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墨書 Inktalez
After Tai Man returned to the county, she looked like a withered eggplant, completely deflated. The Minhua Chicken Project was still hesitant to approve, and the Black Sand Cave Project seemed hopeless as no company was willing to develop it. The county couldn't possibly come up with two hundred million for development, and the urban area was even less likely to allocate such a large sum.
Tai Man rubbed her head and said with frustration, "Why is it so difficult to get things done?"
"Leader, you've already done your best, so don't blame yourself anymore. If the Black Sand Cave Project can't move forward, let's focus all our energy on the Minhua Chicken Project and strive to secure it!" Yang Chen had never held much hope for the Black Sand Cave Project; his thoughts were mainly on the Minhua Chicken Project.
"No way!" Tai Man suddenly lifted her head. "The Minhua Chicken breeding project must be done, and the Black Sand Cave tourism project must also succeed!"
"Leader, Manager Gao has made it very clear that no one is willing to invest. Unless the government funds it, but government money doesn't come easily; they won't just throw two hundred million at us in Hualin."
Yang Chen earnestly advised, "I know you have connections, and you might be able to leverage your network to secure this two hundred million. But if you do get it, it will become your burden. You can't do that."
Yang Chen was thinking not only of Tai Man but also of the people behind her. If two hundred million were invested without any return, it would become a stain on her record and a weapon for others to attack her in the future, potentially jeopardizing her career.
Tai Man had indeed considered going directly to the provincial authorities or even the ministry if necessary. However, after Yang Chen's words hit home, she realized she had been a bit impulsive.
Tai Man rested her chin on her hands and pondered for a moment. "Yang Chen, thank you for your advice. Don't worry; I won't ask the government for this money. I'll find a way myself."
"What can you do? Are you going to fund it yourself?" Yang Chen suddenly widened his eyes in shock. "You... you can't possibly have two hundred million to spare?"
Tai Man's expression darkened. "I have my ways. Do I need to discuss everything with you?"
"Of course not," Yang Chen replied with a smile. "It's just..."
"Enough!" Tai Man interrupted him. "I'll find a way for the Black Sand Cave project, but you handle the Minhua Chicken project. How about we make a bet?"
"A bet on what?"
"Let's bet on whose project fails to take off." Tai Man raised her head confidently.
Yang Chen felt certain he would win; at least he was in an unbeatable position since there was no possibility of the Black Sand Cave Project taking off. "If the Black Sand Cave tourism project doesn't proceed, what will you give me as a loss?"
"Anything you want, as long as it doesn't violate principles and I can do it," Tai Man declared confidently.
Anything?
Yang Chen's eyes widened in excitement as he said, "Then if I want to relive... as long as it doesn't violate principles, right?"
"Relive?"
Tai Man saw Yang Chen's mischievous, untrustworthy big eyes and realized what Yang Chen had not dared to say behind her back. This bastard wants to relive the old dream from that night!
"Yang Chen, have you had enough of life? How dare you bring it up!" Tai Man stood up, ready to deal with Yang Chen.
Yang Chen quickly retreated and said, "Boss, you said I could bring it up casually. You wouldn't lack confidence and think you would lose, right? Since you lack confidence, then forget it, I won't bet."
"I'll lose?" Tai Man's stubborn temper flared up. "Fine, I'll bet with you. But if you lose and can't handle the Minhua Chicken Project, I'll have you fired!"
"No, boss..."
"Get out!"
Yang Chen left the County Mayor's Office in a dejected manner. She thought she was just saying it casually, right? Even if the urban area has been reluctant to approve the forest land, she shouldn't really be fired, should she?
Yang Chen mumbled to herself, unsure. However, Tai Man was bound to lose; she wondered if Tai Man would play dirty. If not, they could really relive that old dream.
Yang Chen had been trying hard to remember what happened that night, but she was too drunk to recall anything afterward. It would be great if she could relive it properly!
Not wanting to be fired, Yang Chen went to the urban area the next day to meet with the county forestry bureau director, Tan Mucai.
When Tan Mucai saw Yang Chen, he complained, "Director Yang, you've been by County Chief Tai's side all this time; she should listen to your suggestions. Persuade the county chief to give up on the forest contracting project."
It's not about whether Tai Man can give it up; it's about whether Yang Chen can give it up because she has already bet with Tai Man. Even if it's not for reliving that night’s old dream, she has to win.
"Director Tan, you've been in the urban area for almost a week now; have you seen Mayor Kuang at all?"
"I've only seen him once," Tan Mucai said helplessly.
"What did Mayor Kuang say?" Yang Chen needed to understand why Mayor Kuang was so adamant against agreeing to contract out the forest land in order to find a way to persuade him.
"I advise you not to approach Mayor Kuang; his attitude is very firm. Moreover, as far as I know, Anping District hasn't contracted out any forest land in recent years; everything has been stuck with Mayor Kuang," Tan Mucai had completely lost confidence and just wanted to return to Hualin as soon as possible.
Yang Chen asked in confusion, "Why is Mayor Kuang so resolutely opposed to forest contracting?"
"Mayor Kuang said Anping District has benefited from timber harvesting but has also suffered from the aftermath of those benefits. The mountain floods that occur every year in our Ling River are a bitter consequence of excessive logging in earlier years; the historical lesson is right before us—we cannot repeat the same mistakes."
"I think Mayor Kuang makes a valid point. Although we are contracted to manage the mountains and engage in farming, once this door is opened, it won't be easy to close it again." Tan Mucai was quite adept at considering issues from the leadership's perspective.
Yang Chen also agreed with Mayor Kuang's words, but one cannot let past experiences of over-exploitation prevent all actions. "Does Mayor Kuang have to give his approval for the contracting?"
"Yes, I've met with other leaders from the City Forestry Bureau, and they are unable to help," Tan Mucai said, feeling completely helpless. Approaching Mayor Kuang again would only bring trouble; he didn't want to offend a vice mayor.
Yang Chen decided he should meet Mayor Kuang. "How can I meet Mayor Kuang?"
"We can't even get through the city government gates. To see Mayor Kuang, we can only wait at his doorstep, but whether we can actually meet him depends on luck." The management of the city government was much stricter than that of the government of Hualin County; without someone to guide them, they couldn't get in at all.
"It seems you haven't wasted your time in the urban area; you've even figured out Mayor Kuang's home address. Take me there," Yang Chen said.
Tan Mucai agreed, "Director Yang, I can take you there. But I must clarify that after I drop you off, I will leave."
"I've always wanted to enter the City Forestry Bureau. If I offend Mayor Kuang, I'll be blocking my own path."
"Alright, after you drop me off, you can return to Hualin. You've been in the urban area for a week; it's time to go home and spend time with your wife and kids."
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