Chapter 530

Xiang Jitao asked, "Then what do you plan to do now?"

Zhang Kaishan said, "We plan to request the city’s support. This Changjiangdaqiao project cannot be run by Shangjun County alone; it needs to be in the name of the city, and it is best to run it together with Qingyang City. Building this Changjiangdaqiao is also of great benefit to them."

Xiang Jitao’s brows were tightly knit. He knew about this matter, and the municipal government might not support it.

Mayor Ren Guisheng had always leaned toward the first plan regarding the expressway issue, because the first plan had the expressway passing through Yulin City for a longer distance, which was more beneficial to Yulin City. Moreover, in the competition between Yushan District and Shangjun County, he also leaned more toward Yushan District.

There was another thing Xiang Jitao hadn't told Zhang Kaishan and Su Xinghui: the city leader who pressured him last time regarding the Hou family matter was precisely Mayor Ren Guisheng. Ren Guisheng was promoted by Governor Tian Chengzu, so in such matters, Ren Guisheng was naturally willing to be a vanguard.

With these factors, could Ren Guisheng possibly support Shangjun County? And this matter had to go through the municipal government, which was indeed a big trouble.

Speaking of which, the work in Qingyang City was easier to do. If the expressway could pass through Shangjun County, it would be equivalent to passing through their Qingyang City territory, and an expressway could connect the two places, ending the history of transportation between the two places always being by boat. The benefits to Qingyang City were no less than to Shangjun County.

However, this matter had to be done, otherwise, the matter of Shangjun County building the Changjiangdaqiao and expressway would fall short of success, and waiting for the next opportunity would be unknown when.

Xiang Jitao said, "How about this: I will take you to see Secretary Shi."

Zhang Kaishan nodded, "That is exactly what I was thinking."

Xiang Jitao called Shi Deyou. Shi Deyou was in his office. Hearing that Xiang Jitao wanted to bring Zhang Kaishan and Su Xinghui to see him, he told them to go over immediately.

Xiang Jitao took the two to Shi Deyou’s office. Shi Deyou saw Zhang Kaishan and Su Xinghui and said with a spring breeze on his face, "Comrade Kaishan, Little Su, why are you here today? Do you have any good news to tell me?"

Zhang Kaishan said, "Sorry, Secretary Shi, I didn't bring any good news today."

The smile on Shi Deyou’s face disappeared. He asked, "Did something happen?"

Zhang Kaishan reported the situation of meeting Lu Zhenghong to Shi Deyou in detail. After hearing it, Shi Deyou’s expression became even more solemn. He had always supported the second plan. He very much hoped to see Shangjun County’s extraordinary development, which was also a model and a banner for Yulin City!

If the expressway and Changjiangdaqiao were built in Shangjun County, Shangjun County’s development speed would not slow down.

Now Shangjun County had become a model in the provincial rural economy, the Menghuling model was popular throughout the province, and now the vegetable base in Pengjiawan Town had become a huge economic growth point. Many places in the province could learn from their experience. Shangjun County had become a business card for the once-unknown Yulin City, and it was a gold business card.

At this time, Shi Deyou naturally didn't want to see Shangjun County’s development affected by this matter and its development speed slow down.

Shi Deyou said, "Tell me your ideas."

Zhang Kaishan stated their idea of wanting to run the project in Jingcheng in the name of the city, together with Qingyang City. Shi Deyou couldn't help but ponder. He naturally also thought of Ren Guisheng’s ambiguous attitude, or rather, it wasn't ambiguous; he was clearly supporting the first plan.

At such a time, would he fully support Shangjun County in running the project?

However, no matter what, Shi Deyou had to fully facilitate this matter. Even if Ren Guisheng didn't support it, he had to strive for the support of other leaders in the municipal government.

Thinking of this, Shi Deyou said, "I will fully support you in this matter. However, regarding the issue of raising over 200 million in funds, I am afraid the city cannot support you too much. The city’s fiscal revenue is limited, and over 200 million is about several months of fiscal revenue. It is impossible to take it out at once to support this one project of yours. Please understand this."

Zhang Kaishan said, "We can understand this. Regarding the funds, we will find a way ourselves."

Shi Deyou asked again, "Little Su, how is the vegetable industry in your Pengjiawan Town now?"

Su Xinghui said, "The vegetable industry in Pengjiawan is quite good now. Early-maturing vegetables have been on the market for more than a month, and the average daily sales are between 200,000 and 300,000 yuan."

Shi Deyou was still very satisfied with this figure. He nodded, "There is no phenomenon of 'white slips' (IOUs), right?"

In the purchase and sale of agricultural products, the phenomenon of white slips was a very common and very serious phenomenon, which was a great blow to the farmers’ enthusiasm for production. Shi Deyou was also a leader who had worked his way up from the grassroots, so he was naturally very clear about this phenomenon, and his question was very much to the point.

Su Xinghui said, "There is no phenomenon of white slips. The vegetable vendors are all bringing cash to collect vegetables, and the vegetables are still quite popular now."

Shi Deyou nodded, "You are right. It is winter now, and there are few vegetables on the market. My wife says every day that there are no vegetables to buy, and she eats potatoes and cabbage every day until she is tired of them. Your vegetables must sell well. In short, as long as there are no white slips, it is good. The farmers’ lives are indeed too bitter, and being able to have more cash in their hands is too important for them."

Su Xinghui said, "Now it is just the beginning. Before the Spring Festival, more and more vegetables will be on the market, and the daily sales will probably reach over 500,000 yuan. During the peak period, it may even reach about one million, because that period not only has a large listing volume but is also the time when vegetable prices are the highest."

Shi Deyou asked some more questions about the vegetable industry. Just then, Su Xinghui’s pager rang. He looked at it; it was a call from the town government’s Party and Government Office. Shi Deyou said, "Someone is looking for you? You can return the call here."

Su Xinghui nodded. He walked to Shi Deyou’s desk, picked up the phone on the desk, and dialed back. The person who answered the phone was Liu Yongjun. He told Su Xinghui that the French businessman Joao had come again, and he was waiting in the Party and Government Office now, asking when Su Xinghui could return to the town.

Su Xinghui looked at the time; it was already past eleven o'clock. He told Liu Yongjun that he would probably return after lunch, and let Joao wait in the Party and Government Office. He also asked Liu Yongjun to help entertain Joao, and Liu Yongjun naturally agreed.

After Su Xinghui finished the call, Shi Deyou asked with a smile, "A guest has arrived?"

Su Xinghui smiled, "It’s just that French businessman who came. He wants to buy my paintings."

Shi Deyou had naturally heard about Su Xinghui selling paintings. That time Su Xinghui was reported, it was not only spread throughout Shangjun County, but many people in the entire Yulin City officialdom were also paying attention to it. This was naturally because Su Xinghui was involved too widely. As long as anyone was slightly interested, they would pay attention to him.

Shi Deyou was naturally no exception. He knew the whole process of Su Xinghui being reported very clearly, including the final organizational conclusion. He naturally knew the source of Su Xinghui’s property.

Shi Deyou said with a smile, "So the God of Wealth has arrived. Then you must hurry back, but you must wait until after lunch to leave. Let’s go, I will treat you to a meal at noon today. You have worked hard working below!"

The Municipal Party Secretary treating to a meal—naturally, he couldn't refuse to give face. So, the four went to the Municipal Party Committee guest house. Shi Deyou asked for a private room, ordered dishes, and because it was noon, he didn't ask for wine, only a few bottles of drinks.

When they entered the private room, they happened to see Mayor Ren Guisheng. Ren Guisheng was a middle-aged man with a gloomy face, wearing tea-colored glasses. His eyes were always hidden behind the tea-colored lenses, making people unable to guess what he was thinking.

Seeing Shi Deyou, Xiang Jitao, Zhang Kaishan, and Su Xinghui walking toward the private room together, Ren Guisheng was stunned for a moment, then showed a smile and walked toward the four. Seeing Ren Guisheng walking over, Shi Deyou naturally stopped, and the other three also stopped, waiting for Ren Guisheng to come over.

Ren Guisheng smiled, "Comrade Kaishan, Little Town Mayor Su, why, are you here to report work to the Secretary today?"

Zhang Kaishan said, "Mayor, we have some things to report to Secretary Shi today."

Ren Guisheng was just about to ask something else, but Shi Deyou said, "Mayor, are you accompanying any guests today?"

Ren Guisheng nodded, "I am accompanying an investor from Yuedong Province for a meal today."

Shi Deyou said, "Mayor, you have worked hard. Drink less wine and take care of your health!"

Ren Guisheng smiled, "I won't drink too much wine. Thank you for your concern, Secretary!"

Shi Deyou smiled, turned, and walked into the private room. Xiang Jitao, Zhang Kaishan, and Su Xinghui also nodded to Ren Guisheng and walked into the private room.

Ren Guisheng’s face turned gloomy again, but as soon as he turned around, he became full of spring breeze again. He turned and walked toward several guests, "Sorry, kept you waiting for a long time. Let’s go, enter the private room."