216: Chapter 216 Something seems a little off.

"Comrade Qin Chuan, tell us quickly, how much investment did you bring back this time? Is it fifty million?"

Qin Chuan smiled happily and held up two fingers.

Secretary Kang Kewu was overjoyed. "Incredible, it's actually two hundred million! This is the largest investment Wanshun County has seen in recent years, and the largest in our Ningzhou this quarter. Amazing, truly amazing!"

An investment of two hundred million made even Secretary Kang Kewu, the Municipal Party Committee Secretary, happy.

Qin Chuan shook his head. "Secretary Kang, it's more than two hundred million. Much more."

What!

The look of surprise on Secretary Kang Kewu's face intensified. "Comrade Qin Chuan, could it be two billion? This surprise is too big; it would be the largest investment in Ningzhou this year!"

"Secretary, it's not two billion, but twenty billion!"

Tw... Twenty billion!

Even though Secretary Kang Kewu had seen his fair share of storms, he couldn't help but lose his composure for a moment, staring blankly for at least two or three seconds before reacting.

"Comrade Qin Chuan, you've performed a great service. This will be the largest investment Ningzhou City has seen in recent years. Impressive, truly remarkable!"

Secretary Kang Kewu unhesitatingly gave him a thumbs-up!

He couldn't help it; he was simply too happy!

An investment of twenty billion!

Qin Chuan saw that the leader was very happy, so he changed the subject. "Secretary Kang, just now Mayor Zhang called me over and was prepared to give me a harsh scolding, saying I was wasting taxpayers' money by leading a team to Beijing for a vacation."

"This Zhang Qun is truly out of line!" Secretary Kang Kewu said with a frown.

After reporting to Secretary Kang, Qin Chuan returned to Wanshun County in a good mood, and the news spread rapidly.

Just as he returned and sat down in his office, County Mayor Sheng Huaian pushed open the door and entered with a joyful expression.

"Secretary, you're really keeping a low profile. You brought in a twenty billion investment from Shenlong Automotive Group, and we're only finding out now."

Qin Chuan laughed. "I originally planned to wait another two days until the inspection team from Shenlong Automotive Group arrived before sharing the news with everyone, but you all found out anyway."

County Mayor Sheng Huaian also laughed happily. "There's no need to keep such good news a secret from everyone. Let the comrades share in the joy."

The news spread quickly!

Because this was a twenty billion investment, and the investor was Shenlong Automotive Group, a Fortune Global 500 company!

Besides almost the entire Ningzhou hearing about Qin Chuan leading a team to secure a twenty billion investment from Beijing, a rumor was also quietly circulating.

It was said that Mayor Zhang had called Secretary Qin Chuan over and scolded him severely, claiming that Secretary Qin was wasting taxpayers' money by taking a team to Beijing for a few days of vacation.

"Isn't that just nonsense? He didn't go there to play; he went to secure investment, and he successfully brought back twenty billion."

"Keep it down, be careful it doesn't reach Mayor Zhang's ears."

Although it was just a rumor discussed privately by some people, it still reached Zhang Qun's ears.

Hearing this, his face immediately darkened, looking quite grim.

His prejudice against Qin Chuan deepened, and he even considered finding an opportunity to take Qin Chuan down, unable to let him remain in the position of County Party Secretary.

But this would be difficult because a County Party Secretary is a provincial-managed official. He suppressed his anger, waiting for an opportunity.

As long as there was a chance, he would definitely not let it go.

...

The inspection team from Shenlong Automotive Group arrived quickly. Just two days after Qin Chuan returned, they arrived in Ningzhou City.

There were seven people in total, both men and women. The leader was Liu Lianghai, the Director of the Strategic Investment Department of Shenlong Automotive Group, a mid-level official.

Because this was an inspection team from Shenlong Automotive Group and an investment of twenty billion, Ningzhou City took it very seriously.

Secretary Kang Kewu, Zhang Qun, and other city leaders received them personally. The meeting was held at the Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government buildings, with Qin Chuan and other leaders from Wanshun County accompanying them.

Ningzhou City demonstrated a very high standard of reception. Not only did the top leaders receive them personally, but they also accompanied them to Wanshun County for the inspection, setting aside all other matters for this cause.

After the inspection, Liu Lianghai shook his head slightly.

In his view, Wanshun County was very ordinary with nothing particularly outstanding. He couldn't understand why the leadership had sent him to lead a team here for an inspection; it seemed like a waste of time.

As for the leadership saying the twenty billion investment would be placed in Wanshun County, he felt it could only be considered an intention at most. As long as he said Wanshun County was unsuitable, the leadership would change their minds.

Because he looked down on Wanshun County a bit, he remained quite serious throughout and spoke little. The people of Ningzhou City thought he was naturally a serious person with that kind of personality.

They spent almost the entire day inspecting Wanshun County. In the afternoon, Qin Chuan suggested that everyone have dinner in Wanshun County that evening, allowing the county to fulfill its role as the host.

Mayor Zhang was the first to refuse.

"Wanshun County's conditions are a bit poor. What if we slight our guests? The dinner banquet will be arranged by the city."

As the mayor, he indeed had the authority to make such arrangements.

Qin Chuan originally wanted to push further, but Liu Lianghai spoke up. "Mayor Zhang, let's return to Ningzhou."

"Yes, yes, we should definitely return to Ningzhou. We must have a few drinks tonight," Zhang Qun said happily.

At this moment, Qin Chuan completely understood. It turned out that Ma Feilong hadn't given Liu Lianghai any special instructions, let alone revealed his family background.

This explained a lot. No wonder Liu Lianghai had been relatively cold toward him throughout the process and instead stayed closer to Zhang Qun.

Since even Liu Lianghai said they should return to Ningzhou, Qin Chuan couldn't win against the odds and could only return to Ningzhou with everyone.

The dinner banquet was lavish and of a high standard.

Qin Chuan felt a bit uneasy. He should have been the protagonist, but it seemed the lead roles had become Zhang Qun and Liu Lianghai.

The two seemed to hit it off, chatting and laughing, clinking glasses and drinking from time to time. Qin Chuan and the others from Wanshun County were completely marginalized.

A look of worry appeared in County Mayor Sheng Huaian's eyes. Something seemed wrong; surely Mayor Zhang wasn't up to some mischief?

But he only dared to keep this suspicion to himself, not daring to warn Qin Chuan for fear of being discovered by Mayor Zhang, which would be disastrous.

It wasn't until the dinner banquet ended and they returned to their hotel that he knocked and entered Qin Chuan's room.

"Oh, County Mayor Huaian, please come in!"

After opening the door and seeing it was County Mayor Sheng Huaian, Qin Chuan guessed that something must be up.

Sure enough, after entering and closing the door, he said worriedly, "Secretary, did you notice? Mayor Zhang is being a bit excessively enthusiastic. I'm worried he might try to hijack the project halfway and have Liu Lianghai suggest to the top management of Shenlong Automotive Group to place the twenty billion factory in Ningzhou instead of our Wanshun County."

Qin Chuan said, "I noticed it too. It's very likely he might do that."

County Mayor Sheng Huaian was anxious. "Then what should we do? Why don't we go find Secretary Kang together?"