Chen Qianfan said, "I originally wanted to invest in the winery, but unfortunately, you all denied it."

Xu Chunliang replied, "Dongzhou is so big, there are plenty of good investment projects. You will definitely find lots of opportunities."

Pu Jianxin thought these two were both being hypocritical. Chen Qianfan initially came for the winery, but now that the winery belongs to Mo Han, how could he possibly invest here? Clearly, it was Xu Chunliang who spoiled Chen Qianfan’s plans, yet he pretends to be so enthusiastic. But this time, Chen Qianfan was the one being unfair first, so it’s only natural for Xu Chunliang to get back at him.

##

The Weishan Island National Tourist Resort Command Center is currently under renovation. Fan Lidada and Chen Qianfan arrived at Weishan Island nearly at the same time.

The final site of the Command Center was chosen at the former Weishan Island Scenic Area Management Office. Looking at those six shabby buildings, Fan Lidada felt a bit helpless. The buildings could be renovated, but the low-lying terrain meant that during the rainy season, this place would become severely waterlogged.

Xiaowang, who came along with Fan Lidada, was puzzled, "Director Fan, didn’t we agree to rent Changxing’s buildings for the office? Why the sudden change?"

Fan Lidada adopted a deliberate bureaucratic tone and said, "Our work nature is very sensitive, so we need to maintain a distance from local units. This was my well-considered decision."

Xiaowang thought to himself that this wasn’t what he said when he was drinking; he probably sobered up and got scared.

The two of them walked around the Scenic Area Management Office. The surrounding scenery was quite nice, but the land was too low. How was the site selection considered back in the day?

Xiaowang had already asked the locals and knew that during the rainy season, this place would turn into a fish pond, with flooding reaching waist-high at its worst. So, the drainage problem must be resolved first.

As Fan Lidada was communicating with the engineering team, an Audi Q7 drove up. The window rolled down, and Xu Chunliang called out to him, "Brother Fan, that’s not cool, you came without greeting me."

Fan Lidada broke into a wide smile and walked towards the car.

Xu Chunliang pushed the car door open and got out, "This place is really rundown." 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

Fan Lidada said, "As long as we can work, it’s fine. We’re here to work, not to enjoy."

"Brother Fan, you’re so noble."

"Don’t mock me."

The two exchanged a glance and simultaneously burst out laughing.

Xu Chunliang took out a pack of cigarettes and offered one to Fan Lidada, then lit it for him.

Fan Lidada took a puff and said, "The environment isn’t bad, but drainage is an issue. Locals say it floods here when it rains."

Xu Chunliang looked at the busy engineering team below, "Why go through all this trouble? I can arrange it for you."

Fan Lidada replied, "No need." Then he lowered his voice, "Mainly worried about gossip."

Xu Chunliang said, "How will you carry out your work in the future if you’re so afraid of everything?"

Fan Lidada said, "Our tasks have been defined from above. Our main roles are to coordinate and supervise, while specific matters must be handled by your Hu Shan Town."

The city also considered the issue of overlapping powers, which can easily lead to conflicts. After much deliberation, they specified the working scope for the Command Center, which actually scaled back from its initial scope. The focus is on coordinating with Jizhou.

Fan Lidada flicked some ash and whispered, "I heard you haven’t been getting along well with the Natural Resources Administration Bureau these days?"

Xu Chunliang said, "You’ve got it wrong. We’ve had some issues with the Ecological Environment Construction Investment Group."

"Isn’t that the same thing?"

Xu Chunliang said, "I’ve never seen such shameless people. After Weishan Island finally discovered a hot spring, they came over and claimed it was theirs. What about the contractors? What about our town government?"

Fan Lidada said, "Do you know the relationships behind this?"

Xu Chunliang nodded.

Fan Lidada said, "Since you know, why make things so unpleasant with them? Does it really matter who develops the national resources?"

Xu Chunliang said, "It does matter. I think this Ecological Environmental Investment Group lacks strength, and their management’s vision and quality are quite problematic. Entrusting them with the hot spring development is worrisome for both our leaders and me."

Fan Lidada said, "They have an exclusive contract. All hot spring development rights within the city’s administrative region belong exclusively to them."

Xu Chunliang said, "This exclusive contract is unreasonable. According to the Natural Resources Management Law, hot springs are mineral resources that belong to the state."

Fan Lida laughed and said, "Don’t lecture me about the law here, I know, but hot spring development is different from ordinary development; it requires qualifications. This is not only the case in Dongzhou but also in many other places. It’s not about whether it’s reasonable or not, there is indeed a suspicion of monopoly with unified management. However, if we don’t manage it uniformly and develop it recklessly, hot spring resources will undoubtedly be wasted and abused, which is why this decision was made after weighing the pros and cons."

Xu Chunliang said, "Who can guarantee there’s no transfer of interest involved? Would He Xingjian have gotten the exclusive development rights to Dongzhou’s hot springs if he hadn’t relied on his background?"

Fan Lida said, "There are relationships involved, for sure, but their paperwork is in compliance with the regulations."

Xu Chunliang said, "I don’t care if he complies with the regulations or not, anyway, Weishan Island doesn’t welcome him."

Fan Lida said, "I personally think it’s never good to get too stiff in these matters."

Xu Chunliang said, "Let’s not talk about this. The winery is currently constructing a wine culture park, do you want to arrange a few offices for your command center over there?"

Fan Lida said, "Spare me, I’m not suited to meddle in such sensitive areas; I think it’s fine here."

Xu Chunliang originally wanted to host him for lunch, but Fan Lida quietly told him to forget it for today—there were too many eyes watching him, and besides, he had to go back in the afternoon. In fact, Fan Lida was very aware of Xu Chunliang’s recent actions. Being new, he didn’t dare to get too close to Xu Chunliang openly, as it was a way to protect himself.

That day, Xu Chunliang received Chen Qianfan and his group. Chen Qianfan had also brought experts, conducting official business, and had specially reported to Secretary Qin Zhengyang, who gave special permission for him to drink at noon.

Xu Chunliang took Chen Qianfan to tour the winery and then accompanied him to the construction sites of the Huannian Health and Elderly Care Hospital and Da Heng Health Care Town, and finally went to Xianhong Farm.

This time, Chen Qianfan was just going through the motions; his interest from the beginning was in the Weishan Lake Winery. He came this time because he was unwilling to give up and wanted to see the winery’s situation with his own eyes.

This time Xu Chunliang gave him a thorough tour, even arranging for him to visit the hidden tunnels accompanied by experts. Seeing is believing—Chen Qianfan was completely disheartened, but at the same time felt fortunate. As the saying goes, a blessing in disguise; if Mo Han hadn’t snatched the winery halfway, all his efforts would have been in vain, and the troubles surrounding the winery would have been his.

During lunch at Xianhong Farm, Xu Chunliang deliberately asked Chen Qianfan, "Brother Chen, after touring around, which project interests you?"

"Ah..." Chen Qianfan was taken aback by the question, as he wasn’t considering investing in Weishan Island at all.

Beside him, Pu Jian couldn’t resist stirring things up, "Brother Chen, Town Mayor Xu is now in charge of attracting investments, brothers back home, friends abroad. Wherever you invest, it’s still an investment; you should give your buddy a hand."

Chen Qianfan said, "Well, my initial thought was to invest in the Weishan Island Winery."

Xu Chunliang said, "Weren’t you considering investing in the Healthy Elderly Care Hospital at first?"

Chen Qianfan had lied so much that he even forgot himself, awkwardly saying, "I thought about it, but I haven’t run a hospital before and I’m not familiar with the field."

Wang Jinwu said, "Investing should indeed be done with caution, it’s still best to choose a field you’re familiar with."

Chen Qianfan nodded repeatedly, finally having someone to help him out, and he changed the topic, "Chunliang, are you only in charge of investment attraction? Let’s see if there are any opportunities for cooperation in other aspects."

Xu Chunliang said, "You reminded me. I also oversee cultural, educational, and health matters. This afternoon, I’ll take you to visit a few elementary schools in town."

Chen Qianfan really wanted to slap himself. Why did he say that? It seems he won’t be able to leave Weishan Island smoothly today without spending some money.

Chen Qianfan had an uncomfortable meal; this trip to Weishan Island was definitely a losing proposition.

In the afternoon, Xu Chunliang actually arranged for him to visit a few impoverished elementary schools, and Chen Qianfan, for the sake of saving face, had no choice but to comply. When he got there, he found that the children were lined up to welcome them, and banners were even up.

——Today’s scholarship nurtures young talent, future pillars of the nation.

——With sincerity and dedication to the Party, gratitude for scholarships to repay the country.

...

Xu Chunliang told Chen Qianfan that next he planned to take him to visit a few more impoverished elementary schools. To improve the underdeveloped educational situation in Hu Shan Town, they were striving to build three elementary schools this year, and Xianhong Farm had already promised to sponsor one.

Chen Qianfan said there was no need for further visits. Although he hadn’t decided on a specific investment project, he decided to donate to support education. He matched Xianhong Farm’s standards, donating a primary school. He inquired with Wang Jinwu about the going rates and found out the current cost of an elementary school was around 1.5 million. Chen Qianfan decided to donate two million, and any extra money would go toward replacing the desks and chairs of these impoverished students.

One must say that Chen Qianfan’s performance in this matter was commendable; he didn’t make empty promises and arranged for a formal agreement to be signed that day.

Xianhong Farm initially planned to donate 1.5 million, but since Chen Qianfan donated 2 million, Wang Jinwu immediately consulted Tong Guangsheng.

Tong Guangsheng instructed him to also donate 2 million; they couldn’t let an outsider steal the spotlight.

Xu Chunliang originally intended to admonish Chen Qianfan, but seeing him donating so readily made him feel a bit guilty. Regardless of Chen Qianfan’s intentions, he hadn’t done anything that harmed him.

That afternoon, Xu Chunliang held a small ceremony for educational donations in a small conference room, and specifically invited Secretary Qin Zhengyang to the event.

Qin Zhengyang had assigned him the main task of attracting investments. Although investment attraction hadn’t made much progress, his achievements in education, having secured four million in educational donations, could be considered an unexpected success.