at the same time.

Zhang Cheng borrowed a phone from the hotel.

He thought of Zhao Daming, and of Zhang Jingtao, whom he had never met, and an idea formed in his mind:

Today's situation presents a perfect opportunity to leverage Gao Datong's influence to completely win over Zhang Jingtao. This would not only do Zhao Daming a favor but also clear obstacles for my business in Jiaxing, achieving multiple benefits in one fell swoop.

He dialed the number Zhao Daming had given him.

The call was answered quickly.

Who is it?

"Is that Zhang Jingtao, Brother Tao?"

"Who are you?"

"Brother Tao, I'm Zhang Cheng, a friend of Brother Zhao. Yesterday, Brother Zhao mentioned..."

Zhang Cheng gave a brief introduction, then invited Zhang Jingtao to the China World Hotel, specifically pointing out that Gao Datong was also there, and implying that Gao wanted to explain the "misunderstanding" in person.

Zhang Jingtao pondered for a moment, then readily agreed.

Zhang Cheng did not return to the private room, but waited quietly at the door.

Just over ten minutes later, a motorcycle roared up and stopped in front of the China World Hotel.

A burly man in his thirties, wearing a black jacket, got off the car.

"Is that Brother Tao?" Zhang Cheng stepped forward to greet him.

"You must be Xiao Zhang? You are indeed a handsome young man!" Zhang Jingtao sized up Zhang Cheng and extended his right hand.

Zhang Cheng quickly reached out and clasped his hands tightly.

"Brother Tao, we've gone to so much trouble for you yesterday. Brother Gao is already waiting in the private room, saying he wants to apologize to you in person."

Brother Gao? Why are you calling me that so affectionately?

Zhang Jingtao was surprised and looked at Zhang Cheng, who was still holding his hands tightly.

If this person had just met Gao Datong, his social skills were truly impressive.

Zhang Cheng grabbed Zhang Jingtao's arm and pushed open the door to the private room. "Brother Gao, Brother Zhang, my friend is here."

Seeing Zhang Jingtao being pulled in by Zhang Cheng, Gao Datong's face twitched. He really wanted to slice the knife-wielding brother in the corner to pieces.

Zhang Jingtao is the head of the Criminal Investigation Department of the Public Security Bureau, a powerful figure.

"Section Chief Zhang, I'm so sorry, so sorry, I'm really so sorry!"

Gao Datong greeted him with a face full of apology, but did not explain why he was apologizing.

Dao Ge's face was covered in blood. He was curled up in the corner, trembling and looking utterly pathetic.

You can't hit someone who's smiling.

Zhang Jingtao naturally wouldn't speak ill of Gao Datong and even smiled.

"Director Gao, I never expected that you would know this young man of mine..."

The four of them seemed oblivious to the fact that Brother Dao was still bleeding in the corner.

"Sit down, sit down, Section Chief Zhang, please have a seat!"

After Zhang Jingtao sat down, Gao Datong raised his glass.

"Section Chief Zhang, I won't say anything more. Everything is in the wine."

He drank it all in one gulp.

Seeing this, Zhang Jingtao's anger dissipated considerably. He guessed that what Brother Dao did yesterday was not instructed by Gao Datong, and that Gao Datong might not even know about it.

"Section Chief Zhang, this is Factory Director Zhang of Zhangtian Garments, you two should get to know each other!" Gao Datong introduced again.

"Section Chief Zhang, I'm a rough man, and it's our first meeting. I don't know what to say, so let's start with three drinks!" Zhang Tian raised his glass in a hearty manner.

"No need, no need..."

After a few drinks, the atmosphere in the private room became warm and harmonious.

Seeing that the time was right, Zhang Cheng casually brought it up.

“Brother Gao, the national highway in Jiaxing is dilapidated and old. Those illegally set up toll booths are like a skin disease, really affecting the city’s appearance. It’s a real headache for me to transport goods here.”

Gao Datong glanced at Zhang Jingtao, then smoothly picked up the conversation.

"Section Chief Zhang, the issue you mentioned, Brother Zhang, has been discussed several times within the bureau, hasn't it?"

Those toll booths are frequented by villagers from nearby villages; if things escalate, it could cause serious trouble. Since you're here, Section Chief Zhang, how about our two departments collaborate?

After all, the national highway is like the face of Jiaxing; it doesn't look good if it's always covered in 'dirt'!

Zhang Jingtao pondered for a moment and said, "This matter is indeed a headache for the bureau. What are your thoughts, Director Gao?"

He knew that since the mayor's only son, Gao Datong, had spoken up, he would naturally give him face, but the public security bureau could not take the lead; the road administration bureau needed to take the lead.

"I've discussed this issue with Brother Zhang. How about this..."

Gao Datong laid out his entire plan.

Zhang Jingtao pondered for a moment and nodded, "This plan is very feasible. I'll go to the bureau tomorrow and mention it to the leaders!"

"Haha, with Section Chief Zhang involved, this cooperation is definitely going to succeed! We're doing this for the benefit of the people of Jiaxing!"

"thump!"

Dao Ge, who had been standing in the corner, could no longer hold on and collapsed to the ground. He had lost far too much blood today.

Gao Datong frowned, about to call someone to come and take it away.

“Brother Gao, we’ve almost finished eating. I’ll take him to the hospital.” Zhang Cheng stood up.

"Alright then!" Gao Datong seemed to want more.

Zhang Tian also stood up. "Brother Zhang, remember to come visit my factory tomorrow."

"It's going to rain knives tomorrow, I'm going to come to your factory and see what it's like!"

Zhang Cheng walked up to Dao Ge with a smile and picked him up.

"Director Gao, Factory Director Zhang, we'll be leaving now!"

Zhang Jingtao seemed a little drunk, swaying as he put his hand on Zhang Cheng's shoulder.

Gao Datong and Zhang Tian did not get up to see them off.

The door to the private room closed, and Gao Datong's smile vanished instantly. He narrowed his eyes, seemingly plotting something.

Stepping out of the restaurant, Zhang Jingtao immediately straightened his back, rubbed his cheeks, and smiled:

"I'm really not used to these kinds of social engagements, but I can't avoid them."

Zhang Cheng laughed, "Brother Tao, when you're in officialdom, you're not in control of your own destiny."

"Therefore, the only option is to continuously integrate into this environment!"

Zhang Jingtao glanced at Dao Ge, whose face was deathly pale and whose eyes were tightly closed.

"Get him to the hospital quickly, lest he really die."

Zhang Jingtao didn't care if a few scoundrels died.

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