Chapter 357 – Five hundred million (1/2)

Monday morning. Investment Promotion Agency’s compound.

Today’s weather is fine, and one can smell the grass in the breeze.

Dong Xuebing sat in his office, reading the reports on the progress of the tasks he assigned last week. He will frown or nod every now and then. After a while, he lit a cigarette and thought about his plans. He had settled the internal affairs of the Agency and had taken control of it. His next task is to bring in investments to get results. He needed results not only for his promotion or marriage, but he also wants to do something for the people in Yan Tai County. No matter what, he must bring in investments to the County.

Dong Xuebing took a sip of water and was deep in his thoughts.

Guo Panwei saw Dong Xuebing’s teacup almost empty and quickly bring the hot flask to top up his cup.

“Panwei.” Dong Xuebing looks at Guo Panwei. “You have mingled around in the Agency the past few days. How is the progress of getting investors? Are the staff working hard?”

Guo Panwei felt Chief Dong is testing him. He paused for a second and replied cautiously. “To be honest, everyone is working passionately. After all, they will get commissions for every investment they brought to the County. 1% or 2% commission is not a small amount. I noticed the Business Sections had tried their best to get investments but to no avail. They had treated businessmen to lunch and dinners, but they failed to get their investments in the end. Since Lunar New Year, they had only gotten a few million investments.

Dong Xuebing nodded. “This is all our fault. We had not done a good job.”

“But this might also be because of Yan Tai County’s geographical position.” Guo Panwei added. “Everyone in the Agency is impressed with your plans and proposals. This is not your problem.:

Dong Xuebing laughed. “It is my problem if we cannot get investors.”

Guo Panwei replied. “I think it is our people who had not followed your proposals.”

“Alright. Stop your flattery.” Dong Xuebing laughed. Sometimes Guo Panwei’s flattery can cheer Dong Xuebing up. This is also a form of stress-relieving. This is also one of the reasons why Dong Xuebing transferred Guo Panwei over to assist him. Joking occasionally is not bad. “Actually, I have not thought of the Agency to change overnight. It’s quite impossible.”

Guo Panwei smiled. “With you around, nothing is impossible.”

Dong Xuebing laughed and looked at his watch. “The County’s meeting should end soon.”

“Do you want me to call and ask?”

“No need.”

Not only Dong Xuebing is concerned about this year’s target, many other leaders within the Agency are also waiting for news.

If the County Government set 200 million RMB worth of investments as this year’s target, it will be too stressful. Someone will have to bear the responsibility if they cannot achieve the target.

That’s why everyone in the Agency is hoping for the target to be lower.

Ring… ring… ring… the phone on the desk rang.

Guo Panwei quickly answered. “Hello, Chief’s Office… Oh… yes… Please hang on for a moment.”

Guo Panwei passed the phone to Dong Xuebing and whispered. “Mayor Zhao is looking for you.”

Dong Xuebing answered. “Mayor Zhao, I’m Dong Xuebing.”

Deputy Mayor Zhao Xinglong is in-charge of the Investment Promotion Agency. “Chief Dong, the meeting is over, and your target for this year is out. Can you come over to my office? It is hard to tell you over the phone.”

“Alright. I will go over now.” After hanging up, Dong Xuebing said to Guo Panwei. “Panwei, let’s go to the County Government now.”

Guo Panwei is currently Dong Xuebing’s secretary cum driver. After they reached downstairs, he opened the rear passenger door for Dong Xuebing and drove towards the County Government. Along the way, Dong Xuebing has a bad premonition. Zhao Xinglong had hinted to Dong Xuebing that this year’s target will be slightly higher than the previous years before the meeting. But if the target is only slightly higher, he should tell Dong Xuebing over the phone and not ask Dong Xuebing to go to his office. Something must have happened.

County Government Building.

Deputy Mayor Office.

Knock… knock… Dong Xuebing knocked and entered the office. “Mayor Zhao, this year’s target for the Investment Promotion Agency…”