Chapter 1926

Chapter 1926: Chapter 1926

AM, the next day.

Wei Zejun and Jiang Heng arrived at the City Government.

Jiang Heng lagged half a step behind, following closely behind Wei Zejun.

After finding Song Guanchao’s office, Jiang Heng stepped forward to knock on the door. Hearing a voice inside call "Come in," he pushed the door open.

When Song Guanchao saw who it was, he was somewhat surprised, yet not entirely unexpected.

He guessed that Jiang Heng would likely not give up just because of a few words from him.

Leaning back in his chair, he gently kicked off against the floor, sliding his office chair back a bit. Rising slowly with a smile, he said, "What brings Young Master Jiang to me?"

As soon as he finished speaking, he noticed Jiang Heng pulling out a chair, waiting for the man beside him to sit down first before he took another seat himself.

The way he moved suggested that the other man was the main character today.

Song Guanchao was somewhat intrigued, had he misjudged? Could it be that Jiang Heng wasn’t a second-generation rich kid, but merely a spokesperson pushed to the front by them?

He sized up the man, noticing his lazy posture, and as he sat down, he didn’t even greet anyone. Instead, he pulled a cigarette from his pocket, followed by a shiny silver lighter.

With a click, the flame ignited, and he took a light drag on the cigarette.

Then, as if just noticing Song Guanchao, he flashed an indifferent smile, "Director Song, have a seat, let’s chat."

Despite the guy’s tone, which spoke as though he was the host, Song Guanchao didn’t get offended but sat down with a smile, "How should I address you?"

"Director Song, this is Wei Zejun, Young Master Wei," Jiang Heng introduced. "Hong’an Real Estate belongs to Young Master Wei’s family."

Wei Zejun flicked the ash from his cigarette and said, "Real estate is old news. Our family is involved in more than just real estate."

This was a show of strength.

Song Guanchao nodded, "What can I do for you, Young Master Wei?"

Wei Zejun said, "I heard the city is restarting the industrial park and giving it significant support?"

Song Guanchao replied, "Yes, that’s true."

Wei Zejun asked, "Which industries is the city prioritizing for support? What are the policies like? How much is the annual subsidy?"

This superior-to-subordinate interrogative tone would be unacceptable to most people, but Song Guanchao didn’t mind and replied to each question.

Wei Zejun was very pleased with his attitude, "The support policies are not bad. Here’s the deal, I’ll help you settle fifty manufacturing companies."

Song Guanchao said, "Thank you, Young Master Wei."

"It’s a win-win cooperation. However..." Wei Zejun shifted the conversation, "The support policies need a bit of adjustment."

From the moment he inquired about the policies, Song Guanchao guessed what his true intent was.

Now, hearing this, Song Guanchao looked troubled, "The policies aren’t made by me. If they need changing, it requires a discussion with the Mayor at a meeting."

He paused and then asked, "How would Young Master Wei like to adjust them?"

Wei Zejun said, "As soon as a company signs an agreement to move into the industrial park, disburse the subsidies immediately."

As expected, this was the goal, Song Guanchao inwardly chuckled, though outwardly troubled, "I can pass the message up, but I can’t decide if it will be changed."

Wei Zejun suddenly looked at him with a smile, "Director Song, you’re not straightforward."

Song Guanchao was surprised, "Why would you say that, Young Master Wei?"

Wei Zejun said, "Others don’t know, but I do. Your power in the City Government is second only to Mayor Wu. It’s just a small matter of advancing the subsidy process a few steps forward, yet you say you can’t handle it? Are you kidding me?"

Song Guanchao smiled wryly, "Young Master Wei overestimates me."

"Enough, spare me the excuses." Wei Zejun waved his hand, interrupting him, and with a serious look in his eyes said, "I’ve always been fair with rewards and punishments. If you make things convenient for me, you won’t suffer for it. For one company, I’ll give you ten percent back."

In the few years he’s been within the system, Song Guanchao has encountered bribery before, but this was the first time someone like Wei Zejun so openly offered a bribe right in the City Government office.

This also showed that in the eyes of someone like Wei Zejun, laws and regulations were as trivial as air.

He didn’t care about legality; to him, as long as there was money, anything could be bulldozed over.

"Young Master Wei, better not to make things difficult for me, I’m just an office director, I really don’t have as much power as you think," Song Guanchao still refused.

Wei Zejun stared at him for a few seconds, then suddenly laughed, "We’ll discuss this later. I heard from Jiang Heng that he faced some resistance when negotiating orders with companies in the industrial park."

Song Guanchao said, "You see, Young Master Wei, these companies have suppliers they’ve cooperated with for years. Suddenly asking them to change, they’re unwilling. Business is all about mutual consent, can’t just force it, right?"

Wei Zejun said, "Director Song, you’re not a businessman. Business isn’t as simple as you think. We offer cheaper and similarly quality raw materials, but they don’t choose us probably because they worry about quality issues. You could step in and vouch for us, put their minds at ease."

Song Guanchao shook his head, "I don’t know them well, plus I’m not an expert in this area. Even if I say something, they won’t trust me."

Wei Zejun’s face grew more unsatisfied. He extinguished his cigarette butt and looked at him with a displeased expression, "Director Song, we didn’t have any prior conflicts, did we?"

Song Guanchao indicated he didn’t understand what he meant, "Young Master Wei, today is our first meeting."

Wei Zejun said, "So what’s your point? Rejecting everything I propose. If every official was as indecisive as you, how would we progress? Director Song, you must be bold to succeed in politics. Without courage, nothing can be accomplished."

The answer remained unchanged, "Business matters should still be handled privately. The City Government shouldn’t interfere."

Wei Zejun clicked his tongue. After a round of conversation, he realized that while Song Guanchao seemed agreeable, he wouldn’t budge an inch on any request.

"Director Song is very principled." Wei Zejun sneered, supporting himself on the armrests of the chair, stood up, and walked out with Jiang Heng quickly following.

In the car, Jiang Heng asked, "Young Master Wei, Director Song seems difficult to deal with."

The frivolous air on Wei Zejun’s face had vanished, now replaced by calmness.

"You continue negotiating with those companies, and get them to sign supply contracts. If they refuse, cause some trouble. Have the Industry and Commerce, Tax, and Fire departments take turns investigating."

"After the Fire Department checked, Director Song resolved it."

"Then keep investigating, don’t mind him."

To handle someone like Song Guanchao, Wei Zejun also had his methods.

Ignore my requests, then we draw out the process and see who can outlast the other.

Additionally, he would apply pressure from other fronts.

For instance, by having higher-ranking officials talk to him.

Given that Song Guanchao is affiliated with Wu Qiangwei, and Wu Qiangwei herself is already the Mayor.

To exert pressure, it would need to be someone at the provincial level at least.

If even all this failed, he had other means.

This industrial park is a big cake, and he must take a slice!