone came to the small auditorium.

Eating and watching singing and dancing—isn't that much more interesting than soaking in a bath and looking at women?

What is national is what is characteristic!

Li Huai De was like a child who couldn't leave his father; he always lacked confidence when facing these foreigners.

When arranging the seats, Li Xuewu discovered that he was next to him again; was he afraid of showing his incompetence while watching the performance?