36: Chapter 36 Zhao Yang: We'd even sell nuclear warheads, let alone this little bit of scrap steel.

Jinghai, 7 PM.

As soon as Zhao Yang got off the plane, he headed straight to Meng Dehai's home.

When he entered, Meng Dehai and his wife, along with An Xin, were clearing the dishes, while Meng Yu was still acting like a Young Miss, sprawled on the sofa watching TV.

If it were Gao Qilan, she would definitely be helping to clear the dishes right now.

Zhao Yang glanced over and silently gave himself a thumbs-up for his past decision not to flirt with this distant cousin.

"Zhao Yang is here! Come in quickly!" Meng Dehai greeted him hurriedly.

Aunt Cui complained, "Oh, Little Zhao, you should have told us beforehand. We could have just waited for you to eat. I left some food in the fridge for you; let me go heat it up!"

"Auntie, please don't go to the trouble. I ate on the plane. I'll have it as a midnight snack if I get hungry later." As Zhao Yang said this, he gave Meng Dehai a look.

Meng Dehai gave a light cough. "An Xin, you and Aunt Cui finish cleaning up. Little Zhao and I are going to the room to discuss something."

After saying this, he turned and went back to his room. Zhao Yang nodded at An Xin and Meng Yu, then followed him in.

Meng Yu immediately leaned over to An Xin and lowered her voice. "What's going on? Isn't Zhao Yang supposed to be studying for his master's in the capital? Why is he suddenly back, and acting so mysterious?"

An Xin shook his head. "I didn't know he was coming either. Aunt Cui, Zhao Yang didn't get into any trouble, did he?"

Aunt Cui's face stiffened. "What are you guessing for? Little Zhao just received his master's degree a few days ago; what kind of trouble could he be in? Your Uncle Meng only found out before dinner, and I'm not sure about the specifics either."

Meng Yu widened her eyes exaggeratedly. "No way? He's only been at Shuimu for a few months and he already got his master's? I've been in grad school for over a year and haven't even decided on my thesis topic!"

Aunt Cui rolled her eyes at her. "Can you compare yourself to Little Zhao?"

Meng Yu rolled her eyes, pinched An Xin hard, and sprawled back onto the sofa to watch TV.

An Xin looked aggrieved. "Why are you pinching me? What did I do to you?"

In the study, Zhao Yang handed the photos and related explanations to Meng Dehai and recounted the entire sequence of events.

Meng Dehai's brain froze for a good while. "Are you sure? Is this stuff really what you said it was? They actually dare to sell it?"

Zhao Yang nodded. "I am one hundred percent sure. I checked the situation there through connections at Shuimu. Let alone this, as long as there's money, they even almost sold a nuclear warhead."

Meng Dehai's expression turned solemn. "Little Zhao, I think I understand what you mean. But although I've been promoted, I'm still just a Deputy Mayor. This is not something at my level that I can touch. How about I report it to the provincial level for you?"

"No. Uncle Meng, the fewer people who know about this, the better." Zhao Yang said. "I remember there is an Air Force base in the Jinghai area. You can inform the military through a support-the-military event. I believe they will definitely be interested."

Meng Dehai pondered for a moment. "I understand. But Little Zhao, this matter is of great importance. If the military doesn't agree, you must not act recklessly on your own! It's too dangerous!"

Zhao Yang smiled. "Don't worry, Uncle Meng, I won't act recklessly. Besides, if no one wants it, wouldn't I lose a fortune by bringing back so much scrap aluminum and steel?"

"Alright. I'll arrange it tomorrow and give you an answer within two days at the latest."

"Okay, Uncle Meng, thank you for the trouble. I'm leaving first; I have some other things to arrange."

"If you have things to do, I won't keep you."

After leaving the Meng family home, Zhao Yang checked directly into the Jinghai International Hotel.

Not long after entering his room, there was a knock at the door. Gao Qiqiang walked in.

Even though it had only been a few months, Gao Qiqiang seemed like a different person—the aura of a fishmonger was completely swept away, replaced by the confidence and composure of a successful middle-aged man.

But upon seeing Zhao Yang, he immediately reined in all his sharp edges, his expression submissive. "Section Chief Zhao, I'm here."

Zhao Yang pointed to the lunchbox on the table. "Old Gao, join me for a bite. Dishes cooked personally by the Mayor's wife—you can't buy this even with money."

"Then I must have a good taste." Gao Qiqiang immediately got busy, serving the food and rice, and the two began to eat.

The atmosphere relaxed.

Zhao Yang asked, "You didn't tell A Sheng and Gao Qilan, did you?"

"No. A Sheng only knows that I found a Russian professor to be a consultant." Gao Qiqiang said. "I didn't mention that you were back either. Should I tell them?"

"No need, don't distract them. A Sheng is busy with the phone factory, and on Gao Qilan's side, Wu Yuedong is taking her to busy herself with investing in the Construction Group."

Zhao Yang patted Gao Qiqiang on the shoulder. "Old Gao, to tell you the truth, this matter has a certain degree of risk. If you want to withdraw..."

"No! I'm not afraid!" Gao Qiqiang's tone was firm. "I know this matter is good for the country, and it will be a great help to your career."

Zhao Yang nodded. "What is the situation with that professor now?"

"He has already arrived in Jinghai. I took him out for a day yesterday, and the technical consultant contract has been signed."

"Very good, well done." Zhao Yang smiled slightly.

Once the contract is signed, he is one of us. Influenced by the Seal of Hearts Return, this professor is now completely reliable.

He continued with the arrangements. "Next, go to Pengcheng and Hong Kong and buy a small trading company in each place; the longer the companies have existed, the better. Then, have the Pengcheng company and the Hong Kong company sign a large-scale scrap metal procurement intent contract, mainly for things like scrap aluminum and steel."

"Alright, I'll get it done immediately."

"Wait, one more thing." Zhao Yang took out several blueprints for phone cases. Unlike traditional phone cases, each case had a different pattern drawn on it—some with strong traditional Dragon colors, others full of Russian artistic style.

"Give these to A Sheng and have him arrange for a factory to produce them immediately. The hongdou phone can change its case, and these can be sold separately. I will be operating a product exhibition and investment promotion conference in Europe soon, and I need to display these unique phones."

"I've got it. What else needs to be done?"

"Take care of yourself and stay safe." Zhao Yang said seriously.

"Understood. Then I'll go."

After Gao Qiqiang left, Zhao Yang also felt a bit exhausted. His brain had been running at high speed for the past few days, and for the first time, he felt that even his intelligence, which was forty percent higher than the average person, was not quite enough. Rubbing his sore temples, he took a shower and went to bed to rest.

Early on the third morning, Meng Dehai called.

"Zhao Yang, they are very interested and want to talk to you in detail. If it's convenient, someone will come to pick you up in about an hour."

Zhao Yang smiled slightly. He had predicted that the state would never let this opportunity pass. "No problem, anytime is fine."

An hour later, a black Passat stopped at the hotel entrance. Zhao Yang walked over carrying his bag. Meng Dehai was sitting in the back seat and waved for him to get in.

Besides the driver, there was also a middle-aged man in the passenger seat—with a buzz cut and a straight posture, he greeted Zhao Yang politely.

There was no conversation along the way.

The car drove out of the Jinghai urban area, speeding all the way, and finally stopped in front of the office building of an Air Force unit.

A middle-aged officer was already waiting there, and seeing the car stop, he immediately came up to greet them.

"Mayor Meng, you've worked hard. This must be Comrade Zhao Yang, right? Truly a talented young man. Please come in, the leaders are already waiting in the conference room."