Absolute power in officialdom

Chapter 425 Striving for Investment from Xunfeng Motors

The news that Zhou Qiming, the CEO of Xunfeng Motors, had decided to return to his hometown came without any warning.

While Wu Zhiyuan was listening to a report from Deputy County Head Liu Feng in his office, he received a phone call from Zhou Qiming.

Zhou Qiming said he has been inspecting Jiangdong City for the past few days and will take the opportunity to visit his hometown the day after tomorrow.

He didn't mention the investment at all, only saying that he was going back to his hometown to visit the local leaders and that he didn't want to make things too complicated.

After receiving the news, Wu Zhiyuan went to Liang Dongming's office to report.

Zhou Qiming is a nationally renowned entrepreneur who has not returned to his hometown for many years. His sudden decision to return is of great significance, at least indicating that he is putting aside his grudges.

This is a big deal. It wouldn't be right not to report something this important to Liang Dongming.

Liang Dongming was leaning back in his chair, resting with his eyes closed.

He was recalling the time he spent the night with Liu Manli.

Men who want to sleep with celebrities are actually seeking the feeling of conquest.

As for Liu Manli, she was far inferior to those lovers.

Those lovers, like the flight attendants, were young, beautiful, and vibrant, with curves in all the right places.

Liu Manli's breasts are somewhat sagging, her skin is no longer firm, and she has excess fat on her abdomen. Although she takes good care of herself, she is, after all, middle-aged.

"Zhiyuan, is something the matter?" Liang Dongming asked.

"Secretary Liang, Zhou Qiming from Xunfeng Motors is going back to Qingyan the day after tomorrow."

Liang Dongming's eyes lit up: "Zhou Qiming? He's asking to come back?"

"Yes, he's been in Jiangdong City for the past two days on an inspection tour, and said he'd come back to visit on the way."

Wu Zhiyuan also briefly introduced Zhou Qiming's unresolved issues over the years, as well as his and Yuan Jin's visit to Zhou Qiming at the Southern Xunfeng Automobile headquarters.

Liang Dongming stood up and paced around the office: "Good! This is a good thing! Zhou Qiming is the biggest entrepreneur who has come out of Qingyan. The fact that he is willing to come back shows that he still cares about his hometown."

I immediately instructed Deng Haidong to arrange a reception plan. Zhou Qiming's return must be treated with high standards and a grand gesture; he must feel the sincerity of his hometown.

Wu Zhiyuan said, "Secretary Liang, President Zhou specifically told us on the phone not to make things too complicated."

He just came back to visit his hometown and pay a visit to the local leaders.

Liang Dongming waved his hand: "Zhiyuan, you don't understand. Businessmen, even if they say they don't want things to be complicated, they still care about their image."

Who is Zhou Qiming? He is a nationally renowned entrepreneur with a net worth of tens of billions.

If we treat him coldly when he comes back, what will he think? Will he feel that we don't value him?

"Secretary Liang, I don't think President Zhou is the kind of person who values ​​pomp and circumstance."

How do you know he isn't? How many times have you dealt with him? How much do you know about him?

Let me tell you, businessmen all care about their reputation. No matter how capable Zhou Qiming is, he's still just a businessman.

Businessmen value appearances. We give them appearances, and they'll give us face in return.

Wu Zhiyuan knew that arguing about this issue was pointless, so he changed his perspective: "Secretary Liang, what I mean is that General Zhou hasn't been back for many years, and his initiative to return to his hometown this time shows that he is putting aside his grudges."

If we make it too elaborate, it might make him feel uncomfortable.

It's better to be more low-key and let him feel the sincerity of his hometown, rather than putting on a show for him.

Liang Dongming was getting impatient: "Zhiyuan, you're always so afraid of everything."

Zhou Qiming's return is a major event for Qingyan.

We must seize this opportunity to discuss what needs to be discussed and finalize what needs to be finalized.

Wasn't he just stopping by for a site visit? Then let's arrange for him to check out the county's investment environment, the logistics industrial park, and the Wuhe Town Development Zone.

Let him see the changes in Qingyan with his own eyes; maybe he'll be interested in investing.

"Secretary Liang, President Zhou didn't mention the investment at all during the phone call."

I think we shouldn't start by talking about projects and investments.

That would be too purposeful and would only make him resentful.

When Secretary Yuan Jin and I visited Xunfeng Motors' headquarters last time, we didn't mention investment at all. We simply expressed our wish for him to come back to his hometown, and he said he would definitely come back.

Liang Dongming sneered, "Attracting investment is not like hosting dinner parties; it's not something that can be accomplished by writing a letter or meeting a few times."

What do businessmen talk about? Profit and returns.

We offer him good conditions and favorable policies, so why wouldn't he come to invest?

You think he came back just to see those dilapidated houses?

Wu Zhiyuan calmly said, "Secretary Liang, I have no intention of denying the importance of attracting investment."

I just feel that when dealing with someone like Zhou Qiming, sincerity is more important than tricks, and patience is more important than haste.

He hadn't been back for many years, and the knot in his heart couldn't be untied in just a day or two.

We need to give him time to feel things out and make his own judgment.

Liang Dongming waved his hand, not wanting to argue any further: "Alright, I'll arrange this. You can just come along."

Back in his office, Wu Zhiyuan called the main person in charge of Shahe Town and asked them to clean up the old house and the area around Zhou Qiming's parents' graves and level the road by tomorrow, but not to make a fuss or put up banners.

Two days later.

Zhou Qiming has arrived.

They came directly from Jiangdong City to Qingyan.

Jiangdong City is adjacent to Jiangzhou City and is a prefecture-level city in Jiangzhong Province. Yuan Jin is currently a member of the Standing Committee of the Jiangdong Municipal Party Committee and Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission.

After Longcheng City was abolished, Longdong District, Longxi District and Haihe County, which were originally part of Longcheng City, were incorporated into Jiangdong City.

Wu Zhiyuan communicated with Zhou Qiming in advance, and Zhou Qiming said he would go directly to his hometown, Shahe Town, without mentioning that he would go to the county party committee or county government.

However, Wu Zhiyuan was able to tell that Zhou Qiming's refusal to mention going to the county party committee and county government or discussing investment did not mean he had no ideas.

Because if it's just a simple trip back to my hometown, I wouldn't tell him.

However, Zhou Qiming had not yet made up his mind about whether to invest in his hometown.

When Zhou Qiming arrived at Zhoujia Village, Wu Zhiyuan had already been waiting at the village entrance for a long time.

But Liang Dongming has not arrived yet.

Wu Zhiyuan stepped forward and extended his hand: "President Zhou, welcome home."

Zhou Qiming smiled and said, "County Chief Wu, you arrived before me."

"Mr. Zhou, you are the guest, and I am the host. It is only right for the host to wait for the guest."

"You always have a way of saying things that are hard to fault."

After a few words of casual conversation, Liang Dongming's car arrived.

"I'm so sorry, something urgent came up and I was delayed. I'm sorry to have kept you waiting!" Liang Dongming strode forward, extended his hand, and smiled broadly. "Welcome home! On behalf of the Qingyan County Party Committee, the County Government, and all the people of the county, I welcome you back!"

Zhou Qiming shook hands with him: "Secretary Liang is very busy with official duties, I understand. I just arrived myself."

Liang Dongming pointed towards the hillside, his tone carrying a hint of boasting: "President Zhou, the county has arranged for the old house and the cemetery to be renovated."

Our thought is that, regardless of whether you return or not, Zhoujia Village is your root, and your parents' graves are part of Qingyan's land; we have a responsibility to protect them.

Zhou Qiming remained silent, turning his gaze to Wu Zhiyuan.

Wu Zhiyuan said, "Mr. Zhou, would you like to rest for a bit, or go take a look at the old house first?"

Standing in front of the old house, Zhou Qiming was lost in memories and remained silent for a long time.

After a long while, Zhou Qiming finally spoke: "When I was a child, I often wrote under this wall."

In summer, the house is stuffy and hot, so we use this spot to get some sunlight.

In winter, I would bask in the sun against the wall; decades have passed in the blink of an eye.

Wu Zhiyuan said softly, "The old house is the root, and the memory is the soul. Preserving these traces is a kind of remembrance for future generations."

Liang Dongming said from the side, "President Zhou, you've seen the changes in your hometown since you came back this time, haven't you?"

Under the leadership of the county party committee and county government, Qingyan has developed rapidly.

Take Wuhe Town, which is near Shahe Town, for example. The logistics industrial park has already started construction, with a total investment of over one billion yuan.

A wildlife park is set to be located in Wuhe Town, and construction is scheduled to begin next month.

The highway from Wuhe Town to Jiangzhou City is currently undergoing reconstruction and expansion, and will be open to traffic within the year. Afterward, it will only take half an hour to reach the city center.

We hope that we can take advantage of Mr. Zhou's return to his hometown to usher in a leapfrog development for Shahe Town.

Zhou Qiming listened quietly, his thoughts unreadable.

Observing Zhou Qiming's expression, Liang Dongming continued, "President Zhou, you are the pride of Qingyan and the prodigal son we most long for to return."

The development of our hometown urgently needs a leader like you to come back and drive it!

Our county party committee and government will absolutely open their doors to companies like Xunfeng that are powerful and have a strong sense of social responsibility, providing them with the most favorable policies and the most thoughtful services.

As long as you are interested, land, taxes, and supporting facilities are all negotiable.

We guarantee that your investment in Qingyan will be safe, smooth, and worry-free.

Zhou Qiming was silent for a moment, then said, "Secretary Liang, thank you for your kindness. But I came back this time to see the old house and pay my respects at my parents' graves. We can discuss the investment project later."

Zhou Qiming's words were polite, but his refusal was quite clear.

Liang Dongming chuckled awkwardly, "President Zhou, no rush, no rush. You rarely come back, so take a look at the changes in your hometown first, and we can talk about the rest later."

Next, Zhou Qiming went to the cemetery.

Seeing that Zhou Qiming hadn't resolved his inner conflict and had no intention of investing, Liang Dongming made an excuse and left early.

Before leaving, he hypocritically said that he would host a welcome dinner for Zhou Qiming in the county town that evening, but Zhou Qiming politely declined.

After Zhou Qiming visited the grave, Wu Zhiyuan accompanied him for a walk around the village.

He hadn't been back for many years, and things had changed; many of the villagers Zhou Qiming had known since his youth had passed away.

I passed by a house with the gate open, and a middle-aged woman was hanging clothes out to dry in the yard.

Upon seeing Zhou Qiming, she paused for a moment, then wiped her hands and came out to greet him.

"Qiming? Is that really you?"

"Chunhua?" Zhou Qiming recognized her. "You're Chunhua?"

"It's me, Qiming. It's been so many years, you haven't changed much."

Looking at the woman in front of him with her gray hair, Zhou Qiming felt a pang of sorrow in his heart.

Chunhua was his neighbor when he was a child. She was two years younger than him and used to follow him around all the time.

"Chunhua, how are you doing?" Zhou Qiming asked.

Chunhua smiled, but there was a hint of bitterness in her smile: "It's alright, just passable."

The child's father works on a construction site in another province and comes home a few times a year.

I stay home to take care of my grandson and farm a few acres of land.

Zhou Qiming glanced at the courtyard. There were several brick and tile houses with mottled walls, and some farm tools and sundries were piled up in the corner of the courtyard.

"The house is a bit old, but it's livable." Chunhua said a little embarrassedly, "Qiming, I heard you've made a fortune doing big business outside. Everyone in our village is proud of you."

Looking at Chunhua's prematurely gray hair, Zhou Qiming felt a mix of emotions.

He recalled the little girl with pigtails and dimples when she smiled, but now she was weathered and worn by life.

A boy who looked about three or four years old timidly peeked out from behind the door, looking curiously at the group of strangers.

Chunhua said, "This is my grandson. My son and daughter-in-law are both working away from home, so I help take care of him."

Zhou Qiming took out two thousand yuan from his bag and stuffed it into Chunhua's hand.

Chunhua initially refused, but Zhou Qiming insisted, "Take it! I ate a lot of food at your house when I was little. Consider it paying back the money for the meals."

Chunhua accepted it, tears of gratitude streaming down her face: "Qiming, you're still the same kind-hearted person as before."

After leaving Chunhua's house, Zhou Qiming encountered several elderly people still living in the village, all of whom were elders who had watched him grow up.

Zhou Qiming prepared a red envelope for each of his elders.

For Zhou Qiming, whose net worth is in the billions, this amount of money is nothing.

Reaching a secluded spot, Zhou Qiming suddenly asked, "County Chief Wu, do you know why I don't want to come back?"

"I know a little."

Zhou Qiming shook his head: "It's not those village officials. They're long dead, and I stopped hating them a long time ago."

I don't want to come back because I'm afraid to come back.

"You dare not?"

"I'm afraid to see my fellow villagers living poorly, afraid to see them still suffering."

I live a life of luxury outside, but when I return to the village and see that they can't even afford to repair their houses, and that they're worried about a few hundred yuan for medical expenses, my heart aches.

He paused, then continued, "I know some people will say, 'You, Zhou Qiming, are so rich, why don't you help your fellow villagers?' It's not that I haven't helped them before."

A few years ago, I donated money to the village to build this cement road.

I also sponsored several children from the village to go to university.

But I found that simply donating money didn't solve the problem. Once the money was spent, those who were still poor remained poor.

Wu Zhiyuan said, "Therefore, we must solve the problem at its root."

"From the root? What does 'from the root' mean? Attracting investment? Building factories? Getting young people to come back and work?"