chapter 14 debt collection

At JiangNan HongYang District Government Office, Han Tang sat across from Director Eric Wang in the office, with a bill of six hundred thousand placed on Eric Wang's desk.
Han Tang said to Director Wang, "Director Wang, can you let me know when you can repay this money? The store urgently needs it."
Eric Wang picked up the bill and looked at it, saying, "Little Tang, I know about these debts. I'm in a hurry too, but the finance department doesn't have the money right now. I can't do anything about it. Just wait a bit longer. Once the finance department notifies me that they have the funds, I'll rush to deliver it to you."
Han Tang could tell that Eric Wang was clearly trying to brush him off. He asked, "Which leader is in charge of the finance department?"
"Deputy District Chief Darren Dong," Eric Wang replied.
"I'll go find Deputy Chief Dong," Han Tang said.
"Alright, if the leader approves it, the finance department will definitely prioritize allocating funds to your restaurant," Eric Wang said.
As Han Tang walked out the door, Eric Wang revealed a contemptuous smirk. Fool, leaders don't have time to deal with your matters. You can't even get an audience with them.
He picked up the phone on his desk and dialled Fatty Zhou's number. "Hey, cousin, that Tang guy came by. Don't worry, he won't get a single cent from me."
Han Tang arrived at the office with the sign of Deputy District Chief Darren Dong. The door was open. According to standard configuration, the leader's office was a suite, with a secretary in the outer room and the leader's office inside.
"May I ask who you're looking for?" a bespectacled, well-mannered young man who clearly appeared to be a secretary asked.
"I'd like to see Deputy Chief Dong for a moment," Han Tang said.
"Oh, the chief is not here, he's in a meeting," the secretary replied.
Han Tang chuckled. Do you think I'm a fool? If the leader's not here, would you just wait around?
"I have an urgent matter, please take me to see Deputy Chief Dong," Han Tang said.
As he spoke, Han Tang looked into the secretary's eyes, using a bit of mesmerism.
The secretary blinked for a moment, then said, "Alright, follow me."
When Darren Dong saw Han Tang, he was a bit surprised. He thought to himself that Little Zhang usually handles things very cautiously. Why did he bring so many people into the room today?
At this point, Little Zhang, the secretary, was also a bit puzzled. He didn't know what made him bring this young man in to see the leader. But since the person was already inside, there was no way to just kick him out.
"Deputy Chief Dong, my name is Han Tang. I have a confidential matter I'd like to discuss with you privately," Han Tang said.
Darren Dong assessed Han Tang for a moment. Based on his years of experience in reading people, he confirmed that the young man in front of him posed no threat. He gestured for the secretary to leave.
After Little Zhang closed the door, Darren Dong asked, "What's on your mind?"
Han Tang said, "If I'm not mistaken, Deputy Chief Dong has been in this position for many years, right?"
Darren Dong furrowed his brows, his gaze fixed on Han Tang. He said in a cold voice, "What are you getting at?"
Darren Dong even suspected that Han Tang might be sent by his opponents to embarrass him. He had already seen off three district chiefs, but after each one left, he still couldn't move up. Privately, many people referred to him as ‘The Second’.
"From your physiognomy, Deputy Chief Dong, your fortunes are extremely favourable. The straight nose indicates boundless wealth and prosperity. Deputy Chief Dong's official position shouldn't stop here. But why haven't you advanced further in these years?"
Han Tang paused here, and seeing Darren Dong visibly tense, it was clear that he was waiting for Han Tang to continue. Every official was very concerned about their career prospects. It seemed that he would be able to retrieve his money.
Han Tang continued, "That's because, Deputy Chief Dong, there are malevolent influences obstructing your path."
Seeing Han Tang fall silent, Darren Dong asked, "So, you came here just to tell me this?"
"No, I came to propose a deal with Deputy Chief Dong," Han Tang said.
"Oh? What do you have to offer me?" Darren Dong asked.
He couldn't discern Han Tang’s intentions. If Han Tang hadn't directly pointed out his career stagnation, he would have already asked the secretary to remove him.
Han Tang took out a talisman and said, "I specialize in ancestral Geomancy and physiognomy. This is the auspicious talisman passed down in my family. If Deputy Chief Dong carries it with you, within three days, you will undoubtedly break through your current predicament. Your career will soar to new heights."
Darren Dong was first taken aback, then he said, "Nonsense. I'm a state official, why would I believe in these feudal superstitions?"
Han Tang sneered inwardly. If you didn't believe, you would have kicked me out long ago. Perhaps you simply don't trust me as a person.
Indeed, Darren Dong couldn't trust Han Tang. If Han Tang was sent by his adversaries, it would be troublesome. While accepting a talisman wouldn't harm him, it would become a huge joke if word got out.
Han Tang stood up, went to Darren Dong's desk, and placed the bill and the account statement in front of him, saying:
"To be honest, I'm the owner of Li's Secret Palace Restaurant. The district owes me six hundred thousand. Deputy Chief Dong, you're surely aware of the difficulty in collecting this debt.
The deal I just mentioned is this: you accept this talisman. If it proves effective within three days, please take care of returning the money to me. The new restaurant I've taken over really needs this sum."
Darren Dong picked up the bill and account statement, examined them to confirm, and then returned them to Han Tang, saying, "Deputy Chief Dong, surely you don't think I'd joke around with six hundred thousand while running a small business, right? Let's settle on this then. I'll be awaiting good news of your promotion at the restaurant."
After saying this, Han Tang placed the talisman under the desk calendar. He turned and left, confident that Darren Dong would carry the talisman with him.
As expected, after Han Tang left, Darren Dong picked up the auspicious talisman, looked at it, and after deep thought, placed it close to his body.
As Han Tang had said, he believed Han Tang wouldn't joke about a debt of six hundred thousand. His adversaries wouldn't resort to such crude methods to target him. Even if Han Tang's assessment was off, he wouldn't suffer any loss. He could simply discard it after three days.
If it worked, for him, handling this amount of money was as easy as breathing. It couldn't be simpler. Moreover, repaying a debt was reasonable and legal. No one could find fault with it.
This move by Han Tang was impromptu after observing Darren Dong. He saw that Darren Dong's forehead was shining, indicating that his good fortune was on the horizon. His talisman was just providing a little extra push.
If Darren Dong had been in a streak of bad luck, Han Tang would have had to come up with a different plan. He wouldn't easily undertake something so extraordinary as changing a person's destiny.
Leaving the district government, Han Tang took out a second promissory note. The debtor was Da Cheng Construction Company, the largest creditor of the restaurant, owing one million.
Da Cheng Construction Company had a large courtyard, and even the entrance was grandly built. When Han Tang arrived, many people in the courtyard were busy, as if preparing to welcome an important figure.
Han Tang registered at the gate and explained that he wanted to see General Manager Jim Zhao. The security guard pointed to a bald man in the middle of the courtyard who was busy giving orders.
"You, pick up the cigarette butts on the ground; you, align and arrange the cars in the yard; you, roll out the red carpet. How many times have I told you, that this affects our corporate image?
Let me tell you all, today's reception is extremely important. If the VIP is satisfied with our company and signs the contract, Da Cheng Construction Company will become the most outstanding construction company in JiangNan City. All of you, snap to attention. If anyone messes up, I'll skin them."
When Han Tang approached, Jim Zhao was in the midst of reprimanding his subordinates.
"May I ask if you are General Manager Jim Zhao?" Han Tang inquired.
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