Chapter 795

After the welcome banquet ended, Su Yang proposed to discuss the Twin Ditch Large Koji Winery project in the afternoon.

Teng Huayuan said there was no problem; they would go to the hotel to rest a bit and arrive at the County Government at two sharp to discuss this matter. He completely ignored Tian Xiaofei, making Tian Xiaofei's lungs nearly explode with anger.

After returning to the hotel, Tian Xiaofei vented all his anger on Teng Huayuan and Niu Aiguo: "Who gave you two the right to make decisions on your own, agreeing to have an investment talk with him this afternoon? Did I agree to that? Please! Get yourselves straight! You two are the ones I brought to discuss this project—whether it succeeds or not, or whether we talk at all, is up to me, not you. Understand?"

Teng Huayuan looked at the furious Tian Xiaofei and said lightly, "General Manager Tian means we shouldn't talk and just head back, right?"

Niu Aiguo also said, "Yeah, we never settled this beforehand. If you don't want to talk and want to go back, we'll buy today's flight tickets and return directly. In short, for us, it doesn't matter where we put this money."

Those two sentences sounded fine and were delivered in a low posture, but to Tian Xiaofei's ears they were nothing but a threat.

Tian Xiaofei's face flushed red: "Who do you two think you are? You're just a couple of wealthy merchants, yet you act like big shots? There are plenty of people eager to do this kind of investment with me. Lieshan Xian is a piece of fat meat; giving it to you is your fortune—don't act important in front of me!"

Niu Aiguo and Teng Huayuan exchanged a glance and began packing their things.

Tian Xiaofei, who had originally wanted to put on a show and establish his prestige, was dumbfounded by this scene: "What are you two trying to do?"

Niu Aiguo spread his hands and said, "Didn't you just say that? There are plenty of people who want to invest and make money with you, so we're not going to linger here any longer—we plan to head straight back."

Teng Huayuan was the same; he had hardly any luggage, picked up his briefcase, and walked out.

Tian Xiaofei stared in disbelief: "What's going on with you two? Who told you to leave? I mean, even in an investment negotiation, these decisions should be mine to make, not yours—understand?"

"Didn't I make it clear to you? Moreover, whether to invest was already decided before you came—you have to give them the money, but the investment terms should be stated harshly. Didn't you forget that?"

Niu Aiguo said, "Let me say something unpleasant: we're here for Jia Guolong's sake, not because we know you. If you keep acting like this, we don't mind turning around and leaving."

"Please remember, it was you who pulled strings to get us here—not us coming on our own. So if you want to put on airs, do it with others, not with us."

Niu Aiguo's words made Tian Xiaofei's breathing become ragged. Although he had some reputation in Jingcheng, in the true elite circle he was nowhere near good enough—basically just someone's lackey.

It's not that he couldn't find a similar investor to take over, but those who could actually reach that circle know very well the situation in Lieshan Xian.

Besides that, with the little witch here, they have no room to run wild; making money isn't that easy. Jia Guolong helps out because he has ulterior motives, and these two belong to an investment firm that doesn't care about any particular industry.

Teng Huayuan, seeing the moment was about right, stepped in to smooth things over: "Old Niu, that's enough. We came with Young Master Tian—we can't just turn around and leave; where would that leave Young Master Tian's face?"

"So no matter what, this afternoon Young Master Tian should still lead the negotiation, and we'll just assist him."

"After the talks end, Young Master Tian will also sign the contract, given his status. The county officials don't know this, but we do: today that County Magistrate Su isn't giving us much face, so this afternoon we'll definitely give him a good dressing-down."

"Let him know that an investor's money isn't easy to take."

Niu Aiguo nodded slightly, then apologized to Tian Xiaofei: "Sorry, I spoke too rashly just now. When we get back to Jingcheng, I'll treat you to a big meal. Or, after we return, you can pick the program, and I'll show you my sincerity in apologizing."

The two played good cop, bad cop, giving Tian Xiaofei an out. Tian Xiaofei didn't dare keep putting on airs, so he took the step down:

"Alright, let bygones be bygones—after all, we're together, and it's normal to have occasional differing opinions. Let's take a short break, then continue this afternoon's negotiation. The principle is simple: we must take over this winery, but the terms must be so harsh that even we find them repulsive."

Teng Huayuan and Niu Aiguo naturally agreed: "Sure, then everything will be up to you to lead, and we'll cooperate."

In Su Yang's office, after everyone had finished eating, they all came here.

Su Yang poured a cup of tea for each person, smiling as he said, "Are you worried that what I just did will upset them and cause this afternoon's negotiation to collapse? Rest assured, the talk will definitely succeed. And no matter what conditions they raise, we won't agree to them."

"Conversely, we will collect every tax we're owed, not missing a penny; the money due for the factory's land and equipment will also be collected in full; and none of our workers will be laid off. That's my bottom line. If you think of anything else, remind me—I'll add it in."

Zhou Yanru and the other two were dumbfounded. In their view, as long as someone could take over, tax exemptions and similar preferential policies should be given—that's how investment promotion works nowadays. Some even go further, selling land cheaply, not collecting taxes for years, and helping secure bank loans to rush investors into development.

Upon arriving at Su Yang's place, everything was different. Those who didn't know might even think he was the investor.

Chen Bo said, "Is this appropriate? What if they refuse to sign? I've also looked into the winery's situation, but we can't keep waiting—this must be resolved in the next two days. Otherwise, the problem affecting thousands of people won't be solved, and the city will hold us accountable."

"County Magistrate Su's principles are certainly correct, and I wholeheartedly agree—maximizing our interests is also what everyone present wants."

"But we don't currently hold the initiative; why not let me handle the talks this afternoon? After all, as a female comrade, I have a bit more rapport than you male comrades, so even with some red tape, they'll find it easier to accept."

Zhou Yanru naturally understood Chen Bo's meaning; if we followed Su Yang's attitude from the meal, this afternoon's investment talk would surely collapse. Hou Junlai didn't speak, but his eyes conveyed the same sentiment.

Su Yang gave a slight smile and said, "All right, since Department Head Chen wants to talk with them personally, let Department Head Chen handle it. The basic principle won't change. Also, there's one more thing I'd like to discuss with all of you using this opportunity."