Chapter 16: A Most Grave Mistake

"Xiao Feng, what on earth is going on?" Ma Jian, frowning, couldn't make sense of the situation and questioned him.

Feeling rather wronged, Xiao Feng, the driver, replied, "Director Ma, our factory's chassis are supposed to be put into storage, but that Chief Xiao from the Siyang Group Inspection Station insists this batch hasn't passed inspection and won't let them in..."

At this, Ma Jian more or less understood what was happening.

This Chief Xiao from the inspection station hadn't even checked the chassis before declaring them unqualified, which was obviously a deliberate attempt to make trouble, most likely with the aim of getting a bribe.

Having worked in sales for years, Ma Jian was all too familiar with this sort of thing.

He comfortingly patted Xiao Feng on the shoulder, then walked over to Chief Xiao, who stood there puffed up like a fighting cock, and greeted him politely, "Chief Xiao, hello, I'm Ma Jian from Hongda Machinery Factory."

"Oh, Director Ma, yes, I've heard of you," Chief Xiao forced a smile and shook Ma Jian’s hand.

Seeing this man's feigned smile, Zhao Guoyang felt a surge of irritation.

But there was nothing to be done. After all, this fellow held the power of life and death over their chassis right now—he could show off as much as he liked.

Ma Jian knew the little game Chief Xiao was playing and didn't want to escalate things. He promptly pulled out a pack of Hongtashan cigarettes and slipped it into Xiao's hand, smiling as he said, "Chief Xiao, this batch of chassis has indeed been reworked and absolutely meets your company's requirements."

"How about this—why don't you pick one chassis and inspect it on the spot? If it's unqualified, we'll turn around and leave immediately. If it's up to standard, perhaps you could allow them into storage first—would that be alright?"

Ma Jian's words were exceedingly courteous, offering Xiao a way to save face. After all, the chassis had already passed two inspections back at the factory—there was not a problem with them.

Who could have guessed Chief Xiao's appetite was so large? Seeing the pack of cigarettes, worth only seven or eight yuan, his face immediately darkened.

"No. I remember this batch of chassis—they're the same ones our factory rejected last time."

"I don't believe you could have fixed all the issues in just ten-odd days. I have to report this to management. Before the leadership gives instructions, your chassis cannot be stored!"

Not being allowed in meant the batch wouldn't be accepted, which in turn meant this whole trip had been for nothing. At this thought, Ma Jian's face grew troubled.

He wasn't unwilling to slip Chief Xiao a red envelope, but the timing had to be right; if there were no others around, he could discreetly show some appreciation.

Still, Xiao's attitude was excessively unyielding. Ma Jian had already offered a pack of cigarettes—at the very least, the chassis could be stored first and the rest discussed later.

"And another thing—your truck can't just stay parked here. Siyang Group has rules: outside vehicles can only deliver and unload for half an hour, no longer," Chief Xiao added fuel to the fire.

"Damn, this bastard really is ruthless. Isn't it clear he wants me to hurry up and pay him off?" Ma Jian cursed inwardly, feeling bitter.

Just as Ma Jian steeled himself to discreetly slip Chief Xiao a fifty-yuan note, Zhao Guoyang couldn't hold back any longer.

"Chief Xiao, you say our chassis are unqualified—where's your evidence? Where's the inspection report? Making such a claim without an inspection report—is this how the Siyang Group's inspection department works? What a joke!"

Hearing Zhao Guoyang's blunt words, Chief Xiao was instantly displeased.

He thought, who are you, this young upstart, to get cocky in front of the deputy chief of the inspection station who holds your factory's order in his hands? Do you still want to do business?

Chief Xiao had been accepting bribes from outside suppliers for years in this position. As Siyang Group was profitable, most suppliers had no choice but to grit their teeth and let him earn his side income to maintain their contracts.

The suppliers' tacit indulgence had only made Chief Xiao more greedy and unscrupulous.

He'd assumed that with the factory director here today, getting a few dozen yuan would be easy.

Who knew this so-called director would only offer a measly pack of cigarettes, as if he were a beggar?

And what truly infuriated Chief Xiao was this brash youngster actually daring to challenge him—he must have a death wish.

"Evidence? I've worked at the Siyang Group inspection station for years—I can tell at a glance whether a chassis is qualified or not."

"These chassis of yours are just like the last batch—clearly unqualified. Why bother inspecting? I'm telling you now, move your truck out or I'll call security," Chief Xiao declared arrogantly.

Instead of getting angry, Zhao Guoyang laughed. "Heh, this is the first time I've heard that inspections are done by eye alone. I've learned something new today."

Chief Xiao missed the sarcasm, standing with hands on hips as he snorted, "You little brat, you don't know a thing! If you want to see what a qualified chassis looks like, look at the shipment from Shunxin Machinery Factory!"

As he spoke, Chief Xiao gestured to a recently inspected chassis behind him.

Zhao Guoyang ignored him, walked over, examined the chassis, then ran his hand along it and let out a cold laugh. "If this is your idea of a qualified chassis, then your Siyang Group's reputation won't last much longer."

The exchange between Zhao Guoyang and Chief Xiao had happened so quickly that Ma Jian only now caught up.

Seeing that Zhao Guoyang seemed to have lost his temper, he hurried over, tugged at Zhao Guoyang's arm, and quietly advised, "Guoyang, don't escalate things. Let me handle it."

Zhao Guoyang waved him off. "Director Ma, don't worry. This is a technical matter—leave it to me."

"I don't believe a nationally renowned company like Siyang Group has no one who can distinguish between a qualified and an unqualified chassis. As for what he calls a qualified chassis... never mind."

"You! What nonsense are you spouting?" Chief Xiao, having overheard, strode over, frowning.

"Nothing, I just find it amusing. For the chief of an inspection station to be unable to tell the difference between No. 20 steel and Q235—if you really use this so-called qualified chassis in your company, you might end up as a laughingstock!"

"You... you... how arrogant!" Chief Xiao was so furious he trembled, jabbing his finger repeatedly at Zhao Guoyang.

Zhao Guoyang looked at him fearlessly, absolutely certain of himself.

He had just examined the chassis Chief Xiao claimed was qualified; in terms of workmanship, welds, and seams, it was flawless.

But the main body was made of the wrong material—where Q235 steel should have been used, they had used No. 20 steel instead.

For this type of vehicle, that was a grave error. Zhao Guoyang was utterly convinced of it.