Chapter 19

Zhou Ming did not argue with Huang Zheng at the factory TV station. He was very clear that it would not help their current situation and that Huang Zheng was still a cadre in the factory, while he was nothing. If they really had a conflict, it would be like an egg hitting a stone. Additionally, his parents still lived in the factory, and if he angered Huang Zheng, he might cause trouble for his parents through the factory security department, which would make him regret it.

It was these reasons that made Zhou Ming choose to bury his anger deep in his heart, waiting until he completed his second step and had the ability to settle accounts with him.

After leaving the factory TV station, Zhou Ming returned home and saw his parents in the living room, both looking worried. Zhou Ming already knew what had happened but still asked, "Mom, Dad, what's going on?"

"It's your father again," Mother Wang Fengqin said. "The factory leadership says he's been absent without cause and wants to fire him. I don't understand; didn't we take leave from the factory? He was sick and needed surgery. Didn't his workshop director know about his condition? Why do they want to fire him? We took sick leave, not unexcused absence. Old Zhou, you should take your medical records and talk to your workshop director. The factory can't be so unreasonable, making someone work while they're having surgery!"

Father Zhou Guoping sighed and said, "It's no use. I've already shown them my medical records, but they won't accept them, saying that any records not from the factory hospital are invalid."

"How can they be invalid? Is the medical record from the city center hospital less convincing than the factory hospital? If it weren't for the advanced treatment at the city center hospital, the few barefoot doctors at the factory hospital wouldn't have known what to do with your illness!" Wang Fengqin said. "Old Zhou, you're just too honest. You do whatever others tell you to do. If they tell you to rest at home, you rest at home. If they tell you to sign, you sign, without thinking for yourself."

Zhou Guoping waved his hand and said, "That's enough. Zhou Ming is here. Don't talk about this in front of him. I'll go to the factory again and talk to the leadership."

Zhou Ming then said, "Dad, I think the factory is deliberately making things difficult for us. It won't help if you go and talk to them."

"Why would they make things difficult for me? I haven't offended anyone. And if I don't go, will I just be laid off at home? That's not a solution," Zhou Guoping said.

"Dad, some people in the factory are targeting me. I've involved you. Dad, don't go to the factory for now. If they want to fire you, let them. Whatever they do, don't get into a conflict with them. They are unreasonable. In the future, when I make money, I'll buy the entire factory and make you the leader. Then you won't have to suffer this way. You can work when you want to and fire whoever you want," Zhou Ming said.

Zhou Guoping and Wang Fengqin both laughed. Zhou Guoping said, "It's good that you have such ambition, but let's wait until you really have the ability. For now, I still need to go to work at the factory."

From their attitude, it was clear that they didn't believe Zhou Ming. It was understandable; for their generation, the factory was everything. They were just ordinary workers, earning a small salary each month, while the factory's output was high. Buying the entire factory was an unreachable dream.

Thinking about this, Zhou Ming said firmly, "Mom, Dad, it won't take long. Give me four months, and I'll definitely make it happen!"

...

Zhou Guoping and Wang Fengqin ultimately didn't believe Zhou Ming. Even when Zhou Ming said he would leave two ten-thousand yuan at home and asked his father not to go to the factory, his father still insisted on going with his medical records. His mother also said that government bonds were intangible, and even if they had money, staying at home wasn't a solution. It was more solid to work at the factory.

Zhou Ming couldn't persuade his stubborn parents. He understood that it was difficult for them to grasp the profits of financial economics. In their minds, working at the factory was always the best.

So, Zhou Ming didn't say anything more to his parents. He let them do as they pleased, as long as they were happy. What he needed to do was earn as much money as possible so they wouldn't worry about him.

Zhou Ming came to the factory TV station, originally planning to talk to Lin Muqing. However, he unexpectedly met Lin Muqing coming out with a cardboard box. Zhou Ming was surprised, "Sister Muqing, what's going on?"

"Didn't you ask me to quit and join you in business? My resignation has been approved. If you change your mind, I'll stick to you and won't leave," Lin Muqing said playfully.

Lin Muqing's charming face made Zhou Ming's heart skip a beat. But what surprised him more than her beauty was her trust in him. Even in twenty years, it would be difficult for someone to give up a stable job in a public institution, let alone now. For someone to give up a job in a state-owned unit required a lot of determination and courage.

"Sister Muqing, thank you for trusting me so much," Zhou Ming said sincerely.

Lin Muqing shook her head lightly, looked back at the factory TV station building, and said to Zhou Ming, "This has nothing to do with you. After what happened today, I didn't want to work here anymore, even if you hadn't said anything."

After a deep breath, Lin Muqing continued, "Now that I've resigned as you asked, what should we do next? Should we go to Nanjiang directly?"

"Not yet. If you have nothing to do, can you come with me to see Director Dai at the county agricultural bank?" Zhou Ming said.

"What for?" Lin Muqing didn't understand.

"Our funds are limited, and I want to ask him to help us get a loan from the agricultural bank," Zhou Ming said.

Lin Muqing's eyes widened, "A loan!"

...

In the evening, Zhou Ming and Lin Muqing invited Dai Zhenjiang to dinner at Nanhui Restaurant. In the private room, Zhou Ming first exchanged pleasantries with Dai Zhenjiang, then got straight to the point, "Director Dai, I'm a bit presumptuous to ask for your help, but I have something I need your assistance with."

"Xiaozhou, you're being too polite. We're friends, and friends help each other. If you help me today, I'll help you tomorrow. That's how we all progress together!" Dai Zhenjiang said. "Just tell me what you need."

Zhou Ming nodded and said, "Since Director Dai puts it that way, I'll be straightforward. Sister Muqing and I plan to do a big business deal in Nanjiang, but our funds are limited. So, I'm asking for your help to get a loan from the county agricultural bank. I don't need a large amount, just 300,000 yuan. If I can get 400,000 or 500,000, that would be even better."

Dai Zhenjiang was about to take a sip of water when he nearly choked on Zhou Ming's words. He looked at Zhou Ming as if he were an alien, thinking, "This young man is really fearless. Does he think 300,000 or 500,000 yuan is the same as 30 or 50 yuan? If this amount isn't large, I don't know what is."

After calming down, Dai Zhenjiang said to Zhou Ming, "Xiaozhou, you really like to joke. Luckily, I don't have any heart problems, or I wouldn't be able to handle your pranks."

Zhou Ming, however, said, "Director Dai, I'm not joking. I really need the loan."

Dai Zhenjiang looked at Zhou Ming carefully and asked, "You really want to borrow 300,000 to 500,000 yuan?"

Zhou Ming nodded firmly, and Dai Zhenjiang drew a sharp breath. As the county agricultural bank manager, he wasn't unfamiliar with loans, but most were taken out by organizations. Even the richest person in Nanhui County, Doggy, could only borrow up to 100,000 yuan. Now, Zhou Ming was asking for 300,000 to 500,000 yuan, which made Dai Zhenjiang feel like he was dealing with a madman. However, he remembered that Zhou Ming had borrowed 10,000 yuan in high-interest loans from Doggy to do government bond business, and he understood that such a person could indeed do such things.

After a moment of serious thought, Dai Zhenjiang said to Zhou Ming, "Xiaozhou, it's not that I don't want to help you. You're an economics student, so you should understand the situation. If you can't provide equivalent collateral, the rules don't allow me to lend you that much money."

Zhou Ming smiled. Indeed, if he followed the rules, he wouldn't be able to get such a large loan. But rules are rigid, while people are flexible. There are always special circumstances.

"Director Dai, that's why I'm asking for your help," Zhou Ming said. "I know that by the rules, I don't qualify, but my assets are not ordinary assets. You know, just half a month ago, I was a laid-off worker at home, but in half a month, I made nearly 100,000 yuan. So, there's room for flexibility."

Dai Zhenjiang thought for a moment. At this point, Zhou Ming played his last card. He said to Dai Zhenjiang, "Director Dai, you've always been curious about how I did my government bond business. If you help me with this, I'll tell you my secret, and I won't participate in government bond business again."

Zhou Ming's offer made Dai Zhenjiang sit up. Dai Zhenjiang asked, "Are you serious?"

"Of course," Zhou Ming said. "Didn't you just say that we're friends, and friends help each other?"

Dai Zhenjiang laughed heartily, "Xiaozhou, you're right. Friends should help each other. Since you need money for your business, I, as your older brother, should help you. However, 500,000 yuan is too much. Our county agricultural bank needs to reserve some funds, so I can lend you a maximum of 400,000 yuan. How does that sound?"

"Although it's not the ideal amount, you've done your best," Zhou Ming said. "Can I get the loan as soon as possible?"

"Of course. Don't worry, Xiaozhou. I'll definitely get you the 400,000 yuan by the day after tomorrow!" Dai Zhenjiang said confidently.

"Thank you, Director Dai," Zhou Ming said.