Zhang Liunian understood after listening, and felt touched. He planned to treat Uncle Yan and the others to a good meal upon his return.
"You can draft the contracts with Li Chunhua, have them sign and pay the rent, and then open the doors after they've signed."
The Nan Cheng Department Store was closed as per his instructions, and it would officially reopen once they reached an agreement.
"I got it. Oh, and our pickled vegetables and braised meat business has been even better than before recently. It might be because the department store is closed. In just half a month, we've accumulated millions in savings. I've deposited it all into your account, you can check it there."
"Got it."
"..."
After chatting with Du Ziteng, Zhang Liunian called Team Leader Gu in the provincial capital.
"Boss, I've received the goods. However, it's not feasible to keep the department store closed like this. We're losing tens of thousands in net income every day." Team Leader Gu's voice was filled with anxiety, as if missing out on these business opportunities was like having his flesh cut away.
Zhang Liunian was also in a hurry, but he was in Pengcheng and couldn't resolve the issue immediately.
"Don't worry about this matter. Once I return, things will be resolved. For now, you need to continue receiving the goods, and also help me with something."
"What is it?"
"Help me find out the itinerary of the provincial industry and commerce bureau director. I need to meet him to resolve the issue of the department store's unsealing. The meeting should be in four days, and I'll be back in the provincial capital in another four days."
"I'll try my best." Team Leader Gu wasn't sure if he could accomplish this, as he lacked the experience and capability.
"If you can't find his itinerary, try to find out where he usually passes by or where he lives. I just need to meet him once."
"I can definitely do that." Upon hearing this, Team Leader Gu felt that ensuring a chance encounter between the boss and the director was much easier.
"Spend whatever money is necessary. If you get this done, I'll reimburse you for all the expenses."
"I'll get it done for sure."
Meanwhile, at the Gu family on the other side, a stir was once again caused by Gu Changqing's arrest.
"This unpromising scoundrel, always causing trouble. What is it this time that landed him in jail?" Gu Lou angrily smashed a water cup, questioning the subordinates.
"The eldest young master took people to seek revenge from Zhang Liunian, but he was counter-killed by the other party."
Gu Sanqing, standing nearby, rubbed his fingers together. Zhang Liunian?
Gu Lou, upon hearing it was Zhang Liunian again, who had caused him to lose face last time, and now his son was sent in and couldn't be easily retrieved, realized he had greatly underestimated him.
"Do you know why he can't be released this time? Did Zhang Liunian do something?"
"I heard it was because the eldest young master committed armed robbery..."
"Idiot, idiot! Who gave him the gun?" Gu Lou almost smashed the table upon hearing it was about possessing a firearm.
"I don't know."
"Useless people! I assigned you to follow the eldest young master, what have you been doing all day? You don't even know where the eldest young master got the gun. What's the point of keeping you?" Gu Lou was furious seeing them clueless and wished he could kick them out.
Gu Sanqing, standing below, suddenly spoke, "Dad, Big Brother bought his gun from those people. I saw him."
"..."
Gu Lou was stunned. After a moment, he stood up and started scolding Gu Sanqing, "You saw it and didn't stop your big brother, nor did you stop him from provoking those people. Don't you know those people are from Hong Kong? They are..." He stopped himself from saying "Hong Kong businessmen," but Gu Sanqing understood his implication.
"Dad, if my words were that effective, Big Brother wouldn't yell at me so often."
"..."
Gu Lou had just been too agitated and had taken his anger out on his third son. Now, hearing his third son's words and calming down a bit, he slumped back down and waved his hand, "You can all leave! Let me have some peace."
His son definitely had to be rescued, but due to the firearms charge, it was evident he couldn't get him out quickly. To avoid his elderly mother's interference, he had no choice but to seek external help. He also hoped those people wouldn't harm his son. As allies, he believed they would give him some face.
"Yes." Gu Sanqing looked at his father's fluctuating expressions, nodded, turned, and walked away, with another person following behind him, both disappearing from the study.
After they were gone, Gu Lou made a call to his ally.
Gu Sanqing and the other person stopped in a secluded area outside. They exchanged a look and smiled, then went their separate ways.
That evening, Zhang Liunian returned home with his wife, coincidentally meeting a jubilant Zhang Qian.
"Brother Liunian, I've bought all the mountains you instructed me to buy. It cost a total of 1.9 million." Zhang Qian placed the land ownership documents and other related papers in front of Zhang Liunian.
Zhang Liunian flipped through them and confirmed there were no omissions.
"You handled this matter well, without any mistakes. Next, you'll be working with me on placing orders. We should be able to leave Pengcheng in three days."
Seeing that Zhang Qian had handled everything he needed without needing further instruction, Zhang Liunian specifically praised him.
Zhang Qian sheepishly scratched the back of his head and chuckled, "It's because Brother Liunian taught me well."
"..."
Time passed quickly. In the blink of an eye, three days had passed. This morning, Gu Changqing, who had been detained, finally walked out of the police station.
Upon returning home, Gu Changqing was thoroughly reprimanded by Gu Lou and told not to cause any more trouble.
But who was Gu Changqing? If he were obedient, he wouldn't be Gu Changqing. He immediately had a big argument with Gu Lou and then, filled with anger, sought out his own people, intending to vent all his displeasure onto Zhang Liunian.
During these three days, he had been unable to eat or sleep well in the police station and had lost his freedom. His anger had been soaring, and he desperately needed an outlet, with Zhang Liunian and his wife being the perfect targets.
"Have the country bumpkin couple left yet?" Gu Changqing anxiously asked the subordinate who had been sent to keep an eye on them.
"No, but it will be in the next day or two. I heard they seemed to have bought tickets, but I don't know if it's for today or tomorrow." The subordinate answered honestly.
"It's good that they haven't left. Did they buy the mountains?" Gu Changqing's first question upon release was about the mountains.
"No, I've been keeping a close watch. However, the mountains in Fude Village and Hede Village have been sold. The buyers are not Zhang Liunian and his group, but someone else unknown."
As long as it wasn't Zhang Liunian, Gu Changqing didn't care who they sold to.
"Is that so? Where are they now?"
"He's out shopping with his wife."
"Great! Call everyone over, I have arrangements to make."
"Yes."
On the other side, Zhang Liunian, shopping with his wife, was unaware that danger was approaching them. At this moment, they had just finished browsing from one end of the street to the other, their hands full of items they had bought for their family.
"The things here are really cheap and beautiful. I want to buy more for Huabao and Ye Hua." Jiang Qingqing was dazzled by the choices on this street and wanted to buy everything she saw.
Zhang Liunian smiled as he watched her pick out items one by one, not wanting to spoil her good mood. He secretly bought some jewelry for his wife at a jewelry store they passed by, planning to give it to her upon their return as a surprise.