Chapter 49: Wearing a Red Hat? The Section Chief Is Willing to Deliver Goods Before Payment!

Section Chief Zhou smiled at Li Junsheng, then tapped lightly on his desk, his expression thoughtful. He pondered inwardly: with this letter of introduction, Li Junsheng could legally remove and sell all the factory's scrap material. He himself could make a tidy profit from this arrangement, and it was much safer than selling on the black market. Holding the letter, his first thought was of himself; Li Junsheng coming to him for business was, in essence, a good thing.

Roughly calculating, Section Chief Zhou figured there were still many lathes and defective products in the factory, all of which could be sold to Li Junsheng. These items were genuine iron and copper—he had sold small batches of them to the black market before, so he knew their value well. The profits were considerable; this batch alone could make Li Junsheng rich. Secretly clicking his tongue, Zhou felt a twinge of regret—why hadn’t he thought to secure the proper credentials and handle the scrap himself? He wondered how Li Junsheng had managed to get a letter of introduction from a township enterprise. Thinking of the enormous profits Li Junsheng stood to gain, Zhou was a little envious. Perhaps he should try to get a letter of introduction for himself?

If he started now, it would take at least ten days or half a month to arrange, and a letter alone wouldn’t suffice; he’d need the means to handle the scrap as well. Considering the complications, Zhou decided it was better to earn the easy money at hand.

While he was lost in these thoughts, Li Junsheng smiled and asked again, “So, Section Chief Zhou, what do you think? Can we do this? Give me a straight answer.”

Zhou snapped out of his reverie, his gaze deep as he looked at Li Junsheng. He smiled and said, “You’ve got your red hat on now, so of course we can do this!”

After all, only a fool would turn down easy money, and Li Junsheng had said it well—who ever complains about having too much money, who ever turns away from profit? If Li Junsheng could continue to let him earn from the factory’s scrap, Zhou wouldn’t mind having him as a partner.

“With your word, Section Chief Zhou, I feel at ease. Here’s to a pleasant cooperation,” Li Junsheng said, handing him a quality cigarette. Zhou, evidently pleased at the prospect of profit, accepted it with a cheerful demeanor. He lit it, took a couple of puffs, then said slowly, “Old Li, this batch of scrap is much larger than the last. You’ll make a killing, but about your price…”

Section Chief Zhou was hinting that with so much scrap this time, he didn’t want to sell to Li Junsheng at last time’s price. Previously, the contact had gotten into trouble and the goods almost got stuck in his hands; desperate to shift them, he’d let them go for fifty cents a pound. But this time, unless Li Junsheng agreed to cut him in for more, Zhou would rather let the goods sit and lose money than sell them cheaply.

Li Junsheng understood perfectly; this was now an official transaction and couldn’t possibly be at the fifty-cent price—a stroke of luck last time. After some thought, he raised two fingers to Zhou, confident this offer would satisfy him.

Zhou’s eyes gleamed with appreciation as he saw the price Li Junsheng was offering. He grinned, stubbed out his cigarette, and said briskly, “Deal, it’s settled. I’ll draft the contract right now, so you don’t have to make extra trips.”

In truth, Zhou feared losing such a lucrative opportunity. Li Junsheng was sensible enough to offer a generous price. Selling his goods to Li Junsheng would net him a considerable profit, all within the bounds of his office and authority, and without worrying about being investigated. It was far more convenient than his previous dealings.

Section Chief Zhou was very satisfied with Li Junsheng as a business partner; there was no better intermediary at present. He quickly drew up a business contract, selling the factory’s scrap to the Agricultural Machinery Factory’s production supply department under Li Junsheng’s name. Zhou signed as Party A, Li Junsheng as Party B. The contract was made in duplicate, and after confirming everything was correct, both signed their names. The contract bore the factory’s official seal, so there was no fear of inspection.

Looking at the contract, Zhou couldn’t help but marvel—it was the first time he’d sold the factory’s scrap openly and aboveboard. Putting it away, Zhou suddenly remembered something and said to Li Junsheng, “There’s too much scrap this time. I doubt you have the money ready to pay me.”

“So for this batch, try to handle it within a week. You can take the goods first, and once you’ve sold them and have the cash, then pay me.”

It was a gesture of goodwill to Li Junsheng.

Li Junsheng was surprised, but quickly composed himself. Zhou was a veteran—he knew when to relax, and when to be ruthless about money; his sense of timing was impeccable. Li Junsheng had considered using all his savings to pay Zhou a deposit, and then paying the rest after selling the scrap, but since Zhou was willing to let him take the goods first, all the better.

Grateful, Li Junsheng said, “Thank you so much, Section Chief Zhou. I won’t disappoint your trust. Time’s short, the task is heavy—I’ll hire a truck right away and move the goods as fast as possible.”

“Alright.”

Li Junsheng took the contract and left, his step brisk and buoyant, as if he’d grown ten years younger. After he left, Zhou rubbed his hands in anticipation, hoping Li Junsheng would quickly handle the batch so he, too, could profit.

Meanwhile, as Li Junsheng walked from Zhou’s office to the factory gate, he unexpectedly ran into Chen Dazhu. Truly, enemies are bound to meet.

At the sight of Chen Dazhu, Li Junsheng instinctively hid the contract behind his waist, covering it with his work jacket. He couldn’t let Chen Dazhu know he was making money reselling the factory’s scrap—otherwise, Chen would surely try to scheme against him.

Chen Dazhu hadn’t noticed Li Junsheng hiding the contract; seeing him at the factory, he was surprised and immediately wary. Li Junsheng had already handed his job to his son—what was he doing here? Was he plotting something with the factory leadership to reclaim his position, making Chen’s payment for the job go to waste?

With that in mind, Chen decided to probe Li Junsheng. Fortunately he’d come today—otherwise, he wouldn’t have run into Li Junsheng and wouldn’t know what he was up to.

Li Junsheng had been foolish, Chen thought. If he hadn’t sold his job to Chen’s son, he could have profited handsomely from the factory’s scrap recycling business.

With these thoughts, Chen Dazhu put on a friendly smile, walked up to Li Junsheng, and asked, “Old Li, what brings you here? Is there anything left unresolved at the factory?”