Those Years When I Was Forced to Top the Forbes List

Chapter 78 Aren't you afraid I'll collect your debt?
The police station called, giving the name of Huo Xiaowen's brother, but the phone number belonged to Chen Xuebing.

“He intimidated customers in the debtor’s shop, damaged other people’s property, and painted on the debtor’s door. He has now been detained for 10 days by our police station. If you need the detention notice, come to our station to pick it up.”

The other person's voice was cold, devoid of any New Year's warmth.

Chen Xuebing also knew that Huo Xiaowen's actions were probably even more inhumane.

Chinese New Year, weddings, and funerals are the best times to collect debts. You can go to someone's house and harass them. Most creditors will pay up to avoid making things difficult for their whole family.

He took out a pack of cigarettes from his bag, lit one, and said leisurely:

"Comrade, is it administrative detention? Can we pay some fines and wait until after the New Year before going to serve the detention? It's the New Year... my mother... my mother is not in good health, and if we can't reach her by phone, she will definitely worry. I'm afraid that the old lady will get emotional and something will happen."

They said he would be detained for 10 days, which should be considered administrative detention.

If it is criminal detention, the word "punished" is generally not used, because criminal detention is not considered a punishment; it is to await the result of the procuratorate, and the specific detention time is usually not disclosed.

In cases where the violation is relatively minor and involves civil disputes, mediation is usually the primary approach. The fact that administrative detention has been issued suggests that the other party is refusing mediation, indicating that Huo Xiaowen has likely gone too far and angered them.

Administrative detention is still governed by the "Regulations on Administrative Penalties for Public Security" rather than the "Law on Administrative Penalties for Public Security" which came into effect after 06, and therefore, no administrative review or postponement can be applied for.

However, police stations now have discretionary power and a wide range of authority; fines can be changed to detention, and detention can be changed to fines.

When faced with a public order penalty, don't argue with the police about regulations or laws; the best approach is to speak softly.

"Comrade... my dad is still a soldier, a second-class meritorious soldier. At this critical juncture, could you perhaps make an exception?" Chen Xuebing added a half-truth.

His father was indeed a soldier and a second-class meritorious soldier, but Huo Xiaowen's father was not.

"Then why are you letting your son do this?!" The voice on the other end said sternly, then fell silent for a moment before softening its tone:

"Is he a temporary resident? Call a guarantor here, someone from the local area, and make sure they pay an 800 yuan fine."

Local.

Chen Xuebing frowned, wanting to ask if it would be possible to negotiate with people from other places, but since the other party had already relented, he didn't want to push the matter further, fearing it might fall apart. After thinking for a moment, he asked again:
"Comrade, is he alone? He seems to be with a few fellow villagers."

"Fellow townsmen? Henchmen, huh? Add the four of them! The other three can be released after paying a 200 fine, or they'll be detained for five days!"

"Thank you, comrade. We'll find the person as soon as possible!"

After hanging up the phone, Chen Xuebing closed his eyes slightly, a surge of anger rising within him.

This was definitely done on behalf of Zhao Wanping.

He had clearly told Zhao Wanping that he wouldn't do a second job.

How many deals did Huo Xiaowen actually do behind his back?
After hesitating for a moment, I decided to overcome my emotions and resolve the issue first, so I called Gao Shu.

It turned out that the other party seemed unaware of the matter, saying that he had gone back to his hometown in Jieyang and that he was not a local.

The only way to get through was to contact Zhao Wanping.

As soon as the call connected, the sound of mahjong tiles clattering was loud.

"Hello!" The voice wasn't Zhao Wanping's either.

"Hello, I'm looking for General Manager Zhao!"

Immediately, someone shouted, "Big brother! Someone's looking for you!"

"Which one?"

"Let me see... his name is Debt Collector Chen!"

The person on the other end read out a note, which Chen Xuebing heard and sneered at.

What a fine debt collector, Chen.

It seemed that they didn't care about his thoughts.

Tell him I'm playing cards and I'm busy!

"Mr. Zhao is playing cards. You can play over there in a bit!"

"Don't panic, brother." Chen Xuebing exhaled a smoke ring calmly. "Can you ask Boss Zhao for me what to do about my brother's situation?"

The person on the other end said impatiently, "I told you we're playing cards! You can play later!"

The phone hangs up.

Chen Xuebing glanced at the phone, cursed, and dialed again.

Bye.

Hit again.

It wasn't until the fifth call that the other end finally answered.

"What are you doing? Xiao Chen, I told you I was playing cards!"

Chen Xuebing's tone had become somewhat unfriendly: "President Zhao, you know that my brother got arrested for collecting debts for you?"

"I know, so what? It's just administrative detention, right? He'll be out in a few days!"

"It's the Lunar New Year, and his family has a sick mother. Aren't you going to get him out of there?"

"Are you crazy? I'm already back in Hunan, how am I supposed to make money? He promised to collect two debts for me before the New Year, that's the condition for me to ensure stable deliveries for you! Did I force him?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Xuebing narrowed his eyes slightly.

"You want to ship our goods and then demand conditions? Aren't you making a profit?"

"Nonsense! With supplies so tight right now, it doesn't matter who I sell to. Want a discount? Dream on! Let me tell you, with your attitude, there won't be any more discounts after this! If you keep arguing, don't even think about getting any goods from me after the New Year!"

Chen Xuebing clenched his teeth.

"Aren't you a factory owner? We only sell about ten models that you provide, how can your supply be in short supply?"
Mr. Zhao, you can fool Huo Xiaowen but you can't fool me. I saw the bill I collected from Liu Tao before. He only took 62 machines from you in two months, yet he still owes you 15 yuan. How many downstream distributors do you have?
How many of them are like us, who don't owe money or default on debts?

And let me remind you, a large number of new domestic license plates will be issued at the beginning of the year. With more domestic products, your products won't sell as well as they do now. Last month I sold 300 units, and next month I can sell four or five hundred.

A big store bullies its customers, and a big customer bullies the store.

Do you really think I'm begging you? Or do you think I'm incapable of bypassing you and getting supplies from someone else?

These words weren't just empty promises. Ever since he entered this industry, he had been following mobile phone news closely. Before the Lunar New Year, the Ministry of Information Industry had already issued a document stating that Huawei, Gionee, BBK, and other manufacturers would soon receive mobile phone licenses that had been dormant for six years. Combining this with his memories from his previous life, he knew that low-priced domestically produced phones costing around 1,000 yuan were about to flood the market.

This also puts some pressure on counterfeit products.

Of course, these days, domestic products aren't as popular as imported ones. Most people don't consider domestic phones as brand-name phones; in the eyes of many consumers, domestic brand-name phones are just knock-offs.

As for the source of this "high-end" counterfeit phone, he also found a clue in a book called "Computer Fan" during this period. If the news is true, this "hot commodity" of Boss Zhao is by no means unique in the market.

He just hasn't checked yet.

"Hahaha...bluffing!" Zhao Wanping laughed arrogantly.

He certainly cared about Chen Xuebing's orders, but it was precisely because the order volume was getting bigger and the profits were getting higher that he wanted to push Chen Xuebing's price down even more.

Two clueless outsiders who initially relied on him to buy goods on credit when they first arrived. If he didn't exploit them, who else would he exploit?
Even he didn't expect his goods to sell so well in Chongqing. These two people were able to take more and more, and now the amount of goods they took has become a number that makes him envious.

The rapid development is definitely not due to the efforts of these two young men, but rather to the quality of their products!

If Chongqing weren't so far away, and if he weren't counting on that guy surnamed Huo to collect his debts before the new year, he would have already arranged for people to investigate where the goods went and poach their downstream customers!

Now that the debt hasn't been collected and the people have been arrested, these two guys have no other value besides providing him with profits from selling goods, so of course he has to squeeze out any profit margin.

"Out-of-towner, don't try to fool me! So what if you have sales volume? With goods like mine, I can get them from you with just a word! Either you sell my goods properly, or you can try to sell them to me. Forget about getting them from the factory, there isn't a single stall owner in the entire Yuanwang area who will sell to you!"

"Really can't get it? You're being too arrogant, Mr. Zhao."

Faced with Zhao Wanping's assertiveness, Chen Xuebing remained calm, but he didn't want to reveal his hand to Zhao Wanping. Instead, he smiled and said:
"Mr. Zhao, do you owe any money to anyone? Aren't you afraid that one day I'll come and collect your debts?"

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone.

Then, he laughed dismissively again.

"Sorry, I never owe anyone money. It's always others who owe me money. I don't buy into your 'crying, making a scene, and threatening suicide' tactics. Even if you kill yourself in my shop, it won't do you any good. If you have the guts, come and deal with me directly."

Chen Xuebing nodded slightly.

"Okay, Mr. Zhao, our cooperation is suspended starting today."

"You'll regret this! You think I won't go to Chongqing to sell it, right?" Zhao Wanping didn't expect Chen Xuebing to be so tough, and threatened loudly.

"Welcome."

Chen Xuebing hung up decisively, his expression gradually calming as he began to process the information.

After pondering for a long time, he picked up his phone and started making a call.

……

The following day was New Year's Eve.

morning.

It's hard to leave one's homeland; right now, more than 100 million people are intertwined on transportation lines across the country.

Especially in Shenzhen, countless people have worked hard here for a long time, and they can't wait to return home in glory with the fruits of their labor this year, to be greeted by the smiling faces and envy of their family and friends, and to inject new passion into their work in the coming year.

A Jetta drove from Chongqing, entered Shenzhen, and arrived at the Gongle Police Station in Bao'an District.

After getting off the bus, Chen Xuebing reluctantly handed over 1800 yuan to the driver.

The bus was a chartered special line bus located near Chongqing Bus Station.

Currently, 92-octane gasoline costs 2.5 yuan per liter. I only filled up with 300 yuan worth of gas on the road, but the toll fees were more expensive than the gas cost, over 400 yuan.

A single trip can earn them over 1000 yuan, and even after deducting the cost of vehicle wear and maintenance, that's equivalent to many people's monthly salary.

It just so happens to be Chinese New Year, and they won't budge on the 1800 yuan.

The problem for construction bosses is that they habitually calculate profits in too much detail, which makes them feel uncomfortable.

"Thanks, Master! Happy New Year!"

"Hey, happy happy!" The driver beamed as he received the money. "Brother, are you going back? Nobody's home anyway, can I wait for you for a day? I'll give you a discount when you get back, 1500 will do!"

Chen Xuebing couldn't help but chuckle: "I'm not going back. Just pick them up near the bus station or train station! There are a lot of people stranded in Shenzhen who can't go back. If you fill your truck to the brim, you might even make a little extra money!"

"Alright! Thanks, young man!"

The car sped away.

Chen Xuebing raised his eyebrows, took out his phone, and dialed.

"Hey, I'm here."

"My uncle's men have arrived too, you can go straight in."

"Thanks."

"It's nothing. Are you spending the Chinese New Year in Shenzhen?"

"Hmm... You have a good New Year, don't worry about me, I have something to do."

"Who cares about you... If you have no food, come to Guangzhou. Bye."

The exchange was brief and to the point. Xin Mengzhen had done the same when she agreed to help yesterday; she hung up after only a few words.

This feeling, which seemed to be a tacit understanding, made Chen Xuebing feel very comfortable.

It's not cold, around 16 or 17 degrees Celsius.

A loudspeaker was set up in front of a clothing store on the roadside, playing the music of the Black Panther band.

"In the sea of ​​people, there's you and me, meeting, getting to know each other, and learning from one another..."

Shenzhen, here we come again.

……

.

(End of this chapter)