Chapter 27 I Demand Compensation

Li Zheng and Chai Jin had a most pleasant conversation. Naturally, he remembered Chai Jin well, and upon returning to his office, he recalled the materials Chai Jin had given him. He went downstairs and searched in his car for quite a while before finally finding them. As he read the documents, he walked back to his office. Suddenly, his eyes brightened.

A factory with a monthly turnover exceeding three hundred thousand, pledging eighty percent of its shares as collateral for a thirty-thousand loan—this was a tremendous advantage for the bank. It was far superior to those who hoped to secure several million from the bank with assets worth only a million. Was this young man truly so desperate for money?

His gaze inadvertently landed on the lighter atop his desk, and it was as if he had discovered a new world. Picking up the lighter, he saw that it bore an advertisement for the Rice Fragrance Distillery. He wrestled with his thoughts in the office for quite some time, then picked up the phone and dialed out. He arranged a meeting over the call, grabbed his briefcase, and hurried out the door.

More than half an hour later, he entered the county government building of Yuanli. Crossing through the building, he went straight into the office of County Magistrate Yao Shunnian.

Yao Shunnian burst into hearty laughter, “Old Li, what brings you running over here in such a hurry?”

Li Zheng placed Chai Jin’s materials directly on the desk. “Old classmate, do you know much about this Rice Fragrance Distillery your county administers?”

“The factory that produces Little Li White Spirits?”

“Yes, that one.”

Yao Shunnian appeared to have long kept an eye on the Rice Fragrance Distillery. “Now, in Yuanli County, any seasoned drinker knows Little Li White Spirits. Only someone like you, who doesn’t drink, wouldn’t pay attention to these things.”

“The young man who took over this distillery is quite remarkable.”

Thus, Magistrate Yao Shunnian spoke with expert familiarity. As he talked, Li Zheng grew impatient and asked, “Do you have time? If so, why don’t you accompany me to the distillery for a visit?”

Yao Shunnian glanced at his watch. “The county is preparing to hold a commendation meeting, encouraging private capital to take over struggling state-owned factories. Coincidentally, I’d planned to visit this village myself, to see how this village-run enterprise has been revived. Since you brought it up, I’ll go with you.”

“Agreed.”

The two of them left the county government building and drove straight to Rice Blossom Village.

…

The county had fulfilled its duties. After breakfast, Chai Jin took a car back to Rice Blossom Village, for that morning Zhang Aimin had called to say that the police had visited the village the previous day, conducting inquiries everywhere. This was over the matter of Chai Jin having struck Liu Fengxian and her niece. They even took Chai Mingguo to the police station. Clearly, the two women’s revenge had begun.

When Chai Jin returned, he saw Chai Mingguo’s face was bruised and asked, “Was this the work of the police?”

Chai Mingguo sat on the ground smoking, somewhat sullen. “No, yesterday while the police were mediating, Liu Jun took a swing at me. The police acted as if nothing happened and didn’t intervene.”

“Xiao Jin, let me handle this. You’re a bit impulsive, and yesterday we already negotiated that compensation would suffice. The police will come later to mediate the settlement, so leave it to me.”

“Compensation? What makes them think they can demand compensation from me?”

“Just let me deal with it. I’ll handle the negotiations.”

Chai Jin was adamant, his anger simmering within. If they hadn’t come after him, perhaps the matter would have ended there. But now they sought him out for trouble—he would not be polite.

Chai Mingguo remained somewhat worried, but Chai Jin was resolute and refused to relent. Ultimately, Chai Mingguo had no choice but to give up.

Liu Fengxian’s relative, Wang Wenjun, was a distant kin. Wang Wenjun particularly enjoyed attending rural banquets, as each time he returned he was surrounded by villagers, showered with flattery. He was insignificant at his county office, but among the struggling farmers, he was treated like a star, his pride well fed.

This time, he initiated the commotion himself. First, he wanted to defend his relative—how could he allow his family to be bullied? Second, there were benefits at stake. His monthly salary was barely two hundred yuan; if his aunt succeeded, surely he would profit.

And so it came to this. Chai Mingguo did not tell Chai Jin that Liu Fengxian had actually demanded twenty thousand. Chai Jin waited at home, taking the matter seriously.

It was past ten when a man in his thirties entered Liu Fengxian’s house. He was not old, but carried himself with the full bearing of an official.

A few minutes later, Liu Jun arrived. The three of them walked over to the Chai household.

Liu Fengxian shouted, “Chai Mingguo, are you coming out to settle this?”

“I’m telling you, if we don’t reach an agreement today, I won’t bother anymore—your son will be locked up!”

“Without your son, let’s see if your family can still act so arrogantly!”

Liu Jun joined in, cursing bitterly, “Get out here, don’t be shameless! My patience is limited!”

The two women unleashed a torrent of abuse. As they cursed, the figure emerging from the house made them instinctively tremble, stepping back a few paces.

Chai Jin stood in the doorway, coldly sweeping his gaze over the two women. He then looked at Wang Wenjun, “You’re the one who allowed them to hit my father yesterday?”

In those days, most farmers felt intimidated by police officers, but Chai Jin displayed not a shred of fear—instead, he questioned them, which infuriated Wang Zhongjun.

With a stony face, he replied, “You need evidence before you speak.”

“I’m with the county’s criminal investigation team. Someone in the village reported you for assault, so I came specifically to resolve the matter. Since you’re willing to mediate, let’s settle it privately. There’s no point making a fuss and ending up in jail.”

Hearing Wang Zhongjun say this, the two women’s confidence soared. They straightened their backs, emboldened.

Chai Jin smiled faintly, “Tell me, what are their demands?”

“I have other matters to attend to, don’t waste my time.”

Just then, Liu Qingwen had visited, saying the county magistrate and the bank manager were already waiting for Chai Jin at the factory. So Chai Jin had no patience for further nonsense.

Wang Zhongjun struggled to contain his anger, unable to find an excuse to lash out. He forced himself to say, “Twenty thousand—that’s their compensation demand. Pay the money, and we’ll consider the matter closed.”

“You’re the one who’s taken over the Rice Fragrance Distillery, right? I’m telling you, don’t make this a big deal. If you do, it’ll affect your factory.”

Chai Jin could see clearly—this was someone who came to the countryside just to show off, assuming he was dealing with an ordinary farmer and using his usual tricks to intimidate.

He asked, “What, do you really have the power to shut down my factory?”

“You!” Wang Wenjun was barely containing himself, his voice low and threatening, “Are you refusing to cooperate with my investigation?”

“Do you really think that, as a small-time village factory boss, I can’t do anything to you?”

“Shall I call someone from the State Assets Administration?”