Chapter 15: Entering The Auction

“Who?”

Su Pingnan was still a bit sleepy. He had sent those three in yesterday and they did well. He had gotten a rare good night’s sleep only to be woken by this brat in front of him.

“Li Mingyi.”

Su Pingnan felt the name sounded familiar but really couldn’t remember who he was.

Zhang Tong saw Su Pingnan’s expression and knew his boss didn’t recognize the man, so he hurriedly said, “Li Mingyi — you know Wucheng Laojiao, right? The Li Mingyi who first started a distillery and was arrested and jailed for a few years.”

Su Pingnan gave Zhang Tong a long look. He realized this father and son really were his lucky stars. After Zhang Tong said that, he actually remembered who Li Mingyi was.

This man was quite a mover — in 1985 he set up a distillery, and Wucheng Laojiao sold to towns and villages within a hundred miles around Wucheng. Unfortunately at the time, policies were unclear. The distillery was registered under a state-owned name, and when the tide turned they were kicked out and he served several hard years in jail.

If the policy hadn’t relaxed this year and freed him early, he probably would still have been serving some more time.

“How could you think of him?”

Su Pingnan found he really couldn’t read the man in front of him. Zhang Jianguo had rushed over last night to briefly tell him about what happened the night before at home, so this person certainly wasn’t someone Zhang Jianguo had recommended.

Zhang Jianguo had come because he was afraid his foolish son would do something stupid. “Little Red Robe” had unquestionable prestige among his underlings. He was afraid that if his younger son went back and mentioned it to Yang Qianli, Guo Guangyao and those fierce fellows, his elder son might one night find his legs broken and no one to blame for it.

Su Pingnan could only laugh and cry. He had already fully focused on developing his business and had long since given up on such social affairs. The wild-spirited men he had were obedient and single-mindedly focused on work now. Why did everyone still think they were gangsters?

While lamenting the power of rumors, he calmed Zhang Jianguo down and sent him off. And the next thing he knew, Zhang Tong arrived first thing the next morning to enthusiastically recommend this very fellow.

Zhang Tong awkwardly scratched his head. Su Pingnan laughed, tossed him a pack of cigarettes, and lit one himself.

“Don’t mention your old man — he came by last night.”

Zhang Tong’s face immediately darkened. He couldn’t believe all he had done to someone who had insulted Su Pingnan was smash food on his head. He felt like an embarrassment to his boss.

“Brother Nan, next time I won’t go easy. I’ll kill him!”

Su Pingnan was startled. He could hear earnestness in the kid’s tone.

“Bullshit!”

Su Pingnan scowled and yelled at him. He also felt a twinge of affection — this fellow was a bit foolish, but genuinely loyal.

“Let this matter go and swallow your pride. If you dare mention it to anyone, don’t come back here again.”

Su Pingnan’s tone was stern. He knew the character of his subordinates. If this idiot told them about what happened, they might really cause trouble.

Zhang Tong was stunned by Su Pingnan’s tone. He sensed Su Pingnan’s seriousness and even though he felt a little aggrieved inside, he nodded in agreement.

Zhang Lihua ran in with a beaming face,

“Mr. Su, Jinxiu Catering got it!”

Yang Qianli, with heavy dark circles under his eyes, followed behind. He’d drunk enough to last a lifetime these past few days and finally got everything done before the auction.

Good things come in pairs.

The Gao brothers spent the afternoon anxious. Wei San’s message said the other party was too busy and they’d have to wait a few days. The younger brother couldn’t stand it.

“Fine, you’re busy — I’ll deliver the vehicles myself then.”

They brought along a dozen men, three per car, and gathered their gear. Apparently the other party was a big shot, so they decided to err on the side of caution. The entourage made their way for Wucheng.

Su Pingnan looked at the three neat, imposing black SUVs in front of him, and two refrigerated light trucks — very rare for this era — and laughed heartily.

Once the second Gao brother held that fat bundle of 700,000 yuan in cash, he immediately realized how hasty he had been. After some small talk and refusing Su Pingnan’s invitation to stay, he took all his men back to Tiandu.

Those present watched Su Pingnan expertly test-drive the vehicle, turning and reversing with ease, and some were dumbfounded.

But actually, they just had to learn and they could do the same.

The men below went crazy about learning to drive. Su Pingnan got Wei San to fetch a few veteran drivers to teach and ensure his men learned how to drive.

On the 26th, Su Pingnan donned a black suit, something he rarely wore, and as a result Yang Qianli, Su Wenwen and the others copied him and dressed up likewise.

Wu Yanyi, a boss who made his fortune in aquaculture, was among the earliest wealthy in Wucheng. He arrived at Wucheng Hotel early this morning. Wucheng wasn’t big, and in this era, the circle of the wealthy was even smaller.

He had already spoken with many people. Li Ruming had lost out this time, and a few of the assets were truly cash cows. Once in hand, they’d be money-makers.

Since that was the case, everyone decided it was better to privately agree to which items they wanted. There was no need to fight tooth and nail at an auction.

Caution was Wu Yanyi’s habit. He came early to make sure nothing went wrong, and to touch base with others before it started.

He also feared some bold outsider would barge in to steal the prize, so he’d be prepared early.

It was 9:20 — only ten minutes until the start.

Wu Yanyi exhaled. The rich and influential people in his circle had already greeted each other, and there were no strangers in the room so far.

Just then, three black Toyota Land Cruisers arrived with a roar.

Wu Yanyi stared in shock as a dozen men in black suits alighted one after another, respectfully surrounding a short-haired, confident young man and marched right into the hotel.