150: Chapter 150 Eager to Deliver Political Achievements

The conference room fell silent for a moment; an investment of 100 million was no small sum for Hukuang Township.

The entire township's fiscal revenue last year was less than 20 million; dropping 100 million here was equivalent to five years of fiscal revenue.

Coupled with employment, tax revenue, and the extension of the industrial chain, if this project could be implemented, the economic landscape of Hukuang Township would reach a new level.

Deputy Township Head Gong Zizhen's eyes lit up, while the head of the Agricultural Technology Extension Station opened his mouth, wanting to say something but swallowing it back.

Township Head Jiang Tiansheng's hand holding the teacup trembled slightly, causing the tea to slosh and nearly spill.

He knew this project had nothing to do with him and was aimed at Xu Weidong, but that didn't matter.

What mattered was that the project was landing in Hukuang Township; he was the Township Head, and he would have a share of the political achievement.

Xu Weidong's heart was churning, but his face remained calm.

An investment of 100 million, agreeing to purchase all agricultural products—the conditions offered by Tianmu Group were too good to be true.

He went over Zhang Tianmu's words in his mind several times and couldn't find any flaws, but he knew that everything had a price.

Zhang Tianmu was not a philanthropist; he was a businessman, and every decision a businessman made was for profit.

He hadn't come to Hukuang Township because he had suddenly developed a kind heart, but because he had found out about certain things.

As for what he knew or how he knew it, Xu Weidong didn't want to pursue it.

You don't hit a smiling face; who could turn away a political achievement?

If the project landed, the common people benefited, and the landscape of Hukuang Township changed, that was enough.

As for what Zhang Tianmu was planning, that was his business.

"Chairman Zhang, this sincerity of yours is too great."

Xu Weidong's voice carried a perfectly measured sense of gratitude, neither appearing servile nor cold.

"An investment of 100 million is unprecedented for Hukuang Township."

"On behalf of the more than 16,000 common people in Hukuang Township, I thank Tianmu Group for your trust and support."

"Please rest assured, after the project lands, the township will definitely cooperate fully, do a good job in service and support, and let the enterprise develop here with peace of mind."

Zhang Tianmu smiled and waved his hand, his tone carrying the boldness of a businessman.

"Secretary Xu, business is negotiated, not achieved through politeness. When I said 100 million, it wasn't a whim; it was calculated."

"Hukuang Township's apples, hazelnuts, and Cashmere Goats have guaranteed quality and scale; Tianmu Group has the channels, technology, and brand. Our cooperation is a complementary advantage."

"As for the specific investment plan, I'll have my technical director coordinate with you later. I only have one requirement, and that is that the project must be fast."

"Quick implementation, quick construction, quick production. The market waits for no one; the earlier we start production, the earlier we benefit."

Xu Weidong nodded and said firmly, "Chairman Zhang, rest assured. Although Hukuang Township is remote, we do not drag our feet in getting things done. The township will prepare the land, water, electricity, and labor needed for the project in advance, and we will not delay the construction schedule due to paperwork issues."

Zhang Tianmu nodded with satisfaction, his gaze lingering on Xu Weidong's face for a moment before turning to Township Head Jiang Tiansheng, his tone polite but noticeably more distant.

"Township Head Jiang, you are the head of the government side; after the project lands, I will have to trouble you with many specific matters. Let's communicate more then."

Township Head Jiang Tiansheng nodded quickly, his smile even more attentive than usual.

"Chairman Zhang is too kind. Cooperating with enterprises and providing good service is our duty. If you have any needs, just give the order at any time."

Zhang Tianmu nodded and said no more.

He picked up his teacup and took another sip, his gaze returning to Xu Weidong, as if looking at a work of art worth investing in.

He had been struggling in the business world for decades; he could tell at a glance who was worth investing in and who was not.

Xu Weidong was young, steady, and spoke and acted to the point. More importantly, there was the person standing behind him.

Zhang Tianmu had been operating in Fengtian Province for so many years; although he hadn't dealt directly with Xu Tianhua, his information channels were better than most people's.

He knew whose son Xu Weidong was, he knew what position Xu Tianhua held now, and he knew how far this young man would go in the future.

An investment of 100 million was nothing to Tianmu Group, but being able to help Xu Weidong at the beginning of his career—no one could calculate how much that favor would be worth in the future.

After the discussion meeting ended, Xu Weidong accompanied Zhang Tianmu to visit the apple orchards, hazelnut forests, and the Cashmere Goat farm.

Zhang Tianmu looked very carefully; every time they arrived at a place, he would get out of the car to walk around, chat with the fruit farmers, and ask the breeders about the situation.

His technical director held a tablet, marking the coordinates of the orchards, forests, and farms, taking photos and making records; the level of professionalism made Deputy Township Head Gong Zizhen click his tongue in secret.

When they reached the apple orchard, Zhang Tianmu stood at the edge of the field, looking at the stretch of apple trees on the hillside, and suddenly asked a question, his tone as casual as if chatting about daily life.

"Secretary Xu, you've been working in Hukuang Township for a year now, right?"

"Chairman Zhang is interested in my background?"

Xu Weidong stood beside him, his gaze also falling on the apple trees.

"Hahaha, just asking casually."

"How does it feel? Is township work tiring?"

Xu Weidong smiled and said, "It is tiring, but fulfilling. Working in a township, dealing with the common people every day, and watching their lives get better day by day—that kind of sense of achievement is something you can't experience in a government office."

Zhang Tianmu nodded and did not continue that topic.

He turned and walked toward the car, took two steps, then suddenly stopped, turned back, and looked at Xu Weidong, his voice lowered, low enough that only the two of them could hear.

"Secretary Xu, your father has made outstanding contributions to the country's development. Even as businessmen, we are filled with admiration."

Xu Weidong looked at him, his gaze calm, revealing no ripples.

"Chairman Zhang, my father is my father, and I am me."

Zhang Tianmu smiled; he didn't say anything more and turned to get into the car.

By the time the motorcade drove out of Hukuang Township, it was already past four in the afternoon.

Xu Weidong stood at the entrance of the Township Government, watching the motorcade disappear at the end of the road, and stood there for a long time.

Township Head Jiang Tiansheng stood behind him wanting to say something, opened his mouth, then swallowed it back and turned to return to the office building.

Deputy Party Secretary Hu Ming didn't know when he had come to stand beside Xu Weidong, his voice lowered, low enough that only the two of them could hear.

"Secretary Xu, an investment of 100 million—Tianmu Group has really gone all out."

Xu Weidong turned around, glanced at him, and the corners of his mouth curled up slightly.

"Whether they went all out or not isn't important. What's important is whether the project can land, and whether it can be effective after it lands."

"Arrange for the comrades in the agricultural sector to keep a close eye on this project; don't let any mistakes happen."

Deputy Party Secretary Hu Ming nodded and turned to leave.

Xu Weidong stood at the entrance, looking at the April evening sky; there was a touch of sunset glow on the horizon, red as if it were on fire.

He knew that Zhang Tianmu hadn't come for the apples of Hukuang Township; he had come for him, or more accurately, for his father.

But he didn't intend to refuse this investment. If the project landed, the common people benefited, and the landscape of Hukuang Township changed, that was enough.