Chapter 107: Harmony brings wealth, not kneeling down to make money

"Leonard, she's right! If this deal falls through, our market share will drop by at least 40%!"

Robert's forehead was bulging with anxiety, and his tie was tugging at Leonard's suit sleeve.

The window glass reflected the slogan "Develop the economy, ensure supply", glowing dark red in the twilight.

Leonard stroked his crocodile leather briefcase, his gold-studded cufflinks gleaming brightly under the floor lamp.

He glared at Jiang Haitang across from him arrogantly, his gold-rimmed glasses sliding to the tip of his nose: "Unless she kneels down and kisses my leather shoes, otherwise-"

“That’s enough!”

Lu Liangchen suddenly placed the enamel pot heavily on the table, and the scalding hot tea splashed onto the tablecloth, leaving dark marks.

The second button of his army green shirt shone with a cold light, and Robert noticed that under the frayed edges of his cuffs, his forearm muscles were stretched into iron-like arcs.

The man in front of him was so imposing that even though it was just two words, it made Robert break out in a cold sweat.

He complained in his heart about Leonard, the idiot, who actually thought that he could show off in China just because he had the order in hand.

Not to mention others, just this man, if a conflict breaks out, he can knock down everyone present by himself.

Robert hurriedly bowed 90 degrees, his leather heels clattering heavily on the terrazzo floor: "Ms. Jiang, on behalf of the company..."

"As the person you are apologizing for?" Jiang Haitang's fingertips slid across the water stains on the table, and her voice was as sharp as an ice ridge.

She stared at Robert with her beautiful eyes, as if waiting for his answer.

Robert saw the determination in the girl's eyes, and also saw the old photos on the wall behind her, in which foreign businessmen from the first Canton Fair in 1957 were toasting with Chinese businessmen to celebrate, their smiles frozen in eternity in the glass frames.

Robert's face flushed crimson and the tips of his ears burned.

"I don't know when you went to the beautiful country, but please always remember that no matter how long you live there, it cannot change the fact that you have the same blood as us."

Robert blushed at Jiang Haitang's blunt words. Although he was also angry, he did not say anything in order not to offend Lundner.

"As a person with Chinese blood in your veins, is it honorable to allow him to insult your motherland and your compatriots?"

Jiang Haitang pointed at the slogan on the wall that read "Develop the economy and ensure supply" and said in a loud voice.

"At the first Canton Fair in 1957, we didn't have interpreters, but we still did business with the world. Today you come here with arrogance, thinking you can trample on our dignity with money?"

Her voice echoed in the high-ceilinged hall, startling the birds on the branches outside the window.

"Let me tell you, China's door is open to friends, but we will never bow to insults!"

"Well said!" At this time, a man in a Zhongshan suit walked quickly over with a badge of "Canton Fair Reception Group" on his chest.

"Mr. Wang!" Leonard said, his shiny hair wax gleaming in the light. "Your people are blatantly destroying the atmosphere of friendly cooperation. I demand..."

Leonard became excited immediately when he saw the Chinese leader who was in charge of receiving them. He wanted to let this Chinese woman know how powerful he was.

The man whom Lundner called Mr. Wang was the leader of the Canton Fair reception team.

After he discovered that Robert had left without permission with several foreign guests, he was afraid that something might have happened to them, so he hurried to look for them.

After finally finding the person, I just happened to hear Jiang Haitang's powerful words.

When he was receiving foreign guests, he encountered several unreasonable people like Lundner, and he felt very angry.

Hearing Jiang Haitang's words, he felt refreshed. This female comrade really expressed what was in his heart.

"Mr. Leonard, the dinner at the Oriental Hotel has already started half an hour ago." Team Leader Wang's eyes were clear and unyielding. "Or do you prefer this 'reception style' filled with the smell of gunpowder?"

But obviously, Lundner did not understand the Eastern implicitness. He was still clamoring for Team Leader Wang to give him an explanation.

A hotel staff member suddenly squeezed to the front row and said, "Are you the head of the foreign guest reception team? This foreign guest not only insulted us by calling us 'uncivilized yellow people,' but also asked Comrade Jiang to lick his shoes and accompany him..."

He suddenly choked up. It was too insulting, especially for a young girl. He understood, but couldn't say it.

What he didn't say was understood by everyone present.

Most of the people present couldn't understand the foreign language Leonard spoke, so although they knew that what Donald said was not a good thing, they were not indignant.

Now, after his words were spoken by the young staff member, the people present looked at Leonard with a little more hatred.

Lu Liangchen's knuckles crackled. It turned out that this was what the foreigner said to Haitang.

"In accordance with Article 7 of the Canton Fair's Regulations on the Administration of Foreign Guests, I formally inform you—"

Team leader Wang also looked unhappy. He had no doubt that these words came from Lundner's mouth.

In the past, foreign guests had openly asked them to arrange for women to provide sexual services, and after being rejected, they even complained.

"Mr. Leonard, please apologize to our female comrade immediately. If you are unwilling to apologize, we can only refuse you admission to the Canton Fair and report the relevant issues to your embassy."

Team leader Wang was very assertive and spoke in a neither humble nor arrogant manner.

Only at this moment did everyone finally let go of their worries.

Finally, this leader was not confused and did not let his own people suffer for the sake of foreign exchange.

Leonard's Adam's apple rolled twice, but he never apologized. Instead, he turned and left.

Other foreigners followed immediately.

Robert bowed deeply before leaving. "I'm sorry, we will go to the exhibition hall tomorrow with a formal letter of apology."

The moment they left, thunderous applause broke out.

The old chef asked someone to place the freshly steamed shrimp dumpling basket heavily on Jiang Haitang's table. "Girl, this basket is mine! China needs young people like you."

His calloused hand slapped Jiang Haitang's shoulder hard.

"When Premier Zhou inspected the Canton Fair, he said that 'harmony brings wealth,' but he didn't say that we should make money on our knees!"

Team Leader Wang reached out and shook hands with Jiang Haitang. "I salute you. I will report everything that happened today to the organizing committee in detail and will not let you down."

"Young comrades, what are your names? Are you here for the Canton Fair? Could you please leave your contact information?"

Jiang Haitang told Team Leader Wang the location of the guesthouse where they were staying and the exhibition hall, and Team Leader Wang then left in a hurry.

This matter needs to be handled properly to avoid creating a bad impression.

After everyone else left, Wu Huiting filled Jiang Haitang's cup of tea with red eyes.

The tea reflects the old photos from the 1950s on the wall - the foreign businessmen and Chinese people at that time all smiled sincerely and equally.

Jiang Haitang looked at the door where no foreign guests were anymore, and suddenly realized that the Canton Fair was not only a bridge for trade, but also a touchstone of dignity.

When they returned to the exhibition hall after dinner, Director Hu looked at them with resentment.

"It took you so long to finish your meal."

Fortunately, it wasn’t Lu Liangchen and Jiang Haitang, otherwise, he would have suspected that they had eloped!

"Director Hu, something happened just now. Let me tell you."

Han Zhiqiu is still extremely excited.

Jiang Haitang is so amazing. She is older than Jiang Haitang, but she doesn’t have Jiang Haitang’s abilities.

When Han Zhiqiu started speaking, she was so excited that she could hardly control herself. She quickly calmed her breath and then spoke with a tone full of admiration.

"Director Hu, you don't know how much trouble this meal was. Before we even got to the restaurant, we encountered a thief who stole a Hong Kong businessman's bag. There was a lot of money in that bag. Director Lu and Haitang chased after him without a second thought. Their skills..."

"We went to the police station again, and they said they wanted to commend Haitang for protecting the interests of foreign investors."

Han Zhiqiu paused, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "What's even more amazing is yet to come! Ms. Wu Huiting, a Hong Kong merchant, invited us to dinner, but we ended up meeting a foreign businessman named Rendner, who made many insulting remarks about China. Haitang stood up and refuted him forcefully."

"Haitang looked so handsome when he stood up." Han Zhiqiu imitated Jiang Haitang's resounding tone, raising his voice deliberately. "At the first Canton Fair in 1957, we didn't have interpreters, but we still did business with the world. Today, you come here with arrogance, thinking you can trample on our dignity with money?"

Han Zhiqiu suddenly grabbed Jiang Haitang's hand and dragged her towards Director Hu. "You see, she was so quiet and gentle, but at that moment, her aura was so strong that even that fake foreigner Robert was sweating profusely!"

"That foreign businessman was being criticized and still acted arrogantly, demanding an apology from Haitang. Fortunately, Team Leader Wang remained steadfast and demanded an apology from Rendner. Although we haven't received their apology yet, the fake foreigner Robert said he would bring a letter of apology."

Han Zhiqiu grew increasingly excited as he spoke. "You have no idea how calm Haitang remained in the face of provocation. I'm ashamed of myself! This meal was even more exciting than watching "Catch a Thief!"

She works in the factory office and has always thought that her ability to express herself is pretty good, but today, she suddenly felt that she lacked the language skills.

She could only gesture with her hands and express herself with body movements, as if only she could recreate Jiang Haitang's heroic appearance.

Jiang Haitang couldn't bear to listen any longer, so she pulled Han Zhiqiu aside and said, "It's not that mysterious. I believe that anyone would fight for their rights to uphold the dignity of their country."

"It's different, it's different, Haitang, you are the best."

Having said this, Han Zhiqiu felt that he seemed to have missed something.

But I couldn’t remember it for a moment.

Director Hu was very familiar with Han Zhiqiu and knew that she was a very steady female comrade. This was the first time she was as excited as she was today.

He couldn't help but look at Lu Liangchen, who had a dark face, and meant to ask, is this all true?

Lu Liangchen nodded: "We are still too backward, that's why we are bullied."

He hates it!

"Our textile machines are still from the 1950s, while others use automatic assembly lines," said Director Hu with emotion.