After the brief interlude, Qin Mu, Hu Youdao, and the others returned to the conference room to continue their investment discussions.
Having just experienced the incident, Hu Youdao and the others felt somewhat guilty towards Qin Mu. Therefore, when Qin Mu asked if the Provincial Chamber of Commerce had any plans to invest in Huaining County, their response was naturally much more enthusiastic.
"County Head Qin, I own a garment factory and am planning to close the old one and build a new one, with a total investment of tens of millions, in Huaining County."
Chairman Hu Youdao stated directly, "As long as you don't mind, we can sign an investment agreement right now!"
"How could I mind!"
Qin Mu said seriously, "Any company, as long as it meets the requirements of laws and regulations, can invest in Huaining. I will treat them with courtesy, because this supports the economic development of Huaining County, and I'm more than happy to do so!"
With Hu Youdao taking the lead, other members of the management team successively expressed their investment intentions and signed letters of intent.
Of course, these were only intentions.
There was still a distance to go before a project was officially signed. "County Chief Qin, I'll organize and mobilize again. Next month, I'll lead a team to Huaining for an inspection. We'll need your hospitality then!"
Finally, Hu Youdao solemnly made a request.
"No problem, we'll stay in touch. Huaining County welcomes friends from the business community."
Qin Mu readily agreed.
This trip was rushed, and finalizing many investments in a short time was unrealistic. Hu Youdao's suggestion to lead a team to Huaining County for an inspection would be the perfect opportunity to finalize investments.
These businessmen aren't naive; they won't sign agreements casually. They'll definitely conduct on-site inspections.
They need to be certain there's a profit opportunity before making a decision to invest.
After the exchange, Qin Mu led the Huaining County delegation into the car and left the provincial capital's chamber of commerce.
"Chairman, Old Du… is he really fired?"
As soon as Qin Mu left, someone couldn't help but ask seriously.
Du Wanming was a veteran of the Chamber of Commerce; dismissing him like this was indeed too hasty in terms of procedure.
"Everyone, you should all know about Du Wanming's problems,"
Hu Youdao earnestly reminded him, "Vice Governor Sun has spoken; I can't protect him anymore. If you want to follow Du Wanming because of this, I won't stop you!"
Vice Governor Sun!
The moment that title was mentioned, everyone fell silent.
"Old Du has had a smooth ride these past few years, getting used to the good life, thinking he can do whatever he wants. This time he's stumbled; hopefully, he'll wake up!"
Hu Youdao sighed, "Our provincial capital Chamber of Commerce must closely follow the government's lead, not always think about going against the government, understand?"
"What about the investment in Huaining County..."
"That poor place, can it really develop?"
"The companies that go there won't lose everything, will they?"
...
It won't develop?
Hu Youdao was speechless for a moment, rolled his eyes at everyone, and said irritably, "Have you all been sitting in offices for too long? Don't you understand modern society at all?"
"Even the poorest place can develop if the government wants to."
"Do you think that County Chief Qin is an ordinary person? His household registration is in Beijing, and Huaining is where he's using it to gain experience. He may just be a county chief, but the resources he leverages are far greater than ours. Invest early; if you wait, they might not even notice you."
Right now, Qin Mu's career is in its initial stages. Investing now, even a small amount—millions or tens of millions—will be remembered.
After all, even a small favor in the early stages will earn gratitude.
But what if Qin Mu truly becomes a local official, a county party secretary, or later, a city official? Will he still be grateful for small investments?
Definitely not!
It's like ancient emperors conquering the world; those who followed from the beginning and those who joined later—their status is never the same.
…
"County Chief, what are our plans next?"
Back at the hotel, Han Ying and Xu Lu asked Qin Mu.
This investment promotion trip was theoretically successful. The investment agreement for Yaoyang Industrial Glass had already been signed; this billion-level investment alone was enough to satisfy their demands.
Looking across Jiangzhou, any project that can secure a billion-level investment is a super-large project, let alone one in a poor and underdeveloped county like Huaining. It would cause a stir throughout Jiangzhou, and the Jiangzhou Municipal Party Committee would definitely commend them.
So returning now was basically the right time.
"Since we're already in the provincial capital, let's do what we can."
Qin Mu thought for a moment and said, "Tomorrow morning, Comrade Xu Lu, come with me to the Department of Agriculture. I remember there's a poverty alleviation fund this year; as a poor county, Huaining County can try to get some!"
Get poverty alleviation funds?
"County Chief Qin, what's this poverty alleviation fund all about? What documents are needed?"
Xu Lu, completely unaware of the situation, quickly asked.
To apply for funds from the Department of Agriculture, one must first understand the details.
"County Chief, the county government hasn't received any notification about this."
Han Ying asked, puzzled, "Or did I miss something?"
"You didn't miss anything."
Qin Mu smiled and explained, "This fund is a subsidy issued by the Department of Agriculture for some impoverished counties, but… the Department of Agriculture has designated some impoverished counties, and Huaining County isn't on the list!"
Uh…
They're still trying to get this fund even though Huaining County isn't on it?
Han Ying, Xu Lu, and the others were all confused. What was County Chief Qin trying to do?
Forced application?
"County Chief, we're not even on this list. Is it even worth going?"
Han Ying smiled awkwardly and couldn't help but say, "The provincial department isn't so easy to get into. What if we get kicked out? That wouldn't be good!"
After all, the Provincial Department of Agriculture is in charge of the province's agriculture and rural development. It covers a wide range of areas and has many complexities. Whether they'd even see a small county like ours is another matter entirely!
"It won't be that bad. The Provincial Department of Agriculture is a department of the provincial government, belonging to the country and the people. We're going there to legitimately seek help. Why wouldn't we be allowed in?"
Qin Mu smiled and calmly said, "Applying for funding will definitely be difficult, but we can definitely try. If we succeed, it will greatly benefit the agricultural and rural development of Huaining."
"You all get a good rest tonight. We'll go early tomorrow morning; maybe we can find an opportunity!"
Hearing this, Han Ying and Xu Lu inwardly scoffed.
Is County Chief Qin's thinking too optimistic?
That's a provincial department, not some small county-level office. If people could just walk in anywhere, what would become of us?
I'm afraid I'll be turned away tomorrow.