“Not too big, not too small.”
Lu Baoguo sensed that the other party was not as moved and enthusiastic as he had imagined; instead, he remained composed, which made him involuntarily look at him with higher regard.
The matter he asked the other party to handle was indeed not big, but it was not small either. After all, it might involve confronting the head of another Revolutionary Committee, and the risk was too great; the other party might not be willing to take the risk.
“Director Lu, tell me about it.”
Tan Shuwei raised an eyebrow, spoke unhurriedly, and picked up his chopsticks to get some food.
Lu Baoguo also picked up his chopsticks, first took a piece of roast duck and ate it, then continued speaking.
“For Director Tan, this matter is indeed small, just changing the location of the reassignment. To say it’s big, it’s that if Director Xin doesn’t agree, it will cause trouble for Director Tan.”
Within the Revolutionary Committee, Tan Shuwei was only the second-in-command; the first-in-command was someone else. The Su family was reported, and the report went directly to this first-in-command.
Moreover, this first-in-command had a bad reputation. He was greedy for money, manipulative, and a petty man who had achieved his ambitions, specifically targeting big landlords, rich people, and capitalists. No one knew how much wealth he had accumulated.
Tan Shuwei was aware of the Su family’s being reported, but since the person named Xin enjoyed doing such unethical things, he was too lazy to interfere and would not go against him.
He just never expected that today Lu Baoguo and the Su Family would come to him for help.
Not only that, but they had even learned in advance about being reported. And, the Su Family had not secretly left, nor had they desperately sought connections for help; instead, they had come to him.
Tan Shuwei was very surprised, astonished, and puzzled.
“Changing a reassignment location is indeed not difficult, and it is indeed as Director Lu said, why should I go against Director Xin?! This small benefit is not enough to tempt me.”
Obviously, everyone was not foolish; it was something clear to anyone with discernment. Tan Shuwei didn't think Lu Baoguo and the Su Family considered him a fool, did they?
“Three houses plus thirty large gold bars, just for changing a reassignment location. That place isn’t some good place to go; it’s just in Ji Province.”
“Ji Province is freezing cold. The Su Family wants to go there simply because they can recuperate in the winter and don’t have to work hard all year round. They just want to survive.”
Lu Baoguo couldn't guess the other party's thoughts and was anxious to settle the matter before he left, so he had no choice but to offer an additional thirty large gold bars as compensation.
He originally wanted to save the Su family this expense, but the other party had not shown any indication, and he really couldn't wait any longer.
Even if someone targeted and reassigned by the Revolutionary Committee searched for connections everywhere, it wasn't that easy to escape. The only way was to manipulate the reassignment location, which was to save their lives.
Tan Shuwei: …
Silence. For a long while, he still didn't speak.
“Shuwei, I know both the Su Family and the Qiao family. They are not bad people. The ones who reported them are probably after their money, and also jealous of their status. I heard that the Su family also has a pair of children who are just over a year old. The adults don't matter, but those children in that kind of place might…”
Lu Tong had been listening for a while, and now he finally had a chance to interject and talk about the Su family's situation.
He heard they were even twins.
The Educated Youth from the city who went to the countryside were barely surviving, let alone these reassigned people, and with two children so young, no wonder the Su Family was willing to offer so many houses and gold bars in exchange for a better reassignment location.
Money lost can be earned back, but a life lost is truly gone.
The Su Family still knew how to make choices and didn't cling to their money.
“Yes, Director Tan, please help the two children. The children are too young. If they were a few years older, the adults could eat less to keep the children alive, but children this young cannot survive by just eating less.”
At this moment, Guangsheng on the side also hurriedly pleaded. He knew the situation of the two young children in the Su family and was particularly worried.
“You just said the Qiao family, is that the Qiao family with very skilled medical techniques?! Master Qiao?! The Qiao family whose eldest grandson sacrificed himself?!”
Just as the three of them were racking their brains trying to persuade Tan Shuwei, unexpectedly, he actually asked about the Qiao family's background.
“Yes, it's that Qiao family.”
“He is Qiao Yin, a comrade-in-arms who saved my life.”
“Yes, it’s Jishengtang, which brings healing and rebirth to the world.”
Who in old Beijing didn't know Jishengtang?!
Not only were their medical skills excellent, but their medical ethics were even better. Moreover, they treated illnesses and saved lives regardless of wealth, and crucially, they charged very little, so even the poor could afford to see a doctor.
Tan Shuwei lowered his head and thought for a moment. When he looked at Lu Baoguo again, his eyes were incredibly firm.
“I agree to this matter, but I don’t want the large gold bars, just one courtyard.”
Lu Baoguo listened with a surprised expression: “…”
How, how did this person suddenly agree?!
Even Lu Tong and Guangsheng were surprised, very unexpected that Tan Shuwei would say such a thing.
“Master Qiao saved my grandfather’s and my father’s lives, and he often charged less or no medical fees. Now, the Qiao family’s descendants are in trouble, so consider this my way of repaying the kindness.”
Tan Shuwei cleared their confusion. He was also a person who distinguished between gratitude and resentment and valued loyalty; he repaid kindness and sought revenge for grievances.
Lu Baoguo and the others had never expected it to be for this reason; they were both surprised and delighted.
However…
“Director Tan, if you won’t accept the large gold bars, then don’t. But these three houses must be accepted. The Qiao family said this is a thank-you gift.”
Lu Baoguo still insisted on giving the three houses to the other party. His younger sister had told him that what should be given must be given, and giving enough would make people feel comfortable.
“No need, my family doesn’t lack houses now, and besides, changing a reassignment location is something I can manage.”
Tan Shuwei also insisted on not accepting. If he didn't accept anything, the Su Family would definitely not feel at ease, so it was better to accept a little to reassure them.
“Director Lu, forget it. Shuwei keeps his word; if he says he won’t accept it, he won’t. In the future, if Shuwei ever needs help from Director Lu and the Su Family, I hope you will lend a hand for the sake of this matter.”
Just as Director Lu and Tan Shuwei were still deferring to each other, Lu Tong spoke up.
“Yes, who doesn’t have a time when they need help?! It’s either the East wind overpowering the West wind, or the West wind overpowering the East wind. Director Tan, we thank you on behalf of the Su family.”
Guangsheng also nodded vigorously from the side. Sensible people knew that fortune turns like a wheel. Moreover, almost all of the Su Family members were abroad. If they returned one day and found their relatives gone, wouldn’t they go crazy with revenge?!
But if Director Tan helped the Su Family today, and they rose again one day, wouldn’t the overseas Su Family members offer even greater benefits than now?!
One must have a long-term vision. Take what should be taken, and don’t take what shouldn’t be taken.