Dafeng Factory Awarded to Shanshui Group

Inside the provincial Party committee deputy secretary's office, Gao Yuliang stood before the window with his hands behind his back, watching two Audis leave the compound one after the other in the distance below. They were Li Dakang's and Lin Yanzhou's cars.

"Teacher." Qi Tongwei's voice came from behind him. He had slipped into the office at some point, a trace of agitation he could barely conceal on his face.

"How did those two get mixed up together? And why come to see Secretary Sha together at a time like this?"

Gao Yuliang slowly turned, walked behind his desk, and sat down, his fingers tapping lightly on the desktop out of habit.

"Comrade Dakang and Comrade Yanzhou-one is a bold trailblazer bent on forging ahead, the other a rising young figure with powerful backing.

There is only one thing they have in common to talk about, one thing that is presentable enough and most urgently needs the provincial Party committee's support right now."

He exchanged a glance with Qi Tongwei, and they spoke the name almost simultaneously:

"The Guangming Peak Project."

Qi Tongwei's brows knitted tightly. "Are they trying to ride the new secretary's momentum to push through their new proposal? Or are they going to dig into the project's old accounts?"

"Perhaps both." Gao Yuliang's voice sank, carrying a note of warning.

"Tongwei, before a storm arrives, unusual ripples always appear on the water. Secretary Sha comes from an auditing background. He is extraordinarily sensitive to accounts and procedures. For this inspection tour, he chose Lüzhou as his second stop. His target may very well be that tough bone, Crescent Lake Food City. He's beating the mountain to frighten the tiger."

He gave his student a meaningful look. "Some things are better done sooner rather than later. While we still hold the initiative, any loose ends that need handling must be cleaned up thoroughly. Don't wait until the iron ruler of the audit is measuring us. By then, we'll be on the back foot."

Qi Tongwei's heart jolted, and he immediately understood what Gao Yuliang meant. "I understand, Teacher. I'll make arrangements right away and make absolutely sure nothing goes wrong."

After leaving the provincial Party committee building, Qi Tongwei got into his official car and immediately called Gao Xiaoqin.

"Xiaoqin, it's me. Go through every stage of the Guangming Peak Project right now, especially everything involving the Dafeng Factory parcel. Are there any obvious loopholes left? Anything that won't stand up to repeated scrutiny?"

At the other end of the line, Gao Xiaoqin considered briefly before answering swiftly:

"Director, the central issues are still the change in the designated use of Dafeng Factory's land and the equity dispute. When the land was converted from industrial use to commercial development, the procedures were followed, but the timing and some of the meeting minutes won't withstand close examination."

"There's also the equity pledge between us and Dafeng Factory and the subsequent disposal of the debt claims. The Jingzhou court hasn't ruled yet. Without a ruling, the legal paperwork is incomplete. If someone takes a magnifying glass to it, I'm afraid..."

"I understand," Qi Tongwei interrupted her.

"Leave the legal matters to a professional. Get all the documents ready. I'll have President Chen come over to see you immediately."

After hanging up, Qi Tongwei dialed another number without hesitation.

"President Qingquan? Qi Tongwei here. Sorry for the trouble, but please go to Shanshui Manor right away. Xiaoqin has some important and urgent legal documents she needs you to review."

"Yes, the economic dispute between Dafeng Factory and Shanshui Group involving the confirmation of land rights. This case has dragged on long enough. It is seriously affecting the group's recovery of funds and social stability. My view is that the court should issue a ruling promptly, clarify ownership, and prevent greater economic losses."

At the other end, Chen Qingquan was enjoying a massage. His eyes shifted as he listened to Qi Tongwei. Rather than agree immediately, he said they should discuss it when they met.

When Chen Qingquan arrived at Shanshui Manor, Qi Tongwei was already sitting on the sofa smoking a cigar, with Gao Xiaoqin beside him pouring wine.

Qi Tongwei did not rise when he saw Chen Qingquan arrive. As the executive deputy leader of the Handong University Gang, he would not stand to greet anyone unless Gao Yuliang came in person.

Gao Xiaoqin, however, immediately stood and walked toward Chen Qingquan. "President Chen, it's been ages since you last visited my Shanshui Manor. Have you grown tired of my foreign-language teachers? Let me tell you, I have a few new foreign-language teachers here, all waiting for you!"

Chen Qingquan could hardly contain himself at that. He wished he could go take a lesson right away, but Qi Tongwei's business remained unfinished, so he did not dare.

Qi Tongwei motioned for Chen Qingquan to sit, and Gao Xiaoqin poured Chen Qingquan a glass of wine.

Qi Tongwei went straight to the point. "Qingquan, we need to move quickly on Dafeng Factory. I've just come from Teacher's office. The situation doesn't look good. We need to wipe our asses clean."

Chen Qingquan was somewhat uncomfortable. There were two fatal legal violations in this case, and ruling in Shanshui Group's favor would pose too great a risk. He had gained nothing from the Guangming Peak Project, so he did not want to get too involved.

Had it not been Qi Tongwei who called, he certainly would not have come to Shanshui Manor, whether the caller had been Gao Xiaoqin or Zhao Ruilong.

Seeing that Chen Qingquan had something he found difficult to say, Qi Tongwei spoke again. "President Qingquan, if there are difficulties, tell us. We can discuss them together."

Chen Qingquan picked up the red wine on the table and drained it in one gulp.

"There are two problems at present. First, forging a resolution of the employee shareholding association without the consent of the employees holding forty percent of the equity constitutes an unauthorized disposal. Second, the pledge contract's provision that 'the equity shall belong to Shanshui Group if repayment is not made upon maturity' violates the Property Law's provision invalidating forfeiture clauses."

"Even if those problems are resolved, the equity must first be put up for auction. A ruling directly awarding all the equity to Shanshui Group without an auction would have no legal effect either."

Seeing Qi Tongwei's tightly furrowed brow, Gao Xiaoqin picked up where Chen Qingquan left off. "President Chen, you're a professional, and you're also the director's brother. I believe you can find a way. Just tell us what you need us to do."

Chen Qingquan did not respond to Gao Xiaoqin. Instead, he looked at Qi Tongwei. He needed Qi Tongwei to speak; Gao Xiaoqin's words carried no weight with him.

When Chen Qingquan gave no answer, Qi Tongwei knew he was waiting for him to speak. He put down his cigar and said, "Qingquan, we're all in the same boat, so let's dispense with the pleasantries. Put some extra care into this. I trust you can handle it."

"Director, I understand your instructions. But how is the department's discussion coming along about deputy-division-level benefits for my younger female cousin? It's been almost six months without a word. The elders in my family keep pressing me."

Qi Tongwei frowned, disgust rising within him, but he needed a favor now and could only suppress his displeasure:

"What deputy division level? Full division level."

At the words "full division level," Chen Qingquan immediately looked as though he had been injected with chicken blood. Even his back straightened, and his voice brimmed with drive:

"Rest assured, Director! I understand completely! The law is about evidence and procedure. Shanshui Group's rights and interests must be protected. I'll head back right now and personally oversee this case. We will follow the law and regulations and deliver a fair judgment as soon as possible!"

Gao Xiaoqin quickly caught Chen Qingquan by the arm. "President Chen, everyone will have finished work by the time you get back. The foreign-language teachers are still waiting for you."

Chen Qingquan looked sheepishly at Qi Tongwei. "Director, would tomorrow do?"

Qi Tongwei also knew exactly what sort of man Chen Qingquan was. "Qingquan, there's no hurry this very moment. Go relax first. Just keep the matter in mind."

The moment Qi Tongwei finished speaking, Chen Qingquan headed toward the place for studying foreign languages, beaming as he covered three steps in two.

A few days later, the Jingzhou City Intermediate People's Court issued its first-instance judgment in the equity and land dispute between Dafeng Factory and Shanshui Group.

The judgment upheld almost all of Shanshui Group's claims, confirming its relevant rights and interests in the Dafeng Factory parcel.

This judgment gave Shanshui Group an appearance of legitimacy under the law.