Jiang Weiguo hadn't expected her to be so detailed, and the smile on his face froze for a moment. "That's hard to say, it still depends on how much the higher-ups approve. As for the price, you know, it depends on the quality of the goods."
Chen Lishu thought to herself, as expected. Jiang Weiguo was uncertain about everything, clearly intending to brush her off.
"How about this, we can sign a contract and nail down the specifics. If you can't confirm a specific timeframe, then what's the minimum quantity of goods you can supply each month? I believe you've been in this business for so many years and have a good idea. As for the price, I won't make it difficult for you. I'll give you 70% of your shop's listed price. For fairness, whatever you can supply me, I'll provide you with equivalent goods. What do you think, Manager Jiang?"
It was currently the slack season for farming. The two shops in the county town could barely meet demand. Once the busy farming season arrived, there would definitely be stockouts again, so cooperating with Jiang Weiguo wasn't entirely out of the question.
Jiang Weiguo's face flushed and paled as he listened to her words, unable to speak for a long time.
If he had enough goods, he would have already sold them in his own shop, and wouldn't have come to find Chen Lishu.
What also irked him was when did this Chen woman become so shrewd? She was clearly a woman from the countryside, who had to grovel to him before to buy goods. Now, she dared to negotiate with him with a straight face.
"I can't guarantee any of what you've said, but you should be aware of my capabilities. The Yimin Store is that large, and I'm the manager. Can I really fall short on such a small amount of goods for you?" Jiang Weiguo's heart was burning with anger, and his tone involuntarily became harsher.
Despite his lack of certainty, he spoke so righteously. If it were in the past, Chen Lishu would have retorted directly. But after doing business for a while, her temper had mellowed considerably, and she didn't get too angry. She just smiled, "It's okay, I'm not in a hurry. We can talk again when Manager Jiang is sure. It's all the same."
Jiang Weiguo felt a sting from her smile, which he perceived as mockery. He started to have his doubts. Had Chen Lishu already found out about things he couldn't decide?
Good riddance, this Chen woman. She said she agreed to sell to him for fourteen yuan, but it turned out she was waiting here to humiliate him.
"Little Chen, you're still too young. Haven't you heard the saying 'more friends, more paths'? If you don't give me face today, can you guarantee you won't need my help one day?"
Chen Lishu's eyebrows twitched at his words. Was he resorting to threats when the cooperation failed? "Your dealings with Li Zhengxing, do you really think no one knows? I'm a reasonable person. Either you tell me your sourcing channel, or, as we discussed, you sell to me for fourteen yuan a piece. What do you think?"
He had thoroughly investigated Li Zhengxing when he refused to supply him with fabric, and he had indeed found something. He discovered that Li Zhengxing and Chen Lishu had been in contact privately, and Chen Lishu's fabrics were all sourced from the textile factory.
Since both of them refused a toast and insisted on a defiant stand, he wouldn't be polite.
Chen Lishu detested being threatened. The expression on her face turned cold as she looked at Jiang Weiguo. "Manager Jiang, I've noticed everyone is changing, but you remain the same. When you want to hold someone's handle, shouldn't you at least clean yourself up first? Otherwise, don't say everything in a moment of impulse, or you might regret it for life."
"I'm just a young girl. I'd like to see what you can do to me!" Jiang Weiguo said angrily, throwing his hand out and striding away.
As he walked away, Wang Aixiang, who had been standing by, couldn't help but curse, "I've seen shameless people, but never this shameless. But he's so greedy, can he have all the good things for himself?"
"Forget it. People like him have always had bad character. If we had reached an agreement, I would have had to worry about him later. It's better that he's gone now."
Because they both knew each other's secrets, Chen Lishu had never thought Jiang Weiguo would dare to do anything. However, she had underestimated him.
...
Li Zhengxing had just returned from two lower counties. The sales this time were not very satisfactory, with only less than ten thousand yuan in orders.
After being busy for over ten days, he was preparing to rest. Just as he picked up his enamel mug to make himself some tea, the cadre Liu from downstairs suddenly pushed the door open with a few people.
"Section Chief."
Before Liu could speak, one of the people spoke, "We are from the Anti-Backdoor Office. Someone reported that you are suspected of using backdoor channels and abusing your position to open backdoors for others and to resell fabrics."
Upon hearing this, Li Zhengxing's heart skipped a beat, and the enamel mug almost slipped from his hand.
With great effort, he steadied himself and forced a smile. "Well, please come in and sit. Liu, go get two more chairs from next door, and then invite the factory director."
After the group was seated, Li Zhengxing also calmed down. By then, the factory director and the party secretary had also arrived after hearing the news.
"Besides the planned quota, it seems our factory also sold some fabrics to others?"
"Yes, the higher-ups allow for negotiated pricing. Our factory is a pilot. Every transaction is clearly recorded by the higher-ups..." the factory director patiently explained to the staff.
Seeing that they were focusing their investigation on Chen Lishu, Li Zhengxing's brows furrowed unconsciously. While he was suspicious, he also felt a sense of relief. If Chen Lishu hadn't made that wise decision back then, choosing to pay more to do things above board, they both would probably be in trouble now.
Meanwhile, when Jiang Weiguo heard that Li Zhengxing hadn't found anything, he simply refused to believe the investigation results.
"How is that possible? In his position, how many people are clean? Did you make a mistake or not investigate thoroughly?"
He had initially planned to start with Li Zhengxing and then implicate Chen Lishu, dealing with both of them at once. He never expected that nothing would be found!
"We specifically looked into what you mentioned. They indeed handled things according to regulations, and the receipts are clearly written. The factory director and party secretary of the textile factory were also present, and we cannot act against the rules," Jiang Weiguo's friend explained with a troubled expression.
"Damn it!" Jiang Weiguo angrily slammed the table. He had calculated everything, but he never expected that the Chen woman, of all people, would have the courage to make less profit rather than leave any room for criticism.
...
"Section Chief Li, what brings you here today? Out for a stroll? Take a look at the clothes in my shop. If you like any, I'll give you a 20% discount." Chen Lishu smiled and greeted Li Zhengxing as he entered.
Li Zhengxing smiled and waved his hand. "I'm getting old. If I wear bell-bottom pants out on the street again, people will think I'm a monster. I came today to tell you something."
Li Zhengxing glanced around the shop to make sure no one else was there, then explained about the people who visited the factory a couple of days ago.