The eting concluded, and Lu Chengwen returned to his large office.
Li iqin caught up, "Boss, we need to talk."
"Oh, sure, let's talk. Shihan, coffee."
Lu Chengwen sipped his coffee as Li iqin stood in front of his desk.
"Boss, it's almost inevitable that the shantytown project will lose money. With your judgnt, you can surely see it's a bottomless pit. I don't understand why we have to take it over."
Lu Chengwen smiled, "How's the coffee?"
"Very good." Li iqin forced a smile. "I ca to seek your guidance, hoping you could teach more."
Lu Chengwen said, "As the Buddha said, so things are better left unsaid."
"Huh?"
"Anyway, just do as I say. No matter how much effort it takes, we must secure this project."
Li iqin had never heard of such a ridiculous project requiring "no matter how much effort." This project was effortless; you just needed money to get it off the ground.
Dashing Group was taking over, with everyone giving them the green light. It was truly a case of throwing good money after bad.
"Also, Lu, salary increases need to be gradual, based on our local average wage levels and dostic inflation standards, gradually increasing. Suddenly hiking them up like this incurs too much cost..."
"We won't discuss these matters further. Also, you don't need to follow their lead in wearing short skirts anymore. Wear whatever you want."
At that mont, Jiang Shihan knocked on the door and entered, "Mr. Lu, Mayor Zhao invites you to the municipal governnt eting room at 3 p.m. The discussion will be about the shantytown redevelopnt project."
"I got it."
Lu Chengwen looked at Li iqin. "Let's go for the eting."
...
3 p.m.
Municipal governnt eting room.
Lu Chengwen was five minutes late, fortunately, Mayor Zhao was also busy elsewhere and hadn't arrived in the eting room yet.
Upon entering, Lu Chengwen saw many familiar faces.
Qianfeng Group's Executive President Leng Qingqiu, Hude Group's Deputy Executive President Xu Xuejiao, and Xiangyun Group's Executive President Chen ngyun...
All four major families of Snow City were present, and none of the chairn attended in person; it was all CEOs and vice presidents.
Needless to say, their thoughts were all the sa.
They wouldn't touch this project with a ten-foot pole; it was most appropriate for young people to co and offend others.
As Lu Chengwen entered, both Leng Qingqiu and Chen ngyun stood up simultaneously.
Leng Qingqiu looked at Lu Chengwen, revealing a slight smile.
Lu Chengwen politely smiled back at her, shaking her hand. "President Leng, long ti no see."
Leng Qingqiu smiled; this deadhead, what "long ti no see," they t just yesterday.
Chen ngyun felt disgusted seeing Leng Qingqiu, but then she shook hands with Lu Chengwen. "Mr. Lu, still as suave as ever."
"President Chen looks so beautiful today, the dress is lovely."
Lu Chengwen was about to turn and greet Xu Xuejiao when she jumped up directly, startling Lu Chengwen. Afraid she might fall, he quickly caught her.
Goodness, Xu Xuejiao was hanging on Lu Chengwen like a koala bear.
Xu Xuejiao had a small figure, thin arms, and legs, not heavy at all. But the point was... You're the deputy executive president of Hude Group!
What's the aning of hanging onto in public like this!?
Lu Chengwen nervously asked, "What are you doing? Get down!"
"I won't, I'll get down if you kiss ."
"Don't joke around, there are so many people!"
"What's there to be afraid of?"
Leng Qingqiu picked up so docunts and slamd them on the table in annoyance.
Xu Xuejiao completely ignored her, hugging Lu Chengwen's neck. "Missed ?"
"If you don't stop harassing , I'll burn incense for relief..."
At that mont, the secretary pushed the door, and Mayor Zhao entered.
"Sorry, everyone, I've been too busy lately. Let's start the eting."
Seeing Xu Xuejiao clinging to Lu Chengwen, Mayor Zhao was montarily stunned.
"Mr. Lu, what's this..."
Lu Chengwen quickly patted Xu Xuejiao's bottom, and she blushed, sticking out her tongue, and sat down on the side.
Secretary Wu began speaking, talking about how this project was crucial for the nation's economy and people's livelihoods. If it continued to be delayed, it would reflect poorly on the city's leadership and seriously hinder Snow City's economic developnt and construction progress. He hoped that all groups could consider the national interest and take over the project to continue its developnt, and so on.
After Secretary Wu finished speaking, Mayor Zhao began his speech, sighing first:
"Esteed business leaders, I know your predecessors, and I understand the complexity of this project. It's a hot potato. But our Snow City needs to overco this hurdle. Whichever group is willing to invest and carry out this project from start to finish, I, on behalf of the Municipal Party Committee, the Municipal Governnt, and the thirty million citizens of Snow City, express our gratitude. This is a great cause for the present and future generations. I hope everyone can look at this matter with a long-term perspective."
That sounded nice.
In reality, it ant they wanted you to put in money and effort to take over for the governnt.
Everyone looked at each other, but no one spoke up.
Hu Shuhui sat at the end, looking at Lu Chengwen, and suddenly said, "Mayor Zhao, we are businessn. We speak in business terms. Investing without returns is asking us to throw our hard-earned money into the wind, isn't it? Minghui Group definitely won't wade into this muddy water."
Then he pointed at Lu Chengwen, "He has money! Who doesn't know that the Lu family, the head of Snow City's four major families, is as wealthy as a nation? If he pays, if he's willing to pay the bulk, then I'll chip in."
Mayor Zhao turned to look at Lu Chengwen.
At that mont, Lu Chengwen's phone rang. He quickly stood up, "Sorry, sorry everyone, I have to take this call, I'll be right back."
Next, a group of people started chattering, more than a dozen entrepreneurs speaking one after another, with different content but the sa the.
All polite and eloquent, all grandiose.
In short, they all had no money.
So cried poverty, so said they had difficulties, so said they didn't know how to do infrastructure... They were all different.
Mayor Zhao's face beca increasingly ugly.
A bunch of capitalists who don't show their true colors!
When asking the city for conditions and various benefits, they were all eager, but when it ca to touching their own interests, they all shrank back.
Mayor Zhao looked angry, and the atmosphere of the eting beca oppressive.
Secretary Wu tried his best to diate, ntioning various conveniences and benefits that the
municipal party committee and governnt could provide, urging everyone to overco difficulties and actively respond.
Mayor Zhao knew without looking that these heartless folks wouldn't be swayed.
Especially Hu Shuhui, his words were the most offensive.
Every ti he spoke, his central idea was: Lu Chengwen has more money than , if he pays, I'll pay!
The aning was succinct, but his words were too harsh and fragnted.
Throughout the eting, he was the only one speaking arrogantly, not stopping even for a mont.
Mayor Zhao slamd the table, silencing him.
"Are you saying that if soone pays, you'll pay too?"
"Lu Chengwen pays, and I'll pay! He has way more money than !"
Mayor Zhao pointed at Secretary Wu, "Okay, write down for Minghui Group, if soone pays, they'll pay too."
"I... I only took a small portion!"
Mayor Zhao looked at everyone sternly, "Anyone else?"
In situations like this, the beginning was always the most dreaded part.
Once soone took the lead, the rest found it hard to justify themselves.
At this mont, everyone directed angry glares at Hu Shuhui.
Secretary Wu breathed a sigh of relief; at least there was a breakthrough. Mayor Zhao was still sharp.
But the remaining people weren't just there for a free al.
Each of them expressed, "If Lu Chengwen is willing to invest, then we will too because he's the wealthiest."
Mayor Zhao stood up and said, "I'll be back in a mont."
Lu Chengwen was pouring water when he bumped into Mayor Zhao as he went out.
"Mayor Zhao."
"Mm, Chengwen, how's everything at ho recently?"
"Thank you for your concern, everything's fine."
"Sigh." Mayor Zhao sighed, "No rush to go back, co with ."
They strolled in the small courtyard behind the city hall.
Mayor Zhao opened up, "Chengwen, what do you think about the redevelopnt project for the shantytown?"
Lu Chengwen replied, "Your planning has issues."
"Oh? Please elaborate."
"There used to be six villages there. Now you want to connect them all, creating a unified residential community. It's a large area, needing over two hundred buildings, as well as widening and laying new cent roads, renovating sewers, and building supporting facilities..."
"So, where do you think the problem lies?"
"Everything is fine. You even designed a subway station. All of that is fine."
"Then what's the problem?"
"The problem is, there's no comrcial area there."
Mayor Zhao was puzzled, "It's residential land, and it's not far from nearby comrcial areas."
"What's the use? What do ordinary people look for when buying a house? Schools, hospitals, and even parks are designed, but there's no comrcial area! It's inconvenient!"
Mayor Zhao pondered with a lowered head.
Lu Chengwen turned around, "Jiang Shihan! The blueprint!"
Jiang Shihan, who was following from afar, imdiately ran over and pulled out the blueprint from her bag.
"Mayor Zhao, all the designs are reasonable. The municipal party committee and governnt attach great importance to this project. But, think about it, if we design a circular comrcial city here, with amusent, shopping, dining, movies, and even a stadium for concerts... It won't just transform the shantytown, the entire northern city will be revitalized!"
Mayor Zhao felt a pang in his heart.
This idea had been suggested before, but no one had been as bold as Lu Chengwen.
When the land here was reclaid, it was assured that it would all be for livelihood projects, no factories or comrcial buildings.
Back then, soone had proposed building a small-scale comrcial area to attract residents.
But his proposal was much more conservative compared to Lu Chengwen's.
Lu Chengwen was aiming for big things.
With this bold circle drawn, a significant portion of land would be circled!
Mayor Zhao contemplated.
After a long while, he sighed, "The common people won't agree. They want buildings, demolition compensation."
Lu Chengwen said, "Calculate how much they want, compile a figure, I can get it. As long as you build according to this thod, redesign the blueprints, and replan the routes, the subway stations can't be just a few, they all need to be taken care of. Also, the roads need to be connected, and there must be a separate highway entrance..."
Mayor Zhao looked at Lu Chengwen, surprised by his grand vision and surprised that this guy didn't play poor today, didn't play Tai Chi with him, but seed genuinely focused.
From his secretary carrying the blueprints with him and the nurous marks on them, it was evident that this person had been paying attention to this project.
"If, and I an if, the project can be modified to a great extent according to your ideas, would you be willing to take over?"
Lu Chengwen smiled, "Otherwise, why would I study it?"
Mayor Zhao said, "Good, but those people inside, I need you to handle them for . Can you do it?"
Lu Chengwen patted Mayor Zhao's shoulder with a smile, "Just watch !"
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