novelraw Chapter 0078 – There is no other way
Chapter 0078 – There is no other way
"Lü Shengguang, do you know who came to shut us down?" Jiang Feng asked.
"It was the environmental protection department," Lü Shengguang replied.
The environmental protection department!
Jiang Feng pondered for a moment. It seemed the other party was serious, aiming to shut down the factory completely.
"Did they leave anything behind or say anything when they left?" Jiang Feng asked again.
Lü Shengguang quickly responded, "They left a note, but didn't say anything."
"Quick, let me see it," Jiang Feng said.
Lü Shengguang took out a piece of paper and handed it to Jiang Feng.
When you're just trying to make great content at bit.ly/3iBfjkV.
Jiang Feng unfolded it and examined it carefully. It was filled with rules and regulations, detailing the penalties for violations.
There was no other useful information.
Jiang Feng frowned slightly. What did this mean? Were they trying to make him understand these regulations?
As Jiang Feng was puzzled, he inadvertently flipped to the back and saw a contact number, signed by Lv Liangsheng.
Seeing this contact information, Jiang Feng immediately understood. Lv Liangsheng was throwing him a bone, implying that if he understood or regretted it, he could call to make peace.
It also indicated two paths: one was not to compromise and face sanctions, the other was to make peace and cooperate.
"Heh, these little tricks are quite clever. Most people probably wouldn't understand," Jiang Feng sneered.
Lv Liangsheng really went to great lengths.
Rip!
Jiang Feng tore the note into pieces and threw it into the air, scattering it everywhere.
"Hmph, trying to threaten me with this? No way," Jiang Feng said coldly.
...
When Jiang Jianjun arrived at the factory and saw the sealed gate, he exclaimed, "What's going on? Why has it been shut down?"
Zhang Mei was also at a loss, staring blankly at the glaring seal, her body trembling.
Jiang Aiqin quickly supported Zhang Mei to prevent her from getting too agitated and having an accident.
"Brother, sister-in-law, don't get too worked up. Maybe it's just a misunderstanding," Jiang Aiqin said.
At this moment, Jiang Feng heard the commotion and came out of the factory. Seeing his parents' appearance, he couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness.
Facing such a situation, he had to make his parents worry and fret again.
Jiang Feng felt deeply guilty.
"Dad, Mom, Aunt, don't worry. This is just temporary. I'm working on a solution," Jiang Feng said.
"Sigh, what solution could there be?" Jiang Jianjun sighed.
Having been a worker all his life, he knew very well what being shut down meant.
In such cases, either you pay a fine, suspend operations for rectification, or in severe cases, shut down completely.
"I just asked. It was the environmental protection department that shut us down. I'll go to the county's environmental protection department right now to see what they have to say," Jiang Feng said.
"I'll go with you to see what they want," Jiang Jianjun said.
"No need, I'll go myself. You all stay at the factory," Jiang Feng said.
Without waiting for Jiang Jianjun to say anything else, Jiang Feng got in the car and headed to the county.
Actually, Jiang Feng already knew Lv Liangsheng's intentions, but to ease his parents' minds, he still planned to go to the county to see if there were any other solutions.
Wangpo Village wasn't far from Qingzhu County, and he soon arrived.
Jiang Feng inquired about the exact location and found the environmental protection department.
As he walked in, a staff member called out, "What brings you here, comrade?"
Jiang Feng directly replied, "My name is Jiang Feng. I'm here about the factory in Wangpo Village."
"So, you're Jiang Feng," the young employee sized him up, seemingly recognizing him.
"Our leader has been expecting you. He's in the office. Follow me," the young employee said.
Jiang Feng nodded slightly. It seemed they had been waiting for him.
In the office, a slightly overweight middle-aged man was dozing off behind the desk, half-asleep.
"Leader Wang, Jiang Feng is here," the young employee said softly.
Leader Wang slowly opened his eyes, glanced at Jiang Feng, and turned to the young employee, "Alright, you can leave now."
"Yes," the young employee exited and closed the door behind him.
Leader Wang looked at Jiang Feng again and said, "You're Jiang Feng, right? Have a seat."
Jiang Feng didn't stand on ceremony, sitting directly across from him and staring at Leader Wang.
"I know why you're here today. You understand the situation. I'll be blunt. There's nothing I can do. It's a task assigned from above. I'm just executing it, so don't waste your breath arguing," Leader Wang got straight to the point.
Jiang Feng appreciated talking to straightforward people and said, "I want to know if there's any other way."
Leader Wang pondered for a moment and said, "There's always a way. If you don't want the factory to be taken over and want a perfect solution, you need a bigger backer to suppress Lv Liangsheng. If you don't have that, then there's no way."
"You should also know that Lv Liangsheng's project is in cooperation with the government. It will bring a lot of tax revenue in the future. Such a big piece of cake, the government won't let go easily."
"There's another way, which is to make Lv Liangsheng voluntarily withdraw from the project. If he doesn't invest, then there won't be any issues."
After saying this, Leader Wang stopped talking, crossing his hands and twiddling his thumbs, seemingly waiting for Jiang Feng's decision.
Jiang Feng calculated in his mind. Both solutions were difficult. Making Lv Liangsheng withdraw was almost impossible, and finding a bigger backer than Lv Liangsheng was no easy task.
It was practically useless advice.
But why was Leader Wang willing to tell him this? It was indeed unusual.
Jiang Feng couldn't help but ask, "Why are you telling me this?"
Leader Wang smiled faintly and said, "Because I can't stand their collusion. I'm not helping you; I'm just trying to make justice not so easily defeated."
So that's how it was. Leader Wang didn't seem like a good person, but he was genuinely a good person.
It was rare to find such a clear stream, someone who cared about justice in the world.
"Thank you for telling me this. I won't make things difficult for you. I'll think of another way. Goodbye," Jiang Feng said, standing up.
"Wait, I have one more piece of advice for you. These things happen in many places. If you don't have the strength to solve it, I advise you to compromise. Otherwise, you might end up with nothing. While you still have some leverage, sell the factory at a high price and use the money for something else," Leader Wang said.
Jiang Feng nodded, "Thank you for your advice. I understand, but I have to be responsible for the workers in the factory."
Leader Wang sighed softly, shaking his head.
Jiang Feng left the office without lingering and headed back to the village.
When he returned to the factory, everyone was still there. The atmosphere was heavy. Seeing Jiang Feng return, they all gathered around, eyes filled with a hint of hope, wishing for good news.
But they only saw Jiang Feng shaking his head helplessly, not bringing any hope.
"I spoke to the leader of the environmental protection department today. He told me that either we give up the factory, make Lv Liangsheng withdraw, or find a bigger backer than Lv Liangsheng," Jiang Feng said.
"This is the scheme Lv Liangsheng is using against us. It's really vicious. Should I find a chance to take him out?" Lü Shengguang said fiercely.
If Jiang Feng asked him to kill Lv Liangsheng now, he wouldn't hesitate.
"No, he's now in cahoots with the government. If something happens, they'll investigate thoroughly. Don't say such things again," Jiang Feng said sternly.
Lü Shengguang realized his mistake and quickly apologized, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that."
"So what should we do? Are we really going to let Lv Liangsheng take our factory?" Zhang Mei said.
"Don't worry, there must be a way," Jiang Jianjun said, trying to stay calm.
"Sigh, what other way could there be?" Zhang Mei sighed.
They had already laid out all the solutions. How could there be any other way?
Everyone fell into anxious silence.
Jiang Feng looked at the deeply disappointed workers and his helpless parents. He felt a myriad of anxieties but couldn't express them.
Who would have thought that he, once a mighty Immortal King, would end up in such a predicament?
This place was different from the Immortal Realm. He couldn't kill at will. Otherwise, Lv Liangsheng would have been dead long ago.
But in any place, one must follow the local rules. This was Jiang Feng's principle and also a way to protect himself and his family.
So he couldn't act recklessly. He had to endure and think of another way.
"I do have an idea," Jiang Aiqin, who had been silent, suddenly said.
"Aunt, what idea do you have?" Jiang Feng asked eagerly.
Everyone looked at her, waiting for her solution.
Jiang Aiqin glanced at Zhang Mei, hesitated for a moment, and said, "If there's really no other way and we want to keep the factory, sister-in-law could try asking the Zhang Family for help. Maybe they can offer a solution."
The Zhang Family!
That was Zhang Mei's family. Since Zhang Mei married Jiang Jianjun, she had never returned or contacted them.
Moreover, after Zhang Mei left, the Zhang Family no longer acknowledged her.
How could she possibly go back and ask for help? It was impossible.
Before Zhang Mei could respond, Jiang Feng said, "That won't work. Let's think of something else."
Jiang Feng knew his mother's feelings, so he didn't want to make things difficult for her.
Someone who had been cast out by their family must harbor deep resentment and wouldn't want to go back.
Even if she did, they probably wouldn't acknowledge her. It would be like offering herself up for humiliation. Not worth it.
But Zhang Mei remained silent for a long time and then said, "If there's really no other way, I can try going back to ask them. Maybe there's a chance."
Everyone was stunned. They didn't expect her to be willing to try for the sake of the factory, showing she had made a significant decision.
Jiang Feng was slightly moved. His mother had really suffered.
"No, I absolutely disagree," Jiang Jianjun said firmly. "Let's not talk about this anymore."
He had sworn never to associate with the Zhang Family again, and he wouldn't let Zhang Mei go back, even if it killed him.
That was his pride.
Jiang Jianjun's tone was resolute, so Zhang Mei said no more. Jiang Aiqin felt a bit awkward, realizing she shouldn't have brought it up.
But Jiang Feng suddenly thought of someone and couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope. "Aunt, your suggestion reminded me of someone who might be able to help us."