klisemfg Chapter 82 "From now on, we don't need to be so polite with each other anymore; we're
Chapter 82 "From now on, we don't need to be so polite with each other anymore; we're
“Uncle Zhong, you and Fangfang should go back first. We have distinguished guests coming from Shanghai tonight, and we'll have to trouble you again. I just went out to buy some pig offal. The stove will probably be busy for a while before it's finished. I'll go over after Master Fang and the others have finished building the stove.”
Zhao Yuan walked over to Uncle Zhong and said.
“Zhaoyuan, that’s your house now. I can only say that I’m staying here temporarily. It’s not that we’re causing you trouble, it’s that your Aunt Zhong and I are causing you trouble.”
Uncle Zhong said.
"From now on, we don't need to be so polite with each other anymore; we're all family."
Zhao Yuan said.
“Your Aunt Zhong and I are very happy that you came to bother us. The yard was so lifeless these past few years, but since you bought it, it has been full of life, and your Aunt Zhong’s illness has even been cured.”
Uncle Zhong said.
"Uncle Zhong, my house will be ready for the housewarming ceremony on Sunday. Aunt Zhong and I will come over to celebrate then."
Zhao Yuan said.
"Ok."
Uncle Zhong and Aunt Zhong walked ahead, pushing a cart, while Lin Fangfang followed behind as they went to Uncle Zhong's courtyard.
"Ring ring ring"
The phone in the main room rang again.
"Hello, hello."
Zhao Yuan picked up the phone.
"Comrade Zhaoyuan, this is Shao Gang."
A deep, resonant male voice came from the other end of the line.
"Hello, Minister Shao."
Zhao Yuan said.
"Comrade Zhaoyuan! You've done a tremendous service this time. You fought this tough battle brilliantly, not only bringing honor to our Translation Bureau but also successfully preventing huge losses for our country. Now, the people in Bingcheng wanted to ask you to come and help, but you refused. But they wouldn't give up; the provincial governor actually came to me personally. I've looked into this matter, and it's certainly put you in a difficult position. However, the amount involved this time is far greater than what happened at the Huzhou Chemical Plant. I'm afraid no one but you can handle this arduous task. So, Comrade Zhaoyuan, could you, for my sake, go to Bingcheng to lend them a hand?"
Minister Shao Gang said in a gentle tone.
"Minister Shao, you flatter me too much! If you give the order, I will go to help without hesitation, no matter how difficult the road ahead may be. It's just that I'm not always lucky enough to save them money. This time it was purely by chance. If I fail to save any money and instead tarnish your reputation, I would be in a terrible position."
Zhao Yuan quickly responded.
"How can you save such a huge amount of money every time! What you've done has probably already spread throughout your industry in the United States! When they come here to see you next time, they certainly won't dare to be too arrogant and domineering. In this way, not only will it have a deterrent effect, but it will also make everything go more smoothly."
Minister Shao Gang spoke eloquently.
"I am honored by Minister Shao's kind words. Hearing you say that, I will go there with peace of mind. If needed, they can contact me directly from Bingcheng. Thank you very much, Minister Shao. I am truly sorry to have troubled you and caused you so much trouble."
Zhao Yuan responded earnestly and humbly.
"Yes, I told them to double the pay, not the usual translation fee. If they save a lot of money, they should get an extra bonus. Just take care of things at home and focus on your work. Next time you come to Beijing, remember to visit the ministry."
Minister Shao Gang said.
"Okay, thank you, Minister Shao."
Zhao Yuan said.
Minister Shao Gang hung up the phone.
Zhao Yuan knew that once the news about the Huzhou chemical plant spread, he would be busy as a spinning top.
Zhao Yuan hung up the phone and went to the kitchen. Master Fang and his apprentice had already finished setting up the stove and were tidying up.
"Zhaoyuan, the stove needs to be left to dry completely for 24 hours before it can be used."
"Okay, thank you, sir. Here's your payment."
As Zhao Yuan spoke, he handed the factory he had arranged in advance to the foreman.
Master Fang accepted the wages and left with his apprentices.
Zhao Yuan was about to lock the door and go to Uncle Zhong's house.
"Ring ring ring"
The phone in the main room rang again.
Zhao Yuan had no choice but to return to the main room and pick up the phone:
"Hello."
"Hello, this is Bingcheng Fertilizer Plant. I am Lei Jianjun, the plant manager."
A baritone voice came from the other end of the phone.
"Hello, Director Lei."
Zhao Yuan said.
"Comrade Zhaoyuan, thank you very much for agreeing to come to Harbin to help us. We have ordered a potash fertilizer production line from the United States. The equipment will arrive in the next two days. The expert team will arrive in Harbin next Thursday. Would you like us to buy you a plane ticket or a train ticket?"
Lei Jianjun said.
"It's inconvenient for me to take a plane, so I'm wondering if taking a train is more convenient. I don't know if there's a direct train to Harbin."
Zhao Yuan said.
“We checked, and the only direct train to Harbin is from Huzhou, which takes a day and a night. If Comrade Zhaoyuan wants to take the train, we will arrange to buy him a sleeper ticket.”
Lei Jianjun said.
“Then let’s buy sleeper tickets, for Tuesday night or Wednesday morning. You can bring the documents that need to be translated to me and pick me up. I can finish translating them on the train.”
Zhao Yuan said.
"Okay, I'll make the arrangements and let you know the results later."
Lei Jianjun said.
"Please call me again at 2:00 PM after you have made all the arrangements. I need to go out and take care of some things."
Zhao Yuan said.
"Okay, thank you, Comrade Zhaoyuan."
After saying that, Lei Jianjun hung up the phone.
Zhao Yuan glanced at his watch; it was almost midnight. He locked the courtyard gate and hurried off to the state-run restaurant.
Zhao Yuan booked a private room, ordered six dishes, and two bottles of Moutai liquor.
After a while, County Magistrate Yang Xilai walked in with a middle-aged man.
"Zhaoyuan, this is Chef Jiang I told you about. He makes excellent dishes and desserts. Jiang Haibo, this is Zhaoyuan."
As soon as County Magistrate Yang Xilai met Zhao Yuan, he introduced them to each other.
"Hello, Mr. Jiang, I am Zhaoyuan. County Magistrate Yang, please."
Zhao Yuan went up and shook hands with Master Jiang. Then he led everyone into the private room.
The food was served quickly.
"Zhaoyuan, there are three of us, isn't it a waste for you to order so much food?"
County Chief Yang Xilai said in a somewhat reproachful tone.
"It's a rare treat to have County Chief Yang and Chef Jiang at dinner. I didn't have time to eat breakfast this morning and I was hungry, so I ordered a little too much. I'll make sure to do better next time."
Zhao Yuan took the blame upon himself.
Everyone started eating and drinking.
County Head Yang explained Jiang Haibo's situation in detail:
“Zhaoyuan, Haibo and I are childhood friends. He started learning to be a chef from a relative in the provincial capital when he was 12. He didn’t return to Jinyang County until he was 18. He used to work as a chef at Zhangjia Restaurant, the largest restaurant in the county. He was very good at cooking. But he lost his job because of his family background. He has been farming for the past few years. A few days ago, I went home to visit my mother and met Jiang Haibo. I felt it was a pity that he was stuck in the countryside farming with such good skills. Zhaoyuan, you happen to own a food factory. Haibo might be able to help you.”