booktalesy Chapter 912: Countermeasures
Chapter 912: Countermeasures
Chapter 912: A Surprising Solution - Click to Unlock Now.
"Optimized design?" Du Qihong repeated the phrase.
"Yes, it's just optimizing the original design." He Bi explained in detail, "For example, the spacing of some structural steel bars can be slightly widened, and some stirrups in secondary beams can be replaced with a lower specification. Also, the original floor slab design was really unnecessary. I had experts calculate it, and the optimized new design can fully meet the load-bearing requirements. Moreover, it has been in use for so many years and everything is fine! There haven't been any quality complaints or anything."
Ma Cheng added, "These optimized plans have all been approved by our bureau, reviewed and stamped by qualified design units, and all procedures are complete and fully comply with the regulations. As for the Sany Foundation's original plan, it can only be considered as a preliminary reference and has no legal binding force. Everything will be determined by the final completion and acceptance report. We are doing everything in accordance with laws and regulations."
Du Qihong finally understood completely. The so-called optimization was simply saving a lot of costs within the bounds of law and regulations by meeting the minimum strength standards but falling far short of the quality expected by the donors. Moreover, Du Qihong was certain that the money saved was not returned to the foundation, but went into the pockets of He Bi and Ma Cheng. Of course, this money also went into the pockets of relevant personnel, and perhaps he himself was among them.
So Du Qihong asked directly, "How much money did you make through this method?"
He Bi first glanced at Ma Cheng, and seeing that he nodded, he told him the amount of money: "It's not too much, the two schools will only save 1.13 million."
Du Qihong remained silent for a long time. He had a 30% stake in the construction company under He Bi's name, but these shares were held on his behalf by his brother-in-law. So, he also had a share in the money that He Bi and Ma Cheng saved. No wonder he received a lot more in dividends at the end of that year. So that's where it all came from.
He stubbed out his cigarette: "Have the accounts been balanced?"
Why pat your chest and say, "You can absolutely rest assured, there won't be a single flaw in it"?
Du Qihong then looked at Ma Cheng, who naturally knew what Du Qihong wanted: "County Chief Du, the quality definitely meets the specifications and is absolutely not a substandard project. Even if they demolish the building to check the steel bars, as long as they don't use calipers to measure the diameter, they won't find any fault with us just by looking at the spacing and layout of the steel bars. This meets the completion acceptance standards and national regulations. If they investigate, they can only find that we delivered a qualified product that has passed legal acceptance."
Ma Cheng and He Bi were both confident in this, after all, Sany Foundation had given so much money, they couldn't be too greedy, and ensuring that the minimum standards were met was a must.
Du Qihong nodded. He already knew the ins and outs of this. Having been in officialdom for many years, he knew that the key to many things was not the facts themselves, but how the facts came about.
Why bother with Ma Cheng and the others about "lowering standards"? They have already optimized it in a professional way and confirmed it as a fact with a full set of legal documents.
However, he still wanted to remind the two of them: "From what I understand, the Sany Foundation sent structural experts from Tongda University's School of Architecture this time. I don't think they'll just look at the reports; they might use some professional methods to inspect the buildings at both schools. You must know Tongda's reputation in the domestic architecture field, right? What if they find something wrong?"
Upon hearing this, He Bi's face froze. After a long while, he said with a dark expression, "If they really want to take this seriously, then I'll play along to the end. At most, we won't return the money we saved to them, but there's nothing wrong with the construction quality. It's not like they're the only ones with mouths; I have one too."
Ma Cheng, ever the shrewd strategist, immediately came up with an idea: "County Chief Du, how about this? We can take a two-pronged approach. First, we should immediately review the construction files of both schools again. Second, I will assign reliable people to receive and actively cooperate with the expert team they send, guiding them to the places they need to inspect and providing the necessary information. Third, if they want to conduct inspections on the buildings, we can also make some preparations in advance."
Du Qihong looked at Ma Cheng and asked, "What are your plans for preparation?"
Ma Cheng smiled slightly. Having served as the director of the construction bureau for so many years, he knew quite a bit about professional matters. Of course, he had also done his fair share of falsification, so he spoke fluently: "For example, we can find out in advance which buildings they are going to inspect. We can ensure that the concrete curing records of those buildings are very complete, and we can also do some surface enhancement treatment on the corresponding parts in advance to make the concrete strength rebound value data look better. As for the rebar scanning, as long as the specifications and spacing are correct, some deviation in depth is within the allowable range of the regulations, so it's not a big problem. However, we need to control their sampling points and processes, and not let them out of our sight."
After listening to Ma Cheng's words, Du Qihong gave the two of them a deep look but said nothing.
However, both He Bi and Ma Cheng understood Du Qihong's meaning. He Bi took the initiative to say, "Brother, don't worry, I will not be stingy with the money that needs to be spent, and I will also do the work that needs to be done in advance."
Ma Cheng also promised, "I will personally oversee the reception and related cooperation. I guarantee that we will not let them see our intentions, and that all their testing processes will be completed in our presence. Furthermore, I will arrange for someone to keep written records of all communications and meetings between the two parties to show our respect for the donors."
After listening to their words, Du Qihong finally spoke: "This matter is neither a big deal nor a small one. If handled well, it will be a routine working exchange; if handled poorly, many uncontrollable variables may arise, and what we need is calm and peaceful sailing. Remember, all your actions must be reasonable technical optimizations and cost control carried out under the premise of strictly adhering to relevant national regulations, ensuring that funds are used where they are needed. This principle must be clearly defined."
He Bi and Ma Cheng immediately understood and nodded together.
After finishing their business, the three of them continued their meal.
However, the three of them never expected that they had oversimplified things, and that the matter would ultimately be resolved in such a way.