Power and Wealth
Chapter 1480 – Failure?
Morning.
It was not yet ten o’clock.
People had gradually gathered in the open-air venue of the county party school’s courtyard, with about half of the sixty investors arriving one after another.
“Ms. Zhang, you’re here.”
“I’m here, haha.”
“Come inside quickly. Do you have the script?”
“Script? What for?”
“I told you about it a few days ago.”
“Oh, representing the investors. Well, I don’t need a script if it’s just that. Let’s go inside.”
“Alright, let’s sit inside quickly, then.”
“Sure, when it’s time for my speech, have someone give me a heads-up in advance.”
“Okay.” Important figures needed special attention. Dong Xuebing quickly arranged for the temporary staff assigned by the county to escort Sister Jiang inside. Immediately, he greeted the foreign investors behind, starting with Matt.
“Matt, hello, how’s your health? Is your stomach okay now?”
Matt only understood the word “hello” and blinked in confusion.
The Chinese beside him laughed and translated Dong Xuebing’s words for Matt.
Matt gave Dong Xuebing a bear hug and rambled on in English.
Naturally, Dong Xuebing couldn’t understand. In the end, the Chinese guy translated for him. “Matt says everything is fine now. He thanks you, Mayor Dong. Thanks to you that day, you carried Matt down the stairs alone. You took care of him in the hospital until late at night. Matt is very grateful and admires your strength. With his weight of over 150 hundred kilograms, ordinary people couldn’t move him. But you lifted him with one hand at that time. Not only Matt, but many of us present were also shocked.” After finishing, he gave Dong Xuebing a thumbs-up.
Matt also gave a thumbs-up.
Upon hearing this, Gong Na immediately boasted to Dong Xuebing, “It’s only 150 hundred kilograms. Mayor Dong once moved something over a ton with bare hands.”
The Chinese guy was amazed, “Over a ton?”
“What?” Matt asked.
The Chinese translated for him, and the many foreign investors were amazed.
Dong Xuebing couldn’t help but glare at Gong Na, “Go do your work.”
Gong Na cutely stuck out her tongue and walked away.
Dong Xuebing shook his head, “Hey, there’s no need to thank me. It’s just the right thing to do. Everyone chose to come to our Zhen Shui County for inspection, which is trust in our county. These small things are nothing. When Mr. Matt was sick here, we felt quite guilty. It’s good that he’s fine now.”
Dong Xuebing’s address was very casual, and everyone was already familiar with it. He called Matt “Mr. Matt” and Lei Na “Old Lei.” Many people initially found it amusing, thinking it was funny to address people this way. After all, foreign names were different from ours. However, after hearing Dong Xuebing call them this way, everyone got used to it. It also seemed very friendly.
At this point, all the investors had arrived.
A moment later, Chang Juan and Chen Yunsong hurriedly returned by car.
As they exited the car, Dong Xuebing greeted them, “Sister Chang, Xiao Chen, you’ve worked hard.”
“It’s nothing,” Chang Juan chuckled.
Chen Yunsong also hurriedly said, “We’re not tired. It’s you who has worked hard. I heard you were sick yesterday and almost fainted. How are you now?”
“Hehe, it’s nothing serious,” Dong Xuebing said casually, “Don’t worry about me. What about the situation in the city these days? You must have faced a lot of criticism.”
Chang Juan shrugged, “It’s nothing. Just some sarcastic remarks. They keep accusing our Zhen Shui County at our exhibition booth, saying we stole their investors. It’s originally their responsibility. What do they have to say about us? One by one, I scolded them back. They still came to criticize us at our Zhen Shui County booth. I told them off for a while. Later, they probably knew that I was not easy to mess with, and gradually, they stopped. It’s just bullying the weak and fearing the strong. Can’t be polite with them.”
Dong Xuebing looked at her, “Did you scold them?”
Chang Juan nodded, “But I didn’t use dirty words.”
Dong Xuebing said, “That’s good. You did the right thing.”
Chen Yunsong wiped his sweat on the side, thinking that scolding people was still right. These days, he had watched Director Chang confront those people with hands on hips. When she returned, he originally thought the leaders would criticize Director Chang. Who would have thought that Mayor Dong would praise Director Chang for scolding people? He couldn’t help but smile bitterly, finding it hard to understand the work style of Dong Xuebing and Director Chang, who came from Beijing.
Dong Xuebing said, “You’ve been on the road long. Take a break.”
“It’s okay,” Chang Juan looked around, “It’s busy right now. Let’s help out.”
“Sure, if you’re not tired, you can go to the signing area to help Sister Cheng and the others double-check the contracts and see if there are any issues.” Dong Xuebing said.
“Alright, leave it to us.” Chang Juan took Chen Yunsong and went to help.
Even the lazy Sister Chang had become diligent after not seeing each other for a few days. Dong Xuebing couldn’t help but look at her in admiration. But before he could feel pleased, Sister Chang left Chen Yunsong alone and returned.
Chang Juan asked in a low voice, “Xuebing, if this Investment Promotion Fair goes well, will everyone receive bonuses of tens of thousands?”
Dong Xuebing was sweating. So, you were thinking about this? No wonder you suddenly became so enthusiastic. “Yes, you are the Deputy Director, so you will get more than others.”
Chang Juan chuckled, “Then, I will be busy.”
This Sister Chang, Dong Xuebing was also amused by her.
Suddenly, someone behind him called him; the county leaders’ cars had arrived.
Dong Xuebing quickly took a sip of water, threw away the mineral water bottle, and went outside to welcome the leaders.
Exactly ten o’clock.
The signing ceremony officially began.
Secretary Meng and Mayor Jiang gave speeches on stage, mostly courteous words, without anything special. Ultimately, they assured the preferential policies to make the investors feel at ease.
Next was the speech by the investor’s representative, Zhang Longjuan. As an investor, her perspective was more objective, and she could be considered in the same camp as many present businessmen. With the most wealth among all present, her company was also the largest. Her words naturally held more weight and could instill more trust among the investors than the empty talk from county leaders.
“Hello, everyone.” Zhang Longjuan greeted everyone briefly, then smiled and said, “I’ve been in Zhen Shui County for a week now, and you should all have seen the investment environment here. If I boast about how great it is here, you will not believe it.”
The investors chuckled.
Secretary Meng raised his eyebrows slightly, wondering what she was talking about.
Dong Xuebing also felt a bit anxious and quickly signaled to Zhang Longjuan.
Jiang Fangfang, sitting calmly below, sipped her tea without any reaction.
Sure enough, Zhang Longjuan’s tone took a turn, “But precisely because the investment environment here is in its initial stage, I find it attractive, and that’s where the investment value lies. Thank you all for your favor. Many friends have come to seek advice from me these days, and I naturally share everything I know. There’s nothing to hide. However, there’s one thing I haven’t mentioned: the development history of my company. My headquarters is in Fu Zhou, as you all know. It’s a relatively remote place with few people and few opportunities. It can’t be compared to economic zones in the country. However, it’s precisely because of this that it gave me development opportunities and a foundation for survival. Why? Many projects are still in the initial stages. Not many people compete with me, and very few can surpass me. It’s that simple. Of course, I understand that a coherent industrial chain and a mature investment environment can drive project development. However, the competition is also intense. Before the project starts, no one dares to claim they can stand out. But Zhen Shui County is different. There are projects everywhere, opportunities. As long as you seize them and operate well, I believe the opportunity for projects to stand out here is much greater than in other places. So, I chose here, not because I see the investment environment here but because I see a blank slate here. I also believe that under Secretary Meng and Mayor Jiang’s leadership, Zhen Shui County will develop better and change year by year. It will be too late if we wait for the investment industry chain to mature before building the project. I can’t guarantee whether there will be a share of the pie left. Hehe, just some straightforward words. That’s it.”
Zhang Longjuan left the stage.
A few investors nodded slightly, seemingly agreeing with her perspective.
Guided by Dong Xuebing and county officials, everyone also applauded.
Sister Jiang had contributed to Zhen Shui County, even turning their biggest flaw into an advantage. Of course, this was also giving face to Dong Xuebing; without the influence of Dong Xuebing, Sister Jiang probably wouldn’t have worked so hard.
Secretary Meng also understood this and couldn’t help but glance at Dong Xuebing.
Other county leaders and staff were also quite admiring of Dong Xuebing. Not only did he bring a billionaire investor from afar, but she also voluntarily became an investment consultant for Zhen Shui County. Ultimately, she even leaned towards Zhen Shui County in her speech, seemingly a local praising her hometown. Those who knew that Zhang Longjuan was an investor appreciated Zhen Shui County even more, while those who didn’t know might think she was a resident. Dong Xuebing had given Zhen Shui County a good reputation.
It was obvious that she was playing a role.
But thinking about it another way, to be able to invite such a billionaire investor as a pawn was also Dong Xuebing’s skill. Others couldn’t achieve this.
Finally, Dong Xuebing took the stage. Everyone had said what needed to be said, so he didn’t waste any more words, going straight to the point, “Next, the Investment Promotion Signing Ceremony officially begins. Friends with any doubts can consult our staff again. Legal consultants and representatives from the banks are also present today. If you have decided and are interested, please go to the signing area.” Dong Xuebing pointed to a large booth, “I will be waiting for everyone there, and sincerely hope to cooperate with you all.”