Chapter 42: Paid Proposal

In the Northeast, where temperature differences between seasons are extreme, installing ceramic tiles on exterior walls is a challenging task. The tiles may hold for three to five years under freezing winters and scorching summers, but if substandard cement is used, the tiles might start peeling off the very next year. If that happens, customers from miles around might end up blocking your doorstep!

Given this, Li Xian was adamantly shaking his head, repeatedly refusing Cai Wencheng's request.

Seeing his firm stance, the atmosphere turned awkward.

Since the situation wasn't resolving, Yang Hongshan, who had organized the gathering, quickly raised his glass to mediate. However, Cai Wencheng seemed to have lost interest. After some awkward small talk, the drinking session ended unpleasantly.

Yang Hongshan was the one to see Li Xian off.

At the restaurant's entrance, he pulled Li Xian aside and said, "Look, I was just trying to build a bridge for both of you. Didn't expect the drinks to end up being so uncomfortable…"

Yang Hongshan seemed quite embarrassed.

Li Xian, however, didn't think it was a big deal. He waved his hand and said, "It's nothing. Don't feel burdened, Yang Ge. Actually, if it weren't for the concern that the cement's grade might affect the construction team's reputation, I wouldn't mind using it. But you know, the work I do is for the local folks, and if the cement quality is poor, the exterior walls will be in bad shape next year. That's unacceptable, right?"

Yang Hongshan understood that Li Xian was speaking the truth and nodded, "You're right. This matter was indeed my oversight. Let's forget it for now. I'll make it up to you with a meal sometime."

Li Xian smiled and reassured him before taking his leave.

Li Xian could roughly understand Cai Wencheng's predicament. Most of the cement produced by the forestry bureau was for internal use or to support provincial construction projects, with only a small portion for sale. With over a hundred tons of substandard cement, it was quite a problem.

If elevated to a higher level, this would be considered a production accident.

With October approaching and December nearing its end, if this batch of cement wasn't sold off, Cai Wencheng, as the factory director, would certainly be held responsible.

Once outside the restaurant, Li Xian felt a bit tipsy.

He wasn't inexperienced with alcohol; back in college, he and his friends used to drink beer from time to time. Although beer was still available, his hometown seemed to prefer strong liquor.

With an alcohol content of 40-50 degrees, he found it a bit overwhelming.

The road in front of him seemed to waver, and he stumbled to the side, leaning against the wall to steady himself.

Having had a bit too much to drink, he steadied himself, feeling better after a while.

He looked up at the sky, which was segmented by crisscrossing power lines, quite different from the tall buildings he was used to.

Even the wooden power poles...

...

After seeing Li Xian off, Yang Hongshan returned to the table.

Cai Wencheng was visibly troubled. "Yang, is this the so-called genius you mentioned? I don't see much of anything in him. Stubborn and unwilling to earn money."

Yang Hongshan waved his hand. "It's not quite like that. A gentleman values wealth, but with integrity. Little Li sticking to his principles isn't wrong."

"Oh, so you mean that I'm wrong for trying to sell him the cement?" Cai Wencheng lit a cigarette, feeling frustrated.

Cai Wencheng and Yang Hongshan had a good relationship, having worked together for many years. Yang Hongshan wouldn't have brought up Li Xian's issue or tried to offload the cement if they weren't close.

Seeing his old friend venting, Yang Hongshan was a bit annoyed.

"Why are you acting like a mad dog? I was only trying to see if this would work out. With your attitude, will we ever get things done?"

Faced with Yang Hongshan's genuine anger, Cai Wencheng finally calmed down, sighing, "What should I do with that hundred-plus tons of cement?"

At that moment, the door opened.

Li Xian, panting and out of breath, sat down on a chair.

This was quite unexpected for both men, especially Cai Wencheng.

"Brother Li, have you reconsidered using my cement?"

Li Xian, still catching his breath, shook his head.

"Then why are you back?" Cai Wencheng asked.

Li Xian grinned, catching his breath, and held up one finger. "I have a method that can help you sell all that cement!"

Hearing this, Cai Wencheng became interested!

Yang Hongshan's face also lit up; twenty days ago, this young man had made a similar claim with a grin, and just like that, the once-overstocked tile factory had sold nearly all its inventory.

"What's the method? Hurry up and tell me!" Cai Wencheng eagerly moved closer to Li Xian.

Li Xian, maintaining his nonchalant demeanor, raised two fingers. "This idea costs twenty thousand."

"What? Twenty thousand?" Cai Wencheng was taken aback but quickly realized that Li Xian was asking for a fee.

"This is nonsense. Brother, you haven't even explained the idea and are already asking for money. What if the cement doesn't sell, and I end up losing money?"

Cai Wencheng's reaction was expected by Li Xian.

He stayed calm and said, "Yang Ge is here as a witness. If the idea doesn't work, I'll refund your money. But my idea is simple; once I tell you, you'll understand, so I need to see the money first."

Even with Li Xian's explanation, Cai Wencheng remained skeptical.

The factory belonged to the bureau, not to him. Twenty thousand was a substantial amount, coming from the factory's funds. With his current troubles, he didn't want to risk losing even more.

Seeing both sides at an impasse, Yang Hongshan smiled and said, "Brother Li, Cai isn't someone to back out. I'll guarantee the payment. If the idea works, you'll get your twenty thousand. How about it?"

Li Xian looked at Yang Hongshan, who was willing to act as a guarantor, and thought for a moment before saying, "You need to write a promissory note."

...

Under Li Xian's insistence, the promissory note was quickly prepared.

In the end, Cai Wencheng didn't have Yang Hongshan's thumbprint, but he signed his own name on the note.

After signing, he slapped the note down in front of Li Xian. "Can you tell us now?"

Li Xian carefully reviewed the contents of the note. After confirming everything was in order, he beamed and pointed to the power pole outside. "The fire at Dongfeng Forest Farm a few days ago was caused by an electrical pole catching fire due to a short circuit."

"Yeah, that's right," Cai Wencheng said, confused. "But what does this have to do with cement?"

Li Xian chuckled, "Now that the forest area has been reorganized, with everyone moving their firewood piles and strengthening monitoring measures, no one has noticed that these wooden poles are highly flammable after being exposed to high temperatures in the summer, posing a safety hazard. If we replace them with concrete poles, wouldn't that prevent the kind of fire we saw at Dongfeng Forest Farm?

Concrete poles are easy to make. Even using low-grade cement and steel bars, not to mention your 425# cement, even 325# cement would work. If the entire forestry bureau replaces its wooden poles, not just your hundred tons of cement, even ten times that amount would be used up."

His words left Cai Wencheng and Yang Hongshan stunned!

After a moment, Cai Wencheng slapped his thigh in realization.

"Oh, my gosh! How did I not think of that? This twenty thousand is well worth it!"

Seeing his distressed yet enlightened expression, Li Xian let out a triumphant laugh.