Chapter 115: Tossed Out

"Something happened?"

Zhou Ming was a bit confused by this question. After all, they were at the Peninsula Hotel, one of the most famous and luxurious hotels in Hong Kong and even the world. It wasn't a terror hotspot in the Middle East—what could possibly go wrong here?

Seeing Zhou Ming's confusion, Luo Han quickly explained, "Mr. Zhou, the pager didn't give much detail, but it seems there's been some trouble with Mayor Qiao. Since you're more familiar with Hong Kong and today's event was hosted by Ms. Lin, it would be better if you and Ms. Lin handle it."

Zhou Ming understood that the information a pager could convey was limited compared to later mobile phones. Regardless of his personal issues with Mayor Qiao, he was a key official from South Jiangsu and represented the South Jiangsu Provincial Committee and Government in Hong Kong. It was important to resolve this issue properly.

Zhou Ming agreed and, with Lin Muqing and Shen Xin, followed Luo Han downstairs to find Qiao Weijiang.

It turned out to be straightforward. As soon as they reached the lobby, they saw Qiao Weijiang being held against the wall by two hotel security guards. His secretary, frantic and helpless, was trying to intervene but couldn't get past the burly guards.

Seeing Zhou Ming and the others approach, Qiao's secretary, finally seeing hope, rushed to them and asked for help, "Ms. Lin, Mr. Zhou, can you talk to the hotel and have them release Mayor Qiao?"

"I'll talk to the hotel, but you need to tell me what happened first," Zhou Ming said.

The secretary hesitated but eventually explained. It wasn't anything unusual, just a bit amusing. After leaving the private room, Qiao Weijiang, increasingly agitated, threw his cup in frustration. Whether it was bad luck or a habit from smashing things in the city government, the cup hit and shattered a sculpture in the hotel lobby.

Since the sculpture was damaged, the hotel naturally demanded compensation. In 1987, a few hundred thousand Hong Kong dollars was a significant amount, and Qiao Weijiang had not brought enough money. This led to a dispute, and the hotel immediately called security.

After hearing the secretary's explanation, Zhou Ming wasn't sure what to say about Mayor Qiao.

"The hotel says the sculpture costs over twenty thousand Hong Kong dollars. Isn't that extortion?" the secretary continued to complain.

Lin Muqing, however, responded calmly, "This is the Peninsula Hotel, the most luxurious hotel in Hong Kong and even the world. The sculptures in the lobby are valuable works by renowned artists."

The secretary was momentarily taken aback but then said, "Ms. Lin, Mayor Qiao didn't know. It wasn't intentional. This treatment is unreasonable! And he is the Deputy Mayor of South Jiangsu; this is unacceptable."

Lin Muqing ignored his complaints and looked at Zhou Ming, clearly waiting for him to make a decision. To her, whether Qiao Weijiang was a Deputy Mayor or Deputy Provincial Governor didn't matter. She would follow Zhou Ming's lead.

Zhou Ming sighed, "Enough with the complaints. I'll go see what I can do."

Zhou Ming walked over to Qiao Weijiang. Seeing that Zhou Ming had made a decision, Lin Muqing signaled her secretary, Amin, who immediately went to contact the hotel manager.

"What is going on? I'm the Deputy Mayor of South Jiangsu, a party and government official here for an inspection. Do you know what you're doing? Do you understand the consequences?"

Before Zhou Ming reached him, he could hear Qiao Weijiang's angry shouting. It was somewhat comical that even while being held against the wall, Qiao Weijiang maintained a condescending attitude.

The lobby manager, who was with the security guards, recognized Lin Muqing and Shen Xin when they arrived and approached them, asking, "Ms. Lin, Ms. Shen, do you know this gentleman?"

Lin Muqing nodded, "He is a guest from South Jiangsu. Please release him."

Hearing this, the lobby manager signaled the security guards to let Qiao Weijiang go. But as soon as Qiao Weijiang was released, he immediately berated the lobby manager, "Is this a den of bandits or a hotel? How can you treat a guest like this? Do you know who I am? I am the Deputy Mayor of South Jiangsu!"

Zhou Ming could no longer tolerate it and said to Qiao Weijiang, "Enough, Mayor Qiao. Please be quiet."

Hearing Zhou Ming, Qiao Weijiang's anger seemed to flare up further. He turned to Zhou Ming and said, "Zhou Ming, this must be some scheme you've cooked up, right? I've seen through your unscrupulous nature! And you Hong Kong people, not a single one of you is good!"

Shen Xin, displeased, said, "Are you out of your mind? You broke someone else's property, and now they want compensation. We came to help you, and you're still blaming us? Do you even have a conscience?"

"Do I have a conscience? That's what I want to ask you!" Qiao Weijiang retorted. "I came to Hong Kong at your invitation, and this is how you treat me? You leave me here and set up this trap to frame me. Do you have a conscience?"

"That's quite interesting. Are you saying we made you break the sculpture? You're blaming us for your own mistake?" Lin Muqing said, irritated. "If you want to, you can arrange the twenty thousand dollars yourself."

Qiao Weijiang was momentarily silenced by Lin Muqing's words but then stubbornly said, "I'll pay. Xiao Zhang, contact the Finance Bureau and have them transfer twenty thousand Hong Kong dollars immediately!"

"Enough, Mayor Qiao. The city government's money is public funds, not for you to squander. I'll cover this. If you have any sense, use this money where it's truly needed," Zhou Ming said, trying to be reasonable.

But Qiao Weijiang clearly didn't appreciate it. "I'm the Deputy Mayor; I don't need you to lecture me. I think this is exactly where it's needed!"

"What kind of person is this? He's like a dog biting the hand that feeds him," Shen Xin muttered.

Hearing this, Qiao Weijiang jumped up like a dog that had its tail stepped on. "Who are you insulting? You're just a reporter from Hong Kong. You're no different from a street-shouting shrew!"

"Enough!" Zhou Ming, despite his patience, could no longer tolerate it. He said to Qiao Weijiang, "Mayor Qiao, I suggest you leave immediately."

This statement made Luo Han, who was behind Zhou Ming, widen his eyes. Though he also thought Qiao Weijiang was a piece of work, he was still the Deputy Mayor of South Jiangsu. Lin Muqing and Shen Xin's criticism was understandable given their local perspective, but Zhou Ming was also from South Jiangsu—how could he afford to offend him so blatantly?

Qiao Weijiang was shocked that Zhou Ming, whom he had been berating, dared to speak to him this way. He pointed at Zhou Ming and said, "What did you say? Say it again if you dare."

"I can say it as many times as needed," Zhou Ming said, pointing at Qiao Weijiang's nose. "Get out! Leave immediately!"

"Fine, Mr. Zhou. I see how it is!" Qiao Weijiang said through gritted teeth.

Zhou Ming lost interest in continuing the conversation and turned to the lobby manager, "How do you usually deal with such noisy lunatics in the lobby?"

"Of course, we call security to throw them out," the lobby manager replied.

Zhou Ming gestured to the lobby manager, who hesitated before finally deciding. The manager signaled the security guards to escort Qiao Weijiang out.

"What are you doing? Zhou Ming, what are they doing? Just wait, I won't let this go!"

As Qiao Weijiang continued to shout and curse, he was thrown out of the hotel by the security guards.

Once Qiao Weijiang was gone, the lobby finally quieted down. Shen Xin turned to Zhou Ming and said, "Mr. Zhou, these mainland officials are really something. This was all unnecessary. We came to help, but he still blames us. What kind of person is this?"

Zhou Ming shrugged, "Just don't consider him a decent person."

Compared to Shen Xin, Lin Muqing was more aware of mainland conditions. She asked Zhou Ming, "Zhou Ming, even though Qiao Weijiang isn't a good person, he is still the Deputy Mayor of South Jiangsu. You treated him like this today… Won't it be a problem?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Xin realized, "Sister Muqing, are you saying that Qiao Weijiang might seek revenge against Mr. Zhou?"

"Given his behavior, I think it's likely," Lin Muqing replied.

"In that case, Mr. Zhou, you should stay in Hong Kong and not return to the mainland. I've heard that mainland officials have great power—they can decide who gets punished. Also, Qiao Weijiang said he wouldn't let Mr. Zhou go before he was thrown out," Shen Xin said anxiously.

Zhou Ming smiled slightly and said, "Don't worry. He's just a Deputy Mayor, not powerful enough to cause much trouble. If he wants to make trouble, I'll handle him."