Siheyuan, Shazhu: I have both parents in this life

Chapter 317 Thirty Years Since We Parted in Tianjin
Next, He Yuzhu started arranging for Huanghe Communications Company to make purchases. Of course, it was just to inquire about prices, as there was no stock available there; all the goods had been sold out. Then, an order was placed with an overseas company, and the goods arrived at the port and were cleared through customs.

After all this trouble, it took about half a month for the first 10,000-line program-controlled switchboard to be loaded onto a cargo ship bound for Huadu.

The goods almost got intercepted when they arrived in Huadu. It was only thanks to the special economic zone that they were moved away that they were able to be shipped to Huadu. Otherwise, they would have become Huadu's property.

This incident has made the Special Economic Zone even more determined to develop the port well, otherwise they will have to go to other places in the future, and what if they encounter such a thing again?
The goods arrived, and the technicians on the Yellow River side completed the formalities and went directly to the special economic zone.

It's impossible to say that no one is envious of this business. The problem is that you need to have the goods. It's not that no one is trying to contact you, but the waiting list is already booked until the second half of the year, and there's no guarantee that you'll be able to get the goods.

As for building factories, research and development, and production, forget about it. At that time, many people didn't even know where their first pot of gold came from.

He Yuzhu had anticipated that this would stir up a hornet's nest, but he didn't expect the hornets to fly along the phone line. A few days after the goods were delivered, He Yuzhu received a call from Lao Fang.

He Yuzhu held the phone, listening to Lao Fang's half-joking complaints on the other end, and a bitter smile appeared on his lips.

This Uncle Fang of his really risked his decades-long friendship to plead for his old subordinate.

“Uncle Fang, the way you’re saying it makes it sound like I, He Yuzhu, am a heartless, unscrupulous businessman who would rather die than help someone in distress. I understand the situation in Beijing, but this matter isn’t as simple as you think,” He Yuzhu said helplessly.

"Zhu Zi, I know you must be having some difficulties."

"It's not just a matter of having difficulties. What can the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications offer? They can't offer anything. What am I supposed to do? You know, a set of equipment costs several million US dollars. That's not domestic money. Do you know how much that would be in domestic currency?"

"How much?" Old Fang didn't know much about this.

"Tens of millions, my uncle!"

"Hiss, is this thing really that expensive?" Old Fang asked uncertainly.

"And what do you think?"

"No, I have to go find Old Li and get to the bottom of this. I can't let you suffer a loss."

"Don't rush, Uncle. There's another question. Current policies in mainland China support those special economic zones, but they haven't mentioned opening up the north, have they?"

"Buying equipment shouldn't cause any problems, but you should still ask clearly to avoid any issues and unnecessary trouble," He Yuzhu said.

"Okay, but look, Zhu Zi, it's the capital city. The phone lines are down, it's causing a huge problem. If you really want to sell, could you offer a discount?" Old Fang was mainly intimidated by the prospect of several million dollars.

"I understand the difficulties. Haven't I contributed enough to the country?"

Old Fang on the other end of the phone blushed a little, his face turning bright red. He had been judging others by his own standards, but the problem was that this person could judge himself in the same way.

Starting with that telegram from 1945, everything He Yuzhu did made this old underworld man ashamed.

He sighed and said, "Zhu Zi, I won't bother you with this kind of thing again."

"Uncle Fang, I don't mean to blame you. It's just that things are different now. Yes, Uncle Fang, I'm getting old. It's a pity that I haven't seen our country become strong enough."

“There will be a chance,” He Yuzhu said confidently.

"I don't know if I'll ever see it again."

"Yes, we will," He Yuzhu said.

"Alright, you don't need to worry about me, but Lao Zhao might contact you."

"Is it about this too?"

"Not entirely. You know that eastern Hebei is basically under reconstruction, and everything is lacking."

“I understand. As long as he can get the policy, I have no problem with it,” He Yuzhu said.

"As long as you know what's going on."

"understand!"

"That's it, I'm hanging up."

"toot toot"

Sure enough, within two days, Old Zhao called.

"Pillar!"

"Hello, Uncle Zhao!"

"Okay, okay, great. Why don't you stop by my place when you go back to Beijing? It's only a little over 100 kilometers away," Old Zhao complained.

"I wouldn't dare go," He Yuzhu said with a laugh.

"Are you afraid we'll get excited and eat you up?" Old Zhao laughed.

"No, I'm afraid I can't handle their enthusiasm," He Yuzhu said.

"That's true, there are still people who remember that rescue team from back then," Old Zhao said.

"Uncle Zhao, you didn't call just to catch up, did you? This is an international call!"

"Hehe, it's been so long since we last met, can't I catch up with you?" Old Zhao laughed.

"Yes, yes, you're welcome anytime!" He Yuzhu said.

"Alright, since you've asked, I won't stand on ceremony. Are you interested in investing in Jidong?" Old Zhao asked.

"Shouldn't you be the ones to receive priority support? What about us?" He Yuzhu asked.

"Look at what you're saying! You're welcome to come anytime!" Old Zhao said.

"Uncle Zhao, when are you going to retire?"

"Why are you asking this, kid? Are you afraid I'll bring you here and then abandon you?" Old Zhao knew what he meant as soon as he heard it.

"Yes, that's a concern."

"Don't worry about that. The current team is the same team that was when you came here. Even if I retire, the people who take over will be from the same team."

"Can you apply for the policy?"

"It's already been submitted, and I don't think there's a big problem, especially for you guys. If it were another company, it would be in serious trouble!"

"Uncle Zhao, in what areas would you like to collaborate?"

"I heard you have a steel mill there, and the technology is pretty good. My second son told me about the car factory, so I won't get involved. Can you introduce me to the others?" Old Zhao said.

Are you interested in assembling television sets?

"A television factory?"

"Correct."

"That's very interesting! Is there anything else?"

"What about motorcycles and bicycles?"

"Motorcycles are fine, but bicycles are out of the question. That factory in Tianjin is huge."

You mean Flying Pigeon?

"Yes, is there any more?" Old Zhao asked.

"Uncle Zhao, you're being a bit greedy. You can't expect to get fat in one bite."

"Look at me, you know all the businesses in Jidong were destroyed a few years ago. Now everything is in ruins and hundreds of thousands of people are starving!" Old Zhao began to play the victim.

“Uncle Zhao, it’s been five years, hasn’t it? You can’t just leave it unfinished,” He Yuzhu said.

"Hey, it won't be that fast, I don't have the money," Old Zhao said.

"So you've come here to beg for alms?" He Yuzhu said.

"You're right, so just tell me if you'll give me a bite to eat or not." Old Zhao reneged.

“Once you get the official document, I’ll give it to you. I guarantee you’ll have your fill,” He Yuzhu said.

“You said it yourself, you can’t fool your Uncle Zhao.”

"will not."

"Then wait for my good news," Old Zhao said excitedly.

"no problem."

The call lasted for about ten minutes, but was finally ended because Lao Zhao thought the phone bill was too expensive.

To He Yuzhu's surprise, the approval from Jidong came even faster than he had imagined. After all, that place was too special. Xu Damao's first switchboard hadn't even been installed yet when Lao Zhao led his men to Hong Kong.

He Yuzhu was still a little confused when he received the call from President Liang.

"President Liang, what did you say? The Jidong team has arrived?"

"Yes, didn't Secretary Zhao call you?"

"No, when will it arrive?"

"They just arrived, and I just arranged for them to stay."

"I'll be there right away."

"Mr. He, Mr. He, beep beep beep" The phone was just busy.

When He Yuzhu drove to the hotel where Lao Zhao and the others were staying, Lao Zhao and the others had already finished washing up and were preparing to go out for dinner.

Upon seeing He Yuzhu, Old Zhao jogged a few steps and gave He Yuzhu a big hug: "He Fei, what brings you here? I was planning to give you a surprise."

"Secretary Zhao, I think it's more like a shock!" The two of them remained relatively composed.

"Hahahaha!" Old Zhao released He Yuzhu and slapped his arm twice more.

"Mr. He, do you still remember us?" At this moment, the people behind Old Zhao came over to greet him.

“How could I not remember? We all fought for more than half a month,” He Yuzhu said.

"Yes, thank you again, Mr. He!" Everyone came over to shake hands with He Yuzhu; they weren't that familiar with him yet. "Are you all going to have a meal?"

"Why don't you come along, Mr. He? We can talk first."

"I can't discuss serious matters at the dinner table. Since you're all here, let me do my part as a host, shall I?"

The crowd hesitated, and looked at Zhao Fengnian.

"Don't worry, this is my own restaurant, everyone's meals won't exceed the limit," He Yuzhu said with a smile.

"Alright, it's settled then, no exceeding the limit!" Old Zhao said.

"No problem, I'll arrange a car." With that, He Yuzhu went to the hotel lobby to make a phone call, and a luxury minibus arrived shortly afterward.

Everyone boarded the minibus, while Lao Zhao got into He Yuzhu's car.

He Yuzhu said in the car, "Uncle Zhao, you didn't even say hello before you came."

"Isn't this good? Even if I don't tell you, you still get the news. Did President Liang tell you?"

"Yes."

"So, it doesn't matter whether you tell me or not. Are you going to cross the border to pick me up?" Old Zhao laughed.

"Why not?"

"Alright, we all know you're a very busy person."

"By the way, is it alright for you to come out alone after dinner?"

"What, is something wrong?"

"A few old friends, why aren't you going to see them?"

"Your parents and Xiao Wang?"

"There's another surprise."

"Who?"

"Just tell me if you can come out or not."

"In principle, you can't leave the team, but it shouldn't be a big problem if you report it."

"That's alright, I'll make the call in a bit."

"Who is it?"

"You'll find out tonight," He Yuzhu said with a smile.

After lunch, He Yuzhu had the driver take the other members of the Jidong inspection team back to their hotel to rest, while he drove Lao Zhao alone to his own residence.

During the journey, Lao Zhao looked out the window at the bustling streets of Hong Kong and remarked, "Hong Kong is indeed different from the mainland."

"It has all the advantages of timing, location, and people. If it doesn't take off soon, it would be a waste of all that," He Yuzhu said.

"Yes, when will there be such a good opportunity in China?"

"There will be."

"I hope it comes soon."

"Uncle Zhao, how is the recovery in eastern Hebei going? Are the people doing well?"

Old Zhao sighed and said, "It's tough! The infrastructure has been rebuilt, but the industry is severely hollowed out. So many mouths are waiting to be fed, and relying solely on agriculture and a few scattered industries is too slow for development. That's why I'm in such a hurry to come to you for help! I'm hoping that entrepreneurs like you who are capable and have the country at heart can lend a hand."

"We cannot solve the fundamental problem either; ultimately, we must rely on the mainland itself."

“I know that, but you are like the spark that ignites a prairie fire. With the spark, there will surely be a prairie fire.” Old Zhao nodded.

"Your analogy puts us on a very high level."

"No, I took a walk around the special zone before I came here. Who would have thought that it used to be farmland and wasteland?" Old Zhao said.

"Yes."

"It's a pity that Jidong is not near the sea, otherwise we should have been able to apply for the first batch," Old Zhao said.

He Yuzhu didn't respond. Jidong is so close to Beijing, how could it be among the first to open up? Don't even think about it. The fact that it was approved now is probably because it saw that the results in the south were not bad.

"What's wrong? Is there something you can't say?" Old Zhao was a man who immediately noticed that something was wrong with He Yuzhu.

"It's alright, things are fine now. You've already applied for and received the policy, so it's not too late."

“If Jidong had nothing, how could it have received this treatment? Even Tianjin didn’t approve it,” Old Zhao said.

"So, we'll use you guys as an example," He Yuzhu said with a smile.

"You could say that it's easier to draw on a blank sheet of paper than on paper with something already on it," Old Zhao said.

While the two were chatting, He Yuzhu's car drove into a quiet house halfway up the mountain.

Upon hearing the car, Chen Lanxiang, He Daqing, and others who had received the phone call earlier came out to greet them.

"Old Zhao! Oh my, it really is you!" He Daqing stepped forward, grabbed Old Zhao's hand, and shook it vigorously.

"Old He, sister-in-law, old lady, how are you all! Are you still in good health?" Old Zhao was also very excited, his eyes welling up with tears as he looked at his old friends who had all aged.

"You're doing great, thanks to the children! Come in and have a seat!" Chen Lanxiang greeted them warmly.

Everyone walked into the living room chatting and laughing. They had so much to say after not seeing each other for almost twenty years!

As darkness fell, another car came back outside. When the person entered the living room, Old Zhao's gaze froze instantly upon seeing the person at the door. His smile also froze, and his mouth gaped open, as if he had seen something unbelievable.

His lips trembled a few times, and he pointed at the person who came in through the door, his voice shaking as he said, "You...you are...Old Yu? You're not, you are..."

Standing there were Yu Zecheng and Wang Cuiping.

Yu Zecheng looked at Old Zhao, his eyes first filled with doubt, then he froze on the spot, and said emotionally, "Secretary Zhao? It's me, you still remember me?"

“How could I forget? I’ll never forget you in my whole life. You’re still alive, that’s good, that’s good!” Old Zhao stood up, walked quickly to Yu Zecheng, grabbed his hands tightly, and shook them violently.

The information he received was that this person went south, delivered several intelligence reports, and then lost contact. It was assumed that he had been killed in action because there were traitors that time, and too many comrades had been sacrificed.

He learned the news while drinking with some old comrades-in-arms; it was all kept secret.

Now that he's seen people again, how could he not be excited?

Wang Cuiping, with tears in her eyes, said, "Secretary Zhao, it's been so long!"

"Long time no see, Comrade Cuiping!" Old Zhao released Yu Zecheng's hand and shook hands with Wang Cuiping again.

"Alright, everyone sit down and talk. I'll go prepare the dishes," He Yuzhu said.

"Zhu Zi, you've kept this from me for so long, you..."

"Secretary Zhao, let me explain this to you. It's not Zhu's fault." Wang Cuiping interrupted, then winked at He Yuzhu.

He Yuzhu smiled and went to the kitchen, and He Daqing followed.

"Why don't you go to the study by the pillar and talk? It's not appropriate for us to listen," Chen Lanxiang said.

“Alright, sister-in-law, we’ll be done in a little while,” Wang Cuiping said.

"Go."

After the group entered He Yuzhu's study, a somber atmosphere prevailed. Old Zhao lit a cigarette, while Wang Cuiping poured two cups of tea.

“Old Yu, you tell me yourself, and I’ll add anything I need to.” Wang Cuiping said.

“Okay. After I leave Tianjin,” Yu Zecheng nodded and began to narrate. Old Zhao listened intently, almost burning his hand with the cigarette butt. Wang Cuiping quickly handed him an ashtray, and Old Zhao stubbed out his cigarette.

"and after?"

"Actually, I don't know who left me that note. The contents of that note became my hope for survival, and it saved me until I came to Hong Kong."

"I'll talk about the rest. Then, Zhuzi. Damao," Wang Cuiping said. Old Zhao lit another cigarette and started puffing away. The amount of information was too much for him to handle at once.

"So what about now?" Old Zhao asked.

“Old Yu is an instructor at the police academy, and I’m in charge of major crimes at the West Kowloon Police Station,” Wang Cuiping said.

"Gold shines wherever it is," Old Zhao remarked.

“Secretary Zhao, I hope you won’t report what my husband and I said today.”

"Why?" After saying that, Old Zhao was stunned for a moment, then slapped his head. "Look at my head. You really can't let others know your identities. You're doing well now. I'm at ease knowing that Old Yu is still alive."

“I don’t care, but he can’t. Who knows if there are other people who want to kill him?” Wang Cuiping said, pointing at Yu Zecheng.

"Yes, yes, I'll forget about our meeting today as soon as I leave the house. I'm so happy to see you all again," Old Zhao said.

"Thank you, Secretary Zhao. Actually, we hesitated when Zhu called today."

“Hesitation was justified. Zhu Zi should be criticized for this. If I had known it would turn out like this, I would have preferred not to come,” Old Zhao said.

"It's not Zhu Zi's fault. He thinks we should all let go of the past. So many years have passed, and this isn't China anymore."

"But we still need to be careful, after all, there are still bad people around." Old Zhao hesitated before continuing.

“Yes, we should be careful,” Wang Cuiping said.

“However, your current identities are well protected. You can spend your retirement in Hong Kong. If the policies improve in the future, perhaps you can go back to visit,” Old Zhao said.

"Sigh, I don't know if we'll ever see it," Yu Zecheng said.

"Yes, definitely! This confidence came from Zhu Zi, and I'm passing it on to you. You might not believe me, but you should at least believe him. He's the kind of person who always creates miracles!" Old Zhao said.

"Hahahaha!" The group burst into laughter at the same time.

(End of this chapter)