"Governor, your idea is not wrong."
Chen Feng replied with a smile.
"Since you know the stakes involved, you can leave. Continuing to chat is a waste of time."
The governor issued a polite dismissal.
"Governor, I can leave. However, I would like to remind you that if I secure a loan agreement with another bank, whether you can remain governor is uncertain."
Chen Feng stated calmly.
"Are you trying to scare me?"
"Governor, you are not a three-year-old child, so this tactic of intimidation won't work on you. I am stating facts. Poverty alleviation is a national policy. Regardless of the amount invested, the state will approve it. Furthermore, regardless of losses, the state will cover it. Such a good opportunity is only being overlooked by you; other governors would absolutely welcome it. Besides, you can inquire about me. In the past few years, have any of the major projects I supervised failed?"
Chen Feng continued to speak calmly.
"Chen Feng, do you take me for a three-year-old? If other governors could easily agree, would you be wasting your time with me?"
The governor attempted to bluff Chen Feng.
"Governor, at this point, I will be straightforward. The main reason I am seeking a loan agreement with you is because the scale of the Agricultural Bank of Nanmiao City is large enough to meet the loan requirements in one go. Conversely, if I were to go to other banks, I would have to borrow multiple times to get the money, which is very troublesome."
"Even if that's the case, tell me, you mentioned that poverty alleviation is a national policy. Why has the poverty alleviation work in Jiujing County not been carried out in these past few years? It's only when you arrived that you remembered poverty alleviation?"
The governor continued to question Chen Feng.
"This question gets to the heart of the matter. Let me put it this way: the previous county heads and deputy county heads also wanted to undertake poverty alleviation, but they failed to properly manage the relationship between the Han people and the Miao people, and the poverty alleviation efforts fizzled out. Governor, I've said what I should and shouldn't say. If you still don't want to lend the money, then I won't force it."
Chen Feng deliberately tried to provoke the governor.
"Wait a moment."
Seeing Chen Feng about to get up and leave, the governor became anxious.
"Agreed?"
"I have one last question. If you answer it clearly, we can sign the loan contract today."
The governor asked seriously.
"Ask away."
"The industrial park project in Jiujing County, you don't plan to borrow the entire amount from the bank, do you?"
"No, I have already contacted several large corporations. They will be responsible for the operation of the Jiujing County industrial park."
Chen Feng replied truthfully.
"You can persuade large corporations to invest?"
The governor asked incredulously.
"Governor, didn't I just say? You should百度 (Baidu) my previous projects in Mingshan Town, Wulin Village... Once you Baidu it, you will know that even though I am only a deputy county head, my network in the business world is quite substantial. Moreover, business owners prefer to do business with the government because government contracts are large-scale and highly profitable. In other words, even if I didn't have any business contacts, these bosses would actively seek me out to undertake the Jiujing County industrial park project. Furthermore, the reason Jiujing County still needs to borrow from the bank is to hold equity. Without holding equity, Jiujing County would be in a passive position when managing the industrial park in the future."
Chen Feng's explanation convinced the governor, who then stated that Jiujing County could ask for whatever amount it needed.
Chen Feng responded accordingly.
The first phase of the Jiujing County industrial park project did not require a large amount of borrowing.
It was mainly to test the waters. If the industrial park developed smoothly and the loan could be repaid, then a larger loan would be sought for the second phase.
Doing business is like eating; one must take it bite by bite.
The governor was once again impressed.
He had previously encountered many powerful figures from the government who came to borrow project funds, and he had generally rejected them based on policy.
The reason was simple: these powerful figures shared a common trait of loving to brag and being completely impractical. They would ask to borrow tens of billions, without understanding what tens of billions even meant.
Chen Feng was different; Chen Feng was very practical. Initially, he was only asking for tens of millions. Moreover, he was repaying what he borrowed. He would not borrow for the second phase until the first phase loan was repaid, which was very reassuring.
This is what the banking industry calls a high-quality customer!
Without further ado, the governor and Chen Feng signed a letter of intent for the loan.
From now on, whenever the Jiujing County industrial park needed funds, they could come and withdraw them at any time.
After signing the letter of intent, Chen Feng returned to Jiujing County.
"Deputy County Head Chen, how did it go?"
Mu Chi Wangmu asked with anticipation and worry.
"It was successful."
Chen Feng replied with a faint smile.
"Successful? What do you mean?"
Mu Chi Wangmu did not immediately comprehend.
"The tunnel project and the industrial park project have both been approved, and the funding has been secured."
Chen Feng explained calmly.
"Was it that easy?"
Mu Chi Wangmu felt a sense of dizziness.
"Mu Chi Wangmu, you have been in the government for some time, so you should know that in the government, once you understand the intricacies, anything becomes easy. Conversely, without understanding the intricacies, relying solely on passion will definitely not work."
Chen Feng continued to explain calmly.
"Chen Feng, I am truly impressed with you now. To be honest, before you came, I tried to do what you are doing every year, but it always mysteriously fell through. It seems that although you are not very old, you have grasped the essence of government affairs."
Mu Chi Wangmu looked at Chen Feng with admiration.
Within that admiration, there was an involuntary affection.
Women, after all, are naturally attracted to capable men.
"Miss Mu Chi Wangmu, although the preliminary development work in Jiujing County was done by myself and County Head Qin, you must also participate in the subsequent work. Without your participation, it will not succeed."
"Really? Deputy County Head Chen, why do I feel like I'm dispensable?"
Mu Chi Wangmu replied dejectedly.
She had been a deputy county head in Jiujing County for several years, and Jiujing County had shown no improvement. Wasn't that the definition of dispensable?
"Miss Mu Chi Wangmu, please do not think that way. Previously, you did not achieve much not because you lacked ability, but because you lacked opportunity. Now, the opportunity has arrived, and you can showcase your talents."
Chen Feng comforted Mu Chi Wangmu.
"What should I do?"
Mu Chi Wangmu asked tentatively.
"From now on, your focus should be on improving the relationship between the Miao people and the Han people. Once the tunnel project and the industrial park project are implemented, many Han people will come to Jiujing County. This will inevitably lead to friction between the two groups. Resolving these frictions is key to the smooth operation of both projects. We, County Head Qin and I, are outsiders, and frankly, we cannot properly handle conflicts between local residents and outsiders."
Chen Feng explained in detail.
"Deputy County Head Chen, please rest assured. With me here, I will definitely keep the Miao people in line."
Mu Chi Wangmu vowed confidently.
"Miss Mu Chi Wangmu, your method is good, but I feel it's still not ideal. It would be better to use..."
Chen Feng said, then stopped himself.