Chapter 7: Establishing A Base And Financial News

After both sides parted on good terms, Su Pingnan asked Zhang Tong to escort the others home.

He led Guo Guangyao and the others to the factory, looked around, and said, “Ertai Town is where Wenwen is right now; since it’s his first trip, I need to go over and get things in order, so I’ll leave you two to be factory manager here.” Then he pointed at a workshop and said, “We don’t need windows in this workshop—just seal them up. Get some cement and bricks and fully renovate it.”

Seeing the two nod, Su Pingnan pointed to another room and said, “I plan to turn this one into a pine-kernel processing workshop later—leave the windows. Make the floor cement, give the interior a good coat of paint, and change the door to a large double iron door.”

He took out cigarettes, handed one to each of them, took a few deep drags and continued, “Paint the walls of the two offices on the east side bright white, add a few calligraphy paintings and some potted plants for decoration. Replace the doors with something a bit more upscale; make the windows larger, with single large panes of glass. Put light-yellow floor tiles on the floor, get decent office desks and chairs, and include a sofa and coffee table. As for the west room, make it into dormitories—there needs to be someone to guard so much merchandise.”

Watching the two men nodding meticulously, Su Pingnan smiled inwardly. He was now deliberately and inadvertently beginning to train their execution abilities. He turned to look at the yard and the gate, shook his head and continued, “The yard needs to be leveled, also change the gate to something more imposing.”

“Okay, Brother Nan, don’t worry. We’ll make this place look beautiful—next time you come back you won’t recognize it,” Guo Guangyao said.

“Estimate how much it’ll cost and use the freight yard’s earnings to pay for it first—I’ve left the freight yard money from the past few days untouched for you. But you must keep accounts and report expenses, understand?” Su Pingnan knew his ragtag crew was used to being lax, so his last few words carried a hint of severity.

Guo Guangyao and Yang Qianli nodded solemnly. After Su Pingnan finished making arrangements, the next day he went to the department store to get several cartons of Zhonghua cigarettes, then boarded the train from Wucheng to Fengcheng with Zhang Tong.

Zhang Jianguo was an old train conductor with a not-insubstantial salary. Comparison is truly the thief of joy: the Wucheng–Fengcheng line was a small line and a slow train. Compared with the other major fast lines at Wucheng Station, the side income was pitifully little. And so, when Zhang Tong mentioned this opportunity to make money, Zhang Jianguo’s interest was piqued. The railway system now had little to do with local authorities and tended to be its own circle. Zhang Jianguo paid little heed to Fengcheng’s local, homegrown policies. Having seen conductors on other lines making extra money, he had long wanted an opportunity to get some side income for himself and his subordinates.

The distance from Wucheng to Ertai Town in Fengcheng was roughly 400 kilometers. Due to a blockade by Fengcheng’s Forestry Bureau, there was basically little freight sent as less-than-carload. “Less-than-carload” referred to consolidated small consignments in a freight car. One freight car held 30 tons, but when shippers were few and the cargo were from different merchants—a few hundred jin here, a few thousand jin there—many pieces had to be combined in order to make up a carload. In short, it was called shipping as less-than-carload.

It took nearly five and a half hours to reach Ertai Town in Fengcheng. Throughout the trip, Zhang Jianguo was very courteous—he arranged a sleeping berth usually meant for the train crew for Su Pingnan, had the dining car prepare several dishes, and warmly drank a few cups with them. Su Pingnan could read Zhang Jianguo’s intentions clearly: he wanted his crew to help carry some goods on the side. Previously this line had essentially no goods worth carrying, so everyone complained and it was hard to manage. Naturally this time, Zhang Jianguo wanted to ask a few questions on everyone’s behalf.

Knowing how to deal with people, Su Pingnan of course did not refuse—firstly he needed their help, and secondly it’s better for everyone to profit so it’s sustainable. Besides, this route was still relatively remote and the amount the crew could carry was astonishing. The two chatted jovially, ignoring poor Zhang Tong at the side clutching a bundle of cash, and soon settled the specific arrangements.

Generous by nature, Su Pingnan clinked glasses with Zhang Jianguo, then lowered his voice and said, “Conductor Zhang, I’m making money by using your route, and I won’t shortchange friends. For any box that can be carried on your train I’ll pay 40 yuan as a handling fee. As for the men under you, for every 200 jin they bring I will pay 4 yuan as a carrying fee.”

When Zhang Jianguo heard Su Pingnan agree to his terms, he was thrilled. He drank three boisterous cups and praised Brother Su for his loyalty. Su Pingnan, sharp and knowing how far to take favors, continued, “When the goods reach the station I’ll have someone settle accounts. The money will be settled directly between Zhang Tong and you. That way it’s easier for you to manage, right?”

Zhang Jianguo gave Su Pingnan a long look—the man before him had a steadiness and magnanimity at odds with the rumors he had heard. After pondering for a moment, he finally nodded and said in a low voice, “These are small matters—I’ll have to trouble you to look after my boy from now on.”

Before saying this, Zhang Jianguo had believed that his younger son getting mixed up with Little Red Robe was not a good thing—an experienced Wucheng conductor like him knew Little Red Robe’s reputation well. He had intended to use this opportunity to make some money while also persuading the two to part ways. But after this meeting, Zhang Jianguo felt the rumors were mostly wrong—Su Pingnan spoke and acted with extremely methodically and carried an almost extraordinary aura. His son following him might not be a bad thing. So he unexpectedly changed his mind and spoke those words.

“Conductor Zhang is an old-timer in Wucheng and well connected—do you know any suitable finance personnel to recommend to me?”

A woman’s image immediately flashed through Zhang Jianguo’s mind, and after choosing his words wisely, he said, “I actually do know a suitable candidate, but she’s been slandered—there are some unfavorable rumors about her personal relationships.”

Su Pingnan knew how important an excellent accountant was to a company, and hearing this he grew curious. “Tell me more.”

“Her name is Zhang Lihua. She used to be the chief accountant for several railway-operated factories in Wucheng. Later, because she refused to cook the books and offended some people, rumors that she was a slut who slept around started making their rounds. I know her professional skills and character—she’s beyond reproach. It’s just…I don’t know if Boss Su would dare to hire her.”

“Zhang Lihua?” Su Pingnan asked further, “Does she have a son with osteomalacia? Her husband died in a car accident?”

“You know about that too?” Zhang Jianguo asked in surprise.

Su Pingnan didn’t know about her current plight at this time, what he knew about her was from the time just before his rebirth. Zhang Lihua had become a legendary number-one finance woman in Tiannan Province. The accounting firm under her oversaw operations for several listed companies and had an excellent reputation. He had once been fortunate enough to see her in person, but by then he had already fallen on hard times and had no chance to get close.

“Ha!” Su Pingnan laughed heartily, raised his cup then said seriously, “I’ll hire her—I will definitely hire her!” Zhang Jianguo had no idea why Su Pingnan was so pleased, but he simply laughed along and drank with him.