Chen Men, having thought of an idea, asked Zou Jie, "Sister Zou, how''s the woolen mill doing these days?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Mentioning the woolen mill stirred up a pot of resentment in Zou Jie. She nced at Yan Zhao, her wordsden with hidden meaning: "How could it be? In this era of reform and opening up, people like us have been pushed out. The factory has been ruined by certain individuals."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
By "certain individuals," Zou Jie didn''t dare name names directly, but everyone knew she meant Yan Zhao''s father-inw Zhou Renyi and mother-inw Wu Lianlian.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Zhou Senior had been severely persecuted during the Cultural Revolution, leaving him mentally impaired. But after rehabilitation, the government appointed him as the party secretary of the woolen mill.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
It was the dawn of economic reforms, and factories faced stiffpetition from private enterprises. Handmade textiles were the first to feel the impact.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The factory was mandated by the state to reform, and it needed a helmsman.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Zhou Senior''s mind was damaged, leaving him in a daze. His wife, though unemployed, was sharp as a tack. Upon hearing about the reforms, she began visiting workshop supervisors daily, bearing gifts of milk powder and canned goods. She yed on their sympathies, using her husband''s status to garner support for him.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Thus, Zhou Senior gained power, while capable workers like Zou Jie were pushed out of the woolen mill.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
However, Zhou Senior''s leadership didn''t bring prosperity. His vision was limited and hecked strategic thinking. Under his wife''s direction, he sent their son south with arge shipment of fabric from the factory, hoping to make a fortune. But upon reaching the south, they discovered the local fabric was much cheaper. To make matters worse, Zhou Junior, being rather dim-witted, and hispanions carelessly set fire to several train cars full of fabric while smoking.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
A woolen mill employing hundreds was run into the ground by Zhou Senior''s family in one fell swoop.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Zhou Junior, heavily in debt to the factory, went into hiding. The government, taking pity on Zhou Senior''s condition, didn''t prosecute him and simply sent him home.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"You''re doing great now, aren''t you? Manager of the Simmons mattress factory. Now you can really show what you''re capable of," Chen Men said with a smile.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Zou Jie gave a bitterugh. "If only. It sounds impressive, but while others feast, we take the beatings. You don''t know the situation in the mattress industry. These days, it''s all about brand names. A bed costs five or six thousand yuan. Those who can''t afford it buy springs and make their own beds. The wealthy only recognize brands. Simmons sells well, but that''s the Phoenix brand advertised on national TV, not our Ximei brand."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"I have a good idea. It''s free advertising that could make our mattresses outsell the Phoenix brand. But if it really works, I want you to give me a Simmons mattress," Chen Men had been waiting for this opening.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Zou Jie burst outughing. "Men, I used to think you were naive, but now I see you''re quite cheeky. Tell me, what do you mean by free advertising? Can you get us on TV for free?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Nowadays, people only buy brand names. What makes a brand? It''s the ones advertised on TV.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
But TV advertising costs money, which local factories can''t afford.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Local advertising, live demonstrations, more effective than national TV," Chen Men began.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Once she had Zou Jie''s attention, she continued: "A Simmons is just a spring mattress, nothing high-tech about it. The main thing is that the springs are sturdy enough to withstand regr use. Everyone knows that homemade spring beds fall apart in no time, so they prefer to buy more durable ones. Have you ever thought about bringing an unwrapped bed from the factory and letting people try to break it in front of the department store? If our springs can''t be damaged, wouldn''t that prove our mattresses are good?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The Ximei factory''s mattresses weren''t afraid of being put to the test. After all, being a state-owned enterprise, their springs were as sturdy as the workers'' stubborn minds.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
But would smashing mattresses really sell them?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
If Zou Jie wasn''t in charge of sales, she wouldn''t bother with this. But now was the time when all sorts of products were flooding the market.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Xifeng Liquor ran an ad on national TV and sales skyrocketed.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chrysanthemum Electric Fans'' "Cool World" ad was also a hit.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
So nowadays, factories were generally open to advertising. It''s just that others advertised on TV, while they would be smashing beds. Would that work?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Also, like Chrysanthemum Fans'' "Cool World," they had catchy slogans. Ximei didn''t have one.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chen Men guessed Zou Jie''s thoughts at a nce: "Let''s add a slogan too. How about ''Ximei mattresses, unbreakable under a thousand hammers''? Better yet, get some women to shout it while people are trying to break the bed. I guarantee it''ll be more effective than national TV."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
In fact, all of this was experience and wisdom Chen Men had umted from watching countless ads in her previous life.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Some foreign mattresspanies even used trucks to run over their springs to prove their durability. Don''t underestimate advertising; it works wonders. If you crush a mattress with a truck in front of everyone and the springs bounce back, people will immediately reach for their wallets.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Zou Jie had already taken the bait and couldn''t back out now, but she still wanted to set a bar for Chen Men. After all, even though she was a minor leader, giving away a bed would require approval from the factory director, party secretary, and other top brass.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"We''ll give it a try someday. If we can sell ten beds in one day, I''ll give you one."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Then you''d better choose a weekend. Department stores are busier on weekends," Chen Men said naturally, but with a double meaning: "And don''t go back on your word. Like the leaders at our woolen mill who said they''d introduce me to a soldier for a match. I even went to a photo studio specially to take a picture, but when I met him, he turned out to be from andlord family."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
As she spoke, she watched Yan Zhao and Yan Xishan''s reactions.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Yan Xishan was ying with Yuanyuan and didn''t hear her words, oblivious to the conversation. Yan Zhao furrowed his brow slightly, his gaze shifting towards Zou Jie.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
When Zhou Senior was in charge, he brought many rtives into the factory, Chen Men being one of them. But her photo was selected by Zou Jie, and it was part of a matchmaking arrangement where soldiers would send photos of female factory workers. If they seemedpatible, they''d be matched. Zou Jie couldn''t remember who exactly Men''s photo was sent to.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
However, when Zhou Xueqin heard about this, she was furious, saying Chen Men didn''t like soldiers. She urgently sent a telegram to withdraw the file.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Yan Zhao was the regimentalmander, and the telegram was sent to him. This was also why she specifically told Chen Men not to mind appearances.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The soldier''s wife didn''t work out, but Yan Zhao knew about Men''s file being withdrawn. Given her beauty, he surely remembered her.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
So now, the person she should be persuading wasn''t Men, but Yan Zhao.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"By the way, Yan Zhao, when I sent photos to your unit, Men''s was among them. Do you remember who I sent hers to? This has been such a big misunderstanding. Our Men apparently knew nothing about this from start to finish."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chen Men thought to herself, sure enough, Yan Zhao had known about her all along.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
No wonder the dog of a man was so lukewarm towards her.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
But who exactly was Zou Jie trying to set her up with back then?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Faced with both women''s scrutiny, Yan Zhao coldly replied, "I forgot."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
What did he mean, he forgot?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The military-civilian matchmaking event involved the marriages of over thirty soldiers. It was such an important matter that he had personally overseen. How could he have forgotten everything?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"It must have been someone from your regiment. What a shame, Men could have had a good marriage," Zou Jie sighed.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Yan Zhao changed the subject back to what the children were most interested in - the Simmons mattresses. "Men''s idea for selling beds sounds quite good to me. Sister Zou, you should give it some serious thought."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Of course, the matter ended there.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
After all, Chen Men only wanted Yan Zhao to know that she wasn''t someone who judged people by appearances.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
As for who Zou Jie had actually tried to set her up with, it no longer mattered.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The most important thing now was the Simmons mattress. She couldn''t let it go: "Sister Zou, if the advertising works and we sell ten Ximei mattresses in a day, you must give me one."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Alright, I''ll request approval from the leadership when the timees. I''ll give you one, provided we can actually sell them," Zou Jie said.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Selling ten beds in a day equated to 50,000 yuan in sales.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Even after giving the department store their 30% cut, the remaining money would be enough for the Ximei Furniture Factory to pay nearly three years of overdue wages to its workers.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
This kind of dream was too good for Zou Jie to even imagine in her sleep, let alone while wide awake.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
She''d treat it as a joke for now.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Just then, someone suddenlyughed: "Sister, don''t bother listening to Chen Men''s nonsense. She''s never even been to school. Why are you paying attention to her ramblings?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
It was Yan Xishan, still sitting on his Phoenix Simmons mattress, swaying back and forth. He must have found Chen Men''s words amusing and decided to join the conversation.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"You look just like Fei Xiang. You wouldn''t happen to be that famous nouveau riche in our city..." He was quite the local celebrity.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"It''s me, I''m Yan Xishan," Yan Xishan said with a smile.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
In fact, Yan Xishan also knew Zou Jie, after all, she was the new bureau chief''s wife, and he had done his homework long ago.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
If you can''t establish a rtionship with the bureau chief, but you can connect with the bureau chief''s wife, it''s equivalent to having a rtionship with the bureau chief.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
So Yan Xishan now wanted to get acquainted with the bureau chief''s wife by belittling Men.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
But Yan Zhao interrupted him: "Xishan, are you free today?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Yan Xishan acted as if he had just noticed Yan Zhao: "Captain Yan, I am indeed a bit free, came to buy a bed. What, are you also buying a Simmons mattress, for my Zhaodi?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
He had seen everything, how Yan Zhao''s Simmons mattress had turned into a 600-yuan small wire bed.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chen Men, for the sake of a Simmons mattress, actually boasted and spouted nonsense, bragging here, fantasizing about selling ten in one day.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
He was merciful, he didn''tugh.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
But he couldn''t help feeling sorry for his ex-wife, ending up with such a poor man, living such a miserable life.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"If you''re free,e with me to the bureau for some tea," Yan Zhao said.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Tea, this meant Yan Zhao wanted to ept a bribe, which was certainly good. Yan Xishan said: "dly, dly, let''s go together in a bit."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chen Men had to remind Zou Jie once more: "Sister Zou, don''t forget my bed."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
As for Yan Xishan, she didn''t even want to acknowledge him. These men all liked to belittle women to assert their presence.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
They were only fit to live as tombstones in the graveyard of her memories.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Patting Little Lang''s bottom, she said: "The Simmons mattress has been reserved, we''ll have to wait a few days. Now let''s go downstairs, mom''s going to buy you some clothes."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Buying clothes?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Like losing a watermelon and picking up sesame seeds, the children instantly forgot about the Simmons mattress and rushed towards the clothes.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The second floor was children''s wear, with nursery rhymes ying, attractive promotional posters, and a special toy counter. Little Wang had noticed earlier that one of the shops was even selling little underpants with Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie printed on them.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Today''s department stores were truly remarkable, even selling little underwear on disy.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The children rushed downstairs in a flurry.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Yan Xishan clicked his tongue, because Yuanyuan not only ignored him but also red at him before leaving, angry: "Yan Zhaodi..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"I''ve changed my name now, I''m called Yan Shengnan," Yuanyuan suddenly turned back and shouted at her father.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
With a victorious expression, she demonstrated her bravery to Little Lang and Little Wang, holding one in each hand, walking away with great vigor.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Children''s clothing was on the second floor, and underwear had its own separate counter.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The little underpants were indeed pretty, along with little sweaters and vests. These things were not only inexpensive, but due to the impact of private clothing manufacturers, they were actually very cheap.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Four pairs of little underpants cost only one yuan. Buying five pairs for each child would only be five yuan, and the quality was better than the half-yuan ones from the vegetable market.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Five pairs each, choose your own patterns," Chen Men said.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Little Wang and Little Lang looked up at their father, who remained silent, not daring to choose. Yuanyuan was already on her tiptoes, selecting patterns for herself at the counter.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chen Men turned around, meeting Yan Zhao''s gaze, and asked: "Captain Yan, do you need underwear? What size?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Yan Zhao''s face remained expressionless, but he frowned slightly, as if he had misheard.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
If they were to live together, how could it work if this man got embarrassed at every little thing?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chen Men suspected he might not even be willing to sleep with her, out of shyness.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
That was quite good actually, as she never wanted to have that kind of rtionship with any man again in this life.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Just tell me what size you need..." Chen Men was about to say, I''ve seen your underwear, they''re more like rags.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Little Wang was also eager to pick underwear: "Dad, hurry up and say!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Yan Zhao still said nothing. Little Lang snorted: "Dad doesn''t like wearing underwear either, maybe he''s like me, bare-bottomed right now."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Pick your underwear," Yan Zhao couldn''t take it anymore. He picked up both sons, one in each hand: "For me, thergest size, I guess."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chen Men also picked up Yuanyuan. The ss counter was full of little underpants and sweaters. The children were rummaging through the pile like hamsters, liking this and that, unable to decide.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The three children''s heads were close together, bringing Chen Men and Yan Zhao closer too.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Taking the opportunity, Chen Men turned and said: "You don''t need to be so nervous. We''re husband and wife, I should be buying these things for you."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Yan Zhao spoke frankly, but not about the underwear.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
He said in a low voice: "Yan Xishan, I''m going to detain him and interrogate him personally. You should be mentally prepared."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Seeing Chen Men''s silence, he added: "But as long as he hasn''t taken any lives ormitted any serious illegal crimes, it won''t be a criminal case. Arresting and investigating him now is actually better for Yuanyuan."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chen Men remembered that in her previous life, it wasn''t until four or five yearster that Yan Zhao started taking action against these nouveau riche and coal bosses on Jindong Road.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
But that was because Little Lang had been sick for a long time, and Yan Zhao had taken unpaid leave for an extended period for Little Lang''s sake.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Could it be that in this life, it was because she had taken over Little Lang''s care?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Yan Zhao was going to take action earlier.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chen Men wished she could put Yuanyuan back in her belly and be reborn again, but she had to face a reality: Yan Xishan was Yuanyuan''s biological father. If Yuanyuan were to be an ordinary person in the future, it might be fine, but if she wanted to enter a government agency, having a father with a criminal record would make it impossible for her to be epted.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
So even though Yan Xishan was terribly bad, it would be better for Yuanyuan if he didn''t go to jail and kept a clean record.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Otherwise, he would affect Yuanyuan''s entire life.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
A person''s path is walked step by step. In her previous life, Yan Xishan was arrested for concealing a major water inrush ident that killed dozens of people.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Those people all had wives and children. When the men died, the pirs of their families were gone. If he hadn''t been so reluctant to spend money on mine safety, if he hadn''t deceived workers into going down the mine without proper preparations, if he hadn''t desperately tried to cut costs and boost profits, how could those people have possibly died?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Even now, regarding the coal mines, there were frequent truck idents or gang fights. It was said that when people died in the mines, not everyone even had a name recorded.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Underwear..." Yan Zhao stammered for a long time before saying, "Actually, I still have some, no need to buy."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
You mean those rags that even Yan Sanye wouldn''t wear?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Are you sure you want to wear those again?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
...<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Being invited for tea by people from the police station was still a fashionable term now, not yet causing the fear and trepidation it would in the future among businessmen.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Yan Xishan even bought a box of good tea leaves, happily going to the police station.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Upon entering the police station, he unexpectedly encountered the madam of Dream Paris nightclub, sitting in Yan Zhao''s office.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"You''re here for tea too?" Yan Xishan felt something was a bit off. Yan Zhao shouldn''t have such a wild personality to invite a nightclub madam to his office for tea.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The madamughed dryly a couple of times: "Yes, the police officer invited me for tea."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
In the conference room, Bureau Chief Sun was there, Lv Liang was also present, and even several chiefs and deputy chiefs from the local police stations under the branch bureau, as well as yesterday''sw enforcement officers were all there.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Lazily scattered about, people sat askew as Lv Liang reported on the jointw enforcement operation carried out by the inspection team and police stationsst night.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
As he reported, he yawned: "Overall, it was eptable. We found several overloaded trucks, but the overloading didn''t exceed 20%. ording to regtions, we criticized and educated them, then let them go."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Yan Zhao asked: "No fines?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"No, they didn''t reach the standard for fines," Lv Liang said.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Yan Zhao took out a hundred-yuan Great Unity note from his pocket, spread it on the table, and pointed to a young man in the crowd: "Chen Gang,e take a look, isn''t this the money you spent at Dream Parisst night?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chen Gang was the young police officer who had epted money from Yan Zhao the night before.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
At first nce, he didn''t recognize Yan Zhao, but suddenly felt something was wrong and hesitated: "It''s... it''s you?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Was the alcohol at Dream Paris good?" Yan Zhao suddenly looked up, his eyes cold.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Chen Gang took two steps back, instinctively pointing at Lv Liang: "Cap... Captain, Deputy Captain Lv was therest night too. The nouveau riche treated us, even called for girls. We didn''t do anything, we just had a few drinks."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Lv Liang almost jumped up: "Chen Gang, you''re spewing lies! Do you still want your job?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Yan Zhao turned his gaze again: "Shall I invite the madam of Dream Paris to personally recount the events for everyone?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Lv Liang suddenly looked towards a corner and said: "Deputy Chief Yan, you were therest night too. Say something!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Deputy Chief Yan, Yan Bin, was Yan Zhao''s cousin.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Yan Zhao was a bit slow on the uptake. He had only been in office for a few days, and even if he was eager to make a name for himself and wanted to rectify the social atmosphere, he should have taken a look at the actual situation.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
His brother had also been drinking with nouveau riche businessmenst night and had called for escort girls. Surely he wouldn''t arrest his own brother as well.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
If police officers were caught soliciting prostitutes, they could be dismissed or expelled from the force.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Yan Zhao surveyed the entire scene, his hand lightly pressing on the hundred-yuan bill. "It seems our police force is truly pure, united from top to bottom."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
From the highest ranks to the lowest, the whole system was rotten to the core!<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0