Unfortunately, he didn't get the good news from Li Mingde and instead received a baffling bad news: the vice mayor wanted to see him!
Feng Yu's first reaction was that Li Mingde was up to something, making the vice mayor behind him summon Feng Yu for a talk, using his official status to pressure Feng Yu into agreeing to sell the data and experts to the machinery factory at a low price, or even for free!
Damn, Feng Yu's dislike for Li Mingde grew even more. Initially, he saw Li Mingde as the factory manager, working for the welfare of the factory and all its employees. He didn't even hold a grudge over the false smuggling accusation last time. But he never expected this guy to set another trap!
However, Feng Yu was actually waiting to meet this vice mayor. One of the reasons he sold the equipment and technical data separately was to get acquainted with this vice mayor, hoping to use his influence to clean up the security situation in Bingcheng.
But when he first met the vice mayor, Feng Yu was suddenly stunned. How could it be him?
The vice mayor sitting behind the desk, smiling, was none other than Zhang Ruiqiang.
"Director Zhang... no, Mayor Zhang, why is it you?"
"Ha ha ha, surprised? I was just transferred yesterday. From now on, I'll be working at the municipal government." Zhang Ruiqiang was very happy, as he rarely saw Feng Yu surprised. This kid always had a calm expression, as if nothing could escape his control. Today, he must be shocked, right?
Feng Yu was indeed surprised, but not overly so. He knew that Zhang Ruiqiang would be transferred to become the vice mayor, then the mayor, and eventually rise to a ministerial position, but he didn't remember the exact timing.
He didn't know if the original timeline's history matched, but the overall timeline should be similar.
"It is a bit surprising, but not too much. A young and capable person like Mayor Zhang is bound to take charge of a region. Congratulations on your new position, Mayor Zhang."
"You, today I called you here, do you know why?" Zhang Ruiqiang walked out from behind the desk and sat on the sofa with Feng Yu.
"Is it to familiarize me with the place so I won't get lost in the future?" Feng Yu pretended to be confused.
"You're pretending. You bought some advanced machinery from the Soviet Union and sold it to our city's machinery factory, which is great, contributing significantly to your hometown. But why is the price for the technical data so high?" Zhang Ruiqiang pointed out.
"Unfair, Mayor Zhang! Did Li Mingde tell you? I spent two million rubles on the equipment, including taxes and shipping, which totals to 2.4 million rubles. The machinery factory in Lin Province offered a high price, but I didn't sell. Li Mingde only gave me 2.4 million, which means I'm losing money. I had to bribe the Russians, and my actual cost exceeded 3 million rubles!"
"Is that so?" Zhang Ruiqiang clearly didn't believe him. If it exceeded 3 million, why did Feng Yu show Li Mingde the 2.4 million receipt?
"Absolutely true! If I hadn't smoothed things over, even 5 million rubles wouldn't get you such good equipment. Especially these technical data, which are more valuable than the equipment. Science and technology are the primary productive forces, as the great leader recently said."
In September, the great leader proposed the concept that science and technology are the primary productive forces, which Zhang Ruiqiang naturally knew. He just didn't expect that Feng Yu would also know.
"Let me be frank. The city has allocated 15 million RMB to the machinery factory. 2.4 million rubles are for the equipment, and the rest is for you to exchange for the technical data."
Less than 4 million rubles, which was quite a gap from Feng Yu's expected price. Feng Yu thought it would be at least 20 million RMB. Although he bought it for 2 million rubles, he still owed Kirill a favor.
Moreover, these equipment and data were indeed worth more than 5 million rubles. Feng Yu felt 20 million RMB was even a bit low. Now, only 15 million was offered, which was a huge gap.
"Mayor Zhang, do you think the technical data is cheaper than the equipment? No problem, I can take it to the machinery factory in Lin Province, and they will definitely offer a satisfactory price. Or, I can spread the word that I have top-notch Soviet agricultural machinery production technical data. I can sell it for 15 million, do you believe that?"
Zhang Ruiqiang smiled at Feng Yu: "Then why don't you do that? Tell me, besides money, what else do you want? If it's not illegal, I might agree."
Zhang Ruiqiang had not spent his years in the government for nothing. To reach this position before 40, he was very capable. Since Feng Yu said this, he must want some non-monetary returns.
Seeing that Zhang Ruiqiang understood his meaning, Feng Yu touched his nose, making a slightly embarrassed expression: "Actually, my intention is to contribute to my hometown, so a little less money is acceptable. Since you mentioned it, I'll make a small request. Don't you think our Bingcheng is a bit chaotic?"
"Chaotic? What do you mean? City planning, security, or something else?"
"Security. A city's ability to attract investment from outsiders depends heavily on its security. My company was recently attacked, and you know about it. Song Lao Si's nephew can be so arrogant, let alone Song Lao Si himself. Now, Song Lao Si is still living a carefree life. There are also Wang Cui, Ke Ge, and Yang Baozi, all of whom are part of the underworld. To be honest, if I didn't have feelings for Bingcheng, I could move my company elsewhere. Although it would mean starting over, it's better than living in constant fear."
Feng Yu's original plan was to use the vice mayor to convey this message. He didn't need the provincial government; if the city government took action, the so-called Longjiang bosses would be brought to their knees. With a giant stone hanging over his head, Feng Yu often felt constrained.
Zhang Ruiqiang took a cigarette from the pack, took a deep puff, and remained silent for a long time.
Feng Yu's heart sank. No way, the city government doesn't plan to deal with these people and is waiting for a central order? Or is it because the stakes he offered weren't high enough, making Zhang Ruiqiang lack confidence to persuade the leaders?
"I just transferred here, and everything is still being sorted out. My words carry little weight, and the leaders may not take me seriously."
Zhang Ruiqiang had investigated these matters. The leaders were using these people as tools temporarily, while also gathering evidence. Once there is solid evidence, they will act immediately. Acting now would be futile. Therefore, Zhang Ruiqiang couldn't make a promise.
"Are we just going to let them run wild? They have brought some benefits, but the harm is greater! I don't believe you haven't heard about their notorious deeds; they're not just rumors."
Feng Yu was angry. A good person who does one bad thing is despised, while a bad person who does one good thing is forgiven. This means it's hard for a good person to become a saint, but a bad person can become a saint by putting down the knife and turning over a new leaf!
"We won't let them run wild. Within a year, we will definitely dismantle these criminal gangs. I swear it on my party membership!"