Entrepreneur of the Year? That sounds very appealing.
Qiao Xia became even more determined to make this happen, while Mayor Wu still had reservations.
Qiao Xia could understand her thoughts. Although education was important, prioritizing road construction in the mountains would not make the people of Pingkang Town truly wealthy. Qiao Xia would have to keep putting money into it.
Once Qiao Xia withdraws her investment, all the half-finished projects will be left abandoned, and the town's residents will be back to square one.
By prioritizing road construction, businesses in the town can immediately open for business. Once the town's businesses are revitalized, even if Qiao Xia's cash flow is cut off or she suddenly withdraws her investment, Pingkang Town can still achieve sustainable development, gradually revitalizing all the mountains.
Although she understood, Qiao Xia wouldn't change her mind; after all, she was a spendthrift.
Since her primary wish is to change the fate of children in the mountains, she should naturally prioritize doing what she herself desires.
Seeing Qiao Xia's resolute attitude, Mayor Wu could no longer persuade her. Her willingness to build a school in the town and pave roads for the mountains was ultimately a good thing.
Qiao Xia patted her on the shoulder encouragingly, "Don't worry, as long as the school is built smoothly and the mountain roads are repaired, I guarantee I can revitalize this town for you in no more than two months."
Watching Qiao Xia, who was full of enthusiasm and had finalized the deal, President Zhu, who had been watching the whole thing from the sidelines, turned pale and then red-faced.
He couldn't help but speak impulsively, saying, "If you can pull this off, I'll drink this glass. The mountains in the neighboring county aren't even as big as our town. When they build roads, it's a 'trillion-dollar project.' Your fifty billion is just a lot of noise when you throw it into these mountains."
"It's a miracle that a spendthrift like you made money. If you really want to make money, you should invest it in my coal mine, I..."
Upon hearing this, the surrounding villagers immediately objected, "Why is all the money being invested in your coal mine? Fifty billion could buy all of your coal mines."
"Zhu Lao Er, don't do such selfish things. Did you hear that the big boss from City A came to do charity? You're already rolling in money, why are you still swindling money?"
The crowd started talking amongst themselves, all threatening Zhu Lao Er, saying they would fight him to the death if he did anything wrong.
But Zhu Lao Er was right about one thing: every mountain has a complex terrain. Fifty billion sounds like a lot, but if you really want to build roads for every mountain, the money might not be enough. So, deciding which mountain to build the roads for first is a big problem.
Building roads is the first step to getting rich. Everyone presented the facts and reasoned with Qiao Xia, wanting her to build the road on their mountain first. Even Niu Ping'an, who had been sitting outside the door enjoying the cold wind to sober up, joined the fight.
Qiao Xia gestured for everyone to pause, "What I just said was that 5 billion will arrive tonight, not the total price of 5 billion."
Everyone held their breath, somewhat unable to believe their ears.
Mayor Wu guessed something and asked, "What do you mean?"
Qiao Xia smiled and said, "Starting tomorrow, construction will begin simultaneously on the school in Pingkang Town and the road in the mountains, and we aim to complete them within a month."
The private room was completely silent.
Mayor Wu's blood boiled, and she didn't even dare to ask the exact number directly, only asking tactfully, "Do you know how much that costs?"
Qiao Xia cleared her throat and began her speech, “Money is the least important thing in the world. What’s important is children, the hope for the future of our country. Giving children a bright future is a social responsibility that I should take on.”
The expressions on everyone's faces varied, but without exception, they all glanced at her with a hint of surprise.
At that very moment, Qiao Xia glanced at Zhu Lao Er, whose face had turned a deep shade of liver, and said, "Hey, you just said that if I could make it, you would swallow the cup. Does that count?"
"I..." Zhu Lao Er felt a little guilty, but he couldn't go back on his word in front of everyone.
Qiao Xia replied, "If I can revitalize this town within two months, you won't have to swallow the cup. How about you give a million as scholarships for the students and cover the tuition for two more students at university?"
“Okay.” Zhu Lao Er readily agreed to the proposal. As a coal mine owner with policy support for impoverished areas, this money wouldn’t be a major blow to him; it was more worthwhile than swallowing a cup.
He already had a premonition that Qiao Xia might actually be able to revitalize the town, but he still retorted defiantly, "Then let's clarify how much it would cost to revitalize this town?"
Mayor Wu stepped forward and said, "In the past few years, the two months with the highest consumption in Pingkang Town totaled two million. If the GDP of two months can reach five million, then we can say that the town has been revitalized."
Pingkang Town has a small population, and most of the residents live in the mountains and do not come to the town.
The people here have no other way to make money except by picking tea leaves on the mountaintop. Strictly speaking, Zhu Lao Er's coal mine is under the jurisdiction of the county.
The residents of Pingkang Town earn less, so they naturally spend less. The businesses along the entire street only started operating in the last six months thanks to Mayor Wu's encouragement.
But few people visit the store on weekdays. If it weren't for Mayor Wu finding a way to give them some subsidies every month, no one would be willing to sit in the store and waste time.
The increase from two million to five million is a full 1.5 times. Without the influx of people from outside the area, the consumption level of the mountain people alone would never have been able to reach that level.
Zhu Lao Er retorted provocatively, "Ten million."
Qiao Xia crossed her arms and retorted defiantly, "One hundred million."
“Okay, you said it.” Zhu Lao Er’s eyes lit up. He felt that the person in front of him was asking for trouble. For a small town like theirs to spend 100 million in two months was just a pipe dream.
But just in case, Zhu Lao Er added a caveat: "We can't include your investment money in the calculation."
Qiao Xia nodded in agreement, "Of course."
Zhu Lao Er was still not convinced, saying, "All the money you spend on food and drinks doesn't count."
Qiao Xia nodded in agreement.
Seeing how readily she agreed, Zhu Lao Er felt confident of victory and couldn't resist trying to get something out of her. "What if you can't do it?" he asked.
Qiao Xia looked him up and down. "What do you want to do?"
Zhu Lao Er chuckled lewdly twice: "I have a son who hasn't graduated from university yet, and he's about your age..."
Before he could finish speaking, Niu Ping'an interrupted, "Hey Zhu, don't try to eat swan meat like a toad. You think you can get your son to marry into a wealthy family for a million? Are you addicted to living off women?"
Zhu Lao Er choked up. He did have this idea, but he didn't expect Niu Ping'an to say it so bluntly.
But now that things had come to this point, Zhu Lao Er really didn't want to miss the opportunity, so he pretended not to hear and said, "If you lose, I'll have my son be your secretary for two years. His salary can't be less than 20,000 yuan, and he can have all the social insurance and housing fund benefits."
Everyone cursed him for being shameless.
Qiao Xia readily agreed, "Okay."
Zhu Lao Er chuckled and left. Not to brag, but his son was incredibly handsome, and he'd be standing next to this golden phoenix for two years.
Over time, who knows who might fall for whom first?
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