Official Career Storm
Chapter 755

Chapter 755: Chapter 755

Song Guanchao finished his cigarette, slowly stood up, and went upstairs.

When he walked into the office, Wu Qiangwei was on the phone. She gestured for him to sit down and wait.

He sat down and, from the content of Wu Qiangwei’s conversation, realized she was trying to borrow money.

"Alright, see you tonight."

Ending the call, Wu Qiangwei asked, "What’s up?"

Song Guanchao said, "The bank won’t approve the loan, but Secretary Zhang helped secure 500 million yuan."

"Secretary Zhang?"

Wu Qiangwei was somewhat surprised, even more so that Song Guanchao thought to approach Zhang Xiaoxian.

Song Guanchao said, "There’s still a gap of 1.5 billion, I..."

Wu Qiangwei said, "1.5 billion isn’t too much. There’s a dinner party tonight; accompany me there."

Before serving as the Deputy Secretary of Lingjiang City, she was the Mayor of Wu’an City. Over the years in politics, she had somewhat built a network of connections.

Billions might be beyond her capability,

but just a few hundred million, for her, while challenging, wasn’t impossible.

Song Guanchao felt he might have overthought the problem.

He was ready to activate an alternative plan, but now it seemed unnecessary.

Five o’clock, with half an hour until the end of the workday.

Wu Qiangwei came out of the office: "Come with me."

Song Guanchao quickly followed.

In the parking lot, she didn’t get into her official car but went to Song Guanchao’s private car: "To the Provincial City."

Song Guanchao was surprised; he thought the dinner was in the city.

Unexpectedly, they had to rush to the Provincial City.

Upstairs.

Secretary Lu stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, watching as Wu Qiangwei got into the car, and Song Guanchao drove away.

He glanced at the time, just five o’clock.

He picked up his phone and called Zheng Bihui.

"How are things at the bank?"

Zheng Bihui said, "Don’t worry, he can’t get money from the bank."

For two months, he and Secretary Lu had been planning.

They didn’t contact the bank directly but spread some information through Director Bao.

Mainly three pieces of information.

First, the Finance Bureau’s budget is tight.

Second, the city’s main upcoming investment focus is urban renewal.

Third, the high-speed rail project will be delayed.

The bank isn’t stupid; government projects won’t fail to get loans.

But if they know the finances are tight and the project will be delayed, the bank will surely tighten its criteria.

Though the government won’t default, banks fear delays in repayment.

With a call from Song Guanchao today, Du Lingchun knew Director Bao wasn’t lying.

The City Government was suppressing Secretary Wu, stalling the high-speed rail project’s budget.

In such a situation, even if banks had funds, they wouldn’t lend.

After hanging up, Secretary Lu called Secretary Sun in.

"Secretary, you needed me?"

"Regarding the high-speed rail relocation households, you can release some news appropriately."

"Now?"

Secretary Sun said, "The contract time hasn’t arrived yet."

Secretary Lu said, "Release a bit of news first, give them a warning."

"Alright, I understand."

"Keep it discreet, don’t let it be known it was you who released the information."

"Understood!" Secretary Sun said, "Rest assured, Secretary, I’ll complete it successfully!"

He felt excited.

This time, Song Guanchao was bound to suffer!

Possibly, Wu Qiangwei would get dragged into it too.

Thinking of Song Guanchao receiving consistent praise these months, even going to the Ministry of Propaganda for interviews, Secretary Sun was insanely jealous.

Now, he could finally see him suffer!

If Secretary Lu weren’t present, he would have laughed out loud.

Secretary Lu frowned secretly, feeling he should caution him to avoid getting carried away.

"Keep a close eye on the Fengmen Building project, don’t cause trouble."

"Also, mind your conduct to avoid leaving any handle for others."

"I know, Secretary."

...

At seven in the evening, at the Provincial City.

The car drove into a five-star hotel.

This hotel had an independent restaurant with a good environment, great taste, and a high level.

The two got out of the car and, led by a staff member, entered the private room.

They didn’t arrive early; the guest Wu Qiangwei invited had already arrived.

He was a man around thirty-five, wearing a well-fitting suit, hair perfectly combed, not handsome but very refined.

"Qiangwei."

The man came over, under the displeased gaze of Song Guanchao, affectionately opened his arms, and embraced Wu Qiangwei.

Song Guanchao clearly felt that Wu Qiangwei didn’t like this way of greeting.

But she endured it.

"Let me introduce." Wu Qiangwei said, "This is Mr. Xu from Lingtian Consulting Company. Mr. Xu, this is my secretary, Song Guanchao."

Mr. Xu reached out, "Hello, Secretary Song."

"Hello, Mr. Xu."

Song Guanchao maintained a polite smile.

"Let’s get to the table."

Mr. Xu called to the waiter, "Serve the dishes."

After sitting down, the waiter brought the decanted wine and poured it into each of their glasses.

The first hot dish was served, Mr. Xu raised his glass, "Qiangwei, let’s have a drink."

Wu Qiangwei smiled, raised her glass, and drink half of the red wine generously.

During the meal, listening to their conversation, Song Guanchao got a general impression of Mr. Xu.

During Wu Qiangwei’s tenure as mayor of Wu’an City, Mr. Xu introduced many businessmen to invest in Wu’an City.

These investment projects were spearheaded by Wu Qiangwei, greatly boosting Wu’an City’s economy and solving many residents’ employment issues.

Initially, Song Guanchao thought Wu Qiangwei would directly borrow money from Mr. Xu, but it turned out not to be the case.

Mr. Xu only ran a consulting company and didn’t have much money.

But he had extensive connections, something verified by Wu Qiangwei.

That is to say, Wu Qiangwei wanted Mr. Xu to introduce some businessmen to invest in the high-speed rail project.

After several drinks, Wu Qiangwei stated the purpose of their visit.

Mr. Xu smoked a cigarette, listened quietly, and after she finished, asked, "The high-speed rail project is excellent, Qiangwei, why not directly seek a bank loan?"

Wu Qiangwei said casually, "The bank can only provide money, but I want more than just money. I also need people. I hope to introduce some quality entrepreneurs through the high-speed rail project."

Mr. Xu smiled slightly, "I’ll ask around for you, there shouldn’t be a few interested ones."

He picked up his phone and made a few calls on the spot.

After making the calls, he said, "There’s an investment fund manager quite interested."

Saying this, he glanced at the time, "He’ll take about an hour or so to arrive."

Then he naturally asked, "Where are you staying tonight?"

"I haven’t booked a room yet."

"Then stay here."

He called for a waiter, "Book a room..."

While saying this, he seemed to remember Song Guanchao and apologized with a smile, "Book two rooms."

Soon, the waiter handed them two room cards.

Mr. Xu handed a room card to both of them, stood up, and said, "Qiangwei, take a rest in your room, I’ll contact you when someone arrives."

"Okay, thank you, Mr. Xu."

"Qiangwei, saying such things between us is too distant."

Mr. Xu intentionally put on a sullen face, "If you continue, I’ll get upset."

Wu Qiangwei smiled slightly, didn’t follow up.

Leaving the private room, they took the elevator to the sixth floor.

Mr. Xu walked Wu Qiangwei to her door, "I’ll make a few more calls, when the guests arrive..."

Before he could finish, his phone rang, "Hello, okay, okay, I’ll send you the address."

After hanging up, Mr. Xu said, "A friend from Guangdong and Guangxi is very interested in the project; he’s nearby and will be here shortly."

As he spoke, he naturally walked into the room.

Wu Qiangwei didn’t say something was wrong, but Song Guanchao, standing outside the next room, had a vague feeling that something was amiss, immediately followed into the room.

As soon as he came in, Mr. Xu frowned, though he said nothing, the look in his eye was unmistakable.

Wu Qiangwei said, "Why don’t you go back to your room and rest first?"

Song Guanchao thought for a moment, nodded, and before leaving, he casually grabbed the room card from the table.