Spring Breeze Twenty Years

Chapter 444 Repaying a Favor 1

Uncle Wang covered the microphone and asked Xiao Wei, "The director said we can buy more if we don't have enough money. What do you mean? Are you really planning to buy more?"

Xia Maosheng nodded and said, "Buy it. This opportunity is rare. Ask her if buying three buildings is feasible."

Uncle Wang opened his mouth in surprise and mouthed, "Three buildings?" Xia Maosheng nodded, "We need the cadre housing."

Uncle Wang glanced at Xiao Wei, took a breath, and removed his hand, saying, "Xiao Liu, how about this? As a new cadre, I definitely have to support the department's affairs. You talk to the director, and if we can't raise enough funds in the end, I can sponsor three cadre buildings."

Xiao Liu stood there stunned for several seconds before asking, "Section Chief, how much did you say? How much?"

Uncle Wang said, "I said, if we can't gather enough in the end, I can take over three cadre housing buildings. Three buildings."

Xiao Liu said, "Okay, I'll go tell the director right away. Section Chief, your family is really rich." After hanging up the phone, Uncle Wang said with a wry smile, "Alright, now I'm famous in the department."

Xiao Wei said, "What's there to be afraid of with money we earned legally? It's a good opportunity to let them know our family is wealthy, so some people won't have any ulterior motives later. It's just telling them we have plenty of money, so they shouldn't waste it on useless things. The leaders in the department will definitely feel more comfortable entrusting you with responsibilities, so what are you worried about?"

Geng Hui had calmed down by now and said, "Uncle, having more money makes people jealous, but having so much that people can't even imagine it creates pressure. I guess your department head and deputy department head will be much more polite to you in the future. Who would dare to give you attitude? This is a good thing."

Xiao Hong said, "Weren't we planning to send you to the Urban Construction Bureau in the second half of the year? Now you're all set. Who would dare to stop you? Who would doubt your ability to handle money? Even those who are planning to spend a little money to squeeze out benefits, they'd better think twice. Director Wang bought three buildings all by himself." After saying that, she couldn't help but laugh. Everyone laughed too. Uncle Wang swallowed and licked his lips, seemingly lost in thought.

Aunt Wang said, "My goodness, you old and young, why don't you all work together? What's the point of building all those houses? Are you all going to live in one each? And then you'd have to take turns."

Xia Maosheng said, "Auntie, the house will be valuable in the future. We can leave it there for a few years and then sell it. Once the house is built and the property certificate is issued, we can just wait."

Xiaohong said, "Is it easy to get a property ownership certificate? I remember someone telling me that welfare housing and collectively funded housing don't have certificates."

Xiao Wei went to the kitchen, looked at the pots, and said, "Young man, turn around and look. The person sitting next to you is the deputy director of the Comprehensive Division of the Construction Department, who oversees the Housing Management Office. We paid for it, so why shouldn't we get the certificate?"

……

At the Construction Department, Xiao Liu jogged to the director's office, knocked on the door, and went in without waiting for a reply.

Director Wang looked up and asked, "What's wrong?"

Xiao Liu said, "I've completed the task and came to report. Also, Director, what about the bonus you mentioned for exceeding the target? How much is it?"

Director Wang smiled, put down his pen, sat down, looked at Xiao Liu, and said, "You finished it as soon as you left? And you even exceeded the quota?"

Xiao Liu nodded and said, "Yeah, it's over the limit. I'm not going to haggle with them. Director, they looked at me like I was trying to scam them out of money. These old cadres are just used to taking advantage. It just so happens that Director Wang said he'd buy it, so let's let Director Wang buy it. Director Wang said he's new to our unit and we have to support the department's work. He said if we can't raise enough money in the end, he'll sponsor three cadre buildings, three buildings. Director Wang's family is really rich."

Director Wang adjusted his reading glasses, then took them off and placed them on the table. He pinched the bridge of his nose, thought for a while, and said, "Alright, let's do it this way. We can't let a small group of people hold us back. I've approved these three buildings. Tell him to hand over the money. Other departments and units should do the same. Anyone who is willing to pay can buy them."

I've practically bleeded over this land. I've gone to great lengths, haggling and arguing with everyone from the provincial to the city levels, and now that I've finally gotten it. If I have to give it back because of the fundraising issue, how am I supposed to face anyone in Fengtian after this? Let's just do it this way, no need to hide it from anyone."

Xiao Liu said, "Then I'll fill out the form, okay?"

Director Wang nodded and said, "Okay, fill it out. Bring it here for me to sign."

Xiao Liu laughed, leaned closer, and asked, "Brother-in-law, does that bonus still count?"

Director Wang pursed his lips helplessly and said, "Fine, fine, fine, go back." Little Liu swayed her hips and walked out arrogantly. That's how it is in government offices; once a task is assigned, there's a corresponding reward. Actually, it's not much; Little Liu will only get a thousand yuan this time. But for office workers in this era, a thousand yuan is two months' salary!

Director Wang thought for a moment, then picked up the phone and dialed a number: "Old Wei? Come to my office for a moment, I need to discuss something."

A short while later, a tall, thin man carrying a large tea mug entered Director Wang's office. He looked to be in his fifties, and his hands were covered in tobacco smoke.

"What's the rush?" Old Wei sat down opposite Director Wang, placed his large tea mug on the table, took out a cigarette and tossed one to Director Wang, then lit one for himself, took a puff, and said, "This cigarette is quite good."

The cigarettes were a special supply from Anji. Director Wang picked up a cigarette, lit it, and said, "I only brought back two cartons, and you even managed to steal one. How's it going on your end?"

Old Wei flicked his cigarette ash and said, "Isn't this what we're doing? Have you raised the money yet? Don't let it all fall apart in the end."

Director Wang said, "These people nowadays are used to enjoying life and think that everything is their due. When asked to contribute a small amount of money to such a nice house, they all make excuses. Forget it, I won't force them. If they don't want to buy, then so be it."

Old Wei asked, "So what about the money in the end? This is no small amount. Don't you dare try to take anything from the hall. The house isn't yours alone. At worst, we can just not build it. This time, nobody can get the house for free. I'll take responsibility if anything happens."

Director Wang said, "The money can be raised. That's exactly what I wanted to talk to you about. You know that new guy, Wang Jianshe, right?"

Old Wei nodded, waved the cigarette in his hand, and said, "I know, you said this cigarette is from his son-in-law's shop."

Director Wang nodded and said, "Yes, it's because of Old Chen's connections with the Northeast Bureau. Just now, Wang Jianshe said that if no one buys them, he personally pledges three cadre apartments to support our work. Based on his seniority and rank, that should be around 1.3 million, so three cadre apartments would be about 750,000. I appreciate this favor."

I originally planned to promote him to a lower-level position in the second half of the year so he could go to the urban construction department and take over from Lao Song. But I just thought about it and decided to use this opportunity to let him go there now. Let Lao Song come back to the personnel department to wait for retirement. He's currently a section chief. Could you help me get his deputy section chief status sorted out? Once he's there, he can go straight to section chief.

Old Wei, who was in charge of personnel at the Standing Committee, smoked a cigarette, thought for a while, scratched his head, and said, "Alright, if you want to do it, then do it. It's a bit rushed, I'm just worried someone might take it too seriously. Where did he get all this money? What did he do before?"

Director Wang said, "He used to be the head of an agricultural machinery station in the county, a veteran who was transferred from the army at the battalion level. The money belongs to his son-in-law. Don't worry, there's absolutely no problem with his family's money. That's why I want him to go over there as soon as possible. He will definitely not have any financial problems. He only has one daughter, and his son-in-law earns over a million a year. What would he need money for? I don't trust him to use it."

(End of this chapter)