108: Chapter 108 Attempting to Persuade Qin Chuan

"County Magistrate Zhang, you should have heard about the construction of the high-speed rail in our Handong Province, right?"

"Yes, I've heard," County Magistrate Zhang Yuansong said. "It's a high-speed rail trunk line that runs north to south. The planning and design have been completed, and construction is about to start. What's exciting is that it passes through our Dongzhou City. If this high-speed rail opens to traffic, it will be a huge boost to Dongzhou City's economy."

Hearing this, Secretary Zhao Shaojun felt much more at ease.

At the very least, County Magistrate Zhang Yuansong was very optimistic about this high-speed rail, which was good news.

"County Magistrate Zhang, if this high-speed rail could pass through our Sanjiang County and have a station set up here, what do you think that would be like?"

Instantly, County Magistrate Zhang Yuansong's interest was piqued.

This...

"If it really could pass through our county, it would definitely be an exciting event. The economic pull for our county would be massive; it could even greatly enhance our county's status and influence!"

Secretary Zhao Shaojun said, "County Magistrate Zhang, your view is basically the same as mine. Let me tell you something even more exciting: this high-speed rail really can pass through our county, and a high-speed rail station can be set up here."

"Really? There's such an exciting possibility!"

"Absolutely!" Secretary Zhao Shaojun said with certainty. "I used some connections and channels to contact the relevant departments. They said it's entirely possible to slightly modify the planned route."

Hearing this, County Magistrate Zhang Yuansong's eyes lit up.

His reaction was quite significant; he stood up with a 'swish,' a look of disbelief on his face.

Amidst his surprise, he also thought enviously that Secretary Zhao Shaojun had a powerful background—his uncle was even a Vice Governor—so it was normal for him to have such channels.

If high-speed rail could pass through our Sanjiang County, that would be wonderful!

Secretary Zhao Shaojun took in all of County Magistrate Zhang Yuansong's expressions and reactions, feeling even more confident. He began to transform into an excellent lobbyist.

"County Magistrate Zhang, if our county can get high-speed rail during our terms, it will be a massive achievement. No matter what, we should work together to make this happen."

"Secretary Zhao, just say the word. How do you want me to cooperate?"

"Then I'll get straight to the point. As long as our county can provide 1.5 billion in funding, the relevant higher authorities have promised that they can slightly modify the planned route and set up a station in our county."

"It needs 1.5 billion? That's not a small sum." County Magistrate Zhang Yuansong immediately felt the pressure. He reminded him, "Secretary Zhao, with our county's financial capacity, it's very difficult to come up with that much money."

"I know that, of course," Secretary Zhao Shaojun said. "We can't provide it, but someone can."

County Magistrate Zhang Yuansong said, "Are you talking about Dahe Township? Letting them provide the money?"

"County Magistrate Zhang, you're quick; you guessed it right away," Secretary Zhao Shaojun said. "As long as we can persuade Qin Chuan, this money won't be a problem at all."

"County Magistrate Zhang, this is also why I specifically came to find you. I suggest you step forward and have a chat with Qin Chuan about this. How about it? That shouldn't be a problem, right?"

After thinking for a moment, perhaps feeling that it wasn't a big issue, County Magistrate Zhang Yuansong said, "Then I'll have a chat with Comrade Qin Chuan first."

Secretary Zhao Shaojun was overjoyed, seemingly seeing hope. As long as County Magistrate Zhang Yuansong was willing to step forward, the money should not be a major problem.

"Good, then I'll wait for your good news."

...

Dahe Township.

Inside the office, Qin Chuan, Ma Zhengnan, Vice Township Head Mu Xiuwen, and others were chatting. They first talked about work for a while, such as the construction progress of the Thermal Power Plant and the situation of the new office building.

Then, the conversation turned to the high-speed rail that was about to start construction.

It seemed this was already an open secret; many people within the system already knew about it.

Ma Zhengnan said, "Our Dongzhou City is finally getting high-speed rail. In the future, going to the provincial capital will be convenient—it'll take less than an hour to get there."

Vice Township Head Mu Xiuwen said, "It's a slight pity that the high-speed rail doesn't pass through our Sanjiang County, but instead goes through Qinghe County and then continues south."

Ma Zhengnan said, "That doesn't matter. The high-speed rail station for Dongzhou City has been decided; it's called East Dongzhou Station. It's located in the eastern suburbs of the city, not far from our Sanjiang County. It only takes a bit over an hour to drive there."

Qin Chuan nodded and said, "Yes, East Dongzhou Station is indeed not far. If our county and Dongzhou City build an expressway, the drive won't even take an hour."

From the county to Dongzhou City, there was no dedicated expressway; they mainly used county and provincial roads. It took about two hours to reach Dongzhou's urban area, but the distance to the planned East Dongzhou Station was much shorter, taking only a bit over an hour.

"Secretary, don't you think it would be great if an expressway could be built from our county to Dongzhou's urban area? Whether it's going to East Dongzhou Station to take the high-speed rail or going into the city, it would be very convenient."

"That's a good suggestion. If an expressway is built, it could basically follow a straight line, and the distance would be much shorter. I estimate it would only be fifty or sixty kilometers."

"No, I think it should be less than fifty kilometers."

As everyone was chatting, Director Hu Qibin walked in and reported, "Secretary, we received a phone notification from the County Party Committee Office. County Magistrate Zhang is already on his way to our Dahe Township."

"Oh, County Magistrate Zhang is coming."

Qin Chuan was slightly surprised but didn't think much of it. Within a month, County Magistrate Zhang Yuansong would usually come two or three times.

He would either be investigating the construction of the Thermal Power Plant or visiting Dahe Energy Group for an inspection. As for Secretary Zhao Shaojun, he basically never came, let alone inspected the Thermal Power Plant under construction.

However, County Magistrate Zhang would always notify them in advance and usually state the purpose and items of the investigation. This time was a bit different; he hadn't said anything, and he was already on his way.

About ten minutes later, County Magistrate Zhang Yuansong arrived.

When the County Magistrate arrived, all other matters had to be set aside to focus on the reception.

Qin Chuan and several township leaders sat on the sofas in the reception room, chatting with County Magistrate Zhang.

County Magistrate Zhang Yuansong first inquired with concern about the development and construction of Dahe Township. Qin Chuan and Ma Zhengnan provided detailed reports one by one.

After listening to the report, County Magistrate Zhang Yuansong asked.

"Our Dongzhou City is about to get high-speed rail. You should have all heard about this by now, right?"

Ma Zhengnan almost scrambled to say, "We've heard! we were just chatting about it. We all agree that once Dongzhou City has high-speed rail, the impact on future economic development will be massive."

"You think so too?" County Magistrate Zhang Yuansong was very happy and felt a sense of relief.

Since they thought so, then persuading the people of Dahe Township, especially Qin Chuan, to provide over a billion should not be much of a problem.