wavenovel Chapter 177 There's no such thing as a free lunch.
Chapter 177 There's no such thing as a free lunch.
David straightened his bangs and frowned slightly: "When she came up with this plan, she had it studied by our government office."
That proposal was written by Li Taoying herself.
Moreover, during that period, she reimbursed a significant amount of expenses in Dongping Town, indicating that she had conducted thorough research there.
Contrary to Ye Man's claim, Li Taoying did not plagiarize Ye Man's ideas.
Ye Man deliberately framed and slandered his ex-wife.
Although my ex-wife is despicable, her disobedience in front of me inevitably suggests that she is deliberately trying to please me.
They pretend to be profound and talented in order to deceive us and attract our attention and favor.
If we ever need this person in the future, he'll turn on us if we lose power.
In this respect, Zheng Zhiguo is unlike him; Zheng Zhiguo didn't treat County Chief Qiao this way.
David paused, took a drag of his cigarette, and continued, "Finally, in terms of personality, Zheng Zhiguo is more suitable to be our partner."
Ye Man's personality is such that he tends to give up whenever things go wrong.
If I were him, and I saw the new county head fighting fiercely with Zhou Xiangzhang as soon as he took office, I would immediately go and offer suggestions to the new county head.
But Ye Man chose to passively hide and wait for me to go find him.
He has cleverness, but he's incapable of achieving anything; he lacks the ambition and courage to accomplish anything.
After listening, Wu Maocai's expression turned serious. He agreed with Dawei's analysis: "I understand. Now that you've explained it, I'll have something to say to shut Ye Man up."
Just then, Wu Maocai's phone rang. He picked it up and saw that it was a call from Director Li of the Wufeng County Government Office next door.
After connecting, it turned out that Director Li and County Head Zhang from Wufeng County had also come to Guangzhou and asked Dawei and Director Wu if it was convenient for them to have a late-night snack and chat together.
David saw that it was still early, so he agreed.
The two parties arranged to meet in Baiyun District at a Cantonese teahouse. Both were prominent figures and sat in a private room.
County Magistrate Zhang from Wufeng was a few years older and sat in the main seat; he was also hosting the event tonight.
"County Chief Chen, we've heard that your county has actually received 1.8 million yuan in special agricultural funds."
That's amazing.
The younger generation is truly formidable!
We're brother counties, so don't forget your fellow villagers in your hometown of Wufeng County once you've prospered!
David had anticipated today's meeting.
When Director Li from Wufeng came to see Wu Maocai, Dawei anticipated that County Chief Zhang would also talk to him.
At the director level, the intention is confirmed; at the county head level, the decision must be finalized.
"County Chief Zhang, you are unaware of the true extent of our pressure. This money is a hot potato; if the project doesn't go well, the provincial leaders will hold me accountable."
"With great power comes great responsibility. Your plan is very mature and there are no problems."
"Sigh." Dawei shook his head with a bitter expression: "It's difficult, not easy to handle. The provincial government's funding is stuck in a limbo. We're still 40 to 50 million short of start-up capital."
The county's credit union only has a few million in reserves right now, which isn't enough.
Tomorrow I have to visit several banks or institutions in Guangzhou to discuss financing.
David started casting his line.
Wufeng County had previously resorted to underhanded tactics, plagiarizing Yuanshan County's agricultural development plan. In the end, Dawei and Wu Maocai set a trap for them, and the provincial department caught them red-handed, disqualifying Wufeng County from applying for subsidies this time.
Turning around, Wufeng County wanted to play innocent and try to reap the benefits by directly cooperating with Yuanshan County, letting Yuanshan County sell their navel oranges on their behalf, and doing private labeling—putting Yuanshan County's fruit on Yuanshan County's brand.
There's no such thing as a free lunch.
David is not the kind of person who easily lets others take advantage of him.
Upon hearing this, County Chief Zhang became somewhat anxious. Once the financing was successful, Yuanshan County Fruit Industry Company would have other shareholders, which would weaken Dawei and his group's influence. In the future, it would not be so easy for Wufeng County to get on board with Yuanshan County; at the very least, they would have to consider the opinions of the other shareholders.
"It's a matter of tens of millions, why are you even going to Guangzhou? Just raise the money and you'll be fine."
"County Chief Zhang makes it sound so easy, but fifty million! Where are we going to come up with that?"
County Magistrate Zhang gritted his teeth and patted his chest: "Our Wufeng County will invest 30 million!"
"No, no, we're all in the same boat. You five peaks aren't wealthy either."
"I mean investment, not lending. You need to give us shares." County Chief Zhang hurriedly explained, "Of course we're not rich. That's why we need to find ways to develop."
We don't want to miss this opportunity.
No matter how tough it gets, we'll get that money out of there.
David feigned surprise, exchanged a glance with Maocai, and then gave an awkward laugh: "Oh, I see... You want shares too? Can't we just give you interest?"
"We're not lending money; we're just optimistic about this project."
David looked at Wu Maocai again, and Director Wu immediately understood that David wanted him to play the bad cop.
So Wu Maocai smiled at County Magistrate Zhang and said, "County Magistrate Zhang, first of all, thank you for your kindness."
There are some situations you may not be aware of.
When this matter was discussed at the county standing committee meeting, the members unanimously agreed that the county should raise the funds, as they did not want too many shareholders, fearing that it would be difficult to manage.
This is, after all, the first enterprise established in our county.
Every aspect was handled with great care.
By pushing the problem outward and making things difficult for the other party, you can gain the initiative.
Dawei is growing to like working with Wu Maocai more and more. Xu Aiguo is right, this guy is useful.
County Chief Zhang waved his hand and said, "The Standing Committee members' opinions can be changed."
We are not just anyone.
It's a neighboring county.
Mutual help and assistance are common occurrences.
What is a brother?
Even if you break a bone, the tendons still connect it.
I believe you can handle those standing committee members in the county."
David frowned, deep in thought: "I think County Chief Zhang is indeed sincere about cooperating."
That's definitely a good thing.
This will solve both our funding gap and your county's agricultural product sales problem—you are shareholders, so naturally we will help your county sell navel oranges; we're all one family.
This way, it's more legitimate, and customers won't say that we from Yuanshan County are just putting on a show, using the Yuanshan County name to sell other people's oranges.
When the product is launched and we promote the brand, we will clearly indicate that our navel orange orchards are located in multiple townships in Yuanshan and Wufeng.
David tapped his fingers rapidly on the table, pursed his lips in deep thought, and suddenly pointed at County Magistrate Zhang.
"Then let's just do it this way."
And don't even mention 30 million.
You directly—directly solved the 50 million shortfall.
Otherwise, there would still be a shortfall of 20 million, and I would have to seek personal financing.
Consider it a favor to us.
I'm here to work on things with the Standing Committee members of our county.
What do you think?
"If that's fine, then it's settled."
County Chief Zhang picked up a tissue to wipe the sweat from his face, glanced at his colleague Director Li, and felt that something was amiss.
Damn it, they clearly came to ask for resources.
How did it all end up being a way to give money to Chen Dawei?
The situation is already at a critical point, and County Chief Zhang needs to show his stance now.
He followed Dawei's example and looked at his office director, but Director Li didn't react and just stared blankly, not knowing what to say.