Feng Yu had tried hard to raise 500 million RMB. He even had to borrow 50 million RMB from Fu Guangzheng. But he never expects the provincial government to raise 1 billion RMB.
The Central Government had issued funds to the province to repair the dams in 1992. The amount raised should not be from the Central Government. The province is can really raise this amount?
“Secretary Xu, the provincial government is really to invest 1 billion? What about the other departments? You all will not have enough funds to operate.” Feng Yu will never believe this. He felt Xu Changyou is lying to him. After he donated 1 billion, the province will invest 100 million RMB.
“You can get someone to check our Provincial Waterworks Department’s account now. 1 billion RMB has been credited. I promise you the Provincial Government will not take a single cent, and everything will be issued out to the various cities.” Xu Changyou thought to himself. I can’t promise if the leaders in the different regions will use it for other purposes.
Xu Changyou’s instructions to the various cities were not to touch Feng Yu’s donations. It must be used to upgrade the waterworks. As for the amount they raise, he will not care.
“Secretary Xu, I will really send someone to check the accounts.” Feng Yu said.
“You will be donating so much money, and you should check it.” Xu Changyou smiled.
Feng Yu saw Xu Changyou was very calm when he said this. He knew that the Waterworks Department’s account should have 1 billion RMB. But Longjiang Province can’t raise 1 billion RMB from the meager taxes they collected. Was there anything I had missed out?
“Secretary Xu, did you get funding from the higher-ups?” This should not be possible too. The Central Government had just given Longjiang Province a sum of money last year. Although the money was for agriculture, they should not be giving so much money to Longjiang Province this year. The other provinces will surely jump.
“The higher-ups did issue some funds. But most of it is raised by province. To be honest, this is because of your generosity.” Xu Changyou replied.
Feng Yu narrowed his eyes and looked at Xu Changyou for a while. Suddenly, he laughed. “Secretary Xu, I am going to donate a large sum of money. I want the right to supervise the usage. This should not be a problem, right?”
Feng Yu saw Xu Changyou’s face changed. He knew it. The provincial government is going to use the fund for other areas. Impossible!
“Manager Feng, don’t worry. No one will dare to touch your donations. If whoever dares to misuse it, I will punish him severely! Even if he is a Director level official, I will demote him to a staff member. I dare to make this promise to you in front of the whole province. The Provincial Government will not touch the funds too.” Xu Changyou righteously said.
Feng Yu laughed. “I still want to let my men supervise.”
“Manager Feng, you don’t trust me?” Xu Changyou pretended to be angry.
No matter if it was in Feng Yu’s previous life or this life, Xu Changyou had good reputation. He was not corrupted and was a man of his words. He had never gone back on his promises. But Feng Yu noticed what Xu Changyou said was a trap.
The money I donated will not be touched? Then the fund raised by the province can be used in other areas? That means the repair of the dams will all be using the money I donated?
The amount raised by the province should be from other projects. Once I made the donations, they will transfer back the money ‘ borrowed’ from other projects.
Fat hope!
“Secretary Xu, what I want to monitor is the usage of the 2 billion RMB fund. It is not 1 billion.” Feng Yu said.
“Manager Feng, the Province will monitor the fund closely.”
“With all due respect, I trust you. But I don’t know the leaders in the other cities. If the cities’ leaders want to use the funds, the head of the waterworks dare to not give them the money? You can only promise my donations will not be used in other areas. What about the amount the province raised? You will not care about how it is used?” Feng Yu sneered.
You want to play these little tricks with me?
Xu Changyou knew Feng Yu had seen through his petty tricks. But he still wants to get the donation. After all, the donation is vital to the province.
“Manager Feng, I will be honest with you. The province does not have so much money to upgrade the waterworks. The dams in our province are still in good condition and do not need much upgrading or repairs.”
“That means the province only want to use my money to upgrade the dams? What’s the use of the Waterworks Department? Do you know how much I can make with 1 billion RMB? What can I get in return by donating this amount to you all? Don’t tell me about my reputation. I am not interested.” Feng Yu said coldly.
“Manager Feng, didn’t we agree about this?”
“Yes. We did agree about this. But the provincial government’s attitude really disappoints me. You all are trying to cheat my donations. Even if I don’t mention the contributions I made to the province, you should also know. Now, I am telling you this. I will donate 1 billion RMB. But my men will monitor the 2 billion RMB fund. No one is allowed to use it without my men’s approval!”
Xu Changyou’s face changed. “Manager Feng, this is too much. Since when did you hear the Government’s money is managed by a private entity?”
Feng Yu asked him back. “Since when did you hear anyone that donates 1 billion RMB?”
What? I have the money, and I am the boss. If you are capable, tell me you don’t need my money, and I will leave immediately!
Both went quiet. Feng Yu was very disappointed with Xu Changyou over this incident.
“Manager Feng, how about the province invest this amount over two years? We will invest 500 million RMB this year and another 500 million next year!” Xu Changyou did a mental calculation and knew 500 million RMB was still possible. As for the opposing voices from the various cities, he can only shut them up forcefully with his authority.
“If the Provincial Government is going to split the budget over two years, then my donations will also be over two years. The condition is still the same. I will donate the same amount as the government’s budget. The usage of this fund must be monitored by my people. I am donating to build and repair dams. I am not donating to the cities to use it in other areas.”
This was better for Feng Yu. He had barely managed to scrape together 500 million RMB now. But it should not be a problem next year. He should have sold his shares by then and will get back his capital. His companies’ profits should also be enough. Feng Yu also does not want to take out 1 billion RMB at once.
“Fine. Manager Feng, the Provincial Government, will raise 500 million and you will donate 500 million RMB. We will jointly monitor the usage of this fund. Any usage of the fund needs the signature of both parties. Is this alright?”
“No problems. Also, the dams I want must be able to withstand severe flooding. I do not want to see any shabby work. The plan proposed by the Provincial Construction Company and Institute of Waterworks is excellent. I don’t want to see any of the dams are built using compact soil.
It is hard to notice when insects like ants or bugs build nests in compact soil. This will loosen the soil and might cause the dam to collapse.
“This is not a problem as long as the Waterworks Department gives approval!” Xu Changyou agreed.
“Secretary Xu. I guarantee that repairing and upgrading the dams is beneficial to the people of Longjiang province. Preparing for the future is better than doing something after disaster strikes. The people will remember you.”
Xu Changyou sighed. “You are right. Prevention is better than cure. I will put a stop to those unnecessary projects in the various cities. The province will only focus on agriculture and waterworks these two years!”
Yes. The donation is secured. Although upgrading the waterworks might not help the economy, but this is something that will benefit the people. As for economic developments, let’s think of other ways.