23: Chapter 23 How to make money?

Just as he stepped out of the office, he saw the situation outside Qin Chuan's office.

Immediately, his face darkened.

Damn it, they're all fence-sitters, every one of them starting to cozy up to that guy named Qin. This won't do; I must get rid of him as soon as possible.

As for Qin Chuan...

After listening to these work reports, he gained a deeper understanding of the situation in Dahe Township. As he listened, he took notes on several issues, planning to take some time to think carefully about how to proceed with the work.

After hearing reports from a few people, with three or four more still waiting, Principal Yang Qi knocked and entered.

It was clear that he looked a bit upset.

As soon as he entered, he said indignantly, "Secretary Qin, this is too much! Director Liao Ping from the Finance Office is using all sorts of excuses to withhold the funds!"

What? Something like this is happening!

This Director Liao Ping, does she think she can do whatever she wants!

Qin Chuan was truly a bit angry. He picked up the phone on his desk and dialed. As soon as it connected, he said, "Director Liao Ping, come over here for a moment!"

The Finance Office was in the same building, and it should have only taken a minute or two to get there, but it took Director Liao Ping a full ten minutes to finally arrive.

After entering, she was still putting on an act.

"Secretary Qin, what did you want to see me about?"

Qin Chuan gave her a very dissatisfied look and let out a barrage of criticism, "What's wrong with you? Do you intend to defy the decision of the Party Committee? Do you still want to be the head of the Finance Office? If not, feel free to resign..."

Because Director Liao Ping had the support of Township Head Liu Qiang and was in charge of such an important department as the Finance Office, she was arrogant in Dahe Township.

She basically looked down on everyone.

Being scolded like this for the first time, her face flushed bright red, and she was nearly moved to tears.

She defended herself, "Secretary Qin, Principal Yang's procedure was incorrect, and the submitted payroll list hadn't been audited. I..."

Qin Chuan didn't care for her excuses. He checked the time and said, "It is now 3:17 PM. If the back pay for the teachers hasn't been transferred to the Central School's account by 4:00 PM, I will dismiss you from your post!"

Director Liao Ping really wanted to say that such a large sum—over a million yuan—required Township Head Liu's signature, but in the end, she didn't dare.

She was arrogant, but not stupid.

Knowing that if she really clashed with him like this, her position as the head of the Finance Office would likely be lost, she could only say dejectedly, "I'll do my best."

Qin Chuan said, "It's not 'do your best,' it's a must. Principal Yang, if the money isn't in your school's account by four o'clock, come find me."

Hearing this, Principal Yang Qi was overjoyed!

"Alright, alright. Thank you, Secretary Qin."

Before 4:00 PM, the money finally arrived in the Central School's account. As soon as it was credited, Principal Yang Qi instructed the school's finance department to transfer the back pay into the accounts of every faculty member and staff.

This immediately caused a huge reaction among the staff of the Central School.

"Six months of back pay has actually arrived!"

"That's great! We finally have money. I'm going to buy two pounds of meat after school. To tell you the truth, my family hasn't had meat for over half a month!"

"Thank you, Secretary Qin!"

"Secretary Qin has such drive! He's only been in office for a few days and he's already solved such a major issue for us!"

"..."

Almost all the staff were talking about it, each one filled with heartfelt gratitude. Qin Chuan's status in everyone's minds soared, winning the respect and support of many teachers.

Township Head Liu Qiang was very frustrated.

Just now, he had received a call from Director Liao Ping.

On the phone, Director Liao Ping was sobbing, saying that she had been severely scolded by Qin Chuan and had no choice but to release the over one million yuan in back pay for the teachers.

After hanging up, Township Head Liu Qiang really wanted to smash the phone.

Right now, he was at the Sanjiang Hotel, the best and largest in the county seat. Sitting next to him were Wang Jun, the owner of the Jiucailing Coal Mine, and others.

Wang Jun said, "Old Liu, he's just a kid, yet you can't even beat him."

Township Head Liu Qiang said angrily, "That guy knows how to win people over. Now, Ma Zhengnan, Deputy Party Secretary Fu, and Vice Township Head Mu Xiuwen have all sided with him. He basically controls the Party Committee."

Wang Jun said, "Do you want me to show him what's what? I'll teach him a lesson so he knows who really calls the shots in Dahe Township."

Township Head Liu Qiang said, "Then I'll have to trouble you, President Wang. I really do want to teach that Qin fellow a lesson; otherwise, this frustration bottled up inside me is unbearable. But I know that won't work—we can't use force."

Wang Jun said, "If not force, then we'll use a more civilized approach."

After thinking for a moment, Township Head Liu Qiang said, "A civilized approach is fine. After all, he is the Township Party Committee Secretary. If you have someone beat him up, the fallout would be bad. A civilized approach wouldn't have that problem. What do you plan to do, President Wang?"

Wang Jun said, "It's simple. We throw money at him, pull him into our camp, and make him a member of our community of interests. I don't believe there's anyone in this world who doesn't like money. If money doesn't work, then a beautiful woman surely will. There's bound to be something he likes."

Township Head Liu Qiang almost raised both hands in approval. "This is a great idea. If he becomes one of us, then everything will be easy to handle."

...

It was after five o'clock again. Qin Chuan checked the time, briefly tidied up his desk, and prepared to leave work.

Director Hu Qibin knocked and entered. "Secretary, will you be having dinner in the cafeteria or eating out?"

Qin Chuan said, "The cafeteria."

"Alright, I'll let the chef know right away to fry up a few dishes for you."

"No need, I'll just have a simple meal," Qin Chuan said. "By the way, where is Township Head Liu? I don't think I've seen him all afternoon."

Director Hu Qibin reported, "He left work around three o'clock. He probably went to the county seat. I also saw Wang Jun's Land Rover heading that way. They should be together now."

Qin Chuan nodded.

He recalled the information from the system: tonight, Township Head Liu Qiang, Wang Jun, and the others would be gambling at the Sanjiang Hotel, and the stakes would be very high.

It was still early. He'd wait until nine or ten o'clock to call the police and give them a nasty surprise.

The possibility of them actually being arrested was slim, as these people had connections and backgrounds in Sanjiang County, but he could at least make things difficult for them.

After eating dinner in the cafeteria, Qin Chuan took a walk nearby. Since there wasn't much entertainment for one person, he returned to his residence around seven or eight o'clock.

He made a few phone calls, chatting with his mother and sister for a while, especially with his sister for quite some time.

Older Sister was a total "brother-complex" type; she absolutely adored her younger brother and was very concerned, fearing he would suffer in a place like Dahe Township. She had suggested coming to visit several times.

She was all the way in Beijing, not the provincial capital. Qin Chuan told her everything was fine and there was no need to come.

He happened to mention the situation at the Dahe Township Central Primary School. When she heard how dilapidated the school was and that the teachers' wages were in arrears, she was filled with righteous indignation.

"Little brother, a school like that must be rebuilt. The conditions are too poor. It's already 2010, and yet such a dilapidated school still exists."

Qin Chuan said, "I'm thinking about that too, but at a conservative estimate, it would take at least twenty to thirty million yuan. Where would Dahe Township get that much money? I'm wondering how to get the funds."

Older Sister reminded him, "It's just twenty or thirty million. It's simple—just find any company to sponsor it, or go to the Provincial Committee of the Communist Youth League's Project Hope."

Finding a corporate sponsor was a bit unrealistic unless he told them his father was the Provincial Party Secretary; then, many companies would likely scramble to sponsor it.

Then he would try the Provincial Committee of the Communist Youth League in the next few days.