Rustic Charm: The Doctor Immortal
Chapter 287: The County Mayor’s Flattery

Chapter 287: Chapter 287: The County Mayor’s Flattery

County Magistrate Zhu immediately looked up at Chen Dashan with sharp, piercing eyes.

Chen Dashan’s expression remained unchanged as he took a sip of tea.

Secretary Liang, who was sitting nearby, trembled in his right hand: "Bang!" The tea cup in his hand dropped onto the tea table, frightened by Chen Dashan’s words, his face showing an uncertain expression of whether to cry or laugh, with an awkward smile at the corner of his mouth.

Chen Dashan was really bold!

Just yesterday, Secretary Liang had mentioned to Chen Dashan that the biggest and most troublesome government project in Furong County right now was the redevelopment of the shanty town, which was tied to County Magistrate Zhu’s political performance. The government lacked funds, and it’s hard to make bricks without straw. County Magistrate Zhu couldn’t get things done, which was also a major headache for him.

There weren’t many capable people in Furong County who could take on the project.

The redevelopment project of the shanty town, led by County Magistrate Zhu, had been halfway done but now lacked further funds, turning it into an incomplete project, and the people had been mocking County Magistrate Zhu in private because of this.

This issue was also a thorn in County Magistrate Zhu’s heart. Chen Dashan, this fearless person, brought up the issue directly, wasn’t this just rubbing salt in his wounds?

"This... this, today is just..." Secretary Liang stammered, trying to smooth things over, but was interrupted by County Magistrate Zhu with a smile: "No wonder you’re capable of big things, you have guts and courage. I admire you."

County Magistrate Zhu looked at Chen Dashan with admiration.

He gently placed the tea cup on the tea table again and continued with a smile: "To tell you the truth, this shanty town redevelopment is a heartache for me. With no funds in the government’s hands, we can’t get things done. The shanty town is not like a school district or a scenic spot; businessmen don’t see the profit and no one wants to step in."

"And it’s a difficult matter. Even if the government steps in, the residents are hostile and uncooperative, let alone developers. Investing a lot of money could potentially bring down a medium to large enterprise, the risk is too high!"

Having finished speaking, County Magistrate Zhu looked at Chen Dashan with eager eyes.

Secretary Liang looked wide-eyed, unable to react for a moment; County Magistrate Zhu’s attitude seemed unusual!

Chen Dashan stood up slightly, took the teapot from beside County Magistrate Zhu, and poured more tea for him and Secretary Liang, speaking as he did: "Funding is not an issue. My Chenwang Pharmaceutical has been doing well recently, and the Film and Television City is also profitable. For me, earning money is just a number. Although the redevelopment of the shanty town might have significant risks, I believe as long as County Magistrate Zhu can provide some support, funding won’t be a problem, so it’s not a big issue."

County Magistrate Zhu’s eyes lit up, he slapped his thigh and said: "Good, I admire entrepreneurs like you who care about the people."

"Making money while giving back to your hometown, such noble sentiments are worth learning from."

County Magistrate Zhu’s flattery was very official.

Chen Dashan smiled, gently placing the teapot on the tea table, and frowned: "However, recently, my businesses have faced joint law enforcement from several departments due to various issues, making it difficult to find any help. This has really affected my businesses’ performance. Even if I take on the shanty town project now, funding might still be difficult later."

"What? Joint law enforcement?"

County Magistrate Zhu immediately straightened his body, showing anger. With someone potentially willing to help him, he feared that Chen Dashan might back out due to other reasons.

"County Magistrate Zhu, didn’t I just tell you?"

Secretary Liang said quietly, glancing at County Magistrate Zhu and continuing: "Dashan offended the Zhao Family, you know Zhao Ding’s son, Zhao Qiqiang, right? That unruly troublemaker. Now that Zhao Qiqiang is involved, Zhao Ding is deliberately creating obstacles. It’s not just Dashan’s enterprises facing issues; now any enterprise associated with Dashan is undergoing strict scrutiny. Didn’t they halt my Tianhai Lake project?"

Secretary Liang’s face was full of helplessness.

County Magistrate Zhu frowned, angrily said: "Isn’t this a joke?"

"Using public office for personal revenge is something we officials should never do. We’re here to serve the people, not to use our power to open back doors for ourselves."

Seeing County Magistrate Zhu’s indignant look, Chen Dashan and Secretary Liang exchanged a knowing smile.

"Well then, as long as you can take on the shanty town construction, I’ll help solve the business issues you’re facing, those are no problem!" County Magistrate Zhu said after thinking for a moment. Chen Dashan’s eyes lit up, and he said with a smile: "Then thank you for your help, County Magistrate Zhu."

The meal ended with both host and guest enjoying themselves. After a few rounds of drinks, Chen Dashan and County Magistrate Zhu finalized the cooperation details. Both parties agreed, and only needed County Magistrate Zhu’s subordinates to draft a contract. With the government’s support in place, the work could start immediately.

The redevelopment of the shanty town would initially be funded by Chen Dashan. On the land previously planned by County Magistrate Zhu, they would construct resettlement housing, a commercial street, a mall, a park, and schools. All developed properties and the commercial street would belong to Chen Dashan. County Magistrate Zhu had only one condition: properly resettle the people and ensure no tax evasion or fraud in the commercial street.

After the meal, Chen Dashan saw County Magistrate Zhu and Secretary Liang off and returned to the Fruit Company.

"Brother Dashan is back!"

As soon as Chen Dashan’s Range Rover stopped, Zhang Xuewen’s eyes lit up, and she ran out from the store, rushing up to Chen Dashan.

The girl had a high ponytail and a delicate, very pure and beautiful face. She was wearing a tight short-sleeved shirt with big eyes on it. The pair of large white rabbits on her chest were both expansive and plump, and the big eyes on her shirt were stretched wide. They wobbled as she moved, very eye-catching.

"Brother Dashan, before you returned, the law enforcement officers who had been staying at our Fruit Company for over ten days all left. It looks like they won’t come back again, and we have water and electricity now. Look, we can operate normally again!"

Zhang Xuewen’s face was full of excitement as she pointed towards the fruit shop behind her.

Chen Dashan looked up and saw the fruit store, which was dim before, now brightly lit with masses of customers squeezing in front of the fruit stands to select fruit, and the staff busy as bees.

"It’s fine as long as it’s normal. I just came to take a look, you go back to work," Chen Dashan said, raising his hand to pat Zhang Xuewen’s head. Scanning the fruit shop, he saw that the signboard was bright, and the outside glass was clean and shiny. Everything was in order, so he got into his car to head home.

An official with a higher rank kills people with prestige.

It seemed that County Magistrate Zhu’s words were indeed effective!

With the fruit shop operational, Chenwang Pharmaceutical and other businesses should be able to operate normally. The reason Chen Dashan took on the shanty town project was, first, to bind County Magistrate Zhu to his side. With County Magistrate Zhu’s support, Zhao Ding wouldn’t be able to push him around. Second, his businesses would not be constrained by Zhao Ding.

Third, the redevelopment could still be profitable.

On the other side.

In the Zhao’s Villa.

Zhao Ding had just returned home and hadn’t even put on his slippers when Qin Lan rushed out of the bedroom, seeing Zhao Ding, she immediately went berserk, reached up to grab Zhao Ding’s hair, and shrieked: "You useless person, is Qiqiang not your son? How can you just ignore him?"

"You know he’s never suffered since childhood, yet you won’t get him out?"