A hundred flavors of life

Chapter 1239: Hao's father falls ill, and his career begins to count down! (Please subscribe!)
The news of Hua Shier's resignation from the Red Star Group spread quickly. Most of the group's employees were relatively stable. Only the old employees who had experienced the early power seizure at the timber mill were in a panic, fearing that after this incident, the group's hard-earned happy days would be returned to their original state.

Sun Ganchao, Xiao Guoqing, Gong Bin and several other good friends made an appointment to visit him and ask what was going on.

Hua Shier was cooking with Zheng Juan at home when Li Suhua called out from outside:
"Bingkun'er, we are here to overtake them!"

Hua Twelve wiped his hands, came out and took a look, then said with a smile:

"Why are you guys here? Did you smell the delicious food? Okay, let's eat here tonight!"

Li Suhua came over and took off his apron:
"Zheng Juan and I will be busy. You and Gan Chao haven't seen each other for a long time. Chat for a while!"

Hua Twelve handed the apron to Li Suhua and asked the brothers to sit down in the living room. Xiao Guoqing, who had been promoted to the head of the group's security department, waited for Li Suhua to enter the kitchen and started complaining:
"Bingkun, you said you were doing a good job and everyone was making progress with you, so why are you just quitting?"

Sun Ganchao also nodded in agreement:

"Yes, Bingkun, you promoted all of us. We didn't even finish junior high school. If it weren't for your guidance, who would be able to be a leader? You were the one at the helm before, and we followed your instructions. We worked hard and made the Red Star Group flourish, better than those state-owned enterprises. Who wouldn't envy Jichun? Why did you give up now?"

Gong Bin was also a little anxious:
"Brother Bingkun, there are rumors circulating throughout the group. Some people say that you have made a mistake and will be arrested and imprisoned. As a result, the person who said this was beaten up on the same day. What is going on? Please tell us, don't let the brothers worry about you!"

Hua Twelve smiled and took out a pack of Huazi, and gave one to each of them:
"All of you should calm down. Just do what you did before. It doesn't matter if I leave. We still have Old Madam Qu. What are you afraid of?"

Sun Ganchao took out a lighter and lit it for Hua:
"Please tell us in detail what you are thinking. It's not just us who want to know the situation. Many old employees didn't dare to ask you before. They all asked us what was going on. We don't know anything!"

Hua Twelve laughed:
"It's not what I thought. It's just that the new leaders don't like me. So I just did what they wanted. I can finish college with peace of mind!"

The three brothers all looked depressed. Xiao Guoqing was straightforward:
"You said the new leader is the same, he has only had a few good days!"

Hua Twelve hit him with a stick: "How can you say that?"

Xiao Guoqing said with an embarrassed expression: "Aren't I just standing up for you?"

Hua Twelve said with a smile: "I'm fine, why don't you help me knitting?"

He hesitated for a moment and said:
"I'm telling you guys, be quiet these days and don't do anything weird. You'll be the same as you were before, do you hear me?"

After they nodded, he continued:

"The investigation team may find you and ask you questions about me. Don't resist. Just tell me the truth. I, Zhou Bingkun, have nothing to fear!"

While Xiao Guoqing and the others were talking to Hua Twelve, on the other side, at the Hao family's side in S Mansion, Zhou Bingyi and Hao Dongmei were having dinner with Hao Dongmei's parents. They were talking and laughing, but the interesting thing was that no one mentioned anything about the Red Star Group and Zhou Bingkun.

After dinner, the food was picked up by the nanny. Hao's father chatted with Zhou Bingyi and Hao Dongmei for a while, asking about their usual situation at school. Then, when he was about to get up and continue working, the guard outside the door came in and reported that Ma Shouchang and Qu Xiuzhen came to visit.

Zhou Bingyi and Hao Dongmei looked at each other after hearing this, and the former said very tactfully:
"Dad, Dongmei and I will go upstairs first!"

Father Hao was about to nod, but then he changed his mind:
"Sister Qu and the others came to visit because of Zhou Bingkun's affairs. He is your brother, so you should just listen to what he has to say!"

After saying that, he asked the guard to invite the person in.

After a while, Ma Shouchang and Qu Xiuzhen came in, and Hao's father and Jin Yueji both stood at the door of the living room to greet them personally.

After a round of greetings, Hao Dongmei also brought her greetings to Zhou Bingyi.

Qu Xiuzhen glanced at Zhou Bingyi and nodded: "You are Brother Bingkun, you look much more stable than that brat!"

Zhou Bingyi smiled awkwardly. These words sounded like a compliment, but it felt like there was something else behind them.

After they sat down, Father Hao asked Zhou Bingyi to make tea for them, and then said with a smile:
"Old Ma, Sister Qu, we are old comrades, so let's get straight to the point. You are here because of Zhou Bingkun's matter, right?"

Qu Xiuzhen was straightforward and nodded directly:

"Yes, I just want to ask Lao Hao, what do you want to do? Red Star Group is an outstanding enterprise in the country. Isn't its performance impressive? Why do you want to target our group right away?"

"Yes, a new official has three things to do when he takes office, but you can't destroy yourself with your first move, right?"

Jin Yueji quickly advised: "Sister Qu, don't worry, don't you know what kind of character our Lao Hao is? This incident must have happened for a reason!"

Ma Shouchang smiled and said to Hao's father:
"Old Hao, you are still the same as before, hiding everything and not telling anyone until the end, making everyone guess what's going on. Just tell me what's going on. If Zhou Bingkun really made a mistake, you don't need me to tell you, I will tie him up myself and sentence him if he deserves it, or execute him if he deserves it!"

Father Hao knocked on the armrest of the sofa and said in a serious tone:
"Old Ma, the matter is still under investigation, but since you said it, I'll tell you, someone reported Zhou Bingkun, do you think I should investigate?"

Qu Xiuzhen laughed directly:

"It's not a big deal. We've been through a lot over the years. What haven't we experienced?"

"There have always been those who secretly stir up trouble. Not to mention those who report Zhou Bingkun, there have always been those who report me! Have you, Old Hao, never experienced this, or has Jin Meizi never experienced this?"

"Is there any real evidence?"

"To launch an investigation into the head of a company based on just one letter, causing a huge uproar and even affecting the company itself, is really too much of a joke!"

"Old Hao, your reason can't convince me!"

Father Hao said calmly:

"What if the report was made under a real name? What if the person is a close relative of Zhou Bingkun? Isn't this kind of thing that sacrifices one's own family for the sake of justice worthy of our attention? Moreover, after a brief understanding, it is clear that Zhou Bingkun has many problems!"

These words were like thunder, shocking Qu Xiuzhen, Zhou Bingyi and Hao Dongmei.

The person reporting under real name or a close relative, who could it be?

Qu Xiuzhen subconsciously looked at Zhou Bingyi, who felt the old lady's sharp eyes and waved his hands repeatedly:

"not me!"

Father Hao said calmly:

"It's not Bingyi. I won't say who it is for now. The various violations reported in the letter against Zhou Bingkun have all been proven!"

"For example, who gave him the right to transform the optical disc?"

Qu Xiuzhen immediately quit:

"Old Hao, you can't wrongly accuse me. When the old custodian was in office, this matter was discussed and agreed to. Besides, back in 75, when you were not yet sent down, didn't you also want to modify the optical disc?"

Father Hao snorted coldly:
"When Lao Chang was here, he studied this matter and agreed to it. But how much did it cost to transform the photon chip? Was there any special supervision? Who can guarantee that the money did not fall into Zhou Bingkun's pocket?"

"And what you said is right. I also wanted to renovate Guangzi Pian back then, but how could the renovation I wanted be the same as Zhou Bingkun's? What kind of regulations did he have? It was a villa area, and it was about building high-rise buildings!"

"Look at the houses that the LDs in Jichun live in now. If it were in ancient times, it would be considered excessive. If it were in today's world, it would be considered wasteful and extravagant. Who gave them the right to do this? How could this not be self-serving and embezzlement?"

Qu Xiuzhen said anxiously: "We are improving the welfare of employees, mobilizing their work enthusiasm, and letting them know that they can improve their lives by working hard with their own hands. How can the money we earn ourselves be regarded as a loss of public resources for personal gain?"

Father Hao was heartbroken: "Sister Qu, there is something wrong with your thinking. That is the Guo family's money, no one has the right to waste it!"

"Now there are still many places, many regions, and many people who have difficulty getting food. Compare it with what Zhou Bingkun did with the Guangzi film. Is it reasonable?"

"It's true that you made money, but that money also belongs to the Guo family. You should use it in more needed places. You are an old comrade, why do you still need me to explain these principles to you!"

Qu Xiuzhen was so angry that she laughed:
"You are wrong. According to what you said, if an eighth-level worker is paid more than 100 yuan a month, and he uses this money to improve his family's life and eat fine food, it is a waste in your eyes. It is wrong. He should give the money to those temporary workers who earn more than 10 yuan, and to those who earn money without working and have no income. Is that right?"

"And the house you live in, a small western-style building, has several rooms upstairs and downstairs, but there are four people in your family including your son-in-law. Isn't this a waste? Before the Guangzi Pian renovation, I saw with my own eyes that three generations of a family were squeezed on a kang. Why didn't you give up your small western-style building to those people earlier?"

Father Hao waved his hand and said to Ma Shouchang:

"Lao Ma, take care of your wife. I can't explain it clearly to the women comrades. This is all nonsense!"

Qu Xiuzhen was really angry and slammed the table:
"Hao, who are you calling unreasonable? Have you forgotten who bandaged your stinky feet when you were injured? If I didn't despise you, you would be lame now. I tell you!"

Father Hao didn't know whether to laugh or cry. His temper disappeared in an instant. Jin Yueji also helped to speak well of him. Zhou Bingyi and his wife trembled.

Ma Shouchang pulled Qu Xiuzhen:
"Don't dwell on this matter. I believe Bingkun is not that kind of person. When the time comes, the innocent will be cleared. It's a good idea to investigate and clear his name. You should talk about your group's affairs first!"

Qu Xiuzhen then remembered the main purpose of being here, and sat down again with a huff:
"Okay, let's put Bingkun's matter aside for now and talk about our Red Star Group. All the orders from abroad have gone cold. People would rather lose money than order our products!"

"The group is currently in a situation where its expenses are not enough to cover its income. What do you think we should do?"

Father Hao hesitated for a moment and said:

"Sister Qu, sharpening the knife does not delay the chopping of wood. Now that we have discovered the problem, we should choose to remove the rotten part so that we can go into battle with ease. We should pull back our fists and then punch out with the most power. You know this principle!"

"Once we have dug out the scourge of your group, I think all the difficulties will be solved. By then, you will all be united, and there will always be more solutions than problems!"

Qu Xiuzhen felt a headache listening to these big, empty words. There wasn't even any substantive suggestions!
"Don't talk about those big principles first. I'll tell you one thing. I asked the group's financial department to calculate. According to the current situation, at most by the end of the year, half of the employees will not be able to get paid!"

“It’s hard to pay the salaries of five to six thousand people.”

"Old Hao!!! This is a huge matter. Since you are the one who started this, you have to solve this problem for me!"

Father Hao hesitated for a moment:
"I think your group is too scattered and bloated now. You should streamline it. Why not abandon a few factories and let those employees continue to do what they did before? They can do their original jobs. It won't be difficult to pay them!"

Qu Xiuzhen was so angry that she laughed:
"I'm not talking about these people. I'm talking about the educated youth who returned to the city after the new factory was expanded. They are doing well in the group. Where do you want them to go? To become unemployed vagrants again?"

"This"

Father Hao finally realized the seriousness of some problems and said after a long pause:

"No matter what, we can't compromise with mistakes and difficulties. So... I'll help you find a solution. I'll go find my old comrades and risk my reputation to help you get some unplanned orders from other regions. You have to get through this period!"

After saying that, he looked at Qu Xiuzhen and said, "Sister Qu, this should be ok, right?"

Qu Xiuzhen snorted, "Okay, let's do as you say. I want to see what results you can come up with!"

Father Hao also knew how to say nice things now: "Don't blame me, we are old comrades. You don't know me yet. I can't tolerate any sand in my eyes. I can't cover up the problem, and I can't worry about the gains and losses in front of me. Just investigate it!"

After he finished speaking, seeing that the other party was angry and didn't respond, Hao's father didn't care, but reminded:
"Sister Qu, you are also an old comrade. I hope you won't tell anyone about what happened today, especially since the whistleblower is a relative of Zhou Bingkun. We must protect those who dare to speak the truth!"

Qu Xiuzhen said unhappily: "I know more about discipline than you do, I don't need you to remind me!"

After saying that, he pulled Ma Shouchang away.

After the two of them left, Father Hao smiled and shook his head: "This Sister Qu is still so impetuous!"

He looked at Zhou Bingyi:

"What I just said to your Aunt Qu is also what I said to you. This matter must be kept secret. Just keep it to yourself and don't let anyone know!"

Zhou Bingyi nodded quickly: "Dad, don't worry, I can tell the difference between right and wrong!"

Both Hao's father and mother nodded in satisfaction, and then Hao's mother Jin Yueji pointed at her daughter Hao Dongmei:
"You need to learn from Bingyi in this regard. You are far behind Bingyi!"

Hao Dongmei shook her mother's arm unwillingly: "Oh, Mom, I'm your biological daughter!"

This summer, Zhou Rong stayed in Beijing and did not come back. Zhou Bingyi visited his mother twice and spent most of his time at his father-in-law's house.

After one month of investigation, the investigation team finally gave preliminary results.

During his tenure as the factory director of Red Star Group, Hua Shier did violate regulations, such as using the company car for personal purposes, being extravagant and wasteful, being late and leaving early, and frequently absent from work.
Anyway, for these small places, the biggest thing is to build a sanatorium.

As for the incident of renovating the Guangzi block that Hao's father had his eyes on, apart from the fact that the houses after the renovation were too luxurious, there was no other evidence of harming the public interest for personal gain.

Besides, Old Chang just retired, not died. It is impossible for the other party to just watch while Hao's father openly investigated the projects he approved. So while Old Chang was secretly making efforts, the higher-ups also put pressure on Hao's father.

The investigation ended in a whimper. The final result was that Zhou Bingkun was fired from his post for multiple violations and misappropriation of public funds (sanatorium)!
In addition, the impact of the interruption of Red Star Group's foreign exchange earning channels also broke out, and the higher-ups called to seriously inquire about the matter.

Father Hao patted his chest and assured that the situation was only temporary and the problem would be solved in a year at most!

He first transferred his secretary to the Red Star Group as the helmsman to work with Qu Xiuzhen, and then used his connections when he studied abroad at Big Goose to sell the products of the Red Star Group to the north. Due to the international situation, Big Goose was in a cold war with the West at that time, so exporting Big Goose could not only bypass the international patent barrier, but also have geographical and transportation advantages.

After more than half a year of negotiation and building relationships, the export was successfully completed. The Red Star Group successfully exported two batches of products to Big Goose, solving the urgent problem.

The workers at the Red Star Group had originally been experiencing wage cuts and bonuses being stopped, which had caused many complaints. However, after two batches of goods were shipped out, although there were no bonuses, wages returned to their original levels, which calmed the workers' grievances.

But just when Hao's father breathed a sigh of relief, something happened again.

A company called Daye filed a complaint with the foreign trade department, claiming that it would sue the Red Star Group and its partners.

They believed that the "modular combination furniture" exported by Red Star Group infringed the company's patents, and that the down jackets they sold infringed the company's patents for "gradient filling" technology and "directional moisture-conducting lining", and they wanted to take the two companies to court and demand huge compensation.

Needless to say, the Big Goose Company that sued the Red Star Group was actually the work of Qiao Chunyan from Hong Kong Island. She registered the patent at Big Goose and then entered into business cooperation with a local company, thus plotting against Hao's father.

According to the laws of Big Goose, Red Star Group will definitely lose this lawsuit and have to pay at least ten times the compensation. That means not only did Mr. Hao not earn any foreign exchange, he will have to pay ten times the money.

Not only that, the partners of Big Goose also took the Red Star Group to court, saying that they concealed the patent rights when signing the contract, which constituted fraud and caused great economic and reputation losses to the other company. They also demanded a huge amount of compensation.

Mr. Hao was bombarded with phone calls from above, which made him extremely anxious. He fell ill and was admitted to the hospital that day.

At the Red Star Group, as the year draws to a close, workers not only do not receive any bonuses, but they cannot even get their salaries before the New Year. A storm is brewing.

(End of this chapter)