"Dear leaders, I wonder what brings you here today?" Zhong Fangzhuo paused, tapping his cane, and said with a feigned calm. However, his eyes kept twitching, clearly showing that his inner turmoil was far from the composure he displayed.
"Please, sir, don't say that. We are just here for a casual visit, nothing serious... nothing serious..." The middle-aged man, who looked like a leader, quickly stood up and respectfully replied.
The cadre who accompanied Liao Chengde was a local, and he showed considerable respect to these respected elders in the countryside.
Since the 1980s, the economic development disparity between the north and south of Jiangzhong Province had become apparent. The collective economy in the southern part of Jiang was thriving, while the northern part lagged behind. Suddenly, a Hong Kong businessman with investment intentions appeared, and the relevant departments took it very seriously.
This time, the county sent the deputy minister of the United Front Work Department to accompany Liao Chengde to the Zhong family. However, he was not aware of Liao Chengde's true intentions.
Seeing the leader's humble attitude, Zhong Fangzhuo and his two sons exchanged skeptical glances and waited silently for the uninvited guests to reveal their purpose.
It had been almost a decade since the reform and opening up, and the lives of ordinary people had improved significantly. However, why were seasoned elders like Zhong Fangzhuo still so afraid of officials? This fear stemmed from the "Severe Crackdown" in 1983.
The full name of the "Severe Crackdown" was "Severe Crackdown on Criminal Elements," an activity aimed at addressing prominent social security issues in a certain period by legally combating serious criminal activities.
In 1976, a massive earthquake with a magnitude of 7.8 struck near the city of Gukou in Huaxia, reducing a medium-sized city to ruins, killing over 200,000 people, and severely injuring nearly 200,000 more. It was the deadliest earthquake of the 20th century.
After the earthquake, the city was left in ruins, and the local people suffered immense trauma. It wasn't until 1983 that the ruins were cleared, and a new city was rebuilt on the site.
However, during these six to seven years, the entire region fell into chaos, with frequent occurrences of robbery, rape, and murder. To protect themselves, the locals formed local gangs, the most famous of which was the "Cleaver Gang."
As the name suggests, the "Cleaver Gang" used cleavers as their weapons. Initially, they aimed to maintain order, but they gradually evolved into a mafia-like organization. As the "Cleaver Gang" grew stronger, they became increasingly brazen, expanding their influence south to Jiangnan and north to Northeast China, gaining a notorious reputation nationwide.
Their arrogance reached a peak when they dared to challenge the government. They set an ambush to kidnap a national leader and a prominent foreign guest, although the attempt failed, it enraged the leader.
As the saying goes, "When the emperor is angry, blood flows for a thousand miles." After returning to the capital, the leader took action to eliminate the criminal forces nationwide, thus launching the "Severe Crackdown."
Under the principles of "strictness," "severity," and "speed," a large number of criminals who posed a significant threat to social security were brought to justice. Social order was restored, and the security landscape was renewed, ensuring the stable development of the economy.
However, due to the incomplete legal system and execution errors, a series of bizarre cases occurred. For example, a customer bought a few pounds of twisted dough sticks and found them short in weight upon returning home. He went back to argue with the vendor, and both were arrested. The vendor was executed, and the customer, who had bought 12 sticks, was sentenced to 12 years in prison.
This naturally caused panic among ordinary people, including elders like Zhong Fangzhuo.
After a moment of silence in the hall, the leader tentatively asked, "Mr. Liao, if you have something to say, why not speak directly to this old man? He might be able to help!"
Upon hearing this, the three Zhong family members understood and breathed a sigh of relief. It turned out that the main guest was the well-dressed businessman, not the county leader.
In those days, it was best to avoid any involvement with the government if possible. However, the Zhong family members thought further and realized they had no connection with the businessman, making his visit even more puzzling.
"Cough, I do have some personal matters to discuss with Mr. Zhong Shi..."
Liao Chengde, hearing the leader's words, glanced around but did not reveal much, clearly not wanting to discuss the matter in front of the leader.
If he talked about antique trading in front of the cadre, the cadre might turn a blind eye, but there was no guarantee he wouldn't seek revenge later.
The Chinese were known for settling scores after the fact!
Upon hearing Liao Chengde's words, the cadre from the United Front Work Department showed an awkward expression, understanding that Liao Chengde wanted them to leave.
The driver, who was quicker to react, said tactfully, "Mr. Liao, it's better if we stay. If you have any issues, we can't take the responsibility..."
Liao Chengde felt a sense of satisfaction, having transformed from a smuggler to a guest of honor. However, with decades of business experience, he maintained his composure and thought of an excuse.
"Sorry, it's like this. I have a friend in Hong Kong who has some old connections with the Zhong family here. He asked me to come and inquire if any of his old friends are still alive."
"So, your friend's old friend is named Zhong Shi?"
The driver persisted, as the reform and opening up were still recent, and people's minds were still stuck in the era of class struggle. In more backward areas, people were more conservative, and cadres were more vigilant. They welcomed people from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan on the surface but were wary of them in secret.
"Not exactly, but I heard he left a descendant named Zhong Shi. He asked me to come and check and bring some money to him."
Liao Chengde winked at the puzzled Zhong family, signaling them to remain silent. "I originally planned to come privately, but I ran into you guys, so I had to tell you..."
In those days, having overseas connections was not something to be openly disclosed, as it could cause trouble and attract unwanted attention due to the money sent back from abroad.
Upon hearing this, the cadre and the driver's faces showed understanding. It seemed that Mr. Liao was helping an old friend, which explained his visit to this remote area.
The two United Front Work Department officials, though somewhat dissatisfied, could not say much. They had already investigated and knew that Mr. Liao was well-known in Jiangnan and was unlikely to be a spy.
Even if he were a spy, what useful information could he gather in such a remote area?
In recent years, the United Front Work Department had received many compatriots from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan. They understood that these people had many concerns about government policies and often left after completing their business without investing in their hometowns.
Thinking of the county party secretary's instructions, the minister felt a headache and said apologetically, "Mr. Liao, I apologize, but it's my duty. Let's take our leave. When you return to the county, please contact me, and I'll treat you to a welcome dinner."
"Minister, is that appropriate?" The driver whispered to the minister.
The driver, a former military man, was particularly vigilant about spies and felt uneasy about Mr. Liao's behavior.
"Xiao Zhang, who's the minister here, you or me? We need to understand Mr. Liao's concerns and let him handle his own affairs while seeing the rapid development of our country..." The leader huffed, sternly reprimanding him.
"Minister Li, thank you for your concern. Besides some personal matters, I also plan to examine the investment environment in your county. Once I'm done, I'll definitely discuss it with you..."
Liao Chengde's words reassured Minister Li, giving him something to report. He glanced at the other villagers in the room, thinking, "These guys are truly fortunate. A wealthy businessman's relative has dropped from the sky, and who knows how much money he'll give!"
With the matter clarified, Minister Li and the driver could not stay any longer. They exchanged a few pleasantries and left in a Santana, leaving behind a trail of black smoke.
After the United Front Work Department officials left, Zhong Jianjun looked at his son, who was still eating in the courtyard, and said angrily, "Xiao Shi, what are you waiting for? Bring out that white porcelain bowl and let Mr. Liao have a good look!"
Zhong Jianjun had been observing Zhong Shi's reaction in the courtyard. The situation was not as Liao Chengde had described; the businessman was most likely here for the white porcelain bowl.
"Mr. Liao, did you bring the money?" Zhong Shi calmly put down his chopsticks, gave Zhong Jianjun a reassuring look, and said leisurely.
"Young man, you're quite something, making me, the big boss, come in person. Tell me, what do you have that could make my money multiply twentyfold?"
Liao Chengde chuckled and spoke to Zhong Shi on equal terms.
The others in the courtyard looked at each other, completely clueless about what was happening.