BXBX NOVEL Chapter 165: Competing for Funds_1
Liu Wenqing seemed very happy at this moment. Lixian’s development momentum is good now, Farmer Welfare Company, an enterprise that even Jiang Zhenquan pays attention to, with its brand-new model, has now become a demonstration enterprise across the region. With the replacement of new breeds of grass and the introduction of a large number of excellent varieties, within a few months at most, Farmer Welfare Company could generate significant economic benefits. At the same time, social and brand effects will follow. Moreover, Longhua Mining, which is now entering a period of rapid production growth.
These two enterprises have already achieved results, and now, Lixian has made a new move. As the nominator of Lixian’s top two leaders, he gains face and can earn a reputation for good personnel utilization.
Immediately, Liu Wenqing also laughed, “Secretary Chu Bin arrives, please take a seat. Nowadays, I can’t understand the leaders of Lixian, the speed of development is faster each time, and the economic plan is quicker each time. What were your impressions about the advanced coastal areas in the east during your visit?”
After all, Zhang Chubin is a direct subordinate of his. Although Zhang Chubin did not report on his last inspection in advance, Liu Wenqing was somewhat dissatisfied. However, during this period, Liu Wenqing has cooled down.
Listening to Liu Wenqing’s words, a hint of joy flashed across Zhang Chubin’s face. Zhang Chubin is very familiar with Liu Wenqing. He may not be magnanimous, but he is not petty. He does have such a level of tolerance. As expected, Zhang Chubin nodded, “Secretary, this is a development zone plan I have drawn up, please take a look.”
Liu Wenqing took the plan handed over by Zhang Chubin and smiled, “Development Zone? It seems you have put in a lot of hard work. This is a novel thing. Currently, in the Northwest, only Urumqi has initiated a development zone. Other cities are observing the results. Unbelievably, you guys have gotten ahead.”
Upon opening the plan, Liu Wenqing read carefully. An almost 30-page plan, but Liu Wenqing read it very carefully. After about half an hour, Liu Wenqing looked up, somewhat surprised. He is well aware of Zhang Chubin’s ability, which is just average among officials. In terms of politics and obedience, Zhang Chubin ranks pretty high. He performs very well in tasks assigned by superiors. However, in terms of creativity and courage, Zhang Chubin lacks a bit. Yet, this plan completely breaks Liu Wenqing’s preconception.
Looking at Zhang Chubin beside him, Liu Wenqing rarely said, “Chu Bin, I’ve read your Development Zone plan, it’s quite good and creative. As the saying goes, ‘One who stays near vermillion gets stained red, one who stays near ink gets stained black.’ Ever since you and Nie formed the team, your capabilities have improved.”
Pointing at the planning proposal on the tea table, he continued, “The proposal for your development zone is basically very good, especially the conception of ‘triple supply & double absence.’ Very insightful. At present, local leaders and cadres need to have such a mentality, to change their way of thinking, and take economic construction as the center. The old way of thinking needs to be gradually abandoned. The government functional departments should be positioned as servants, not aloof officials.”
At the beginning of Liu Wenqing’s remarks, Zhang Chubin was somewhat pleased. However, the things Liu Wenqing praised by name were all plagiarized from Nie Zhenbang. This only further confirmed Zhang Chubin’s idea. Ever since Xue Daming planted a seed in Zhang’s mind, his desire to snatch credit and fight for power and profit could not be suppressed.
With Nie Zhenbang’s ability, Zhang Chubin believed that the Development Zone under Nie Zhenbang would definitely be carried forward, and even achieve tremendous development. Lixian will leap to become a strong economic county in Bazhou City, or even the entire autonomous region. More boldly, it is not impossible for Lixian to become a national miracle.
But if that’s the case, Nie Zhenbang, as the county governor and concurrently the secretary of the Development Zone work committee, would get the lion’s share of the credit. He would just be someone hiding behind and drinking soup. When talking about Lixian, people would say how Nie Zhenbang is doing, not Zhang Chubin. Moreover, in terms of development, Zhang Chubin, after visiting Yangwu County, confidently believes that this Development Zone is just like that. With preferential policies such as ‘Three Exemptions, Two Reductions,’ investment policies on land requisition and construction fees, coupled with the green channel, Zhang Chubin is very confident that he can do as well as Nie Zhenbang. This idea, after Xue Daming mentioned it, gradually became irresistible for Zhang Chubin. Just now, Liu Wenqing’s words reinforced Zhang Chubin’s intention to become the secretary of the work committee.
After pondering for a moment, Zhang Chubin tentatively said, “Secretary, although the development zone project is still in the planning stage, I would like to discuss with you in advance about personnel issues in the development zone.”
At this moment, Liu Wenqing was also taken aback. After all, the matter of the development zone was only a rough idea at best. In the aspect of establishing a development zone, Liu Wenqing had specifically researched it. It’s not something that local governments can establish at will. City-level development zones require project establishment by the city committee and city government. If it is at the provincial level, it needs to be filed and established with the provincial planning commission, and get approved upon passing a review. After thorough examination and evaluation, meeting the requirements of a provincial development zone, only then can it be established.
At this moment, to determine the personnel issues of the development zone does seem a bit hasty. However, since it has been brought up, Liu Wenqing also wanted to hear Zhang Chubin’s opinion. Immediately, he smiled and said, “It seems that all of you officials in Lixian do not act without preparation. This plan has just started, and yet you already have considerations for personnel. Although it may be a bit hasty, this kind of attitude of preparing for a rainy day is commendable.”
Zhang Chubin also nodded and said, “Secretary, as for the level of the development zone, I suggest it’s temporarily set as a deputy departmental unit. Regarding the choice of secretary of the Development Zone Work Committee, I would like to recommend myself. I will personally serve as the secretary of the Development Zone Work Committee. On the matter of the candidate for the director of the Development Zone Management Committee, my initial consideration is to let the current county committee propaganda minister, Xue Daming fill the spot. In this way, the development of the development zone can be ensured. The issue of coordination among various administrative departments would also be better with my personal presence.”
This statement, however, made Liu Wenqing think deeply. He glanced meaningfully at Zhang Chubin. Originally, Liu Wenqing thought that Nie Zhenbang would be the dual-duty director of the Management Committee. But unexpectedly, Zhang Chubin proposed such a surprising personnel arrangement.
Could it be that there is a conflict between Zhang Chubin and Nie Zhenbang? Zhang Chubin’s attitude and thoughts made Liu Wenqing involuntarily wonder about this. Nie Zhenbang’s ability to develop the economy has been fully affirmed. Even Liu Wenqing, in private, thinks that Nie Zhenbang is the most suitable to serve as the work committee secretary. However, at this time, Liu Wenqing felt a bit difficult.
On one hand, considering the development from the development zone to Lixian and even the development of Bazhou City, there is no doubt that Nie Zhenbang, who has a background, ability, and can bring in large investments, is the most suitable. On the other hand, Zhang Chubin is after all a trusted subordinate of his. If he supports Nie Zhenbang, Liu Wenqing is not sure what Zhang Chubin and the other subordinates would think, and if the morale within the circle is scattered, his prestige will be gone. After pondering for a while, Liu Wenqing decided to support Zhang Chubin, although Nie Zhenbang might do better for the development zone. But after looking at this plan, Liu Wenqing also felt that Zhang Chubin gave the impression of drastically changing after a short period of time. Even though he might not be as good as Nie Zhenbang, he believes that there should be no problem with the development of the Li County Development Zone, considering that Zhang Chubin can come up with such a planning scheme.
Just as Zhang Chubin just set foot in Bazhou, the next morning, Nie Zhenbang also arrived in Bazhou City from Lixian. At this moment, Nie Zhenbang was sitting in Ding Aiguo’s office in the municipal government office building.
Seeing Ding Aiguo’s knitted eyebrows, Nie Zhenbang knew what Ding Aiguo was worried about. Immediately, Nie Zhenbang also smiled and said, “Mayor, are you worried about the funding issue?”
Ding Aiguo nodded, then put down the materials, looked up and said, “Zhenbang, it’s a good plan, and it’s good for the early planning. The goal is also very clear. Moreover, you can fully consider Bazhou City’s and Lixian’s local characteristics. Only such a development plan is realistic. However, even a six-square-kilometer area, if it’s like what you said; road hardening, landscaping in the park, and the construction of associated infrastructure such as water, electricity, and communications, will cost a lot of money. The city can only provide limited support. I’m afraid the majority of the funds will still need to come from you.”
Nie Zhenbang was also very clear that Ding Aiguo’s words were certainly not polite, nor were they about crying poor. Bazhou City was not wealthy either. According to this plan, the funds for building roads alone would be a big burden. Moreover, the Northwest Region is not like the Inland. In the Inland, a lot of funds can be introduced for infrastructure construction, and then repaid in the form of land compensation. In Lixian, the real estate sector isn’t a viable resource. This way is completely blocked.
According to Nie Zhenbang’s initial estimate, for the early stage, to start up, at least, at the very least, 150 million in funds are needed. Ding Aiguo might be able to provide 10 million at most. If the Lixian Government applies for bank loans, the maximum limit is about 100 million. Then there would be a gap of 40 million. Thinking of this, Nie Zhenbang also nodded and said, “Mayor, how about I go to the district and see if I can gather some funds from the various departments.”
PS: Generally speaking, Old Cai would really feel embarrassed asking for monthly tickets. However, Old Cai never thought that he would get sick at a critical time like the new book’s monthly ticket campaign. Seeing the brothers behind getting closer, and the gods ahead getting further away, Old Cai shamelessly asks for a monthly ticket, asking for some comfort.