Chapter 76: This Matter Is Not Over

Chen Da's words detonated like a heavy bomb in everyone's hearts, shattering their sanity. Everyone instinctively turned their heads to the back, where they saw Zhou Ming, his parents, and Su Han still seated calmly in the corner of the hall. Zhou Ming's face bore a faint smile, as if he were a general who had already secured victory.

What was going on? Wasn't it decided that Director Huang would take over the factory? Why did it suddenly turn into Zhou Ming buying it? Was there some mistake?

Everyone was lost in their thoughts, staring blankly at Zhou Ming. Their minds were unable to process the situation. To them, even hearing about a world war breaking out or the discovery of aliens would be less shocking than the news that Zhou Ming was buying the factory.

Selling the factory to a worker? It felt like a children's game!

However, since it was the Mayor Chen Da speaking, no one dared to truly oppose it. They could only cast doubtful glances at Chen Da, wondering if there had been some mistake. Even Zhou Ming's parents and Su Han couldn't believe it.

Under the puzzled gazes of the crowd, Chen Da continued speaking, "Comrade Zhou Ming is an outstanding entrepreneur recognized by the Port City financial awards, highly praised by the media. Upon returning to the mainland, he supported the national reform and opening-up strategy. He has led the first land auction in Nanjiang and is a pioneer in the domestic economy, well-versed in both domestic and international economic situations. After learning about the reform of his hometown's 760 Factory, he, driven by a noble ideal to support his hometown, gave up his career in Nanjiang and returned to Linyang."

Chen Da paused and concluded, "Therefore, the Municipal Party Committee and the Municipal Government, based on Comrade Zhou Ming's consistent performance in the market economy, have decided to transfer 760 Factory to Comrade Zhou Ming."

Chen Da's words struck like a heavy hammer, instantly shattering any remaining illusions. It dawned on everyone that Chen Da was serious: 760 Factory was indeed going to be under Zhou Ming's name!

Not everyone could accept this outcome, especially Huang Zheng, who was small-minded. He stood there, dazed, holding the microphone, looking up at Chen Da, muttering, "Mayor Chen, there must be some mistake. How can 760 Factory be sold to Zhou Ming? This can't be done!"

Ma Jianjun also stood up to support Huang Zheng, "Yes, Mayor Chen, I believe Director Huang is very capable, while Zhou Ming is a fraud. How can 760 Factory be sold to such a person?"

Upon hearing Huang Zheng and Ma Jianjun's words, Chen Da frowned. At this moment, the old factory director, who had been silent, suddenly stood up and said loudly, "Why can't it be sold to Zhou Ming? I believe this decision has been thoroughly considered. As the factory needs to integrate into the market economy in the future, Comrade Zhou Ming is well-suited to lead the factory in this integration. Are you questioning the decision of the higher authorities?"

Faced with the old factory director's questioning, Huang Zheng and Ma Jianjun both shivered and fell silent. Other old employee representatives who had initially wanted to speak up also shut their mouths after the old factory director's reprimand.

Zhou Ming raised an eyebrow, thinking: Looks like there's still a lot of drama today!

On the other side, Zhou Ming's parents were so shocked they couldn't speak, and Su Han was gripping her arms tightly, trembling with excitement.

"Well then, let's invite Comrade Zhou Ming to share his thoughts. Let's give him a warm welcome."

Chen Da's casual remark made everyone mechanically start applauding. Amid the applause, Zhou Ming stood up with a smile and walked towards the podium.

Zhou Ming was full of enthusiasm, but in Huang Zheng's eyes, Zhou Ming's smile was nothing but mockery. The more spirited Zhou Ming appeared, the more Huang Zheng felt like a clown performing a farce.

When Zhou Ming reached him, Huang Zheng could no longer hold back and said to Zhou Ming, "I don't know what tricks you've played today, but don't think you've won."

"Oh really?" Zhou Ming looked at Huang Zheng's contorted face and sighed, "You know, in my eyes, you're quite pitiful. If you and Ma Jianjun hadn't provoked me and targeted my parents and Su Han, I might have left you a way out. But now, as I said before, since you didn't leave when you had the chance, you have no opportunity now. I will make sure you end up with nowhere to cry."

"Opportunity?" Huang Zheng sneered, "I admit I didn't expect Mayor Chen to agree to sell the factory to you, but even if the factory is sold to you, what does it matter? Do you think you can really ride on my head?"

Zhou Ming shook his head in regret, "You may not have understood my point. I just want to tell you, this matter is not over."

With that, Zhou Ming ignored Huang Zheng and walked directly to the podium. Mayor Chen Da and County Party Secretary Gu Ping shook hands with Zhou Ming. Chen Da smiled and said to Zhou Ming, "Comrade Zhou Ming is an outstanding entrepreneur who grew up under the red flag. 760 Factory is also a star enterprise in Linyang. I believe this strong combination will bring a new development to the factory."

Zhou Ming thanked Chen Da, who then signaled Zhou Ming to speak. Zhou Ming stepped up to the podium, took the microphone from the factory logistics staff, and cleared his throat before speaking, "First of all, I want to thank Mayor Chen and the Municipal Government for their trust. As mentioned earlier by Director Ma and Director Huang, I am quite young and not very eloquent. If my speech makes anyone uncomfortable, please forgive me."

Zhou Ming's tone was very flat, but it sent chills down the spines of the listeners.

"What I want to say is simple. Since I am buying 760 Factory, I want to talk about the factory's issues," Zhou Ming got straight to the point, "I believe the factory's poor performance in recent years is mainly due to the corruption of certain leaders."

Zhou Ming turned to Chen Da and said, "Mayor Chen, I want to report here that our 760 Factory's Deputy Director Ma Jianjun and Sales Director Huang Zheng are involved in embezzling state property."

Zhou Ming's words hit like a storm, causing a stir among the crowd. Everyone was stunned, unable to believe that Zhou Ming had the audacity to publicly accuse Ma Jianjun and Huang Zheng in front of Mayor Chen Da. Zhou Ming was completely out of control!

Huang Zheng was the first to stand up, "Zhou Ming, you're making baseless accusations and slandering us! What evidence do you have to prove our corruption?"

Ma Jianjun also stood up, "That's right, Mayor Chen. We had some conflicts with Zhou Ming, and his current accusations are just retaliation. Please see through this!"

"It is indeed necessary to investigate, and it will be investigated thoroughly!"

Zhou Ming said, producing a document from his pocket and showing it, "This is a promotional draft prepared by you for the factory's TV station. It clearly states that the total assets of 760 Factory are valued at two million. This value is astonishing to everyone here, who are all old employees of the factory. The purpose of this promotion is obvious: first, they privately sold some of the factory's equipment, resulting in the loss of state assets; second, they used the factory's restructuring opportunity to embezzle state assets!"

Zhou Ming's words were powerful, each one striking like thunder into the hearts of Ma Jianjun and Huang Zheng. They trembled uncontrollably but still planned a final stand.

"No… that's not true. We did not embezzle state property. Zhou Ming's accusations are malicious speculation with no real evidence. We are innocent!" Huang Zheng cried out in despair.

Ma Jianjun added, "Mayor Chen, don't listen to his nonsense. Zhou Ming is ruthless and has always been disliked by the factory staff. They are idle and always thinking about how to deceive others. Their family was dismissed from the factory due to deceit, and now they are taking revenge. This is an attempt to sabotage the factory's restructuring and smear you, Mayor Chen!"

Zhou Ming's face darkened. He could tell that Huang Zheng was just making a last-ditch effort, but Ma Jianjun's words had a hidden meaning.

Although Zhou Ming had no experience in official circles, he understood the implication. Ma Jianjun's remarks were intended to warn Mayor Chen Da that Zhou Ming's actions were against the rules. Exposing the factory's internal issues could disrupt the unified deployment of the factory's restructuring and offend all the factory staff, the county government, and especially Mayor Chen Da.

In normal times, Ma Jianjun's words might not have mattered, but today he had miscalculated because Chen Da was sure to side with Zhou Ming.

Chen Da's face darkened as he slammed the table, "Enough!"

He then turned to County Party Secretary Gu Ping and said, "Comrade Gu Ping, this matter must be thoroughly investigated by the county party committee. Ma Jianjun and Huang Zheng must be detained immediately."

Upon hearing Chen Da's order, Ma Jianjun and Huang Zheng felt like the sky was falling. They knew with the mayor's command, they were doomed.

The two slumped into their seats, filled with despair, while mumbling, "We are wronged, we are wronged."

Wronged? This matter is not over!

Zhou Ming's gaze was sharp as a sword. To him, if Ma Jianjun and

 Huang Zheng had only provoked him, he could have let them go. But they had harmed Zhou Ming's parents and Su Han. They slandered his father, accused his mother of theft, and even defaced Su Han's small restaurant with red paint and derogatory slogans. Zhou Ming could not tolerate this.

"I want you both to be ruined!"