Courtyard House: Inheriting the Restaurant, the Jia Family Wants to Get It for Free

"Someone bypassed the city government and directly submitted the whistleblower's letter to a higher-level department."

"The whistleblower letter said that during your tenure overseeing the Sino-Soviet cooperation project, you, Cheng Shuhai, engaged in factionalism, eliminated dissidents, and used national projects to cultivate your personal power."

"A joint investigation team has been established to conduct a comprehensive review of all the factories under your supervision."

The new whistleblower letter was like a depth charge, exploding beneath the calm surface of a lake.

This time, the opponent's methods were even more insidious and deadly.

"Cultivating private power" and "eliminating dissidents"—each of these phrases is like a poisoned knife, precisely stabbing at Cheng Shuhai's vitals.

Chen Xueru and Qin Huairu were extremely anxious when they heard the news.

"This must have been done by that Director Wang!" Chen Xueru trembled with anger. "We just dealt with his relative who cheated in the exam hall, and he immediately filed a false accusation! That man is utterly heartless!"

"Brother, what do we do now?" Qin Huairu asked anxiously. "What if they twist our rejection of those with connections into the fact that we're deliberately excluding people from other departments?"

They worried that Cheng Shuhai's insistence on his principles would be used as leverage against him.

However, to their surprise, after listening, Cheng Shuhai showed no sign of tension on his face. Instead, he revealed a faint, almost imperceptible smile.

"You've come at the perfect time," he said casually.

"What?" Chen Xueru and Qin Huairu both thought they had misheard.

"I say, their letter of complaint came at just the right time." Cheng Shuhai stood up and paced around the room. "I was just worried about how to finalize some rules. Their commotion has given me the best opportunity possible."

He looked at the two women, who looked puzzled, and explained, "They reported me, so the higher-ups will inevitably investigate. What we need to do is lay everything out in the open and let them investigate."

"Are there any problems with our accounts?"

"No," Qin Huairu replied immediately.

"Is our recruitment process open and transparent? Are the candidates selected based solely on their highest scores?"

"Yes," Chen Xueru nodded.

"When we purchase equipment, do we choose the ones with the best cost performance? Are the products we export of of high quality?"

"Of course!"

"That settles it then," Cheng Shuhai laughed. "The more detailed their investigation, the more it will prove our innocence. Then, this investigation report, personally signed by the higher-level investigation team, will be our strongest 'shield'!"

"As for what they call 'cultivating private power,' that's even easier to handle." A cold smile curled at the corner of Cheng Shuhai's lips. "Don't they think that I, as someone 'outside the system,' am meddling too much? Then I'll take this opportunity to clearly write down my power and responsibilities in my position. Let everyone know exactly what I, Cheng Shuhai, can and cannot manage."

What he wanted was never a specific official position. What he wanted was the power to make the rules.

Old Zhao is also under tremendous pressure.

Many people whispered in his ear that although Cheng Shuhai was capable, his foundation was too shallow and he was not a party member. It was too risky for him to control so many key projects.

Some have even begun to publicly suggest that Cheng Shuhai should be formally appointed to a government department as a deputy, subject to "unified management and leadership of the organization."

This may seem like a promotion, but in reality, it's about putting this tiger in a cage of bureaucracy, pulling out his teeth, and clipping his claws.

Zhao Lao privately relayed these words to Cheng Shuhai.

"Shuhai, what do you think?"

"Mr. Zhao, my attitude remains the same as before," Cheng Shuhai replied firmly. "I can accept any form of supervision and auditing. However, I will never accept being placed in a fixed position just to facilitate the sharing of power among certain individuals. I do not receive any administrative rank from the state, nor do I receive the salary and benefits of a government official. I am simply an 'external consultant' hired by the state to solve problems. As long as the project is ongoing, I am here. When the project ends, I leave. It's that simple."

After listening, Old Zhao remained silent for a long time.

He knew that this was Cheng Shuhai's bottom line.

This young man possessed an almost obsessive pride; he would never allow himself to become a pawn in a power struggle.

Finally, Old Zhao sighed and nodded.

He returned to his office, personally drafted a report, and submitted it.

A few days later, the joint investigation team from higher authorities arrived as scheduled.

At the same time, another official document, drafted by Zhao Lao himself and signed by the highest level, was also distributed to all relevant units.

The document did not assign Cheng Shuhai any government position.

However, the document used unprecedentedly clear and strong language to define Cheng Shuhai's identity and responsibilities.

Several Provisions on Clarifying the Duties and Authority of Comrade Cheng Shuhai, the External Chief Consultant of the "Sino-Soviet Industrial Cooperation Project".

The document clearly states in black and white:

"Comrade Cheng Shuhai, as the specially appointed chief consultant of the project, is fully responsible for all technical solutions, production quality control, and technical exchanges and communication with the Soviet Union in the three pilot areas of food, textiles and daily necessities."

"All relevant factories and departments must first consult and respect Comrade Cheng Shuhai's professional opinions when working in the above areas."

"To ensure the project's independence and professionalism, Comrade Cheng Shuhai will not be included in any government administrative hierarchy, and his work will be directly accountable to the project's highest leadership group."

This document is like an imperial edict.

It used institutional means to completely and thoroughly nail down Cheng Shuhai's position.

He was not an official, but he possessed a greater voice in his professional field than many officials.

Anyone who wants to bypass him can do so. But please come up with a more advanced technical solution.

Anyone who tries to use their administrative rank to pressure him will be in trouble. You'll have to ask the "top leadership team for the project" behind him first if they'll agree.

Upon receiving this document, Cheng Shuhai knew that he had won.

He immediately followed up by submitting a new, even more stringent, management plan to the investigation team and project leadership team, which could be described as "tying his own hands."

In the proposal, he proactively suggested:

"The heads of each factory will be subject to a regular job rotation system. After serving in a position for two years, they must be rotated. This is to prevent anyone from forming their own 'little kingdom' in any particular field."