Twenty thousand yuan.
The number swirled in Zhang Cheng's mind, bringing a sense of absurdity.
It's worth noting that he gave Brother Dao a settlement allowance of 30,000 yuan when he fled.
This is the era we live in.
An era full of contradictions, yet also overflowing with opportunities.
Grain was as cheap as dirt, but a color TV or a motorcycle could be prohibitive for an ordinary family, with prices far exceeding those of decades later.
Zhou Yuanhang, this shrewd contractor, clearly hasn't realized that he's holding a mountain of gold in his hands.
"Boss Zhou."
Zhang Cheng's gaze calmed down, but his voice carried an undeniable power.
"Go ahead and negotiate for that piece of land."
"If we can't reach an agreement, we'll just buy it for 21,000! Jianhao will give you the money."
He turned to Zhang Jianhao and instructed, "Did you hear me? Boss Zhou wants money. Be quick about it, don't keep him waiting."
"Got it, bro!" Zhang Jianhao grinned and nodded emphatically.
Zhou Yuanhang's heart skipped a beat, and his face flushed with excitement: "Don't worry, Mr. Zhang! I'll go to the Development and Reform Bureau right away!"
"Sword Master, see Boss Zhou off for me."
"Oh, no need, no need!"
Zhou Yuanhang waved his hands repeatedly and practically ran out of the ward, as if afraid that if he was even a second late, this immense fortune would slip away.
After Zhou Yuanhang left, the ward became quiet.
Zhang Cheng's gaze fell on Li Qiming.
"Qiming, the village store hasn't received any new stock for over a month. Go to the supply and marketing cooperative and get all the firewood, rice, oil, salt, cigarettes, and liquor you need."
"middle!"
Li Qiming agreed, his eyes darting around, and he reached out his hand to Zhang Jianhao with a roguish air.
"Sword Master, pay up!"
Zhang Jianhao's face darkened, speechless. How did he end up becoming this group's "housekeeper" without even realizing it?
He reluctantly pulled a wad of crumpled banknotes from his pocket and counted out 1,200.
This is the two hundred left over from buying the gun, and the one thousand that was originally intended to pay Zhang Cheng's hospital fees.
As a result, Zhao Daming simply wrote a few words and took all the money from the police station's budget.
Li Qiming grabbed the money, happily stuffed it into his pocket, and pulled Li Fuguo out.
“Zhang Cheng,” Li Yuanyuan’s voice was tinged with laughter, “I have a batch of worn-out clothes in my clothing store. Have someone take them back to the village and distribute them to the villagers.”
She explained, "They're all minor issues, like loose threads or slight scratches. Director Zhang is very generous; he just sent me a new batch, so I don't need these anymore."
“Okay.” Zhang Cheng nodded. “Big Head Brother hasn’t been back in a while, so let him come with us this time.”
...
Just as Zhang Cheng was preparing to return to his hometown.
The atmosphere in the small, temporarily rented shop of the Funing County Chamber of Commerce was becoming subtle.
A dozen or so private business owners, whose influence in Funing County was so great that even a stomp of their feet could shake the ground, were arriving together.
Seeing this scene, Jiang Meili quickly got up from behind her desk to greet them.
"Greetings, gentlemen. Are you here to join the Chamber of Commerce?"
The middle-aged man at the head of the group was dressed in a sharp suit, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, with slightly graying temples, and his eyes exuded the authority of someone who had long held a high position.
His name is Qian Zheng.
Qian Zheng glanced at Jiang Meili, a faint smile playing on his lips: "We are indeed here to join the membership."
"Then you guys fill out a form first..." Jiang Meili quickly turned around to get the form.
No rush.
Qian Zheng raised his hand, interrupting her, his voice gentle yet carrying an undeniable air.
“I’ve already called Jiang Dashan, and he will come in person.”
"ah?"
Jiang Meili was stunned. Secretary Jiang of the glass factory was going to personally receive this group of people?
"Then...then I'll make tea for you all!"
Qian Zheng's gaze slowly swept over the small, simple shop, and he shook his head almost imperceptibly, a hint of disdain flashing across his face.
He seemed to be talking to himself, yet also to everyone else.
"Jiang Dashan still has the old mindset of a state-owned enterprise cadre."
"The Funing County Chamber of Commerce is, after all, the face of Funing businessmen. How can it use such a cramped, fly-in-the-wall place as its office?"
He scoffed.
"If merchants from other counties saw this, they would probably laugh at our Funing County, saying we're all just lowly peasants who can't be brought to the table."
"Director Qian is right! Secretary Jiang handled this matter in a very petty way!"
"There's nothing we can do. He's the Party Secretary of a state-owned enterprise. He has to keep track of every penny he spends and report it. Unlike us, we can make our own decisions!"
"There's not even a place to sit. I think we should go to the restaurant next door and wait. We can't just stand here."
The bosses were talking amongst themselves, their words filled with disdain for the office and Jiang Dashan.
Just then, a dilapidated old bicycle stopped at the door.
Jiang Dashan walked in, covered in sweat.
"Everyone, I'm so sorry I'm late!"
As soon as he entered, he heard the undisguised complaints, yet the man still smiled broadly and apologized repeatedly.
The bosses who were just muttering behind his back instantly changed their tune and greeted him warmly.
"Secretary Jiang, you're too kind. We're just too early!"
"Secretary Jiang, the Chamber of Commerce was just established and you've already set up an office. That's incredibly efficient!"
Jiang Dashan waved his hand, not caring about their change in attitude, and said with a smile, "During this trip to Jiaxing, we reached cooperation agreements with many factories there."
He paused, then emphasized his words: "Of course, the fact that this trip went so smoothly is all thanks to Li Yuanyuan, the owner of Yangcheng Clothing Store."
One of the shop owners interjected, "Secretary Jiang, how can someone who just runs a clothing store have such influence?"
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