Chapter 70: The Rumors Are Not Groundless

Because of the delay with Bai Rou, by the time Zhao Guoyang and Xiao Feng arrived at Sanyang Group, it was already late.

Since the workday had ended, there was no one to sign for the frame delivery, so naturally, they couldn’t get into Sanyang Group at that hour.

With no other choice, Zhao Guoyang and Xiao Feng discussed the matter and decided to find a small inn nearby to get some rest.

The next morning, Zhao Guoyang rose early and went out to check on the frame in the small truck. Although people in those days were honest and thefts were rare, one still had to be careful when away from home.

Seeing that the frame was untouched, Zhao Guoyang nodded with satisfaction. Xiao Feng in the neighboring room seemed to have heard the noise and came out to check as well.

Since both were up, Zhao Guoyang suggested they get an early start. After a hasty breakfast, they hurried toward Sanyang Group.

When they arrived, employees had just started arriving for work.

Zhao Guoyang guessed that Liang Hongjun would already be in, so he went to the reception and explained the situation, asking the guard to put a call through to Liang Hongjun’s office.

“Hello, who is this?” Liang Hongjun’s voice came through the receiver.

Hearing Liang Hongjun’s less-than-perfect Mandarin, Zhao Guoyang couldn’t help but smile to himself.

He quickly replied, “Minister Liang, hello, I’m Zhao from Hongda Machinery Factory in Ninghai City—Zhao Guoyang! Do you remember me?”

“Oh, it’s Xiao Zhao! Hello, hello! What, you’re already here? I thought the train would take you another day…” Liang Hongjun’s impression of Zhao Guoyang was clearly a deep one; his greeting was warm.

Before coming, Zhao Guoyang had spoken to Liang Hongjun once, telling him roughly when he would set out, but he hadn’t mentioned traveling with the cargo truck, which led Liang Hongjun to misjudge his arrival time.

After Zhao Guoyang explained, Liang Hongjun quickly asked him to hand the phone to the security staff so he could authorize their entry.

Once the gate was opened, Zhao Guoyang thanked Liang Hongjun over the phone, then hurried out to direct Xiao Feng to drive into the factory.

Xiao Feng had been to Sanyang Group before, so after Zhao Guoyang climbed in, he headed straight for the warehouse.

On arrival, Zhao Guoyang saw that the inspection team hadn’t shown up yet. He told Xiao Feng to wait a moment and went off to Liang Hongjun’s office to pay his respects and express his gratitude.

As he was climbing the stairs, Zhao Guoyang happened to run into Wang Hongxi, the deputy director of the Technical Quality Department, who had just arrived for work. Wang Hongxi greeted Zhao Guoyang cordially, without the slightest condescension toward a supplier.

When Zhao Guoyang explained he was going to see Liang Hongjun, Wang Hongxi didn’t keep him chatting, only suggested they have a meal together sometime before returning to his office with a smile.

At the end of the corridor, Zhao Guoyang found the office door already open; inside, Liang Hongjun was on the phone.

Seeing Zhao Guoyang standing at the door, Liang Hongjun quickly covered the receiver and waved him in.

Normally, it would be improper for an outsider like Zhao Guoyang to enter while someone was on the phone, but since Liang Hongjun beckoned him in, it was clear the conversation wasn’t confidential, so Zhao Guoyang entered without hesitation.

“What? Arriving this morning? All right… I understand. Thank you, Secretary Yang.” Liang Hongjun finished his call and hung up.

He stared blankly for a moment, only then noticing Zhao Guoyang beside him.

He quickly composed himself, smiling as he shook Zhao Guoyang’s hand. “Xiao Zhao, sorry to keep you waiting.”

Zhao Guoyang replied modestly, “Minister Liang, you’re too kind. You’re busy with important work; it’s I who am intruding.”

Liang Hongjun frowned and sighed with a hint of irritation. “Xiao Zhao, I had planned to check out the C100 step-through frame your factory produced right away, but as luck would have it, I just received an urgent assignment from the chairman’s secretary.”

“In a little while, some higher-ups will be coming for an inspection. All the managers are busy preparing to welcome them, and I have to make arrangements here at the factory.”

Hearing this, Zhao Guoyang couldn’t help but feel pleased for him. With all the leaders absent, the chairman had entrusted Liang Hongjun with such an important task—clearly, he was a trusted confidant.

Director Ma had mentioned before that Minister Liang was likely to be promoted to a factory-level position after the New Year; it seemed the rumor was well-founded.

With this in mind, Zhao Guoyang quickly waved his hand. “No problem, Minister Liang, please take care of your business. There’s no hurry on my end—I can wait a day or two.”

“No need to wait that long!” Liang Hongjun checked his watch and said, “The inspection will take at most half a day. I’ll be free this afternoon. At that time, we’ll review your factory’s frame together, and then sit down for a proper discussion.”

As soon as he finished, something seemed to occur to him. He picked up the phone and dialed a number.

“Hello, guest services? This is Liang Hongjun from the Technical Quality Department… Yes, I have two guests. Please arrange two rooms for them. Right, we need them now.”

After hanging up, Liang Hongjun smiled at Zhao Guoyang. “I’ve booked rooms for you and your driver. You can go and rest for a bit; just give my name when you arrive.”

Seeing how thoughtfully Minister Liang had arranged everything, Zhao Guoyang expressed his gratitude again and again.

A moment later, the office phone rang again. Seeing how busy Liang Hongjun was, Zhao Guoyang excused himself and left.

Liang Hongjun personally walked him all the way to the door before turning back to answer the phone.

Leaving the technical department, Zhao Guoyang made his way back to the warehouse.

There, he found Xiao Feng chatting and laughing with Xiao, the head of Sanyang Group’s inspection station.

Xiao Feng had learned his lesson after being given a hard time by Station Chief Xiao on their last visit. Now, he greeted him with cigarettes at the ready.

Before they set out, Zhao Guoyang had slipped Xiao Feng two packs of Hongtashan cigarettes—a wise decision, as it turned out.

When Zhao Guoyang approached, both Xiao Feng and Station Chief Xiao fell silent.

Station Chief Xiao had a deep impression of the young technical officer from Hongda Machinery, knowing that he could speak directly with his own superior. Naturally, he dared not be dismissive.

Though Zhao Guoyang couldn’t vouch for the man’s character, he understood that no one mistreats a friendly face—especially when their factories would be working together for the long term. Building a good relationship with the head of the inspection station was essential.

So Zhao Guoyang smiled as he shook Station Chief Xiao’s hand, not forgetting to slip him a pack of cigarettes as well.

“Ah, Chief Zhao, you’re too generous!” Station Chief Xiao said, but the cigarettes went straight into his pocket.

Seeing him accept the gift, Zhao Guoyang smiled. “Station Chief Xiao, we’re here to deliver the C100 step-through frame samples. No need to inspect them right away. But, could we unload them now?”

“No problem at all. Minister Liang instructed us early this morning—he wants to inspect the samples from Hongda Machinery himself, so there’s no need for an inventory inspection on my end. Just bring them in directly!” Station Chief Xiao nodded enthusiastically.