Chapter 751: Chapter 751

Gao Liangwei called out inquisitively.

What happened to Secretary Song?

Is there a problem with the fiscal balance sheet?

Why is he frowning so deeply?

Song Guanchao put down the document and gave a bitter smile: "Director Gao, you’re a director at an inopportune time."

Gao Liangwei felt his heart skip a beat: "What do you mean?"

He grabbed the document, and after reading it, he didn’t notice anything wrong.

"Secretary Song, is there an issue with the financial funds?"

Song Guanchao said, "The high-speed rail project is expected to have a total expenditure of about 25 billion, and our share exceeds 15 billion."

Gao Liangwei thought he was worried that the 15 billion in the budget wouldn’t be enough and explained, "The project expenditure isn’t a one-off payment; high-speed rail construction is measured in years. There are less than two months left this year; the 15 billion is absolutely enough for initial payments..."

Song Guanchao shook his head, interrupting him: "Before Bao Jianhua’s early retirement, the fiscal budget he made prioritized the Fengmen Building urban redevelopment, not the high-speed rail."

"How is that possible?"

Gao Liangwei’s expression changed slightly, feeling that Song Guanchao must be joking.

"Once the fiscal budget is approved, you’ll know whether I’m joking."

Song Guanchao didn’t explain much, nor was there a need.

Once he saw the fiscal budget, he would naturally understand what he meant.

He grabbed the document and said, "I’m heading back now."

Returning to the City Committee, Song Guanchao handed the document to Wu Qiangwei.

After reading it, Wu Qiangwei was silent for more than ten seconds.

Just as she was about to speak, Song Guanchao’s phone suddenly rang, it was a call from Gao Liangwei.

"Director Gao’s call."

Song Guanchao said this, then answered the call.

"Secretary Song, the city government’s budget has been sent back." Gao Liangwei’s voice was somewhat suppressed.

"Take a picture and send it to me."

A few minutes later, a series of photos were sent over.

Song Guanchao forwarded them to Wu Qiangwei; the two of them, across the desk, picked up their mobile phones to check the photos.

In the fiscal budget projects, aside from some necessary expenditures, the Fengmen Building urban redevelopment project was listed first.

While the high-speed rail budget was pushed below, with a measly budget expense of only 170 million!

This amount of money isn’t even enough to cover the demolition payments.

When Song Guanchao saw this figure, he laughed bitterly in anger.

The damned Zheng Bihui didn’t even pretend, he was playing with open cards.

Wu Qiangwei put down the phone and said, "Cigarette."

Song Guanchao took out two, lighting one for her first and then one for himself.

The two puffed away, their faces clouded with worry.

At this moment, there was suddenly a knock on the door.

Wu Ming pushed the door open: "Secretary..."

Before he could continue, he saw Song Guanchao.

Then, he saw the two of them holding cigarettes, taking turns puffing.

Wu Ming opened his mouth, stunned in place.

Zeng Li curiously poked out half a head, saw this scene, and was also stunned with mouth agape.

Song Guanchao felt a bit guilty and subconsciously wanted to stub out the cigarette.

"What’s up?" Wu Qiangwei asked.

"Well..." Wu Ming cleared his throat and said, "Secretary, you have a blind date tonight."

Wu Qiangwei frowned and was about to tell him to leave, but paused to ask, "Who is it? Are they wealthy?" Googlᴇ search novel•fire.net

"I asked, is tonight’s blind date wealthy?"

"Pretty wealthy, their family owns three listed companies."

"Hmm, got it, you can go now."

The door closed again, and Wu Qiangwei said, "You should leave too."

Song Guanchao asked, "Secretary, you wouldn’t be planning to borrow money from the blind date, would you?"

She had just asked about the blind date’s wealth; clearly, she was considering external funding.

Wu Qiangwei was silent for two seconds and said, "We can’t just let the high-speed rail drag on ."

Since they initially grabbed the high-speed rail project from Zheng Bihui, no matter the difficulty, they can only move forward, there’s no turning back.

It’s the first project she took on after assuming her position; she must see it through to completion.

Moreover, the resettlement work has been completed, and the demolition payments cannot be delayed.

Once the demolition payments aren’t made on time, it could easily trigger mass incidents.

Therefore, not only must the demolition payments be in place, but they must also be issued on time.

Once delayed, Zheng Bihui will undoubtedly send people to spread rumors.

If that group of relocated residents gets scared, they might directly block the City Committee’s doors.

Such an incident could be big or small, improperly handled, it might even lead to her being dismissed.

Song Guanchao said, "Secretary, aren’t you oversimplifying things?"

"The person is coming for a blind date, not to invest. In a dating setting, do you think it’s appropriate to ask for money?"

"If such things reach the ears of elders, it could have a very negative impact."

Song Guanchao continued, "Besides, would they even lend it?"

"Even if, out of respect for you or your family, they lend it, how much could they lend?"

"A few million? Ten million?"

"This amount isn’t enough to cover demolition payments. Even borrowing wouldn’t make a difference, and it would create a debt of gratitude."

He felt that Wu Qiangwei was losing her perspective, considering such an approach.

Wu Qiangwei remained silent, indeed feeling like she was grasping at straws.

She rubbed her temples: "Contact Mayor Zheng’s secretary; I will visit the city government later."

Song Guanchao wanted to say, going would be futile.

But at this moment, Wu Qiangwei clearly had no better solution, since they’re now waiting for the Finance Bureau’s approval for demolition payments.

Regardless of whether the subsequent funds materialize, this money absolutely cannot be delayed.

Song Guanchao nodded, left the office, and contacted Li Jun: "Secretary Li, could you please inform Mayor Zheng that Secretary Wu will be visiting later."

Wu Qiangwei pushed open the door: "Did you get in touch?"

The two headed towards the elevator, with Wu Ming trailing behind: "Secretary, tonight..."

"Have it postponed for me."

They went downstairs, got in the car, Wu Ming drove, Song Guanchao sat in the passenger seat, and Wu Qiangwei sat in the back.

Throughout the journey, she kept her eyes closed, whether in light sleep or deep thought was unclear.

Arriving at the city government, Li Jun stood up and said, "Secretary Wu."

He opened the office door for her, and once Wu Qiangwei went in, Song Guanchao waited outside.

It was less than ten minutes before Wu Qiangwei came out, and during that time, Song Guanchao didn’t hear any sounds of argument from inside.

"Let’s go." Wu Qiangwei had a calm expression, showing no signs of emotion.

By the time they returned to the City Committee, it was already noon. Song Guanchao got lunch, but Wu Qiangwei had no appetite and touched none of it.

"Secretary, have something to eat."

Since she didn’t eat, neither did Song Guanchao.

"Secretary, what did Mayor Zheng say?"

"Really, not a single penny approved?"

Song Guanchao said, "If the demolition payments can’t be made, when the residents come to cause trouble, both he and Secretary Lu will be affected; isn’t he worried at all?"

If residents block the doors of the City Committee, all main leaders will be held accountable; there’s no escaping it.

Such a strategy, harming the enemy at the cost of oneself, benefits him in no way.

Wu Qiangwei was silent for a couple of seconds and said, "He wants the high-speed rail project."