Courtyard House: Drunk and tipsy, the whole courtyard exposed at the start.

Lou Bancheng was both amused and exasperated: "Director Zhao, it's not that I'm unwilling to pay, it's that I really can't afford it."

"How about this, let Zhang Dabiao come to our house and pick out whatever he likes?"

"Our Lou Mansion's small courtyard, the dividend shares from the steel mill, and two restaurants—"

"How about giving him the full compensation?"

"I'm truly at my wit's end."

Director Zhao was trembling with anger. Wasn't this just cheating?

Moreover, he dared not do that, wouldn't that be tantamount to confiscating his property?

According to the contract, it really has nothing to do with Lou Bancheng. If this were to be done, it would be telling all the capitalists that we can confiscate your property at any time, which would have a huge impact.

He really didn't dare to do that.

Even if Lou Bancheng is genuinely offering compensation, would Zhang Dabiao dare to take over his belongings?

He earned the $72 through his intelligence and talent. Although people are envious and jealous, this is not against the law and actually enhances my country's prestige.

But if Zhang Dabiao takes over Lou Bancheng's things—wouldn't he become a capitalist too? Wouldn't that harm Zhang Dabiao?

But if this matter isn't resolved, Director Zhao will remain angry.

He looked at Zhang Dabiao and asked, "Dabiao, what's your opinion on this?"

Zhang Dabiao curled his lip: "As long as the money can be recovered, I'll listen to the ministry."

Upon hearing that Zhang Dabiao had so much stuff, Director Zhao pointed at Lou Bancheng and issued an ultimatum: "Mr. Lou, this is my last notice. I expect you to provide a perfect solution within a week."

"Otherwise, if this matter is reported, we won't be able to control the consequences."

Upon hearing this, Lou Bancheng's pupils contracted slightly, but he quickly regained his composure and said with a wry smile, "Director Zhao, I'll try my best to find a way, I'll try my best..."

Lou Bancheng and Zhang Dabiao left the ministry's office building one after the other. When Zhang Dabiao left, Director Zhao patted him on the shoulder and said, "I told you long ago, capitalists are not to be trusted."

"Now you see, hey..."

"The department will keep an eye on this for you, but how things ultimately develop depends on the final decision from above..."

Zhang Dabiao nodded, but what he was thinking was—

Sorry, I don't trust anyone right now.

From a legal perspective, there's absolutely nothing that can be done about this in China.

After leaving the house, they hadn't gone far when they saw Lou Bancheng's old car parked on the side. When they saw Zhang Dabiao arrive, Qu San invited Zhang Dabiao to get in the car, as Old Master Lou wanted to have a chat with him.

But Zhang Dabiao did not get on the bus.

He stood next to the car and knocked on the window. Lou Bancheng had no choice but to roll down the window.

"Boss Lou, just tell me what's on your mind."

Lou Bancheng said "sincerely," "Da Biao, Yu Fan hasn't replied to me yet. Uncle Lou has his reasons. Can we sit down and talk about compensation?"

Zhang Dabiao impatiently lit a cigarette: "Boss Lou, then tell me, how are you going to compensate me?"

Lou Bancheng also got out of the car. The two of them chatted by the roadside while Qu San kept watch.

These days, only capitalists or high-ranking officials can afford to drive such cars, so no one bothered to come and watch; everyone kept their distance.

"I'll personally compensate you with 10 yuan, plus a three-courtyard house, and... and I'll also give you ten small yellow croakers..."

The more he spoke, the gloomier Zhang Dabiao's face became.

"In Hong Kong, give your older brother, Roy Cheung, another HK$10."

"Our Lou family only has so much readily available cash flow. Even if we give you the dividends and shares from those factories, you won't be able to use them."

"Da Biao, know when to stop. I'll figure out how to explain this to the department."

"My eldest son is in trouble. He doesn't want to steal your money; he simply can't come up with it."

"This is already the greatest sincerity our Lou family can offer."

Mentioning Roy Cheung implies that he knows about Cheung's overseas connections. While this is presented as the greatest show of sincerity, Cheung Tai-biao knows that Cheung is taking advantage of Cheung's reluctance to take over Cheung's mainland businesses. Indeed, Cheung is hesitant to take over Cheung's businesses, as even capitalists are hesitant to do so, let alone someone like Cheung, who is only a "junior high school graduate".

Lou Bancheng wanted to appease himself with the least amount of money and settle the matter peacefully.

He had no choice but to accept the situation. He couldn't go to Hong Kong, as it would be their territory anyway. He also dared not take over the Lou family's mainland businesses and could only suffer in silence. Furthermore, he had leverage over his overseas connections that they still held over him, so he dared not speak out.

Then the Lou family could then easily steal their $72.

When the Lou family fled to Hong Kong in 65, they lived a life of luxury, but what about us?

With only 10 RMB, 10 HKD, a yard, and 10 small yellow croakers, he managed to spend 72 USD on food?

Do you really think you're made of clay?

Zhang Dabiao threw his cigarette butt on the ground and sneered at Lou Bancheng, "Boss Lou, you've taken the wrong path."

Then he put his hands in his pockets and walked away without looking back.

Where are you going?

Go back and sharpen your knife!

I wouldn't dare touch Lou Bancheng on the mainland, but what about Hong Kong?

With the emperor far away and me, I, Zhang Yaoyang, am online and ready to flip the table!

Pay back what you owe me, and spit out what you took from me!

Qu San's eyes were gloomy as he asked Lou Bancheng.

"Boss, do you want me...?"

Lou Bancheng waved his hand: "This is Beijing, now it's a new country, not like before liberation."

"If we really mess with him, we won't be able to escape responsibility either."

"Have Xiao'e make the trip tomorrow, you go with her, deliver the money and things, and then see how he reacts."

"After all, it's our Lou family that owes him."

------------

Zhang Dabiao returned to the courtyard house, where Qin Jingru, Mu Wanqing, and He Yushui were preparing a meal, just in time for dinner.

Seeing Zhang Dabiao return with a dark face, Mu Wanqing stepped forward and asked him a question.

"Da Biao, what's wrong?"

Zhang Dabiao smiled and said, "It's alright, let's eat."

The three women could tell that Zhang Dabiao was in a bad mood, but since he wouldn't say, they didn't press him further.

That evening, Zhang Dabiao went to Hong Kong, where the tea stall was operating normally. These small, individually-run tea stalls, run by ordinary people, weren't very profitable and weren't large-scale, so they didn't attract much attention. The only difference was that the cost of cream and chocolate was "a bit high," but it was essentially still a roadside stall, so not many people were envious, since everyone could calculate the costs.

Currently, the profits it generates are enough to ensure that Zhang Dabiao can buy 2000 Hong Kong dollars worth of food each month, so Zhang Dabiao is not too worried. After explaining some things to Ah Xiang, he went to a hardware store on Shau Kei Wan Main Street to buy a watermelon knife, which is really hard to buy in mainland China.

At one o'clock in the morning, Zhang Dabiao was asleep when suddenly a small wooden house appeared in his mind.

In the open space behind the teahouse in Lishuiqiao Village, the small wooden house had already been built by Qin Mancang and others.

Zhang Dabiao remained calm. He needed to go and see who was guarding there, and he also needed to explain some things before he could piece things together and transfer the grain over there through the "small nest main base".

The next day at noon, Zhang Dabiao and Qin Jingru finished school, and Qin Mancang also returned to the courtyard house, telling Zhang Dabiao about what happened at the teahouse.

The village arranged for an old man to guard the gate, the kind who could lie down and die at any time, so they weren't afraid of trouble. They also got a dog, a puppy born to an old hunter's dog, to guard the gate and the yard.

Qin Mancang was running back and forth between the two places because he had to go to the factory frequently. He also asked Zhang Dabiao if he needed the factory to issue a certificate and make a sign to make the teahouse a purchasing point for "Hongxing Daily Necessities Manufacturing Factory" in Lishuiqiao Village and Taipingzhuang Township.

This makes it more standardized and safer.

Zhang Dabiao thought about it and realized that this was indeed a good idea.