"Go report it, I'll wait here." Chen Lishu dropped the words, turned, and said loudly to Wang Dazhu, "Dazhu, whoever blocks you today, just run them over. If they don't have eyes and deliberately run in front of the vehicle to stop us, and they get hurt or die, I'll take responsibility!"
"Understood, sister-in-law!" Wang Dazhu poked his head out to respond, stepped on the accelerator, and the vehicle charged straight ahead.
He had been driving for over a decade, and his precision was beyond the average person. Besides, this kind of situation was all about mental fortitude. Having been tempered by Gu Xingdong for years, he had seen life and death, and psychological resilience was precisely what he possessed in abundance.
The two staff members already standing in front of the vehicle, seeing it approach and not only show no signs of stopping but actually accelerating, were terrified. They scrambled and stumbled to the side to get out of the way.
Station Chief Zhou's face was ashen. He hadn't expected this pregnant woman in front of him to be so ruthless.
"Quick, close the main gate, send someone to call the police."
Following Station Chief Zhou's order, the people at the goods station became busy. Some shouted instructions to close the gate, while others went to find bicycles to rush to the police station.
"I'm telling you, you're in trouble today. How dare you come to our goods station to cause trouble? Do you really think just because you're pregnant, we can't do anything to you?" Station Chief Zhou gritted his teeth as he spoke to the person next to him, "Go and bring them to the office!"
"I'd like to see who dares to move!" Lin Qi stepped forward, shielding Chen Lishu behind him, a ruthless glint flashing in his eyes. "Anyone who dares to touch her, I'll make sure you regret it."
Station Chief Zhou was furious. Seeing his two subordinates hesitate, he almost roared, "Bring him too."
"Comrade, what's happening here?" Suddenly, a young man in a Zhongshan suit and glasses arrived, followed by a middle-aged man in a dark blue outfit in his forties. Chen Lishu gasped in surprise when she saw the newcomers, "Uncle Chen?"
Chen Guoping also froze when he saw her. Then, casting a glance at the tense group, he asked, "What is this about?"
"My goods have been impounded by your goods station. I've provided all the necessary documentation, and paid every penny of the fees. Yet, this Station Chief Zhou insists my paperwork is incomplete and won't let me pick up my goods."
Station Chief Zhou heard Chen Lishu's words and, seeing their relationship, assumed they were in it together. His expression turned even more displeased.
"To tell you the truth, I'm the one who impounded the goods. If I say your paperwork is incomplete, then it's incomplete. You think you can forcefully snatch the goods? Don't think I'll let you off just because you're pregnant. None of you will leave this goods station today."
Chen Guoping ignored him and turned to Chen Lishu, "Did you bring all the materials? Let me see them."
Chen Lishu glanced at Lin Qi, who quickly produced all sorts of permits and receipts, including the payment slip and even the purchase invoice.
"I say, Station Chief Zhou, she has all the documents. Why aren't you letting her pick up her goods?"
"What's it to you? I'm in charge here. If I say it's incomplete, it's incomplete." Station Chief Zhou then turned and called over two more people, instructing them, "Go and lock them all up until the public security bureau arrives."
"Hey, what right do you have to lock people up?" Secretary Zhang stepped forward, intending to argue. However, he was unceremoniously grabbed by the arm by a staff member and pinned from behind. As someone who only handled a pen, he had never endured such treatment and let out a yelp of pain.
"Speak any more, and you'll have it even worse."
Seeing that they intended to use force, Secretary Zhang opened his mouth, about to reveal Chen Guoping's identity, but was stopped by a look from the latter.
"Never mind, Xiao Zhang. Let's just wait and see how the public security bureau resolves this."
Soon, they were all led into an office. To prevent them from escaping, one of them even locked the door from the outside when leaving.
As the saying goes, accept what fate brings. Moreover, with Chen Guoping present, Chen Lishu had nothing to fear.
The group sat down on stools, and Chen Lishu finally asked, "Uncle Chen, why are you here?"
Chen Guoping didn't answer, but instead looked at her and asked with some curiosity, "I heard that this person surnamed Zhou is quite adept at accepting bribes and extorting money. Logically, you wouldn't be unaware of the usual channels. How did things escalate to this point?"
Chen Lishu gave a wry smile. "I probably offended someone unintentionally. No matter what I say, they refuse to let me take the goods."
She then deliberately sighed, "We individual business owners are a weak group. We are taxpayers, yet we are still not fully recognized by society. We have to work harder than others every step of the way, and there's no one to speak up for us. Perhaps one day, I'll truly become disheartened and simply quit."
Chen Lishu was certainly determined to continue her business. As long as she could get through these two years, her future prospects would be incredibly bright. Many successful entrepreneurs in later years accumulated their initial startup capital during this period and later made a fortune.
However, the hardship was indeed real. Anyone could find an excuse to inconvenience her, which was incredibly tiresome and helpless.
"Don't worry, Comrade Chen. Our director heard about Station Chief Zhou's issues and came to visit this time. Since he knows your situation, he definitely won't stand by and do nothing," Secretary Zhang said, knowing their relationship.
Chen Lishu's eyes lit up upon hearing his words. She genuinely praised, "I knew Uncle Chen, you are different from those others. You are a good leader who genuinely works for the people. If there were more leaders like you, and if individual businesses had more protection, how could the provincial economy not thrive? They underestimate individual businesses, not realizing the social benefits they create are far beyond their imagination."
"Individual businesses are flexible and adaptable, providing attentive service, filling in the gaps for state-owned enterprises, making life more convenient for the public, employing some of the unemployed, promoting stability and unity, and introducing competition to revitalize the market."
"Young Comrade Chen, our director has said the same things you have, but unfortunately, no one listens. And with his transfer imminent, he wanted to do something for everyone before he leaves, which is why he came here today."
Chen Lishu was startled. "Uncle Chen, you're being transferred? Where to?"
Chen Guoping smiled. "It's just a possibility; the specific arrangements haven't been finalized yet."
Chen Guoping was diligent in his work, had an open mind, and had always advocated for vigorous economic development. He had consistently adopted a policy of encouragement towards individual businesses. If he were to be transferred, it would undoubtedly be a significant loss for Chen Lishu and others like her.
Initially, Chen Lishu hadn't been overly anxious about her equipment being impounded, but upon hearing about Chen Guoping's potential transfer, her mood immediately soured.
"Clang." At that moment, the office door was suddenly pushed open from the outside. Shortly after, Station Chief Zhou entered with several police officers in uniform.