Chapter 2377: Give an Inch and They Take a Mile

Facing the collective gaze, Feng Ermin's body felt as if it had been hit by a freezing spell; he sat there stiffly, his hands completely losing their sense of direction, not knowing where to put them.

This feeling of being the center of attention was unprecedented for Feng Ermin. He had lived to this age and had never been stared at like this, let alone by all the group leaders; it truly made him feel like he was sitting on pins and needles.

"Heh... hehehe..."

Feng Ermin grinned and laughed. He wanted to use his smile to cover up his nervousness, but he couldn't see his own expression at that moment; that smile was uglier than crying.

"Pfft!"

Just then, Administrative and Public Relations Department Manager Reporter Guan Huiyan suddenly let out a light laugh, which sounded particularly abrupt in the quiet conference room. Everyone's gaze shifted from Feng Ermin to her in unison.

Realizing she had lost her composure, Reporter Guan Huiyan coughed lightly, then quickly adjusted her expression, looked at Feng Ermin, and said: "Comrade Feng Ermin, I really didn't expect that you and Zhou Andong were childhood friends. Then, whether our group can successfully take on the Woolen Mill teaching building project will all depend on you."

Reporter Guan Huiyan was not yet forty. Although her appearance wasn't particularly outstanding, she had great taste in clothing and her makeup was exquisite, so she looked very charming.

And she said these words, on one hand, to cover up the embarrassment of her laughing out loud just now, and on the other hand, to ease Feng Ermin's nervous mood.

"Thump, thump, thump..."

Wu Xiangqun tapped the table rhythmically, the crisp sound echoing in the conference room, attracting everyone's attention back, and then said slowly: "Yesterday afternoon, Comrade Feng Ermin and I went to the Woolen Mill together, so my conversation with Zhou Andong was very smooth and harmonious."

Hearing Wu Xiangqun's words, everyone's eyes lit up, and there was a glimmer of hope in their hearts. Reporter Guan Huiyan couldn't help but ask: "Wu Zong, do you mean that the Woolen Mill teaching building and staff dormitory project is open for discussion?"

This question was obviously what everyone cared about. The conference room suddenly fell silent, and everyone waited for Wu Xiangqun's answer. The people present, regardless of whether their abilities were up to par, definitely had the brains, otherwise, they wouldn't be sitting in the positions of high-level group leaders.

Therefore, they were very clear about the stakes involved. Taking on the Woolen Mill teaching building and staff dormitory project was secondary; repairing the relationship with Zhou Andong was the most important thing.

A smile appeared on Wu Xiangqun's face: "Zhou Andong has already agreed to hand over the Woolen Mill teaching building and staff dormitory project to us to do. And to have such a result, I must specifically mention that Comrade Feng Ermin contributed significantly; he played a key role in this matter."

Everyone was stunned. At first, they didn't hold any hope, but after hearing Wu Xiangqun say he talked with Zhou Andong for over an hour, they had expectations. But they knew very well in their hearts that to get the project, it would definitely require some tough negotiations.

However, now that Zhou Andong had agreed so readily, they thought the conditions he proposed would definitely be extremely harsh, and they estimated this was the main content to be discussed in today's meeting.

Liu Mingpu looked at Wu Xiangqun and asked in a deep voice: "Wu Zong, why don't you just say what conditions Zhou Andong proposed?"

Wu Xiangqun took a puff of his cigarette leisurely, then slowly exhaled a smoke ring, and then said unhurriedly: "He only had one condition, and that is advance funding; the Woolen Mill will pay off the funds in batches within five years."

"Advance funding?" Material Management Department Manager Ma Chen Weizhong heard this, his eyes widened in shock, his meticulously combed hair slightly messy: "Let us provide two hundred million in advance funding?"

"This is absolutely impossible!" Gou Jinchao also followed up, opposing: "Our group simply cannot come up with that much money!"

Others also spoke up one after another, and the meaning was very simple: any condition could be discussed, but advance funding was absolutely non-negotiable; it was definitely impossible.

A smile gradually appeared on Wu Xiangqun's face, but this smile made people feel a bit cold, without the slightest warmth. If Dong Yujun were here, these people probably wouldn't even have the chance to speak. Even if there were a meeting, it would absolutely not be to discuss with them, but to directly notify them of what to do.

"Have you said enough?"

Wu Xiangqun's voice suddenly sounded, his originally gentle tone now becoming somewhat severe, even carrying a sense of oppression that could not be ignored.

These people, they really give an inch and they take a mile. It wasn't that they couldn't see the group's crisis, but because advance funding made them unable to profit.

One by one, they raised their heads, and when they saw Wu Xiangqun's gloomy expression, they immediately shut their mouths, and the chaotic scene suddenly became quiet.

"The reason I was able to smoothly meet Zhou Andong when I went to the Woolen Mill was because Director Huang of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission had fully communicated with Zhou Andong before I went."

Wu Xiangqun's voice was very cold, as if it could pierce through people's bones, making people shudder. It was clear he was truly angry and was currently trying hard to suppress the anger in his heart.

"As for Zhou Andong finally being able to loosen his mouth and hand the project to Daguang, it wasn't because he forgave Daguang, nor was it because my face as the new General Manager was worth anything, but because Comrade Feng Ermin is his childhood friend, and it's Comrade Feng Ermin's face that is valuable."

Speaking of this, Wu Xiangqun's tone became slightly heavier: "Moreover, I have already clearly told you before that this project was originally going to be handed to Yuxi Real Estate, and Yuxi Real Estate would be responsible for the advance funding. Therefore, you must not get it wrong; it's not that Zhou Andong is begging us, but that we are begging Zhou Andong."

Wu Xiangqun's expression became extremely serious. He slammed the cigarette butt in his hand into the ashtray, as if he wanted to vent all his dissatisfaction and anger on this small action. As the cigarette butt was extinguished, a faint smoke slowly rose and filled the air.

Wu Xiangqun's gaze was as sharp as a hawk's. He scanned the people present, and that look seemed to be able to pierce through everyone's heart. No matter who it was, under his gaze, they couldn't help but lower their heads slightly, not daring to look him in the eye.

"Use your brains and think carefully!" Wu Xiangqun's voice suddenly rose a few degrees, and the obvious anger could no longer be suppressed: "If it weren't for Director Huang's face and Comrade Feng Ermin's face, why would Zhou Andong hand this project to us? Do you think Yuxi Real Estate is short of money? Do you think they can't come up with these two hundred million?"

Wu Xiangqun's questioning was like a heavy hammer, hitting everyone's heart: "Therefore, I advise everyone to put away their little thoughts and little calculations. What we need now is to work together to lead Daguang out of its current predicament.

If you only think about your own little interests and don't care about the overall situation or the group's interests, then once Daguang falls, I will settle accounts with each and every one of you present."

Gou Jinchao looked at Wu Xiangqun with a difficult expression, hesitated for a long time, and then hardened his head and said: "I'm not opposing it either; it's mainly that the group's current financial situation is indeed very tight, and we really can't come up with two hundred million for advance funding."

Wu Xiangqun's expression became somewhat ugly, and his hand tapped the table: "Even if we have to smash the pots and sell the iron, we must find a way to scrape this money together. This is a matter of life and death for our group and cannot be retreated from because of this little difficulty. Moreover, this two hundred million in advance funding doesn't mean we have to take it all out at once."

At this time, Liu Mingpu, who had been sitting silently on the side, said with a smile: "Actually, everyone knows very well that the reason our Daguang has fallen into such a predicament is entirely because of the mistakes Dong Yujun made.

He not only offended Zhou Andong but also offended the city, causing us to be unable to get even a single municipal project now. Therefore, the Woolen Mill teaching building and staff dormitory project is not the most important thing for us; repairing the relationship with Zhou Andong is the top priority."

Liu Mingpu paused and continued: "Only when our relationship with Zhou Andong is eased and the city sees our sincerity will they be willing to hand the project to us. Otherwise, we can only wait for death."

After speaking, Liu Mingpu raised his hand and said in a loud and firm voice: "I agree to the advance funding!"

Mao Hongfang was about to raise his hand, but Reporter Guan Huiyan was faster than him. She raised her hand with a swoosh, her tone equally decisive: "I support Wu Zong. Two hundred million in advance funding is indeed not a small amount, but as long as we work together, we can still solve it by squeezing a bit."

Mao Hongfang was so angry he gritted his teeth. Before Reporter Guan Huiyan's voice fell, he raised his hand. As the tapeworm in the boss's stomach, he couldn't fall behind again.

"I support it, because we have no other choice now. If we want Daguang to have a way to live, we must ease the relationship with Zhou Andong."

Seeing that Liu Mingpu, Reporter Guan Huiyan, and Mao Hongfang all expressed their support so clearly, others who were originally somewhat hesitant, even if they still had some dissatisfaction in their hearts, could only raise their hands to express their support for this decision at this moment.

"Since everyone supports it and it's passed unanimously, then let's discuss the next topic." Wu Xiangqun's expression finally turned from cloudy to sunny, and a smile appeared: "To avoid problems such as unpredictable risks and losses caused by insufficient coordination and poor communication between the two parties during the cooperation process, I have decided to establish a coordination group specifically responsible for daily communication and problem-solving."

When everyone heard that a coordination group was to be established, their minds began to stir. Although this coordination group appeared to have little actual power, it could communicate directly with the first party and even had the possibility of coming into contact with Zhou Andong, which was undoubtedly extremely attractive to them.

Wu Xiangqun picked up the teacup in front of him unhurriedly, took a light sip, then put the cup down and continued: "Regarding the personnel arrangement of the coordination group, the number of people doesn't need to be too many, ten or so is enough. Set up one group leader and two deputy group leaders. I will personally serve as the group leader. As for the deputy group leaders..."

Everyone stared at Wu Xiangqun, their gazes very eager. They were eager to try and wanted to recommend themselves. But when they saw Wu Xiangqun's expression, they understood that the leader definitely had candidates in mind. So they could only pray, hoping that the candidates in the leader's mind were themselves.

A faint smile hung on Mao Hongfang's face, looking confident. In his mind, he was the leader's trusted subordinate, and this deputy group leader position of the coordination group belonged to him.

Everyone's expectant expressions were all taken in by Wu Xiangqun, and he couldn't help but sneer in his heart. These people, they oppose when there's no benefit, but once there's a benefit, they are like vicious dogs seeing shit, always wanting to take a bite. Are you guys the only smart ones in this world?

"Cough!" Wu Xiangqun coughed lightly to clear his throat: "I have decided that Comrade Reporter Guan Huiyan and Comrade Feng Ermin will serve as deputy group leaders."

As soon as his voice fell, there was an uproar at the scene. This decision was beyond everyone's expectations. Mao Hongfang was directly dumbfounded. He widened his eyes, his face full of disbelief, looking straight at Wu Xiangqun, his heart truly unable to accept this fact.

Letting Reporter Guan Huiyan serve as deputy group leader was understandable, no problem, after all, she was the Public Relations Department Manager, and both her seniority and ability were beyond question. But letting Feng Ermin, this ordinary employee, serve as deputy group leader was a bit hard for people to accept. Even if he was Zhou Andong's childhood friend, this arrangement was a bit too outrageous.

A smile that was hard to detect hooked at the corner of Reporter Guan Huiyan's mouth. She knew that because of her unreserved support, Wu Xiangqun gave her the deputy group leader position.

"Wu Zong!" Ma Chen Weizhong said with an ugly expression: "Even if Comrade Feng Ermin and Zhou Andong are childhood friends, he is after all just an ordinary employee. Letting him serve as deputy group leader, how can it convince the public? Moreover, he has absolutely no work experience in this area!"

Wu Xiangqun did not immediately respond to Ma Chen Weizhong's questioning. He picked up a cigarette unhurriedly, lit it, took a deep puff, then slowly exhaled the smoke, and then opened his mouth to say: "No one is born with work experience. Moreover, this is also the third thing I want to say, which is to promote Comrade Feng Ermin to a deputy section-level leadership cadre."

Everyone fell silent. If Feng Ermin's deputy section level was resolved, then serving as deputy group leader of the coordination group could barely be considered reasonable. In any case, deputy section level was also a leadership cadre.

Feng Ermin looked at Wu Xiangqun in shock. He finally understood why Wu Xiangqun let him attend this meeting. At the same time, he also remembered what Zhou Andong said to him last night: get the benefits first.

Originally, he thought this so-called "benefit" was just some bonuses or other material rewards, but he never expected that he would be directly promoted to a deputy section-level leader!

Wu Xiangqun continued: "Comrade Feng Ermin and Zhou Andong are childhood friends. Letting him serve as deputy group leader, no matter what happens, with him coordinating and communicating in the middle, the benefits for us are foreseeable." ===== CHAPTER 2378 =====