Power and Wealth

Chapter 380 – New cars

A few days later.

Morning. The Investment Promotion Agency.

As the head, Dong Xuebing does not need to arrive at work on time. When he arrived at the agency, it was already 9.30 am. A large group had gathered at the front compound of the agency. Deputy Agency Chief, Sun Shuli, Office Director Luo Haiting, Lin Pingping, Jiang Hailiang, and all other leaders, except Lui Dafa, gathered. Dong Xuebing got closer and understood why. A few brand-new cars, three black Toyota Camry, and a blue Buick MPV (minivan) were parked at the agency’s front yard. Even the registration plates were ready.

“Chief.”

“Chief Dong.”

“Good morning, Chief.”

The leaders saw Dong Xuebing and greeted him.

Dong Xuebing smiled and walked over. “When did the cars arrive? This is fast.”

“The paperwork was completed, and they immediately sent the cars over.” Sun Shuli did not put on a poker face today and is in a good mood. “Haha... we are about to go for a test drive.”

Luo Haiting continued. “We have a shortage of vehicles, and I hurried them. That’s why we got the cars a few days earlier.”

Dong Xuebing nodded. “Good. They are quite efficient.”

Luo Haiting tried to suck up to Dong Xuebing. “This is all your credit. If you had not gotten our funds from the Finance Department, we would not have the funds to buy them. Many departments’ heads had gone to ask for funds again after hearing the Finance Department gave us the money. But none of them get a single cent. Hahaha... Chief, they treated you differently.”

Lin Pingping laughed. “Chief Dong can overcome any difficulties.”

Jiang Hailiang nodded with agreement.

All of them had heard of Dong Xuebing’s glorious victory at the Finance Department. He had only remained at the Finance Department for half an hour, and it was chaos. Electrical appliances broke down, documents went missing, blackouts, and almost caused a fire. They couldn’t even operate with these disruptions. The Investment Promotion Agency’s leaders laugh whenever they remembered that day. Ding Li is damn unlucky to meet Dong Xuebing. Dong Xuebing is not called the ‘God of Plague’ for nothing.

Dong Xuebing points at them. “Haha... carry on with the flattery.”

Luo Haiting laughed. “This is from the bottom of my heart.” She said and tucked her fringe behind her ears sexily.

Jiang Hailiang glanced at Luo Haiting and smiled.

Dong Xuebing replied. “Hahaha... Alright. Why are you all still looking at me? Go and test the cars. Oh, I want to test drive the Camry too.”

Everyone got into the cars excitedly.

Today is a joyful day for everyone in the Investment Promotion Agency. The money from the Finance Department was transferred to the agency’s account, and bonuses were given out to the staff the next day. The cars everyone was looking forward to had arrived, and everyone is eager to test drive them. That’s why all the leaders had gathered downstairs. Dong Xuebing understood their feelings and did not chide them for test driving these cars during work hours. After all, the agency had been poor for too long, and it’s good to have something to motivate the staff. If Dong Xuebing lectured them about work discipline now, he would spoil their mood. Moreover, he is in a good mood too. After getting the Finance Department to issue the fund, Zhao Xinglong called Dong Xuebing to praise him.

Dong Xuebing got into a Camry. Hmm... the interior is nice, and the seat is comfortable.

Dong Xuebing rolled down the windows. “Go and test drive the cars. We can send them back to the factory if there are problems with the cars.”

Two of the Camrys will be assigned to Business Section One and Two. Lin Pingping and Jiang Hailiang boarded the other two Camrys.

Sun Shuli prefers bigger cars and went straight for the Buick MPV.

Luo Haiting was not assigned with any cars and stood there awkwardly.

Lin Pingping saw it and quickly alights. “Director Luo, go for a test drive with this car.” Luo Haiting is very senior, and her rank is the same as Sun Shuli. How can the lower-ranked leaders go for test drives and let her remain there? Furthermore, she was the one who had helped them get the cars earlier.

Luo Haiting waved her hand graciously and laughed. “No need. You go ahead. I am not good at driving.”

“You will be familiar after driving for a while. I also seldom drive after I got my license.” Lin Pingping pulled Luo Haiting over to the car.

Dong Xuebing saw them and threw his keys to them. “Sister Luo...”

Luo Haiting nearly tripped as she caught the keys. “Chief?”

Dong Xuebing points to his car. “Go and drive my car.”

“.... Ah... how can I drive your car?” Luo Haiting knew Dong Xuebing is trying to save her from embarrassment.

“My Mercedes MPV stands out too much. After I bought it, the Commission for Discipline Inspection had never stopped receiving whistleblowing complaints against me.” Dong Xuebing laughed. “I will use this Camry to work most of the time in the future, and I will leave my Mercedes MPV’s keys with you when I am not using it. You will hold on to it, and if anyone from the Office Department needs to use it, go ahead. You don’t need to get permission from me.”

Luo Haiting smiled. “Ok.”

Jiang Hailiang looks at Luo Haiting enviously. The Mercedes MPV will be allocated to the Office Department in the future? This car is more expensive than the total of all the cars in the agency. He saw Lin Pingping using Chief Dong’s car previously and had wanted to borrow it for a drive. But now, he had to borrow it from Luo Haiting. Chief Dong treated Luo Haiting well... Huh? Is there something going on between both of them? It should be impossible, as Luo Haiting’s child is quite big.

All the leaders have a car each.

Sun Shuli drove out of the agency first, followed by Jiang Hailiang. Dong Xuebing could tell they are experienced drivers.

Lin Pingping and Luo Haiting are not as experienced.

Lin Pingping drove slowly and only dare to drive within the agency’s compound.

Luo Haiting was worse. She drove a few meters forward and back before stopping. She even stepped on the accelerator after she stopped. She seems to be in a daze, and Dong Xuebing wonders if this is the first time she is driving, or she is afraid of damaging his car.

Dong Xuebing laughed and ignored them. He drove the Camry out of the Agency. The handling of the car is good. Of course, it is not as good as his Mercedes MPV, but the Camry is still good to drive. Dong Xuebing decided to drive this car to the County Government meetings in the future.

10 am.

Meeting room on the top floor of the Investment Promotion Agency.

Sun Shuli started reporting first. He is used to contacting investors alone and will let Business Section Two handle the rest when it comes to signing the contract. After he finished, Jiang Hailiang reported on his team’s current progress. The few days when Dong Xuebing was not around, Business Section Two had brought in a deal worth several million. It is an old project and is related to a fruit processing factory. They had finally gotten an investor for this two-year-old project.

Lastly, it is Lin Pingping’s turn.

Lin Pingping said. “Business Section One is following up on four cases now. The most hopeful is the Chicken excrement processing plant. Mr. Peng had conducted another inspection on the site, and it should not be a problem. We are negotiating on the contract, and the projected investment is around 10 million.” Lin Pingping’s team had gotten this deal is because of Dong Xuebing. If Dong Xuebing had not convinced Peng Kenong’s son to help him, Peng Kenong would have invested in Da Feng County.

Jiang Hailiang frowned and looked at Lin Pingping. In the past, Business Section Two has always been the better team, but this has changed after Dong Xuebing arrived. Business Section One’s result had exceeded Business Section Two by a lot.

After hearing everyone’s progress, Dong Xuebing nodded. They had gotten about 30 million RMB worth of investments now. It might sound little compared to their 500 million RMB target, but they are doing well. The agency can only get this many investments around April or May in the past few years. Their progress this year is much better, and this is a good sign.

After praising them, the meeting is dismissed.

After the meeting, Dong Xuebing called Luo Haiting to his office.

Dong Xuebing sat on the sofa and gestured Luo Haiting to sit down. “Director Luo, I had checked our previous records, and the County’s budget is quite tight. It’s not easy for us to get the funds this time, and we don’t know if the County Government will approve any more funds for us in the future.” The Finance Department’s incident had given Dong Xuebing a wake-up call. The additional 1% bonus he promised has nothing to do with the County Government, and the Government will only issue the usual commission. That’s why Dong Xuebing has to think of ways to get additional funds. “Did our agency only rely on the Finance Department for funds in the past? Can we find anyways to raise funds?”

Luo Haiting shook her head. “The nature of our duties... does not allow us to get any income. But...”

“But what?”

“Chief Meng had tried to get sponsorships in the past. Which is to get money from investors.”

Dong Xuebing asked. “How effective was it?”

Luo Haiting smiled. “It’s not very effective. At that time, only an investor, who is close to Chief Meng, from another province sponsored 20,000 RMB. After that, no one made any sponsors again. Businessmen are profits driven and will not spend money without benefits. Of course, some people wanted to sponsor us, but they have other motives. They want to know our County’s bottom line through their sponsorships and want us to give them privileges. This... has breached our regulations.”

“Oh...”

Dong Xuebing has a headache. This time, they managed to get the funds, but what about next time? Where can he get the money?