Chapter 338 - 231: The Crying Child Gets the Milk

Chapter 338: Chapter 231: The Crying Child Gets the Milk

"That’s it. I’m done!"

Zhao Wendong’s final words left everyone stunned. How had a perfectly fine commendation ceremony turned into a pledge drive? And the more they thought about it, the more his last few remarks sounded like insults. Still, since Zhao Wendong had said he was finished, everyone reflexively offered polite applause.

In the audience, Jiang Weimin covered his face, unable to watch. On the dais, some of the leaders frowned, while others just shook their heads and smiled wryly. It looked like he wasn’t impressed with the enamel mug and towel and thought the prizes were too shabby.

Zhao Wendong’s entire speech lasted less than two minutes. There were no platitudes, no melodrama—just plain, simple words. And while his final remarks were comically baffling, they only served to highlight his rustic honesty and the truth of his situation, didn’t they? Many in the audience were already moved to sympathy, wondering if they had anything they could contribute to help Zhao Wendong.

Special Commissioner Wei smiled and leaned toward the microphone. "Though Comrade Zhao Wendong’s speech was blunt, his courage in the face of adversity and his commitment to production are qualities we should all learn from. After the meeting, I’d like the representatives from the various factories to stay behind. Furthermore, if anyone else can provide Comrade Zhao Wendong with some assistance, please remain as well so we can discuss how to support him in achieving even greater success this year."

As he walked back to his seat, Zhao Wendong shot a grateful look at Wei Dongliang on the stage. ’Looks like charging into the fray for him yesterday paid off. He’s already returning the favor!’

The ceremony continued with a few more agenda items before being declared over. Afterward, a large number of people stayed behind, turning it into an impromptu meeting specifically to arrange support for Zhao Wendong.

"Alright, let’s hear it. What support can you all offer Comrade Zhao Wendong? And let me be perfectly clear: anyone who is able to help Comrade Zhao Wendong must prioritize doing so. Don’t be stingy with your resources. We need to put our best assets where they’ll do the most good. Whether or not Comrade Zhao Wendong can achieve another year of glory isn’t just his concern—it’s a matter for our entire region."

"You from the shipyard, you go first!"

The director of the shipyard was taken aback. He stood up and said, "Sir, all our factory has left is a beat-up old boat. There’s not much we can do to help..."

"A beat-up boat is fine! We can fix it!"

Zhao Wendong immediately cut in. On the dais, even Director Tang was amused and made an executive decision.

"Alright, it’s settled then. The old boat will be allocated to Comrade Zhao Wendong’s production team to help them with their fishing operations."

"Okay... okay!"

Seeing that the leadership had spoken, the shipyard director could only shake his head in resignation and sit down. After that, the other factories and departments—some willingly, some coerced—all chipped in with something. Zhao Wendong accepted everything offered, refusing nothing. He took whatever they gave, useful or not. If a unit had no materials, he’d scrounge some ration coupons from them. Whatever they produced, he wanted it. His strategy was to take a little something from everyone.

Liangzi was practically dying of laughter in the crowd. ’Everyone else comes to the regional assembly to accept an award,’ he thought. ’Only Brother Dong comes to stock up on inventory.’

Once Zhao Wendong had fleeced everyone in the region, he accepted the list of pledged donations, a satisfied smile spreading across his face.

"Huh? I thought you were illiterate!"

Someone noticed the discrepancy and cried out in surprise.

"Mmm, I can’t understand it. I’m just looking for the fun of it."

Zhao Wendong played dumb, staunchly refusing to admit he could read. Many of the officials exchanged glances, a collective feeling of being duped washing over them. ’This Zhao Wendong, with his tattered cotton coat and simpleton expression... he’s not such an honest fellow after all!’

When the meeting finally broke up, Special Commissioner Wei brought Zhao Wendong to his office. Liangzi knew his place and stood obediently in the corner, trying to be invisible. Zhao Wendong, however, plopped himself brazenly into a chair and started trading winks and conspiratorial looks with Wei Dongliang.

"Heh heh, Special Commissioner Wei, I really have to thank you for today. You helped me score so much great stuff."

Special Commissioner Wei watched him with an amused expression, which then suddenly turned serious. "Comrade Wendong, I’ve helped you get what you need, and even what you don’t. This is the limit of what the region can do right now, and we’ve put it all behind you. For this next year, whether or not you can deliver results again is entirely up to you, Comrade Wendong."

"I guarantee the mission will be accomplished!"

Zhao Wendong’s playful demeanor vanished. He snapped to attention and gave a military salute. Wei Dongliang had really come through for him; he’d even helped him fleece the fertilizer and animal feed plants, to say nothing of scoring diesel fuel, an engine, and the boat from the shipyard. They called it a beat-up old boat, but it was leagues beyond his production team’s motorized junk. In terms of tonnage, size, and speed, it was in a completely different class.

"Alright. I’ll arrange for people to coordinate the logistics as soon as possible and have everything sent to you at Dragon King Pond."

"Is there anything else I can do for you?"

Wei Dongliang had only asked out of politeness, but he regretted it the moment the words left his mouth. He had forgotten the rascal in front of him didn’t play by the book. Sure enough, Zhao Wendong was already leaning in with a mischievous grin.

"As a matter of fact, there is! Sir, you read my mind! It’s just... for hunting, we’re still short on good gear, and for fishing, we don’t have any decent nets. We could really use some modern fishing nets!"

"Alright, alright, I get it! I’ll see what I can do. Now, if there’s nothing else, you should get going. Jiang Weimin is still waiting for you."

Zhao Wendong knew to quit while he was ahead and beat a hasty retreat. "Heh heh, alright then, Sir. I won’t keep you. I’ll be on my way."

With that, he and Liangzi quickly scurried away. Special Commissioner Wei was left shaking his head. ’That kid is as sharp as a tack,’ he thought. ’Putting on an act, pretending to be poor and naive just to wheedle out some benefits. But I’m not going to call him out on it. After all, the things he’s getting are all surplus from the various units, outside their official plans. It won’t have any impact on this year’s work. I might as well do him an easy favor and lend him a hand.’