Chapter 117: Wu Jianguo
No matter who it is, being cautious is never a bad idea.
This problem needs to be resolved as soon as possible; Li Dong doesn't want to risk being caught off guard.
Li Dong decided not to wait for Hu Sicheng any longer. Not only was it uncertain when Hu Sicheng would rise to power, but even if he did, there was no guarantee he would stick his neck out for Li Dong.
After some consideration, Li Dong made a few phone calls.
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The next day, Li Dong finally met with Wu Jianguo, the head of the Yaohai branch bureau.
Wu Jianguo was just over fifty, tall and robust, walking with an imposing stride.
Seeing Li Dong's youth, Wu Jianguo wasn't overly concerned and loudly joked with Chen Pinghe, "Old Chen, I'm not late, am I?"
Chen Pinghe, although the head of the Industrial and Commercial Bureau and on the same level as Wu Jianguo, felt inferior in front of him.
Despite Wu Jianguo's tardiness, Chen Pinghe still greeted him with a smile, "Not late at all, just in time. Let's sit down and chat."
Once Wu Jianguo was seated, Chen Pinghe introduced Li Dong, saying, "Old Wu, this is Mr. Li Dong, the executive from afar."
Li Dong quickly stood up and extended his hand, saying, "Director Wu, hello."
Wu Jianguo was slightly moved, but his face remained impassive. After shaking hands with Li Dong, he smiled and said, "Mr. Li is quite a young achiever. Seeing you, I feel even older."
Li Dong flattered him, "Director Wu, you're at the prime of your career, not old at all."
Wu Jianguo smiled but did not continue the conversation with Li Dong.
After the introductions, the conversation at the table mostly revolved around Chen Pinghe and Wu Jianguo. Li Dong listened on the side and occasionally helped refill their glasses.
After about an hour of dining, Chen Pinghe said, "I need to use the restroom."
Wu Jianguo understood and nodded without saying anything.
As soon as Chen Pinghe left, Wu Jianguo casually said, "Mr. Li, I'm a straightforward person, so I'll speak frankly."
Li Dong quickly replied, "Director Wu, please speak your mind."
"Business is business; there's no need for any unnecessary drama!" Wu Jianguo said, seeing Li Dong preparing to speak, he raised a hand to interrupt him.
He continued, "I'm in my fifties now and don't have ambitions to climb any higher. I just want to stay quietly in Yaohai and retire. You conduct your business properly, and everything will be fine. Constant bickering makes me uncomfortable."
Li Dong furrowed his brow. Was this a warning?
The issue was instigated by Zhu Hongtao, and even reporting to the authorities hadn't helped. It was hard to believe Wu Jianguo wasn't aware of the situation.
Flattery and appeasement weren't the solution. Since Wu Jianguo was speaking bluntly, Li Dong didn't see the need to back down.
Before Wu Jianguo could press further, Li Dong said with a smile, "Director Wu makes a good point. Of course, everyone prefers to do business in a peaceful environment. But sometimes, when you're pushed into a corner, you have no choice but to react."
Wu Jianguo felt a pang of discomfort. Was this a threat?
Before he could speak, Li Dong continued, "I honestly don't have much time to deal with those small-time thugs. Our company is opening thirty new branches this year. I barely have time to manage it all, so I'm not keen on getting involved in petty disputes. If our Yaohai branch has to close, it's no big deal; a few million in losses is something I can absorb."
Wu Jianguo was taken aback, and instinctively asked, "Isn't your supermarket only this one store?"
Realizing his mistake, Wu Jianguo immediately regretted his question.
Indeed, Li Dong smiled and said, "Of course, it's not just this one. With the new stores under construction, we'll exceed thirty branches by the end of the year. Next year, our goal is to open a hundred branches. If Yaohai doesn't work out, I'm prepared to withdraw. Sometimes stepping back can be a wise move. Don't you agree, Director Wu?"
Wu Jianguo furrowed his brows. A single store was different from a hundred. Whether Li Dong was planning to open a hundred stores or not, the thirty-store claim seemed credible. Wu Jianguo could easily verify it.
Originally intending to press Li Dong, Wu Jianguo now felt conflicted.
Zhu Hongtao was insignificant; even though he seemed influential, to Wu Jianguo, he was just a small fry. Was it worth offending Li Dong completely for Zhu Hongtao?
Li Dong's business was substantial. To believe he had no background was hard for Wu Jianguo. Moreover, if Li Dong said he would close the Yaohai branch, so be it.
Wu Jianguo, despite his powerful position, was just a local official. Losing Yaohai wouldn't diminish his status significantly.
But if he let go now, it would be a blow to his authority.
Li Dong, seeing Wu Jianguo's changing expressions, knew what he was contemplating. He quickly offered a way out, saying, "Of course, I don't want to make things difficult for Director Wu. Just consider this matter as if you didn't see it. I assure you, I won't break any rules."
Wu Jianguo raised an eyebrow, understanding the implication of Li Dong's words.
However, Wu Jianguo replied sternly, "Mr. Li, whether it's business or otherwise, following the law is a must. We don't interfere in personal disputes, but we cannot tolerate any legal violations."
Li Dong felt a bit disgusted by the hypocrisy in Wu Jianguo's polished words.
Without further ado, Li Dong lightly tapped the table with two fingers, smiling, "Director Wu, doing business must comply with the law, and I'm well aware of that. As long as you enforce the law impartially, it won't harm you in any way. What do you think?"
Wu Jianguo scrutinized Li Dong's fingers, weighing the pros and cons.
The meaning was clear to both parties.
Still, Wu Jianguo hesitated, undecided.
Li Dong, seeing his hesitation, continued, "If Director Wu isn't willing, that's fine. I can wait until my mentor takes over."
"Who is your mentor?" Wu Jianguo asked quickly.
"Professor Hu Sicheng."
"Hu District Chief!" Wu Jianguo was startled. Hu Sicheng was a mere figurehead, an acting deputy district chief. What did Li Dong mean by saying his mentor would take over? Where would he go?
Seeing Wu Jianguo's reaction, Li Dong felt a thrill of satisfaction. He continued, "Yes, in a month or two, my mentor is likely to be promoted. Director Wu, you should be aware of this, right?"
Wu Jianguo instinctively shook his head but then returned to his usual demeanor.
He was surprised. Could Hu Sicheng really rise to a higher position? Wu Jianguo was aware of personnel changes, and although the current executive district chief was set to retire, no one expected Hu Sicheng to be the successor.
Could Hu Sicheng replace the executive?
Wu Jianguo was still dazed, while Li Dong sighed. In the end, he had to rely on power plays.
This was the trouble of lacking a strong background. If he had someone powerful backing him, he wouldn't need to resort to such tactics.
Even without being subservient, a phone call could have dealt with Zhu Hongtao.
Li Dong realized his focus on earning money alone wasn't enough. Before his business reached a certain scale, having a strong supporter was crucial. The challenge now was to find the right person to back him.
Meanwhile, Wu Jianguo was stuck in a dilemma.
If Li Dong's claims were false, it would be fine. But if true, it could spell trouble.
Was he really going to abandon Zhu Hongtao?
Finally, Wu Jianguo gritted his teeth and said, "Mr. Li, I'm going to be occupied with some matters. I'm unable to help you with the situation involving Old Zhu…"
Li Dong understood the meaning of his words. This was Wu Jianguo's final choice: to neither support nor oppose.
Internally cursing, Li Dong replied with a smile, "Thank you, Director Wu."
They didn't discuss anything else. Li Dong knew what needed to be done next. He had to adhere to certain rules to avoid creating more trouble for himself with Wu Jianguo's displeasure.
But with the biggest threat removed, Li Dong felt Zhu Hongtao was no longer a significant concern.
After a few more pleasantries, Chen Pinghe returned, and they all went their separate ways.