Chapter 183: Roots in Tiancheng

They chatted and laughed over the meal, which took more than half an hour.

Xu Zhiquan lit a cigarette, his face suddenly turning serious as he spoke:

“The matter with Jin Guiyuan is completely resolved…”

Yang Congxin: “Ah?! Really?”

Xu Chen and Fang Jun both leaned in, listening intently.

Xu Zhiquan: “You probably don’t know yet—Jin Guiyuan has been taken away. It happened just a couple of days ago.”

“……”

Xu Zhiquan took a couple of puffs and said with a smile:

“This issue is fully settled, and it’s turned out to be a blessing in disguise…

After this, we’ve truly established our roots in Tiancheng for East Morning Star Co.”

Xu Chen: “What about the stabbing in the parking lot…”

Xu Zhiquan:

“We’ve got it all figured out. The case is still in review, but it’s locked in solid.

It won’t threaten us anymore.”

Fang Jun: “Who was behind it?”

Xu Zhiquan: “It was that mysterious Boss Yu.”

Xu Chen: “Does it connect to Huang Furen?”

Xu Zhiquan shook his head:

“No direct link.

Huang Furen was in the dark; he just got pulled in as the middleman.

He’s been released and even wants to come apologize in person, but I’ve been ignoring him for now.”

He took a sip of tea and another puff before continuing:

“The whole thing was pretty tangled and complicated.”

“……”

In the cozy private room, Xu Zhiquan smoked and shared the latest updates he’d gathered.

Xu Chen and the others listened, showing surprise from time to time—the situation was indeed “tangled”.

It all traced back to the restructuring and sale of Bright Factory.

Even a dying camel is bigger than a horse.

Bright Factory, on the brink of bankruptcy, still looked like a juicy prize to many.

The main players on the surface were Bright Factory’s Jin Guiyuan, the external mysterious Boss Yu, and the Hong Kong-backed Fengrong Commerce.

But behind the scenes, there was another mysterious figure—Jin Guiyuan’s backer.

This big boss was also the one pulling Boss Yu’s strings…

For now, let’s just call him the ‘Big Boss’.

When Fang Jun exposed Bright Factory’s financial issues, it brought the whole operation crashing down.

Yet, some saw an opportunity in the chaos.

Quickly, Fengrong Commerce linked up with Jin Guiyuan, who still held power at Bright Factory, and that ‘Big Boss’ behind him.

Talks went smoothly, and they agreed to swap some interests.

These interests were too sensitive to handle directly, so they used a ‘glove’—the mysterious Boss Yu—to make the exchange.

“Glove” Boss Yu was the ‘Big Boss’s’ man, but it was more of a partnership, with both set to split the profits from Bright Factory’s sale.

“……”

According to the original plan, Bright Factory would sell to Fengrong Commerce, and the ‘Big Boss’, Jin Guiyuan, and Boss Yu would each grab some benefits along the way.

Of course, the lion’s share would go to the ‘Big Boss’…”

But things didn’t unfold as the ‘Big Boss’ expected.

The city stepped in forcefully, taking over and leading the bankruptcy restructuring and sale of Bright Factory.

They launched a proper bidding process for acquisition proposals and formed a multi-party review committee…

That’s how we ended up with the public competition among Fengrong Commerce, Changsheng Chemical, Xixi Cultural Tourism, and East Morning Star Co..

Overall, Fengrong Commerce and Changsheng Chemical had the upper hand.

But most likely, Fengrong Commerce would win out, though there was pushback against the chemical plant idea.

Jin Guiyuan, Boss Yu, and Fengrong Commerce still felt confident, with their agreed interest swaps still on track.

Yet, after reviewing the four competing companies and their proposals, the ‘Big Boss’ saw East Morning Star Co. as a major wildcard.

From that angle, the ‘Big Boss’ had sharp insight—he spotted the threat from East Morning Star Co. when no one else did.

As Xu Zhiquan put it, the ‘Big Boss’ heard about East Morning Star’s plan to turn the mechanical factory into an electric vehicle plant and predicted it would catch the city’s eye, potentially swaying the final bid…

With his wide network, the ‘Big Boss’ knew East Morning Star Co.’s funds were limited, so he set up a trap.

He had ‘Glove’ Boss Yu, through Huang Furen, approach Xu Zhiquan and offer four million to invest together.

And Boss Yu connected with Huang Furen via Jin Guiyuan’s introduction.

Jin Guiyuan and Huang Furen had years of private ties…

Xu Zhiquan was scrambling for cash at the time, clearly short on funds.

In the ‘Big Boss’ and Boss Yu’s view, four million was an offer Xu Zhiquan couldn’t refuse.

Once East Morning Star Co. took that four million, the ‘Big Boss’ and Boss Yu had two options.

First option: Pull the four million just as East Morning Star Co. was about to win the acquisition bid…

A classic undercutting move to tank East Morning Star’s chances, leaving Bright Factory for Fengrong Commerce.

Sure, Boss Yu would eat some penalty costs, but compared to the gains from Fengrong Commerce, it was negligible.

Second option: Invest normally in East Morning Star Co. and, exploiting Xu Zhiquan’s cash crunch, grab as many shares as possible.

Then wait for East Morning Star to build the electric vehicle plant and reap the rewards.

Either way, it was a win for the ‘Big Boss’ and Boss Yu.

The second path just took longer—maybe years or even a decade.

Plus, whether Xu Zhiquan could actually pull off the electric vehicle plant was up in the air.

Dealing straight with Fengrong Commerce meant immediate payoffs.

So, they leaned toward the first plan: Yanking the funds to sabotage East Morning Star’s bid.

“……”

They figured Xu Zhiquan, desperate for money, would definitely take the bait…

But out of nowhere, Xu Chen stepped in and handed his dad two million, easing the crisis instantly.

Then came the second ‘intent communication meeting’…”

East Morning Star Co.’s acquisition plan outshone the others and earned high praise from the city.

After weighing it all, the ‘Big Boss’ decided to let go of Bright Factory’s interests and informed Jin Guiyuan and Boss Yu.

Jin Guiyuan, who thought he was set for success, was crushed but had no choice.

Boss Yu, though, was furious.

He’d already poured in a lot of money and resources.

Backing out now meant all his investments went to waste.

Boss Yu, who started out in the south through shady dealings, decided on a bold move.

Without consulting the ‘Big Boss’, he arranged the stabbing in the parking lot.

He figured it would quickly take care of the problem…

But Xu Zhiquan had three bodyguards with him; not only was he unharmed, but the police traced it back to Boss Yu.

This infuriated the ‘Big Boss’, who used his connections to stall and bury the case temporarily…

Yet, the attack left a trail that could lead back to them.

The ‘Big Boss’ and Jin Guiyuan went through rounds of cleanup, destroying evidence that might expose them.

The only thing they couldn’t touch was the Bright Factory ledgers already under city review.

Those ledgers had records of past transactions between Bright Factory and Boss Yu’s company.

The transactions involved Fengrong Commerce, but once the acquisition bids were out, those deals were pulled and never happened.

Still, the records lingered in the books…

It wasn’t a big risk at first, but with the stabbing exposed, anything linked to Boss Yu became a liability.

Those ledgers turned into ticking time bombs for the ‘Big Boss’ and Jin Guiyuan.

So, when Jin Guiyuan got the reviewed ledgers back from the city, he immediately had them pulled.

And that’s why he was kept on as the second-in-command at Bright Factory—to ensure the ledger risks were eliminated.

Per the original plan, once the ledgers were safe, Jin Guiyuan would leave and move to a company in the Provincial Capital…

But as expected, things went wrong anyway.

Jin Guiyuan’s security team, under Xu Chen’s influence, got infiltrated like a sieve.

Xu Zhiquan smoothly grabbed those ledgers.

Later, with Zhao Jihong’s testimony, they locked onto those undone transactions and, through Fang Jun’s investigation, tied them to Boss Yu.

Zhao Jihong knew and was involved in very little.

He just happened to sign off on those transactions as chief engineer, disguised as ‘old equipment sales’, making him a witness.

“……”

Linking Bright Factory’s ledgers to Boss Yu and the earlier attack made things very delicate and suspicious.

But at that level, it was beyond what Xu Zhiquan and East Morning Star could investigate.

So, Xu Zhiquan quickly went to leader Wu Yongming and laid out the whole story.

Wu Yongming grasped the seriousness and acted fast.

While Wu Yongming and Xu Zhiquan were away on a business trip, multiple city departments teamed up for a thorough probe.

In the end, the evidence pinned “Glove” Boss Yu with no way out—he had to start confessing.

That’s why, just in the last few days, Jin Guiyuan was taken away at midday, and several people from Fengrong Commerce’s Provincial Capital branch were picked up…

“……”

Xu Zhiquan smoked and half-joked:

“They’ve got a ‘Big Boss’ behind them; we’ve got our ‘Little Xu Teacher’…”

In the end, we came out on top.”

He grinned and added:

“We’ll need to cooperate with some investigations ahead.

Mainly on your end, Fang, as some financial records might get pulled for city checks.”

Fang Jun: “No problem.”

Yang Congxin adjusted his black-framed glasses and couldn’t help asking:

“What about that ‘Big Boss’?”

Xu Zhiquan sipped his tea but didn’t answer.

Fang Jun, stone-faced, poured tea for Yang Congxin and quietly said:

“Have some tea, Director Yang.”

“……”

After settling the bill, the four stepped out and wandered to the roadside.

Xu Chen and Fang Jun grabbed a few bottles of drinks and handed them to Xu Zhiquan and Yang Congxin.

Yang Congxin held the lighter and lit Xu Zhiquan’s cigarette.

Xu Zhiquan took a drag, exhaled smoke, and murmured:

“It won’t be long before Wu Yongming moves from deputy to full leader…”

“Ah?”

“……”

“……”

Xu Chen passed his driving test with flying colors.

Fang Tao and Cheng Yong, however, got stuck on subjects two and three and would likely struggle for another month or two.

When taking subject two, Feng Qingqing was in the same group.

The town chief’s daughter barely got the car moving three meters before failing miserably.

As Xu Chen walked back after easily passing, Feng Qingqing was crouched on the ground, crying.

Spotting Xu Chen’s relaxed face, she shouted:

“Why am I worse than you at everything?!”

“……”

It left Xu Chen speechless; he just bought her an ice cream and handed it over.

Feng Qingqing got into university in Hangcheng and mentioned to Xu Chen that it was close to Shanghai, suggesting they hang out on weekends.

Xu Chen didn’t respond directly and brushed it off with a laugh.

Xu Zhiquan and Feng Qingqing’s father, Feng Wenjiang, were close friends.

But due to their status, Xu Zhiquan always treated Feng Wenjiang as a key contact to maintain.

In fact, when the Seedling Company started, Feng Wenjiang provided a lot of help within legal bounds.

Xu Zhiquan was truly grateful for that.

But now, things had flipped—ever since Xu Zhiquan secured Bright Factory and kept heading to the city, the dynamics shifted.

Now, Feng Wenjiang was the one treating Xu Zhiquan as a vital connection…

He’d check in frequently, which amused Xu Zhiquan.

Xu Zhiquan, in return, mentioned the reliable Town Chief Feng to city leaders when he could.

Once, after a few too many drinks, Feng Wenjiang slung an arm around Xu Zhiquan and said:

“It’s a real shame we didn’t become in-laws!”

Xu Zhiquan chuckled and poured him another couple of glasses.

“……”

When Xu Zhiquan learned Xu Chen had gotten his license, he was thrilled.

“I didn’t get you a gift when you got into university!

I’ve decided—I’m buying you a car!”

Xu Chen laughed:

“Dad, your second-hand Accord is still going strong, and with all the production lines and factory upgrades you’re handling, I should save you some cash instead!”

Xu Zhiquan:

“No discussion—I’ve made up my mind. You go look at cars and pick one, then tell me!

Don’t worry about the money; I’m the big factory boss now. It’d be embarrassing if I couldn’t afford a car…

Big payments are coming in soon anyway.

Besides, we’re a shareholding company now.

The company’s production debts and my income as chairman are separate…

And there’s the two million plus from East Morning Star Advertising—I’m keeping track of the interest for you. Once we’re flush with cash, I’ll pay it all back…”