Chapter 38

Mayor Zhao quickly held a short meeting.

Everyone in the municipal government was overjoyed.

Secretary Wu narrowed his eyes: "This Lu Chengwen, who is clearly a miserly and unscrupulous businessman, is being so generous today. He must have some demands that we can't accept."

Mayor Zhao nodded: "That's natural. After all, he is a businessman; there's no profit, no early rise. But this project must be done. Several dozen building frames have already been erected; we can't just let them stand there, exposed to the elements and used as toilets!"

"We need to seek instructions from the provincial government for such a significant change."

"I'll handle that. You need to keep Lu Chengwen in line. If the approval comes through and he refuses to pay, it will be a disgrace to our reputation."

"Understood."

In the meeting room.

Mayor Zhao returned to the meeting room.

Secretary Wu continued to chair the meeting, asking everyone to express their opinions.

The result was unchanged; everyone still hemmed and hawed, only saying what sounded good, and not wanting to contribute a single cent.

Finally, Hu Shuhui spoke up again: "Lu Chengwen, why do you always leave to take calls during meetings? You show no respect to Mayor Zhao! We've all expressed our opinions. You are the richest in Xuecheng. You should pay the most, and we will pay less. What's your stance?"

Hu Shuhui had a good grasp of Lu Chengwen.

He had noticed that by comparing himself to Lu Chengwen, he had dragged the other dozen or so companies into it. They had to speak with one voice: if Lu Chengwen pays, we will pay.

They didn't have to say this, and now everyone wished they could drag Hu Shuhui out and beat him to a pulp.

So, to save face, Hu Shuhui had to stick to his guns on Lu Chengwen.

He was certain that Lu Chengwen would never pay.

Just him? A black-hearted businessman.

If you ask him to speculate and make a profit, he has more tricks than anyone. But if you ask him to pay for the city's development, especially a project that looks like a money pit, he would never agree.

If he doesn't agree, then no one has to pay.

Lu Chengwen looked around and smiled: "Is this everyone's opinion?"

A few people responded half-heartedly.

Lu Chengwen laughed: "I grew up in Xuecheng. Xuecheng is my home, and its people are my fellow townsfolk. I, Lu Chengwen, may not have much, but I know how to write the words 'loyalty' and 'righteousness.' I have some sense of loyalty and patriotism. This project, my family will take the lead and take on the responsibility!"

The entire room was stunned.

Leng Qingqiu's eyes widened in disbelief.

She thought Lu Chengwen was just talking nonsense yesterday, and no one would touch this business.

Chen Mengyun was also shocked, while Xu Xuejiao narrowed her eyes, suspecting that Lu Chengwen had some ulterior motive.

The dozen or so business leaders couldn't sit still and started speaking up, causing a chaotic scene.

Hu Shuhui angrily questioned: "Lu Chengwen, are you and Mayor Zhao colluding to trick us?"

As soon as he said this, everyone was shocked and looked at Mayor Zhao.

Secretary Wu immediately said angrily: "Hu Shuhui, what are you saying!? Did you think before you spoke?"

Hu Shuhui panicked: "I'm sorry, Mayor Zhao, I... I was just in a hurry and spoke without thinking. But this Lu Chengwen... he is a black-hearted businessman, even more so than me. How could he possibly pay for such a losing proposition? There must be a trick!"

Lu Chengwen said: "In business, it's about profit. I, Lu Chengwen, never do unprofitable deals. But this slum renovation project is not just a business. As a businessman and an entrepreneur, to only think about personal gain in such significant matters is too narrow-minded. I see this project as a matter of national interest, people's livelihood, and urban development. It's a necessary path for the prosperity of our hometown! Why do I work hard and save every penny? It's to be able to give back to society and benefit my hometown at critical moments!"

Mayor Zhao, who had been calm, now took the lead in clapping: "Well said! If all entrepreneurs had the awareness and vision of Mr. Lu, Xuecheng's development would surely be among the best in the country! Everyone, let's give Mr. Lu a round of applause!"

Everyone clapped reluctantly.

Sweat was dripping from Hu Shuhui's forehead.

Is this a trap!? This lunatic wants to die and drag us all down with him?

"Lu Chengwen, you talk so passionately. I ask you, how much will you pay? Less than fifty billion is not even worth mentioning!"

Lu Chengwen snorted: "Look at your narrow-mindedness. Our Great Sage Group will contribute at least five hundred billion!"

Mayor Zhao's eyes lit up, and he turned to look at Secretary Wu.

Secretary Wu also became excited and nodded at Mayor Zhao.

This was a bombshell.

At first, everyone thought Lu Chengwen wouldn't pay a single cent.

Later, they thought he would just say some nice words, take the lead, and then象征性地出一点钱应付过去。

Five hundred billion!

This amount of money would last a lifetime!

Secretary Wu quickly said: "Everyone, please calm down. Mr. Lu is indeed a role model in Xuecheng's business community. This time, he is truly stepping up and generously contributing. We should all learn from his noble character of loving the country and hometown, and not caring about personal gains and losses."

Then he smoothly transitioned: "Since Mr. Lu has spoken, do you all remember what you said earlier? Please express your opinions."

Everyone looked at Hu Shuhui, wishing they could skin him alive and feed him to the dogs.

Hu Shuhui was stunned.

He couldn't understand, completely couldn't understand.

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What's wrong with Lu Chengwen? Is he crazy? Demented?

How can he pay such an amount? Is the Lu family courting death?

Lu Chengwen smiled: "Mr. Hu, I don't have any other requirements. I will take on all the major projects and engineering. You just need to contribute some money for charity."

"What? Charity? How... how do we do charity?"

"Here are two options. One, you pay according to the ratio. I invest five hundred billion, and you pay fifty billion, and we split the profits according to the ratio. Two, we have planned over two hundred public toilets here, and you will pay for all of them, twenty thousand each, totaling about thirty million. Choose one."

Hu Shuhui was almost in tears.

Fifty billion, if Lu Chengwen pays fifty billion, it's not a big deal for him, but if I pay fifty billion, it will be a significant loss.

And this money might very well be a total loss!

On one side is a fifty-billion venture, and on the other side is thirty million for charity.

Thinking about the possibility of losing all fifty billion, Hu Shuhui gritted his teeth: "Fine! What's said is said, what's done is done! I'll build the toilets in the slum area!"

As expected by Lu Chengwen and others, Hu Shuhui would rather spend thirty million on charity than fifty billion on a risky venture.

Mayor Zhao, being very shrewd, immediately signaled to Secretary Wu.

Secretary Wu immediately brought the investment contract over: "Good, Mr. Hu, please sign here."

Hu Shuhui was almost in tears.

What kind of plot is this? I come to a meeting and end up spending thirty million!

I'll be scolded to death by my father when I get home!

And Mayor Zhao and Secretary Wu are a pair of devils. Mayor Zhao is cunning, and Secretary Wu is ruthless. As soon as you say something, they have the contract ready for you.

Hu Shuhui unknowingly became a tool for Mayor Zhao and Secretary Wu.

At this moment, Hu Shuhui was just a figurehead.

He was the first to say he would pay, and now he is the first to sign the contract.

With Hu Shuhui as an example, the others couldn't escape.

Want to leave this meeting room? See that? Thirty million is the minimum!

Hu Shuhui signed the contract, his face turning green.

"Everyone, I've signed! For the construction of our hometown! This is what I, Hu Shuhui, should do."

Mayor Zhao smiled and clapped: "Thank you, Mr. Hu, for your noble spirit."

Now everyone was stunned.

Secretary Wu saw that the time was right. Lu Chengwen had set a high standard, and Hu Shuhui had set a low standard. Next, he would start from the top and apply pressure one by one.

"Mr. Xu," he looked at Xu Xuejiao, "shouldn't the Houde Group also express an opinion?"

Lu Chengwen smiled: "Mayor Zhao, Secretary Wu, there's no need to ask others. I, Lu Chengwen, will cover all the funds for the entire slum renovation project. If other business friends are interested in investing, they can come talk to me. If not, I won't force them. I only hope that when the Lu family needs help during the project, everyone will lend a hand."

Mayor Zhao was almost moved to tears.

In the past, everyone criticized the Lu family, calling them unscrupulous and miserly, always looking for cheap deals and running away from real work.

Today, this move has truly surprised him.

He was like a begging monk, trying to force everyone to pay and take on the project. Now, Lu Chengwen has done it all himself, saving him from offending all the business leaders.

The other business leaders were also excited.

No need to pay!

Awesome!

Hu Shuhui turned a person into a ghost, and Lu Chengwen turned a ghost into a person!

Everyone stood up and shook hands with Lu Chengwen, expressing their gratitude.

Lu Chengwen smiled and greeted each person, showing a regal demeanor.

Mayor Zhao also walked over and shook hands with Lu Chengwen, smiling: "Chengwen, on behalf of the municipal party committee, the municipal government, and the thirty million citizens, I thank you!"

"Mayor Zhao, you're too kind."

At this moment, Leng Qingqiu suddenly stood up: "Qianfeng Group is willing to invest in the slum renovation project. I hope Mr. Lu will give us the opportunity."

Today's strange events were one after another.

Lu Chengwen's willingness to take on the project without forcing others to join or share the burden had already made everyone feel like their brains were not enough.

Now, Leng Qingqiu had also stood up.

There are still people willing to jump into the pit!?

Leng Qingqiu continued: "But the Leng family can't come up with much cash right now. I hope Mr. Lu won't mind."

Lu Chengwen had taken on the entire project himself, but now Leng Qingqiu standing up in front of Mayor Zhao and Secretary Wu had a different meaning.

Lu Chengwen was stuck, not knowing how to respond.

Mayor Zhao looked at Lu Chengwen, then at Leng Qingqiu.

He thought: They are getting engaged, so they are united. But is today's matter really that simple?

At this moment, Xu Xuejiao also stood up: "Brother Chengwen, why didn't you call me to do good deeds? The Xu family is willing to participate in the slum renovation project."

The dozens of heads in the room turned back and forth, trying to read the expressions on others' faces, but they all saw confusion.

Finally, Chen Mengyun also stood up: "The Chen family will not stand idly by. We look forward to Mr. Lu's guidance in the future."

Lu Chengwen was stunned.

【What are you all doing!?】

【Are you all serious?】

【Are you all competing to court death!?】