Chapter 53: An Assist from the Golden Navy
In these times, the coastal regions were teeming with merchants from Port City, most of them coming to invest, while a few returned to their hometowns seeking relatives or pursuing other business opportunities. These people brought with them cutting-edge goods, technology, and trends, making them highly sought after.
Thus, the moment Zhang Tianfeng boarded the car, the news spread throughout Tangwan Town: he was backed by Port City capital.
On his way to the teahouse, Zhang Tianfeng learned more about the man before him.
Qin Aiguo, forty-six years old this year, was the exclusive lawyer for the Huo family enterprise. His purpose here was to handle various matters related to the toy factory.
They got out at the “A Teahouse” and entered the spacious meeting room.
Pushing the documents toward Zhang Tianfeng, Qin Aiguo said, “Mr. Zhang, the issues concerning Dali Toy Factory have almost all been settled. The equity has been transferred clearly. Once you sign your name, you’ll be the owner of Dali Toy Factory.”
“Thank you, Lawyer Qin.”
After expressing his gratitude, Zhang Tianfeng opened the document and studied the factory’s information. All clues regarding previous shareholders and profits were concealed, leaving only the factory’s debts, number of employees, machines and their models, as well as the main production channels.
This toy factory mainly produced cheap children’s toys, all of them unbranded knock-offs or counterfeits.
Currently, it had debts totaling 365,326.8 yuan, mostly from material costs and maintenance fees for high-end machinery. Just maintaining the machines each month cost fifty thousand yuan—a number with who knows how much hidden within it, understood only by those involved.
There were 136 employees: 100 female workers and 36 male workers. The average monthly wage per person was 360 yuan, adding up to fifty thousand yuan per month, not including other expenses.
As he read, Zhang Tianfeng suddenly recalled the morning radio broadcast.
“Lawyer Qin, I heard this morning that new investors from Port City have bought into Dali Toy Factory, investing five hundred million yuan to expand production and hire more workers.”
“Who’s spreading such rumors?” Qin Aiguo shook his head with a smile. “Zhou Yuancong is deeply implicated, and all the Port City merchants who opened the factory with him have been dealt with. No one would dare invest at such a critical moment.”
“Except for Huicheng Plastics, who, to cover their tracks and facilitate the investigation into Zhou Yuancong, deliberately released false information about the factory’s auction within a small circle. Other than that, there’s nothing.”
“So what are these people playing at?”
Hearing Zhang Tianfeng mutter, Qin Aiguo replied, “Mr. Zhang, if you have doubts, I can investigate first. Don’t rush to sign.”
“No need. As long as you can guarantee that with my signature the factory will be mine, and there won’t be any lingering historical issues, I’ll sign.”
“I can guarantee it.”
Qin Aiguo had personally been running around here for two days, sleeping less than four hours in total. He now understood Dali Toy Factory better than his own wife.
“Then I’ll sign!”
He signed his name, pressed his fingerprint, and handed back the other copy. “Thank you, Lawyer Qin. I’ve arranged a banquet at Cangyue Restaurant to thank you.”
“Mr. Zhang, you’re too kind, really unnecessary.” Qin Aiguo declined. “I have to hurry back and report—Young Master is waiting for my update.”
“Alright, next time I come to Port City, I’ll invite you. Please give me the chance to express my gratitude.”
“Very well, but let’s agree on AA, each pays their own way,” Qin Aiguo said with a smile. “It’s not that I don’t appreciate your kindness, but my work environment demands that nothing be overstepped.”
“Alright, then we’ll meet again in Port City.”
“See you in Port City.”
After their discussion at the teahouse, both men left satisfied. Qin Aiguo could finally return to the familiar Port City, and Zhang Tianfeng had obtained the contract he had dreamed of.
His status had changed; he was now the owner of Dali Toy Factory. If anyone dared to mess with his factory, how could he not take action?
However, Zhang Tianfeng didn’t head directly to the toy factory. Instead, he took a detour and went to a late-night snack shop.
“Hey, what brings you here?” Fourth Uncle was surprised to see him.
“What about the workers who were helping outside?” Zhang Tianfeng searched around but couldn’t find where they lived.
“I treated them to a meal, then they left, saying they were going back to rest.”
“Does anyone know where they stay? I have something to ask them.”
“I...I know.” Chen Jiaqi timidly raised her hand. “They all live under the bridge. I used to stay there myself.”
“Come, take me over.”
“Boss, could I go back first? Fourth Uncle needs to recruit workers, and I need to submit the details now.”
“Alright.”
Riding the vegetable cart, Zhang Tianfeng first went to Bo Le Employment Agency.
After some renovations, the agency had reopened, but thanks to Yuanli Group’s financial bombardment, the place was deserted.
After handling his business, Zhang Tianfeng followed Chen Jiaqi’s guidance to the outskirts of Tangwan Town.
The coastal regions had frequent rainfall, and during flood season, massive floods could occur, so there were many bridges.
On the north side of Tangwan Town, a river flowed, with numerous bridges built there to channel the rainwater into the surging river.
This area had become a refuge for the homeless. Luggage wrapped in plastic bags was casually discarded on the ground; piles of dry grass were spread in the shade, and many people lay upon them.
They all came to the coast chasing dreams of wealth, only to be battered by reality.
“Boss Zhang, what brings you here all of a sudden?” someone called out in surprise.
“I came to find you,” Zhang Tianfeng replied.
The man hunched his shoulders. “Boss Zhang, we’re not like that Ma Chenggong guy—we haven’t slandered you.”
“You misunderstand. I’m not here to cause trouble. I want to pay you for information.”
“Pay us for information?” The man perked up, smiling. “You’ve helped us so much already, no need to pay—just ask.”
“Business is business.” Zhang Tianfeng pulled ten yuan from his pocket. “Who can tell me about the toy factory’s recruitment—whoever gives the most details, this money is theirs.”
“I’ll do it!”
A bespectacled man spoke up. “They said the Li family from Port City invested, planning to build many branch factories and hire a lot of people.”
“I went over to ask today—they said they only cooperate with Yuanli Group’s employment agency. Then I went to the agency, and they said every person pays ten yuan, then gets directly assigned a job.”
Zhang Tianfeng tossed the ten yuan to the man and asked, “How many people went?”
“About three or four thousand paid the fee. When those people arrived at the toy factory, they were immediately taken away by bus, supposedly sent to new plants, somewhere near Shen City.”
“You answer two more questions, and I’ll give you twenty yuan.”
He tossed another twenty yuan and continued his interrogation.
After asking about ten questions in a row, Zhang Tianfeng suddenly realized the situation was far more serious than he’d thought.
First, it was indeed a scam, and it involved Xu Juncong.
That scoundrel must have known the factory was about to change hands, so he was laying traps, waiting to set them off once Zhang stepped in.
“Thank you, everyone. I’ll be off.”
Halfway down the road, someone called out behind him, “Boss Zhang, can paid consultations really make money?”
Turning back, Zhang Tianfeng looked at the thin, bespectacled youth. “The era of paying for knowledge is coming—consultation services have a bright future.”
“Thank you. When I make money, I’ll repay you for your kindness.”
Waving his hand, Zhang Tianfeng rode his little cart back. Partway, Jin Haijun blocked his path.
“Boss Zhang, I have what you need. If you drop the lawsuit, I’ll tell you exactly what Xu Juncong is up to!”
“Let’s talk at the teahouse!”