“Is this very rare?”
Chen Feng asked calmly.
“Of course it’s rare. Nowadays, salaries are paid by the treasury. How can they issue salaries by borrowing money?” the bank president retorted curiously.
“As the president of Liangfang Town Rural Commercial Bank, you should know that Liangfang Town has no fiscal surplus. If we don’t borrow money, how can we pay salaries?” Chen Feng asked.
“That’s simple, issue IOU notes.”
“And then?”
“Then we wait. Wait until the treasury has money. When there’s money, we’ll pay.”
“What if the treasury still has no money?” Chen Feng asked calmly.
“Then the higher-level treasury will cover it, of course, not in full, but at sixty percent,” the bank president explained with interest.
“Wouldn’t everyone lose a lot of salary this way?” Chen Feng countered, frowning.
“It’s normal. Salaries in poor places are handled this way. One word: delay. Delay for a few years, and it will be settled at a discount. It’s not just Liangfang Town, it’s handled this way all over China,” the bank president said calmly.
“President, if Liangfang Town doesn’t want to develop, I can do this. But the problem is, if Liangfang Town wants to develop, it can’t be so decadent.” Chen Feng said solemnly.
“Chen Feng, did I hear you correctly? Can Liangfang Town, this poor and dilapidated place, develop its economy?” The bank president looked at Chen Feng with a mocking smile.
“It might not have been possible before, but it’s definitely possible now.” Chen Feng said calmly.
“That’s interesting, continue.” The bank president said with interest.
“In the past, policies didn’t allow it, so even if an immortal led Liangfang Town, it couldn’t develop. But now, with favorable policies, even a slightly competent leader can make Liangfang Town take off.” Chen Feng continued calmly.
“What favorable policies? How come I don’t know?” The bank president’s interest grew even stronger.
“Green water and green mountains policy.” Chen Feng said with a smile.
“What is the green water and green mountains policy?” the bank president asked curiously.
“Simply put, it’s developing tourism economy.”
“Tourism economy? Chen Feng, aren’t you being too optimistic? Liangfang Town does have mountains and water. But the problem is, these mountains and waters don’t have any unique features. They are everywhere else in China, so how can we attract tourists?” the bank president asked, looking confused.
“This is also simple, if there are no unique features, we create them.”
“Can the unique features of natural landscapes be created?” The bank president was once again extremely confused.
“Of course, they can be created! We can imbue natural landscapes with human stories. For example, Liu Sanjie in Guangxi, China, the Water Curtain Cave in Guizhou… these natural landscapes were initially just natural landscapes. Once human stories are attached, they become famous instantly. Of course, that’s for later. The immediate priority is to attract talent to Liangfang Town.”
“Chen Feng, I’m convinced by what you said. Alright, how much are you planning to borrow?” the bank president said excitedly.
“Not much, ten billion.” Chen Feng replied without hesitation.
“Mayor Chen, did I hear correctly? Ten billion for a town’s salary?” The bank president looked incredulous.
“President, to be honest, you still don’t understand talent. Let me put it this way, true talent is worth this price! If Liangfang Town wants to develop, it needs a talent team. Ten billion for a talent team is considered little.” Chen Feng said seriously.
“Mayor Chen, to be honest, I’m truly impressed by you. This boldness, not to mention ordinary mayors, even county leaders and city leaders may not have it. Just for this boldness, I agree. However, agreeing is one thing, business is business. Ten billion can be lent to Liangfang Town, but what will Liangfang Town use as collateral? Without collateral, no matter how much you say, you won’t get the loan.” the bank president explained earnestly.
“Sunshine fiscal transfer payments as collateral.” Chen Feng explained directly.
“What do you mean?” the bank president asked, bewildered.
“To be honest, you’re not a very competent bank president. Sunshine fiscal transfer payments, such a famous special payment, and you don’t know about it?” Being retorted by Chen Feng, the bank president’s face turned red.
“I just became the bank president not long ago, so I’m not very clear.” The bank president quickly made an excuse. In fact, he had been the bank president for many years, but he usually only focused on eating, drinking, and having fun, so he wasn’t very clear about many important banking knowledge.
“Since that’s the case, let me explain a bit. Sunshine fiscal transfer payments are aid from the Chinese central government to some poor areas below. Simply put, it’s an additional special fiscal subsidy for poor areas. For towns like Liangfang Town, it’s about two hundred million per year. If the ten billion debt cannot be repaid, it will be paid off in five years.” Chen Feng explained calmly.
“Deal.” The bank president wasn’t an idiot. With Chen Feng’s clear explanation, he understood immediately.
After dealing with the bank president, Chen Feng went directly to the provincial capital. Honestly speaking, if you want to find top talent, a large provincial capital is the best choice.
“Chen Feng, why didn’t you tell me about such a big event?” Zhou Kewang looked at Chen Feng with concern. At the very least, even if Chen Feng wasn’t his benefactor, but just an ordinary superior-subordinate relationship in the bureaucracy, he was indignant about Chen Feng’s experience. Chen Feng had bravely made selfless contributions in rescuing abducted women and in the Jia Mingting fund-raising incident in Jiangcheng, but instead of being praised, he was demoted to a remote mountain town. This was too much!
“Elder Zhou, please don’t be angry. Ups and downs in the bureaucracy are normal. If I can’t even withstand this kind of bullying and need you to step in, then I don’t think I need to stay in the bureaucracy anymore.” Chen Feng replied calmly.
“Chen Feng, I didn’t expect you to have such broad-mindedness. To be honest, broad-mindedness is very important when navigating the bureaucracy. Put simply, you need the kind of composure that remains unshaken even when Mount Tai collapses before you. Congratulations, you possess it.” Zhou Kewang said excitedly. Honestly, deep down, he wanted to help Chen Feng. However, if Chen Feng was smart enough to handle various bureaucratic unexpected events without needing his extra help, he would be even happier.
“Elder Zhou, actually, I do have something to trouble you with this time.” Chen Feng tentatively asked.
“What is it?”
“It’s like this, I plan to build Liangfang Town into a famous tourist town. However, I lack various professional talents to help, so I came to the provincial capital to see if I can find a professional talent team to take back.” Chen Feng said directly.
“The issue of a talent team isn’t a big problem. Honestly, with a population of tens of millions in the provincial capital, finding a talent team is a matter of minutes. The key is, how to solve the problem of high salaries? Liangfang Town is so poor, can it afford high salaries for the team?” Zhou Kewang probed.
“The issue of high salaries is not a problem; I’ve already prepared for it.” After speaking, Chen Feng showed Zhou Kewang the ten billion special loan contract.
“Awesome!” Zhou Kewang exclaimed involuntarily. Being able to borrow ten billion for talent recruitment funds at once, this kind of boldness is indeed not possessed by ordinary people.
“Is the ten billion initial funding enough? If not, I’ll find another way.” Chen Feng asked calmly.
“It’s enough, more than enough. However, the money problem is solved, but another problem must also be solved.” Zhou Kewang said seriously.