The building was a replica of a Ming and Qing Dynasty courtyard. The words "Xi Qi Xiang Yun" were hung in the middle of the main entrance. On both sides of the door hung a pair of couplets that read, "Our family's voice rises before the light, and our family's prosperity extends far and wide." There was a group of fierce-looking stone lions guarding the entrance. Stepping into the main entrance, there was a large wall with the word "fortune" written on it. It was particularly eye-catching under the spotlights.
Bypassing the wall, an even more magical scene appeared. The passageway leading to the main hall was actually transparent. There were colorful lights decorating it. Lowering one's head, one could see flowing water. If one took a closer look, one could even see all kinds of fish swimming freely inside.
Red lanterns hung under the eaves of the surrounding houses, illuminating the entire courtyard. While Lu Yiwei was exclaiming in surprise, the bootlicking Shen Pengfei introduced, "Standing Committee Lu, this house was built by a coal boss in Eastern State. It was said that he spent more than 50 million. He lost this house in a gamble. After changing hands a few times, it's now under Master Ba's name. Guess how much Master Ba spent to buy it? "
For Lu Yiwei, tens of millions was an astronomical figure. He said conservatively, "20 million?"
Shen Pengfei smiled mysteriously and waved his hand. "Not a single cent."
Lu Yiwei was surprised. "There's such a good thing?"
"Of course. There's no such thing as a free lunch. Master Ba didn't buy this house with money, but with a woman."
"Ah?" Lu Yiwei was even more surprised. The more he listened, the more confused he became.
At this moment, Qiao Jianjun stepped forward and said, "Don't listen to Pengfei's nonsense. This house was bought by me and a few friends. Usually, whoever has time can come and play. Today, they were supposed to come over to play mahjong, but since you're here, they have to make room for me. "
"Hehe!" Lu Yiwei smiled. "Boss Qiao is really giving me face. But it's better not to come to this kind of place. I can't afford it."
"It's our own territory, what's there to talk about? If you like it, I can accompany you here every day!" Qiao Jianjun flattered as if his mouth was smeared with honey. However, he had used too much force. Lu Yiwei did not like such flattery. He returned the favor and said, "If you accompany me here every day, what about those county and city leaders?"
Qiao Jianjun was taken aback for a moment, then he smiled foolishly and said, "You are you, and they are them. How can they be compared? Come to think of it, you're my official parent. They're just nephews and uncles at best. "
Qiao Jianjun was indeed someone from the underworld. His way of speaking was indeed different from others. Lu Yiwei enjoyed it. "Do Xu Liu and the others come here often as well?" he asked.
Shen Pengfei immediately said, "Xu Liu and the rest usually go to Immortal Mountain Hall. Very few people know about this place, so it's very safe."
"Oh." Lu Yiwei continued walking inside. After passing through the main hall, they came to another courtyard. There was a swimming pool in the middle of the courtyard, and the main hall was converted into a stage. The curtains of the houses on both sides were drawn.
Shen Pengfei continued to act as a tour guide and introduced, "Mr. Lu, the water for this swimming pool is from Puding River, but it's electrically heated to a moderate temperature of 30 degrees Celsius. In summer, you can swim in the water and enjoy Beijing Opera at the same time. Isn't it beautiful? There are guest rooms on both sides, and you can sit upstairs and drink tea while enjoying the scenery. When you sleep, you can listen to the flowing water and breathe in the fresh air. You're far away from the busy city and immersed in nature. It's an enjoyment on earth. "
Lu Yiwei thought he had seen the world. He had even been to the Donghu Clubhouse where the provincial leaders often gathered. What else could be more luxurious than that? From the looks of it, the Donghu Clubhouse paled in comparison. This was heaven on earth. He didn't expect a bunch of uncouth farmers to know how to enjoy life. It was an eye-opener for him.
At this moment, Qiao Jianjun clapped his hands, and a row of women wearing cheongsams walked out from the corridor. All of them were beautiful and had excellent figures.
"Chief Lu, this way please!" Qiao Jianjun couldn't help laughing when he saw Lu Yiwei staring at them. No matter how virtuous you are, you will always have a weakness. It's a man's nature to be lustful. Even a man who prides himself on being dutiful would be dumbfounded when he sees a beauty.
When they came to the main hall, a few beauties helped Lu Yiwei to sit down. A strong scent of perfume blew into his nose and stimulated his body's motility factor. Lu Yiwei hadn't been close to a woman for a long time. When he suddenly smelled the hormones of the opposite sex, he couldn't control himself. His body started to feel restless, and a certain part of his body started to react.
Seeing this scene, Qiao Jianjun and Shen Pengfei looked at each other and smiled. Nothing needed to be said. Qiao Jianjun said, "Chief Lu, should we eat first or have some tea?"
"Oh …" Lu Yiwei suddenly returned to reality from his fantasy. He said absentmindedly, "Let's eat first."
"Alright!" After saying that, Qiao Jianjun raised his hand and clapped again. Soon, the table was filled with all kinds of delicious food.
"Chief Lu, please!" Qiao Jianjun straightforwardly made a gesture. Before Lu Yiwei could move his chopsticks, the beauty beside him had already picked up some food with her chopsticks and sweetly said, "Leader, let me feed you."
Lu Yiwei seemed to have sobered up a little. He waved his hand and said, "I'll do it myself. I'm not used to it."
"Yes!" Qiao Jianjun said, "Chief Lu, it's not easy to come out and relax. Let go of all your burdens and enjoy yourself. Don't worry, it's safe here. Do you see the men in black outside? If anyone wants to come in, they'll have to go through them. There won't be a problem. "
Lu Yiwei glanced at the riverbank. There were indeed a few men in black standing there. He smiled and said, "In all my years, other than my mother, no one has fed me before. Haha."
"Haha!" Qiao Jianjun laughed heartily and said, "How many glorious days can a man have in life? You're like me. The first half of my life was a waste. I was f * cking bullied. When I was your age, I was carrying a wicker basket on my back and digging on the coal ash slope. It's not easy to earn some money. It's time to enjoy life. But I'm almost fifty now. How many more years can I live like that? Other things aside, this thing down there doesn't listen to me anymore. In a few years, I won't even be able to wake it up. Haha … "
Qiao Jianjun's words were vulgar, but Lu Yiwei did not care. He said, "Boss Qiao is a successful man in Nan Yang County. A man's life is about fame and fortune. Now that you have both, what's there to worry about? Just be happy to have a golden rice bowl."
"Sigh!" Qiao Jianjun drank a mouthful of wine and said, "Chief Lu, to tell you the truth, I'm getting old. I feel that my abilities are not as good as my heart desires. I really want to leave this business and live a carefree life for a few years. Is that possible? My whole family is counting on me to support them. "
"You've worked in the coal mines for so many years. Your wallet must be full. I think you won't be able to spend it for the rest of your life. If you're complaining about being poor, how are we going to explain ourselves?"
"Money is a bastard, but no one will complain about having too much. I know you're a decent person and a gentleman, but what about the others? You government officials are more ruthless than us! "Qiao Jianjun did not even start to drink, but he already started to talk.
It was obvious that Qiao Jianjun had been holding back a lot of bitterness. He took this opportunity to understand more about the industry. He said, "Oh? How ruthless? "
"I buy a ton of coal for 80 RMB. After deducting the workers' wages, investment costs, taxes, etc., guess how much I can earn?"
Lu Yiwei had some understanding of the coal industry, and it was definitely a huge profit. He made a conservative estimate. "60 RMB?"
Qiao Jianjun smiled bitterly. "If I can get that much, I'll be thanking the gods. Let me tell you, I can only get 30 RMB at most. As for the rest, I don't need to tell you. "
As mentioned earlier, the opening of a coal mine involved more than 20 departments. This was only on the surface. There were still many hidden chains of interest. When Lu Yiwei was in Beihe Town, he heard that the County party committee Secretary Liu Kecheng had a stake in Guo Kai's Beihe Coal Mine. Of course, Liu Kecheng would never use money to buy shares. It was the coal boss who was looking for a backer to flatter him. That means he did not need to spend a single cent and just wait for the dividends at the end of the year. This was an open secret among government officials and businessmen.
How do you calculate the share price? Some gobbled up the pot of rice in one gulp and everyone who saw it had a share, while others were more shrewd and took a share of the profit by selling a ton of coal. How much? Then the shares will be split according to their capability. If they can get 10 RMB for a ton of coal, they can sell 100,000 tons of coal a year.
Of course, it was impossible for there to be only one leader sharing the profits from a ton of coal. There were township leaders, county leaders, city leaders, provincial leaders, and even central leaders. In addition, there were some troublesome kids who wanted a share of the profits. In this way, what Qiao Jianjun said was more true. Qiao Jianjun did not want to do it. There were so many people in this line, and no one can let him go easily. Dream on!
Lu Yiwei smiled helplessly and said, "Society has become like this. It's all because you coal bosses spoil it."
"It's all the same. It's cool under a big tree!" Qiao Jianjun replied. "If you don't know what's good for you, and someone is willing to do it, we can just pray for the coal prices to rise."
Lu Yiwei was very curious about the big tree Qiao Jianjun was talking about. He changed the topic and asked, "Boss Qiao, which county leaders have come here?"
Qiao Jianjun was a smart man. He laughed and said, "I wouldn't normally bring them here if we didn't have a life-and-death relationship."
Qiao Jianjun did not answer his question. Lu Yiwei smiled and said, "Looks like we have a life-and-death relationship?"
Qiao Jianjun immediately raised his glass and said, "Chief Lu, I hope to be your life-and-death brother. If you're willing, please drink this glass of wine!"
Lu Yiwei hesitated for a moment and said, "In your eyes, I'm still a kid. At most, I'm a little brother. Whether I can do well in Shiwan Village depends on Boss Qiao's help. I'll drink this glass of wine!"
"Great! Haha … "
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