Chapter 177: Factory Secrets

Jin Guiyuan hid his subtle panic and said with forced anger:

“Where’s that security guard named Liu Gang?”

Zhao Feng spoke up:

“Don’t worry, leader, we’ve got Liu Gang under temporary control, all within legal bounds of course.”

Additionally, we’ve seized the ledger he hid—it’s in the security room, and two guys are bringing it over now.”

Jin Guiyuan: “That’s good…”

Though he said “That’s good,” a flicker of hidden panic crossed his face the moment he heard about the ledger.

At the same time, he quietly weighed the risks and plotted his countermeasures.

Secretary Qu turned to Xu Zhiquan and said:

“President Xu, don’t we need to involve the police? This ledger is no small matter.”

Xu Zhiquan nodded and glanced at Zhao Feng.

Zhao Feng: “Understood!”

With that, he stepped out.

Jin Guiyuan shot a dark, sullen look at Zhao Feng’s retreating back.

Earlier at the management meeting, Xu Zhiquan had appointed Zhao Feng as the new security captain…

Only then did Jin Guiyuan realize that this group of newly hired young security guards were actually Xu Zhiquan’s people all along.

He hadn’t expected his own arrangements in the security team to become the biggest weak point.

Xu Zhiquan had gone straight for the jugular, striking at the security team directly…

But how had Xu Zhiquan learned about his setups with Chen Xiong and the security team in advance?!

And how had he managed to place Zhao Feng and his crew with Chen Xiong so perfectly in such a short time?

What unsettled Jin Guiyuan even more was that they seemed prepared for the financial records issue from the start.

It was as if they knew all his plans from the beginning…

He glanced again at that ever-smiling “President Xu” and suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.

…

A dozen minutes later, Zhao Feng returned with two people.

“President Xu, take a look—the ledgers are all here.”

He handed over several ledgers.

Xu Zhiquan glanced through them briefly before passing them to Fang Jun.

Fang Jun flipped through each one carefully before saying:

“That’s them, no doubt.”

At the same time, she let out a clear sigh of relief.

Xu Zhiquan didn’t speak but gave Fang Jun a questioning look.

Fang Jun looked down and flipped through the ledgers again:

“It’ll take some time…”

Xu Zhiquan turned to Zhao Feng and said:

“Zhao Feng, station people here 24/7. The financial room will be under Fang Jun’s full control.”

“No one enters without Fang Jun’s approval.”

“That includes the original finance department staff.”

Zhao Feng: “You can count on me, President Xu! I’ll handle this personally!”

Xu Zhiquan’s expression darkened as he added:

“Yesterday’s handover of accounts from the city center was handled by the security team, but the finance department had the duty to verify and sign off.”

“Didn’t anyone from finance check it yesterday?”

As soon as he spoke, Gu Xuewei and the finance department staff looked embarrassed.

Gu Xuewei stayed silent but glanced at Jin Guiyuan.

Jin Guiyuan pretended not to notice, acting oblivious.

Xu Zhiquan looked stern:

“Gu Xuewei, answer the question.”

Gu Xuewei paused before replying:

“The financial records arrived from the city center yesterday, but our department wasn’t notified.”

“We only found out this morning and started the inventory then.”

At that, Jin Guiyuan feigned anger and chimed in:

“The security department is seriously negligent!”

With that, he shifted all the blame back to Chen Xiong and the security team.

Xu Zhiquan said nothing but looked up at Qu Fei.

Qu Fei understood and nodded at Xu Zhiquan.

…

In the afternoon, Liu Gang, the one who stole the ledger, was taken away for questioning and investigation.

The former security captain, Chen Xiong, went with him.

Qu Fei had pulled some strings, so Liu Gang and Chen Xiong would be investigated alongside the Mechanical Factory’s financial cases.

Fang Jun dove into the financial room, starting to take over and organize the accounts.

Those hidden ledgers were her top priority for review.

But after a quick look, she couldn’t spot any issues yet.

Finance manager Gu Xuewei was puzzled too:

“This doesn’t make sense… Why would Liu Gang steal these ledgers?”

“They’re just minor, unimportant records…”

“Besides, the Bright Factory’s accounts were already audited by the city center—they found all the problems back then. So what’s the point of hiding these?”

Xu Zhiquan didn’t say much but exchanged a glance with Xu Chen.

Father and son finally confirmed that something was hidden in those accounts.

Earlier, Ji Yusheng had tipped them off about the Mechanical Factory suddenly recruiting a security team.

When Xu Zhiquan, Xu Chen, and Fang Jun analyzed it, they wondered if it tied to Monday’s account handover.

Now, it was fully confirmed.

Liu Gang stealing a few ledgers had actually narrowed their search and helped in the process.

Qu Fei had picked up on the seriousness and said to Xu Zhiquan:

“President Xu, I’ll report the missing ledgers from Bright Factory to Vice Mayor Wu and the city center.”

“They’ll decide if they need to send someone to assist Fang Jun with another full review.”

Xu Zhiquan: “That would be ideal. Thanks, Secretary Qu!”

“This account issue affects our reconciliation, repayments, and fund usage—it’s crucial we sort it out quickly!”

…

With matters temporarily settled, Xu Zhiquan led the group to see Secretary Qu off.

At the door, he walked Qu Fei to his car, and the two shook hands, chatting quietly for a while.

Mid-conversation, Xu Zhiquan waved Xu Chen over.

Xu Chen hesitated but walked over with a smile.

“Xu Chen, Secretary Qu mentioned a propaganda opportunity in the city center that might interest you!”

Qu Fei smiled:

“I just remembered—East Morning Star Advertising is your project, right?”

Xu Chen laughed: “That’s right!”

Qu Fei:

“The city publicity department has a key propaganda need, and I think East Morning Star Advertising and you would be a great fit!”

Xu Chen: “Oh?”

Qu Fei: “End of the month is the National Games, the largest comprehensive sports event in the country.”

It’s also Xie Bingran’s first major competition with nationwide impact.

From what the City Sports Bureau reported, with her current performance, she should win a medal at the National Games.

She’s young, talented, and striking—her future is bright, and she’ll draw a ton of attention and media coverage.

The city wants to leverage this event to promote Tiancheng through Xie Bingran.

The main goal is to establish her as a ‘hometown hero’ to boost Tiancheng’s fame and influence.

The publicity department has approached several media companies in the provincial capital for plans, but the leaders aren’t satisfied with any…”

“Wondering if you’re interested in joining in?”

“Plus, you have a good personal connection with Xie Bingran, so I think it’ll work out.”

Xu Chen thought for a moment but didn’t reply right away.

Qu Fei added:

“All city TV, print, and radio media will support this propaganda.”

“The department has a budget of 250,000 yuan.”

“Of course, it’ll need approval after you submit a plan…”

Xu Chen smiled and said:

“Absolutely, it’s an honor for East Morning Star Advertising and me to promote Tiancheng!”

Qu Fei chuckled:

“I’ll touch base with the publicity department—they’ll contact you directly soon.”

Father and son saw Qu Fei off to his car and watched him drive away before heading back.

Xu Zhiquan slung an arm around his son’s shoulders:

“The National Games are at the end of the month, and you’re on break—want to go watch Xie Bingran?”

Xu Chen: “Let me think about it; it’s mainly the publicity plan that’s a hassle.”

Xu Zhiquan: “Hassle? My son can handle it easily!”

Xu Chen: “The plan itself is straightforward, but the reporting process is a pain…”

“Department decisions are so complicated—one word from a leader and you have to start over.”

“Especially for publicity stuff—it’s all subjective, and leaders’ opinions might not even make sense.”

Xu Zhiquan:

“Dealing with these departments takes some strategy.”

Xu Chen smiled:

“Teach me, Old Xu.”

Xu Zhiquan laughed heartily and said quietly:

“The key to reports is patience—master the art of delay!”

Xu Chen: “Delay?”

Xu Zhiquan: “Even if you have a plan ready, don’t rush to present it—just say you’re still working on it…”

“Wait until the deadline is near, then drop it on them so they don’t have time for pointless changes!”

“I have no doubts about my son’s plan—it’s way better than the others.”

“By then, after seeing all the weak ones, yours will stand out, and with time pressure, they’ll approve it on the spot!”

Xu Chen paused, then burst out laughing.

“Alright, President Xu, you’re the expert here.”

Xu Zhiquan: “I’ve dealt with them more, learned from my mistakes.”

Xu Chen couldn’t help but give his dad a thumbs-up.

He had to admit, Xu Zhiquan was sharper when it came to navigating leaders and red tape.

Especially with those subtle interpersonal dynamics.

Though Xu Chen had plenty of life experience from his past, it was mostly in business and work—Xu Zhiquan’s tricks were still a step ahead.

But that was perfect; they complemented each other well as father and son.

…

…

In the Comprehensive Building.

In the financial room, only Fang Jun remained, carefully going through the pile of accounts.

Zhao Feng and a few others guarded the door.

Xu Zhiquan and Xu Chen walked over quickly.

“President Xu, Xu Chen…”

Zhao Feng and the others stood up and greeted them.

Xu Zhiquan pulled out cigarettes and handed one to each of them:

“You’ve worked hard!”

Entering the financial room, Xu Chen closed the door behind them. Fang Jun was still examining the ledgers.

“I haven’t spotted any problems yet…”

Xu Zhiquan:

“Take your time.”

“I asked Secretary Qu, and the city center already did a thorough audit—no obvious issues on the surface.”

“But if Jin Guiyuan went to such lengths to pull them out, there must be something hidden.”

Xu Chen said:

“If it’s all Jin Guiyuan’s doing, whatever’s in these accounts could take him down for good.”

Xu Zhiquan chuckled:

“Not just us—the leaders are waiting to see the show too!”