EFB Chapter 212 Compromise
Chapter 212 Compromise
Sha Ruijin was hesitating.
The dedicated line rang again.
It's Grandpa Ni.
Sha Ruijin was secretly surprised. Old Master Ni had made a move so quickly?
When he answered the phone, Mr. Ni's tone was firm and resolute:
"Immediately send the ledgers to me via the special channel."
Hearing this, Sha Ruijin felt encouraged.
Is Grandpa Ni going to go head-to-head with Zhao Lichun?
That's more like it!
Therefore, Sha Ruijin replied in a firm tone:
"Alright! Once you receive the account books, I'll also take action against the officials listed in those books. We'll do it both ways..."
"Nonsense! When did I ever say that?" Unexpectedly, a rebuke came from the other end of the phone:
"After the account books are handed over, I will personally discuss with Old Zhao to come up with the most reasonable solution."
These words were a real blow to Sha Ruijin.
What happened?
Why did Mr. Ni's attitude change so drastically?
Could it be that the Zhongfu Group and Liu Xinjian's death have affected Beijing?
Somewhat unwilling, Sha Ruijin continued to ask:
"Dad, if you're worried that I can't handle the situation in Handong, I assure you, just hand over the account books, and I'll definitely be able to stabilize the base of operations..."
"Do you think I'm such a narrow-minded person?" Old Master Ni's tone grew even colder.
"Don't you understand what Zhao Lichun is playing? The Zhongfu Group matter could be a big deal or a small deal, depending on which level the investigation reaches. If the lower-level people are held responsible, everything will be fine, and Handong's investment promotion will proceed as usual; but if it escalates to the higher levels, coupled with the panic caused by Liu Xinjian's death, Handong may face a large number of companies withdrawing their investments and leaving, posing a risk of economic downturn!"
Sha Ruijin gripped the dedicated phone line tighter and tighter. He was not economically astute and had never imagined that the collapse of Zhongfu Group would have such severe consequences.
After Mr. Ni's explanation, Sha Ruijin finally realized that Zhao Lichun's series of moves were not simply coercion, but could truly influence Handong's investment promotion plans for the next year and even the next few years, thereby affecting Handong's economic trajectory.
As one of the leading economic provinces in the country, the current leadership of the Handong Provincial Party Committee and Provincial Government cannot escape blame for any economic downturn that may occur.
It can be said that Zhao Lichun's counterattack this time is more intense and more ruthless than his previous ones.
Zhao Lichun is no longer limited to launching attacks against a specific person or event.
He chose the fastest and most direct method.
This directly attacks the very foundation of Handong Province's economy, which is upon which its leadership relies most for survival and its economic development.
Zhao Lichun has already drawn his sword and plunged it deep into the heart of Handong!
If this is not coordinated by higher authorities, the consequences will be beyond what Handong can bear.
Could it be that... the only solution is for Grandpa Ni to accept Zhao Lichun's offer of negotiation?
Even though he was unwilling, Sha Ruijin had no choice but to obey the arrangement at this time.
He spoke with difficulty, his voice hoarse:
"Understood, Dad. I... will submit the account books immediately."
Mr. Ni then responded with a few words of satisfaction before hanging up the phone.
Standing beside Old Master Ni were his youngest son, Ni Fugui, and his nephew, Ni Ming.
The two of them were eagerly taking care of Old Master Ni, waiting for him to announce the results.
Old Master Ni sighed deeply and said:
"No problem, those companies you two have stakes in in Handong... won't go under."
Hearing this, the two breathed a sigh of relief and thanked Mr. Ni profusely.
Grandpa Ni just waved his hand irritably without saying a word.
His mind was as clear as a mirror.
No matter how much we look down on Zhao Lichun or the shady dealings of the Zhao family's nephews and nieces.
What I did was no different, was it?
……
A week later, the Jingzhou Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection and the Municipal Procuratorate released the results of their investigation into the Zhongfu Group's natural gas pipeline project.
As expected, the matter was brought to a halt when it reached the middle-level management.
No harm was done to the higher-ups.
Meanwhile, in response to the uproar caused by Liu Xinjian's death, the Provincial Political and Legal Affairs Commission launched a new round of special work to optimize the business environment.
In addition, the Public Security Bureau has successively cracked down on several criminal gangs.
The previously tense business environment has finally eased.
Sha Ruijin knew that this was the result of negotiations between Old Master Ni and Zhao Lichun.
What will happen to the ledgers?
Sha Ruijin had no way of knowing.
However, this offensive against the Zhao family can be considered a failure.
Having lost their most powerful weapon, it will be even more difficult to shake the Zhao family's foundation in Handong in the future.
Zhao Lichun is truly terrifying.
They were able to easily organize so many counterattacks and completely block Sha Ruijin's offensive.
Now, Sarrijin has almost exhausted all his trump cards.
How many more cards Zhao Lichun is hiding remains unknown.
Even if Sha Ruijin plays a card, Zhao Lichun will play a card in return.
Such a pure war of attrition has become a pipe dream for Sha Ruijin.
Handong is about to run out of cards to play!
Sha Ruijin sat in his office, his expression blank.
He really wanted to call Grandpa Ni and ask how the account books should be handled.
But in the end, he didn't have the courage, nor did he feel there was any need to ask.
Unexpectedly, even Grandpa Ni was outmaneuvered by Zhao Lichun.
Why send me to Handong but not provide me with support in the effort to overthrow the Zhao family?
Sha Ruijin has fallen into deep confusion.
Just then, Tian Guofu walked in, his face grave.
Seeing Sha Ruijin's melancholy expression, Tian Guofu wasn't much better off. He gave a wry smile, sat down, hesitated for a long time, and then said:
"There's news from above... the Ni family and the Zhao family have reached a settlement."
As Tian Guofu spoke, he felt a lump in his throat, making it difficult to speak, but he eventually managed to say it:
"The account books are kept by the Ni family and will not be made public; the Zhao family will not take further action to disrupt the economic situation in Handong for the time being."
Quiet.
A deathly silence.
Sha Ruijin found it both unbelievable and ridiculous, his mind in turmoil.
He abruptly stood up, and in a state of unprecedented disarray, burst into a tirade of profanities:
"To hell with reconciliation! Are we just going to leave the Zhao family and these corrupt officials alone, letting them continue to run rampant in Handong and wreak havoc on the region?!"
Tian Guofu did not try to dissuade him, but just kept sighing.
This outcome was extremely frustrating and infuriating for both of them.
But Tian Guofu had another thought in mind.
If the deal between the Ni family and the Zhao family is exposed, it will be a devastating blow to the Ni family's reputation in the capital.
Tian Guofu believed that, given the slightest chance, Old Master Ni would report the accounts without hesitation and break ties with Zhao Lichun.
But Mr. Ni not only held back, but did so in a way that was almost a compromise.
This made Tian Guofu's thoughts wander.
Could it be that Old Master Ni has an even more important weakness that Zhao Lichun has grasped?
Even the people behind Sha Ruijin were controlled by Zhao Lichun.
In that case, it seems that no one in Handong can break this predicament!