Back to 1980: Farming the Sea and Expanding the Island

Yinyang Commune! Expanding the factory! Zhao Chengwen!

These words were like a key, clicking open a clue deep within Lin Chuan's memory.

In his previous life, the scattered fragments of information were instantly connected and activated by Wang Hao's narration, and a complete and clear picture of cause and effect unfolded in his mind!

Lin Chuan's hands, resting on his knees, clenched unconsciously.

Unaware of Lin Chuan's momentary lapse in attention, Wang Hao was still sighing, "This Zhao family—the eldest uncle works in aquaculture, the father in environmental protection, and the youngest son is about to get promoted at the paper mill...sigh!"

"Hamster, thanks!" Lin Chuan interrupted Wang Hao with a smile, "Then please tell Zhao Chenghu that I'll be meeting him the day after tomorrow at noon."

"Chuanzi, are you really going...? Don't you want to reconsider?" Wang Hao said with a conflicted expression.

"It's nothing, it's just a meal, what's there to be afraid of?" Lin Chuan waved his hand and laughed.

After saying that, he got up and left.

Wang Hao watched Lin Chuan's departing figure, squatted there, and didn't move for a long time, the cigarette in his hand almost burning his fingers.

He felt that Lin Chuan's gaze just now didn't seem like that of a young man who was being targeted and facing suppression; rather, it was more like... a hunter.

Lin Chuan, with a much lighter step, strolled along the shore and found a mooring post away from the crowd to sit down.

Before me flowed the mighty Yangtze River eastward, its muddy waters shimmering with golden light under the setting sun.

He needed quiet time to sort out the surging flow of information in his mind.

Zhao Huai-ren: The vice president of the aquatic products company, very powerful...

Zhao Dehai: Director of the County Environmental Protection Office...

Zhao Chengwei: Deputy Director of the Raw Materials Department of the paper mill, Director of the new plant...

In 1979, the Environmental Protection Law (Trial Implementation) was promulgated...

The county paper mill was a major taxpayer and polluter... Yinyang Commune was expanding its new factory...

In my previous life, it was around the end of 1983 or the beginning of 84?

A major news story broke in the county: a serious pollution incident occurred at a paper mill, apparently caused by the theft of wastewater... what was it again?

Oh, right! It seems a large number of fish died in the downstream aquaculture area, and there are rumors that it almost polluted the commune's drinking water intake!

The incident caused a huge uproar. Given the special circumstances at the time, when they were cracking down on typical cases, the central government was furious and sent officials to oversee the matter. It became a typical negative example in the province's environmental protection sector that year.

Then what!

Then Zhao Dehai, the then head of environmental protection, was the first to be held accountable, dismissed from his post, and investigated.

Further investigation revealed that his son, Zhao Chengwen, abused his position at the paper mill by falsifying reed purchase volumes, pocketing kickbacks, and enriching himself.

He engaged in speculation and profiteering, and even set up a private reed processing plant, which he sold to paper mills, providing a one-stop service from raw materials to processing, transportation, and delivery to the factory.

In an attempt to make money and save costs, shoddy workmanship and illegal construction were carried out on sewage treatment facilities, which directly led to subsequent uncontrolled discharges and major pollution incidents!

With Zhao Dehai gone, the Zhao family's biggest protector is gone.

Zhao Chenghu, who had a long history of misconduct, including smuggling and embezzling state-owned assets at the aquatic products company, lost his last protection and was quickly purged.

His uncle, Zhao Huai-ren, was also implicated and brought down by his nephew's illegal activities.

In the previous life, the focus of newspapers and street discussions was on Zhao Chenghu's major smuggling case, because the goods he smuggled were rare and involved many government officials, making it a compelling story.

The root cause of all this, the "environmental corruption and dereliction of duty case" triggered by Zhao Chengwen, has been overshadowed by the smuggling case and is only mentioned in a small circle.

If I hadn't read the relevant environmental and land management data, I probably wouldn't have remembered this.

That's it!

The Zhao Chenghu family is now like a raging fire fueled by oil; their seemingly stable edifice has a time bomb buried in its foundation.

The detonator was in the hands of Zhao Chengwen, who was brimming with confidence and about to be promoted! And the detonation would take place approximately three years later!

Having figured out the reason for Zhao Chenghu's downfall, Lin Chuan slowly exhaled a long breath.

Although we have the detonator, the detonation time is too long. What would happen if we had the detonator in our own hands?

The river water lapped against the rocks on the bank, making a rhythmic splashing sound.

Lin Chuan's thoughts drifted, and a slight smile involuntarily appeared at the corner of his mouth.

Evening, in the meeting room of the brigade headquarters.

Li Jianshe and Wang Pusheng have returned, bringing with them the message from loan officer Lao Chen: requesting additional detailed plans and repayment schedules.

Liang Chengfeng, Li Tongjiang, and Lin Chuan's uncle Lin Wanghai were also there, all with furrowed brows, looking very angry.

Today, however, Li Jianguo is hosting the event.

"Request additional materials? Isn't that just shirking responsibility?" Li Jianmin said impatiently.

Wang Jianshe's face was very unpleasant. "Old Chen's attitude is completely different from yesterday. Someone must have spoken to him on his behalf."

Xiao Chuan is right, it's most likely that bastard Zhao Chenghu's doing!

Liang Chengfeng sighed: "If we're really blocked, will our cooperative... still be able to operate?"

"No way, I'm going to find that son of a bitch again tomorrow. I refuse to believe it," Wang Pusheng said fiercely.

He had been searching for that ship for over a week, making numerous inquiries before finally finding it. He had finally managed to reach an agreement, so how could he give up now?

"I'll go too, what the hell!" Lin Xuewu chimed in, his face full of anger.

It's infuriating to finally find a way to make money, only to have it disappear after just a couple of days of joy.

Lin Chuan took a sip of water and continued, "Uncle Jianshe, Uncle Pusheng, we still have to go."

You did the right thing today. Old Chen asked us to supplement the materials, so we supplemented them properly.

I'll write down our transportation route plan and repayment sources in detail and make it solid for you in a bit.

He wants to see the posture, so let's do the posture perfectly.

Li Jianshe was taken aback: "Xiao Chuan, you mean... there's still a chance?"

Whether it works or not doesn't entirely depend on him. If we do things flawlessly, let's see what excuse he can come up with to stop us.

Although Zhao Chenghu's family is powerful, a large tree is also a target for trouble. If the roots are rotten, no matter how impressive the exterior, it can collapse in an instant.

He couldn't reveal his past life memories, so he could only express it in another way: "I'm thinking that their family can't be a monolithic entity, given how big their business is."

Only thieves are guilty. We run a cooperative and do transportation openly and honestly. We don't steal or rob, we comply with policies, and we create jobs. What are we afraid of?

Even if Zhao Chenghu has powerful connections, can he really change all the regulations of the credit union? Can he really stop us farmers from getting rich through sideline businesses?

Everyone nodded subconsciously upon hearing this.

Li Jianguo tapped the table and said in a deep voice, "Alright, that's the situation. I agree with what Xiao Chuan said."

Let's not confront him head-on for now. Tomorrow, Xiao Chuan will go to the appointment, and you guys and I will go find Lao Chen. If that doesn't work, we'll try looking further up the chain of command.

However, if Zhao Chenghu is determined to cause trouble, this score will be remembered. We all make a living on the river; do you think he can escape?

"Okay, that's settled then. We'll see the results tomorrow," everyone agreed, though their voices were filled with anger.