Chapter 264 A Shocking Scheme
The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, a group of uninvited guests arrived at the gate of Haitang Technology's factory.
Sun Weidong led a dozen or so men, all wearing red armbands and carrying document bags, their faces clearly saying, "I'm here to cause trouble."
"Stop right there!" Sun Weidong shouted as he entered the room. "The Industry and Commerce Bureau is conducting a joint inspection! Everyone, stop work immediately and cooperate with the inspection!"
The workers in the workshop looked at each other in bewilderment and stopped what they were doing.
Zhou Jimin stormed out of the office, his face turning purple with anger: "Team Leader Sun, our Haitang Technology has all the necessary permits and licenses. What right do you have to stop us from working?"
"Why should I?" Sun Weidong pulled out a document stamped with a large red seal and slammed it on the table.
"Based on this alone! We received reports from the public about speculation and unsafe production practices, and we conducted an inspection according to the law. Is there a problem?"
“You—” Zhou Jimin rolled up his sleeves and was about to step forward.
Bai Shu stopped him in time, and stepped forward with a smile, saying, "Team Leader Sun, you've worked hard. You're here so early to inspect, you must not have had breakfast yet. Xiao Liu, go and make some tea for Team Leader Sun and the others."
Sun Weidong was taken aback. He hadn't expected that the legendary, unapproachable Boss Bai would be so easy to talk to.
He cleared his throat: "Hmph, you're smart to know what's good for you. Let me tell you, you won't get away with any of these checks today!"
"Of course, of course," Bai Shu nodded with a smile. "We must cooperate with the country's policies. Team Leader Sun, please, feel free to investigate wherever you wish."
Sun Weidong and his men began to wander around the factory.
He measured the location of the fire hydrant three times and said it did not meet the standards.
He pointed out a bunch of problems with the stacked goods in the warehouse, saying they posed safety hazards.
He even had to open the trash cans in the toilet to check for any illegal sewage discharge.
Zhou Jimin was so angry that he stomped his feet. He tried to go forward to argue with Bai Shu several times, but Bai Shu stopped him with a look.
Bai Zhu maintained a polite smile throughout, accompanying Sun Weidong wherever he pointed, and occasionally offering him a cup of hot tea.
This situation made Sun Weidong feel uneasy.
He nitpicked for over two hours, but didn't hear a single rebuttal.
Just as Sun Weidong was about to take out the production suspension and rectification notice he had written long ago, a new "Internal Reference News" appeared on the desks of leaders of major government agencies in Beijing.
...
Office of the Deputy Director of the Beijing Municipal Administration for Industry and Commerce.
Wu Wenshan held his teacup, opened the newly delivered "Internal Reference News," and prepared to see what important news was coming out today.
His gaze swept over the front page headline, and his hand trembled, spilling tea all over the table.
"Stumbling Blocks Amidst the Reform Wave: Who's Hindering National Technological Progress Behind the Obstruction of a Technology Company's Project?"
The article gets straight to the point from the very beginning:
"Haitang Technology, a private enterprise dedicated to semiconductor technology research and development, has had its 'Dawn' project recognized by several experts as a national strategic high-tech project. However, just as the project was about to achieve a breakthrough, it encountered unreasonable obstruction from certain departments..."
Wu Wenshan's expression grew increasingly grim as he looked at the scene.
Although the article did not name names, it implied that the Industry and Commerce Bureau was deliberately making things difficult for Haitang Technology.
Even more problematic is that the last paragraph of the article directly links Haitang Technology to national strategy:
"We are at a crucial stage of reform and opening up, and national rejuvenation through science and technology is a fundamental national policy. Any action that hinders scientific and technological development is a crime against the future of the country..."
Wu Wenshan had just tossed the newspaper onto the table when the phone rang.
"Old Wu, did you read that article in today's 'Internal Reference News'?" The other person's voice was very polite, but Wu Wenshan could hear the probing in it.
"I've looked at it." Wu Wenshan wiped the sweat from his forehead.
"Isn't the business registration bureau handling the Haitang Technology matter?"
"Well... that's true."
"Old Wu, the higher-ups are paying a lot of attention to science and technology projects these days. You need to be careful about the impact of your actions, so as not to give anyone a handle to use against you."
After I hung up that call, another one came in.
Within half an hour, Wu Wenshan received five phone calls, all of which were indirect inquiries about Haitang Technology.
He sat in the chair, his clothes soaked through on the back.
He never expected that a businesswoman would have such power to get the article published directly in the "Internal Reference News".
This internal publication is specifically for senior leaders and has a much greater influence than ordinary newspapers.
Wu Wenshan picked up the phone and dialed Sun Weidong's number.
...
Haitang Technology Factory.
Sun Weidong was in his office, preparing to take out the production suspension and rectification notice that he had written long ago.
The phone rang.
"Hello"
"Sun Weidong! What are you doing?" Wu Wenshan's voice came through the microphone, filled with suppressed anger.
Sun Weidong was startled: "Director Wu, I'm currently inspecting Haitang Technology."
"Inspecting me? You're asking for it!" Wu Wenshan lowered his voice. "Do you even know what was published in today's 'Internal Reference News'?"
"What?" Sun Weidong was completely bewildered.
"Listen to me carefully, Haitang Technology's project is of national strategic importance. If you dare to mess around, you can expect to be transferred to the archives tomorrow!"
"But...but Director Wu, didn't you send me?"
"I told you to follow the rules, not to act recklessly!" Wu Wenshan took a deep breath. "Immediately, back to base! Remember, follow the rules, and don't cause me any trouble!"
Snap!
The call ended.
Sun Weidong stood there, microphone in hand, stunned.
He glanced back at Bai Shu, who was holding a teacup and smiling at him.
That smile sent chills down his spine.
Sun Weidong wiped the sweat from his face and walked out of the office.
"Ahem." He cleared his throat. "After our thorough inspection, Haitang Technology has all the necessary permits and its production process is standardized. There are no problems whatsoever."
Zhou Jimin's eyes widened: "Team Leader Sun, didn't you just say..."
“That was just now, this is now!” Sun Weidong interrupted him, turning to Bai Shu and saying, “Mr. Bai, I’m sorry to have troubled you. Haitang Technology truly lives up to its reputation as a high-tech enterprise; it excels in every aspect and is the pride of Beijing!”
Bai Shu smiled and nodded: "Team Leader Sun, you flatter us. We should cooperate with the national inspection."
Just as Sun Weidong was about to leave with his men, a black sedan pulled up at the factory gate.
The car door opened, and a middle-aged man wearing a Zhongshan suit stepped out.
"Boss Bai!" The man walked over quickly, his face beaming. "Old Chen asked me to come and see if you might need any help."
Sun Weidong's legs went weak.
He recognized the person.
Mr. Chen's secretary was someone who was a very important and influential person in Beijing.
"Secretary Chen, what brings you here?" A hint of surprise flashed across Bai Shu's face.
"Mr. Chen praised the tea you sent yesterday," Secretary Chen said with a smile. "He is particularly concerned about the 'Dawn' project, saying it is the future of the country. He asked me to inquire about any difficulties he may encounter."
"Then thank you very much, Elder Chen," Bai Shu said politely. "Everything is going smoothly here, and there are no difficulties."
Secretary Chen turned to look at Sun Weidong: "And this is..."
“It’s Team Leader Sun from the Industry and Commerce Bureau,” Bai Shu introduced. “Team Leader Sun just finished his inspection and said we’ve done a great job in all aspects.”
"That's good." Secretary Chen patted Sun Weidong on the shoulder. "Old Chen often said that reform and opening up need responsible cadres and visionary entrepreneurs. Team Leader Sun, your Industry and Commerce Bureau's support for high-tech companies like Haitang Technology is a contribution to the country!"
Sun Weidong broke out in a cold sweat.
His lips trembled: "It's right, it's right..."
Secretary Chen chatted with Bai Shu for a few more minutes before getting into his car and leaving.
Sun Weidong stood there, his legs trembling.
He turned to look at Bai Shu, who was still smiling, but in his eyes, that smile was more terrifying than the King of Hell.
"Boss Bai, um..." Sun Weidong pulled out the production stoppage and rectification notice from his pocket, and tore it to shreds in front of everyone. "We've finished our inspection. Haitang Technology meets all the standards and there are no problems. Everyone, please continue working!"
After saying that, he led the inspection team away in a dejected manner.
There was a few seconds of silence in the factory, then thunderous applause erupted.
The workers looked at Atractylodes macrocephala with eyes full of worship and fervor.
Zhou Jimin rushed over, so excited he was almost incoherent: "Boss Bai, you...you did an amazing job! How did you do that?"
Bai Shu put down his teacup and said calmly, "I just wanted them to know that what Haitang Technology is doing is contributing to the country. Anyone who wants to get in their way should think twice about their own capabilities."
Zhou Jimin gave a thumbs up: "Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!"
Bai Zhu didn't say anything more, turned around and walked into the office.
She sat down in the chair, picked up the red phone on the table, and dialed Qin Zheng's number.
How did things go?
“Miss, Sun Weidong’s son has received a scholarship, and his wife has also found a job at the new factory,” Qin Zheng reported. “He’s probably wondering now whether he should thank you or hate you.”
Bai Shu's lips curled into a smile: "Give him a path, and he'll have to follow it obediently. Keep an eye on him and don't let him make any rash moves."
"clear."
After hanging up the phone, Bai Shu walked to the window and looked at the busy workers outside.
Starting today, she has tightened her grip on the network in Beijing.
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