Flip the table and divide the family property! Take his wife and daughter into the mountains and eat

"Brother, since we've come to this unpleasant family matter, before we get down to business, I must apologize to you today."

Zhao Shanhe paused slightly, holding the cigarette between his fingers, and looked up at him:

"Why are you apologizing to me?"

Jin Wanfu didn't answer immediately. He looked down at the half-burnt Zhonghua cigarette between his fingers, remained silent for a few seconds, and then slowly spoke:

"I wasn't here when the Red Star Machinery Factory had its accident. I was stuck outside dealing with previous foreign trade orders and some bad debts owed to the Soviet Union. By the time the news actually reached my ears, things had already gotten out of control."

He sighed, his tone filled with deep regret:

"By the time I rushed back, things had already completely erupted. All sorts of powerful figures were involved in the battle, and my limited business connections couldn't even make a ripple in that arena of power struggles. By the time things calmed down, you had already withdrawn from the Red Star Factory. This matter... I really feel bad about it."

Seeing Jin Wanfu's remorseful expression, Zhao Shanhe simply flicked his cigarette ash calmly.

"What's there to apologize for? We chose this path ourselves, and if we didn't walk it steadily, how can we blame you? Nobody knows how deep the waters are at the Red Star Factory. Even if you were there, what was bound to happen would still have happened."

"That's true, but you were the one I recommended to Director Li after all."

Jin Wanfu shook his head, his expression very serious. "You got involved in this mess because of me. You and your brothers are so deeply entangled in it, and you've paid such a high price. Brother, I can't just pretend I don't know anything and act like this has nothing to do with me."

You're overthinking it.

Zhao Shanhe's tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable air of composure: "I went to the Red Star Factory because Director Li sent me. Erga and I went in risking our lives for our futures; we just lost this gamble, so we can't blame anyone else. Later, when those guys dared to touch my brothers, I stood up to them—that was my own choice. As for your batch of machines, to be honest, you got ripped off. You paid the money, bought the machines, and in the end, they almost got dumped as scrap metal. Who can you complain to?"

Jin Wanfu paused for a moment upon hearing this, then shook his head with a wry smile:

"You're right. If you think about it that way, we're really brothers in misfortune. You almost lost your life at the Red Star Factory, and my batch of machines almost got sold as junk."

Zhao Shanhe grinned but didn't reply.

The two silently took a few puffs of their cigarettes. Jin Wanfu seemed to suddenly remember something, looked up, and said:

"By the way, there's something you probably don't know. The Soviet expert you traded that Siberian tiger for with Ivanov arrived at the Red Star Machinery Plant a few days ago."

Zhao Shanhe paused again, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes:

"Have we arrived?"

"Yeah, the factory was in complete chaos back then, and you were preoccupied with Da Niu and his gang, so I doubt anyone had time to tell you about it."

Jin Wanfu tapped his hand on the table, his tone clearly showing more satisfaction. "I made a special trip there after I got back. You know what, that old Russian is really something."

"After the people arrived, they first thoroughly examined the entire batch of imported equipment, and then they completely understood the original procedures, drawings, and worker operations. In just a few days, the production line was completely running smoothly."

"Did it run successfully?"

"Yes, and it went even more smoothly than I had expected."

Jin Wanfu smiled and nodded, "The old workers at Hongxing Factory actually have a very good foundation. It wasn't that they were stupid before, or that those machines were really difficult to operate; the main problem was that nobody understood those foreign gadgets, so everyone was just groping in the dark. Now, with an expert guiding us, they explain clearly what needs adjusting, how to arrange each process, and everything else. The first batch of prototypes has already come out, and they're much better than what we managed to produce before."

Zhao Shanhe paused for a moment, then exhaled a smoke ring:

"Looks like that tiger wasn't killed in vain."

"It wasn't a wasted effort at all."

Jin Wanfu leaned back and sighed sincerely, "Brother Zhao, although you left Hongxing Factory, you filled the gap in the production line before you left. The machines are there, the workers are there, and the experts have arrived. As long as the factory doesn't cause any more trouble, the line can continue operating on its own. So, in a good way, you saved me a huge amount of trouble."

Zhao Shanhe waved his hand: "It was a gathering we organized together in the first place. You provided the money, and I provided the effort. There's no need for thanks."

He paused, his gaze falling on the cigarette butt glowing between his fingers, and his voice deepened: "Besides, it's not just the two of us who's been working so hard to get this line up. Director Liang, Deputy Director Zhang, and all the veteran workers in the factory who've been working themselves to the bone—everyone's lost weight along the way."

Mentioning the Red Star Machinery Factory, Zhao Shanhe seemed to recall that chaotic battle once again.

The injured brothers, Da Niu who almost lost his life, and Zhao Tiezhu and the others were all covered in blood.

He was silent for a moment before slowly exhaling a wisp of smoke: "So many people almost lost their lives. If in the end the machines break down, the production line shuts down, and nothing is left, that would be truly pathetic."

At this point, Zhao Shanhe raised his head, and a genuinely relieved smile finally appeared on his usually stern face: "Now that the experts have arrived, the machines are running, and the experienced workers in the factory can produce the products, that's good. At least it proves that all the blood and sweat we shed before wasn't in vain."

Looking at the relieved smile on Zhao Shanhe's face, Jin Wanfu couldn't help but sigh deeply. "That's true, but I still feel wronged for you."

Jin Wanfu threw the half-smoked cigarette butt on the ground and crushed it, his brows furrowed in a frown: "Look at you! You risked your life to pave the way, you tackled the toughest challenges, and now that it's time to reap the rewards, you just pack up and leave. We paid such a high price, the brothers almost lost their lives, and in the end, you don't even get a good reward. You just retreat to Kaoshantun like this. What kind of behavior is this?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Shanhe not only didn't feel aggrieved, but instead chuckled with relief.

He shifted into a more comfortable position against the red brick wall, speaking casually, "Boss Jin, don't try to defend me. If I were to stay at the Red Star Factory, I'd actually feel uncomfortable."

Jin Wanfu was taken aback: "What's wrong?"

"There are too many rules and regulations, and the personnel situation is too complicated."

Zhao Shanhe shook his head. "The people there are more cunning than honeycomb briquettes. There are endless meetings and constant scheming. Even when you're trying to do something productive, you have to be wary of someone stabbing you in the back. I, Zhao Shanhe, am not the kind of person who can patiently serve the bureau. I can't stand that kind of stifling atmosphere. If I had to sit in that office and argue with them every day, I would flip all their desks over sooner or later."

At this point, he pointed to the bright sun overhead and the spacious courtyard, a smirk playing on his lips: "Now that we're back in Kaoshantun, far from the emperor's reach, I can do whatever I want with my brothers. We don't have to worry about anyone's opinions or ponder those pointless schemes. Isn't that much more comfortable than being there?"

Jin Wanfu was stunned for a long time after hearing this, then suddenly slapped his thigh and burst into laughter.

"That's great! You really understand life, buddy!"