Chapter 131

Xu Haimin agreed, but still appeared somewhat reserved. He knew that this opportunity was truly too important for him; this wasn't just a project, but the key to how much Haimin Construction Company could develop in the future.

Xu Haimin was formerly an engineer at the Shangjun County State-Owned First Construction Company and had very rich experience in the construction industry. After the reform and opening up, he resigned from the state-owned company and started his own engineering team, which had developed into the current Haimin Construction Engineering Company.

However, in recent years, he found that without connections, it was very difficult for him to get projects, especially larger ones. He could only take on small projects and subcontracted work. These projects had low profit margins, and he refused to cut corners for profit, so the company's development slowed down.

He knew that the only way to solve this problem was to give gifts to the officials in charge, but their appetites were not small. After giving gifts, the only way to recoup the losses was to cut corners, which was something he was unwilling to do.

Therefore, he could only rely on Haimin Company's strength and reputation in construction to take on small projects and subcontracted work, maintaining a precarious existence.

Now, such an opportunity had finally appeared. If he could get this project, it would prove that the situation where projects in Shangjun County were monopolized by Hongye Company and other connected companies had been broken, and even the county's political landscape might be broken as a result.

Zhang Kaishan asked directly, "Old Xu, I've heard that your Haimin Construction Company is a company with quite a bit of strength."

Speaking of his own profession, Xu Haimin lost his reserve, replaced by confidence: "County Magistrate Zhang, I was originally an engineer at the County First Construction Company, and now my company still has several engineers from the old First Construction Company. If we're talking about technology, if our Haimin claims second, no one dares to claim first."

Zhang Kaishan nodded and said, "But it seems you haven't received any major projects in the last few years!"

These words left Xu Haimin not knowing how to respond. He looked at Zhang Kaishan, seemingly weighing his words, but after a long time, he didn't know what to say, only letting out a long sigh.

Zhang Kaishan smiled and said, "Old Xu, don't have any reservations. Since Xinghui was able to bring you here today, it means everyone present is not an outsider. Whatever you have to say, you can say it."

Xu Haimin glanced at Su Xinghui, who smiled and nodded slightly, and only then did Xu Haimin make up his mind.

"County Magistrate Zhang, you must also know that in recent years, the road construction projects in the county have basically been cornered by Qian Hongye, and the office buildings and dormitories built by various units in the county have basically all been taken by connected companies. How could a company like ours, with no connections, get any major projects?"

"Connected companies—well said. I can certainly see it in the county too. Companies with strength like yours can't get any projects, while those connected companies have more projects than they can handle and have to subcontract them out. This is an extremely abnormal phenomenon." Zhang Kaishan waved his hand forcefully.

He continued, "Old Xu, I hope to break this abnormal phenomenon, and I need some people to help me. Are you willing to help me?"

Xu Haimin said, "Of course I'm willing. County Magistrate Zhang, tell me what I should do."

Zhang Kaishan said, "The secondary highway project from the county seat to Menghuling Township might be starting soon. I don't want this project to be taken by connected companies again, so I plan to put it up for public bidding. If your company participates in the bidding, do you have the confidence to win?"

Although Xu Haimin already knew the general content of County Magistrate Zhang's talk today through his son's mouth, hearing Zhang Kaishan's words now still made him excited: "County Magistrate Zhang, don't worry, I have confidence!"

Zhang Kaishan said somewhat seriously, "Old Xu, you need to be clear: I don't want this project to be taken by connected companies, but I also don't want your company to become a connected company, so I won't give you any extra care during the bidding process."

Xu Haimin said sternly, "County Magistrate Zhang, don't worry. I don't need any extra care. I believe that as long as the bidding process is open, fair, and just, my Haimin Company will be able to win the bid."

Zhang Kaishan's expression softened: "As long as you have that confidence, that's good. If you really get this project, I hope you ensure the quality and make this project a model project. This is very important for me, for you, and for the county. Do you understand?"

Xu Haimin said, "I understand. County Magistrate Zhang, don't worry. Even if I don't earn a single cent from this project, I will ensure the quality."

Zhang Kaishan shook his head with a smile and said, "I don't need you to not earn money. You just need to construct it according to the standards. Of course you have to earn money, otherwise how will your company develop and grow?"

Xu Haimin laughed, and Su Xinghui said, "County Magistrate Zhang, there's nothing to say about the quality control of Uncle Xu's company, so don't worry!"

Zhang Kaishan nodded: "Then during this time, you should make some preparations to participate in the county's bidding."

At the end of September, three investigation teams arrived in Shangjun County almost simultaneously. One was sent by the Provincial Forestry Department to investigate the wild Du Zhong forest in Zhugou Village and the project to establish an artificial Du Zhong protection forest.

The second was an investigation team sent by the Provincial Transportation Department to verify and investigate the construction project of the secondary highway from the county seat to Menghuling Township, which Shangjun County had applied for.

The third was an investigation team sent by the Provincial Agricultural Bureau to investigate Menghuling Township, which was proposed as a pilot unit for agricultural reform in Hudong Province.

Three investigation teams arrived in the small Shangjun County at the same time, and all three were closely related to Menghuling Township, which suddenly made Menghuling Township the focus of attention in Shangjun County.

County Party Secretary Comrade Ji Tao and County Magistrate Shan Guozhi both warmly received the investigation teams, but their inner surprise went without saying.

Comrade Ji Tao had only been parachuted into Shangjun County from the Yulin region at the end of last year to serve as County Party Secretary. His arrival was not welcomed by the local cadres of Shangjun County.

Originally, at the end of last year, after the former Shangjun County Party Secretary retired, the most popular candidate for the position was Shan Guozhi. Shan Guozhi had served as Shangjun County Magistrate for several years, and having finally waited for the former County Party Secretary to reach the age limit, he was about to take the position, only to have Comrade Ji Tao take it instead. Could he be happy?

In officialdom, there is one hole for every radish. If the radishes want to move forward, the hole in front must be vacated. If Shan Guozhi had moved forward, the radishes behind could have moved forward one by one.

Such an opportunity was precious. Without someone to promote them, it usually only happened once every few years. But this once-in-a-few-years opportunity was occupied by Comrade Ji Tao, who had been parachuted in, preventing many radishes from moving forward in order. Just imagine, could the radishes behind have a good impression of him?

Because of this, as soon as Comrade Ji Tao arrived, he found himself isolated. It seemed many people didn't like him, and Shan Guozhi was even more full of hostility toward him.

Shan Guozhi was already over fifty. Having finally had a chance to become the County Party Secretary, and having missed it, it was estimated that he would rarely have another chance in the future. Could he not hate Comrade Ji Tao?

Don't say you are innocent. If it weren't for your own will, who would be so kind as to give you this position of County Party Secretary?

Therefore, after Comrade Ji Tao arrived, Shan Guozhi was very uncooperative with his work. Shan Guozhi was a veteran County Magistrate and a local of Shangjun, so his influence in the county was naturally the greatest. For Comrade Ji Tao, a parachuted cadre, to go head-to-head with him, he was certainly no match.

Comrade Ji Tao couldn't go head-to-head with him either. Doing so would cause disunity in the Standing Committee and make the contradictions public, which would only leave the superiors with the impression that Comrade Ji Tao could not control the situation.

Anyway, Comrade Ji Tao was only in his forties. Serving as County Party Secretary for one term was just to enrich his resume. He certainly couldn't stop at this position, so he adopted a policy of "harmonizing with the light and dust," not going head-to-head with Shan Guozhi.

As a result, Comrade Ji Tao had been in Shangjun County for nearly a year and had basically made no major moves. He rarely spoke on the appointment and removal of cadres, and he rarely opposed any proposals put forward by Shan Guozhi, just like a clay Bodhisattva.

In fact, in the county, many cadres said behind his back that Comrade Ji Tao was a clay Bodhisattva, a mere ornament, and not Shan Guozhi's match at all.

Comrade Ji Tao hadn't even moved his family to Shangjun County; they were still in Yulin City. He returned to the region every Saturday afternoon and came back to the county on Monday morning. His life was very regular, and he lived in peace with Shan Guozhi.

Although he had never cared much about the county's affairs, the arrival of so many investigation teams this time still surprised Comrade Ji Tao. Who in the county was so capable of getting so many projects from the province? And all of them were placed in Menghuling Township. ===== CHAPTER 133 =====