I'm a Master in India

Chapter 245: Betrayal

The new factory was ordered to rectify issues by law enforcement just a few days after starting operations, which sounded like a complete joke.

A bigger joke was yet to come; just a few days after the Boiler Pressure Vessel Inspector left, a Security Inspector arrived.

Even Ron didn't know what this damn Security Inspector was supposed to do.

As usual, the other party went straight to their destination upon entering the factory, and finally seized upon the fact that workers were not wearing masks, issuing another stop-work order.

Damn it, when did Indian workers become so particular? Masks? Many people don't even know what that thing is!

After hearing the news, Ratan was so angry he wanted to drag the person over and beat them up, but luckily Ron stopped him in time.

Those who can be civil servants in Uttar Pradesh are not from low castes.

The Sur family's momentum is indeed good now, but it hasn't reached the point where they can oppose everyone.

Furthermore, the other party is a government law enforcement officer. What, are you planning to use force to rebel against the government?

Only after handing over a thick envelope did Ron send the Security Inspector away.

"Brother, these people are treating us like fat sheep to be slaughtered," Ratan said, feeling very aggrieved.

"That's not how you slaughter a fat sheep either," Ron sensed something unusual.

"Didn't that Yadav accept money quite readily? What about the recent events? Surely no one would dare not pay him respect, right?"

"I'll make a call," Ron went straight to the cement factory's office.

If it were just the previous inspector, it would be one thing; there's no need to bother the Chief Minister over such a small matter, it's not worth it.

But being targeted repeatedly like this is another matter entirely.

Of course, he could continue to bribe people to send them away, but where would the Sur family's face be?

There's nothing new under the sun; if word gets out, others will think he's easy to bully.

Once labeled like this in Uttar Pradesh, it would be a terrible thing, like a piece of fat falling into a wolf's den.

Two minutes later, Ron put down the phone expressionlessly.

"What did he say?" Ratan asked.

"Didn't connect."

"Hmm?"

"His office assistant said that Yadav went on a regional inspection."

Ratan's expression became subtle; this excuse was pale and weak.

"An excuse?"

"That possibility cannot be ruled out."

"What do you plan to do?"

"I'll go to Lucknow again in the next couple of days."

Ron needed to talk to that Yadav, at least to figure out where the problem lay.

This made no sense at all; they had an understanding, and had just cooperated to secure a government infrastructure project, even agreeing on the proportions.

It wasn't that Ron hadn't suspected the Tripathi Family, but given their methods, they wouldn't be so gentle.

He was in the arms business; if they were really going into a business war, a shootout with hot weapons was possible.

The mine's defense force was strong, Ron wasn't worried about that.

Or perhaps Yadav and they had reached some kind of private deal?

If that were the case, there would be no need for Yadav to give the government project to Sur Cement Factory.

This kind of business is highly profitable; there's no need to give it to someone who is about to be kicked out.

Putting aside the questions in his heart, Ron encouraged the workers to produce at full capacity; Sur Cement Factory wasn't short on orders.

He planned to go to Lucknow tomorrow, but couldn't leave.

Following the Security Inspector, a Chief Inspector arrived.

As expected, Sur Cement Factory received another stop-work order.

Now even Ron couldn't keep it together; they didn't need to come shaking him down every day, right?

Damn it, they were doing it on purpose.

After sending the person away, Ron immediately summoned Gaur.

"Haven't you noticed the problem?" he asked.

"Mr. Sur, are you referring to corruption?"

"No, corruption isn't the problem in India. Why can these inspectors always find reasons to stop work, and they aren't just talking nonsense?"

Once could be a coincidence, twice, three times... even a fool would know there's a problem.

"Mr. Sur, are you suspecting..."

"Who has access to the areas where those inspectors pointed out problems?" Ron narrowed his eyes.

"I'll go back and investigate immediately." Gaur also knew the seriousness of the matter.

"No, just give me the list."

Gaur was taken aback, then nodded. He knew what to do; he was also from Uttar Pradesh.

Ron sat in the brand new, slightly damp office, tapping his fingers lightly, expressionless.

The cement factory's business hadn't even fully started yet, and it was already being targeted.

This damned place, Uttar Pradesh, is truly a lawless land.

He now somewhat understood Ratan's line of thinking; it didn't really matter what business you did here.

Whether it was marijuana or cement, perhaps none of it could be separated from violence.

"Master." Muna stood at the door, poking his head in.

"What is it?" Ron told him to come in.

"I ran into someone in town the other day."

"Hmm?"

"He's Mr. Gaur's apprentice, Guddu. I only saw his back, and it looked like he was heading towards the Tripathi Family's direction."

Ron's lightly tapping fingers paused, then he sat up straight.

"Muna, tell me everything you saw at that time, don't miss any details."

"Yes, Master." Muna was a bit sheepish; he and Duo Ji hadn't been doing anything good that night.

However, since Master had given instructions, he certainly wouldn't hide anything, even disclosing everything about him and Duo Ji calling for Nepalese girls.

"Don't tell anyone about this, including Duo Ji."

"Yes, Master, I will inform him now."

About half a day later, Gaur handed over a list.

Those were the people working under him, some were subordinates, some were interns.

Ron just glanced at it and knew.

"Ram Bai, this is the latest intelligence from the factory."

"Very good, Guddu, how is the other matter progressing?"

"Uh," Guddu looked troubled, "Those guys won't take the bait, they're all Sur family lackeys."

"It's alright," Ram affectionately put his arm around his shoulder, "No one will dare bully you at school in the future, and your sister's dowry won't be a problem either."

"Thank you, Ram Bai! Thank you!" Guddu kept performing the namaste gesture.

"Have you figured out the routines of the two Sur family members?" Ram asked again.

"They've been staying at the Kasa family's manor, there are many guards there, I dare not approach."

"Other than the manor and the mine, don't they go anywhere else?"

"Sometimes they also return to Varanasi to reunite with their families, but no one knows their exact itinerary."

"Okay," Ram nodded, "Soon, the Tripathi Family will clear all obstacles, there will only be one king in Mirzapur."

"Long live the Tripathi!" Guddu quickly bent down to touch Ram's toes.

"Go."

Guddu left happily, with joy on his face.

His family lived in Mirzapur town, and his parents were laundry workers.

Not only were they poor, but they were also often bullied.

Guddu was the only hope of the family; to support him through university, his sister was already twenty-five years old but still unmarried.

At this age in Uttar Pradesh, she was truly an old maid.

Therefore, the groom's family made exorbitant demands for the dowry, completely beyond Guddu's family's means.

This included a gold watch - a Seiko automatic, a new bicycle, an expensive suit, and some cash.

The family couldn't gather these things, his sister secretly shed tears, and his parents sighed.

Guddu knew it was time for him to step forward and bear it all.

Since he started school, he wore the best clothes at home, was the first to eat at the table, and didn't have to do chores.

To help with household expenses, his sister remained unmarried until today. She hadn't studied and couldn't bear to buy a new sari.

His parents were over sixty years old, and their hands had been ruined again and again from washing clothes.

He couldn't pretend not to see; he had already interned, and now it was time to repay.

This was what he owed them, this was his fate.

To quickly gather the dowry, Guddu could only take risks.

He thanked Mr. Sur for providing the job, but who made Mirzapur belong to the Tripathi family?

He didn't plan to return to the factory tonight; he was going home to visit.

Ram Bai gave him some reward money, and Guddu bought a bottle of Chada whiskey at the street corner, something his father never could afford to buy.

The red-light district was as lively as ever; he licked his lips, feeling a bit of longing.

However, before he could take that step, Guddu suddenly froze.

"Muna?"

"Hello there, Guddu."

"Why are you here?"

"Waiting for you," Muna replied with a smile.

"Waiting for me?" Guddu was stunned.

"Yes." Muna moved aside.

Anil, Duo Ji, and the others slowly emerged from the shadows.

Guddu's face instantly turned pale, his legs trembling uncontrollably.

"I advise you not to act rashly, we know where your family lives," Anil reminded him.

Guddu trembled, wanting to say something, but finally lowered his head dejectedly.

"Take him away!" Anil tilted his head towards his subordinates.

Bang! The newly bought bottle of Chada whiskey fell to the ground, shattering into pieces.

Crack! Crack! Crack! The sound of the leather whip hitting flesh made people's hearts pound.

Ratan threw down the whip, panting, still feeling unsatisfied. He stepped forward and violently slapped him.

Guddu's head was slapped to the side, but he was already too weak to cry out.

He was tied to a chair, his body a bloody mess. He couldn't do anything but turn his head.

"Speak! Why did you betray the factory?" Ratan grabbed his collar.

"I'm sorry, Mr." Guddu cried in pain.

"We gave you wages, arranged accommodation for you, gave you dignity, and this is how you repay the Sur family?"

"Mr."

Slap! Ratan's slap immediately shut him up.

"Have you seen the workers at the mine? They dream of having your position."

In Guddu's mind, the image of the miners toiling like mules appeared, two-legged mules.

He shook his head desperately, unsure if it was regret or fear.

"Besides information about the factory, what else did you tell the Tripathi Family?"

Guddu remembered what Ram had told him on the steps, and fear flashed in his eyes.

"I swear in the name of Surya, the Sun God, your family will not be involved in this matter," Ratan looked at him.

"He... he was asking about your whereabouts and routines," Guddu finally confessed.

He couldn't disregard the safety of his family; he couldn't do it.

Ratan took a deep breath and slowly stood up. He looked down at the dying Guddu, his voice chillingly cold.

"You have failed everyone's expectations, you want to destroy this factory, you want to destroy the Sur family."

"Mr., please! I won't dare again, I can be your informant!" Guddu struggled and pleaded desperately.

"Ratan." Ron, who had been sitting on a chair in the back, wanted to speak.

"Ron, you don't need to interfere in this matter. I will handle it, according to the rules of Uttar Pradesh."

Ratan exhaled, there was the smell of blood and fire.