"County Chief Qin, you're too kind. Investing in the land definitely costs money, and we'll continue our cooperation in the future!"
Chen Xi smiled slightly and said solemnly, "Yaoyang Industrial is developing well; there are second and even third phases of projects planned. That will only require more money!"
"We complement each other and achieve mutual success!"
That's very well said!
"That's right, mutual success."
Qin Mu nodded heavily and said, "President Chen, now that everything is settled, how about our county government arranges lunch for us? Shall we have a casual meal together?"
They've been so generous with their investment; we certainly can't be stingy here in Huaining.
"I have no problem with that, but won't it be a disciplinary issue for your county government to spend money on a businessman's meal?"
Chen Xi asked casually.
She hadn't considered these issues before, but now that she knew Qin Mu had a conflict with the top official, Liang Guan, she naturally became more cautious in this regard.
"With such a large investment in Huaining, if I can't even treat you to a meal, it would be a dereliction of duty on my part as county head."
Qin Mu waved his hands repeatedly, saying, "At least let me show you some hospitality, Mr. Chen. Please eat with peace of mind; leave the rest to me."
The county government has a special budget for hospitality, most of which is used for entertaining leaders. But for an entrepreneur like Chen Xi, who has invested over 100 million here, a meal is the bare minimum. To not even offer a meal would be too stingy.
"Alright, then I won't stand on ceremony. I am indeed quite hungry."
Chen Xi wasn't one to be pretentious and readily agreed. "The restaurant doesn't need to be too fancy, but it would be best if it had local specialties. I'm a foodie too."
"Vice County Head Han, you heard that. You're a local; you can arrange the restaurant, how about that?"
Qin Mu immediately looked at Han Ying and said directly.
"Okay, I know a local restaurant with local specialties. I'll contact them and make a reservation in advance."
Han Ying, of course, readily agreed. As a native of the county, she certainly knew which restaurants had unique offerings.
After agreeing on the details, the group left the office building, got into their car, and headed straight for the restaurant.
Liang Guan stood in the corridor outside his office, witnessing this scene firsthand. Beside him stood a middle-aged man.
"Secretary Liang, this County Head Qin's abilities are extraordinary!"
The middle-aged man suddenly spoke, smiling, "In just six months, he's brought in large enterprises like Tianke and Yaoyang Industry. With such investment attraction capabilities, he'll be favored by leaders wherever he goes."
County heads are typically in charge of the economy. If they have outstanding performance in economic work, they easily gain the appreciation of their superiors.
Someone like Qin Mu, who has brought in two mega-enterprises in just six months, will definitely attract the attention of city leaders, and it's even very possible that provincial leaders are watching.
After all, in a poor county like Huaining, attracting two companies like this is nothing short of a miracle.
"Yes, this man is currently the focus of the entire Jiangzhou."
Liang Guan didn't deny this fact, nodding slightly, and said, "I estimate that in another six months, I'll have to step down and hand over my position."
"Secretary Liang, if you step down like this, things won't be easy for you later."
The middle-aged man paused, then chuckled, offering a gentle reminder.
Nonsense!
Liang Guan knew this better than anyone.
He came to Huaining with an important mission. If he failed to complete Mayor Qiu's task of suppressing Qin Mu, he would leave Huaining and return to the municipal government, with no further opportunities.
Mayor Qiu was a man with many capable people around him; he wouldn't give him a second chance. If he failed this time, Liang Guan would most likely have to leave the municipal government and go to a second-tier retirement position.
"Comrade Fan Chao, if I were to step down and give way to a more capable person, life would indeed be difficult. But do you think your future will necessarily be easy?"
Liang Guan chuckled. "Your coming to Huaining is also a crucial opportunity for you. If you do well, you'll make a name for yourself; if you don't, you don't think you'll be unaffected, do you?"
Upon hearing this, the middle-aged man beside him fell silent.
He was none other than Fan Chao, the soon-to-be-appointed county discipline inspection secretary in Huaining, who had come down from the provincial discipline inspection commission to replace Qi Zhenghao.
"Qin Mu is a rising star in the political arena, and if you can take him down, wouldn't that make you famous throughout Jiangnan?"
Fan Chao understood Liang Guan's words very well.
Working in the discipline inspection system, besides accumulating seniority, it's all about the major cases you've investigated. Someone as high-profile as Qin Mu—if he could find problems and bring them to justice, he would definitely be promoted.
As a discipline inspection officer, who wouldn't want to investigate a high-profile case?
"Secretary Liang, we're on the same side. Don't worry, I know what to do," Fan Chao said calmly.
"In that case, I think you can start now," Liang Guan reminded him.
"Official hospitality is always a common problem within the civil service, prone to causing scandals."
Upon hearing this, Fan Chao instantly understood.
This was a reminder to follow up and investigate.
"Secretary Liang, is hosting Yaoyang Industry a normal job? Does it really need an investigation?"
Fan Chao hesitated for a moment, then couldn't help but remind him, "Besides, it's just a meal. Even if there are some problems, it won't be a big deal for Qin Mu, right?"
"It's difficult to deliver a fatal blow to a cadre like Qin Mu," Liang Guan said calmly.
"I think you shouldn't overlook any small problems. Gather them all together, and perhaps that will bring Qin Mu to his doom!"
At this, Fan Chao's eyes lit up with surprise.
This Liang Guan, despite not being part of the disciplinary committee, has such a sharp eye for problems. Small issues, when accumulated, become issues of conduct, which is fatal to a leader's reputation.
"Alright, I'll go take a look."
Fan Chao nodded slightly and said, "Secretary Liang, we should communicate and interact more in the future, for our common goal!"
"Yes, for our common goal!"
Liang Guan shook hands with Fan Chao and emphasized this point.
Our common goal!
That, naturally, is Qin Mu!
After saying this, Fan Chao got out of the car, got in, and followed Qin Mu and his group to the restaurant.
Fan Chao hasn't officially taken office yet, so no one in the county government knows him. His presence at the restaurant went unnoticed.
After a brief chat with the female owner at the front desk, Fan Chao roughly learned about Qin Mu's group's spending habits.
"That young man leading the group is quite interesting. He said we can't exceed the limit when eating here. My little shop only charges fifty yuan per person, that's the maximum. How could we possibly exceed the limit?"
The female owner at the front desk said casually with a light laugh.
This…
Fifty yuan per person is the maximum?
Fan Chao was disappointed. What's the point of checking then?
With such a low limit, there couldn't possibly be a problem!
"Don't you have any good wines in your shop? Recommend some to them. They're all high-ranking officials; this is a great opportunity to make money."
Fan Chao, unwilling to give up, couldn't help but remind her.