Chapter 151: Two Meals, Two Types of People
Li Dong had just returned to Pingchuan when his phone was nearly overwhelmed with calls.
It seemed like everyone knew he was back and almost everyone called him simultaneously.
In less than half an hour, Li Dong had managed to deal with two dinner appointments.
He had even turned down many people, otherwise, the dinner appointments could have been scheduled into the following week.
After ending the calls, Li Dong couldn't help but wonder when he had become so popular.
---
The first meal was with Wu Jianguo, to discuss the case of Tan Yong.
Three years was somewhat beyond Li Dong's expectations, which made him doubt Wu Jianguo's capabilities.
During the meal, it was just Li Dong and Wu Jianguo. At first, they did not talk about the case but discussed some public security issues in Yaohai.
After a few drinks, Wu Jianguo sighed, "It's really unavoidable. The higher-ups are scrutinizing it closely, and Zhu Hongtao's family is contributing both money and effort. Getting a three-year sentence is already fortunate."
Li Dong remained silent and after a while asked, "Is there any way to get the sentence reduced?"
"A reduction is possible, but…"
Wu Jianguo's "but" was well understood by Li Dong. This guy was quite greedy, and Li Dong even suspected that he might be taking money from both sides.
Li Dong didn't want to argue about it. As long as money could solve the problem, he didn't mind using it.
Although Li Dong could have ignored Tan Yong's case, he couldn't get past his own conscience.
After a moment of silence, Li Dong said, "I have a second-hand Buick Regal. I see that Director Wu drives a police car all the time, which is inconvenient. I'll lend it to you."
Wu Jianguo's face showed a flash of joy. He smiled, "Thank you, Mr. Li. I've heard that Tan Yong is behaving well in the detention center. It's definitely possible to reduce his sentence by a year or half a year."
Li Dong frowned. The appetite for money was indeed quite large!
If Wu Jianguo didn't stop, he would eventually face disaster!
If Tan Yong's case wasn't under Yaohai District's jurisdiction, Li Dong would have avoided dealing with Wu Jianguo.
But at this point, finding someone else would be troublesome. Li Dong's expression turned a bit dark as he said, "One hundred thousand. I want to see Tan Yong released after one year."
Wu Jianguo was somewhat reluctant but seeing Li Dong's serious face, he thought for a moment and said with a smile, "Alright, I'll take care of it. Mr. Li, you can rest assured."
Reducing the sentence by two years, along with a car and one hundred thousand in cash, was not a small deal.
Having worked in the police for many years, Wu Jianguo's connections in Yaohai District were extensive. Reducing the sentence was basically a matter of a few meals and a bit of money. He could get it done with some small favors.
If Li Dong contributed a bit more, Wu Jianguo could even arrange for medical parole.
However, that would involve more significant risks, and Wu Jianguo wasn't eager to take that chance.
Li Dong finished the discussion and did not linger, greeting Wu Jianguo briefly before leaving.
Wu Jianguo was nearing retirement age and was so greedy. There was no need to get too close to such a person.
After leaving the restaurant, Li Dong sighed with relief.
No matter what, he had done his part for Tan Yong. To achieve this one-year sentence reduction, he had spent almost a million altogether.
And all this money only resulted in Zhu Hongtao becoming a vegetable.
Li Dong now felt that he had been somewhat reckless earlier. If he had known it would cost so much, he had many other ways to deal with Zhu Hongtao.
But it was too late to say anything now. After getting in the car, Li Dong explained the situation to Zhou Haidong.
Zhou Haidong sighed as if unloading a burden and said to Li Dong, "Thank you!"
Li Dong understood his gratitude, smiled, and didn't say more.
---
The second meal was with Hu Sichen.
Old Hu had finally seen the light at the end of the tunnel and had been promoted to Executive Deputy District Chief.
The promotion had revitalized Hu Sichen, who now seemed like a completely different person. The scholarly air of his previous self had vanished, and he had become a competent politician.
When Li Dong met him, Hu Sichen initially appeared somewhat reserved. After the secretary and driver left, Old Hu finally relaxed.
Li Dong couldn't help but smile, "Congratulations, Teacher!"
Hu Sichen smiled but didn't dwell on it. After inviting Li Dong to sit down, he said, "Do you know why I invited you for dinner?"
Li Dong shook his head.
He genuinely didn't know. Hu Sichen was now a promoted official and not the previously ignored deputy district chief. Many people would invite him to dinner, but Hu Sichen inviting Li Dong seemed unusual.
Li Dong believed that his relationship with Hu Sichen was not close enough for this, so he was more cautious than surprised about the dinner.
Despite his curiosity, Hu Sichen changed the topic and did not continue.
Li Dong had no choice but to chat about various topics with Hu Sichen.
The conversation ranged from economic development to World War III, covering everything they could think of.
It was the first time Li Dong felt that officials could be so verbose. If there was something to discuss, just get to the point; all the roundabout talking seemed tiresome.
Eventually, Li Dong grew tired of guessing Hu Sichen's intentions. They ate and drank, knowing that Old Hu would eventually get to the point.
Sure enough, after they were full and the tea was served, Hu Sichen finally began to discuss serious matters with Li Dong.
After Hu Sichen finished speaking, Li Dong was filled with astonishment.
"Teacher, are you suggesting that I take over the Yaohai Supply and Marketing Cooperative?"
The Yaohai Supply and Marketing Cooperative had supported Yaohai District's economy in the 80s and 90s.
However, over time, the cooperative gradually faded from the historical stage and went bankrupt in 2002.
At its peak, the Yaohai Supply and Marketing Cooperative had over fifty stores. Today, those that were not auctioned off or transferred were left as outdated, small, and neglected properties with no one interested.
Li Dong never expected Hu Sichen to suggest he take over. This was practically asking him to take on a headache!
Taking over those seven or eight old stores could be manageable. Spending some money on renovations, setting up a convenience store or community store might not be a loss.
But Hu Sichen also wanted him to handle the unpaid wages and pensions of the old cooperative employees. Li Dong was almost driven crazy.
The cost of those few dilapidated stores would not exceed ten million.
But the unpaid wages and pensions amounted to nearly thirty million!
Did these officials really think others were fools?
Li Dong cursed inwardly, feeling that Hu Sichen overestimated him. Even if he were a deputy mayor, he wouldn't waste thirty million on such a dead end.
With that money, he could do many things. He wouldn't take on such a mess without a good reason.
Hu Sichen was not a fool and did not think Li Dong was one either.
Seeing Li Dong's non-committal expression, Hu Sichen smiled and said, "Do you think a teacher would trick their own student?"
Li Dong forced a laugh and thought, "You're already tricking me!"
He said flatteringly, "Of course not, but Teacher, you overestimate me. Thirty million is no small amount; I really can't come up with that kind of money."
Hu Sichen pointed at him and scolded with a smile, "Don't give me that. Yuanfang Supermarket, if it were valued now, would probably be worth at least a hundred million. You also hold Baidu shares. Saying that your wealth exceeds a hundred million shouldn't be considered flattery, right?"
"Flattery, flattery!"
Li Dong chuckled, deflecting the praise. He was resolute about not taking on this task.
Even three million would require serious consideration for him. If an official claimed that the cooperative's stores were worth ten million, Li Dong thought it might need to be reduced tenfold.
Perhaps these stores were in obscure locations; otherwise, how could they remain unresolved until now?