50s: Starting with a storage ring

Chapter 508 Doing Big Things with a Few Thousand Dollars

Before Sun Zhiwei left last time, they planned to acquire a total of 5 mining areas, including one magnesium mine and four iron mines.

The magnesium mine was small and owned by a private mine owner. Because it had been losing money every year, it was intended to be sold and has now been purchased for $30.

The four iron mines are the common property of four local indigenous tribes, and because they have always been mined by hand, the output is extremely small.

One of the mining areas experienced a power struggle and rebellion, and the newly appointed tribal chief sold the mining area, which he had already bought for $10.

The other three mining areas have been shut down due to multiple mining accidents over the past year, and the situation is still developing and has not yet ended.

Sun Zhiwei nodded upon hearing this, and then he said, "I came here this time to take over that small diamond mine and two gold mines."

“Show me the relationships between these three mines, and I’ll buy them once I’ve sorted out the details.”

Huang Huizhong didn't quite understand what he meant by "beginning and end," but he had already investigated the information about those three mines thoroughly.

At this point, Sun Zhiwei asked him a question, and he immediately told him everything.

“Yes, sir. The No. 1 gold mine and diamond mine belong to the Wichaya family. The head of the Wichaya family is the captain of the enforcement team of the Pontianak City Tax Bureau.”

“The No. 2 gold mine belongs to the Habibi family, who have some minor bureaucrats in Pontianak. The most famous member of their family now is a scientist named Baharuddin Yusuf Habibi, who is currently serving as Hatto’s scientific advisor.”

After hearing this, Sun Zhiwei felt something was amiss. Habibi's family was one thing, but although the No. 1 gold mine and the diamond mine were both small mines, it was impossible for just one law enforcement captain to hold them safely.

Who else is behind the Wichaya family?

"Well, there's a rumor that their previous patriarch was Hatto's advisor, but he's been dead for ten years. It's very likely that they're just spreading rumors."

Sun Zhiwei was somewhat disappointed by Huang Huizhong's political savvy. Who was Hathor? He was the current king of Java. Who would dare to challenge his authority? Weren't they afraid of dying?
He estimated that it was unlikely that his staff members were involved, but it was probably true that the Wichaya family had some connection with the Hatto family.

But the relationship isn't very close because there's a generation gap. At most, there's still some familial connection; otherwise, their family wouldn't be holding minor official positions in such a small place as Pontianak.

Having understood the situation, he could make a preliminary decision: his main target was the diamond mine, while the gold mine was secondary.

“Abandon Gold Mine No. 2 and focus on the Wichaya family.”

"Understood, Mr. James."

"Also, does the Huang family have anyone in the Pontianak municipal government? I mean their own family, not their supporters."

"There are two junior colleagues in the city, one in the tax bureau and the other in the city hall. They are both low-level employees with no power or influence."

How old are they?

“The one at the tax bureau, Huang Jinhua, is my nephew, he’s 28 years old; the one at the city hall is my cousin, Huang Taining, he’s 35.”

Sun Zhiwei looked at him speechlessly. At their age, they were still just employees, not even a team leader. How useless were these two? "Didn't you ever think about helping them out?"

Huang Hongxuan said with a wry smile, "It's not that they don't have support. Without my financial support, they wouldn't be able to stay there. Now I have to give them tens of thousands of yuan every year to build relationships with colleagues."

"Is the situation that bad? Which entities in the city are friendly, or at least neutral?"

Huang Hongxuan thought for a moment and said, "We can't say we're friendly, but as long as they're not Javanese, they can basically remain neutral towards us. One of the deputy mayors I support, Budiman, can also remain neutral."

"What ethnicity does this Budiman belong to?"

"Malay".

"Tell Huang Taining to get closer to Mayor Budiman as soon as possible. Make sure he takes a clear side and makes a lot of efforts. Even if he doesn't succeed, make sure others know." "Why?" Huang Hongxuan asked curiously, but then apologized, "Sorry, I'll go and inform my cousin Taining in a bit."

"I'll give him two weeks, the sooner the better, and let me know after the operation."

"In addition, you should also intensify your efforts to befriend this Budiman during this period, which is also two weeks."

Huang Huizhong wasn't stupid. Sun Zhiwei mentioned "two weeks" twice, which meant that this was a very crucial time.

“I understand,” Huang Huizhong said.

"You may not fully understand my thoughts, so I'll explain them simply."

"The Huang family must have people in the municipal government, and they must have allies, at all costs."

"If there are obstacles, you should find a way to remove them, but don't involve yourself in them. I'll set an example for you this time."

In Sun Zhiwei's view, Huang Huizhong and his ilk were simply indecisive. They were afraid of being killed, so they acted hesitantly and cautiously.

Even setting up a security team has been delayed for several years and is still not in place, so Sun Zhiwei is not very optimistic about Huang Huizhong.

But he has no other options at the moment, so he has to choose the best among the worst and make do with him.

Once he gets to know more Chinese people, he'll replace the person sooner or later if a better candidate comes along.

"And what about Huang Jinhua from the tax bureau? Can we get him promoted by throwing money at him?"

"No, we've tried, but they won't accept money from the Huang family."

"You won't accept it? How much did you give?"

“300 million dong.” When he said this number, Sun Zhiwei was shocked. How could it cost so much money for a tax bureau employee to be promoted?
However, he immediately realized that the unit was the local currency, the 'shield'. He converted the amount in his mind and almost cursed.

The so-called 300 million rupiah is just seven or eight thousand US dollars. A few thousand US dollars to get someone to do something is a price he really didn't expect.

Is the going rate for getting things done in Borneo really that low? No wonder they can't get anything done.

He took a deep breath and asked Huang Huizhong, "Why not give them more?"
Huang Huizhong replied, "We've already paid three times the price others charge. If we pay too much, it will be difficult to negotiate the price again if we want to ask them for help in the future."

Sun Zhiwei was speechless. You haven't even passed the first hurdle, and you're already thinking about next time? Next time my foot!

He stared silently into Huang Huizhong's eyes, causing Huang to avert his gaze.

"Now, immediately, go and contact his direct superior and give him US dollars directly."

"The first time, give him $10. If he doesn't take it, give him $50 the second time. If he still doesn't take it, kill him the third time and then send the money to the next one."

"Do you understand?"

"But is such a violent approach necessary? What if it gets discovered?" Huang Huizhong was still a little worried.

Sun Zhiwei slammed his fist on the table and roared, "Are you stupid? Can't you just pay someone to do it? Why did you have to drag yourself into this? Do you earn all that money just to clean up your messes?"

His sudden outburst startled Huang Huizhong, who stood up abruptly. After hearing Sun Zhiwei's words, he sheepishly admitted that he understood.

(End of this chapter)