Chapter 230
Soon, the research institute team was recalled to the provincial capital for investigation, but the fertilizer plant issue was far from over. Cao Guoxiang simply couldn't handle this mess.
After he released the experts from the fertilizer plant, they completely ignored him, packed their things, and left. No one was willing to stay and continue working.
Cao Guoxiang was at his wit's end. The government holiday break was in just two days. Would he even be able to have a proper New Year?
He hadn't wanted to disturb Director Nan during her vacation, but now he had no choice but to call. With a sigh, he had the call transferred to the Huaishan County government office.
Qiao Yan didn't think much of it and had the operator connect the call to the Huai Town Discipline Inspection Commission office.
Director Liu was somewhat puzzled upon receiving a call from Rongcheng. When he heard Secretary Cao was looking for Nansheng, he readily agreed.
"Please rest assured, Secretary Cao. I'll have someone relay a message to Director Nan immediately. However, the weather here isn't great, and the mountain roads are difficult, so it might take a while."
Secretary Cao knew travel was difficult in the north during winter snows and couldn't very well rush them. He thanked him and hung up.
However, Director Liu wasn't as helpful as he pretended. Thinking that with the holiday almost here, nothing from the Rongcheng government could be so important for Nansheng, he simply couldn't be bothered.
After hanging up, he carried on as if nothing had happened. Secretary Cao waited until noon the next day and called Director Liu again.
Director Liu put on an act, saying, "Secretary Cao, I'm not quite sure. The message was passed on. Perhaps Director Nan is busy and forgot? Should I send someone again to hurry her along?"
Only then did Cao Guoxiang sense something was off. He detected a veiled hostility from Director Liu towards Nansheng. Besides, having worked with her for so long, how could he not know her character?
Nansheng was always serious about official matters. If she received a message, she would definitely call back at the first opportunity. He said a few brief words and hung up, not asking Director Liu to contact her again, which further convinced Director Liu that Secretary Cao's matter wasn't urgent.
What he didn't know was that after hanging up, Cao Guoxiang immediately had the call transferred to Secretary Ma. If you won't help, I'll find someone else!
When Secretary Ma answered and heard it was about Nansheng, his attitude was very enthusiastic. But Cao Guoxiang was frantic. Today was the last working day before the holiday, and the final deadline his superiors had given him to resolve the fertilizer plant issue.
"Secretary Ma, I have a critically important matter to discuss with Director Nan. You must have her call me back today, no matter how late. I'll wait."
Secretary Ma didn't dare delay after hanging up. He immediately called Mingli in. "Mingli, hurry home and bring Nansheng to town. The Rongcheng government has an urgent matter for her."
Mingli acknowledged and immediately headed out, thinking to himself that with the holiday upon them, why was Rongcheng looking for his sister? Could they be calling her back?
Though he wondered, his steps were quick. Mingli reached Xiangyang Village around a little past three in the afternoon. Lin Han, worried about Nansheng traveling back on the mountain road at night, came along. By the time the three of them reached the town government office, only Secretary Ma was still there waiting.
He immediately connected the call to Rongcheng. Secretary Cao was nearly moved to tears upon hearing Nansheng's voice.
He quickly explained the situation. "Director Nan, Old Wu is right here with me. Perhaps you could speak with him? No matter how angry he is, production cannot stop. It will affect the subsequent distribution of fertilizer for trials across various regions."
Once this compound fertilizer was produced, it would be sent nationwide for testing and data collection. If reserves were insufficient, many regions wouldn't be able to apply for it.
Nansheng cursed inwardly, thinking the provincial authorities were really stirring up trouble for no reason. But she agreed with Secretary Cao: the fertilizer plant must not halt production.
"Old Wu, are there any problems with continuing fertilizer production?"
"None!"
"Good. If anyone else comes causing trouble, send someone to seek help from the military district. I'll handle everything else when I return."
"Understood! Please rest assured, Director Nan!"
Secretary Cao, who had witnessed the entire exchange, felt like a complete fool. So what had all his earnest persuasion to Old Wu over the past few days amounted to?
Old Wu and the others had been waiting for Nansheng's instructions. Now he went out to direct the others back to the fertilizer plant to resume work. Formulas and ratios weren't an issue; they were all memorized.
Nansheng said, "Secretary Cao, please report this upward. I expect the leadership to provide a reasonable explanation for this incident."
After hanging up, Cao Guoxiang wore a wry smile of resignation. But then, thinking of the bright future the compound fertilizer could bring him, and that Director Nan had the backing of the military district, he lifted his head again.
Let's do it! Who's afraid of whom!
Back in Huai Town, Nansheng hung up the phone and said to Secretary Ma, "Rongcheng tried to call me yesterday. The call went to the Discipline Inspection Commission office."
Secretary Ma and Mingli exchanged a glance, both faces showing anger. "Director Liu is being utterly irresponsible. This delayed important business!"
"It did delay business. Serious official business that could potentially affect our county's application for the compound fertilizer trials."
Secretary Ma grew extremely anxious upon hearing this, but then he caught Nansheng's knowing, half-smiling expression and understood. He scratched his head and laughed too.
"Then Director Liu has really landed himself in major trouble..."
He had been worrying about how to deal with the man decisively, and Nansheng had handed him a method, one that could finish him off with a single blow. What a promising start to the New Year indeed!
It was already quite late. Nansheng and the others hadn't had dinner and were surely eager to get home. Secretary Ma thought of inviting them to his house, but considering the two children, Nansheng declined.
"Alright, then you should head back early. I'll definitely come early for the wedding feast on Mingli's big day."
On the way back, Mingli asked Nansheng, "Sis, do you still have any hot pot base at home?"
He loved it, he craved it!
He was riding his own bicycle, loaded with the New Year goods issued by the government. He figured if they could have hot pot for dinner, he'd stay at his sister's place; otherwise, he'd go straight home.
"Yes, we do. You should come home with us. Saves Mother having to get up and fix you a meal when you get home."
Back in Xiangyang Village, both children were home. They had eaten at the old house that evening and returned immediately after.
There were no dipping sauces at home, so Nansheng used a generous amount of the base to cook the hot pot. The flavor was just right to eat directly. This time, she also made hand-pulled noodles to cook in the broth, tempting the two children to join in for another meal.
After eating his fill, Mingli patted his round belly, utterly satisfied. "Sis, you should make more hot pot base. Tell me what you need, and I'll go to town to buy it tomorrow. Mom and Dad both like it too."
"Alright, you can make a trip tomorrow then. If you can get beef tallow, even better. Hot pot base made with beef fat is more fragrant!"
Meanwhile, Director Liu was also enjoying a hearty meal at home. He particularly loved frying a plate of peanuts to go with his drink in the evening. While reminiscing about the hard times of the past, he didn't forget to curse a few things.
Unaware that his comfortable life was now on a countdown...