Chapter 1897

Chapter 1897: Chapter 1897

Wu Qiangwei wasn’t sure what methods Song Guanchao would employ, but she never doubted his abilities.

He said he could manage these foreign enterprises, so he must have the ability.

When she received the call and learned that Ligong Electronics was coming to inspect, the tension in Wu Qiangwei’s heart quietly eased.

Listening to Song Guanchao’s instructions, Wu Qiangwei responded from time to time, waiting until he finished before asking: "When will you be back?"

"If things go quickly, I should be back by the weekend."

Of the three foreign enterprises, only one has been secured.

The remaining two, there should be results in the next couple of days as well.

Indeed, the development of the situation did not exceed his expectations.

That afternoon, the secretaries of the remaining two foreign enterprises contacted Jiang Zhengdong separately.

They also plan to come to Jiangzhou for inspection.

Compared to Song Guanchao’s exuberance, the Luzhou City Government leaders in charge of attracting investment this time were quite perplexed.

They went to Jinling to negotiate with these foreign enterprises.

The talks were clearly positive, and there was a noticeable intention from the other side regarding Luzhou.

But after the talks ended, they lost contact.

Several days passed without a response.

This made them very anxious.

After waiting patiently for several days, they had to take the initiative to make a call.

The response they got was that the decision needed to be made by the headquarters.

"Mayor Zhao, the attitude of those foreign enterprises has changed quite a bit since our last contact," reported the Mayor’s secretary.

Mayor Zhao put down the document in his hand, frowned, and asked about some details.

After listening, he grabbed his phone and called several foreign enterprises separately.

Although they said that a decision from the headquarters was needed, he could clearly detect different information from their calm tone.

They likely removed Luzhou from their shortlist.

Strange, how could this happen?

Although during this trip to Jinling to negotiate with three foreign enterprises, as a Mayor, he did not go personally.

But he sent the Deputy Mayor to lead the team, accompanied by his secretary.

The Deputy Mayor’s status and level were enough to demonstrate the importance of these negotiations.

The enterprises shouldn’t feel disregarded.

So, it’s unlikely that this is the reason.

There must be other factors involved.

"Tell me the details of the meeting again," he felt that there must be another reason within.

The secretary had to detail the process once more.

If everything was as the secretary said, the meeting went without any issues.

Aside from the average conditions offered, no one could fault their attitude.

Then what was the reason that caused the other party to abandon them?

The conditions?

Yes, the terms they offered were indeed very average.

But Luzhou’s geographical location is relatively advantageous, enough to offset this disadvantage.

Besides, regarding these few large-scale foreign enterprises, it’s unlikely they would exclude them simply because of this slight disparity in conditions, right?

Moreover, negotiations could always be held.

Everything could be negotiated.

Mayor Zhao was getting a bit anxious inside. Despite Luzhou’s rapid development in recent years, it still had a significant gap compared to top tier second-tier cities.

In terms of GDP, the gap with core second-tier cities like Jinling wasn’t far.

But many things can’t be assessed purely by data.

Jiangnan Province, where Jinling is located, comprises 13 cities, and the economic disparities among these cities are not significant.

Jinling’s economy doesn’t rely on siphoning from surrounding cities.

The development across Jiangnan’s dozen cities is relatively balanced.

Luzhou is entirely different.

The economic disparity within Huizhou Province is quite severe.

Exaggerating a bit, Huizhou is comprised of Luzhou and other cities.

Luzhou, Shu Du, Hanwu, are all artificially boosted strong second-tier cities relying on one province’s resources.

Their economy is built on the dilapidation of neighboring cities.

No one can say how long this economy can be sustained.

Uncertainly, should the provincial government adjust its development goals, they might falter.

Mayor Zhao is acutely aware of this, which is why he’s always felt a sense of urgency.

That’s why he desperately wants to attract more enterprises, stabilize Luzhou’s economic outlook.

"Contact them, arrange a meeting, I want to see them," said Mayor Zhao.

Secretary was surprised; the reason Mayor Zhao hadn’t gone was not to overlook the matter but because of a heavy workload and lack of available time.

"Should we inform Mayor Wang?" the secretary asked.

"Contact them first, then inform," he instructed.

"Okay."

Secretary left the office, about half an hour later, he returned.

"Mayor Zhao, they said they have no time," the secretary was a bit hesitant to face Mayor Zhao.

Just having contacted those foreign enterprises, yet got a refusal.

Following Mayor Zhao for several years, he had developed political sensitivity; immediately his heart sank, realizing the investment attempt had failed.

He was equally baffled.

The previous conversations were pleasant; during the talks, he could sense, from the other party’s behavior and expressions, their strong intentions.

How suddenly did they no longer consider it?

Moreover, it’s all three of them rejecting.

Even if his mind is dull, he could feel that something wasn’t right.

As if someone was deliberately sabotaging.

Mayor Zhao remained silent for a moment, then said: "You may leave."

Secretary hesitated for a moment, turned and left, gently closing the door.

Mayor Zhao pulled up Ji Dengke’s number and dialed.

Actually, regarding those three foreign enterprises, even if they couldn’t settle in Luzhou, he could accept that.

But the oddity detected even by his secretary, how could he not sense it?

He must find out the reason for the rejection and figure out a solution.

Otherwise, similar situations would continue to occur in future investment invitations.

"Hello Mr. Ji."

"Hello, Mayor Zhao."

Ji Dengke was already feeling impatient.

In just a short while, Luzhou’s side had made three consecutive calls.

Despite speaking politely, you government employees aren’t fools; how could you not grasp my intention?

Since refused, don’t keep pestering, can’t you?"

"Mr. Ji, is Chairman Han available in the next few days, let’s meet," Mayor Zhao seemed more like informing rather than requesting.

Ji Dengke said: "Chairman Han is busy with business, probably not in the country recently. If Mayor Zhao wants to discuss investment matters, it might depend on the decision of the headquarters."

Mayor Zhao asked: "Mr. Ji, can you tell me why?"

Ji Dengke forced a smile: "Mayor Zhao overestimates me; I have no qualifications to participate in such level of decision-making. I’m only responsible for notifications."

Mayor Zhao contemplated for a few seconds, then said: "I understand, sorry for bothering Mr. Ji."

After hanging up, Ji Dengke exhaled.

What Mayor Zhao asked earlier had nearly caused his heart to skip a beat.

Clearly, Mayor Zhao has spotted issues and seems eager to dig right through to discover the reason.

Suddenly he feared, fearing Mayor Zhao would find Chairman Han and ask directly.

If he truly asked, and both sides found nothing happened, he’d be doomed.

Growing increasingly fearful, he quickly dialed Song Guanchao.

Listening to his worries, Song Guanchao smiled and said: "Mr. Ji, you’re overthinking it, Mayor Zhao won’t ask."

Ji Dengke said: "What if he does?"

Song Guanchao said: "Even if he asked, do you think Chairman Han would say anything? Business doesn’t involve personal loyalty, your Chairman Han, capable of reaching this position, surely understands this principle?"

This Mr. Ji, after doing something underhanded, is almost scared to death, unable to comprehend even the simplest principle.