Chapter 22: The Brazen Gang's Audacious Crime

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For many of these people, this was their very first—and possibly only—time appearing on television. They were all incredibly excited, casting aside every worry and boldly speaking their minds.

It was the factory director who ordered the men to forcibly remove the machine tools.

Cheng Shi’s willingness to accept unemployment was contingent upon the factory allowing him to purchase the machines.

Although Cheng Shi was usually trouble-prone, everyone could attest that this time he was obedient and quiet about being laid off, without a single complaint or tear.

Cheng Yongjin was also a veteran of the machinery factory, having worked diligently for over twenty years and only retired two years ago.

Yet the factory turned its back on him so quickly—was there any trust left at all?

They seized the equipment and even resorted to violence!

Would they treat us the same way in the future?

The crowd, genuinely alarmed by the factory’s sudden betrayal, couldn’t help but put themselves in the same position.

Their anger grew louder, and some even began to weep: “The Cheng family is pitiful, relying solely on Cheng Shi to support them. Yet the factory bullies them so mercilessly—it’s like giving people no way to survive.”

Compared to these people, Cheng Shi—the main figure in the incident—appeared relatively composed during the interview.

He produced the contract with the factory and the loan agreement, allowing reporter Guo to capture clear footage.

Then he said, “As a laid-off worker from the machinery factory, a law-abiding citizen and patriotic member of the community, I only wanted to buy the factory’s scrap machine tools, repair them, and put them to good use. I also helped the automobile plant solve a long-standing problem with parts processing.”

Reporter Guo was astonished: “You helped them solve the problem? How come the automobile plant didn’t say a word about such a big matter?”

Cheng Shi showed a bearing: “Look, this is the part I processed for the automobile plant. They have already resumed production.”

Though Guo was not an expert, Cheng Shi wouldn’t dare lie about whether the plant resumed operations, so it was likely true. She nodded repeatedly: “Comrade Cheng Shi is so young yet possesses such excellent skills—truly rare. The machinery factory is too careless with its talent.”

Knowing Cheng Shi was promoting himself, Guo didn’t interrupt.

Besides, she had uncovered an important news lead.

After all, the automobile plant’s widely publicized recruiting campaign had stirred up quite a buzz.

Cheng Shi continued, “If the factory genuinely needs these machines, they should negotiate with me properly. I will do my best to cooperate, since I was once a worker there. But the factory’s current behavior is unacceptable. It infringes on personal rights and private property, violates the credit union’s rights and assets, and seriously damages the machinery factory’s credibility.”

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Reporter Guo sighed: “Comrade Cheng Shi, as the victim, shows remarkable calmness and reason. Since you are the city’s first laid-off worker, how much severance did the machinery factory give you?”

Cheng Shi sighed softly: “To be honest, I haven’t received a single cent. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have had to take out a huge loan from the credit union to buy this scrap machine and try to make a living. I didn’t want to cause trouble for the factory, but this is how they treat me.”

Guo was angry as well: “How can the machinery factory be like this? They let people go but give no severance. When others try to make a living, they cut off their path. It’s outrageous.”

The credit union representatives, eager to set an example—especially since their status lagged far behind the banks—also took the matter seriously. One of them, wearing a stern expression, told Guo, “If this case isn’t handled fairly and seriously, then if everyone who borrows money behaves like this, won’t all state-owned assets be lost?”

The police officers felt awkward. The dispute was escalating rapidly: on one side was the machinery factory, on the other the credit union, and now it was on television.

Their rank was too low to intervene effectively.

If the situation worsened, they would lose control of the scene. They quickly called to report to the city public security bureau.

Upon hearing the report, the bureau was furious: “They even dare to seize assets belonging to the city bank? They clearly have no respect for us.”

“If we handle this case well, it will boost this year’s performance!”

The city bureau immediately dispatched senior officials.

Within half an hour, police cars blared their sirens as they arrived.

After hearing the full story from the officers, the city bureau leader told reporter Guo, “We assure the public that we will handle this matter sternly, retrieve the seized machines as soon as possible, and safeguard the property and personal safety of the people.”

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Zhang Ziqiang went back and told Zhang Guohua about the incident.

Zhang Guohua chuckled: “Finally, someone taught that brat a lesson. I always said, how could the machinery factory let private individuals own such valuable machines?”

Zhang Ziqiang said, “The machinery factory really bullies people. How can they just go to someone’s home and seize their belongings? What’s the difference from bandits in the old days?”

Zhang Guohua retorted: “Nonsense. This is public property. Can individuals just take it whenever they want? Director Liu represents not himself but the machinery factory, recovering assets for the collective and the state. I don’t see anything wrong with that.”

Zhang Ziqiang wanted to argue further, but Zhang Guohua said, “Aren’t you supposed to be working? Why are you so idle? Look at Cheng Shi—so young and skilled. Unlike you, always loafing around, acting carefree.”

The phone on the table rang, and Zhang Ziqiang hurried out.

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It was Director Liu Jianshe calling.

Zhang Guohua answered: “Ah, Director Zhang, congratulations on reclaiming such important assets.”

Liu Jianshe replied, “Thank you. I heard your machine tools broke down. We can help you process parts at half the price Cheng Shi charges, and with better quality guaranteed.”

Zhang Guohua said, “That’s wonderful.”

Liu Jianshe said, “I’ll come by to discuss the details when I have time.”

After hanging up, Liu Jianshe happily patted Liu Jie on the shoulder: “Son, you’re amazing. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have known that brat Cheng Shi actually repaired the machine tools.”

Yesterday, after hearing from Liu Jie, Liu Jianshe deliberately waited until Cheng Shi left before taking action.

To him, the machines originally belonged to the factory, so bringing them back was only right and proper.

Liu Jie said, “I just don’t want factory assets to be lost or for him to take advantage. Cheng Shi used the machines as loan collateral, clearly trying to get something for nothing—using a small amount of interest to use the machines free for half a year.”

Liu Jianshe nodded: “Exactly. And if the machines are fixed, their value is definitely more than 5,000 yuan. If he resells them for tens of thousands and pays the credit union only 5,000, isn’t that embezzling state assets?”

Someone listening nearby couldn’t help but curse silently: “Like father, like son—dragons produce dragons, phoenixes produce phoenixes, and mice produce mouseholes.”

Indeed, these two were father and son, cut from the same cloth—boldly seizing others’ property while speaking with such self-righteous arrogance.

They called Qian Xiaoying over.

She entered the boot-up password, but the screen showed “Incorrect password.”

She tried again, but it still failed.

“It must be that brat Cheng Shi who changed the password,” Liu Jianshe ground his teeth. “Is there any way to reset it?”