That afternoon, Liu Fu was playing mahjong with several heads of the Grain Bureau. Although they called it mahjong, it was actually a disguised form of bribery. Some people were too proud to accept money directly, especially the head of the finance section, Xiao Guan. Although his rank wasn't high, his power was considerable, and he was difficult to deal with. If the director hadn't spoken up, the additional budget would have been stuck with him. He was a proper university graduate, and some rumors said he had connections in the Provincial Grain Department and was at the Panshi Grain Bureau to gain experience, but many people didn't believe it.
Liu Jian knew this was true. The last time he heard about this little section chief in his previous life was when he was promoted to the Provincial Grain Bureau. At that time, countless people regretted not building a good relationship with him. Although Liu Jian planned to have his father change careers, he was still making a living in this field, so he couldn't avoid dealing with him. Even if they really left the grain industry, he knew that having more connections was always a good thing, and making another friend was always beneficial, as you never know when you might need them. After hearing Liu Fu say that he had offered gifts to this Section Chief Guan several times without him accepting, Liu Jian knew that this person was aiming for a good reputation to lay the groundwork for future promotions. However, Liu Jian believed that there wasn't an official who didn't like money, so he came up with an idea: playing mahjong.
It's said that China's national quintessence is Peking opera, and the favorite sport is table tennis, but Liu Jian believed that both of these were wrong. The real national quintessence is mahjong, and the most popular sport among the people is definitely mahjong. Especially in the Northeast, the winters are long, lasting almost five months. In rural areas, there's a saying of "wintering indoors." What do people do at home during the winter? In the past, they would focus on having children, but now, with family planning, they can't have children casually, and they have some spare money, so they've switched to eating sunflower seeds and playing mahjong.
Sure enough, upon hearing about playing mahjong, Section Chief Guan, a genuine Northeasterner, also became interested. Liu Fu booked a room at the Panshi Hotel, and these days, whenever Section Chief Guan had time, Liu Fu would gather a few people for a game. However, Liu Fu followed Liu Jian's principle of winning less and setting off more cannons (feeding others winning tiles). He had lost quite a bit these days. Although it was small mahjong with bets of only five yuan, he still lost several thousand yuan. However, the relationship between Section Chief Guan and Liu Fu was getting better and better, progressing from "Boss Liu" to "Brother Liu."
Liu Jian is Liu Fu's son. He understands the magistrate's and those people's thoughts. He wouldn't talk nonsense outside after leaving this door. Therefore, Liu Jian often skips class to serve the magistrate. Liu Fu is becoming increasingly indifferent to Liu Jian's studies. What's the big deal with missing a few days of class? Liu Fu has already planned that when the college entrance exam comes, he will spend some money to find a university for Liu Jian to attend, just treat it as buying a diploma. As for what will happen to Liu Jian in the future, Liu Fu is not worried at all. As long as that matter is settled, Liu Jian will have no problem living a life of luxury.
Seeing that the cigarette was almost finished, Liu Jian hurriedly left the room and went to the hotel front desk to get a few cartons of cigarettes, not only for the afternoon but also to prepare some to take when leaving. He didn't even need to be told; Liu Jian had already taken care of everything. This is the benefit of having been in society for so many years in his previous life. On the way back with the cigarettes, Liu Jian received a call from Li Wu, saying that Li Si had arrived.
Liu Jian thought for a moment, "My dad is busy right now and doesn't have time. How about this, Fifth Brother, prepare things at Hailang BBQ tonight, and we'll go over a little later."
Li Wu's voice came from the other end of the phone, "Xiao Jian, that little brat Li Si scammed you a couple of days ago. If it wasn't for your master saying so, I would have taken care of him a long time ago. And even arranged for him to eat?"
Liu Jian chuckled a few times and said, "Fifth Brother, let's talk more when we meet tonight. You give him a little warning first, just say my dad thinks he's talented and has some things he wants him to do. See what he's thinking."
Li Wu agreed and said, "Okay, I got it. If we're free later, we'll head over first."
Liu Jian: "Fifth Brother, don't drink too much, we still need to discuss things tonight."
Li Wu laughed heartily and said, "Alright, Xiao Jian, don't worry, you know Fifth Brother's capacity for alcohol." He hung up the phone, leaving Liu Jian standing there with a wry smile, holding his phone: I'm not afraid you'll drink too much, I'm afraid you'll get Li Si drunk.
When they arrived at the private room, Liu Jian opened a pack of Zhonghua cigarettes and placed a box in front of each person. When he got to Liu Fu, he quietly told him the arrangements he had made. Liu Fu nodded and didn't say anything, the arrangement was very much to his liking. After all, not just anyone should be taken to a restaurant like Wumingju, and these people were going out to eat after playing mahjong, so they couldn't very well run into each other. Besides, for thugs like Li Si and Li Wu, barbecue was more to their liking, drinking and eating meat in big gulps.
Today's battle was the same as usual. Section Chief Guan won big, while Liu Fu and the two grain depot directors under him all lost. However, Liu Fu lost the most, and the other two also had the sense to lose a little less, neither stealing Liu Fu's thunder nor leaving a good impression on the leader. When they left, each of them took a carton of cigarettes. Section Chief Guan didn't decline; he'd slowly gotten used to it these past few days. But this was only because he was with Liu Fu. At other times, he was still the somewhat unapproachable Section Chief Guan.
After the group finished eating, it was completely dark. Liu Jian drove Section Chief Guan back before going to the barbecue street with Liu Fu.
The most prosperous place in Panshi City is the snack street, but nowadays it's just a barbecue street. There's nothing else here except barbecue; it hasn't yet developed to the point where various snacks gather together. This time of day is the peak time for barbecue. As soon as you enter the snack street, there are crowds of people everywhere. Liu Fu and his son were drenched in sweat by the time they squeezed into Hailang Barbecue.
The voice was loud, high-pitched, and booming, as if he was afraid people wouldn't know he was there. Liu Jian smiled wryly, thinking that judging by the sound, even if he wasn't drunk, he was close to it. He just didn't know how Li Si was doing. But when he entered the private room, he found that Li Si's face wasn't even red.
When the two people in the room saw Liu Fu and Liu Jian arrive, they both stood up. Li Wu, with a flushed face, called out, "Master."
Liu Fu smiled and said, "Sit down, sit down. Xiao Wu, you haven't had too much to drink, have you? Looks like you've met a master. You must be Li Si, right? Hmm, good lad, full of energy."
Li Wu smiled, feeling too embarrassed to say anything. Li Si, however, was somewhat flattered and said, "Boss Liu, you're here. Actually, I've drunk quite a bit, but I've been working at the distillery, so I've built up a tolerance."
At this time, Liu Jian said, "Sit down, Fourth Brother. My dad just finished eating with some leaders from the Grain Bureau and rushed over as soon as they were done. Let me drink a toast with you on behalf of my dad, no matter what, we're late."
With just a few words, Liu Jian explained the reason for Liu Fu's lateness, while also hinting to Li Si that "My dad values you, so seize the opportunity."
Li Si hurriedly stood up again, and toasted Liu Jian, making the atmosphere much more lively.
The four of them ate and drank, and the atmosphere was very good. Just as Liu Fu was considering how to talk to Li Si, Li Si stood up and said, "Boss Liu, I'll toast you. If you have something you need me to do, I, Li Si, am not someone who doesn't know what's good for me. As long as you think highly of me, I'll handle anything you want done beautifully." After speaking, he finished a glass of liquor in one gulp, leaving nothing behind.
Hearing Li Si's words, Liu Jian nodded, thinking that this was a person who knew how to read the room. Liu Fu also picked up his glass to toast Li Si. Now that they had drunk together, they could start talking business.
Liu Fu said, "Li Si, I want to ask you about the distillery."
Li Si was taken aback, not expecting this question. He said somewhat strangely, "Boss Liu, our distillery is defunct. We haven't been paid in two years. If it weren't for that, I wouldn't be out here hustling. I'm not afraid to tell you, we've already exchanged all the scrap metal in the distillery that could be turned into money for cash. Now there's nothing left except the factory buildings and equipment. It's a shame I don't have connections, otherwise I would have transferred to another factory long ago."
Liu Fu nodded and said, "I know all of what you're saying. I want to ask, who's in charge of the workers remaining at the distillery now? And is the distillery equipment still usable?"
Although Li Si found it strange, he still said, "The younger generation in the factory listen to me. As for the older generation, I have an uncle who worked at the factory for thirty years. Although he's retired, people still respect his opinions. Many of them were apprentices he trained. As for the equipment, there's no problem with that. You don't know, even though my uncle is retired, he has a strong attachment to the factory. He even stops us from selling scrap metal. To be honest, if it weren't for my uncle stopping me, I would have dismantled and sold that equipment long ago."
Hearing Li Si say that the equipment was fine, Liu Fu felt relieved. He didn't hide anything and said, "Li Si, what I'm about to tell you is just between us, don't spread it around. I plan to acquire Sanbao Winery."
Liu Fu paused, wanting to hear Li Si's opinion.
I heard that Liu Fu wants to acquire the Sanbao Winery. Li Si was a little stunned, and then eagerly asked, "Boss Liu, are you saying that's true?"
Li Wu, who hadn't spoken yet, was a little anxious when he heard Li Si doubting Liu Fu's words, and said, "Nonsense, would my master say something false?"
Li Si quickly said, "Brother Wu, that's not what I meant, I'm just too excited."
Seeing that Li Si didn't have any objections, Liu Fu knew the matter was almost settled and said with a smile, "Li Si, I do have this plan, and I've been working on it secretly for a while now. The news hasn't gotten out yet."
Li Si quickly nodded and said, "I understand, Mr. Liu. Just tell me what you need me to do."
Liu Fu said, "One thing is the factory workers. The news might get out in a few days, so you need to help me stabilize morale and prevent anyone from causing trouble. The second thing is the factory equipment. Please keep an eye on it for me during this time and don't let anyone damage or steal and sell it."
Li Si agreed, "Boss Liu, don't worry. The factory hasn't been able to pay wages for a long time. If someone buys it, these people will be overjoyed. No one would cause trouble. If anyone is foolish enough to do so, I'll break their legs. As for the equipment, don't worry, I guarantee no one will dare to touch it."
Hearing Li Si's agreement, Liu Fu felt relieved. Remembering what Liu Jian had told him on the way, he said, "Li Si, when the factory acquisition is successful, I'll give you a new position. You don't need to go to the workshop anymore. I plan to set up a security department in the winery. It won't be too busy; you'll just be looking after the factory's assets. When the time comes, you can be the section chief and find a few brothers who like to work with you. As for the salary, don't worry, we won't shortchange you."