Chapter 81: New Project

Zhu Daodong waited for over an hour, had some drinks, and ate his meal. Seeing that Chen Shuli still hadn't returned, he packed up two additional dishes and sat near the entrance of the hall, waiting after settling the bill. Xiangshan Villa was about five or six li away from the county town, and without a car, it would take about an hour to walk back.

Suddenly, a sharp screech of brakes came from outside. Before the car had even stopped, the person jumped out and hurriedly walked toward the entrance.

Hearing the familiar footsteps, Zhu Daodong immediately stood up and greeted him with the boxed meal: "Secretary, you're here."

"Yep, Xiao Zhu, let's talk in the car." Chen Shuli had come specifically to pick up Zhu Daodong.

"Alright, Secretary, you didn't have lunch either. I packed you two dishes. Have something to eat before we go." Zhu Daodong waved the meal box in his hand.

"No, let's eat in the car. We have another meeting in the afternoon, so we can't afford to delay." Chen Shuli said, taking the meal box from Zhu Daodong, placing it on the dashboard, and turning to him: "Daodong, I asked the city brewery. Oh, the city brewery is the connection I mentioned before, introduced by a friend."

"What price can the city brewery offer us?" Zhu Daodong was surprised. The city brewery was a large unit, and its Five-Star Beer was sold in several surrounding provinces. The brewery needed a large amount of diatomite as a filter aid. If they had such a high-quality customer, the diatomite factory in Shumu Ridge could really thrive.

"Eight hundred yuan per ton!" Chen Shuli said with a self-deprecating laugh.

"Eight hundred yuan per ton? That's not even enough to cover the cost!" Zhu Daodong exclaimed. Although the diatomite factory hadn't officially started production, Zhu Daodong had checked the data and could roughly calculate the cost, which wouldn't exceed 900 yuan per ton but wouldn't be less than 850 yuan. At the city brewery's price, the diatomite factory would lose at least 50 yuan per ton, even under the best circumstances. This was a losing proposition.

"Exactly, the more we produce, the greater the loss. I should have investigated earlier. If the diatomite factory had started production, it would have been too late to cry." Chen Shuli smiled bitterly. He was in a terrible mood. After several months of investigation, the project hadn't even begun and was already doomed. Chen Shuli had placed great hopes on the diatomite factory, and now those hopes were about to turn into despair.

"What should we do now?" Zhu Daodong knew the diatomite factory might not be viable. Knowing it would incur losses, if Chen Shuli continued, it would be irresponsible to both Shumu Ridge and his own future.

"I have a meeting this afternoon. After the meeting, I'll report this to Secretary Wang. Do you have any specific plans for the feed mill and the farm?" Chen Shuli thought for a moment, as if making a decision, and asked in a serious tone.

"Yes, but I haven't put it into writing yet. If you want it, I can prepare it this afternoon." Zhu Daodong felt a surge of joy. The diatomite factory could only increase the township's revenue, but the feed mill and the farm could benefit most of the township's residents. Even if the feed mill and the farm didn't have high profits, if they could benefit the people, it would still be a good thing.

"No, I need to report to the leadership this afternoon. Don't bother with the materials. After the meeting, you can come with me to report." Chen Shuli said. Although the feed mill and the farm were still in the early stages, Chen Shuli had more confidence in them than in the diatomite factory. While he had investigated the diatomite factory for several months, his focus was mainly on production, not market demand. To put it bluntly, the diatomite factory was a decision made on a whim.

Zhu Daodong had only had direct contact with the deputy director of the county public security bureau, Zhao Jinhai. Of course, he had met the county party secretary, Guo Linan, twice, but the other party hadn't revealed their identity, so it couldn't be considered a formal meeting.

In the afternoon, after Chen Shuli's meeting, Zhu Daodong accompanied him to Secretary Wang Wenhui's office. Zhu Daodong had heard of Secretary Wang over a year ago, but this was their first meeting. Wang Wenhui was slightly overweight, bald, and had a large belly, like a pregnant woman seven or eight months along. His eyes were small, and he always wore a smile, making it hard to read his true thoughts.

"Secretary Wang, this is the newly elected deputy township head, Zhu Daodong." Chen Shuli introduced him.

"Hello, Secretary Wang." Zhu Daodong bowed slightly and smiled.

"Where are you from, Deputy Township Head Zhu?" Wang Wenhui smiled and extended his right hand.

"I'm from Furong County. I've heard of Secretary Wang for a long time." Zhu Daodong quickly smiled and extended both hands, firmly shaking Wang Wenhui's hand, but the other quickly withdrew, only lightly touching Zhu Daodong's.

Zhu Daodong suddenly felt a sharp pain in his eardrums. He knew he had said something insincere. He had indeed heard of Wang Wenhui, but to say he had "heard of him for a long time" was a stretch. If possible, Zhu Daodong would even wish there was no Secretary Wang. Without Wang Wenhui, his status might not be as high, and he might not have entered the political arena, but his love wouldn't have ended so abruptly...

"Secretary Wang, where's your good cigarettes? We have rural cadres here, so they should smoke your good cigarettes." Chen Shuli was very casual with Wang Wenhui. After greeting each other, he started rummaging through the drawer for cigarettes.

"You, Chen Shuli, I only drank a few bottles of your wine, and you've taken so many cigarettes from me." Wang Wenhui smiled and took out a pack of Zhonghua, tossing it on the table.

Chen Shuli quickly tore it open, first offering one to Wang Wenhui, then throwing one to Zhu Daodong, and finally putting one in his mouth. He put the rest in his pocket. Zhu Daodong didn't smoke often, but he always carried a lighter, a habit from his days as a secretary. It came in handy now. He took a few steps, first lighting Wang Wenhui's cigarette, then Chen Shuli's, and finally his own. When with leaders, one must learn to blend in. If the leaders are smoking and you're not, it's a big no-no in the political arena. Even if Zhu Daodong never smoked, he would light up at this moment.

Not only that, he temporarily took on the role of a secretary, brewing tea for all three.

"Secretary Wang, I'm here today to report on a new project in the township." Chen Shuli slowly said after a few puffs of his cigarette.

"Oh, you were just planning to start a diatomite factory, and now you're preparing another project. Chen Shuli, you have quite the resolve." Wang Wenhui chuckled.

"Secretary Wang, the township's funds are limited. Therefore, I want to halt the diatomite factory project and switch to the feed mill and farm project. This project will benefit all the township's residents. Compared to the diatomite factory, this project is more meaningful and will better serve the people of the entire township." Chen Shuli was slightly agitated, as if his decision to halt the diatomite factory was entirely for the benefit of the township's residents.