Chapter 305: Zhou Ming, You Are the Hope

"These people are simply evil beyond measure, completely disregarding party discipline and national laws! They're even more arrogant than the landowners and bullies before liberation, daring to do such things in broad daylight. Don't they fear retribution? Doesn't the Jin Ning party committee and government care? Is that place a den of bandits? Boss Zhou, Engineer Luo came all the way from Jin Ning to our Factory 760. You are his last hope; you will help him, won't you?"

A factory cadre shouted passionately, and others joined in, saying, "That's right, we've known for a long time that Jin Ning is chaotic, with all kinds of illegal activities. We wouldn't dare go there. Those *** are not even human. Boss Zhou, regardless of how others act, you will definitely handle this, right?"

Faced with the crowd's questions and their hopeful gazes toward Zhou Ming, he seemed to be seen as the savior of the world.

No wonder; no one could remain indifferent after hearing Luo Wei's story. Whether it was the arrogance of Jin Ning Company or the collusion between Jin Ning's government departments and criminal forces, the situation was infuriating. Especially when they heard how the company manager had insulted Luo Wei's wife in front of him, repeatedly assaulted her, and caused her miscarriage, some people shouted in anger, others clenched their fists, and some even shed tears.

Regardless of how they expressed it, their reactions showed their anger. They seemed ready to revolt, wishing they could slice the flesh off the people from Jin Ning.

Generally, such matters would be referred to the government. However, Jin Ning was a nest of corruption, and according to Luo Wei, his plight was the result of collusion between government departments and criminal forces.

Under the influence of Luo Wei's story, the people had lost all faith in the Jin Ning government. But fortunately, there was still Zhou Ming before them. They knew Zhou Ming was a passionate person. Back when Ma Jianjun and Huang Zheng were abusing their power to seize state assets and attempted to buy Factory 760 cheaply, it was Zhou Ming who stood up and fought them to the end, ultimately bringing them to justice. Otherwise, their conspiracy would have succeeded! So, as long as Zhou Ming was here, there was hope.

This thought made Zhou Ming the only hope in everyone's eyes. As Luo Wei said, if Zhou Ming didn't help him, no one else could.

"Boss Zhou! Boss Zhou!"

Feeling the hope the people had in him, Zhou Ming handed Luo Wei over to Director Huang of the factory hospital and then stood up to say, "What happened to Engineer Luo is a matter of great outrage for everyone, and the rampant criminal forces in Jin Ning are detestable to the core. Perhaps it was due to the weakness of Jin Ning's people that these criminals were so unbridled. But we, Nan Hui people, are not cowards. We at Factory 760 have blood in us!"

"That's right, we are people of blood, not cowards. We will fight against all criminal forces to the end!"

Everyone followed Zhou Ming's lead, shouting along with him. Zhou Ming's words stirred their passion, and they were ready to rise up.

"I, Zhou Ming, am a profit-driven businessman, but I am also a man. I may not interfere in trivial matters, but I will not remain indifferent to such a grievous injustice before me. Engineer Luo, if no one else will, I will seek justice for you!" Zhou Ming declared.

This statement ignited the enthusiasm of everyone present, and they all cheered loudly, "Long live Boss Zhou!"

Amidst the cheers, Luo Wei couldn't help but shed tears of gratitude. "Thank you, Boss Zhou. You are a savior, my benefactor!"

However, Luo Wei's words came to an abrupt halt. Zhou Ming turned to inquire with Director Huang, who, after an examination, responded, "Boss Zhou, don't worry. He's just been starving for too long, causing his blood sugar to drop. His injuries need further examination at the hospital to determine their severity."

Zhou Ming sighed in relief and then told the others, "Everyone should go back for now. Manager Su and I will accompany him to the hospital."

With that, Zhou Ming, Su Han, and Du Peng left with Director Huang, while the factory cadres advised everyone else to leave.

Back in the car, with no one else around, Du Peng immediately asked Zhou Ming, "Zhou Ming, are you really going to get involved in this matter?"

Zhou Ming didn't answer directly but countered, "Do you think I should get involved or not?"

Du Peng was momentarily speechless, and it was Su Han who spoke up, "Luo Wei is very pitiful, and the people in Jin Ning are scum. Normally, we could intervene more, but with Dai Jinshan constantly causing trouble for us, Zhou Ming is already overwhelmed. How could he have the energy to help him? At most, we can only help him report the matter to the police."

After listening to Su Han, Du Peng nodded, "That's true. Zhou Ming already has so much to deal with; he can't handle this as well. Moreover, the criminal forces in Jin Ning are so rampant, the situation must be complex. If we're not careful, we might step on a landmine and get into more trouble."

Du Peng then turned to Zhou Ming, "But I'm still curious about what you think, Zhou Ming."

"What I think?" Zhou Ming said. "Sometimes, I just like to meddle in matters."

"Are you really going to handle this?" Su Han and Du Peng were both surprised.

Zhou Ming nodded seriously, "Yes, since you all say I have so many matters to handle, as they say, 'the more lice, the less itch.' I already have so many things to deal with; one more won't make much difference."

Zhou Ming paused deliberately before saying mysteriously, "Besides, with so many tangled issues, this might just be a thread. If we pull it out, everything might be resolved."

Su Han and Du Peng were puzzled by Zhou Ming's words, not understanding what he meant. Zhou Ming didn't explain and simply started the car toward the hospital.

At the hospital, Luo Wei was quickly admitted to a ward and given intravenous treatment. As his blood sugar levels increased, he regained consciousness. Zhou Ming went to check on him, asking if he felt any better. Luo Wei gratefully said, "Thank you so much, Boss Zhou. I'm sorry for causing you trouble."

Zhou Ming waved his hand and said, "Don't mention it. You endured so much just to escape from Jin Ning and came straight to me without going anywhere else. That shows your trust in me. What trouble could there be?"

Luo Wei nodded silently. "Before coming to Jingchu, I'd heard from people in the bureau that you, Boss Zhou, are very capable. Many problems that the party committee and government couldn't solve were easily resolved by you. I didn't believe it then, but now I do."

Zhou Ming smiled and said, "I'm just a capitalist, not a deity. I'm not as wonderful as you think."

Luo Wei, however, stubbornly replied, "No, Boss Zhou, you're not a deity, but you're even better than a deity. Ordinary people wouldn't agree to handle this, not even the party committee and government. But you have agreed."

Seeing Luo Wei's growing agitation, Zhou Ming decided not to argue. "Alright, Engineer Luo, don't be too emotional. I said I would help you, and I will. You should rest here and recover. Once you're better, I'll help you report this to the provincial authorities..."

Before Zhou Ming could finish, Luo Wei interjected urgently, "No, Boss Zhou, please don't report it to the provincial authorities. Those criminal forces are connected to the provincial government!"

Zhou Ming gestured for Luo Wei to calm down and explained, "Engineer Luo, please don't get too worked up. I understand your concern. You're worried that if I report it to the provincial authorities, they might collude with the criminal forces instead of helping you, right?"

Luo Wei nodded instinctively. Zhou Ming continued, "I can assure you that's not possible! A high-ranking official in the province is at most a protector for the local criminal forces; they would never be their lapdog. If it were you, Engineer Luo, I think you wouldn't want that either."

Zhou Ming added, "Also, I've said I'm just a businessman. How could I fight against a criminal force with hundreds of people? Do you expect me to persuade them with just words? I don't have the rhetorical skills of Zhang Yi or Su Qin. Even if I could persuade them, what then? I need to help you get revenge. Do you think talking alone would achieve that?"

Luo Wei was silent, and Zhou Ming continued, "I know what you've been through in Jin Ning, and I understand your distrust of the party committee and government. You fear that the officials will act as they did in Jin Ning, not only ignoring the problem but also turning against you. But I can assure you, as long as I'm here, such things will never happen!"

"And," Zhou Ming concluded, "to bring those criminals to justice and make them pay for their actions, we must rely on government authorities and their power!"

"But what if... I mean, what if," Luo Wei remained doubtful, "the provincial government also doesn't intervene?"

"It won't happen," Zhou Ming said. "Since you've chosen to trust me and place all your hope in me, you should believe in my judgment and not think I'm making a fuss."

Seeing Luo Wei still hesitating, Zhou Ming finally said, "Alright, I can guarantee this: even if the worst happens, even if the provincial committee and government ignore the issue, I still have ways to help you get revenge!"

Hearing Zhou Ming's confident words, Luo Wei finally nodded, "Boss Zhou, no matter what, I believe in you!"