Power and Wealth

Chapter 1436: Frustration

Morning.

Around nine.

As the investment promotion conference kicked off, the front square of the park turned chaotic. If it weren't for the presence of city leaders, representatives from various investment promotion bureaus would have eagerly rushed to attract investors. Although it's not an absolute rule, most of the time, it's a race to be the first to approach potential investors. Missing the opportunity by a step might result in losing the investment. Everyone knows this, so when it comes to attracting investors, there's no holding back. They don't care about the face of neighboring counties, the opinion of the city's investment promotion bureau, or anything else. A group of investment promotion personnel swarmed around, distributing project brochures.

"Manager Zhou."

"We are here."

"Hey, that's a boss our county contacted. What are you snatching him away?"

"Dear bosses, come to our Yangli County's booth and have a look. We guarantee you'll gain something."

"Our Policy in Meiyang District is excellent, and the investment environment is good. Here is a list of projects, all top-notch. Please take a look."

"Come to our booth."

"Mr. Li, this project is suitable for your company."

"Hey, don't push, don't push. What are you doing?"

It became chaotic. Although there were over two hundred investors, most came with several people from one company. Some wealthy bosses even brought an investment inspection team. When you count it, there are probably only dozens of companies. With more wolves than meat, everyone started to fight. At this point, the advantage of the booth location became apparent. The booths closer to the main stage and the park entrance had investors in front of them. They didn't need to say anything; investors actively approached to view project brochures and listen to the investment promotion staff from that county or district. For other booths slightly further away, it was still manageable. At least, after running a few steps, you could see an investor, and pulling them over was relatively easy. Now, looking at the situation of Zhen Shui County, it was too far away. Not to mention, running a few steps, you couldn't even see an investor within a hundred meters. Even if you did see one, they had probably already been taken by the investment promotion staff from other counties. Not a single one was captured.

"What…"

"Mayor Dong."

"What should we do?"

"How can we go on like this?"

Other booths were lively.

Only Zhen Shui County's booth was cold and empty, with no one around.

Zheng Dayou, Chen Yunsong, Gong Na, and others were anxious, watching investors being taken away individually. Although it's uncertain whether they would invest, they had already lost the initiative. Moreover, their county hadn't even contacted a single investor. This sentenced them to death.

Dong Xuebing frowned. He didn't expect the scene to be so chaotic, completely different from the investment promotion conferences he had participated in before. Well, conditions are better in other provinces and cities, with a relaxed economic environment, making them naturally attractive places for investment. The basic situation is there for everyone to see. Sometimes, they don't need to promote themselves; investors come to them. Some popular projects even require a bidding war among several investors. But in Meihe City, it's too remote. Not to mention a small population, the resource environment is also extremely harsh. This is not about them choosing investors; it's about investors choosing them. One is passive, and the other is active, which is also the fundamental reason for the current situation.

These guys…

They think it's a supermarket offering discounts and promotions.

Dong Xuebing squinted his eyes, feeling a bit restless. "Everyone, take the promotional materials from Zhen Shui County. Xiao Gong, go to the park entrance. There must be investors who have just arrived or are about to arrive. Distribute the project brochures and introduce our county's projects to them. If possible, bring them to the booth. Both Xiao Chen and Sister Chang go to the front square to distribute project brochures to investors. Ensure that at least seventy percent of the investors get our project brochures. Even if other counties take away some investors, it doesn't matter. Just give them the brochures. Director Zheng, I'll go out to check. You stay at the booth. Report to me if there's any situation or progress."

"Alright."

"Got it."

"We'll go now."

Chen Yunsong and Gong Na immediately took action.

Dong Xuebing looked at the chaotic scene and sighed in his heart. This is grassroots work – organizing an investment promotion event is like selling houses. It's a bit embarrassing, but there's no choice. Others have already taken the lead. If Dong Xuebing and his team don't join in, they won't get a share of the pie.

Half an hour passed.

An hour passed.

Two hours passed.

In the blink of an eye, it was noon.

People had already taken away some investors from other counties for inspections. The remaining ones included some bosses who went for lunch, and some stayed at the investment promotion event venue. Dong Xuebing noticed they didn't let Zhen Shui County take a break for lunch. Instead, he went out and bought a few boxed lunches, brought them back, and everyone had lunch at the booth while continuing to work. They were working hard.

Finally, their morning efforts paid off.

Two investors came over holding brochures from their county, asking about the projects. Chen Yunsong immediately started enthusiastically introducing them, and eventually, they agreed to inspect in the afternoon. This was considered their first achievement. So, Zheng Dayou quickly contacted Cheng Yujie from Zhen Shui County. They would send Old Wei to accompany the investors, and Xiao Hong and Cheng Yujie's team would be responsible for receiving and guiding them during the inspection.

However, an unexpected event occurred just as things were settling down and they were about to call Old Wei to send the investors.

Not far away, the City Investment Promotion Bureau director, Lu Weiguo, casually walked over, seeming to know the two investors. He greeted them with a smile.

"Oh, Director Lu."

"Manager Li, Boss Zhao."

"We were looking for you just now."

"I was busy just now, and I didn't have time." Lu Weiguo checked his watch and said to them, "Let's go, it's also lunchtime. Let's have a meal together. The places are all arranged. We'll eat in the city. You can also try our city's specialties."

Boss Zhao hesitated, "We were just about to inspect Zhen Shui County."

Lu Weiguo said, "Ah, no rush. Let's eat first. The places are all arranged, just eat in the city. You can also try our city's specialties."

The two investors looked at each other. "Okay, let's do that."

Dong Xuebing wasn't pleased when he saw this. "Director Lu."

"Hmm." Lu Weiguo looked at him. "Mayor Dong, right?"

Dong Xuebing spoke firmly, "We've already made arrangements here. The cars are waiting outside. Let the two bosses go to our county for a meal. Our local dishes are excellent."

Lu Weiguo frowned, "It would take at least an hour to get to your county. It's already afternoon, and we've missed lunchtime. A little delay won't hurt."

Dong Xuebing squinted his eyes.

Zheng Dayou offered a compromise, "How about letting Xiao Gong go with Manager Li and Boss Zhao? It'll be helpful to introduce the specific details of the projects to the investors. After lunch, Xiao Gong can arrange for them to inspect our county."

Boss Zhao said, "That works."

Manager Li added, "Alright, let's go."

Zheng Dayou signaled to Gong Na.

Gong Na understood and immediately followed them.

The place where investors eat is already decided. It's those two restaurants. There must be other county investment promotion staff inside. So, Zheng Dayou was afraid that the two hard-won investors would be snatched away halfway, so he had Gong Na follow them.

The two investors and Gong Na walked ahead.

Lu Weiguo stopped momentarily, looking at Dong Xuebing and Zheng Dayou.

Dong Xuebing dared to scold even the Deputy City Mayor. Naturally, he wouldn't give him face. He also gave Lu Weiguo a look. This was the first time he dealt with Lu Weiguo. From the beginning, he could tell that something was wrong with Lu Weiguo's attitude. Now, with an explosive look in his eyes, Dong Xuebing was sure that this was not just about notifying them before the booth's location. It was a deliberate move by Hua Li and Lu Weiguo against Zhen Shui County.

Or maybe it was against Dong Xuebing.

Dong Xuebing despised people like this the most. He hadn't offended them at all. After his wife had an accident in Cheng Gang County, Dong Xuebing aimed to get an explanation. What did he do when Deputy Mayor Huali blatantly sided with Cheng Gang County, pressuring Dong Xuebing? Instead of reflecting on his actions, Huali intensified his efforts, and now this Investment Promotion Bureau Director Lu Weiguo was even more excessive. Dong Xuebing had never met or had conflicts with him but took the initiative to lead investors away for lunch. What's the meaning of this? Is this intentional? Is it deliberate?

The people were gone.

Dong Xuebing retracted his gaze from their backs, said nothing, and walked back to the booth to continue eating the half-cold boxed lunch.

Chen Yunsong and Chang Juan didn't take it seriously either. After lunch, they continued to distribute project brochures.

But even though they didn't take it seriously, trouble again found its way to them.

At around 1.30 pm, Gong Na hurriedly ran from the park entrance to the Zhen Shui County booth.

"Mayor Dong, Director Zheng."

"Xiao Gong, why are you back?"

"They, they…"

"What happened? Tell us slowly."

Gong Na was annoyed. "After lunch, Manager Li and Boss Zhao went to the restroom. So, I had Old Wei drive and wait for them at the restaurant entrance, thinking of sending the two investors to our county. But I waited a long time, and they finally changed their minds at the last minute. They said they wouldn't go to our county."

Chen Yunsong was stunned. "What?"

Zheng Dayou was also angry, "Snatched away?"

"I inquired, and they went to Meiyang District, not far to the north," Gong Na said indignantly. "Moreover, from the tone of the two investors, it seems like Director Lu Weiguo had a hand in it. It sounds like Lu Weiguo said our Zhen Shui County's investment environment is not good and recommended Meiyang District to them."

Chang Juan's face turned dark as she listened. "What does this mean? We worked hard for half a day, and with just one word from Lu Weiguo, he drove the investors away. Isn't this fair competition? In a fair competition, everyone should rely on their abilities. Why does this guy surnamed Lu interfere? Does he have the right to meddle like this? Oh, Meiyang District is treated like a biological mother, and our Zhen Shui County is treated like a stepmother. Ridiculous!"

No wonder Chang Juan was angry.

Everyone felt frustrated with this situation.