A few days later, County Party Secretary Ye Qingping sought out Qin Chuan to discuss the aftermath of the Han Shifei gang's downfall.
The Han Shifei gang, despite their numerous crimes, had a massive market share across various industries. Their sudden collapse led to the closure of over half the entertainment venues in Yongnan County, including dance halls, clubs, and hotels.
This resulted in widespread unemployment, and many beautiful young women were left homeless, creating a burden the government had to address.
Recently, many of the unemployed had gone to the county government to cause trouble, demanding relief funds, claiming they could no longer make a living.
"Secretary Ye, it's not that I don't want to take these people in, but my current departments are already at full capacity!"
Facing Ye Qingping's discussion, Qin Chuan appeared innocent and helpless.
"My electronics factory already has two hundred and thirty employees, the renovation company has one hundred and fifty, and the real estate business, though a bit smaller, still has forty to fifty."
"The supermarket also has dozens of staff. I truly can't help them now!"
On the opposite sofa, Ye Qingping sat, holding a teacup, quietly observing Qin Chuan's performance.
"Act! Keep acting if you want!"
"Did I say you had to absorb the unemployed into your current factories?" Ye Qingping asked.
Qin Chuan blinked his eyes, looking confused, "Then what does the Secretary mean..."
Seeing that the man in front of him was still feigning ignorance and acting with such enthusiasm, Ye Qingping couldn't help but grip his teacup tighter and take a deep breath.
He feared he wouldn't be able to control his inner fire and splash the tea onto the face of this cunning fellow.
"I heard that someone has vowed in public that no one is allowed to open dance halls, clubs, hotels, or other entertainment venues without his permission."
Ye Qingping said in a low voice.
"Qin Chuan, wouldn't you say such a person is too overbearing, even more detestable than the Han Shifei gang that just fell?"
Qin Chuan looked shocked and disbelieving upon hearing this, his expression gradually turning into barely concealed anger.
"Secretary, are there still such audacious people in Yongnan County? This is utterly outrageous!"
"Tell me who it is, and I'll go deal with him for you!"
Ye Qingping said, "This person is far away and yet right before your eyes."
Qin Chuan's initially angry expression immediately froze, then his demeanor became extremely exaggerated.
"My dear Secretary, you're not suggesting that person is me..."
"This is a grave injustice! I, Qin Chuan, swear by my name that I am a legitimate businessman, a good citizen who abides by the law and pays taxes in full."
"My businesses are all legitimate and above board. I never touch anything that crosses the legal line, nor do I allow my subordinates to do so."
"Ahem..."
Ye Qingping coughed twice, interrupting Qin Chuan's speech.
"Regarding business matters, we have always been assured of you... Forget it, discussing these things with you is a complete waste of both our time. We could talk all day without reaching a conclusion."
"You, sir, are the quintessential profiteer, only acting when there's a clear benefit, always seeking advantage." Ye Qingping said, scolding him.
"How about this: after multiple meetings of the county party committee, the two sand quarries that originally belonged to Han Shifei can be entrusted to you for operation."
A glint of excitement reappeared in Qin Chuan's eyes.
Seeing this, Ye Qingping felt helpless and immediately changed his tone:
"However, don't celebrate too soon. These two sand quarries are important national resources and cannot be registered under your private name like your previous Kowloon Bay sand quarry. Such important resources are subject to the strictest regulations."
"If you want to operate them, there is only one way: leasing!"
Qin Chuan raised an eyebrow, "Leasing? How much would the annual rent be?"
Ye Qingping held up three fingers, "For each sand quarry, the annual lease fee shall not be less than three hundred thousand."
Three hundred thousand annual rent, so six hundred thousand for both sand quarries!
Qin Chuan agreed without thinking, "No problem, but Secretary Ye, wouldn't this sand quarry lease be calculated on a yearly basis? I think there should be a minimum term, perhaps ten or twenty years..."
"If we sign a contract every year, this business can't be done."
Ye Qingping nodded, "Of course. The county party committee has decided to conduct an initial trial operation with a five-year term. If it's suitable, a new contract will be signed again after five years."
"Five years is too short. Ten years! A ten-year contract would be most appropriate."
Qin Chuan haggled.
Ye Qingping pursed his lips, "Boss Qin, let's be reasonable. I think this condition is quite practical, and the government also has its difficulties."
Qin Chuan felt this was the bottom line for the county government and stopped pressing further.
"Then, Secretary Ye, I'll take my leave now!"
"Someone will handle the sand quarry matters afterward."
Ye Qingping grunted, then reminded him, "Qin Chuan, please take seriously the matters I mentioned earlier. The recent disturbances by the unemployed have made the entire county government feel like a marketplace, which is quite vexing..."
"Don't worry, Secretary Ye! I'll handle it."
Qin Chuan gave an ok gesture and turned to leave, his back exuding a cool demeanor.
As he was driving back to his housing development, he suddenly received a call from his elderly mother.
"Xiao Chuan, where are you?"
"Mom, I'm on the road, what's wrong?"
Qin Chuan sensed something was off in his mother's tone.
"Hurry home, your second brother... he's run away from home!"
Jiang Cuihua shouted into the phone, her voice tinged with tears.
"What?!"
Qin Chuan's face changed. As he approached a fork in the road, he deftly turned the steering wheel.
"Mom, don't worry, I'll be there immediately."
"Where's big brother? Does he know about this?"
Jiang Cuihua cried, "I already called your big brother. He should be on his way home too."
By the time Qin Chuan arrived home, his elder brother Qin Yang had also driven back, and they met at the entrance. The brothers exchanged glances, pushed open the door together, and entered the house.
Inside, Jiang Cuihua was weeping uncontrollably, and Qin Shuren was also present, looking grim.
The eldest sister-in-law, Wu Yanyan, and her child were also there.
"Dad! Mom, what exactly happened?"
Qin Chuan asked. On his way back, he had tried calling Qin Gang, but his phone was off and unreachable.
"I... your mother and I don't know either!"
Qin Shuren said with a dark expression, "At noon, your mother returned home from the supermarket to prepare lunch and found a note left on the dining table."
As he spoke, Qin Shuren opened his palm, revealing a note. Qin Chuan and Qin Yang leaned in to look. Scrawled on it were a few lines:
"Dad, Mom, I want to go out and explore the world!"
"Don't worry about me, and don't ask me why. I just feel that our small county town is too small. Staying here year after year doesn't suit me!"
"To avoid you scolding me again, I didn't say goodbye in person, nor did I say goodbye to big brother and Xiao Chuan!"
"Please help me convey to big brother and Xiao Chuan after you read this, and tell them not to worry about me!"
"I will take care of myself!"
"Your unpromising son - Qin Gang!"