Chapter 58

Lu Chengwen stood up, and the scene instantly fell silent.

Lu Chengwen had completely transformed today.

The look of a second-rate person was gone, and the sly smile had disappeared.

The current Lu Chengwen was elegant, confident, and had a gentlemanly demeanor, but the smell of rotten eggs filled the entire meeting room.

Lu Chengwen said:

"Did everyone see that? Just now, my suit was torn by an old lady, and my face and neck were scratched. Why? Because her grandson couldn't get into school, because her son broke his leg delivering food, leaving the family without a source of income, and because she herself was sick and couldn't afford her medication. So... I became her outlet for frustration."

"Cough, cough." Mayor Zhao quickly explained: "Sometimes the people can be a bit impulsive, but that's because they are really facing difficulties. Ultimately, it's because our government hasn't done enough..."

Lu Chengwen boldly raised his hand to signal, interrupting Mayor Zhao.

This time, not only Mayor Zhao but also Secretary Wu and all the entrepreneurs were surprised.

"Sorry, Mayor Zhao, please let me finish."

Lu Chengwen said: "But there was one thing the old lady said that really struck me. She shouted at me: 'You rich people drive luxury cars and live in villas. Do you ever think about the lives of the poor?'"

Lu Chengwen clapped his hands: "This has been true throughout history. Today, I, Lu Chengwen, solemnly emphasize!"

Everyone held their breath.

Lu Chengwen spoke each word with firmness: "The Slum Project, the Great Sage Group will take full responsibility..."

As soon as Lu Chengwen said this, Mayor Zhao let out a sigh of relief, showing how heavy the pressure of governance had been on him!

Leng Qingqiu, Xu Xuejiao, and Chen Mengyun were all extremely surprised.

Today's Lu Chengwen was someone they didn't recognize.

Was this the Lu Chengwen who always tried to take advantage and never suffered any loss?

Hadn't he been threatened by Long Aotian yesterday?

Long Aotian had a terrifying assassin group threatening him, and yet he...

Lu Chengwen's eyes were almost on fire: "The Great Sage Group can go bankrupt, but we must ensure that every old lady in Snow City can afford medicine! We must ensure that every child in Snow City can go to school! We must ensure that every low-income worker in Snow City has a secure life!"

Mayor Zhao was moved!

What a conscientious businessman!

If Lu Chengwen really fulfilled these promises, he would be a hero in Snow City!

He would be a great business leader who could win back the hearts of the people!

Just as he was about to lead the applause, Lu Chengwen angrily emphasized:

"Also! I want to clean up the farmers' market!"

Everyone was stunned. What did the farmers' market have to do with this!?

Lu Chengwen shouted, almost in tears: "Don't sell rotten eggs to the old ladies! I suggest that those who sell rotten eggs be treated as if they were selling biological weapons. They should be shot first, then arrested, and then have bamboo skewers driven into their fingernails, and then be salted..."

Mayor Zhao quickly stood up: "Enough, enough, don't torment the sellers of rotten eggs anymore. This... everyone, let's give Mr. Lu a round of applause! Thank Mr. Lu for his heartfelt dedication to the people of Snow City!"

Lu Chengwen, still angry, showed Mayor Zhao: "This suit is very expensive, and it's so embarrassing to be treated like this by an old lady..."

"Yes, yes, yes, this suit is on me. I'll pay for it out of my own pocket!"

"The key is the smell, Mayor, smell it..."

"Shut up!" Mayor Zhao was so angry he almost laughed: "Be careful, or I'll hit you!"

Lu Chengwen said: "Also! I request that the working group immediately tally up all those who have faced financial difficulties over the past three years. The Great Sage Group will cover all their rent! For children who can't go to school, you need to find a way. How can children not be able to go to school? They should be able to get housing! For slum residents who can't work due to illness or injury, we need to have specific policies for their medical expenses. Our Ninth Pharmaceutical Factory can collaborate deeply and provide one-on-one assistance at cost..."

"Great!" Mayor Zhao, holding Lu Chengwen's hand, was so moved he didn't know what to say. He patted Lu Chengwen's shoulder: "Chengwen! I represent the people of Snow City in thanking you!"

"About the sellers of rotten eggs..."

"Stop! Can you forget about the sellers of rotten eggs for a moment?"

"No, smell this on my body..."

Mayor Zhao was almost driven mad: "Damn it, where are the people with the clothes? Can't you make this kid shut up!?"

Mayor Zhao was overjoyed.

A skilled housewife can't cook without rice. The city's economy hasn't been good for the past two years.

In the two and a half years since I took office, I've had a lot of things I wanted to do, but I just didn't have the money!

And the slum renovation project has been a heavy burden.

If this project can be implemented!

Snow City will definitely welcome its spring!

How hard is it to get businessmen to invest?

Not only does the government not have much money for this project, but there are also historical debts that need to be addressed.

It's not easy to beg and plead with them. You can ask them for face, but to get them to invest billions and see no immediate returns, no one would do it.

I've thought of countless ways, but I've been missing a leader to take the lead.

Fortunately, Lu Chengwen had a change of heart... no, he showed high moral standards and a sense of justice.

Otherwise, this project would have been delayed for years, and Snow City would have missed out on good development opportunities.

Mayor Zhao immediately held a press conference to introduce this news to the people of the city.

At the same time, Lu Chengwen had Li Meiqin directly transfer the 50 billion yuan received yesterday into the account of the Slum Project Working Group of the municipal government.

With this money in hand, Mayor Zhao felt much more confident!

When I first came to Snow City, its development wasn't as fast as it is now. It lacked major investment projects, lacked leading enterprises, and most importantly, lacked money.

I went to the provincial leaders, and do you know what they said?

Go away, no money, but plenty of tasks! You, Old Zhao, go see how much our heads are worth and use that to get money!

If I had money, what would I need you for? You, Old Zhao, have the ability to be a mayor, so you should have the ability to make money!

Otherwise, go home and take care of your children, don't embarrass me here!

So, I found the four major families led by Lu Chengwen.

Now, the 50 billion yuan has arrived!

With money in my pocket, I feel much more confident!

Without this money, would I dare to hold a grand press conference!?

Dream on!

Of course, this was Mayor Zhao's inner thoughts.

It must be said that Mayor Zhao's efficiency in spending money was really high.

Why!?

This project had been weighing heavily on Mayor Zhao. The basic calculations and various plans had been done many times, but there was no money!

Now that there is money, we can give the people an answer.

The original residents of the slums are about 200,000, with an average of four people per household, totaling about 70,000 households.

If each household receives a 4,000 yuan annual rental subsidy, that's 280 million to 300 million yuan per year. Over three years, that's nearly 1 billion yuan.

The remaining 40 billion yuan can be used as employment subsidies, school enrollment subsidies, and medical subsidies to compensate for the losses the people have suffered over the past three years.

In short, 50 billion yuan should be more than enough, and there will even be some surplus.

The key is that this can quell the people's dissatisfaction, increase their confidence in the project, and truly help them with their problems.

Lu Chengwen insisted on not attending the press conference.

Despite Mayor Zhao's repeated assurances that no rotten eggs would be allowed in, Lu Chengwen still refused.

...

Lu Chengwen gathered Leng Qingqiu, Xu Xuejiao, and Chen Mengyun in the meeting room and took out three contracts.

They were guarantee contracts, ensuring that, regardless of how the project developed, the Great Sage Group would guarantee their return of principal.

The three women realized that Lu Chengwen was crazy.

He was willing to spend the money on the people of Snow City rather than let Long Aotian benefit.

But this action would definitely anger Long Aotian.

Based on previous situations, Long Aotian had the support of dark forces and would not let him off.

Leng Qingqiu glanced at the contract, sneered, and tore it up.

Lu Chengwen was surprised: "Qingqiu, what are you doing!?"

Leng Qingqiu said: "I have money, what do I need your guarantee for? I only invested less than 50 billion yuan. If I lose it all, so be it. If I sign this contract, am I still a person?"

She then looked at Xu Xuejiao and Chen Mengyun.

Chen Mengyun smiled and also tore up the contract: "A mere 20 billion yuan, I can afford to lose. Besides, it's not certain that we won't make a profit. With so many new houses in the slums, if the momentum builds up, we might even make money."

Lu Chengwen said: "Mengyun, this is a big deal, you should discuss it with your family."

Chen Mengyun got angry and looked at Lu Chengwen: "Do you think I'm not as good as Leng Qingqiu?"

Leng Qingqiu laughed provocatively on the side, trying to stir up Chen Mengyun's competitive spirit to make her tear up the contract.

Lu Chengwen explained: "That's not what I meant, this isn't a competition..."

"This is a competition!" Chen Mengyun said: "You trust Leng Qingqiu but not me!"

Leng Qingqiu looked over, and when she saw that Xu Xuejiao had already signed the contract and was very happy, she humphed.

Chen Mengyun turned around, surprised.

Xu Xuejiao held the contract and walked up to Lu Chengwen, putting her arm around his shoulder: "Little Lu!"

"What did you call me?"

Xu Xuejiao laughed mischievously: "Hey, today you owe me a big favor!"

She then tore up the contract she had just signed and made a face at Lu Chengwen.

Lu Chengwen suddenly felt a warm feeling in his heart.

What he was doing was bound to make a lot of people hate him.

But these three close friends were all so supportive of him.

What is support? When someone is willing to put up real money, treat money as nothing, and share the risk of huge losses with you, that is true support!

Xu Xuejiao giggled: "Little Lu, what do you plan to do this time?"

Lu Chengwen looked at her: "You should be less touchy with me, girls, be more careful."

"Hey, hey, hey." Xu Xuejiao said: "Hey! I heard your dad called my dad!"

"So what?"

"Don't you want to know what they talked about?"

"No."

Lu Chengwen said: "What are you all still doing here? Go home."

Leng Qingqiu walked over: "Chengwen, what do you plan to do next? Long Aotian won't let this go."

Xu Xuejiao rolled her eyes.

Leng Qingqiu glanced at her and ignored her.

Lu Chengwen laughed: "When the enemy comes, we fight; when the water comes, we block it. If I lose my head, it's just a big scar. I've beaten him before, and I want to see if this bastard is invincible."

Chen Mengyun said: "You should hire more bodyguards for safety."

Lu Chengwen laughed.

[Bodyguards are useless. Long Aotian's men can handle a few bodyguards easily.]

[Now I think I'm in a dead-end situation. Before I die, I need to finish what I need to do.]

[Since I can't change it, I might as well fight with all my might! In your world, you, Long Aotian, are the main character! But in my world, I, Lu Chengwen, am the main character!]

[I may not be able to change much, but if I can get the Slum Project implemented before I die! If there can be tall buildings and thousands of households living in peace and prosperity in the future! I won't have lived in vain!]

[Long Aotian! I've been avoiding you, but today, I've decided not to dodge anymore and to face you head-on!]

[These girls need to be kept at a distance so they don't get involved in my troubles.]

With this in mind, Lu Chengwen turned around and said sternly: "Alright, the contracts are signed, all of you leave. Don't bother me. I get annoyed just seeing you girls."

Lu Chengwen finished speaking and found that the three girls weren't angry but were looking at him and smiling.

Lu Chengwen was a bit confused.

[Are they all idiots?]