"What the hell is this!"

Mayor Zheng stared at the tightly closed door, cursing quietly.

He felt that Song Guanchao was not just crossing the line but being utterly presumptuous!

He and Secretary Lu had already compromised.

But this guy, on the day before the meeting, even deliberately came over to threaten and pressure him!

Since Song Guanchao joined the City Committee, he found his own temper flaring more frequently.

...

November 1st.

Monday.

The investment meeting was held on the first floor of the Lingjiang City National Exhibition Center.

Provincial and municipal official media, the Ministry of Propaganda, were all present.

This time, it wasn't broadcast live but conducted in an interview format.

At nine o'clock, Mayor Zheng, Secretary Lu, and Wu Qiangwei arrived one after another.

Subsequently, Minister Zhou, Chu Xiao'e, Mayor Jiang, Minister Su, and other committee members also arrived in succession.

Technically, Minister Zhou, being the Minister of Organization, didn't need to come, wouldn't make much difference.

But he came anyway.

Whether it was out of respect for Mayor Zheng and Secretary Lu, or out of courtesy towards Wu Qiangwei, was hard to say.

Reporters held cameras, tracking and filming the entire time.

Lin Wanqiu walked alongside the leaders, chatting as they went.

Her gaze occasionally swept across the exhibition center, seemingly observing the setup of the investment meeting.

In reality, she was searching for Song Guanchao's figure.

In the center of the venue, hundreds of chairs were neatly arranged, and on the stage upfront was a large screen projecting the detailed information of the high-speed rail project.

Total construction time, estimated investment amount...

The heads of relevant departments were also present on the scene.

However, investors had yet to be seen.

After the leaders finished their interviews, they gathered in small groups, chatting and exchanging ideas.

Zheng Bihui surveyed the venue, smiling, "All familiar faces."

Secretary Lu's smile was quite satisfied too.

Indeed, all familiar faces.

Not a single investor was seen.

Even the representatives from the banks were absent.

Around nine-thirty, vehicles began entering the parking lot.

Mostly business cars and luxury vehicles worth millions.

The investors started to come in.

Song Guanchao personally went forward to receive them, explaining the specific details of the project investment to the investors.

"Secretary Song, may I take a look at the loan contract?"

Asked a man with only a few strands of hair on his head, about fifty years old.

Beside him was a young girl, helping him hold a thermos cup, following closely behind.

Song Guanchao passed the contract to him.

The man glanced over a few pages, saying, "Is the lending rate only 3.5%? That's a bit low."

Song Guanchao smiled and said, "It's not actually low. After all, this is a guaranteed investment with stable returns, with no risk at all."

Nowadays, projects offering a 3.5% return with no risk are quite rare.

Even if you have money, you might not be able to find such an opportunity.

Not everyone is open to taking on risky investments.

At 3.5%, a million brings in thirty-five thousand a year!

A hundred million would bring in thirty-five million a year!

This return outstrips what most people earn through entrepreneurship.

"Guaranteed returns?"

The man let out a laugh, unclear what he was finding amusing.

Holding the contract, he said, "Let me take another look. You can carry on with your work, Secretary Song."

"Alright."

The man put his hands behind his back, scanning around, noticing quite a few city officials.

The leaders attending were indeed numerous.

Someone who didn't fully understand might see this scene and think the city was taking this project seriously.

No worries needed, just put the money in.

But wealthy people have many channels for obtaining information.

For instance, this balding man knew some insider information that ordinary people couldn't access.

His money, held tight in his hands, wasn't going to degrade.

After all, with such a large project, it required caution before investing.

First, observe whether any heavyweights are getting involved.

In a blink, it was ten o'clock.

Quite a number of investors had arrived.

At least a hundred people.

This indicated that the publicity was effective.

The project was indeed attractive.

However, up till now, none had shown a strong intent.

They were all in the preliminary understanding phase, still observing.

Things were worse than Song Guanchao had anticipated.

Secretary Lu and Mayor Zheng, however, were all smiles.

Many people came over to greet them.

Song Guanchao's face looked a bit unpleasant.

The morning was almost over.

Not a single firm investment commitment had been made.

At this rate, even if the investment meeting continued for three days, they might raise little to no funds.

"Secretary Song, this investment turnout is not looking too good."

Secretary Sun approached, his words dripping with sarcasm.

Xu Xin and several others frowned at him, feeling annoyed.

This jerk had to bring up what shouldn't be discussed and did so right in front of Song Guanchao.

Deliberately provocative!

Song Guanchao unemotionally said, "Secretary Sun, don't push me to slap you in front of everyone."

This guy, truly clueless.

Can't he see my current mood?

And even adds fuel to the fire.

Secretary Sun's expression stiffened, instinctively taking half a step back, genuinely afraid of being slapped.

"Secretary Song."

A hearty laugh drew quite a few glances.

It was a man about 1.7 meters tall, quite solidly built, in a suit, about fifty years old, walking over.

Laughing, he shook hands vigorously with Song Guanchao.

"Director Huang." Song Guanchao was somewhat surprised.

"Secretary Song, apologies, apologies, something came up this morning, delayed me."

"Come, let me introduce Mr. Li to you. He's very interested in the high-speed rail project."

"Mr. Li, this is the Secretary Song I mentioned to you."

Mr. Li, in his forties, was slim with a scholarly demeanor.

Song Guanchao suddenly realized that Director Huang was introducing an investor to him.

He glanced at Director Huang, thinking to himself, "This Director Huang is a clever man."

Last time, the Deputy Director of the National Development and Reform Commission, Yang Kangji, had offended Li He.

Following that, Song Guanchao facilitated Director Huang in forming a connection with Li He.

This was Director Huang repaying a favor.

The surrounding investors, as well as some leaders, were quite taken aback.

"Is that Director Huang from the National Development and Reform Commission?"

"Does Director Huang have a good relationship with Secretary Song?"

"Even introducing an investor to him..."

The observing investors were equally surprised.

After all, the National Development and Reform Commission is part of the City Government.

If Secretary Lu and Mayor Zheng represented a superficial endorsement of the project,

Director Huang personally introducing a friend to invest made it clear it reflected confidence in the project.

"Does anyone know this Mr. Li?"

"Mr. Li from Mingfa Company."

"Gosh, is it actually him?"

The investors present, upon learning Mr. Li's identity, were quite astounded.

Mayor Zheng's smile diminished slightly.

The presence of Director Huang brought about a change in the attitude of on-site investors.

The overall situation was tipping in favor of Song Guanchao.

"Secretary Song, let me look at the contract."

"Alright."

A few minutes later, Mr. Li nodded, "The interest rate is quite good. Let's sign the contract."

Song Guanchao raised an eyebrow, he particularly liked dealing with straightforward individuals.

"Alright, Mr. Li, this way please."

Song Guanchao led him to a table on the side.

Just as they sat down,

several figures entered from outside the venue.

Their appearance immediately stirred the crowd, attracting numerous attentive glances.

"It's President Chu!"

"Which President Chu?"

"The General Manager of the Yanjing Tianyun Real Estate Investment Department!"

"Tianyun Real Estate?" someone exclaimed.

This company is among the top 100 real estate enterprises nationally!

With businesses spreading across domestic and overseas markets!

The crowd was somewhat shocked.

They clearly did not expect that even such a large corporation would attend today's investment meeting.

Turning his head, upon learning they belonged to Tianyun Real Estate, Song Guanchao was surprised but then understood.

At the last charity gala in Yanjing, one of the second-generation members who associated with Li He

was the son of Tianyun Real Estate Executive Director Zhao Weimin, Zhao Qian.

This time, Zhao Qian also had accompanied Li He to Lingjiang to visit him.

It seemed they had also become aware of his situation.

They came today specifically to lend their support.

This favor, though not something Song Guanchao had actively sought,

is nonetheless welcomed due to their goodwill gesture; there was no reason to refuse.

"Tianyun Real Estate?" Zheng Bihui's smile disappeared completely, and Secretary Lu's expression was similarly strained.

The two of them almost simultaneously looked towards Wu Qiangwei.

In their view, this too was evidently attributed to Wu Qiangwei's network.

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