Spring Breeze Twenty Years

Chapter 421 It's not easy.

Director Gao said to Zhang Jun and Xiao Wei, "Come, come, sit down. Hey, Xiao Chen, right? Come sit down. Let me tell you, it's not easy for you to sit in my position, Da Jun knows that. Actually, I'd rather deal with you guys. Once the paperwork is done and the money is collected, we shake hands and feel good, and we can even have a drink together. Clean and straightforward."

We're all on the same side, don't laugh at me, but if it weren't for you guys holding out, I would have given them the house today even if I wasn't happy about it. And I'd have to handle all the paperwork. I don't know when I'll get the money, or what the specifics are. If anything happens later, I'll have to be the one to take the blame.

Zhang Jun poured water for the group and said, "Director Gao has always been very kind to me. This matter is indeed difficult to handle; things are different in the military and in civilian life. Right now, the whole country is dealing with the military-civilian separation of military assets, and there are quite a few people watching."

Xiao Wei said, "Forget it, let's not talk about the past. I'm sorry for what happened earlier, Director Gao. Please don't take it to heart."

Director Gao chuckled and said, "Why would I take it to heart? Society has changed. It's not like our time. Now it's all about power and money. If you have capital, you can be arrogant anywhere. I can't do anything about this. Whoever has the bigger fist can take it. There are only five or six people in this camp management office. We're all brothers. Nobody can find fault with this."

Zhang Jun said to Xiao Wei and Chen Hui, "Let's just consider this matter over. The director only called them over to give them a way out. Don't escalate the situation by talking to the director; he really can't afford to offend him. After that, let's talk about the house. I think we should invite Wang Gang and Li Weibing out for dinner tonight. If we can resolve this, let's avoid making enemies."

Chen Hui said with a smile, "Brother, you and Director Gao don't need to look after me. Lao Xia and I will listen to Xiao Wei."

Xiao Wei said, "Okay, as long as Director Gao isn't angry, nothing else matters. You can arrange it, bro."

Director Gao took out a pack of cigarettes and offered them out, asking, "Did you go to check it out on-site? How was it? There aren't many plots of land this concentrated these days."

Xiao Wei took the cigarette, lit it for Director Gao, and said, "The land is definitely no problem, and we've brought the money with us. Director Gao, you can make the arrangements."

Director Gao took a puff of his cigarette and said, "Then let's get it done. The sooner this land is gone, the sooner I'll have some peace and quiet. It's all just trouble. Dajun, go get the contract."

Zhang Jun agreed and went out; he needed to get the contract from the director.

Director Gao flicked his cigarette ash and said to Xiao Wei and the other two, "In this life, you either stay down there and obediently accept your fate, because that's not much trouble falling on your head, and nobody cares about that level. Or you stand up straight, climb to the top, and at least guard a place. Even the tallest among the short is still a big guy."

The worst part is being stuck in the middle, no longer at the bottom, but still having no say anywhere. Like me now, I'm frustrated and angry, having to put on a show and smile. So I'm saying, even if you've chosen the right path—making money in business, good or bad, it's all yours. If you have enough in your pocket, you'll be respected everywhere.

Xiao Wei said, "Surname Gao, you're too concerned about your position. You've worked your way up. You're not that old, you'll definitely rise in the future. Besides, you're already at a high level, you're a colonel. What can you do if you insist on climbing the ranks?"

Gao laughed and shook his head, saying, "Your brother is right. Tonight, you guys should talk things out with Wang Gang and his guards. Once the deal is done, there's no need to offend anyone. Having more friends means having more options. From now on, when you're doing business here, it won't hurt to be on good terms with them."

Xiao Wei nodded and said, "Okay, we're not the kind of people who hold a grudge. Actually, if Wang Gang hadn't acted that way today, Xiao Hui wouldn't have taken it so seriously. Besides, my brother is here, so I have to think about him too."

Gao nodded and said, "Yes, that's the right way to think. No wonder you've accomplished so much at such a young age. You've got the vision to back it up."

Xia Maosheng asked, "Director Gao, what do Wang Gang and the others usually do?"

Gao said, "Children of military personnel are definitely in the military, but they're just nominally in charge and wander around outside all day, making a little money by trading supplies or speculating. It's not that they're bad, but it's not that they're good either. It's just that kind of thing."

Xia Maosheng asked, "Then where did they get the money to buy the building? This is quite a big deal."

Gao scratched his head and said, "They can't possibly buy anything. Do you think everyone has a million? It's just a matter of settling on a deal and then reselling it. They might lower the price here and raise it there. It's not really a mistake; it's just a matter of personal relationships and face. To be honest, the military didn't suffer any losses, but they still made some money. Isn't that how it is in the local areas too? Construction and everything like that has to be cut off layer by layer."

Xiao Wei said, "It's nothing. They have the information and resources, so they deserve to make this money. It has nothing to do with us."

Gao nodded and said, "Yes, that's the right way to think. People talk about this as if it's some huge mistake, but there's really no right or wrong. If you have resources, information, and channels, wouldn't you be a fool not to use them? Don't you have to consider these things when doing business? The mistake here is that the timing was wrong. They only found out about the news after reading our report, which was too late. We didn't expect you to be able to hold on."

Xiao Wei laughed and said, "It's just that he doesn't respect my brother."

Director Gao said, "That's for sure. Why should someone like him take a common soldier seriously? You guys are rich now, big bosses. Would you take a farmer from the countryside seriously? I don't mean to belittle farmers, I'm just saying this. This mentality is perfectly normal."

Xia Maosheng nodded and said, "That's how it is. So, if you want people to remember you, you need to have a big enough fist and a hard enough head."

Director Gao glanced at Xia Maosheng and said, "Your surname is Xia? What does your family do?"

Xia Maosheng was a little embarrassed. He glanced at his wife sitting on the other side and said, "My aunt is the Party Secretary of our small town."

Director Gao nodded and didn't ask anything more. Xiao Wei said, "Director Gao, are houses easy to buy around here?"

Director Gao glanced at Xiao Wei and asked, "What are you doing?"

Xiao Wei said, "My brother is staying here now, and he's also getting married, so I'm planning to look for a slightly bigger house for them."

Director Gao waved his hand and said, "You two have a good relationship. No need. Do you think we'd be short of housing? You could even use that money to get your sister-in-law a business, that's for sure. We don't need a house. We're building a new residential area soon, how could we be short of your brother's money?"

Xiao Wei said, "Building a residential complex? Aren't welfare housing projects going to be canceled? There aren't many people around here, are there?"

Director Gao chuckled and said, "Can something be canceled at the local level and then extended to the military? We only have five or six officers here, and quite a few people below them. Besides, there's a three-tiered management system. This residential area is definitely going to be built; the name and planning have already been approved. It'll be right behind this building."

Xiao Wei was taken aback for a moment and said, "My brother is considered a cadre?"

Director Gao laughed and said, "Of course, it's a proper cadre position. Do you think the military doesn't have enterprises under its command? There are only three of us with military ranks here. The rest are military-managed cadres. Your brother is the one who has the final say besides the three of us. To be honest, if it weren't for the difference in our uniforms, we would be about the same as each other."

Chen Hui asked, "The military has enterprises? Can they set up factories? What kind of enterprises does your unit have here?"

(End of this chapter)