Xu Ergou stood by and watched with fear. He happened to meet Wan Rongbao when he was reporting something to An Jingzhi.
Seeing An Jingzhi's rude attitude towards Wan Rongbao, he felt worried for him.
"Mr. An, if you don't give him face, the people behind him might cause trouble for you. You don't know that the person behind him is the secretary of the Municipal Administration Department."
"Although I have no power or position, most people don't dare to offend me."
An Jingzhi waved his hand: "How could I not know who he represents?"
"Then how do you return it?"
"It doesn't matter. I won't accept the soft offer. What can he do to me? With my current reputation, I don't believe he wouldn't dare to shamelessly rob me."
"Unless he doesn't want to die."
He is currently still cooperating with Christopher and his wife. He hopes that this person will come to him as soon as possible. He won't have to do anything because someone from above will take care of him.
As for robbing, that's even more impossible. Everyone knows that the ambassador of the French Concession has a good relationship with him, and the patrolmen in that area are not just there to eat for nothing.
What's more, he came to do business with me today but failed, and then he was robbed. Is there any need to say who did this?
How dare a mere secretary take advantage of him? Did he think the connections and reputation he had accumulated over so long were just for show?
Xu Ergou is well-versed in antiques, but knows nothing about this aspect.
He scratched his head and said, "Okay, as long as you understand it in your heart."
"I made a lot of money after helping you collect antiques. When I get back, I'll rent the villa next to yours and move in with a few of my brothers. If anyone dares to take those antiques, I'll make sure they never come back."
…
When Wan Rongbao returned to report the matter, he learned that An Jingzhi hadn't given him any face at all. Secretary Lin's face darkened, "Did he really say that?"
Wan Rongbao was afraid that Secretary Lin wasn't angry enough, so he added fuel to the fire, "That's right, Secretary Lin. That person knew you were behind me, and not only did he not give me any respect, he even served me tea and sent me away without a trace of respect!"
"I think he just relies on his ability to write a few crappy articles and has lost track of who he is!"
Secretary Lin's face was as dark as ink. "I remember his family owns a textile factory. Please spread the word for me. Tell them that anyone doing business with them is against me, Lin."
Wan Rongbao immediately agreed and turned around to spread the news everywhere.
The other party would spread the news, and so would An Jingzhi. After learning about this, he immediately put an advertisement in the newspaper, explaining the cause and effect of the matter.
The authority and universality of popular newspapers are incomparable. Not only ordinary people like to read the popular fiction section, but even government officials have a copy to read the current affairs and economics. Whether they admit it or not, their insights are indeed unique.
…
"Call Secretary Lin over here." Mayor Zhou sat down with a gloomy face, a freshly printed newspaper at hand.
It clearly read: "Merchants are using the reputation of officials to force purchases and sales!"
Secretary Lin knocked on the door, and Mayor Zhou said in a deep voice, "Come in!"
Seeing Mayor Zhou's bad face, Secretary Lin was confused. "Leader, are you looking for me?"
"Have you read today's morning paper?"
"I haven't read it yet. I'm busy checking your speech and haven't had time to read it. I'll read it when I get back." Secretary Lin said hurriedly.
"No need," he threw the newspaper at the other person's feet, "Just stand here and let me finish reading it. Look at the good things you have done!"
Secretary Lin is someone close to him, and he knows very well who the other party often deals with.
After reading the first part, Secretary Lin had already guessed the reason why the other party was angry.
"Businessmen are using the power of officials to coerce others into buying and selling things." Mayor Zhou slammed the table and shouted angrily, "How dare you!"
Secretary Lin shook subconsciously, and the newspaper in his hand fell to the ground. He quickly squatted down to pick it up and explained hurriedly: "Mayor, let me explain--"
Mayor Zhou raised his hand to interrupt, scolding, "Don't try to fool me with those words. I know exactly whether you were the one who instigated this."
"An Jingzhi is giving you a little face, saying that a businessman is deliberately using the name of an official. If he had directly pointed out your name in the newspaper, have you ever thought about the consequences?"
“What will the public think?”
"How do you want me to explain this to the higher-ups?!" He became angrier and angrier. He walked up to Secretary Lin and spit all over his face.
"Do you think he's just an ordinary writer?! Now his articles are even sent to the top brass!"
"You bastard! Do you want to kill me?!"
If an ordinary newspaper dared to talk nonsense like this, he would just order it to be closed down. But since it involved An Jingzhi's matter and they didn't talk nonsense, he really had no excuse to take action.
Secretary Lin was sweating profusely. He took out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from his forehead, but found that the more he wiped, the more sweat there was. His lips trembled. Just as he was about to explain, he heard a bell ring from the office.
Mayor Zhou gave him a fierce look, then turned his head and changed his expression. He asked with dignity, "Hello—"
Before he could finish, the other party started to criticize him: "I can't believe your government officials are so shameless, forcing people to buy and sell? How is this different from robbery? Are they still government officials? It's unbelievable!"
"Mr. An is my best friend. No matter what, you must give me an explanation for this matter!"
Christophe finished speaking in one breath, and Mayor Zhou recognized the other party's identity from his voice. Strictly speaking, they did not have any superior-subordinate relationship, but officials of the national government would always be subconsciously very polite to foreigners.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Christophe, I just learned about this."
"Don't worry, this has nothing to do with our government officials. Just like the newspaper said, this businessman acted on his own initiative by using the name of our government official."
"I will definitely resolve this matter as soon as possible."
"I hope so!" The other party snorted and hung up the phone abruptly without giving any face.
Mayor Zhou's eyes flashed with shame and anger, and he turned to look at Secretary Lin who was standing beside him wiping his sweat, and became even more angry.
He kicked the other person's leg and said, "Hurry up and solve this matter!"
"I absolutely have to make him publish a statement in the newspaper stating that this matter has absolutely nothing to do with the government! And that Wan Rongbao, he's using the reputation of an official to commit evil, arrest him!"
Secretary Lin said yes repeatedly and left Mayor Zhou's office with almost trembling legs.
He thought the matter was over. Mayor Zhou originally wanted to protect him, and Secretary Lin gave most of the money he embezzled to him as a filial gift. He was reluctant to throw away such a good purse.
But then the phone rang one after another, all of them questioning this matter.
There was no hope in my heart anymore. I just waited for Secretary Lin to get the job done before pushing the other party out.
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