Chapter 1808

That evening, Su Xinghui still received several visiting county magistrates in his own room. They had come to learn from him, asking how to develop their counties' economies well. Based on the conditions in their counties, Su Xinghui gave them some ideas, then told them to come to Changshan County for an on-site look the next day, which would help them when they went back to put things into practice.

Early the next morning, they saw off several county magistrates and district chiefs. The remaining six county magistrates and district chiefs, accompanied by Su Xinghui, toured and inspected Changshan County. Since these county magistrates and district chiefs were pressed for time, the tour and inspection lasted only that one day. Therefore, they didn't go too far, mainly visiting Chengguanzhen and Matou Town.

In Chengguanzhen, they mainly looked at the urban construction. The urban construction of Chengguanzhen opened their eyes and deeply inspired them. Changshan County had not only protected those buildings with cultural relic value, but also planned a new district and built many modern buildings. This newly planned urban area greatly enhanced the image of Changshan County.

Matou Town, on the other hand, represented a microcosm of Changshan County's economic construction achievements over the past year or so. In the past year, more than half of Changshan County's new GDP was generated in Matou Town, so of course it was well worth a look.

Besides that, Su Xinghui also took them to see the construction sites of Changyu Highway, Changwu Highway, Changda Highway, Changmu Highway, and Changshi Highway. During the visit, he of course explained the specific details of how to operate to them in detail. Explaining on-site could leave them with a deeper impression.

While viewing Changwu Highway, Wu Shuisheng, the county magistrate of Nanyan County, said somewhat embarrassedly to Su Xinghui: "County Magistrate Su, our Nanyan County plans to build a highway leading to Huangqiu County. I already spoke with County Magistrate Tian yesterday, and he is also very interested. However, even if we can get a loan from the development fund, it still doesn't seem to be enough, right? Apart from borrowing from the World Bank, I really have no way to raise the other funds. I wonder if you could help out a bit more?"

Nanyan County is to the west of Huangqiu County. The county seats of the two counties are not far apart, only a little over thirty kilometers. If they built the highway to Huangqiu County, and Huangqiu County built the highway to Wushui County, then the livestock raised in Nanyan County could be transported directly to the slaughtering base in Changshan County.

Actually, Nanyan County and Changshan County are located in two different provinces, with two counties in between, so the total distance isn't really far, adding up to just over a hundred kilometers. If their cattle and sheep could be transported directly to Changshan County, it would greatly benefit their economic development. Therefore, Wu Shuisheng placed high hopes on this highway.

But even a thirty-something-kilometer secondary highway would cost roughly twenty to thirty million in total. They and Huangqiu County would each bear about half, meaning they would need to shoulder thirteen or fourteen million of the cost. Yet the capital they had subscribed this time was only two million, and at most they could get a loan of 2.4 million from the development fund. Compared to the cost they needed to bear, there was still a huge gap.

If Wu Shuisheng could have raised so much money, he would have found a way to build the road long ago and wouldn't have waited until now. Therefore, today he was essentially asking Su Xinghui with a thick skin. He could tell that Su Xinghui was a man of great ability, and helping him solve this little problem should be a piece of cake.

As soon as Wu Shuisheng said this, the other county magistrates also looked at Su Xinghui. Of course, they all had similar needs. They wanted to see whether Su Xinghui could help them solve these problems.

Su Xinghui smiled and said: "County Magistrate Wu, how much funding does your highway need? How much can you raise in total? And how big is the funding gap?"

Wu Shuisheng said: "The total cost of this highway is probably less than thirty million. The amount our county needs to bear is roughly thirteen or fourteen million. According to the model you mentioned, half of that can be borrowed from the World Bank. Of the remaining half, we can get a loan of 2.4 million from the development fund, and we can borrow a bit more from the Construction Bank, probably around one million. If the county finances squeeze out a bit more, the final gap is expected to be over three million."

This really was because Nanyan County was too poor. Otherwise, for a highway like this, with not a very long mileage and not a huge amount of money, one county could easily afford it, and they wouldn't have to beg Su Xinghui for a mere three million or so.

Actually, Su Xinghui had already done quite a lot for these counties this time. Wu Shuisheng felt a bit embarrassed bringing up this matter with Su Xinghui.

Su Xinghui paused briefly, then nodded and said: "Sure, I'll introduce you to a big boss later. We financed these several highways through him. Three million or so should be no big problem for him."

Wu Shuisheng was so happy he didn't know what to say, and he thanked Su Xinghui repeatedly.

The other county magistrates couldn't sit still. They also needed to build roads and would run into the same funding problems. They hurriedly asked whether he could help them think of solutions too. Su Xinghui also said he would do his best to help them think of ways, but still told them to try their best to raise funds on their own first.

To support these counties and districts, Su Xinghui would certainly help where he could, but he didn't want them to develop the habit of depending on others, which wouldn't be good for anyone.

On this day, the visit and inspection of these county magistrates and district chiefs in Changshan County could be considered quite fruitful.

After seeing off these county magistrates and district chiefs, Su Xinghui finally had a bit more leisure. Now that the three newly appointed deputy county magistrates—An Dachang, Guo Qikai, and Zhu Tie—had taken office, they had indeed taken a lot of work off his hands, so he no longer needed to attend to everything personally as before.

If there were suitable people under him, Su Xinghui actually didn't want to keep himself so busy and exhausted. Not only was the effect poor that way, but others would also think he was someone who liked to cling to power.

That afternoon, Su Xinghui, who rarely did so, got off work on time and went home. Lu Xiaoya laughed and said: "Our busy man is back!"

Su Xinghui said: "Sigh, I finally managed to see off all the guests. The investors planning to invest in the county have all been handed over to An Dachang and the others for reception. I can finally have a day off, so I came back to keep you and our son company properly."

Lu Xiaoya said: "I've told you so many times—what if it's a daughter?"

Su Xinghui said: "A daughter is the same. I still like it."

Lu Xiaoya said: "Have you finalized the matter of your economic cooperation zone?"

Su Xinghui said: "The formal agreement hasn't been signed yet, the development fund's capital hasn't been paid in, and the fund registration still needs to be handled. Who will manage the fund also needs to be discussed. Starting tomorrow, I'll be busy again."

Lu Xiaoya said: "If you're busy with work, just go ahead and be busy. As long as you come home to sleep at night, that's fine."

Su Xinghui gently kissed Lu Xiaoya on the cheek and said: "My wife is still the best, the most understanding."

Lu Xiaoya blushed and pushed him away, saying: "Shoo, you're already a deputy county magistrate and still so improper. Aunt Li saw it all."

Su Xinghui turned his head and saw Li Shuqin coming out of the kitchen carrying a plate of food. He felt a bit awkward, but Li Shuqin declared: "I didn't see anything!"

Although Li Shuqin said she didn't see anything, the slight smile at the corner of her mouth betrayed her. She had of course seen Su Xinghui's intimate gesture toward Lu Xiaoya, but she didn't mind. On the contrary, she was very happy for Lu Xiaoya. Watching Su Xinghui and Lu Xiaoya, she felt as if she were seeing her own son and daughter-in-law. Now in Su Xinghui's home, she was increasingly feeling at home.

Lu Xiaoya blushed and secretly pinched Su Xinghui. Su Xinghui was in so much pain that he grimaced, but he held back from making a sound and just let out a sheepish chuckle.

The three of them started eating. Su Xinghui picked up a piece of braised pork and said: "Mm,

I haven't eaten at home these past few days. The food Aunt Li makes still smells the best."

Lu Xiaoya said: "Of course. Aunt Li makes different dishes every day to make sure I eat well. She's so clever with her hands, and the food she makes is so delicious. Didn't the doctor also say our baby is very healthy and well-nourished?"

Li Shuqin said: "I only know how to make a few home-style dishes. Please stop praising me."

Su Xinghui said: "What deserves praise should be praised. The food you make is really delicious. We are truly blessed to have such good fortune. Thank you so much, Aunt Li!"

Li Shuqin said: "County Magistrate Su, you've done so many good things for our Changshan County. What is this little thing I do in comparison? Please don't thank me."

Su Xinghui said seriously: "What you do is a matter of the utmost importance to our family. It's no small thing—it concerns the health of our whole family!"

Li Shuqin could of course tell that Su Xinghui's words were sincere. She was touched, but she didn't say anything more. She only said silently to herself that she must take good care of Su Xinghui and his wife.

When they were almost done eating, Li Shuqin said: "County Magistrate Su, I need to take two days off this Saturday and Sunday. I have something at home."

Su Xinghui asked: "What's the matter?"

Li Shuqin said: "It's nothing major. Just deduct the wages from me for these two days."