binnovel Chapter 52 An Exorbitant Demand
Chapter 52 An Exorbitant Demand
Zhang Shaofeng wanted nothing more than to kick Factory Manager Niu. "You think you're so great?"
"Hu Tiezhu's wife, I am Secretary Zhang from the municipal government. We deeply regret what happened to Hu Tiezhu. Director Niu is also here today. You can speak your mind if you have any requests."
Hu Tiezhu's wife and Hu Tiechui had never seen so many high-ranking officials before, and they were so nervous that they dared not speak, what if they said something wrong?
"Hu Tiezhu's wife, I apologize for my bad attitude yesterday, in front of the city leaders today. Our factory is not doing well, and we won't have money to pay wages next month, so I've been under a lot of stress lately. Please forgive me."
“That three thousand yuan is not compensation, but Hu Tiezhu’s funeral expenses. Even if the factory is in dire straits, we are willing to contribute thirty thousand yuan as compensation for Hu Tiezhu. Is that alright?”
Director Niu is completely different from yesterday. He can be described as flexible and adaptable. No wonder he survived the purge after the ten-year movement and was able to climb back to a high position.
After a long pause, Hu Tiezhu's wife whispered, "I only trust Prosecutor Qi."
"That Prosecutor Qi"
Zhang Shaofeng immediately asked:
Hu Tiezhu's wife did not answer, and Hu Tiechui kept his head down, looking honest and unassuming.
"Secretary Zhang is a prosecutor from the Municipal Procuratorate named Qi Tongwei."
Factory Director Niu gritted his teeth with hatred when he thought of Qi Tongwei, but now he had to put on a smiling face.
Qi Tongwei, this name is well-known. Zhang Shaofeng has heard a lot about him recently. It turns out that this troublemaker is behind all the trouble.
"Hu Tiezhu's wife, Prosecutor Qi is busy, so we won't bother him. Secretary Zhang is here today, so please tell us what you need."
Director Niu spoke softly and gently, truly mingling with the people.
"Hu Tiezhu's wife, tell me what you want. If you're not satisfied, ask for compensation. I'll stand up for you."
Zhang Shaofeng was also eager to resolve the issue, in case that troublemaker Qi Tongwei came and might make exorbitant demands.
"Hu Tiezhu's wife, even if you don't believe me, you have to believe Secretary Zhang. The leaders of the municipal government can all testify. The compensation of 33,000 yuan will be given to you in one lump sum. As long as you agree, I will immediately have the finance department go to the bank to withdraw the money."
Factory Director Niu was also anxious. The fact that the mayor's secretary had come down to handle the matter personally showed that the mayor was very unhappy, and he dared not offend the mayor.
"Hu Tiechui, you're the eldest brother, what do you say?"
The common people cannot fight against the officials. Hu Tiechui was actually satisfied with the outcome, but he still kept his head down and remained silent.
After a moment of silence, Hu Tiezhu's wife persisted, "I only trust Prosecutor Qi."
"How can you be so stubborn? You don't even trust the leaders of the municipal government."
Factory Director Niu revealed his true colors again; if it weren't for the municipal government's intervention, he wouldn't have bothered with the Hu family's peasants.
"Immediately notify Qi Tongwei and have him come to the hospital."
Secretary Zhang was too lazy to argue with a woman; he wanted to meet this Qi Tongwei.
In the prosecutor's office, Qi Tongwei received a phone call.
Are you Qi Tongwei?
"I am Qi Tongwei, who is this?"
"I'm from the municipal government, I'm coming to the hospital where Hu Tiezhu's wife is right away."
"That municipal government"
"Jingzhou Municipal Government, stop talking nonsense and come over here right now!"
"Why are you being so fierce?"
Qi Tongwei hung up the phone immediately, making the people in the municipal government turn green with anger.
He immediately sent a message to reporter Ye via pager.
"The city government is looking for me; come to my rescue immediately!"
Ye Xuan immediately replied, "Get lost, wait for me."
Half an hour later, Ye Xuan picked up Qi Tongwei in her car at the entrance of the procuratorate.
The two of them acted like they were having an affair.
"Why did the city government have to be involved?"
Qi Tongwei was somewhat confused.
"The mayor's secretary called the newspaper demanding the retraction of the report, but we refused."
"Wow, this is serious! Oh no, looks like I'm going to offend the mayor again."
Ye Xuan laughed heartily, "Having too many lice doesn't make you itch. You're thick-skinned, what are you afraid of?"
"Reporter Ye, your boss is something else! He doesn't even listen to the mayor anymore."
"We are under the jurisdiction of the provincial party committee; it's not up to the city to handle."
"Damn, how come my leader, Comrade Ji Changming, doesn't have this kind of awareness?"
If I were your boss, I'd fire you first.
"Reporter Ye, this is like discarding a useful tool after it has served its purpose; that's not fair."
"If you get fired by the procuratorate, I'll hire you as an editor/reporter for a newspaper, responsible for running errands. It'll suit you perfectly."
"Listen to me, thank you."
You're welcome.
The two arrived at the hospital, where a room full of municipal government leaders was unusually quiet.
Qi Tongwei immediately greeted everyone with a smile, "Good afternoon, leaders. My name is Qi Tongwei, I'm here to report for duty."
The leader who just called Qi Tongwei had a dark expression on his face.
"Prosecutor Qi, this is Secretary Zhang from the municipal government, here specifically to handle Hu Tiezhu's case," Factory Director Niu introduced him with a friendly smile.
Qi Tongwei feigned surprise, "Director Niu, did you learn Sichuan opera face-changing overnight? I still prefer your unruly self."
Ye Xuan covered her mouth and laughed. "Comrade Qi Tongwei, you asked for it yourself, don't blame me."
Factory Director Niu looked embarrassed, but in his mind he had already tormented Qi Tongwei a thousand times over.
"He's definitely a troublemaker," Secretary Zhang said. "Comrade Qi Tongwei, you've worked hard. Hu Tiezhu's wife only trusts you; we are all ashamed."
"Secretary Zhang, all the leaders, there's no need to feel ashamed. It's all Factory Director Niu's fault."
Qi Tongwei's blatant slap in the face to Factory Director Niu left a bad impression on the leaders present. In official circles, everyone greets you with a smile, even if they stab you in the back.
Faced with the leaders of the municipal government, Factory Director Niu had no choice but to endure it.
"Prosecutor Qi, our factory is willing to compensate Hu Tiezhu 33,000 yuan, of which 3,000 yuan is for funeral expenses."
In the 90s, one of Qi Tongwei's neighbors died in a coal mine and only received 3 yuan in compensation.
Qi Tongwei shook his head, his smile sinister. "30, not a penny less."
"What, 30?"
Factory Director Niu was shocked by this number.
The municipal government leaders present were also shocked; it really was an outrageous demand.
Ye Xuan wanted to curse Qi Tongwei for being a lunatic.
Hu Tiezhu's wife and Hu Tiechui couldn't even imagine 30.
Secretary Zhang laughed and said, "Prosecutor Qi, you really know how to joke."
Qi Tongwei's smile faded, and he became serious. "Secretary Zhang, let me explain slowly. Why 30?"
"Hu Tiezhu joined the army at 18 and retired at 24. During our conflict with the Russians to the north, he stayed on the front lines to defend our country for six years."
"After being discharged from the army, I was assigned to a state-owned factory, where I worked diligently for 15 years. To protect state property, I dared to fight against criminals and ultimately sacrificed my life."
"A brave and selfless person like Hu Tiezhu deserves to be called a people's hero. A strong country must never allow its heroes to shed blood and tears."
"So, is a mere 30 yuan a lot for a people's hero?"
The use of the grand title "People's Hero" made the leaders present somewhat embarrassed.
At this moment, Ye Xuan was filled with admiration; Qi Tongwei truly lived up to his reputation as a genius of eloquence.
Factory Director Niu is speechless. Hu Tiezhu is just an ordinary security guard. How come I didn't see him as a people's hero?
That's complete bullshit.