Uncle Tai glared at his subordinate and scolded, "Are you blind? Can't you see I'm discussing business?"
The subordinate said, "No, Uncle Tai, something's happened! Several of our sand pits in Xiawan were raided overnight, the machines were smashed, and our men were beaten. The municipal construction site was also completely destroyed, and to make matters worse, the cables in the warehouse were burned!"
"What?!"
Upon hearing this, Uncle Tai's eyes widened in anger, and he said, "A bunch of good-for-nothings! What are you all good for? With someone guarding the site, you think they'd let them smash it up?"
Uncle Tai wouldn't be this angry just because several sand pits in Xiawan were swept away.
However, municipal projects have deadlines, and not a single day can be delayed.
If the project is not completed within the stipulated time, he will have difficulty receiving the final payment.
Moreover, what's even more troublesome is the cables in the warehouse, which are extremely valuable and difficult to source.
In 2001, cable manufacturing processes and technologies were not yet mature, and cables that met municipal standards were expensive and difficult to obtain.
"Okay, you can go now!"
Having weathered many storms over the years, Uncle Tai quickly suppressed his anger, waved his hand, and dismissed his men.
Gao Qiqiang asked cautiously, "Dad, was it Tang Ping who did it?"
"Who else could it be but him?"
Uncle Tai glared at him and said irritably, "That Tang Ping! I just set fire to his factory, and he turns around and raids my sand yard and construction site. Those cables in the warehouse are worth a lot; we need to get them over here quickly, the construction schedule can't be delayed. I really didn't expect this bastard to dare to go head-to-head with us!"
As he spoke, Uncle Tai angrily slammed his teacup onto the table.
Clearly, he suffered a greater loss this time.
Gao Qiqiang quickly put on a smiling face and said, "Father, calm down. This kind of fighting can't go on. It's like killing a thousand enemies while losing eight hundred of your own. It's a lose-lose situation. I think we should talk to Tang Ping and make peace!"
"Make peace? What are you thinking? Am I the one who should back down, or are you the one who should back down? The fight hasn't even officially started yet, just wait and see."
Uncle Tai glared at Gao Qiqiang with displeasure, then ordered, "Don't just sit idly by here. On the surface, you're in charge of finding the people who smashed my sand quarry and factory. I want to see just how capable this Tang Ping really is!"
"Dad, me? I'm afraid I can't do it," Gao Qiqiang said with a troubled expression.
Uncle Tai immediately turned hostile, his tone stern: "What? Even now, you're still planning to please both sides? Gao Qiqiang, you're far inferior to your brother in this respect. Let me tell you, those who waver in the wind end up in the worst situation. You'd better think carefully about which side you're on. Go back and figure out what you're going to do!"
"Yes, Dad, I'll go back and reflect on my actions. Don't be angry, your health is important."
Gao Qiqiang was thoroughly scolded, but he still managed a forced smile and slowly left the office.
After leaving the construction group, Gao Qiqiang's expression immediately turned cold.
He was now starting to regret it. He shouldn't have become Tai Shu's godfather. He hadn't gotten any benefits, and now he was being asked to deal with Tang Ping as a way of showing his loyalty.
Gao Qiqiang did not go home, but went directly to Qiangsheng Xiaolingtong store.
Since becoming Uncle Tai's godfather, Gao Qiqiang had completely handed over the Xiaolingtong store to Gao Qisheng. Taking advantage of the fact that no one was in the store, Gao Qiqiang pulled him aside and asked, "Xiaosheng, tell me honestly, did you set the fire at the Mangcun factory?"
"Brother, why are you suddenly asking about this? How could it be me? I'm so busy at the shop every day that I don't even have time to eat. I don't have that kind of time." Gao Qisheng adjusted his glasses and laughed.
Gao Qiqiang frowned and said, "The arson happened in the early hours of the morning. I remember you said you were going out for a late-night snack after you closed the shop last night. What time did you come back?"
"Brother, it really wasn't me. I came back to sleep right after I finished eating."
Gao Qisheng shrugged.
Gao Qiqiang kept staring at Gao Qisheng's face, watching his expression, but he couldn't find any flaws. Finally, he said, "Xiao Sheng, you mustn't lie to me!"
After saying that, Gao Qiqiang turned around and prepared to leave.
Watching Gao Qiqiang's retreating figure, Gao Qisheng muttered something to himself, then pretended nothing had happened, leaned forward, and asked, "What's wrong, brother?"
Gao Qiqiang said dejectedly, "Uncle Tai is on my side and wants me to go against A Ping. I can't do that. If it weren't for him, none of us would have gotten past Xu Jiang."
“But how are you going to explain this to Uncle Tai? Brother, didn’t we agree last time that everyone looks out for themselves? Besides, Tang Ping stopped us from opening the Xiaolingtong store back then, look how good our business is now! Let me tell you, he was just purely jealous of us,” Gao Qisheng said emphatically.
Hearing this, Gao Qiqiang remained silent for a while, then looked up and said, "Have Xiaohu come over tonight and find out who those people at Uncle Dongtai's sand pit and construction site are."
Gao Qisheng immediately laughed and said, "Brother, that's right, I'll go call Brother Xiaohu!"
Although Tang Xiaolong went to jail, Tang Xiaohu is still there. The group of thugs from before are now following Tang Xiaohu around, making a living off him.
With the sanitation management fees from the vegetable market and the protection fees from some shops on Old Factory Street, Tang Xiaohu had money in his hands, and after what happened with Xu Jiang, he also had a great reputation.
I can't speak for other places, but in the Old Factory Street area, they've certainly made a name for themselves.
When Gao Qiqiang came looking for him, Tang Xiaohu went there with a few of his underlings without saying a word, because Gao Qiqiang had saved his life.
"Little Tiger, there's something I need you to do." Gao Qiqiang recounted the incident of Tai Shu's construction site and sand pit being vandalized, and pointed the finger directly at Tang Ping.
Tang Xiaohu hesitated for a moment after hearing this, and said, "Brother Qiang, that Tang Ping seems like someone you don't want to mess with. Besides, weren't we friends before?"
Tang Ping also played a part in saving his life. Moreover, when Tang Xiaolong was around, he caused trouble at the internet cafe, but ended up losing face. Tang Xiaohu was still quite afraid of Tang Ping.
Gao Qiqiang laughed and said, "I didn't ask you to cause trouble, I just wanted to find out who they are. Besides, today's friend might be tomorrow's enemy. What, are you afraid of Tang Ping?"
Tang Xiaohu immediately declared, "It's not that I'm afraid, Brother Qiang. I know you saved my life. My brother also told me that no matter what, I'll do whatever you ask me to do. Who does Tang Ping think he is?"
"Hehe, that's good. Go and get it done. Call me when it's done!"
Gao Qiqiang was very satisfied with Tang Xiaohu's attitude. He reached out and patted Tang Xiaohu's shoulder, smiling as he spoke.
Tang Xiaohu nodded and, with a few of his underlings, began to inquire about it in the underworld.
Although there were no surveillance cameras, some people still recognized Hu Xiandong, the leader, because the scar on his face was very obvious.
Late at night, across from the Wan Zi Qian Hong KTV, a blond-haired thug sneaked past.
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