Awei on the other end of the phone was a little stunned, but he didn't ask many questions. After hanging up, he ran back to the shop.
"Boss, what are your orders?" Awei asked breathlessly as soon as he entered.
"Don't ask so much, just follow me," Song Qiao said with a smile, patting Awei on the shoulder and taking him to the municipal poverty alleviation office by taxi.
Today was a business negotiation, so he naturally couldn't ride his bicycle. Otherwise, he would surely be mistaken for a骗子 and kicked out.
Perhaps he should consider buying a car for transportation. Not only would it be convenient for travel, but it would also be a way to indirectly showcase his financial strength.
"Boss, why are we here at the poverty alleviation office? This place is known as a 'clean department' with little room for corruption. What kind of business can we discuss here?" Although Song Qiao had told Awei not to ask too many questions, Awei couldn't help but curb his curiosity as soon as he got out of the car.
"Don't underestimate departments that appear to be 'clean.' There are many opportunities for wealth hidden within them," Song Qiao said with a mysterious smile, not directly answering Awei's question. He continued to instruct:
"Today, you just need to watch from the side, pretend to be my assistant, and cooperate with me when I need you to."
Awei nodded blankly. Seeing that his boss was unwilling to say more, he didn't dare to ask any further questions.
The two of them strolled into the poverty alleviation office hall and went straight upstairs to the director's office.
The director of the poverty alleviation office was named Pan. Song Qiao had interacted with him in his previous life and knew his temper and personality like the back of his hand.
"What brings you here?" Director Pan asked with a frown as he saw the two uninvited guests enter his office.
"Director Pan, I'm here to help you solve a big problem," Song Qiao said directly, without beating around the bush.
"Oh?"
Director Pan looked up with a confused expression, sizing up Song Qiao and Awei. He couldn't quite determine their identities.
However, he didn't dare to slight them. He quickly stood up, pointed to the sofa in the office, and politely said:
"Please have a seat. May I ask what kind of trouble you wish to help the government solve?"
"I am an investor, and I want to build a food processing plant in this area."
Song Qiao's tone was calm, as if the matter was of little importance.
"That's wonderful! For an entrepreneur to invest here, I'd like to express my gratitude on behalf of the local government," Director Pan said with joy in his heart. It seemed these two were indeed significant figures, and he immediately flattered Song Qiao.
As he spoke, he took out tea from a cabinet and brewed tea for Song Qiao and Awei.
"May I ask how much you plan to invest and what the scale of the processing plant will be?" Director Pan asked, returning to his seat.
The government had assigned him a large number of poverty alleviation quotas that had yet to be filled. This was mainly due to the scarcity of large factories in the county, which couldn't provide more opportunities.
Just as he was worrying, Song Qiao had brought him such a great surprise.
However, he wasn't blindly happy. He was still unsure if Song Qiao's food processing plant would be sufficient to meet the poverty alleviation targets assigned by his superiors.
Song Qiao had anticipated that Director Pan would question his capabilities, so he gave Awei a look.
Awei immediately understood and took out 200,000 yuan in cash from his bag, placing it on the coffee table.
Song Qiao glanced at Director Pan and said calmly, "This 200,000 yuan is for the advance rent of the factory premises for the next six months."
"If the government can provide strong support, we will expand the scale of the factory in the future."
Upon seeing Song Qiao casually produce 200,000 yuan, Director Pan's eyes widened.
As the director of a "clean department's" poverty alleviation office, if he didn't engage in corruption or bribery, he might not earn that much even if he worked his entire life without eating or drinking.
He rushed forward in two or three steps, tightly grasping Song Qiao's hands.
"Boss Song is truly generous. You are a great savior to our government."
"After this factory is built, how many job positions will it bring to our poverty alleviation office?" Director Pan asked, his voice tinged with nervousness. If he could exceed the poverty alleviation targets assigned by his superiors, it would be a shining mark on his work record, and perhaps he could even be promoted.
Song Qiao did not rush to answer Director Pan, but instead, took a gentle sip of his tea and asked unhurriedly, "How many do you need, Director Pan?"
Having mastered the rules of negotiation in his previous life, he had firmly grasped the initiative from the moment he entered.
Director Pan hesitated for a moment, then tentatively asked Song Qiao, "200 job positions. Do you think that's difficult for Boss Song?"
Two hundred. This was within Song Qiao's expectations. According to his estimates, the processing plant would require at least 500 employees once completed.
Without any hesitation, he put on a stern expression and said to Director Pan, "No problem. I, Song Qiao, will share the burden with the government for these 200 poverty alleviation positions."
Director Pan could hardly believe his ears. He hadn't expected the other party to agree to his request so easily and happily.
These 200 positions were his annual target from his superiors. Now, this matter could be smoothly completed in just a few months.
"May I ask, Boss Song, why did you choose to open a factory in our economically underdeveloped area?" Director Pan asked after a few seconds of hesitation, finally voicing his curiosity.
"I was also from a poor family when I was young. Now that I've achieved some success, I naturally want to give back to the government with my abilities," Song Qiao replied in a deep voice. Although this was a lie, it also contained his true sentiments.
Director Pan was immediately moved to tears. In this day and age, there were still entrepreneurs who knew how to give back to the people and the country.
Song Qiao's image in his mind immediately became more noble and grand.
He tightly held Song Qiao's hand and asked with a firm tone, "If you have any difficulties, please don't hesitate to tell me. The government will do its best to help you."
This was exactly what Song Qiao had been waiting for.
He pretended to be a bit troubled and said to Director Pan, "It's about the government's approval and procedures for building the factory..."
"Director Pan, you know that if we follow the normal procedures, it will take a very long time."
"This is not a big problem. The state has long allowed special handling for poverty alleviation issues. I'll write you a note right now."
"Afterwards, you can take this note to the town mayor, and everything will go smoothly."
Director Pan hadn't expected Song Qiao's request to be so simple. He suppressed his excitement and instructed his secretary to prepare the documents for Song Qiao and Awei. With a wave of his hand, he signed his name on it.