Der Himmel ist das Ufer des sterblichen Staubs

Kapitel 9

"What agreement?" Feng Junzi interrupted him. "The contract clearly states 2,500 pairs of leather shoes. I think leather shoes are for both feet, right? How am I supposed to accept this kind of goods? Since all the leaders are here, do you think his behavior is fraud or counterfeit? I think confiscating this batch of goods is acceptable."

Everyone went to look at the pairs of leather shoes that Feng Junzi had opened, and sure enough, they were all right-foot shoes. Someone said, "Did they pack the wrong ones? There's no such thing as a counterfeit product."

Feng Junzi said, "Only Manager Chen knows whether the wrong shoes were packed or not." He then walked to the other side, picked up a box, opened it, and sure enough, all the leather shoes inside were right-foot shoes. He then turned to Manager Chen and said, "Manager Chen, do you need me to check them again?"

Manager Chen turned pale with anger and said in an angry tone, "No need. It seems we really did pack the wrong goods. I'll send them back right now and tell Qin Xiaoya not to regret it."

At this moment, someone nearby spoke up: "No wonder Qin Xiaoya asked us to come and keep an eye on things. Such a strange thing has happened. Manager Chen, you can't just leave like this. You've breached the contract."

Manager Chen was so angry he could barely speak, so he could only grit his teeth and say, "It's a misunderstanding. Maybe the wrong boxes were packed. I won't breach the contract. I'll send the correct goods over later."

Feng Junzi: "No need. Take the goods away. I don't want to cooperate with you anymore. The delivery time stated in the contract is today. It will be invalid after that. Let's just forget about it."

Someone nearby asked, "Teacher Feng, are you just going to let him go like that?"

Feng Junzi said, "It's better to resolve conflicts than to let them fester, and besides, I didn't suffer any losses." Then he loudly said to Manager Chen, "Old Chen, this whole thing was my idea, it has nothing to do with Qin Xiaoya. My name is Feng Junzi, remember that, just come to me if you need anything. I'll do you another favor and help you move the goods back to the truck." Then he told the movers to move the leather shoes back to the truck as they were.

Part 1: Deceit and Deception, Chapter 29: Shifting Flowers and Grafting Trees

After Manager Chen transported the shoes back to the warehouse, he immediately made a phone call. The person who answered was very surprised after hearing Manager Chen's account: "Are you sure that person said his name was Feng Junzi? How could things be like this? Did Qin Xiaoya not want to deal with those five thousand pairs of shoes at all? It shouldn't be like this. Old Chen, let's leave it at that for now. Contact me as soon as there are any updates."

The next morning, just as Manager Chen got out of bed, the phone rang. It was the same person who had spoken to him the day before. The person seemed to have figured things out after a night's rest and said to Manager Chen on the phone, "Old Chen, have you inspected the goods after they arrived?"

Manager Chen: "They didn't inspect it; they just took it back to the warehouse."

The other party said, "Feng Junzi is a master of deception. Things aren't that simple. Go to the warehouse and check it out. Call me immediately if you find anything."

An hour later, Manager Chen made a phone call and said in a panicked voice, "Damn it, something terrible has happened! All the leather shoes that were delivered turned out to be left-foot shoes, except for two boxes that were right-foot shoes, the two boxes that that brat inspected!"

Meanwhile, in Qin Xiaoya's office, a smiling Qin Xiaoya looked at Feng Junzi with immense admiration and asked him, "Feng Junzi, you're really something. Weren't you originally planning to deliver the goods on the second floor? Why did you suddenly change it to the third floor? How did you switch the packages in the middle?"

Feng Junzi: "You only need to know the result. It's not fun if you tell the process. Besides, it's a secret. It won't be useful if others know it. This is a lesson I learned from watching 'Magic Unveiled'. Magicians can't easily tell the audience the secrets. Otherwise, how can I help you if you encounter something like this again?"

Qin Xiaoya: "There won't be a next time. Once is enough for me. By the way, you're really bold. What if Manager Chen opens the other boxes to check the goods and finds that you switched them?"

Feng Junzi: "I don't think he would, because he already has something to hide, and besides, he was already in a daze at the time and didn't have time to think about so much."

Qin Xiaoya: "I mean, what if, what if that's really the case? Wouldn't you have messed up your performance?"

Feng Junzi: "If that's really the case, I'll have to open all the boxes and try to buy some time so that they can take the right-foot shoes away. Then I'll insist that apart from those two boxes, all the shoes they brought were left-foot shoes."

Qin Xiaoya: "Can others trust me?"

Feng Junzi: "Others will definitely believe me, but I've kept a backup plan. I have evidence that after they took away those 2,500 pairs of shoes, there were still 5,000 pairs of right-foot shoes left in the warehouse. They're all from the same batch. Anyone who complains will think they made a mistake. Because no one would have only 2,000 pairs of right-foot shoes and no left-foot shoes. Those 5,000 left-foot shoes must be theirs, even if they weren't."

Qin Xiaoya: "What if they request to come to our warehouse to inspect the goods?"

Feng Junzi: "That's easy. We have five thousand pairs of leather shoes in our warehouse right now, and they're all in good condition. You also have the purchase invoices, so no one can find any fault with them. Do you understand? This is called a chain strategy."

Qin Xiaoya breathed a long sigh of relief: "That was close! I was so worried when I knew you would do this. Now I can pay back one million to Zhou Song, and I can pay back the remaining one million soon. Feng Junzi, why are you always so peculiar in your actions?"

Feng Junzi said, "You say I'm special, but this is my principle. Although I'm acting in my own self-interest, I haven't harmed anyone. In fact, for both parties, exchanging about 2,500 pairs is the fairest and most reasonable transaction." As he spoke, he walked to Qin Xiaoya's table, took out a stack of banknotes, and put them down.

"After deducting the daytime moving fee and the evening entertainment fee, there is still two thousand left over from the moving fee you gave me. Here you go."

Qin Xiaoya: "Hey! Give me back the money. Didn't we agree that if there was any left over, I'd treat you to drinks?"

Feng Junzi: "You'll have to treat me to drinks yourself. Aren't there still two boxes of leather shoes that haven't been replaced? Consider this two thousand yuan as me buying those two boxes of leather shoes. Zhou Song can give you two million yuan, but I'm not as rich as him. I'll just lend you two thousand yuan as a small contribution."

Part 1: Deceitful Deception, Chapter 30: A Brand New Billionaire

For a period of time after New Year's Day in 2003, the world suddenly became beautiful in Feng Junzi's eyes; in his memory, it was a period of sunny days.

First, the stock market finally reversed its six-month-long downward trend, starting a new round of upward movement from a new low of 1311 points. The market also seemed different from before; mega-cap stocks like Sinopec and Baosteel, which had long weighed on the market, finally rallied, transforming from former targets of criticism into market darlings. Many cheered the arrival of the institutional era in the Chinese stock market, the return of rational value investing, and the establishment of a new order of the strong. Whether the market is truly returning to rationality is uncertain, but he knew it was indeed a new order of the strong.

The infectious disease that began in Gwangju last early winter once terrified many, but now it seems to be under control. Various media outlets have published reassuring announcements, stating that the disease is not frightening and is well under control, assuring the public that there is no need to panic and that our environment is safe. While I cannot be certain whether this is truly the case, everything seems and sounds to suggest that people are no longer worried about the spread of the disease.

Qin Xiaoya resolved the issue of the five thousand pairs of leather shoes perfectly, and Feng Junzi even felt a little smug. Qin Xiaoya had already returned all the money to Zhou Song, and Zhou Song's Hanlin residential project was a great success. What was once considered an inauspicious location, avoided by many, had now become a highly sought-after, prime location for homebuyers. Zhou Song returned to Binhai from Jianjiang, undoubtedly filled with a sense of triumph.

With the Spring Festival approaching, Feng Junzi planned to go home to visit his parents and stay as long as possible. In a rare moment of good spirits after the storm, shortly before Feng Junzi's departure, Qin Xiaoya hosted a gathering for everyone, partly to welcome Zhou Song back and partly to thank Feng Junzi and the others.

The atmosphere at the dinner table was very pleasant. Qin Xiaoya, Zhou Song, Feng Junzi, Professor Song, and Chang Wu were present, discussing the various crises they had encountered recently and how they had cleverly resolved them. They were all in high spirits. When the topic turned to Feng Junzi switching the 2,500 pairs of leather shoes, Zhou Song was only interested in one question: how did Feng Junzi manage to switch them between the time the shoes were unloaded from the truck and when they were transported to the third-floor warehouse? Zhou Song insisted that Feng Junzi tell him every single detail.

Feng Junzi was unwilling to talk about it, but he didn't want to embarrass Zhou Song too much, so he performed a little magic trick. He took out a one-yuan coin, placed it in his palm, and said to everyone, "Look carefully, there's a coin here." Then he closed his hand, and when he opened it again, the coin was gone.

Everyone laughed, and Qin Xiaoya said, "It must have been hidden in its sleeve."

Feng Junzi said, "It's not in my sleeve, it went into Zhou Song's pocket." As he spoke, he reached into Zhou Song's pocket with his other hand and indeed took out the coin.

Qin Xiaoya asked in surprise, "Feng Junzi, how did you manage to get the money into Zhou Song's pocket?"

Feng Junzi smiled and said, "People always believe what they see, but in reality, preconceived judgments are most likely to mislead them. How do you know that the coin I took out of Zhou Song's pocket is the same one that I just disappeared?"

Everyone laughed and scolded Feng Junzi for being cunning. Taking the opportunity, Feng Junzi changed the subject and said to Zhou Song, "Zhou, you're really lucky to make money. All my coins have ended up in your pocket. Tell me, how's the situation in Hanlin Community this time? Did you make another windfall?"

Zhou Song glared at Feng Junzi and said, "The pre-sale situation is very good right now. If it weren't for the impact of the local infectious disease, it would probably be even better. I originally expected the average selling price to be 4,200, but now it seems that 4,500 after the opening will be no problem. I plan to keep the price of the first phase of the building unchanged and release the news that the second and third phases will increase in price one after another. This project is the one with the highest profit margin among all my development projects."

Feng Junzi raised his glass and said, "We are here to celebrate Comrade Zhou Tuhao's official entry into the billionaire club. From now on, Zhou Tuhao has been officially promoted and will officially become Comrade Zhou Bapi."

Zhou Song: "Why did you say such awful things?"

Feng Junzi remained silent, but Chang Wu spoke up: "By driving up housing prices so high, aren't you just skinning ordinary people alive?"

Zhou Song seemed to want to defend himself, saying, "My house isn't expensive in Gwangju. Haven't you seen the comments in the newspapers lately? Economists and officials from the Ministry of Construction all believe that China's real estate market is currently in a development cycle, and housing prices are not high yet. There is probably room for further appreciation in the future. Actually, you can't blame the developers. Land prices aren't determined by us. Professor Song knows this best."

Professor Song didn't answer, and Feng Junzi continued, "Only the wearer knows if the shoe fits, only the teeth know if the tofu is easy to eat, and only the ordinary people who buy houses know if the housing prices are high or not. What businessmen and officials say doesn't count. I bought my house two years ago, and I still feel scared when I think about it now. If I hadn't been quick to act, I probably wouldn't be able to afford it now. Although I'm not as rich as you, I'm not living at the bottom of society either. If even I can't afford it, I think most people probably can't afford it either."

Chang Wu also said, "If Feng Junzi can't stand it, I, as the police station chief, can't stand it even more. With my meager salary, it's not even enough to cover the mortgage, let alone buy a house. Luckily, I have an old house allocated by my work unit, so I dare not even consider moving to a new house."

Feng Junzi: "Chang Wu, your salary isn't enough. I don't believe that Director Chang lives on a salary. Look at the quality of the cigarettes you smoke."

Professor Song, who had been silent until now, interjected: "Feng Junzi, don't be so mean. Director Chang is already a very good person. Don't be so broad in your criticism. Weren't we just celebrating Zhou Song officially becoming a billionaire? Hurry up and drink your wine."

Everyone raised their glasses and drank them down. At this moment, Feng Junzi finally found an opportunity to ask Professor Song, "What do you think of the eighteen burial sites that Lao Song helped Zhou Song choose in Guangzhou? Aren't they places with good feng shui?"

Professor Song seemed a little surprised and asked, "What eighteen tombs? A tomb was selected, but only one was chosen."

This time it was Feng Junzi's turn to be surprised. He asked Zhou Song and Professor Song, "What exactly is going on?"

Professor Song: "Didn't you tell Zhou Song that the dead should be laid to rest? Zhou Song had those eighteen corpses cremated and asked me to find a cemetery and choose a burial plot for them to be buried together. Is there anything wrong with that?"

"There's nothing wrong with it, it has nothing to do with you, Lao Song." Feng Junzi turned to Zhou Song and said seriously, "Zhou Bapi, you really are Zhou Bapi! You even cut corners on this kind of thing. I heard that the relocated residents can't buy the original area even after receiving the money. Now I finally believe it. I told you to buy eighteen burial plots, and you only bought one for a joint burial. I should have known better than to entrust this matter to you and handled it myself. Did you just want to save a few tens of thousands of yuan?" As he spoke, he became a little agitated and stood up.

Chang Wu quickly got up and pressed down on Feng Junzi's shoulder, advising him, "Feng Junzi, don't get so agitated. Actually, Zhou Song has done quite well. Who knows how he would have fared if it were someone else. Businessmen all have their own ideas. Tens of thousands of yuan is still money. Don't blame him."

Qin Xiaoya gave Zhou Song a reproachful look and said to Feng Junzi, "Zhou Song was indeed in the wrong, but it's too late now, so please don't be angry."

At this moment, Zhou Song also stood up, raised his wine glass to Feng Junzi and said, "Feng Junzi, I was wrong. I admit my mistake and will never do it again. I will punish myself with three cups. Please calm down."

Although Feng Junzi was unhappy, there was nothing he could do. He couldn't show it in front of everyone, so he could only say sourly, "The reason why billionaires become billionaires is that they do things in a unique way. Someone like me can never compare to them. I'm not angry, but to be honest, I'm a little worried."

Chang Wu: "Feng Junzi, stop being so paranoid. Come on, everyone, let's drink."

With everyone's persuasion, the atmosphere eased again. Feng Junzi also realized he had gone a bit too far, and Zhou Song naturally had his reasons, so he calmed down once more. The atmosphere at the table gradually became lively again, and in the end, everyone drank happily and parted in high spirits.

Part 1: Deceit and Deception, Chapter 31: Please Wait

Although there was a slight hiccup, the situation was generally fine, and Feng Junzi gradually stopped worrying about it. Time passed quickly, and when Feng Junzi returned from his hometown, Zhou Song went to Jianjiang again, this time staying for a longer period. Zhou Song had already acquired another plot of land, and the development of a new project was on the agenda again. In Feng Junzi's eyes, Zhou Song was the kind of person who never tired of making money.

By April, Hanlin Residential Complex was taking shape, and the Hanlin Stele stood prominently in the center of the complex's "Cultural and Leisure Square." However, Feng Junzi knew a secret, a secret like a mysterious ancient artifact buried deep within the complex; perhaps keeping it hidden was better than revealing it. Feng Junzi also had his own secrets, and that secret was about Qin Xiaoya. He hadn't told Qin Xiaoya many things, such as how he and Professor Song dressed in black and white to impersonate Ghost Shadow, how he switched the five thousand pairs of leather shoes, and his feelings for Qin Xiaoya. Sometimes he wondered if he had intentionally or unintentionally fostered the relationship between Qin Xiaoya and Zhou Song, and whether he considered himself a gentleman.

Unfortunately, nothing is perfect, and beauty fades quickly. The good times seemed to slip away one spring day in 2003. The first change was in the trajectory of the infectious disease outbreak. Just days before, officials claimed everything was under control, but suddenly, the situation reversed dramatically, with the epidemic declared to be in a very serious phase. Everything seemed to be out of control again, and governments across the country mobilized, entering a state of high alert. Essential items like Banlangen (a traditional Chinese medicine), masks, and disinfectant became scarce in most parts of the country.

The stock market also experienced a sudden turn of events. The once-booming institutional value discovery rally seemed to have come to an abrupt end, with the rapid reversal from its peak catching most people off guard. The market then entered a prolonged downward trend. On this particular day, Feng Junzi wasn't in a good mood and left work early, walking out of the brokerage office.

As soon as Feng Junzi stepped out the door, he was stopped by a young man in a suit: "Teacher Feng Junzi, please wait."

Feng Junzi turned around, didn't recognize him, and asked, "Are you looking for me? What's the matter?"

The young man introduced himself: "My surname is Li, and I am Mr. Wei's assistant. Mr. Feng, you can call me Xiao Li. I'm here to invite you. Mr. Wei would like to invite you to come over for a chat so we can discuss some business."

"Which General Wei?" Feng Junzi asked, puzzled.

Xiao Li: "I know Teacher Feng. Our boss's name is Wei Boxi."

Feng Junzi was startled upon hearing this, thinking that what was bound to happen had finally arrived. Zhou Song insisted that the trap of five thousand pairs of leather shoes was set up by Wei Boxi, so Wei Boxi would certainly not let this go easily after suffering such a loss. He didn't know Wei Boxi very well, but he had witnessed the retaliatory methods of Wei Boxi's business partner, Zhao Dongshan, and he could even picture the smashed BMW in his mind.

"Should I go or not?" Feng Junzi's mind raced. "If I go, I don't know how Wei Boxi will deal with me. But I already left a message last time that if the other party wants to settle scores, they shouldn't go after Qin Xiaoya, but after Feng Junzi. It's better for them to come after me than Qin Xiaoya. Since I can't avoid it, I should go for Xiaoya's sake."

Feng Junzi made his decision and got into the car with Xiao Li. However, he wasn't the kind of bold and chivalrous person. He made several phone calls in the car, calling Chang Wu and Professor Song respectively, with the same message: "I had arranged to go to your place tonight, but something came up and I can't go. Boss Wei Boyi needs me to come over for a chat. His assistant, Xiao Li, picked me up in his car. I'm in the car now. The license plate number is..."

Chang Wu was a little confused, but then he realized what was going on and said to Feng Junzi, "Don't give me that crap. Just go. What are you afraid of? Boss Wei can't eat you alive. He's a member of the Municipal People's Political Consultative Conference now, and I heard he'll be a representative of the Provincial People's Congress soon. He won't do anything outrageous. Go ahead and don't worry."

Professor Song reacted much faster than Chang Wu. As soon as he answered the phone, he said, "Okay, I've got it all... Wait a minute, I happen to have a recording pen here... Say it again."

Feng Junzi was hesitating whether to call Qin Xiaoya when the car arrived at the hotel entrance. He had no choice but to get out of the car with Xiao Li and go inside.

The spacious private room was already set with food and drinks, and only three people were seated. Feng Junzi sat opposite Wei Boxi, while Wei Boxi's assistant, Xiao Li, poured drinks for the two of them. Feng Junzi knew Wei Boxi before, but had never interacted with him so closely in such a private setting. He carefully observed Wei Boxi. Wei Boxi was under forty years old, not particularly handsome, but very strong, with well-defined features and a strong masculine presence. Considering Wei Boxi's current wealth and status, Feng Junzi had to admit that he was a very attractive man. If Wei Boxi hadn't treated Qin Xiaoya the way he did, Feng Junzi might even have developed feelings for him.

Wei Boxi spoke directly: "I have long admired Mr. Feng's name and have always wanted to get to know him, but I have been too busy. Today I have finally found the opportunity, so please do not blame me for being too presumptuous."

Feng Junzi: "I'm so grateful to Boss Wei for giving me so much face."

Wei Boxi: "Zhou Song did a great job in Guangzhou. I heard it was your idea. Mr. Feng is indeed a talented person. It's a pity that he's just wasting his time like this. We can cooperate more when we have the chance. My business is much bigger than Zhou Song's."

Feng Junzi: "Boss Wei, you misunderstand. Zhou Song and I have no business dealings; we're just friends. What happened last time was merely a favor between friends. Please don't take offense if I've offended you in any way."

Wei Boxi: "Don't mention it. How could you have offended me? Zhou Song and I are now in a cooperative relationship. In fact, I should thank you on his behalf."

Feng Junzi was a little surprised and asked, "Cooperation? What kind of cooperation do you have with Zhou Song?"

Wei Boxi: "In Jianjiang, I also have investments in Jianjiang. I just came back from Jianjiang a few days ago."

Feng Junzi was quite surprised, so he stopped beating around the bush and asked Wei Boxi directly: "I heard that Zhou Song took that piece of land in Guang Prefecture from you, then something happened to that land, and now you're cooperating again in Jianjiang?"

Wei Boxi: "Teacher Feng is really bookish. Business is business. The matter in Guangzhou has nothing to do with me. Zhao Dongshan told me that there was a problem with that piece of land, so I let Zhou Song seize the opportunity. If anything happens, Zhou Song can blame Zhao Dongshan, but the fact is that Zhou Song didn't suffer any losses and even made a fortune. Isn't this a good situation?"

Feng Junzi: "How is Zhao Dongshan now?"

Wei Boxi: "He's been sick these past few days."

Feng Junzi laughed and said, "His illness is in his heart."

Wei Boxi: "That's why I want to get to know Mr. Feng. I think you're a talented person, and you handled Qin Xiaoya's matter very well. It's just a pity that you don't know who you're helping."

Feng Junzi sighed inwardly. Wei Boxi had finally gotten to the point, and he wondered how he planned to deal with him. Thinking of this, he couldn't help but feel angry. He felt Wei Boxi was going too far. It was clearly a trap set by Wei Boxi, which he had cleverly avoided. He hadn't exposed him or caused him any significant loss, so why was Wei Boxi still pursuing him? Even if he had designs on Qin Xiaoya, he could have used legitimate means. Why was someone of such high status so despicable?

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but say with a grim expression, "Actually, there are some people in this world who, despite having a high social status and the ability to do many things openly and honestly that others cannot, prefer to use despicable means." As soon as the words left his mouth, he realized his tone was too harsh and regretted it somewhat.

As expected, Xiao Li, who was sitting to the side, was unhappy: "Teacher Feng, how can you talk like that? Do you know who our General Manager Wei is?"

To Feng Junzi's surprise, Wei Boxi was not angry at all. Instead, he said to Xiao Li, "Don't talk to Teacher Feng like that. Who am I? I'm just Wei Boxi."

Seeing that Wei Boxi had no reaction, Feng Junzi continued, "I know what kind of person Boss Wei is. According to the traditional Chinese birth order—Bo, Zhong, Shu, Ji, 'Bo Xi' means the eldest. He clearly tells others that he is the eldest, but he has chosen such an elegant name. Boss Wei is really special."

Wei Boyi seemed oblivious to Feng Junzi's mocking tone, and instead asked with great interest, "Mr. Feng is truly a learned man. Does Boyi really mean 'eldest'? Then what is 'second'?"

Feng Junzi: "Confucius was known as Kong Lao Er, or Kong Zhongni. His elder brother was named Kong Mengpi. Meng and Bo both mean elder brother. Why doesn't Boss Wei change his name to Wei Mengpi?"