Chapter 100: The Very Assistant

It is said that news in government agencies spreads like the wind. This time, Zhu Daodong truly experienced it. He went to the finance office to collect the IOUs, and Xu Rui handed him a thick stack of IOUs, which could be bound into a book.

"Director Zhu, I think you are the only one in the whole township who can handle this matter," Xu Rui said with a smile, as if he was genuinely happy for Zhu Daodong. In reality, he was secretly delighted. This time, it was Zhu Daodong's turn to be unlucky, being assigned such a difficult task. He had been the director of the finance office for five or six years, and no one had ever managed to turn these IOUs into cash. No one had done it in the past, no one could do it now, and no one would be able to do it in the future. When he heard this news, he wondered if Zhu Daodong might stumble badly on this matter. If something unexpected happened while he was collecting the debts, perhaps he himself would have a chance to turn things around.

Xu Rui's words were as insincere as his kidneys. How could Zhu Daodong take them seriously? Praising him so highly now was just to see the joke when he fell.

"Speaking of handling this matter, I think Director Xu is the most suitable person. Director Yuan asked me to select a few team members. Director Xu, why don't you come and lend a hand to your junior?" Zhu Daodong said sarcastically. He flipped through the IOUs, which were very complicated. Some were for tens of thousands of yuan, others for just a few dozen yuan. Most were owed by people from the county, but some were from out-of-town. Some were owed by public entities, others by individuals. Some were owed to the finance office, and others were for goods bought from the township. Most were old debts. Looking at the familiar and unfamiliar names, each IOU probably had a story, and a book might not be enough to contain them all.

"I'll pass. I might be able to help with other things, but I'm truly powerless with this one," Xu Rui panicked. If Zhu Daodong really assigned him to the debt collection team, he would be in tears. He quickly changed the subject. There would be plenty of time to see Zhu Daodong's downfall, but now was definitely not the time to provoke him. "By the way, Secretary Chen asked me to prepare the accounts for the Tree Ridge wine sales. I need you to fill in the numbers and sign them, Director Zhu."

Seeing the accounts prepared by Xu Rui, Zhu Daodong immediately understood Chen Shuli's good intentions. Although the initial 20,000 yuan was approved by the party committee and documented, the procedure was not entirely proper. It could be said that he had obtained the 20,000 yuan somewhat covertly. But now, after going through this financial procedure, the 20,000 yuan became his legitimate income, and no one could say a word about it.

"Director Zhu is truly a master of business. 20,000 yuan, tsk tsk, that's more than my salary for several years," Xu Rui said, both envious and jealous. Five hundred cases of wine, and Zhu Daodong turned them into 20,000 yuan, all legally. How could this not make people both admire and envy him?

"Director Yuan has spoken again. For the debts collected, 2% can be used as expenses. If Director Xu can collect 1 million yuan, wouldn't you also get 20,000 yuan? What do you think? Actions speak louder than words," Zhu Daodong said with a half-smile.

"Such money is destined to be out of my reach. Director Zhu is the only one capable of this, the only one," Xu Rui said in a panic. He feared what Zhu Daodong would say, and Zhu Daodong said exactly what he feared. Now, Xu Rui would rather treat Zhu Daodong like a revered deity than discuss any matters related to money or debts with him.

"Director Xu, how can you lack confidence in yourself? How can the organization entrust you with important tasks in the future? This is a rare opportunity. Are you really not going to consider it?" Zhu Daodong said with a smile.

"I won't consider it, I dare not consider it," Xu Rui said, feeling his heart race and his liver and gallbladder tremble. It was winter, but sweat poured down his forehead as if it were mid-summer.

"I really feel sorry for you. Such a good opportunity, how can you not seize it?" Zhu Daodong felt a sense of satisfaction seeing Xu Rui so frightened. Now, would you still dare to speak recklessly?

Seeing Zhu Daodong leave, Xu Rui quietly wiped the sweat from his forehead. He now both respected and feared Zhu Daodong. If anyone dared to say that Zhu Daodong was inexperienced and immature, he would be furious! A few words had put him in an awkward position, and in the township government, few could do that.

"You made this decision too hastily. Do you think the township's debts are so easy to collect?" Chen Shuli looked at Zhu Daodong with a disappointed expression. In Shanghai, he almost caused trouble, and now, back in the township, he was trying to collect debts without considering the consequences. He thought Zhu Daodong was a steady person, but now it seemed otherwise.

"Secretary, the township's finances are very difficult. If we can collect several hundred thousand yuan in debts, the township can accomplish some practical things," Zhu Daodong said.

"You are very confident, but have you thought about what will happen if you don't collect several hundred thousand yuan, or even just a few thousand? How will you face the people of the township?" Chen Shuli said with a cold laugh.

"I believe that where there's a will, there's a way," Zhu Daodong said firmly, facing Chen Shuli's sarcasm. If everyone shied away from difficulties and challenges, these debts would never be collected. Over 1.5 million yuan, this was a huge sum for Tree Ridge. But in the face of such a large amount, no one wanted to collect it, and even Yuan Ping thought that collecting half would be a great achievement. Was this his personal tragedy or the tragedy of the township government?

"Daodong, how should I talk to you? Your most important task now is to manage the feed mill and the farm. I will find a way to solve the funding issue. I heard you made an agreement with Yuan Ping. If you can collect 500,000 yuan, the township will lend 200,000 yuan to the feed mill?" Chen Shuli asked, displeased.

"That's right, but to ensure the loan, I want to use the feed mill's equipment as collateral and borrow from the bank. At least 100,000 yuan, preferably 200,000 yuan. Secretary, you should have a way, right?" Zhu Daodong said with a smile.

"You, you, don't be too eager to collect debts. Focus on the feed mill and the farm. This is a matter that concerns the lives of all the people in the township. You must not be careless," Chen Shuli said. His implication was that collecting debts was not essential, but the feed mill and the farm were crucial.

"Rest assured, Secretary. I promise to focus on the wealth-creation project," Zhu Daodong said. In fact, he could not devote all his energy to collecting debts. Therefore, he needed to carefully select his assistant. This person must be upright, fearless, and persistent.

But after reviewing all the township officials, Zhu Daodong found no one suitable. Even Xu Rui from the finance office was terrified of collecting debts, as if being asked to do it was a matter of life and death. What about others? After a moment of worry, Zhu Daodong suddenly thought of Li Shun, the old revolutionary from Daxishan Village. He was the most suitable for this task. He was upright, outspoken, and his status as an old Eighth Route Army soldier and a Korean War veteran made him more authoritative than Zhu Daodong, a deputy township head. Zhu Daodong immediately called Ma Mingyi...

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