Sell the project?

Zheng Bihui thought he heard wrong.

A project... how to sell?

Sell to whom?

Zheng Bihui asked, "What exactly do you want to do?"

Secretary Lu silently smoked and turned to look at Lingjiang outside the floor-to-ceiling window.

He didn't directly answer Zheng Bihui's question but said, "Mayor Zheng, you and I are both poor folks who have been sidelined."

"Outwardly, you are the Mayor, and I am the Secretary."

"But only you and I know that this group of officials listens but doesn't act on orders. Our words, too, are like imperial power that doesn't reach the countryside, and no one takes them seriously."

"Isn't it sad that you and I, the top two leaders, have reached such a point?"

"The City Government, a call from Jiang Yuan is more effective than any meeting you conduct."

"The City Committee, Secretary Wu controls one-third of the departments, and they are all key departments."

"The two of us are just mascots for decoration."

"Yet, I am not willing to accept this."

Secretary Lu forcefully exhaled a puff of smoke, "The fiscal deficit is a fact that no one can change. The old town redevelopment project is destined to go nowhere."

Zheng Bihui remained silent.

The project indeed won't proceed.

A gap of over two billion, it doesn't seem much.

But at the time of need, you'd find money so elusive.

A single penny can trouble even a hero!

But he still didn't understand what Secretary Lu intended to do with this series of actions.

First, spreading the news of suppressing relocation prices and even calling in the City Construction Bureau...

Then, last Friday, he staged a desperate scene where the displaced residents collectively jumped off buildings.

The events of last Friday still make him uneasy to recall.

This move was too risky!

Any slight mishap would have led to injuries or deaths.

Most importantly, he didn't understand why Secretary Lu was doing all this.

Was it to shift the blame onto Wu Qiangwei?

But what would be the point?

Doing this doesn't cause any substantial harm to Wu Qiangwei.

"Since there's no money in the budget, there's only one solution."

Secretary Lu's voice pulled him back into reality.

"What solution?"

"Didn't I just say?" Secretary Lu smiled, "Sell the project."

"How to sell?"

He still didn't understand.

"Convert it to commercial land!"

"Impossible!"

Zheng Bihui shook his head, "This is a public welfare project, aimed at creating a governance center block. Its nature has already been decided."

Secretary Lu replied, "Its nature is determined by people, and since it's determined by people, it can be changed."

Zheng Bihui argued, "It wouldn't pass the Standing Committee."

"That was before," Secretary Lu said, "After all these events, I have at least an eighty percent chance of passing it in the Standing Committee."

Zheng Bihui opened his mouth, a flash of realization appeared in his eyes.

He understood...

Understood why Secretary Lu suppressed the prices, understood why he made the displaced residents jump off buildings, understood why today he directly wanted money!

So that's how it is!

As he said, everything he did was laying the groundwork!

Laying the groundwork to change the old town redevelopment project from a public welfare project to commercial land!

The City Secretary is responsible for the main development direction of a city, its future planning.

A strong City Secretary alone could directly decide whether a piece of land is used for commercial or residential purposes.

But Secretary Lu has no real power to be assertive.

He can't directly decide.

So, he found another way.

First, spread rumors of low relocation compensation to gradually undermine the displaced residents' mindset.

When the time was right, send someone to provoke the displaced residents to make them collectively jump off buildings.

The act of jumping off was meant to show the city's major leaders.

Let them know that if relocation compensation is not enough, major incidents could occur.

Then, distribute the funding gap to all city departments.

Today is already the 22nd; in ten days, it will be December.

He demanded these departments hand over the money before the end of the month.

Is it possible?

Impossible.

These departments definitely won't provide the money.

But Secretary Lu wants them not to provide the money.

Once December arrives, and the money hasn't been received.

Then he can naturally propose converting from public to commercial.

As for enticing Wu Qiangwei to report and smear her, those are just side objectives.

If achieved, great, but if not, it doesn't affect his plan.

Instantly clear in thought, fully understanding Secretary Lu's entire plan, Zheng Bihui couldn't help but marvel.

Looking at Secretary Lu, there was a bit more admiration in his eyes.

A sidelined City Secretary, through a series of tactics, completed a maximum benefit operation!

Zheng Bihui felt a bit sentimental, Secretary Lu was born at an unlucky time!

With his abilities, his acumen, given a different city, he would undoubtedly achieve far more than being a City Secretary!

However, if his current plan is successfully implemented, advancing further is not out of question either.

...

"Secretary, have some meat. Today's braised pork in the canteen is very tasty."

Song Guanchao kept adding food to her bowl.

Looking at the little hill of food in her bowl, Wu Qiangwei felt helpless yet amused.

Song Guanchao wanted to ask about the meeting but didn't open the conversation directly, just kept putting food in her bowl, hoping she would speak up herself.

"At today's meeting, Secretary Lu mentioned three things."

Song Guanchao immediately asked, "What three things?"

Wu Qiangwei picked up a piece of braised pork and put it in her mouth, chewing lightly, she commented, "Indeed tasty."

After finishing, she picked up a piece of ribbonfish, slowly removing the side bones.

Seeing her eat so gracefully, Song Guanchao felt a bit anxious.

After finally finishing a piece of pork rib, thinking she might speak, but she just continued to eat...

Finally, after the meal ended, Song Guanchao quickly cleaned the table, sitting in front of it, "Secretary..."

"My shoulders feel a bit sore." Wu Qiangwei said, pinching her shoulders, as if talking to herself.

"..." Song Guanchao realized she was intentionally keeping him in suspense.

"Secretary, shall I give you a massage?"

"Mm, why not."

Song Guanchao moved behind her, gently massaging her shoulders, the fragrance of her hair wafting into his nose.

The body under her clothes seemed so fragile, Song Guanchao felt a bit more force could break her collarbone.

Wu Qiangwei closed her eyes, saying, "Relocation compensation isn't two thousand."

"Five thousand?"

"No, not that either."

"Seven thousand?"

"Ten thousand."

"Ten thousand?" Song Guanchao was surprised, "Decided in today's meeting?"

"It was decided by the end of September."

Song Guanchao's reaction mirrored Wu Qiangwei's when she heard the news.

He immediately said, "So those rumors were deliberately spread by someone?"

"Should be," Wu Qiangwei replied, "Just don't know who is stirring things up behind the scenes."

Song Guanchao asked, "What about the other two matters?"

Wu Qiangwei said, "The second is insignificant, but the third matter is money."

"The old town redevelopment project has a gap of over two billion. Secretary Lu proposed in the meeting that each department be responsible for at least ten million."

Song Guanchao showed a peculiar expression, almost wanting to laugh, "Does Secretary Lu really see himself as the City Secretary?"

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