Me! A high-ranking official!

"During the initial negotiations, this was the only point they wouldn't budge on. I spent two days negotiating with them, we raised the rent, and we even negotiated a road construction sponsorship, but they just wouldn't budge on this payment method. If I were to go and tell them now that the payment method needs to be changed and the money needs to be transferred to the town's account first, what would they think? They would think that we can't even fulfill the contracts that have already been agreed upon, and they might just withdraw their investment in a fit of anger."

He revealed a bitter expression: "Secretary, I've only been here for twenty days. I finally managed to get them to come in. If I scare them away because of the funding process, I really can't bear the responsibility of ruining the project."

After listening, Wang Yongchun's smile faded slightly, but he didn't get angry. He picked up his teacup, slowly blew on the tea leaves, took a sip, and then said slowly, "Jianguo, I understand the difficulties you mentioned with the contract. But have you considered this? This five million yuan investment involves the land of hundreds of farmers in Luojia Village. If economic disputes arise in the future, who will handle them? Will you go door-to-door to resolve them alone, or will the town government step in to help you?"

He put down his teacup, his eyes sharpening. "Their company's legal team is formidable, but our government has its own rules and regulations. Such a large-scale land transfer requires full supervision from the town's management station! It's fine if the funds don't go through the town's basic account, but how is the supervisory authority implemented? What if the company runs out of funds and absconds? If the people don't receive their rent and come to the town government's door, who will bail them out? How will you, Zhao Jianguo, explain this to the people?"

Wang Yongchun tapped the table: "What I mean is, we don't insist on the money going directly into the town's finances, but to mitigate risks, the money can first be deposited into a joint account set up in the town. The town won't spend a single penny of your project funds; they'll just keep an eye on it for any eventuality. If the company needs money, they can submit a report and apply at any time, and we'll approve it on the same day. This way, we not only ensure the safety of the company's funds but also give the people peace of mind. Don't you think that makes sense?"

Zhao Jianguo cursed the old fox in his heart. If it was a jointly managed account, the seal for moving money was still in the hands of the town. What was the difference between that and being centrally managed?

He knew that if he continued to stand his ground on this issue, it would become disobedience to organizational arrangements, and the nature of the matter would change. He had to give the other party a way out while firmly holding onto his bottom line.

"Secretary, I completely agree with what you said about risk prevention! Such a large project definitely can't function without the town's oversight." Zhao Jianguo's mind raced: "Regarding the joint management account, I'd like to propose an alternative oversight plan, what do you think..."

"Why not have the village collective and the investment company open a joint bank account, with both the village's official seal and the company's financial seal present to access funds? Then, the town's economic management station should send someone to supervise the entire process, checking the accounts monthly, and making all transaction records public at the village committee. In this way, the village collective, which is directly responsible, will be the main body of supervision, while the town will have absolute supervisory power. The company will also feel at ease because the money is not in any level of government account, so there is no issue of violating their company's internal control procedures."

He appealed to both reason and emotion: "Secretary, I know the town really wants what's best for our village, but let's think about it from another perspective. If this Chinese medicinal herb project succeeds in the future, it will not only be a poverty alleviation achievement for Luojia Village, but also a shining achievement for our entire town in attracting investment! If early financial process frictions make people feel that our investment environment is too rigid, the loss will not be just this one project worth a few million."

Upon hearing this impeccable rebuttal, Wang Yongchun's smile vanished completely. He didn't slam his fist on the table in anger, but his tone was no longer that of a concerned elder; instead, it carried a clear official chill and intimidation: "Comrade Jianguo, you may still not fully understand what I mean."

"This investment of five million yuan involves the vital interests of hundreds of households in Luojia Village, and it is related to the overall situation of standardized management of land transfer in the town. As a level of people's government, the town has the responsibility and absolute power to supervise and control major economic matters within its jurisdiction. This is not a personal matter to discuss with you; it is a clear work requirement."

Wang Yongchun stared into Zhao Jianguo's eyes and threw out a serious accusation: "You're always talking about contracts and corporate legal affairs. Let me ask you this: as the first secretary sent down to the countryside, are you representing the poor people of Luojia Village or that investment company?"

This sentence directly attacks your character: Are you speaking for capitalists?

Before Zhao Jianguo could even begin to argue, Wang Yongchun revealed his hand: "If you think the town government's oversight will hinder your grand ambitions, fine, go back and relay the town's guidance to the investment company verbatim. At the same time, I will instruct the town's economic management station to immediately suspend the filing and approval process for land transfer in Luojia Village. We will only resume the approval process according to the rules once the fund supervision security plan is in place."

He leaned back slightly in his chair, his tone stern: "During this period, no one is allowed to advance the project privately without authorization! Otherwise, any problems that arise will be dealt with severely as a violation of rules and regulations!"

"Also," Wang Yongchun said, picking up his teacup to serve the guest, "I will immediately submit a special report to the County Party Committee's Organization Department and the County Agriculture and Rural Affairs Bureau on this matter. You should also go back and report to the main leaders of your sending unit in detail. Since we can't reach an agreement, let's proceed according to procedure."

This is a ruthless and vicious tactic. You, Zhao Jianguo, are using company procedures to block the town? Fine, then I'll use government administrative procedures to block you! Without the town's filing and approval procedures, the transfer of your hundreds of acres of land is illegal land requisition, and you'll be unable to move an inch!

Zhao Jianguo remained silent for a few seconds, knowing full well that things had come to this point, and continuing to use the company's rhetoric to argue was pointless; it was like an egg hitting a rock. The other party had already invoked administrative power and organizational procedures, so he had to take a step back, stabilize the situation, and not be crushed now.

"Secretary, please don't be angry. I completely understand the town's concerns. How about this..." He adopted a humble and inquiring tone: "Regarding the filing and approval process, we will strictly follow the government's procedures. I won't rush the town, but the preliminary investigation of the project has already started, and the people are all on tenterhooks. How about this: let the comrades from the Economic Management Station go to Luojia Village tomorrow to take a look at the land and understand the company's previous contact with the farmers? After the Economic Management Station completes its on-site investigation and issues guidance, our village committee can then take that guidance to sit down with the company and carefully discuss the specific plan for fund supervision. During this period, absolutely no formal documents will be signed."