Chapter 474: Presenting a Gift to Old Master Chen

After leaving Liu Jianghua's place, Chen Yang called Shen Anna and asked him to prepare several portions of mountain local specialties for himself. After obtaining the specialties, he returned to Jiangmen Dao to get a few bottles of Maotai and Zhonghua cigarettes.

With the New Year approaching, these few senior leaders with close ties in the province need to pay a visit to show respect.

He first went to the home of Lin Jianguo's direct superior, the Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission, Old Master Chen. The latter had helped him a lot and strongly recommended Lin Jianguo for the position of mayor of Qingshui City; such a great favor must be repaid in person.

However, just as Chen Yang drove his car into Old Master Chen's villa, he unexpectedly discovered a brand-new BMW 5 Series off-road vehicle parked inside.

He parked the car, took a glance, and saw Chen Bing walking out of Old Master Chen's house. Upon seeing his car, the other party immediately quickened his pace.

"Chen Yang, you're really a rare guest! What wind blew you here?"

"It's New Year; I'm bringing Old Master Chen some mountain specialties." Chen Yang greeted Chen Bing while taking out the prepared cigarettes, alcohol, and mountain specialties from the trunk.

Chen Bing casually took the specialties from Chen Yang's hand, glanced at the Audi's trunk, and said with a smile, "You rarely come by; no matter how busy you are tonight, you have to eat before leaving."

"Sure, I haven't tasted my sister-in-law's cooking in a long time, and I'm a bit hungry." Chen Yang's main purpose this visit was to thank Old Master Chen for the favor of recommending Lin Jianguo; since the Chen family is also here, he naturally ought to stay a while longer.

As they passed the BMW vehicle, Chen Yang asked Chen Bing, "Is this car your new purchase?"

"Yes!" Chen Bing said happily and excitedly, "The internet cafe you recommended is doing very well; not only did I recoup my investment, I also had extra money to buy a new car. This BMW is much better than my old clunker."

Chen Yang laughed: "Now is the boom period of national economic development; as long as you want to work, there's no business that doesn't make money."

Chen Bing nodded, then quickly shook his head. He said, "Making money is making money, but doing the same business, your method differs greatly from others'. For example, a friend of mine also opened a large internet cafe; he has more computers than I do and charges half my fees. His business is often full, while my shop sometimes still has many empty seats. The result is that he actually earns less than I do."

Chen Yang analyzed for him: "Your one computer earns what two of theirs earn, and you save half on labor, so it's perfectly normal that you make more money."

Chen Bing sighed: "So it's still your money-making method that's superior to others'. For another example, the Collect Five Blessings Card activity run by your e-commerce platform, although it's giving away fifty million cash for free, I feel the money is well spent. Because whether I'm at work or off duty, I can hear many discussions about this activity."

Chen Yang heard that the Collect Five Blessings Card activity had become widely known throughout Xingcheng, and he felt happy as well.

At this moment, Chen Bing said again: "Chen Yang, although your activity is extremely popular, the difficulty of completing it is truly too great. I've heard that fewer than ten thousand people have succeeded in collecting the cards so far. Aren't you afraid people will blame you afterward?"

Chen Yang smiled and told him: "The activity has twenty thousand winning slots, and the remaining rare cards will all be released tomorrow."

"Twenty thousand slots, each with a 2,500 prize— not bad at all!" Chen Bing did the mental math and thought this outcome was still quite good for the winners. Especially for ordinary salaried workers, it's equivalent to picking up several months' wages for free.

While they were talking, the two had already entered the Chen family residence. Seeing Old Master Chen reading a newspaper on the sofa, Chen Yang immediately stepped forward to greet him.

Old Master Chen had Chen Yang sit beside him, then asked gently: "Are you spending New Year's in Xingcheng today?"

Chen Yang shook his head: "My father-in-law and wife still have to work on New Year's Eve, so I'm spending New Year's in Qingshui City this year."

Old Master Chen nodded slightly: "That kid Lin Jianguo is fairly diligent; I hope this provincial committee leadership change will bring him some luck."

Upon hearing this, Chen Yang smiled and said to Old Master Chen: "With you personally involved, this matter will surely succeed."

Old Master Chen chuckled and sighed: "I had indeed raised the matter with the provincial committee, letting Lin Jianguo become mayor of Qingshui City, but those two didn't nod. Yet you, young man, only went to the governor's office once and got it done. It seems Governor Liu still values you highly."

Chen Yang immediately explained: "Old Master Chen, I don't have that much influence. My visit to Governor Liu was just about work matters. It was only as I was leaving that he mentioned in passing, and then I learned it was you who recommended my father-in-law to be mayor of Qingshui City."

Old Master Chen, upon hearing that Liu Jianghua was looking for Chen Yang to discuss work, felt a bit puzzled and asked: "It's almost New Year; what else do you have to talk about? Could it be that your company's e-commerce platform activity has run into trouble?"

"No!" Chen Yang shook his head and said: "Our company just recently secured the sponsorship advertisement for the National Spring Festival Gala. Governor Liu sought me out to confirm that."

Old Master Chen said somewhat surprised: "Such a hastily secured advertisement must have cost a lot, right?"

Chen Yang did not directly answer his question, merely smiling: "As long as it achieves the promotional effect for the company, spending a bit more is worthwhile!"

Old Master Chen is a person who has seen the world; even if Chen Yang didn't say it, he would know the cost is not small. He couldn't help but sigh: "No wonder Governor Liu values your father-in-law's matter so highly—it turns out you, young man, are buying his favor with money. Enterprises from Dongjiangsheng making it onto the National Spring Festival Gala, and it being his project, simply adds frosting to the cake of his promotion! This favor, he will certainly repay you."

Chen Yang smiled without speaking. Because what Old Master Chen said was exactly what he himself had thought and done. The only surprise was that Old Master Chen and Kong Jie would together recommend Lin Jianguo at this juncture, indirectly bringing about a happy outcome.

From Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission to mayor, Lin Jianguo's political career will be completely transformed.

Old Master Chen suddenly thought of something and solemnly asked Chen Yang: "There's something I've always wanted to ask you. Over the past year, you've invested tens of billions in Dongjiangsheng; the sources of this money are all legitimate, right?"

Chen Yang immediately assured: "Old Master Chen, rest assured. This money is all earned by me in the U. S. stock market; it's clean money."

Old Master Chen gave a slight nod; as long as Chen Yang's funds are fine, many problems cease to be problems. He reminded Chen Yang: "Recently, many people in the province have been using your fund sources as material, although suppressed by higher-ups, but you should still keep a low profile in your future endeavors. A visible spear is easy to dodge, a hidden arrow hard to defend against. Today someone like Wang Haifeng could jump out, and tomorrow someone like Li Haifeng could appear."

Chen Yang nodded: "Old Master Chen, rest assured, I will try to keep a low profile from now on."

Old Master Chen was very satisfied with Chen Yang's attitude. This young man before him is capable of great deeds and willing to listen to the elders' advice, far surpassing his own son.

Lin Wei, that girl, really has good eyesight!