Chapter 36

Chapters 20-21: The Vast Expanse of Grass

"Fan Hengan!"

Wen Liang looked at her with some surprise. As a native of Qingzhou, you might not know the mayor or the party secretary, but there were two people everyone knew: one was Gu Shitong of the Qinghe Group, and the other was Fan Hengan.

Gu Shitong resigned from his position as a lecturer at Qingzhou Normal College in the early 1980s and resolutely moved south. In the first wave of the reform and opening-up, he thrived, accumulating tens of millions of wealth in just five years. He then returned to Qingzhou with great force, using it as a base to operate throughout the province. Within a decade, he had developed into a massive conglomerate. The Qinghe Group was involved in multiple industries, including catering, real estate, clothing, hotels, daily chemicals, and machinery manufacturing. It was the largest private enterprise and tax contributor in Qingzhou, playing a crucial role in the regional economy of Jiangdong Province. Gu Shitong himself was a provincial People's Congress representative and a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, with a network of relationships that spanned various fields in Jiangdong, making him almost unshakable. When Qingzhou people mentioned Gu Shitong, whether out of admiration, worship, jealousy, or disdain, they all had to admit that he was a genius who had created a miracle!

Fan Hengan, however, was fundamentally different. Originally named Fan Hongxing, he had only completed primary school and had a background as a gangster. He was involved in numerous cases of rape, robbery, and gang fights, though none were ever officially charged. His reputation in Qingzhou was so notorious that it could make children stop crying, virgins lose their innocence, and widows remarry. In 1983, during the nationwide crackdown, he fled Qingzhou to avoid the wind, making a fortune by trafficking goods along the Sino-Russian border. He returned to Qingzhou at the end of the 1980s, changed his name to Fan Hengan, and rose to become a respectable figure in Qingzhou society at an astonishing speed. The bizarre opportunities and rapid rise would certainly make a best-selling book.

Qingzhou, with a population of over 6 million, had only these two people, and it was hard for Wen Liang to be unaware of them.

"Fan Hengan?" Wen Liang was not surprised by his identity but by how a businessman could have such a deep grudge against Zuo Yuxi, to the point of wanting to kill each other. Historically, commoners did not fight officials. In the eyes of someone in a high position like Zuo Jing, Fan Hengan was just a minor figure. How did he have the nerve?

"He was able to quickly establish himself in Qingzhou because of Fang Mingtang..."

Wen Liang suddenly understood. Given Fan Hengan's background, even with some money, it was a pipe dream to rise to his current status in just a few years. Qingzhou had no nobility or aristocratic families, but for a notorious gangster like Fan Hengan, without the support of a powerful figure, it would be ten times harder to rise from the grasslands and soar to the heavens compared to Gu Shitong.

Fang Mingtang, as the mayor of Qingzhou, was in a fierce political struggle with the then party secretary Zuo Jing. The principle of the party leading everything put him at a disadvantage, so he had to build his own circle from the outside, cultivate power, place loyalists, and win hearts. Fan Hengan met Fang Mingtang under these circumstances and quickly became his confidant. During the previous year's election, Zuo Jing and Fang Mingtang fought fiercely over the position of Lingyang, causing a huge upheaval at both the provincial and municipal levels. As Fang Mingtang's economic pillar, Fan Hengan naturally suffered severe blows from Zuo Jing. Over a dozen of his subsidiaries were ordered to halt production and reorganize for tax evasion, resulting in direct losses of tens of millions and indirect losses of even more. The company's capital chain was almost broken, and fifteen years of hard work were almost lost.

If not for the later clear situation where Zuo Jing had a sure victory and let him off, the wealthy and influential Fan Hengan might have become the penniless gangster Fan Hongxing again.

"Indeed! This grudge is not small!"

In a moment, Wen Liang understood the cause and effect. As a child who grew up in the municipal compound, even if he was naive, he had an extraordinary insight into the affairs of the circle. Moreover, now, with the experience of two lives, it was easy to grasp the truth of the matter.

Zuo Yuxi knew he understood from her words, and she was somewhat shocked. To be able to unravel everything from just one sentence, Wen Liang did not disappoint her. She slammed the steering wheel and said angrily, "If you don't cut the roots, you leave behind future troubles!"

Wen Liang never saw Zuo Yuxi as an innocent and naive baby, nor did he think that a beautiful woman should be weak. Especially from how she handled the pig kidney incident, it was clear that she was mentally strong, decisive, and ruthless. Yet, her expression still frightened him.

He pondered for a moment and said softly, "This is not Zuo Secretary's fault! Since Fang Mingtang did not step down but went to the People's Congress, it shows that the higher-ups did not want to go too far. They even let Zhou Yuanting, a member of Fang Mingtang's faction, take over as the mayor of Qingzhou, clearly aiming to balance and appease. Since Zuo Secretary has taken office, he cannot hold onto Qingzhou, otherwise, it would make him seem petty and use public power for personal revenge..."

"I understand!" Zuo Yuxi took a deep breath, her fingers unconsciously tapping on the steering wheel, "The key now is..."

Wen Liang continued, "The key is that night, was Zhou Yuanting's action unintentional or deliberate?"

Indeed, that was the crux of the matter!

That night's banquet was originally a working meal after Zhou Yuanting's inspection of Qingzhou No. 1 High School, and it was the first time Zuo Yuxi got drunk. Zhou Yuanting, unusually, did not stop his subordinates from toasting Zuo Yuxi. Although he mentioned sending someone to take her home afterward, he did not insist when she refused. If not for the pig kidney incident, Zuo Yuxi would have understood that it was just a repayment for her arrogance over the years. But now, who could say Zhou Yuanting's actions were unintentional?

Behind Zhou Yuanting was Fang Mingtang! Although Fang Mingtang's political future was over, his roots in Qingzhou were deeply embedded. The higher-ups even felt some guilt over sacrificing him, and sometimes his words carried more weight than when he was the mayor.

This was a dead end!

If it were just Fan Hengan alone, he would be finding his own death. Despite his surface glory and wide network, if Zuo Jing really wanted to destroy him, Fan Hengan would have no chance to struggle. But with Zhou Yuanting and Fang Mingtang involved?

From any perspective, Zuo Jing could not afford to further antagonize Fang Mingtang. If he left the impression of being relentless and aggressive, it would be a fatal blow to his future development. But if the other side used such vicious means, what was the point of having power and influence if he did not counterattack?

But all of this was still speculation. Fan Hengan, with his gangster background, could do anything in a desperate situation, but would Fang Mingtang agree to or even instruct him to do so?

No one could be sure!

Wen Liang knew what Zuo Yuxi was hesitating and fearing about! But the stakes were too high, and a single misstep could lead to death and destruction. He frowned and did not speak rashly.

"I haven't told my father yet..."

Wen Liang was truly stunned this time. No matter how decisive Zuo Yuxi was, she was still a woman. After experiencing the most terrifying event a woman could face, she might be filled with fear and anxiety at night. Yet, she bore it all herself, unwilling to put Zuo Jing in a dangerous situation for her own safety. This was admirable and also deeply moving.

At the top, under the shadow of power and fame, how much glory and how much hesitation?

Zuo Yuxi slumped against the backrest, her spirit seemingly leaving her body, making her look pale and lifeless. The usual liveliness and charm were gone, leaving only a pale face, slightly red lips, and a winding curve.

"This situation can actually be resolved..."

Zuo Yuxi suddenly sat up, her face full of surprise, and grabbed Wen Liang's arm, "You have a way?"

Wen Liang thought it wasn't that difficult. Fang Mingtang, Zhou Yuanting, and Fan Hengan were united but not of one heart. As long as he could find a strong ally in Qingzhou, with Zuo Jing's power, the situation in Qingzhou could be resolved in a moment!

Knowing the relationship between Fan Hengan and Fang Mingtang, many things became clear. First, Zhou Yuanting, who was firm in his stance on the Qinghua Factory issue, appeared politically naive. Political science is an extremely complex and comprehensive discipline, especially in China, involving multiple fields such as the political system, economy, psychology, society, culture, philosophy, and current affairs. As a new official, Zhou Yuanting, with the Fang faction suffering heavy losses, should not have made a hasty decision on a major issue like the Qinghua Factory. Yet, he pushed for the bankruptcy of the Qinghua Factory despite Xu Fuyan's clear opposition, putting himself in a difficult position. This behavior was either a sign of his stupidity or a hidden agenda.

Would Zhou Mayor's head be kicked by a donkey?

Anyone with an IQ above five would know this was not a question! So, Zhou Yuanting must have had another intention in the Qinghua Factory issue.

Second, Fan Hengan, who had bet heavily on Fang Mingtang, lost almost everything and was on the brink of ruin. At this critical moment, he feared not only falling back to the bottom of society but also being discarded by Fang Mingtang or becoming a political sacrifice. Therefore, he would do anything to tie himself tightly to Fang Mingtang and Zhou Yuanting.

At this point, what could forcefully bind the three together? One was sufficient benefit, and the other was a common enemy.

Knowing this, when Zuo Yuxi pointed out the relationship between Fan Hengan and Fang Mingtang, and considering Zuo Jing's political struggle with Fang Mingtang, Wen Liang immediately understood the whole situation. Fan Hengan suffered heavy losses under Zuo Jing's attacks, and after Zhou Yuanting took over as mayor, he naturally had to compensate Fan Hengan according to Fang Mingtang's wishes. Smart people often see things similarly, and under the temptation of the large cake of state-owned enterprise reform, countless state assets have been lost nationwide. A factory like the Qinghua Factory, with substantial capital but struggling, was naturally their top choice.

Money is for the taking, but is it that easy to get?

A sinister smile appeared on Wen Liang's face, and he said three words to Zuo Yuxi: "Xu Fuyan!"

Indeed, it was Xu Fuyan!

Xu Fuyan, who could be transferred from the provincial capital to Qingzhou amidst the bitter struggle between Zuo Jing and Fang Mingtang, must have strong connections in the province. More subtly, Zhou Yuanting and Fang Mingtang treated Qingzhou as their private domain, showing great disrespect to this nominal top leader. They not only did not support his work but also made things difficult for him, leading to a strong backlash from Xu Fuyan.

The current situation is that Zuo Jing, far in Lingyang, has great power but cannot fully use it; while Xu Fuyan, lacking a base in Qingzhou, does not have enough influence to control the situation. One has power but no authority, and the other has authority but no power. Theoretically, there is a possibility of cooperation.

But in the political arena, things are unpredictable and mysterious. The two belong to different factions and have no prior interaction, so trust is a major issue. Additionally, they do not know each other's difficulties and determination, making cooperation fraught with suspicion. Against enemies like Zhou Yuanting and Fang Mingtang, one mistake could lead to irreparable damage.

In such a situation, a good opportunity is needed to serve as a bridge and a means of communication between the two.

The Qinghua Factory is precisely this opportunity and the best entry point for Wen Liang to break the deadlock. And Wen Liang himself is this bridge!

Zuo Yuxi was stunned and asked, "Xu Fuyan?" She shook her head, "Xu Fuyan, the 'Hand-raising Secretary,' is already a laughingstock in Qingzhou's political circles, not worth relying on..."

"Left Sister, you are wrong!" Wen Liang's eyes sparkled with wisdom, showing a composure and calmness beyond his age, "Xu Fuyan was sent to Qingzhou by the province with the intention of stabilizing the turbulent situation caused by the struggle between Zuo and Fang in a short time. Such a person cannot be as simple as he appears. In my view, Xu Fuyan is flexible and resilient, and the title 'Hand-raising Secretary' indicates that he is deeply calculating and strategic. Once he has an opportunity, he will surely show his true colors and surprise everyone. But this is not urgent. You need to be patient. Zhou Yuanting's arrogance will lead to changes soon..."

Zuo Yuxi felt bitter and under immense pressure, so she confided in Wen Liang, the only person who knew her troubles. She did not expect a young man like him to have any insight or strategy. But from just a few words, he keenly grasped the core of the issue, with a clear and precise analysis that was both astonishing and frightening. Zuo Yuxi quietly looked at Wen Liang's profile, listening to him explain the whole situation, and suddenly remembered their interactions from the first meeting to the present. Her mind was filled with the lines of a poem: "Understanding the world is knowledge, mastering human relations is literature."

She had misjudged him. Wen Liang was not just a little different; he had already surpassed the limits of what someone his age could achieve. Zuo Yuxi nodded, her furrowed brows showing that she had not fully accepted Wen Liang's words. This was understandable, and Wen Liang did not say more, just offering a few words of comfort before leaving.

Zuo Yuxi suddenly remembered something and grabbed Wen Liang's arm, her soft hand touching his skin like an electric shock.

"Let's put that aside for now. I've been so busy lately that I forgot to ask you, how is your new homeroom teacher?"

Wen Liang was confused, "Not bad, a good person."

Zuo Yuxi's face softened, and she looked at Wen Liang gently, "Wen Liang, if you have the chance, take care of her. If anyone at school makes it difficult for her, you must tell me."

Wen Liang did not speak, waiting for her reason, but Zuo Yuxi turned away without a word. For a moment, this sometimes gentle and playful, sometimes decisive and resolute beautiful woman, seemed as fragile as a delicate blue-and-white porcelain, easily shattered by a touch.

Wen Liang nodded, sat back in the car, and held Zuo Yuxi's small hand in his, saying softly, "Don't worry, I will keep an eye on it. But Left Sister, don't do anything rash. In a month, at most a month, I will definitely show you a turning point. Trust me, okay?"

Wen Liang knew she had a close relationship with a man named Lao Jiu and might do something rash. Although it was unlikely, he had to be cautious. Zuo Yuxi's character was unpredictable, and if she felt that the political path was blocked, she might take other routes. Since his rebirth, his understanding of Qingzhou's political scene had only slightly deepened, but it was already surprising how reckless and unscrupulous people were.

Wen Liang said he would wait a month and drew an "=" sign on Zuo Yuxi's palm. Remembering that they had used this signal several times since they met, even with her mind full of worries, Zuo Yuxi couldn't help but laugh, giving him a playful glare and drawing an "OK" sign back on his palm.

Wen Liang sighed with relief and got out of the car to leave.

Fang Mingtang had operated in Qingzhou for ten years, and his roots were deeply embedded in the city. Xu Fuyan's attitude was unclear, and his strength was hidden. Even if they cooperated, it was uncertain whether they could change the situation in Qingzhou. Zuo Yuxi watched Wen Liang's back disappear at the gate of No. 7 Compound, sat for a long time, and finally sighed, turning to leave.

The chances of winning this battle were very low, but this grudge must be avenged.

Only through battle!