Rebirth 1994: Starting from laid-off workers

Both Li Hu and Tiezhu drank a lot at noon, so Zhang Jiaqiang decided to cancel the afternoon trip and let them rest at the guest house.

This guest house is also inside the lighter factory and is open to the public on weekdays. It looks a bit like a later business hotel, but it is clean and tidy.

It can be seen from this that Jiangcheng Lighter Factory has tertiary industries such as restaurants and guest houses, so it should be quite strong.

The three of them opened two rooms and set up Li Hu Tiezhu. Zhang Jiaqiang returned to his room. After washing, he called his wife to check that everything was safe.

Then he called the factory and asked Master Liu to bring someone to take delivery of the machine as soon as possible.

It was only after two o'clock after all this work. Zhang Jiaqiang was so free that he planned to go out for a walk and inquire about the company he owed money to.

He had been to Jiangcheng in his last life, but it was after 2000, but he had never experienced the charm of Jiangcheng in the 90s.

The lighter factory is located in the urban area. You don't have to walk far to reach the city center.

I saw mostly two- and three-story commercial buildings on the streets, and there were almost no high-rise buildings from a distance.

There are very few pedestrians and vehicles on the road, and the business of roadside shops also has a sense of depression.

This was so different from Jiangcheng after 2000 that Zhang Jiaqiang couldn't accept it for a while. It felt like he had arrived in a county town.

It seems that Jiangcheng has also started to develop after 2000, and it has not yet started.

The more this kind of joint happens, the more business opportunities there are, and Zhang Jiaqiang can't help but start to pay attention secretly.

He thought that maybe the riverside would be more prosperous, so he waved to a noodle shop.

Zhang Jiaqiang handed the driver a cigarette and said, "Master, go for a walk around Linjiang Road!"

"Ah, okay, are you here for a trip or a business trip?"

The driver was quite talkative, and lighting up his cigarette was like starting a conversation, and the Zhang family started talking about everything.

Zhang Jiaqiang looked at the scenery outside the window and said casually, "On a business trip, let's go to the riverside to see the scenery!"

The driver laughed loudly, "When I saw you, this is your first time in Jiangcheng. Apart from the two wharves and the ferry, our riverside is just a bunch of shabby bungalows, all of which are poor people. Haha, what's there to see?"

It turned out that Linjiang Road was not developed in this era, so Zhang Jiaqiang immediately lost interest in visiting it.

"Forget it, master, just take me to look around the city and send me back before dinner. Is the money enough?"

A 50-yuan bill was slapped in front of the driver, who immediately burst into laughter and said, "That's enough, that's enough. You can go anywhere in the city and I'll be your tour guide!"

This master was really attentive. He took the trouble to introduce in detail all the places where there were talks along the way, and even asked Zhang Jiaqiang if he wanted to take photos.

The 50 yuan was well spent. After Zhang Jiaqiang had a smooth conversation, he asked, "Master, have you ever heard of Jiangcheng Trading Company?"

The driver got stuck, scratching his hair and thinking for a long time, "There are quite a few trading companies, but I've never heard of one with the name Jiangcheng. Where do you want to go?"

Zhang Jiaqiang knows that the fastest place for information circulation in a city is from the mouths of taxi drivers. They usually communicate through walkie-talkies and can get any information.

Immediately, he pretended to be casual and said, "I heard it from a friend and I'm a little curious. Can Master help me find out?"

"Come on, wait a minute!" The driver picked up the walkie-talkie and shouted on the taxi channel.

Soon there was a reply, "Jiangcheng Trading Company, it seems to be called Jiangcheng Investment Company now, from Yanjiang Road..."

The driver thanked him and turned to look at Zhang Jiaqiang, "It seems that you are connected with Yanjiang Road today. Do you want to go there?"

Zhang Jiaqiang made an OK gesture, and the driver turned around and headed straight to the river.

Gradually, there were fewer buildings on the road and more bungalows of various kinds. Soon a cable-stayed iron bridge appeared in sight.

The driver pointed at the bridge, "This is a railway bridge built before the founding of the People's Republic of China. It has been scrapped long ago, but there is no money to dismantle it. Now it can be kept as a tourist attraction. Not far ahead, we will reach that place. Don’t you want to get out of the car and take a look?”

As soon as he finished speaking, among the large number of bungalows on the roadside, a two-story building appeared, as if it stood out from the crowd and was very eye-catching.

The car slowed down, and Zhang Jiaqiang could already see the sign hanging on the door of the building - Jiangcheng Investment Company.

"No need to park, just go through the door, and walk around this small building if it's convenient!"

The driver immediately followed Zhang Jiaqiang's instructions and made a small circle.

Zhang Jiaqiang looked carefully. The building was surrounded by a large courtyard. There were several bungalows in the courtyard. Several cars and countless motorcycles were parked in the open space.

Occasionally there are people coming in and out, looking very busy.

At this moment, a motorcycle carrying two young people entered the door and passed by the taxi. The two of them looked at Zhang Jiaqiang and the driver provocatively.

These two people had an air of scorn about them, and they didn't look like serious people at first glance.

Suddenly a word jumped out of Zhang Jiaqiang's mind - loan shark!

This company is a money lending company. They borrow money from elsewhere and then lend it out at a higher interest rate to earn the difference.

It is very difficult to ask them to collect debts.

Watching those motorcycles coming in and out, Zhang Jiaqiang suddenly had a plan in his mind.

"Master, just take a look around and send me back!"

"Okay, further ahead is our largest port. The residents here are basically engaged in occupations related to docks and ships..."

The driver and tour guide was really dedicated and still introduced in such detail.

Before it got dark, they returned to the outside of the guest house.

In order to make it easier to travel these two days, Zhang Jiaqiang also left the driver's contact information and said that if he needed a car, he should contact him in advance.

After returning to the room, Li Hu and Tie Zhu had also woken up. They looked as if they would be fine if they drank a few more pounds at night.

Zhang Jiaqiang said, "The target has been found. It should be a money lending company. Lao Li, you and Tiezhu hurry up and have a meal, and then go to stay near them to understand the situation. It is best to be someone who can get in touch with them. Remember to keep in touch at all times. Don’t take any chances!”

The two went out in response, and Zhang Jiaqiang contacted Gao Xuewen again and asked him to come to the room.

"Director Zhang has just arrived for dinner. I'm going to give you a private treat tonight. Let's have another drink!" Gao Xuewen, who had not yet fully sobered up, entered the door and was about to fight again.

Zhang Jiaqiang asked him to sit down and said, "You have plenty of time to drink, so please cooperate with me to do something first!"

This was a condition attached to signing the contract. Gao Xuewen nodded immediately, "Just give your orders. The factory director has already given instructions. We must cooperate well!"

Zhang Jiaqiang nodded and said, "We have to sign a fake contract to temporarily transfer this guest house to my name..."

Only after the night was quiet did Li Hu and Tiezhu return to the guest house.

"My boss is indeed a money lending company. Zhuzi and I played a double act and got to know one of their people."

After Zhang Jiaqiang listened to the introduction, he tapped his index finger on the bedside table and said.

"You guys go to rest first, the show will start tomorrow!"