Chapter 56: Forming an Alliance

  The study was not very large, about a dozen or so square meters in size. Against the wall on one side stood a dark brown wooden bookcase with four layers of books stacked from top to bottom. In front of the bookcase was a black semi-circular desk, on which sat a yellow rosewood pen holder in the shape of a royal horse, carved using the technique of relief carving, simple and sturdy in workmanship, with bold and smooth strokes that combined movement and stillness, exquisitely beautiful to behold. To the left of the desk near the door was placed a four-person sofa, in front of which stood a two-layered tea table made of carved glass. The entire study was decorated in a simple yet elegant style, unadorned and spacious. As soon as Left Rain Creek entered, Xu Fu Yan had already put down the documents in his hand and pointed to the sofa with a smile: "Little Left, please sit down, don't be formal, after all this place used to be your home too, Hua Ming you also sit."

  After Zuo Yu Xi and Wen Huai Ming sat down, Xu Fu Yan directly asked: "I heard from Huai Ming that you know Ji Zheng of Qing Hua Factory?"

  Zuo Yuxi's mind was greatly settled, and Wen Xiangcai's guess was not wrong. Zhou Yuanting's sharp counterattack made Xu Fuyan unable to sit still anymore, and he would not easily give up any possibility.

  "We didn't really know each other, it was probably two or three days ago, I went to No. 1 Middle School to do something, and coincidentally ran into Wen Qian. He said there was a female classmate named Ji Su, whose father had suddenly been taken away, the whole family was anxious to death, and asked me to help ask what was going on..."

  Xu Fuyan looked at Wen Huiming with a puzzled expression, and Zuo Yuxi smiled: "I have a good relationship with Wen Ze, during the summer vacation when the top ten Communist Youth League members were commended, I was the one who gave him the award. We got to know each other through this. However, you also know that my personality is a bit strange, and I don't want too many people to know about it, so I asked him not to talk nonsense, not even Director Wen can be told. Here, I owe Director Wen an apology for keeping this from you for so long, it's really sorry."

  Xu Fuyan lightly snapped her fingers. No wonder Wen Huiming said that Zuo Yuxi's condition for meeting was that Wen Ze must be present. It was strange at first, but now it makes sense. However, she insisted on using Wen Ze to get in touch with Wen Huiming and then contact herself. Is this circle too complicated? With her status as a member of the Zuo family, it's completely unnecessary to go to such lengths. Unless...

  Wen Huaiming waved his hand to stop Zuo Yuxi from getting up, and sighed: "This son of mine is beyond my control. Thank you, Director Zuo, for taking care of him. I'm the one who should be grateful."

  Xu Fuyan burst out laughing and said: "Old Wen, your family's Wen Chan is really something, even Yu Xi thinks so highly of him, his future achievements are probably boundless."

  Wen Huaiming humbly said a few words and knew he should ask the question himself, saying: "Director Zuo, is it that after you saw Ji Zheng, did he tell you something?"

  Zuo Yuxi nodded and said, "That's right! Ji Zheng wanted to report Yuan Dazhu about the salary issue, but he didn't expect to get drunk and accidentally reveal it to Yuan Dazhu, who then framed him for corruption and bribery, which is why he was arrested." These things Xu Fuyan could have also found out through other channels, there's no need to lie.

  "Hmm, and then?"

  "Wen Ze was also present at the time, yes, I took him and Ji Su there," such a blatant violation of discipline and law, Xu Fuyan and Wen Huiming both pretended not to hear. "Fortunately, Wen Ze went, it was he who discovered Ji Zheng's secret, after a confrontation, that made Ji Zheng finally make up his mind, and handed over the materials on some major issues of the Qinghua Factory that he had been collecting for many years. The problems of the Qinghua Factory are shocking..."

  Xu Fuyan showed interest: "I've heard Old Wen mention a few words about this, but I don't know the details. So our little hero has another heroic story! Yu Xi, tell me slowly..."

  Xu Yao walked past Wen Qing without even a glance, sat down on the sofa, straightened her back, closed her legs together, and placed her hands flat on her thighs, not looking at him sideways. Wen Qing maintained his bowing posture, smiled and said: "If Her Majesty allows me to stand up, I can consider taking her to see pandas during winter break."

  Xu Ya's calm and collected face immediately showed a hesitant expression.

  "I heard that the panda house in Xining Province allows you to adopt a small panda, give it a name, buy snacks for it, and even receive small gifts from it during holidays..."

  Xu Yao coughed lightly and tried to make her voice steady: "Get up!"

  "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

  She sat down opposite him, staring at Xu Yao with a smile and not speaking, until she was red-faced and furious, picking up her slippers to hit him. Only then did he raise his hands in surrender. Xu Yao hummed, smoothed out the hem of her skirt, still maintaining her elegant posture from before, and asked in a low voice: "How did you get here? Last time my dad even asked me if I knew you. I covered for you that time, but this time it's all exposed?"

  "It's nothing, last time I was mainly afraid that your father would overthink and stop us from contacting each other. This time if your dad asks, just say that I talked to you about it before and we cleared things up, no big deal."

  Xu Yao nodded as if she understood, but her head tilted in confusion and said: "Then why did you come tonight? And what's with your dad and that pretty aunt, is there something going on?"

  Xu Yao had met Zuo Yu Xi twice, once at the awards ceremony and once at the teaching office, she knew that Wen Cheng was very familiar with her, but never asked about it.

  A gentle voice with a hint of black humor, he glanced nervously at the location of the study and said in a low voice: "Hmm, actually you can call her sister..."

  This emphasis is unnecessary, Xu Yao instinctively sensed that something was wrong, pouting her small mouth and humming a sound from her nose: "Auntie!"

  Wen Qian felt that the topic couldn't go on, and immediately used the Great Teleportation Technique, saying: "Actually, I came tonight mainly to help Ji Su find Secretary Xu to plead for mercy, to see if they can release her father?"

  Xu Yao opened her eyes wide and said: "Didn't you say yesterday that everything was fine?"

  Wenhan started to get a headache, telling lies was like this, having to constantly make excuses. "Hmph, after all your dad is a big shot, with his help it'll save a lot of effort. Anyway, don't worry about these things, I'll take care of everything. You just wait for winter break and watch the pandas, haha."

  This remark made Wen Qing almost sweat to death, and he finally dryly laughed twice. Fortunately, Xu Yao had a simple mind with a strong trust in Wen Qing, so her attention quickly shifted: "Okay okay, you said it, if you dare to cheat me, be careful I...I'll beat you to death!"

  With a smile, Wen Huiming came out of the study and beckoned to Wen Qian. Wen Qian took a deep breath, knowing that from now on, his life would be one of great promise for three years, with his extravagant dreams as a young noble, his relationships with those above and below him, whether he could make Xu Fuyan look at him in a new light, and whether he could knock open the gates of heaven, all depended on this one move.

  He smiled slightly: "I'll go talk to your father for a bit, I'll be right back!"

  Xu Yao, although bewildered, also saw the unusualness of things from Wen Qing's eyes, and her heart involuntarily rose, looking at his tall back, she opened her mouth but didn't speak.

  The moment the door opened, Wen Huaiming grasped his hand and gave it a light squeeze, silently conveying strength between father and son. Wen's calm face showed no ripples, speaking in a barely audible voice that only the two could hear: "Don't worry!"

  Pushing open the door and entering, Xu Fuyan's face was filled with smiles as he stood up and said: "Our little hero has arrived."

  Similarly, Xu Fuyan once said on the day when the soy milk shop opened that at that time, Xu Fuyan still regarded Wen Qian as a slightly precocious child, with a temperament and insight far beyond his peers, but after all, he was still a child.

  But at this time and place, the intention is obviously vastly different.

  Wen Cheng was also shocked, he didn't expect Xu Fuyan to stand up and greet him. His eyes scanned towards Yuexi, with a heavy questioning expression: "Sister, aren't you deviating from the script and improvising?"

  According to the discussion between the two during the day, tonight's meeting mainly achieved three purposes: First, to clarify the cause and effect of Ji Zheng's affairs, and to make Xu Fuyan attach great importance to it; Second, to use Ji Zheng as a token of good faith, to express sincerity, and to dispel Xu Fuyan's worries as much as possible; Third, to use Wen Xiang as a link, making him a trustworthy person for both parties, thus completing the alliance. The first two were handled by Zuo Yuxi, while the third was left to Wen Xiang to join in at an appropriate time and respond accordingly. Although it may not be possible to make Xu Fuyan treat him equally, at least from now on, he would no longer be treated as a child or an insignificant existence. Only in this way could Wen Xiang lay a solid foundation for future arrangements.

  Before he could even say a word, Xu Fuyan understood the situation and knew that if it got out, it would be too shocking to hear.

  However, he also couldn't show his surprise as openly as an ordinary subordinate official, so he could only walk quickly to the desk and say: "Uncle Xu, I'm really sorry last time. If it wasn't for my dad telling me afterwards, I wouldn't have known that you're actually Xu Ya's father."

  This is the meaning that should be in the question. After what happened that day, Wen Huaiming naturally had to tell his son the truth. Xu Fuyan didn't think deeply about it and patted him on the shoulder with a warm smile: "Have you seen Xu Yao? Xiao Liang, don't blame her, I asked her not to reveal her identity casually, it should be Uncle who said sorry."

  "It's all right, we've already talked it through, good friends don't mind these things." With this sentence, the crisis brought about by Xu Yao's identity was completely put to an end.

  "Hmm, maybe it's because I've been too busy lately and she hasn't mentioned it."

  The Chinese always loved to beat around the bush when speaking, after chatting about family matters, they would turn their body and sit back, closing their eyes, as if they didn't intend to say another word. For some things, Wen Hua Ming had to ask: "Director Zuo, I don't know if this matter is Secretary Zuo's intention or your own intention?"

  This is crucial. Although Zuo Yuxi has some power in Qingzhou, he cannot participate in such a game unless Zuo Jingding supports him and Xu Fuyan considers it seriously.

  "That's what I mean, and that's what Father means!"

  Xu Fuyan did not respond. Wen Huiming looked at Xu Fuyan and knew he was still hesitant, so he said: "This matter needs to be considered carefully..."

  Zuo Yuxi sneered: "Long-term planning? Director Wen, as Secretary Xu's first trusted aide, your vision and insight are truly disappointing. The Standing Committee has seven votes, how many can Secretary Xu get so far? Qinghua Chemical's billions of assets, Zhou Yuanting just said a word to give it away, but Secretary Xu strongly opposed it, what progress has been made today? Yang Yihang was originally promoted by my father, and recently he also intended to support Secretary Xu, but what does that mean? Zhou Yuanting just moved his foot and crushed him, making him irretrievable!"

  "How dare you!"

  Xu Fuyan suddenly opened his eyes, and although there was no trace of anger on his face, the majesty that had been accumulated in his bones for a long time still made the three people's hearts skip a beat.

  Zuo Yuxi paused for a moment, stood up and said: "Secretary Xu, I didn't mean to offend you. But now that Qingzhou's situation is so precarious, if you continue to be so kind-hearted and don't fight back, I'm afraid Zhou Yuanting won't appreciate your good intentions, but will instead take advantage of them."

  Wen Huaiming quietly glared at Wen Chen: Is this the excuse you've been planning for a long time? Using me as a stepping stone to mock others is one thing, but if it's going to provoke Xu Fuyan, isn't that a loss?

  He gently but firmly held Zuo Yuxi's hand and sat her down, advising: "Sister Zuo, don't worry... Uncle Xu, although I'm young, I also know that there are many problems in Qingzhou right now. The old people's blood and sweat money is being eaten away by the mice. Not just the Qinghua Factory, but also the Agricultural Machinery Factory, Glass Factory, Mechanical Factory, Cotton Mill, which one of them isn't operating at a low efficiency and constantly losing money? The workers' wages can't be paid, but those leaders are getting richer and richer, is this atmosphere normal? Your insistence on reforming the Qinghua Factory is a very good starting point. If the Qinghua Factory can successfully complete its transformation according to your plan and turn losses into profits, then other state-owned enterprises may also follow this model for reform. The significance of doing so will far exceed our imagination and be crucial to the future of Qingzhou."

  With the thunder of Lei Xue in front, Wen Qing's gentle rain sounds even more touching. This is also Wen Qing's purpose for participating in tonight's meeting, not only to leave a deep impression on Xu Fuyan, but also to use his special relationship with both parties as a lubricant and a catalyst. Although Xu Fuyan had already expected a lot from Wen Qing's performance tonight, hearing this speech still shocked him greatly.

  After a while, Xu Fuyan smiled and joked with Wen Huiming: "You really dare to teach your son anything? At such a young age, you've cultivated him like this, what will he become when he grows up? I'm thinking of booking him for my daughter Yao first, haha."

  Zuo Yuxi, Wen Huaiming and Wen Chan all let out a sigh of relief. The atmosphere that had been building in the air during Xu Fuyan's silence earlier was so oppressive it was almost maddening.

  With this sentence, it's already half done!

  Actually, it was from Wen Huiming that Xu Fuyan learned about Ji Zheng's affairs. Xu Fuyan understood that this was a rare opportunity. However, being in the official circle, one had to be extremely cautious when doing things. Why did Zuo Yuxi take the initiative to get close? What were her true intentions? Before figuring these out, how could Xu Fuyan dare accept her olive branch?

  If it weren't for Wen Jian's involvement, and Wen Huai Ming's strong recommendation, he wouldn't even have the thought of meeting Zuo Yu Xi, yet he came up with such a grand gift out of nowhere, it reeks of ulterior motives.

  But after the conversation just now, Xu Fuyan initially judged that Zuo Yuxi should not have any other thoughts. At least Wen Jian was so clever that he would not push Wen Huaiming to desperation. Who in Qingzhou doesn't know that Wen Huaiming and himself are connected by the same breath, one loss is a shared loss?

  Now that I understand all this, the last and most important question needs to be resolved. Asking as Xu Fuyan's identity would seem too direct, while asking as Wen Huiming's identity would be too abrupt, and if Zuo Yuxi brings it up herself, she would be devaluing her own worth.

  Wen Xiang smiled and said: "Is Director Xu wondering why Director Zuo would take such a great risk to do this? After all, it seems that she doesn't gain any benefits from it."

  "Oh, you know why?"

  "It's natural that Director Zuo is trying to be a Lei Feng, but not only would Uncle Xu not believe it, I wouldn't either. The reason Director Zuo is doing this is because...". Wen Qian had long known that this was an insurmountable threshold, and the only way to truly form an alliance was to satisfy Xu Fuyang on this issue.

  "It's because I have a personal vendetta against Zhou Yuanting and Fan Hengan!"

  The three of them were stunned, Xu Fuyan and Wen Huaiming did not expect this to be the answer, while Wen Can stared at Zuo Yuxi with his mouth agape: "Sis, how are you acting out again?"

  "I'm different from Secretary Xu, you have to consider the overall situation of Qingzhou and the lives of over 60 million people. I'm just a small person, and more importantly, a woman who seeks revenge for personal grievances! Fan Hengan has an unresolvable private grudge against me! Wen Chan once saved my life, he can testify."

  He solemnly said, "Alright, I guarantee it!" But in his heart, a bitter taste surged up. This was originally Zuo Yu Xi's biggest secret, but for the sake of this deal, he had to reveal it in front of outsiders.

  Xu Fuyan and Wen Huaiming suddenly enlightened, so everything can be explained clearly. Xu Fuyan stood up, smiled and said: "Hungry? I'll let Zhang Ma prepare some midnight snacks, please everyone's guest..."

  Yeah, this chapter is 4400 words... you know what I mean.