Chapter 770: A Five Million Funding Gap!

Tang Ye and Ou Xiye were chatting when a knock sounded at the office door.

Ou Xiye called out, "Come in."

Wu Guoyang pushed the door open, and seeing Tang Ye sitting on the sofa, his face revealed surprise and concern, "County Magistrate Tang, I heard you were seriously injured; you should stay in the hospital and rest for a few more days."

"I urged him to rest for a while, but he wouldn't listen!" Ou Xiye said with a helpless expression.

Tang Ye smiled and explained, "I have only been in Dayu County for two years, and every minute and every second is important. Besides, I feel I can keep going."

Wu Guoyang sat down on the sofa and said admiringly, "Youth is a good thing; you have fighting spirit and drive!"

"Secretary Ou, how did you find the budget application report for water conservancy infrastructure that I submitted a few days ago?"

The flood season was approaching, and there had been no word on the document.

Therefore, Tang Ye took the opportunity to ask about the progress of the approval.

If it were any other matter, Tang Ye might not have pressed so hard.

However.

Flood prevention is a major issue and must be deployed in advance.

Although Tang Ye is in charge of the Finance Bureau, large amounts of funding must follow the opinions of the County Magistrate and the Party Committee Secretary.

"I communicated with Comrade Anbang about this document; isn't a budget of five million a bit too much?"

Although there is money in the treasury now, Ou Xiye felt it was better to spend it sparingly.

Tang Ye's tone was grave, "When I was conducting research a while ago, I learned from grassroots cadres that the County Government has not invested any funds in flood control and prevention in recent years. The flood season is almost here; if we don't hurry to consolidate flood control facilities, it will easily lead to threats against the safety and property of the common people."

"How about this, let's control the budget at two million," Ou Xiye said with difficulty. "Dayu County is not a coastal area; it is a National-level Poverty-stricken County. To be honest, everyone is struggling just to have enough to eat and wear; with homes as bare as walls, what property is there to speak of? It would be better to exchange the three million for grain and cotton clothes; that would be more valuable to them."

Tang Ye could not agree with Ou Xiye's thinking.

No matter how broken a home is, it is still very important to the common people.

Of course.

He could also understand Ou Xiye's perspective.

In recent years, Dayu County had not encountered any particularly large flood disasters.

Therefore, Ou Xiye wanted to spend the money where it was most needed.

"Secretary Ou, how about this: I will resolve the five million in funding; this money will not need to come from the treasury." Tang Ye had a plan in mind.

Ou Xiye looked at Tang Ye in surprise, "If you can resolve five million in funding, that would be great. The water conservancy infrastructure in Dayu County really hasn't been reinforced in so many years."

Wu Guoyang asked curiously, "How will this funding come? Borrowing from a bank? Our county has debts with several major banks in the city, and we are making repayments every month; if we continue to borrow, the bank's requirement is a minimum loan of one hundred million."

Ou Xiye puffed on his cigarette; he had recently sold his old face to get a loan, but his old classmate was only willing to lend him four million.

Tang Ye waved his hand, "Borrowed money always has to be repaid. Although the interest rate for Dayu County's loans is very low, it is still a burden. I want to seek corporate sponsorship!"

Wu Guoyang thought to himself that Tang Ye was thinking too simply and reminded him, "There aren't many companies that can come up with five million."

Tang Ye insisted, "Human effort can achieve anything."

Seeing that Tang Ye was quite stubborn, Wu Guoyang did not continue to dwell on it and changed the subject.

"Secretary Ou, the crackdown on organized crime and evil forces will be held in the County Party Committee conference room tomorrow morning."

"Understood." Ou Xiye glanced at Tang Ye's arm, a flash of sternness crossing his eyes.

At ten o'clock the next morning, a mobilization meeting to rectify social customs and govern social order was held in the County Party Committee Compound conference room.

The main persons in charge of the county's public security, procuratorate, and court systems, as well as the heads of town police stations, attended the meeting.

Tang Ye also attended the meeting.

Before attending the meeting, he had removed his bandage.

Ou Xiye was somewhat surprised to see that Tang Ye was not wearing his arm in a sling.

On second thought, he realized Tang Ye was afraid of affecting the government's image, which made him admire him even more.

After entering the venue, everyone was whispering.

"These people are truly lawless!"

"I wanted to visit County Magistrate Jiang yesterday, but I was refused. I heard County Magistrate Jiang refuses to see guests and is in a terrible mood."

"How is the case progressing? Have the suspects been caught?"

"County Magistrate Jiang gave a two-day deadline, otherwise Xing Zhijun will lose his official hat."

"No wonder Xing Zhijun's face is as black as Bao Gong's!"

The meeting officially began and lasted for a full four hours.

Only half an hour was given for lunch.

At the meeting, the heads of the public security, procuratorate, and court systems and the cadres in charge of these departments in the towns successively expressed their full support for this operation.

Ou Xiye concluded at the end that this operation would last for three months.

It would target black-hearted and evil forces and rectify bad behaviors such as pornography, gambling, and drugs.

The county would form working groups to conduct regular spot checks in the towns.

Once problems are discovered, they will be held accountable without exception.

The Town Party Committee Secretary is the primary person responsible.

At four o'clock in the afternoon, the meeting ended.

After returning to his office, Tang Ye put his arm back in the sling.

Ma Ran walked in and said softly, "County Magistrate Tang, I have contacted the person in charge of the Zhao Group; he will be at the office in ten minutes."

Tang Ye nodded, "Invite him in directly."

A moment later, Zhao Hui walked into the office under Ma Ran's guidance.

Zhao Hui took the initiative to extend his right hand, and Tang Ye smiled, extending his left hand as he explained, "I apologize, President Zhao, but my right hand is injured."

Zhao Hui hurriedly switched to using both hands to grasp Tang Ye's left hand, "I heard about it; it was my oversight."

Tang Ye invited Zhao Hui to sit down.

"President Zhao, I know you are very busy, but I have requested your presence today because I have an important matter to ask of you."

A look of surprise appeared in Zhao Hui's eyes, and he said with a smile, "County Magistrate Tang, you are too polite. I have actually wanted to visit you for a long time, but there hasn't been a suitable opportunity. Please, feel free to tell me what you need me to do."

Tang Ye sighed, "Since I arrived in Dayu County, I have been in charge of financial work and have found it riddled with problems and full of difficulties. The flood season is approaching, and the water conservancy projects in Dayu County have not undergone systematic maintenance for so many years. To be honest, I am quite anxious. If a problem arises, it will certainly affect the safety of tens of thousands of ordinary people."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Hui finally understood.

Tang Ye had come to him to beg for funds.

"County Magistrate Tang, the Zhao Group does not have many projects in Dayu County. Over the past few years, after deducting various expenses, we have barely managed to break even. However, since you have asked, I must certainly give you some face. I wonder how much money you need!" Zhao Hui asked cautiously.

Tang Ye mused to himself that Zhao Hui was still quite generous.

If Zhao Hui were unwilling, he would go find the Hongling Group.

He would use the competition between the two enterprises over the City Square project to resolve this funding issue.

Compared to the Hongling Group, he preferred the Zhao Group.

It was not because the Zhao Group was stronger, but because the young master of the Hongling Group had a conflict with Tang Ye.

"At least five million is needed!" Tang Ye said softly.

"Five million?" Zhao Hui's expression immediately collapsed.

He knew Tang Ye would make him bleed.

However, he had not expected such an exorbitant price, a lion's share...

"County Magistrate Tang, you think too highly of me. In all the years the Zhao Clan has been in Dayu, our total profits haven't even reached four million. How about this: I will contribute five hundred thousand. You can look for other enterprises to find a way. When everyone gathers firewood, the flames rise high; you will surely be able to raise this amount."

Tang Ye smiled, "President Zhao, five million sounds like a lot, but think carefully: why did I come to you to resolve this instead of other enterprises, such as the Hongling Group?"

A look of contemplation appeared in Zhao Hui's eyes!

What was Tang Ye implying?

Could it be related to the competition for the City Square project?