Spring Breeze Twenty Years

Chapter 611 Let's Have a Good Talk

The rain is getting heavier.

Xiao Wei and his five companions had no choice but to abandon their plan to continue the tour and return to the car. But they had already covered most of it: Chiang Kai-shek's former residence, Chiang Ching-kuo's former residence, the Soong sisters' former residence, the headquarters of the American advisory group, the adjutant's office, the school for orphans of the War of Resistance Against Japan, and, of course, Zhou Zhirou's former residence.

"What should we do? Where should we go?" Xiao Hong asked Xiao Wei.

Xiao Wei said, "Where else can we go? Let's go back to the hotel. With this heavy rain, it's uncomfortable anywhere except the Yangtze River."

The driver said, "You should go to the Yangtze River; there are more fish in this weather."

Xiao Hong said, "I want to eat fish, fish from the Yangtze River."

Gazi said, "What's the point of eating fish? There's not much meat, it's all bones."

Xiao Hong turned to Ga Zi and asked, "In your eyes, is there only one pork knuckle in the whole world?"

Gazi said, "Really? Lamb and beef are fine too, they taste good too." Everyone laughed, including the driver. Xiaowei said, "Let's go back to the hotel first."

The driver said, "Hey buddy, what kind of hotel is this? Where am I going? Make it clear."

Xiao Liu said, "Xiaoshizi, the Bayu Restaurant, you know it, right?"

The driver nodded and said, "I know, you live in that corner, huh? You've got money, buddy. We've crossed the river, it'll cost extra for such a long trip."

Xiao Liu said, "What extra money? Are you obsessed with money? I've hired your car for the whole afternoon, and look how little time has passed? Why don't we not go back? You can take us around everywhere until tonight."

The driver started the engine, reversed the car slightly, turned around and drove away, saying, "Brother, it's not easy for me either, my kids are waiting to eat."

Gazi asked, "What's 'Gaga'?"

The driver said, "Meat, meat, pork, lamb, cow."

Gazi said, "It feels so strange. We're all Chinese, so why do we speak differently? Wouldn't it be better if everyone spoke the same way?"

The driver said, "It's the same. We're speaking Mandarin, but Sichuan dialect is very easy to understand."

At that time, people in the Bashu region still identified themselves as Bashu people. But after the region became a municipality in 1997, they started desperately trying to say that they were not Bashu people. They would get angry with anyone who said that, and they would even try to distance themselves from the customs and traditions related to food, clothing, and daily necessities. I don't know why.

As we approached the foot of the mountain, the driver said, "Brothers, you should take the cable car across the river. It's faster and safer. My car is going to take a huge detour."

Xiao Wei shook his head and said, "No, it's raining and windy, and that thing doesn't feel safe. Besides, I've paid you for the whole afternoon, so it's our business how you drive. What do you mean by this? Why don't you give us our money back and I'll find another car?"

The driver wasn't too happy, but he didn't say anything. The car quieted down, and the wind and rain pounded against the roof. Both windows were fogged up, making it impossible to see anything outside.

Driving in Chongqing feels like a repetitive cycle of going around in circles and crossing the river.

The Yangtze and Jialing Rivers divide the city into many parts, and no matter which way you go, you have to cross the river.

Taking a car does indeed take a long detour. If you don't consider the mountain road, it's less than two kilometers from the cable car across the river to Xiaoshizi, but driving here would be more than ten kilometers. However, Xiaowei was indeed a little worried about safety. It wasn't that he wanted to take advantage of the driver. After all, he was paying for the whole afternoon, so he wasn't losing out.

Back in 91, a piece of iron underfoot meant you could go anywhere. Drivers were high-income earners, especially taxi drivers, who were among the first to get rich.

The car climbed up the slope from the Yangtze River Bridge to Jiaochangkou, the highest point in Yuzhong District. Then, going downhill east, you reach Xiaoshizi, which faces Shangxin Street across the Yangtze River. The driver, with tears in his eyes, took Xiaowei's money and said, "Brother, am I honest? Call me again if you need a ride tomorrow."

Xiao Wei said, "Come on, you've got to offer me half a day's service, and it's only been a short while! Look at the time! You're so honest, why don't you give me a refund?"

The driver stuffed the money into his bag and said, "You guys are the big bosses, we're just making a little money." Xiao Wei didn't like people who took advantage of others and then acted innocent. "If I have money, I should give you the lion's share, right? Why don't you give me any?" He waved his hand, grabbed Xiao Hong, and turned to go into the restaurant.

……

Chang'an Factory Guesthouse.

An officer pushed open the door and came in: "Director, damn it, this guy's got terrible nerve. He got tricked out of his mind in just a few words." He handed the record sheet in his hand to Liu Xiangdong.

Liu Xiangdong took the record sheet, glanced at it, and raised an eyebrow: "Two hundred thousand?" He handed the record sheet back to the clerk, took out a cigarette case and offered one to the clerk. After thinking for a moment, he said, "No, dig deeper. He's just a minor section chief; he probably wouldn't dare do this himself. We need to investigate him thoroughly, both above and below, outside and inside. Tell him that two hundred thousand is enough to get him executed, and if he confesses now, it'll be considered a way for him to atone for his crime."

The clerk agreed and turned to leave excitedly. Liu Xiangdong thought for a moment, then went over and picked up the phone.

"Minister, this is Liu Xiangdong. I'd like to report on the situation."

"We're here? How's it going over there?"

"We've been there for a while now, the person has been arrested, and they're being interrogated. It seems there's something serious going on, and it might be quite serious."

Gao Shouxun was taken aback. Was something really wrong? He said, "Tell me what happened."

Liu Xiangdong said, "The interrogation is still ongoing. At present, it is certain that Yang Xu has embezzled and accepted bribes. The initial amount has exceeded 200,000 yuan. I am organizing my comrades to investigate further. I analyze that, based on his rank and job nature, there should be other people involved in the case, both inside and outside the company. Although the specific situation has not yet been clarified, I estimate that the total amount involved may not be small. It is certain that it starts at one million yuan."

Gao Shouxun slammed his hand on the table and said, "Get to the bottom of this. Don't worry about anyone else. Make sure you get to the bottom of this case. Get some local people to help you. I'll be waiting for your report."

Liu Xiangdong stood at attention: "Yes, sir! I guarantee I will complete the mission."

After Gao Shouxun hung up the phone, Liu Xiangdong thought for a moment, then opened the door and called out, "Xiao Zhang, come here for a second."

A clerk came out of the next room: "Director, you called me?"

Liu Xiangdong said, "Go and ask the factory for two cars. After that, go to the Municipal Bureau and borrow some people. We're afraid the five of us won't be enough."

Xiao Zhang asked, "How many people do you need?"

Liu Xiangdong thought for a moment and said, "There should be at least ten of them, and they'll all be staying here."

Xiao Zhang nodded and went downstairs.

……

Factory director's office business.

Factory Director Song said to Section Chief Jing, "You're planning to take this payment collection task to your department? Can you handle it? That would require traveling all over the country."

The section chief said, "There's nothing I can do. I'm anxious but powerless to help. Getting our payments back has become a major problem."

Factory Director Song pondered for a moment and said, "Wait a minute and see how things go. Can you get in touch with that self-employed individual? Try to arrange a proper talk."

(End of this chapter)