Rebirth: Fan Debiao rises from the Liaobei land

The next morning, Fan Debiao's office was filled with smoke.

Fan Debiao flicked his cigarette ash into a tin can and drew two circles on the map: "Today we'll split into two groups. Gangzi, you take two men, load a cart with rice, flour, and oil, and go to the street office to find Director Sun. Just tell him... we're assisting the street office with their community outreach."

Gangzi scratched his head: "Brother Biao, delivering rice, flour, and oil is fine, but why 'assist in the work'?"

"You're such a blockhead," Fan Debiao tapped the map. "Giving things directly is called bribery. Assisting the neighborhood committee in visiting and comforting people in need is called building a civilized society. The differences are worlds apart."

Liu Tiezhu chuckled beside him: "Gangzi, you don't understand, do you? We're building a good relationship between the military and the people in the neighborhood—even though we're not soldiers, we're showing the right attitude."

"That's ridiculous," Gangzi muttered. "It's just a different way of saying gift-giving, why all the fuss?"

Fan Debiao ignored him and turned to Awei: "Go to the Environmental Protection Bureau. You have to get the test report. The price is negotiable, but the time can't be delayed—I need the report by next Monday at the latest."

Awei closed her notebook: "Brother Biao, what about the Environmental Protection Bureau... should we grease some palms?"

"It depends." Fan Debiao took out a wad of cash from the drawer. "Bring five thousand. Spend what needs to be spent, but keep clear records—this is called 'office expenses'."

After the two groups set off, Fan Debiao arrived at the scene and squatted at the entrance of the insulated shed, smoking with Engineer Wang.

Engineer Wang exhaled a smoke ring: "Boss Fan, the basic maintenance is almost done. We can remove the formwork in another day. But the weather... it's minus ten degrees Celsius. We'll have to be careful to keep it warm after removing the formwork, like taking care of a new mother."

"As long as it can be dismantled," Fan Debiao said. "The equipment will arrive next week, and the installation team can't wait. We can't let them just sit there watching."

Just then, the phone rang. It was Team Leader Zheng, his tone even warmer than yesterday: "Boss Fan, I've thought about the resident certificate thing. Twenty signatures are a bit too many, how about this... fifteen will do. The street office certificate is still required, but the number of signatures can be adjusted flexibly."

Fan Debiao smiled and said, "Thank you for your help, Team Leader Zheng. This is truly a timely help."

"Don't mention it." Team Leader Zheng paused for a moment. "Boss Fan, we're all sensible people. I'll definitely support your base station technically. But procedural matters still need to be followed; things have to look good on the surface."

After hanging up the phone, Engineer Wang asked, "Did that guy surnamed Zheng give in?"

"It's loosened up, but not completely." Fan Debiao stubbed out his cigarette. "That old guy is a master of playing both sides. He doesn't offend Boss Zhang, and he also leaves himself an escape route with Boss Li. He tries to please both sides, eats from both, and sways whichever way the wind blows—he's shrewd."

"So what do we do?"

"Let's do what we need to do." Fan Debiao stood up. "Let him ride his wall, we'll go our own way. As long as he's not blocking the way, let him ride all he wants."

In the afternoon, good news came from Gangzi's side.

"Brother Biao, it's all taken care of!" Gangzi's voice boomed on the phone. "Those seven building managers from the neighborhood committee were practically drooling over the rice, flour, and oil. Director Sun approved it on the spot; the certificate will be issued tomorrow. As for the signatures, the building managers guarantee it—they'll go to every single household to talk to them, and by the day after tomorrow at the latest, all fifteen households will have signed!"

Fan Debiao chuckled: "Didn't you run into any troublemakers?"

"I ran into one," Gangzi said. "That old Li from Building 3 insisted that the base station radiation was making his TV screen snowy. I immediately took out two hundred yuan and said, 'Uncle Li, take this money and buy a new antenna.' The old man was overjoyed and signed and put his fingerprint on the spot."

"Good job, Gangzi, you've improved," Fan Debiao praised.

"I learned it from Brother Biao," Gangzi chuckled. "By the way, Director Sun said the street printer was broken, so I ordered two new ones. They'll be delivered tomorrow. That's called... joint construction of supporting facilities."

Things are going smoothly on Awei's end too.

Upon seeing the envelope, Section Chief Wang of the Environmental Protection Bureau's Testing Department made a complete 180-degree turn in attitude: "Oh, Miss Wei, look at the mess this has made. I've contacted the equipment, and the Municipal Epidemic Prevention Station happens to have some availability. We can test it tomorrow, or if it's expedited... the report will be out the day after tomorrow."

"What about the cost?" Avi asked.

"Normally it's five thousand, rush service is two thousand." Section Chief Wang lowered his voice, "But since your boss Fan is so understanding, I'll give you a discount—six thousand in total, all included."

Awei paid a deposit of three thousand on the spot and returned with the receipt to report back.

Fan Debiao looked at the receipt and nodded: "This money was well spent. The Environmental Protection Bureau's report is more reliable than the residents' certificate; it's double insurance."

Six o'clock in the evening, in the innermost private room of Victoria.

Wu Derong, Fan Debiao, and Section Chief Li from ICBC.

Section Chief Li, in his early forties, with a parted hairstyle and gold-rimmed glasses, spoke slowly and deliberately, but every word hit the mark: "Boss Wu, Boss Fan, I've carefully studied your loan application. With the scale of Dexing Communications and the cash flow of Victoria, a loan of a million or two is indeed sufficient."

Fan Debiao poured him a drink: "Section Chief Li, we'd like to borrow one million. The base station project is about to be accepted, and there are five more stations to be built, so the funding gap is quite large."

Section Chief Li picked up his wine glass, but didn't drink it immediately, instead twirling it in his hand: "One million... that's not a lot, in theory. But banks have their difficulties. Your project hasn't been inspected and approved yet, so the risk factor is high. I'm afraid it won't pass the risk control review."

Wu Derong chimed in, "Section Chief Li, we're old friends. How about this—we'll borrow 500,000 yuan first, using Dexing Communications' shares and Victoria's cash flow as double collateral. Once the base station is accepted, we'll increase the loan amount."

"Even 500,000 is uncertain." Section Chief Li put down his wine glass, pushed up his glasses, and said, "According to our bank's rules, the maximum loan for this kind of construction project is 200,000. This is only because of your influence, Boss Wu."

Fan Debiao's mind was racing with calculations. Two hundred thousand yuan was enough for an emergency, but not enough for a major undertaking.

"Section Chief Li, isn't 200,000 a bit too little?" Fan Debiao said. "For this project, the 300,000 yuan payment from China Netcom will arrive at the end of the month. Their repayment ability is absolutely no problem."

Section Chief Li laughed: "Boss Fan, it's not that I don't trust you. But banks have their rules—they always add to what's already good, never offer help in times of need. Once the project is accepted and the payment is guaranteed, I'd approve not just one million, but two million."

These words are true, but they also make one feel frustrated.

Wu Derong placed a piece of sea cucumber on Section Chief Li's plate: "Section Chief Li, rules are rules, but people are flexible. Look at this—I'll work on things in the middle, and we'll try to get approval for 300,000. The interest rate will be at the maximum limit, and we'll deposit another 500,000 in a fixed deposit to support your business."

Section Chief Li's eyes lit up: "Boss Wu's words make sense. If we could deposit 500,000 in a fixed deposit... I can try to get 300,000. However—"

He then added, "However, the approval process will take at least half a month. After all, this is a high-risk project."

Fan Debiao understood: "Section Chief Li, please name a number."

"This money is well spent." Fan Debiao raised his glass. "Section Chief Li, thank you for your help. I'll thank you separately once the loan is approved."

"No problem, no problem." Section Chief Li clinked glasses with him. "Boss Fan is a man of action, and I'd be happy to be your friend."

After seeing Section Chief Li off, Wu Derong patted Fan Debiao on the shoulder: "Three hundred thousand, that's enough to get by. Once the inspection is over and the project funds arrive, we can really get started."

"Thanks to your influence, Mr. Wu." Fan Debiao lit a cigarette for him. "But Section Chief Li was right—banks only add icing on the cake. We have to weave the 'cake' ourselves first."

Just then, my phone rang.

It was Director Zhao from China Netcom, his voice beaming with joy: "Boss Fan, next Friday night is China Netcom's year-end appreciation party. General Manager Zhang specifically instructed that you absolutely must attend—dress smartly, I'll take you to meet some of the leaders."

Fan Debiao's heart skipped a beat: "Director Zhao, is my identity... appropriate?"

"Why not?" Director Zhao said, "You are an important partner of our Netcom, and General Manager Zhang specifically requested to invite you. By the way, General Manager Zhang asked me to convey that the leaders are very satisfied with your batch of 'sample machines'."

After hanging up the phone, Fan Debiao exhaled a long puff of smoke.

Wu Derong asked, "What's wrong?"

"At the Netcom appreciation event, General Manager Zhang specifically invited me," Fan Debiao said. "Looks like those ten phones...were given to the right place."

"That's a good thing!" Wu Derong patted him on the shoulder. "Getting into that circle will make your future much easier. President Zhang is treating you like one of his own."

Gangzi and Awei returned one after the other, both with beaming faces.

Gangzi took a sip of water: "Brother Biao, the street office certificate is out. Twelve of the fifteen households have signed, and the remaining three will be finalized tomorrow. Director Sun said to just contact him if anything comes up in the future."

Awei showed the receipt: "The Environmental Protection Bureau has arranged it. The test will be conducted tomorrow morning, and the report will be released the day after tomorrow. Section Chief Wang also said that our company will be given priority for future testing."

Looking at the group of people in front of him, Fan Debiao felt a warm glow in his heart.

Gangzi is honest, Awei is meticulous, Wu Derong is righteous, Engineer Wang is reliable, and even the newcomer Liu Tiezhu is single-minded in his work.

Fan Debiao walked to the window and looked at the base station pole that had already been erected on the construction site.

My phone vibrated; it was a text message from Team Leader Zheng: "Boss Fan, once the resident's certificate is submitted, the inspection process can begin. Congratulations in advance."

Fan Debiao smiled and replied, "Thank you for your consideration, Team Leader Zheng."

After replying to the message, he turned around and said to the room full of people, "Brothers, it's my treat tonight! We're drinking until we drop!"

"We won't leave until we're drunk!"