Chapter 339: The Swift Punches of Young Master Tan

"Why is the provincial government halting these township industrial park projects? Haven't these projects already been reviewed many times? What's going on in the province?"

"That's right! The township industrial parks were approved by the province, and many of the projects were initiated by the province itself. Halting them now is like slapping their own face. It makes no sense!"

"And our eight-treasure porridge factory, the provincial health department has inspected it countless times. We were fine even when we were still in the old plant, and now that we've moved to a new plant with improved conditions, why is the hygiene still not up to standard? Isn't the province just making things difficult?"

...

In the conference room of Factory 760, there was a noisy uproar. Everyone's face was filled with confusion and anger. People were shouting, some banging tables, and others frantically waving their arms. Their emotions were highly charged.

Their agitation was understandable. Zhou Ming and Du Peng had rushed back from Tanzhou to Linyang overnight. Early this morning, they had called all senior executives and key staff from the eight-treasure porridge workshop for a meeting to inform them of the provincial government's decision. The province had ordered a halt to some of the township industrial park projects and an immediate shutdown of the eight-treasure porridge production line, pending reinspection by the provincial health department.

The news caused an uproar in the conference room. It was no wonder—Factory 760's status had risen with the development of the industrial park, and the power of its executives had greatly increased compared to when it was a struggling county enterprise.

Furthermore, with the industrial park's development, many business owners came and went, and the factory's facilities had been upgraded. Now, the factory's construction and living standards had surpassed many county cities.

As the saying goes, it's easy to go from frugality to luxury but hard to go from luxury to frugality. The executives of Factory 760 had tasted the sweetness of a better life. If someone suddenly came and wanted to take it away, they would naturally resist.

The eight-treasure porridge workshop was the most affected. Workshop director Wang Chen's eyes were nearly popping out of his head. He was the most agitated in the room. This was understandable—before the eight-treasure porridge factory, they had worked at the Xiling Canning Factory, where they struggled to make ends meet. Now, at the eight-treasure porridge factory, they enjoyed good food, clothing, and high wages. Compared to the past, this was a paradise. How could they let go of it?

Had it not been for this, when Dai Jinshan initially targeted the eight-treasure porridge workshop, the provincial work group's sealing of the workshop almost led to a confrontation with law enforcement.

Now that Dai Jinshan's issues had been resolved, the sudden decision to close the eight-treasure porridge workshop for unknown reasons had Wang Chen extremely agitated.

For Zhou Ming, the enthusiasm of everyone in the conference room was a sign of his success. It showed that his work had been effective.

However, despite his pleasure, some decisions still had to be made. Zhou Ming raised his hands to signal everyone to quiet down and said, "I understand your urgency. As the owner of Factory 760, all these projects are like my children. I don't want to give up on any of them."

"But circumstances are stronger than individuals," Zhou Ming continued, "The provincial government has ordered us to stop these projects for legal inspections. It is reasonable and justified."

As soon as Zhou Ming finished speaking, someone below immediately said, "Why is the province doing this? What's wrong with our projects? Isn't this just to make things difficult for us?"

This question was quickly echoed by others: "Yes! I see other enterprises with less complete procedures passing easily, but we keep being scrutinized and still have issues? What is the province really trying to do?"

Clearly, someone was deliberately making things difficult!

Zhou Ming thought to himself but did not voice it. Although it was obvious, not saying it aloud left a glimmer of hope in everyone's hearts.

As Zhou Ming was about to speak, his phone, which was on the table, suddenly rang. He handed it to Kong Xiaolin, asking her to take it outside. Kong Xiaolin was temporarily acting as Zhou Ming's secretary during her time at Factory 760. Although Su Han was very unhappy with this arrangement, she couldn't just remove Kong Xiaolin and didn't want her to be a mere decoration, so it was left as it was.

After Kong Xiaolin took the call and left the conference room, Zhou Ming said, "Let's not overthink this. Since the provincial government has decided this, it must have its reasons. What we need to do now is fully cooperate with the provincial government's work and ensure that this inspection goes well so that our projects can resume as soon as possible."

Zhou Ming looked around and saw that everyone's faces were still doubtful. He added, "Comrades, we must trust the provincial government and the relevant department officials. No matter how things seem now, it is only temporary. Both the eight-treasure porridge and the township industrial park projects are advanced and competitive. The provincial government will not unjustly keep them shut down forever. Our future will be even brighter!"

Zhou Ming raised his fist high, and someone below immediately said, "Boss Zhou, we believe in you. Whatever you say goes!"

This response moved Zhou Ming deeply. These were the most admirable people. They had reached this point with him and gave him their utmost trust.

Putting aside his sentimental thoughts, Zhou Ming concluded, "So, I hope that when the provincial government's relevant officials come, everyone will fully cooperate with their work and remember not to have any conflicts with them. Do you all understand?"

After everyone responded in unison that they understood, Zhou Ming dismissed the meeting.

At that moment, Kong Xiaolin walked back into the conference room with the phone. Zhou Ming didn't immediately ask her about it. Instead, he took her back to his office before asking, "What happened?"

"A joint investigation team from the State Council, including the National Development and Reform Commission and the Audit Department, left Beijing yesterday and is on its way to Linyang to investigate the Chuling Expressway issues," Kong Xiaolin answered as calmly as possible, though she was actually very anxious for Zhou Ming, knowing that this was undoubtedly another scheme by Tan Qianjun.

Hearing Kong Xiaolin's words, Zhou Ming smiled and said, "I didn't expect Tan Qianjun to act so quickly."

Du Peng said, "Zhou Ming, the bidding and tendering for the expressway were strictly vetted with no issues. There's a large sum of money involved, so it can't be acted on lightly."

Zhou Ming shook his head, "We can't think of it like that. Finding problems is always much easier than solving them. If they want to make an issue out of the expressway, it's very simple. Otherwise, the audit team wouldn't have come down."

"But isn't the audit team here to investigate the township industrial park projects?" Su Han asked in surprise.

"The Audit Department is a national audit body. If they come all the way from Beijing to Linyang just to investigate a small township industrial park, it's using a sledgehammer to crack a nut," Zhou Ming said. "Since the Audit Department has already come, they might as well investigate the expressway case as well."

Du Peng, Su Han, and Kong Xiaolin wanted to say more, but at that moment, Zhou Ming's phone rang again. It was Governor Xiong Qingping of Jingchu Province. Zhou Ming greeted him, and Governor Xiong replied, "Zhou Ming, how is the situation?"

Zhou Ming understood immediately what Governor Xiong was referring to and answered, "Governor, I just held a meeting with the factory and eight-treasure porridge workshop staff and informed them of the provincial government's decision."

"Everyone is quite confused, I assume?" Governor Xiong asked.

"No, everyone fully supports the provincial decision and sees it as a strong sense of responsibility towards themselves, the party, and the government," Zhou Ming said.

"You're a clever one!" Governor Xiong said with a touch of resignation. "However, whether you feel wronged or dissatisfied, you need to endure it. If there's any conflict with the provincial government's investigation team, you should understand the consequences better than I do."

Zhou Ming responded, "Governor, rest assured, I understand the gravity of the situation."

"I trust you understand the gravity, but I'm worried you might give up," Governor Xiong said.

Even though Zhou Ming was adept at anticipating situations, he was still surprised by Governor Xiong's words: "Give up? What do you mean by that, Governor?"

"I assume you know that the State Council's investigation team is coming to look into the expressway issue?" Governor Xiong reminded.

"I'm aware," Zhou Ming said, pausing before suddenly asking Governor Xiong, "Governor, you wouldn't be bringing worse news, would you?"

"You're still sharp, Zhou Ming. I do have worse news for you. Do you remember the matter of your speculation in national treasury bonds?" Governor Xiong said.

"Well, those swift punches are really something," Zhou Ming joked. "But isn't it a bit strange to use this against me? What charge are you bringing? Speculation and hoarding?"

Governor Xiong replied, "There's no such thing as speculation and hoarding anymore. You're being charged with disrupting market order, which, if convicted, could lead to the death penalty."

If it were anyone else, this would be terrifying, but Zhou Ming just laughed and said, "I only dealt in treasury bonds worth at most a few hundred thousand. Now you're talking about the death penalty? In Jiangnan Province, someone defrauded ten billion and got the death penalty. Our sentencing is really strict."

Governor Xiong ignored Zhou Ming's jest and said, "Zhou Ming, I didn't call to discuss this. I need to tell you that Chairman Du has requested you go to the capital."

Zhou Ming stopped joking, thought for a moment, and nodded, "Thank you, Governor. I understand."