Chapter 329 - 178: Petty Tricks

Chapter 329: Chapter 178: Petty Tricks

The drinks had been poured and the courses served. Fueled by alcohol and forced merriment, the atmosphere in the private room settled into a delicate balance.

Everyone seemed to be toasting each other, laughing and chatting away, but their gazes kept drifting to Wang Yanzhi and Yang Wenqing at the head of the table, wondering what the true purpose of this gathering was.

Wang Yanzhi seemed a little tipsy. He set down his cup, picked up the warm towel beside him to wipe his hands, and let his gaze sweep casually across the round table before it finally settled on Yang Haishan, who had just finished a drink with the person next to him.

"Chairman Yang..."

Wang Yanzhi’s voice wasn’t loud, but it had an undeniable, penetrating quality that quieted the boisterous room. "Seeing as we’re all here today, there’s something I’d like to run by Chairman Yang, and everyone else present."

He was smiling, but his tone had shifted, losing its earlier superficial politeness.

"The war on the northern front is tense. Our soldiers are fighting bloody battles to preserve the peace of Wanxuan and protect the stability of the home front."

Wang Yanzhi’s eyes gleamed as he surveyed the crowd. "The Cabinet, in consideration of the front lines and to resolve this urgent crisis, has ordered all provincial governments to raise additional funds to reward the troops and boost their morale. This is a token of appreciation that we on the home front ought to provide. It is also a responsibility that our Donghai Province must bear for the Cabinet."

His gaze refocused on Yang Haishan’s face, his smile deepening. "The Provincial Government has considered the actual circumstances of every prefecture, county, and business. We’re being understanding."

"Therefore, the contribution amounts have been meticulously calculated. For a company like yours, Chairman Yang—a major taxpayer in our Lingshan New District, and indeed in all of Donghai Province—the provincial government’s expectations are naturally higher."

Wang Yanzhi raised an index finger. Staring at Yang Haishan, he spoke a number. "One hundred million. Chairman Yang, wouldn’t you say that’s a considerate sum?"

One hundred million!

The moment he spoke, you could have heard a pin drop in the room. The smiles on the faces of the wealthy businessmen, who had been laughing just moments before, instantly froze. Many of them reflexively gasped.

The smile on Yang Haishan’s face froze as well. But he was a man who had weathered great storms; after a brief loss of composure, he quickly adopted a deeply troubled expression.

"Supervisor Wang... This... this..."

He wrung his hands, leaning forward slightly. His voice was a mixture of earnestness and helplessness. "The Provincial Government is being considerate, and we who work at the grassroots level are endlessly grateful."

He began by posturing humbly before continuing, "But one hundred million... it’s just... SIGH. To be honest with you, Supervisor, the company may look big and prosperous, but our expenses are enormous..."

"Upgrading the mining equipment costs money, workers’ salaries and benefits need to be raised, our new processing plants are still in their investment phase, and on top of that, raw material prices have been volatile. The books might show some cash flow, but that’s the lifeblood we need just to keep operating. It’s tied up in the accounts and can’t be touched!"

"If we pull out one hundred million all at once, I’m afraid the company’s cash flow will completely break. That would disrupt normal production and supply from the mines, and I simply can’t bear the responsibility for that."

He spoke with heartfelt sincerity.

However, the smile on Wang Yanzhi’s face instantly vanished. His voice rose, taking on an accusatory tone.

"Chairman Yang, are you trying to plead poverty with me? As far as I know, at the end of last month, your mining and processing company had over three hundred million in cash on its books. What’s that money for, just sitting there earning interest? Hmm? Are you waiting for the right opportunity to line certain people’s pockets?"

The words were so blunt that even Yang Wenqing couldn’t help but give Wang Yanzhi a second look before turning his gaze to Yang Haishan.

Yang Haishan shot to his feet, the movement so abrupt he nearly knocked over his chair. Perhaps from a habit of being the one in charge, he instinctively wanted to lash out. But as he met Wang Yanzhi’s mocking gaze, his expression contorted, and he tried to force a brilliant smile that simply wouldn’t come.

Then, his voice cracking as if on the verge of tears, he cried out, "Supervisor Wang! This is a grave injustice! A terrible injustice! That money is earmarked for the next phase of equipment upgrades at the mines and as a security deposit for several major contracts! It’s all business-to-business, with clear purposes and contracts attached. Every single cent is spoken for! There are no selfish motives, I swear! Supervisor, I beg you to see the truth! Please see the truth!"

He was so abject he looked as if he might drop to his knees right then and there.

Wang Yanzhi scoffed, leaning back in his chair and crossing his hands over his stomach. He looked down his nose at Yang Haishan and said:

"Chairman Yang, I think you’ve been living the good life for too long and have forgotten your place. Your company is state property! It belongs to the Provincial Government, the Cabinet, and even the United Conference! You are merely its steward. The money in its accounts is ultimately the treasury’s money! The Provincial Government’s money!"

His tone was sharp, his words deliberate. "How this money is to be used, and where, is not for a chairman like you to decide. It is most certainly not your private asset, sitting in an account for you to deploy at will. Let me be clear: this military contribution is a directive from the Provincial Government. It is a political directive. You will pay it. You have no choice."

Wang Yanzhi leaned forward, his gaze as sharp as a knife. "If you refuse to pay, first thing tomorrow morning, I will personally coordinate with the Provincial Finance Department and the banks to have the funds transferred directly from your company’s account. We won’t even need to notify ’Chairman’ Yang. Do you believe me?"

This was no longer just a threat, but an ultimatum that ripped away all pretense.

A direct transfer and a voluntary contribution were two entirely different things. The latter allowed him to save some face; the former meant trampling Yang Haishan’s dignity and his control over the company completely underfoot.