Chapter 263 A Show of Force in Beijing
The tranquility of Courtyard No. 1 was broken at 8 a.m. the next morning when Qin Zheng knocked on the door.
He held an official document in his hand, his expression not very good, and said to Su Wantang.
"Young Miss, something has happened."
Su Wantang took the document, glanced at it, and frowned slightly.
It is a joint inspection notice from the Beijing Municipal Administration for Industry and Commerce. It states that Haitang Technology has been reported for suspected "speculation and profiteering" and "safety production hazards," and is required to suspend production tomorrow for self-inspection and cooperate with the investigation.
"You came so quickly." Su Wantang placed the documents on the table and tapped her fingers lightly on the surface.
Yesterday I confronted Madam Qian and her group at Tangdixuan, and today someone has already made a move. These old ladies from Beijing, their methods are certainly direct.
"Young Miss, shall I investigate the background of this inspection team?" Qin Zheng asked.
"Investigate. Focus on investigating the team leader's background." Su Wantang stood up and walked to the window. "Also, contact Director Zhang of the Health Bureau and tell him I'd like to invite him to a casual meal to discuss recent policy developments."
Qin Zheng nodded: "Understood."
Just as he was about to leave, Su Wantang called him back.
"By the way, tell them to keep a low profile these few days, so that no one can find any fault with them."
"yes."
...
Meanwhile, in the Gobi Desert of Northwest China.
A military jeep bumped along through the swirling yellow sand. Inside, Lu Jingyan had changed out of his military uniform and was wearing a gray Zhongshan suit, looking like an ordinary civil servant.
The car stopped in front of an inconspicuous mud-brick house, where Wang Kun was already waiting.
"Brigade Commander Lu!" Wang Kun greeted him, his face covered in the marks of wind and sand.
"How's the situation?" Lu Jingyan got out of the car and went straight to the point.
"We've acquired most of the land, just one last piece left." Wang Kun pulled out a hand-drawn map and pointed to a red circle on it.
"This is the place, occupied by a guy called 'Black Sand Scorpion.' He's completely unreasonable; he won't sell it for any amount of money."
Lu Jingyan took the map and compared it with the mineral vein map given by Shi Gandang.
The location circled in red is right at the core entrance of the "Mingsha" mine.
"What's the background of this black sand scorpion?"
“Speaking of which, it’s somewhat related to that Ma Weiguo from before.” Wang Kun lowered his voice. “I’ve inquired about it. This guy has more than twenty men under his command, all of them ruthless criminals. Most importantly, it seems like he has someone backing him up.”
Lu Jingyan narrowed his eyes: "Who is it?"
"I don't know, but some people have seen him. People from other places often go to him, and they all speak with a foreign accent."
Foreign accent.
Lu Jingyan had a hunch. It was most likely someone from "Eagle's Nest."
"Has the Bladepoint Squad arrived yet?"
"We've arrived. We'll wait in the sand dunes behind us."
"Have them change into civilian clothes and infiltrate the mine tonight to scout. I need to know Black Sand Scorpion's background and where his lifeline lies."
"yes!"
...
Beijing, 3 PM.
Director Zhang called right on time.
"Mr. Bai, I'm sorry, I can't help with this matter either." Director Zhang's voice sounded somewhat helpless.
"The head of the inspection team is Sun Weidong. He is known for being stubborn and inflexible, and he doesn't give face to anyone."
Su Wantang chuckled on the other end of the phone: "Director Zhang, I didn't mean to put you in a difficult position. I just wanted to find out who this Sun Weidong works for."
"He's directly under Deputy Director Wu Wenshan." Director Zhang paused. "Wu Wenshan isn't usually very involved in things, so why is he suddenly..."
“Wu Wenshan?” Su Wantang repeated the name.
"Yes, I heard that his wife's maiden name is Qian, and she is considered quite prominent in Beijing."
Su Wantang hung up the phone, a cold smile playing on her lips. Madam Qian was more direct and more foolish than she had imagined.
Then he dialed the phone number of reporter Li Yuanchao.
"Reporter Li, I have some big news to share with you."
“Boss Bai, please speak!” Li Yuanchao’s voice immediately became excited.
"A stumbling block in the wave of reform—behind the obstruction of the Haitang Technology Project, who is hindering the country's scientific and technological progress?" Su Wantang said, word by word, "Is this headline sensational enough?"
There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone, followed by Li Yuanchao's gasp.
"Mr. Bai, what are you going to do..."
"I want everyone in Beijing to know that some people are willing to obstruct the country's scientific and technological development for their own selfish interests."
Su Wantang's voice was calm, but Li Yuanchao could hear the chill in it.
"I want to see this article in the Internal Reference News tomorrow morning."
"Internal Reference News" is an internal publication specifically for high-level leaders, and its influence is much greater than that of ordinary newspapers.
"Understood! I guarantee I'll complete the mission!" Li Yuanchao's voice trembled with excitement. "Boss Bai, don't worry, I'll write something that will make those people regret it!"
After hanging up the phone, Su Wantang walked to the map in the study.
A map hung on the wall, and her gaze fell on the northwest, on the yellow area marked as the Gobi Desert.
Lu Jingyan is right there now, facing unknown dangers.
Those who want to kick her while she's down really don't know what death means.
She picked up the red phone on the table and dialed Qin Zheng's number.
"How's the investigation going?"
“Miss, Sun Weidong is indeed a difficult person to deal with, but he has a weakness.” Qin Zheng’s voice came through the microphone, “His son is studying at Beijing No. 1 High School, but his grades are not good, and he is worried that he will not be able to get into university.”
“Go on.”
"I also found out that Sun Weidong's wife works in a textile factory. The factory was not doing well recently, and she was making a fuss about being laid off."
Su Wantang nodded: "Very good. Tomorrow morning, go find Sun Weidong and tell him that Haitang Technology is willing to contribute to the education cause in Beijing and is preparing to set up a scholarship fund to specifically support students with excellent academic performance and character."
"clear."
"Also, have Du Kangnian contact a few textile factories to see if they need skilled workers."
"yes!"
After hanging up the phone, Su Wantang walked to the window and looked at the sky outside, which was gradually darkening.
...
Night falls in the study of Courtyard No. 1.
Su Wantang stood alone before the huge central map, her gaze fixed on the northwest. The map on the wall was marked with various information in red and blue; red represented the enemy's sphere of influence, and blue represented her own deployment.
She reached out and gently tapped the location of Beijing, then tapped the "Mingsha" mining area in the northwest. The two points were separated by thousands of miles, yet they were inextricably linked.
In Beijing, Madam Qian and her group have already launched their counterattack. Meanwhile, in the Northwest, the obstruction from "Black Sand Scorpion" is no accident. This is a comprehensive encirclement; the enemy wants to attack from two directions simultaneously, preventing her from attending to both ends.
But when has Su Wantang ever been afraid of being surrounded and attacked?
Having battled cancer for ten years in her past life, she had witnessed far more desperate situations. Reborn, she has space, connections, resources, and above all, an indomitable spirit.
She picked up the red phone on the table and dialed a number.
"Old Chen, it's me, Bai Shu."
"Girl, why aren't you asleep so late?" Old Chen's voice was gentle, but Su Wantang could hear the concern in it.
"I have something to report to you. The Industry and Commerce Bureau is coming to investigate Haitang Technology tomorrow, saying we are suspected of speculation and profiteering."
There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone, then Old Chen's voice, tinged with anger, came through: "Nonsense! I know better than anyone what kind of project Haitang Technology is working on. Semiconductor technology is a high-tech project that the country urgently needs. How has it become speculation and profiteering?"
“Mr. Chen, I don’t want you to step in and resolve this matter.” Su Wantang’s voice was firm. “I want to tell you that some people have already started to take action. They don’t dare to deal with me directly, so they want to annoy me in this way.”
What do you want to do?
"I've already arranged for reporters to write articles, and there will be related reports in tomorrow's 'Internal Reference News.' I want everyone to know that those who obstruct the development of Haitang Technology are obstructing the country's technological progress."
Old Chen laughed on the phone: "Good! That's bold! Girl, you've done a good job cutting off our supply lines. But remember, the bigger the tree, the more the wind will blow; these kinds of things will only happen more often in the future."
“I know.” Su Wantang’s eyes became even more determined.
“But I’m not afraid. Behind me stands the future of the entire nation. Let anyone who tries to obstruct me try.”
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