Chapter 53: Behind the Eight Million

I promise to use state finances to help you pay all the claims.

Governor Edward's words were like a bombshell that stunned everyone, including Zhou Ming. He couldn't believe that it had been so easy to achieve. Originally, Zhou Ming was prepared to continue the battle with the governor for 300 rounds, and he even prepared many more radical words, but he didn't expect him to agree so easily. This was really a bit unexpected for Zhou Ming.

Perhaps it took three chapters from the time he met Edward to the time he successfully persuaded him, and there were many twists and turns along the way. In order to keep the conversation going, he even went so far as to annoy the governor, cut to the chase with what seemed like very childish words, and exaggerate the problem as much as possible.

Despite all his efforts, Zhou Ming was sure that it would not be his own merit. As for Omar, perhaps his mother did have a good relationship with Governor Edwards, but Zhou Ming did not believe that the governor would help him because of that.

Then there could only be one possible outcome, and that was that some of what he had said had hit the mark. Perhaps it was Senator Brooke... or the Adams family?

Zhou Ming couldn't be sure, and of course this wasn't the time to think about it. Zhou Ming quickly gathered his thoughts and said to Governor Edwards, 'Mr. Governor, thank you very much. If you are willing to help, that would really be a big help to me. However, there is one more thing. Because my claim has been delayed for three days, today is the last day. Therefore, I hope that you, Mr. Governor, can help me resolve this within today, otherwise my insurance company is still in danger of going bankrupt.'

Hearing Zhou Ming's words, everyone in the office was thrown into a state of confusion, especially Edward's secretary. As the governor's secretary, he had seen a lot and met many business owners who needed financial relief from the government; but none of those people had begged the governor for anything, and none had been as righteous as Zhou Ming, who had also demanded that the governor solve the problem within the day. This was simply treating the state government's finances like his own personal treasury and the governor like the treasurer.

Even Governor Edwards was taken aback by these words, and then he said with a mixture of laughter and tears, 'This is a difficult problem. Although the state government's finances do not need to be approved by the parliament, the annual budget does need to be approved by the parliament. If a large sum of money is suddenly spent, it will be difficult to explain to the parliament during the annual audit. I am also in a difficult position.'

'Mr. Governor, I don't think this is a problem at all, because as long as the issue of my selling is investigated and my assets unfrozen, I can always return the money,' Zhou Ming said after a moment's thought. 'Or just consider it a loan from Wharton Insurance Company to the state treasury.'

'A little-known small insurance company that can force the state government to borrow money, you have set a precedent,'

Edward teased Zhou Ming a little and then changed the subject and asked, 'There's just one thing that makes me a little curious. Were all those things you said before intentional? For example, were you waiting here for me specifically, and were your questions about the economic situation of Massachusetts the most important things to say?'

Zhou Ming nodded and said, 'I did say those things deliberately because I know that you, Governor, are a very smart person. So in front of a smart person, it is better to be honest, and playing too many tricks will just make a fool of yourself.'

Edward laughed heartily, 'You Chinese people sure know how to talk. In that case, I will ensure that your matter is completed. Within today, I will allocate 8 million US dollars to you from the state treasury account.'

Edward paused for a moment and then asked, 'So now that we're done with your business, can I have a moment alone with Omar?'

'Of course, I'm sorry for intruding today,' Ming said, then immediately got up and left the office with his lawyer Alan.

After leaving the office, Ming said to Alan, 'It seems that I'm in luck, or at least God is on my side today, even though I'm not a Christian.'

'Everyone is a competitor in front of God, they all start towards the same finish line under the same rules, but many people fail due to the difficulties along the way, and only a very few can persist to the end to receive God's reward,' Alan said quietly to Zhou Ming, "Mr. Zhou Ming, you are not lucky, but you have conquered God with your wisdom and persistence.'

Zhou Ming smiled slightly in response: "So as I said, there is no unsolvable problem, only a mind that is unwilling to move.'

Time quickly passed and half an hour later, Governor Edward also walked out of his office. Zhou Ming handed over the company's account to him, and Edward told Zhou Ming that he would definitely be able to solve the problem before the bank closed.

With this news, Zhou Ming returned to the dormitory and told Chen Shuyu, Li Yang and others. They cheered with joy, but Zhou Ming said, 'It's not time to cheer yet. After all, our money hasn't arrived yet, and we're in a hurry. I don't know if Brock will go to court early.'

After analysing the current situation, Zhou Ming made a decision: 'Ye Ning, keep in touch with the bank at all times. Once our funds are in place, I'll leave it to you to help us deal with the rest of the legal issues.'

Ye Ning nodded and said that was no problem. Alan also said, "Even after the bank closes for the day, I'm still confident that I can help you win the case, Mr Zhou Ming.'

'That would be best," Zhou Ming said.

As soon as Zhou Ming finished speaking, Ye Ning had already connected to Zhou Ming's bank account via the computer and immediately told him, 'Teacher, the state government's funds have arrived!'

Upon hearing Ye Ning's words, Zhou Ming immediately came over to take a look and saw that the figure of 8 million was indeed lying in his bank account on the computer.

Chen Shuli Yang cheered again, and even the usually prudent Allen cheered with them this time: 'It seems that Mr. Zhou Ming must have left a very deep impression on Mr. Governor, so he values your matter so much.'

Zhou Ming shrugged at this pointlessly and said, 'Maybe, but I think he may have other considerations.'

Zhou Ming did not say this just to be polite. He did have other suspicions, and what Zhou Ming did not know was that his suspicions were right on the mark.

In the governor's office in the state government building, Governor Edwards had just finished wiring the money to Zhou Ming. His secretary, who was standing in front of him, was telling him her thoughts.

'Governor, the money will soon arrive in the Chinese man's designated account, but is this really a good idea? Governor, don't you forget that the Wharton Insurance Company's misfortune today is entirely due to Senator Brook? After returning today, I also investigated the grudges between them. It is said that the Chinese man sent Senator Brook's son to prison.'

After saying this, his secretary paused for a moment and then asked, 'So Governor, is what you're doing really appropriate?'

'Are you worried that Senator Brook will think badly of me because of this and vote against me on various government bills?' Edward asked.

His secretary did not answer the governor's question, but his expression already gave a good answer.

Edward continued, 'But I don't think this is a problem. First of all, even if he is a senior senator, I don't think he will be hostile towards me because it will not do him much good. Secondly, I was elected governor to advocate reform, to break many past conventions. If I am afraid of this and afraid of that, then I am afraid that many of my bills will never be passed in my lifetime.'

'In particular, I hope to carry out healthcare reform!' Edward emphasised, 'I hope to make healthcare simple, to pool everyone's healthcare insurance, to give the insurance of those who are not sick to those who are sick, and in the end, to let everyone have the money to treat their illnesses.'

'But this is very difficult to achieve under the current insurance system,' Edward said. "Now that this Zhou Ming has come forward, and he also has his own set of insurance concepts, then perhaps I can choose to let him integrate this market. If the insurance industry can be changed, then my medical reform may also be able to start from this aspect.'

At the end of his speech, Edward suddenly stopped. He looked at his secretary and said, "And challenging the Adams family, isn't this also what you want most? My Mr. Kennedy.'

Faced with Edward's sudden remark, his secretary was first taken aback, then laughed: 'I think I understand what you mean, Governor, but since some things are still in the pipeline, it's best not to do too much extra work, lest we undo all our previous efforts.'

Edward disagreed: 'Mr Kennedy, but I think that perhaps some things can become an opportunity.'

...

While Edward's use of Massachusetts finances to pay Zhou Ming's Wharton company's compensation claims made Chen Yushu, Li Yang and Alan cheer, someone at the Lexington villa is cursing.

'Edward, that son of a bitch, when did he start meddling in this kind of thing? As governor, you're supposed to do your job properly. Do you have to get involved in the claims of an insurance company that's been around for less than half a year? And you're doing it even though you know I'm the one who's doing it, so you're just looking for trouble!'

The person cursing was undoubtedly Senator Brook, who, while cursing, picked up a piece of blue-and-white porcelain on the table and slammed it to the ground, where it broke into pieces with a loud bang.

The villa's servants and butler all hid and watched as Senator Brock raged, and no one dared to go up and stop him or even say a word.

'Edward that bastard shit, and that pig Will, why did he tell that damn Chinese that news, if it wasn't for that pig, that Chinese wouldn't have thought to go to the governor, and there wouldn't have been any of this later, these animals, are they all brainless?'

Old Brook cursed, and suddenly his phone rang. Old Brook steadied himself before answering, and the voice that came through the receiver made him angry: it was Will Adams.

'I just got some incredible news. Our Governor Edward has actually set aside an expenditure of $8 million in the state budget. I guess it's most likely for the Chinese guy,' said Will Adams.

When he heard this, Old Brook's temper flared, but he didn't lose his temper. He just held back his anger and said, 'You don't need to guess, I have confirmed this news. It is a settlement payment to Zhou Ming, which has already been deposited into his bank account. My lawyer just called me and said that Walden Insurance Company is now in a position to settle the claim. They are willing to settle the claim first and then conduct an investigation.'

'Oh my God, this is really terrible news!' said Will Adams. 'But Senator Brooke, it's not my business. How would I know that a Chinese guy with no background could actually meet with Governor Edwards and that our esteemed governor would agree to help him? This is unbelievable!'

'There's nothing incredible about it. As I said, for that Chinese guy, it's not easy to give up,' said old Brook helplessly. "Will, if there's nothing else, I'll hang up because the compensation claim for my processing plant is also a very troublesome matter for me.'

'Then please hold on a moment, because I may have some not-bad news for you," said Will Adams.

This made old Brook's eyes light up.