Zheng Bihui has a bad temper, but he can control his emotions when necessary.

He just couldn't be bothered to restrain himself in front of Song Guanchao.

Realizing he wasn't going to get anything good out of Song, he switched to a smile: "What brings you here, Secretary Song?"

"See, that's better. Now you're talking."

Song Guanchao smiled: "I heard from Director Gao that the application for relocation funds has been stuck at the City Government. When does Mayor Zheng plan to approve it?"

Zheng Bihui replied, "Didn't Director Gao tell you? The Finance Bureau is out of money."

Song Guanchao said, "Mayor Zheng, I must remind you, if the relocation funds aren't issued, the relocated households will cause a scene."

"If it really becomes chaos, I'll be responsible, Secretary Wu will also be responsible. Mayor Zheng, as well as Secretary Lu, you'll all have to bear the responsibility."

"Mayor Zheng, the conflict between us is not that big; there's no need to harm each other, right?"

Zheng Bihui smiled, "Look at what you're saying, it's not about conflicts or anything. The Finance Bureau has no money, there's nothing I can do."

Song Guanchao said, "I don't need much, just 2 billion."

"Secretary Song, it's not that I refuse, but as I've said, the Finance Bureau has no money."

"You don't believe me, but Director Gao was promoted by Secretary Wu. Why don't you ask Director Gao and see if the Finance Bureau really has no money?"

No matter what he says, Zheng Bihui's response is always the same: no money!

Song Guanchao nodded, not getting angry, smiling, "If there's no money, then I'll just have to borrow it."

Zheng Bihui agreed, "I believe with Secretary Song's ability, it's rather easy to borrow."

Ignoring his sarcasm, Song Guanchao stood up and said, "I won't disturb Mayor Zheng's work. I'll go borrow the money now."

After he left, Zheng Bihui felt a bit odd.

He thought Song might threaten him with the lost high-speed rail project documents.

Or use the video of him molesting Xu Xin as a threat.

However, he didn't do any of that.

It almost seemed like he just went through the motions to ask for money.

No sign of any anger or humiliation at all.

He rubbed his chin, feeling Song Guanchao is up to something.

But he couldn't figure out what that might be.

He grabbed the office phone and called Secretary Lu: "Song Guanchao just came to see me."

Secretary Lu: "He visited me this morning too. Seems like he's cornered."

Mayor Zheng: "Doesn't quite seem like it. He looked calm, not really here to ask for money, more like going through the motions."

He expressed his worry: "This kid, might he be plotting something?"

Secretary Lu couldn't be sure: "Let's wait and see."

In any case, he couldn't think of anything Song might be plotting.

No money is no money, no matter how he throws a fit; it's pointless.

...

After leaving the City Government, Song Guanchao sat in his car, flipping through his contacts.

After searching for a while, he finally found the number—Liu Wanli!

The former Minister of Railways, Liu Wanli!

After much hesitation, Song Guanchao dialed the number.

"Beep beep..."

The phone rang for a dozen seconds but went unanswered, then disconnected.

Song Guanchao scratched his head, just as he was putting his phone down, the other party called back.

"Hello, Secretary Liu..."

"What a surprise, you actually called me. I thought I was seeing things."

A strong, aged voice full of undisguised joy came from the other end: "Are you free? Come have a drink with the old man."

"Won't bother Secretary Liu?"

"Brat, say that again, and I'll get mad."

"Then I'll come over tonight. Secretary Liu, still staying at the same place?"

"Where else would I be? At my age, I don't want to keep moving around."

"Alright, enough with the chatter. I'm taking care of my grandson. Just come over when you get here. Tonight, one bottle each, can't leave until they're finished."

After hanging up, Song Guanchao sighed.

Sharp minds remain sharp. Even before he said anything, Liu knew the call would be asking for a favor.

Moreover, Liu knew his nature, worried he may be too proud to ask, so he invited him over.

First have a drink, after drinking, it becomes easier to talk.

Song Guanchao once believed that after retiring, he'd never need these old connections.

Who would have thought that in just over a month, he would use them twice?

But that time in Yanjing was passive, so no mental burden.

This time was proactive.

Contacting Liu Wanli this time mainly aimed to reach the National Railway Bureau through him.

Hoping the National Railway Bureau could advance the funding for the high-speed rail project.

As for whether it could work out, he couldn't be sure.

After all, we're talking about over a hundred billion!

Whether the National Railway Bureau would honor Liu Wanli, the former minister's influence is uncertain.

Setting the phone aside, he did not return to the City Committee.

Liu Wanli is from Jiangnan, his hometown is Jinling.

Lingjiang and Jinling both belong to the central Yangtze River Delta region, not too far, but driving takes three to four hours.

He first called Wu Qiangwei to take two days off.

Wu didn't ask what he was doing, but she knew in her heart, he must be working on resolving the 1.5 billion relocation fund shortage.

Then he called Director He to give some instructions.

However, before he could dial, Director He called him.

"Secretary Song, there's trouble."

"..." Song Guanchao twitched.

He noticed that every time this guy calls, he always opens with those three words.

As if he couldn't say anything else.

"What is it now?"

"Golden Heaven and Earth's demolition team demands we honor the contract and pay the construction fees immediately, or they'll sue."

Song narrowed his eyes.

Yesterday he made it clear to President Lu that the construction fees would be advanced by them, the government would settle within half a year.

Advancing fees is common in projects like this.

Of course, per the contract, advancing is indeed a breach of contract.

When they demand contract compliance this moment, it's understandable.

But happening now makes one suspicious whether someone pressured Golden Heaven and Earth.

Without external pressure, no reasonable company would pull such a move.

"What's the amount for the construction fees?"

"According to progress, we currently need to pay 5.3 million."

"When's the payment due date?"

"As per the contract, payment is due on their operation start day. Technically, we're over a week past due."

"How much is in the escrow account now?"

"Less than two hundred thousand."

"..." Song said, "Have them calculate the overdue interest, and pay them within two days."

"Also, call some colleagues from Housing and Construction Bureau, City Construction Bureau, and the Fire Department to oversee Golden Heaven and Earth's demolition residential area. If there's a reason to halt operations, do it; if fines are necessary, impose them."

"Keep a close eye on it. If their demolition construction isn't compliant, causing project delays, immediately contact a lawyer to sue."

Song inherently avenges crossness in kind. Be upfront with him, and he will be upfront with you.

If you play games, don't blame him for returning the favor nonchalantly.

The project now lacks funding. If Golden Heaven and Earth doesn't advance funds, Song understands, since per the contract, advancing is breaching.

But refusing to advance and choosing now to demand settlement.

Even using threats of lawsuits.

This kind of backstabbing, Song won't tolerate.

Stab him in the back, he'll find loopholes in regulations.

How many construction works follow procedures perfectly?

Issues are inevitable.

If investigated, something's sure to surface.

Song snapped off the phone, muttering curses: "Damn Golden Heaven, won't dare offend Zheng and Lu, but dares to offend me? Do I look like a soft target?"

He knows for sure Mayor Zheng and Secretary Lu pressured Golden Heaven and Earth.

Yet faced with pressure, turning around to stab him.

Originally, he considered handing future projects to both Golden Heaven and New City Company once funds stabilized.

But now, Golden Heaven's blown their chance.

Don't blame Song for kicking them out.

He dialed Si Qingqing's number: "Where are you?"

Suddenly getting Song's call made Si a bit nervous: "Judicial Bureau."

"Organize the Judicial Bureau's office expense account, I'll be over soon."

He couldn't manage the 1.5 billion deficit, but he could scrounge up a few hundred thousand.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.