Long Guohua smiled helplessly: "This old guy has already learned his lesson once, yet he's still so reckless. He doesn't even know how to restrain himself."
Duan Yannian laughed and said, "He's always been like this; otherwise, he wouldn't have earned the reputation of an iron-blooded general. I was worried that he would be affected after that incident, but now it seems, hey! He hasn't changed at all!"
Long Guohua laughed too, "It's easier to change mountains and rivers than to change one's nature. If he changed, he wouldn't be himself anymore!"
After laughing, Duan Yannian said, "To say that nothing has changed wouldn't be accurate; there have been some changes. You heard what he said on the phone just now, right? What are your thoughts?"
Long Guohua lit a cigarette, took a puff, and said, "What he said is exactly the problem that has been troubling me lately. I recently reviewed the inventory report compiled from below, and the situation is not optimistic. Currently, there is a serious imbalance between supply and demand in domestic factories. You would never guess that some factories are already experiencing stockpiles of goods, but most ordinary people in the country cannot afford them or cannot buy them even if they have the money."
Duan Yannian exclaimed in astonishment, "How is this possible?"
Long Guohua smiled bitterly and remained silent.
Duan Yannian knew his old friend's temperament; he would never lie, and he suddenly felt a little absurd.
What kind of mess is this?!
"No wonder Lao Qin's kids bought so many things at the department store today and didn't think it was too much."
Long Guohua sighed, "Although Lao Qin suffered a calamity, he at least spent a few years in the countryside, so his understanding of this matter is definitely deeper than ours. It's not surprising that he said those things. If we don't adapt more flexibly, I'm afraid..."
Long Guohua didn't continue, but Duan Yannian understood.
"This is a headache for you economics people to deal with! I can't do anything about it!" Duan Yannian said, then changed the subject: "The Zhou family has gone too far this time. They've clearly set their sights on kicking Old Qin while he's down. Humph! Making such a scene is obviously a test of our attitude towards the higher-ups! What did they say?"
Long Guohua said, "We all know who Lao Qin is, not only us, but also the higher-ups. Don't worry, although my visit to you this time is at the behest of the higher-ups, it's definitely not a bad thing. The higher-ups just want to know Lao Qin's attitude. If the Zhou family continues to cause trouble, it's perfectly reasonable for Lao Qin to take action. The higher-ups won't interfere."
Duan Yannian almost rolled his eyes, "Are you trying to use Lao Qin as a pawn? Aren't you afraid that old guy will get mad at you?!"
Long Guohua's expression was somewhat unnatural. He saw through it but didn't say anything. Could you please stop shouting so loudly, old man?
Duan Yannian snorted coldly, "Let's not talk about what happened to Lao Qin before. He just came back. It would be one thing if the higher-ups didn't try to appease him, but now they're acting like this. Aren't they afraid of chilling people's hearts?"
After all, they were old friends of many years, and Duan Yannian had no choice but to stand up for his old friend and say a fair word.
Long Guohua's expression turned serious: "What kind of talk is that! Do you think you don't understand what the higher-ups mean, even if others don't? They said they wouldn't interfere in the affairs between Lao Qin and the Zhou family. Why do you think that is? Can those people in the Zhou family be a match for Lao Qin?"
Besides, Qin's return to the capital is precisely the time to establish his authority. Letting him deal with the Zhou family is indeed using Qin as a tool to eliminate them, but after taking down the Zhou family, Qin can use this achievement to advance his career. Isn't this an opportunity given to him by his superiors?
Upon hearing Long Guohua's words, Duan Yannian's expression changed, and he then laughed, "I was narrow-minded!"
Long Guohua stood up and said, "Alright, I've already said what I wanted to say to you today, so don't you dare..."
Duan Yannian made a sealing gesture, "Don't worry, I'm always very tight-lipped. I won't even tell Lao Qin."
After returning home, Long Guohua told his superior everything he had seen and heard. When the superior heard Duan Yannian say that he was tight-lipped, he couldn't help but laugh and curse: "Bullshit! That old bastard Duan has the nerve to say he's tight-lipped? Do you believe that the moment he saw you off, he'd immediately call Old Qin to tell him off?"
Long Guohua's eyes widened in surprise: "Really? It can't be that bad, can it?"
The senior leader smiled and glanced at him, then waved his hand, "Alright, alright, let's not talk about this anymore. Let's see what they do."
Just as the senior leader had predicted, as soon as Long Guohua left, Duan Yannian immediately called Old Master Qin and relayed every word Long Guohua had said to him.
"You old bastard, you've actually turned misfortune into a blessing in disguise."
Old Master Qin snorted coldly: "I knew it was strange for you to call so late at night. I was right."
Duan Yannian chuckled twice, "Am I a good friend, brother? Don't forget to share some of that tea I had at your house last time."
Old Master Qin said irritably, "You old rascal, you really are like a weasel offering New Year's greetings to a chicken, up to no good! No wonder you were so eager, you've got your eye on my good tea! Humph! Dream on! You think you can trick me out of my good tea with just a few words? Keep dreaming!"
Duan Yannian said with a bitter smile, "You old bastard, you're so ungrateful! Do you think I just talked the talk? I offended the Zhou family for you. For that alone, it should be worth two catties of good tea, right?"
Old Master Qin was so angry he laughed: "Two catties of good tea! You really have a way of asking for the moon! I don't even have two catties in my hand! Do you think good tea leaves are like weeds on the ground, to be picked up for free? Don't even mention two catties, I don't even have two ounces!"
Duan Yannian immediately became agitated upon hearing this: "Old Qin, I'm telling you, Old Qin, this is really unfair of you! Putting aside this matter, just based on our friendship of so many years, isn't it worth two ounces of good tea?"
Old Master Qin sneered: "What kind of relationship do we have? Is it because you fought alongside me in the war and betrayed me? Or is it because you always manage to steal something from my house every time you come? Or..."
Duan Yannian felt embarrassed by what Old Master Qin said and quickly begged for mercy: "Stop, stop, stop! This is ancient history, how can you still remember it so clearly! You're so old, yet you're still so petty! Anyway, I don't care, if you don't give me that good tea, I'll go to your house to drink it every day until it's all gone, and see if you get annoyed!"
Old Master Qin angrily cursed, "You old scoundrel Duan, if you dare, come and try, and see if I'll let you in!"
Duan Yannian chuckled incessantly, and after much persuasion, he finally managed to get Old Master Qin to agree to give him half an ounce of tea leaves.
Although he complained that Old Master Qin was stingy, Duan Yannian felt happy just thinking about the delicious taste of the tea.
No one knows where Old Man Qin got this treasure. It's a hundred times better than any tribute tea. Ever since he tasted it once, he can't forget the taste even in his dreams!
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