Absolute power in officialdom

Chapter 278 Engineering at the Dinner Table

Power is a man's aphrodisiac.

Geng Dongqing was promoted to county party secretary and was riding high.

When his old friend, Bi Yuan, the CEO of Biyuan Real Estate, invited him to Biyuan Villa again, he accepted without hesitation.

Geng Dongqing and Bi Yuan have been friends for over ten years.

The two are from the same hometown and were also high school classmates.

However, the two did not know each other at first.

They met at a high school alumni reunion more than ten years ago.

At that time, Geng Dongqing was a section chief in the Municipal Construction Bureau, while Bi Yuan was the owner of a construction company, and their business was far smaller than it is today.

More than a decade later, Bi Yuan is the CEO of Bi Yuan Group, with a net worth of several billion yuan. The group owns multiple construction, real estate, and building materials companies.

However, the company's main business is related to construction, installation, and real estate.

Bi Yuan has settled in Longcheng and owns several companies in Jiangzhou.

Bi Yuan had a habit of opening clubs and villas wherever his company went, ostensibly for the purpose of entertaining guests, but in reality, they were a haven for currying favor with and corrupting officials.

In Jiangzhou, he owns a high-end clubhouse converted from a villa.

In Longcheng, there is Biyuan Villa.

In Qingshan, there is also a Biyuan Villa.

The resort is only four or five kilometers away from Qingshan County. Nestled against the mountains and beside the water, it is quiet, far from the hustle and bustle of the city, and safe. The resort is not open to the public, so officials can eat, drink, and have fun here without worry.

Tonight, Bi Yuan invited not only Geng Dongqing, but also Geng Dongqing's confidant, Ang Yang, director of the county government office, and Lin Guorui, director of the county's key project construction management center.

Angyang is a distant relative of Geng Dongqing, and also a confidant.

Lin Guorui was also a confidant of Geng Dongqing, and was also Geng Dongqing's colleague at the Municipal Construction Bureau.

The two were about the same age and had known each other for over twenty years. Back when they were both bachelors, they played cards, drank, and even frequented brothels together.

But it is clear that Geng Dongqing has made faster progress.

When Geng Dongqing was a full-fledged section chief, Lin Guorui was only a deputy section chief.

It's not that Lin Guorui lacks ability, nor that Geng Dongqing doesn't support him; the problem lies with Lin Guorui.

Because Lin Guorui has a fatal flaw: he is a womanizer.

Being lustful is a common problem among many men.

However, Lin Guorui had no bottom line when it came to women's lust. For example, at the dinner table, he would say lewd things to female waitresses and even touch them.

As the saying goes, a rabbit doesn't eat the grass near its burrow, but for Lin Guorui, it's all about keeping the good stuff within the family.

Some men like to flirt with their female colleagues, but Lin Guorui didn't just talk about it; he actually seduced his female colleagues and slept with them.

Five or six years ago, Lin Guorui and a female colleague shared an office.

My female colleague is in her thirties and quite attractive.

In government agencies, it is common for men and women to work in the same office.

If I live far away, I usually don't go home for lunch. Instead, I buy a folding bed and sleep in the office at noon.

Other male and female colleagues can get along peacefully even if they take a lunch break in the same office.

However, Lin Guorui started an affair with a female colleague.

The lesbian couldn't help herself and made those joyful sounds.

Although no one broke in, the news spread throughout the workplace and everyone knew about it.

Furthermore, it's an open secret that Lin Guorui enjoys going to nightclubs.

Because of various rumors about his conduct, he was only a deputy section chief when he was over forty years old.

After Geng Dongqing became the county head of Qingshan County, through some maneuvering, Lin Guorui was assigned to the Qingshan County Construction Bureau as the deputy director.

Not long after, Lin Guorui was promoted to director of the county's key project construction management center, a position equivalent to a section chief.

This center wields considerable power; all key county projects must pass through it, and it has a say in everything from project approval and bidding supervision to construction supervision and final acceptance.

At this moment, at Biyuan Villa.

Bi Yuan, Geng Dongqing, Ang Yang, and Lin Guorui were having dinner in a luxurious private room.

The Wanshan Bridge has not collapsed yet.

The food was good, and the wine was good.

Bi Yuan raised his glass, his face flushed: "Secretary Geng, Director Ang, Director Lin, I must toast the three of you with this glass!"

Without your strong support, the development of our Biyuan Group in Qingshan would not have been so smooth.

In particular, the Wanshan New Bridge project was a great success. From its inception to winning the bid, and then to its smooth construction and completion, Secretary Geng personally coordinated, Director Lin strictly oversaw the process, and Director Ang acted as a liaison. Their contributions were indispensable.

On behalf of Biyuan Group, I would like to thank the three leaders! I'll drink this first as a sign of my respect!

After saying that, he tilted his head back and downed a full glass of baijiu.

Geng Dongqing was in a good mood and drank the wine in his glass in one gulp.

Lin Guorui, reeking of alcohol, patted his chest and said, "Mr. Bi, you're too kind. What's our relationship? Your business is my business!"

The Wanshan Bridge is a key project and a benchmark project for the county. I wouldn't feel comfortable handing it over to anyone else. It has to be done by a strong company like yours, Mr. Bi.

The quality and the schedule are both top-notch!

Ang Yang smiled and raised his glass: "Yes, Mr. Bi is an old friend of Secretary Geng and an outstanding entrepreneur in our Qingshan County. He has made great contributions to the county's economic development."

Supporting the development of outstanding enterprises and creating a favorable business environment is also the responsibility of our county party committee and county government.

"Yes, yes, yes! Director Ang is right!" Bi Yuan quickly poured more wine. "However, to be honest, doing business is tough these days. The competition is fierce, and you have to take care of all sorts of people."

Take the Wanshan Bridge project for example. At the time, quite a few people were eyeing it, with connections reaching out from both the city and the province.

"If it weren't for Secretary Geng stepping in and personally setting the tone for the bidding leadership group, emphasizing support for local, capable, and reputable companies, Biyuan might not have been able to win the bid."

Geng Dongqing waved his hand: "It's all for the development of Qingshan."

Your Biyuan Group has a good reputation in Longcheng and Jiangzhou, and its strength speaks for itself.

The bidding process was open, fair, and just. You won the bid based on your merits, which is reasonable and legal.

I was simply speaking up for reputable companies within the bounds of principle.

After a few drinks, Lin Guorui became somewhat tipsy and spoke without restraint: "Secretary Geng, please don't be modest!"

Everyone knows that in Qingshan County, once you've given your approval, the project is set in stone!

Tendering? That's just a formality! Everyone on Earth knows that.

For Mr. Bi, in terms of qualifications, performance, and price, which one isn't the best?

And with your statement, who can possibly argue with that?

Geng Dongqing glared at Lin Guorui, but there was little reproach in his eyes: "Guorui, you can't say that. The procedures still need to be followed."

However, Mr. Bi, this is such a big project, with an investment of over 50 million yuan. The whole county is watching.

Quality can't be compromised. You're an old hand at this, I don't need to say more, right?

"Yes, yes, Secretary Geng, don't worry!"

I, Bi Yuan, have been working in the construction industry for over twenty years, and what I value most is quality and reputation!

For the Wanshan Bridge project, I assigned the company's most capable project manager, and the procurement of materials was of the highest quality. We dared not be careless in the slightest, and the quality was absolutely top-notch.

While it may not be guaranteed for 100 years, it should at least last for 50 years without any major quality issues.

Let me raise this glass to you again, to thank you for your trust and support!

As Bi Yuan spoke, he filled his glass again, tilted his head back, and drank it all in one gulp, adopting an extremely humble posture.

Geng Dongqing tapped his fingers lightly on the table and said slowly, "President Bi, I still trust you."

If there's no trust, how could you possibly win several key projects in a row?

However, there's something I need to remind you of.

Bi Yuan said respectfully, "Secretary Geng, please speak, I'm listening."

"It concerns the reinforcement project of the Qinghe River embankment."

This project was also won and undertaken by your Biyuan Group's water conservancy construction company, right? The investment was quite substantial.

Recently, I have received some feedback.

The most common complaints are that the specifications of the stone materials and the concrete mix ratios in some sections differ from the design drawings and contract requirements.

In terms of construction techniques, there are issues such as rushing the schedule and simplifying procedures.

"Secretary Geng, your reminder is very timely. The overall quality of the Qinghe River embankment reinforcement project is guaranteed, but due to the tight schedule and heavy workload, there may be some flaws."

Furthermore, in engineering projects, factors such as material batches, weather conditions, and even the competence of the construction workers can sometimes lead to differences in appearance.

When a tree grows tall, it attracts attention and complaints are inevitable.

I will personally lead the technical staff to conduct a thorough inspection of the entire dike, reinforcing where necessary and repairing where needed, to ensure that everything is in perfect order.

Geng Dongqing nodded: "The project will be completed early next year, right? Then the flood season will follow."

You know Qinghe's temper; once it floods, it's no joke.

If there are really problems with the quality of the project, they will likely be exposed after a flood season.

At that point, it won't just be a matter of financial compensation; it will lead to serious problems and liability!

"Secretary Geng, thank you for your timely reminder. I guarantee that we will nip all problems in the bud and ensure that the Qinghe River dike is as solid as a rock and can withstand the test of floods!"

I'll punish myself with three drinks as a way of thanking Secretary Geng for his timely guidance!

With that, Bi Yuan downed three cups of wine.

Lin Guorui added from the side, "Secretary Geng has great foresight!"

"President Bi, Secretary Geng is doing this for your own good, for the good of the project! You can't be careless; you have to ensure it's implemented properly!"

Ang Yang chimed in, "Yes, it's better to be safe than sorry. Secretary Geng is showing great responsibility to President Bi and to the development of Qingshan."

Geng Dongqing held his teacup, took a sip of tea, and said earnestly, "President Bi, there's no room for falsehood when it comes to engineering matters."

Making money is one thing, but quality is another. We cannot sacrifice project quality for the sake of making more money.

The Wanshan Bridge and the Qinghe Embankment are not only projects that enhance the image of the area, but also projects that demonstrate conscience.

If done well, it's a political achievement and a good reputation; if done poorly, it's a sin and a disgrace.

I hope that in Qingshan, we can all leave behind something tangible that can stand the test of time.

Bi Yuan smiled obsequiously: "Secretary Geng's words are invaluable. Doing engineering is about being a good person, and doing business requires even more conscience."

Rest assured, I, Bi Yuan, am not the kind of person who only cares about immediate gains and ignores long-term development.

"I will personally oversee the construction of the Qinghe River embankment to ensure its superior quality and to live up to your trust and the expectations of the people of the county."

After several rounds of drinks and several dishes, the table was a mess of cups and plates.

Seeing that the time was right, Bi Yuan clapped his hands and served the last dish.

Several young and pretty girls came in.

"We've just got a few new technicians at the resort. They're quite skilled. Let them help you relax," Geng Dongqing reminded everyone. "Our technicians at the resort not only provide massage and physical therapy, but they also cater to all our guests' needs."