"Are you Zhang Liunian? Is this shop yours? It doesn't have a business license, no food safety certificate, and the pricing... This shop must be closed for rectification and cannot operate normally." The middle-aged man, named Shang Qiuren, was from the market department of the Economic and Trade Bureau. This matter was not originally within his purview.
However, Brother Tang was certain that Zhang Liunian was unaware of these intricacies, so he asked Shang Qiuren to come and intimidate Zhang Liunian.
As Shang Qiuren was part of the Tang family faction, he was happy to cooperate when the eldest young master of the Tang family approached him for help. After all, he had done this sort of thing many times before and wouldn't mind doing it again.
So, when he arrived at his destination, he launched into his usual spiel. He expected Zhang Liunian to be frightened into closing shop for rectification, just like everyone else before him. To his surprise, after his lengthy discourse, Zhang Liunian merely nonchalantly picked at his ear, as if he hadn't heard a word.
"Isn't that Shang Qiuren? He seems to be the director in charge of the market. Several businesses that were doing very well were forced to close down by him."
"I've heard of him too. He's indeed the nemesis of shop owners in Nancheng. As long as a business is doing well, he tends to target it, and once he targets it, it's doomed."
"This braised meat shop owner looks like he's in trouble too, having attracted Shang Qiuren's attention. He'll definitely have to close down now."
"He definitely has to close. Who dares not to when Shang Qiuren shows up? Not closing is seeking one's own death."
"This Shang Qiuren is too much. Clearly, many shops in Nancheng don't have the proper permits, but he only targets the ones doing well. Is he a wealth-hater?!"
"..."
Hearing their words, Zhang Liunian raised an eyebrow. So, this was the infamous Shang Qiuren, the killer of Nancheng's individual businesses.
In his previous life, Zhang Liunian had heard a lot about him but had never actually seen him.
He hadn't expected to encounter him in this new life.
"Zhang Liunian, did you hear? Your shop is not compliant. Close it down immediately." Brother Tang also heard the bystanders' comments about Shang Qiuren, but he took it as a badge of honor. He arrogantly ordered, "Close it down immediately."
Zhang Liunian twitched the corners of his mouth, ignoring the idiot. He then turned to Shang Qiuren and extended his hand, saying, "Do you have a document instructing me to suspend operations for rectification? Show it to me first."
"..." Shang Qiuren was stunned. If he had such a document, why would he be standing here saying all this? Wouldn't it be more effective to just throw the document in Zhang Liunian's face?
"If you can't produce it, then you're abusing your authority. I'll write a letter of complaint later." Zhang Liunian knew he was dealing with another person who used their position for personal gain. There were too many such people.
"A new shop like yours isn't worthy of a formal document. Close the shop down immediately, or I..."
"Or you'll do what? What great authority you wield!"
Before Shang Qiuren could finish his sentence, Yan Guiguo appeared behind him with his assistant.
Shang Qiuren looked over at the sound of the voice and frowned. He didn't recognize the man who had spoken, but he recognized the assistant beside him, who was the deputy director's assistant.
Since he didn't recognize the man, he must be an insignificant nobody. Shang Qiuren immediately put on a stern face and asserted his authority, "Who are you, and what right do you have to reprimand me?"
"Director Shang, this is the newly appointed Director Yan. Watch your words."
The assistant, Yan, seeing Shang Qiuren about to court disaster, quickly stepped forward to remind him. Then, he introduced Shang Qiuren to Yan Guiguo, "His name is Shang Qiuren, and he's the director of our market department."
Yan Guiguo felt reassured upon hearing that it was his subordinate.
Shang Qiuren, however, was stunned. The new director? Was it that Yan Guiguo who had been parachuted in? He had heard that this person had some background, otherwise, he wouldn't have been directly appointed.
Shang Qiuren's expression shifted unpredictably. Then, after thinking about something, he quickly retracted his arrogant demeanor and adopted a humble attitude, "So it's Director Yan. I have eyes but failed to recognize you. Please forgive my earlier rudeness."
"Hmph! I've heard about Comrade Zhang's situation. It's no exaggeration to call him the rising star of Nancheng's commerce.
Instead of helping him develop the economy, you're specifically suppressing and causing trouble. What are your intentions?
Whatever your intentions, I will handle it officially upon my return and issue a disciplinary action based on the situation. Do you have anything to say in your defense?"
As the saying goes, a new official makes three decrees. Shang Qiuren had just walked into his path, so he decided to make an example of him.
"Director Yan, this is a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding. I didn't intend to suppress him. I was merely reminding him that proper procedures cannot be skipped, that high prices should not disrupt the market, and about other matters he might have overlooked. I truly had no intention of deliberate suppression." Shang Qiuren pleaded. If he had known he would encounter his direct superior while helping Brother Tang, he would never have come.
Unfortunately, hindsight is always 20/20.
"You don't need to say any more. Justice will prevail in the hearts of the people, and so many people here are watching. You'd best go back and prepare yourself!"
Yan Guiguo said with a dark expression, then turned and left.
"Uncle Yan, you're here." Zhang Liunian, after they finished speaking, happily greeted him with a smile.
His words shocked many people.
Shang Qiuren was even more stunned. Uncle Yan? They knew each other and addressed each other as uncle and nephew?
How could that be? Didn't Brother Tang say that Zhang Liunian had no roots or connections, and knew no one? He turned to look at Brother Tang, who also wore a look of surprise and unwillingness, clearly not expecting this outcome.
"How could I not come when my nephew's new shop is opening?" Yan Guiguo's gloomy expression vanished as he saw Zhang Liunian approaching, his old face creasing into a smile.
"It's going well. Come in and sit down!" Zhang Liunian, ignoring the shocked gazes of everyone, warmly ushered him inside, leaving the dumbfounded crowd on the street exchanging bewildered glances.
"So the braised meat shop owner also has a background and backing, not someone to be bullied. Shang Qiuren has finally kicked a steel plate!"
"Pah! Serves him right. My brother's shop was ruined by him before. That shop was doing so well, it's a shame."
"It's truly retribution. Now that the braised meat shop owner has support, let's see what waves they can make."
"If only I had an uncle like that back then, my shop would never have closed."
"..."
Whatever was being said outside, Brother Tang and Shang Qiuren heard it all, their expressions turning grim.
"How could that country bumpkin Zhang Liunian possibly have such a backer?" Tang Shan, being hot-tempered, blurted out.
Pedestrians, hearing this, covered their mouths and mocked his lack of composure.
Shang Qiuren was also not feeling good. Seeing Brother Tang's impatience, he didn't want him to embarrass himself further and pulled him away from the scene.
If they stayed any longer, who knew what else this Brother Tang might say.
Ding Zhaoshan, standing in the crowd, watched the backs of Brother Tang and Shang Qiuren and inwardly chuckled, thinking "serves them right." Let your Tang family have absolute power and try to dabble in everything, suppressing emerging individual businesses, now you're tasting the bitter fruit!
However, that Zhang Liunian actually had such connections, which surprised him.
"Shang Qiuren is with the Tang family..."
Zhang Liunian, while hosting Yan Guiguo at the back of the shop, inadvertently glimpsed Ding Zhaoshan who had come looking. He immediately stopped talking, stood up, and went to greet him, "Uncle Ding, you're here too. Come, sit, sit. Try the black tea I brewed."
"New shop opening, may your wealth roll in, may your wealth roll in." Ding Zhaoshan bowed respectfully and sat down next to Yan Guiguo.
"Uncle Yan, this is Director Ding from the Nancheng Supply and Marketing Cooperative. I have a pickled vegetable cooperation with him; he's a friend."
Zhang Liunian returned to his seat. Seeing them exchanging glances without speaking, he personally introduced them, "Uncle Ding, this is my uncle, Yan Guiguo, who was just transferred to Nancheng."