"Mr. Lu, don't you want to ask who I really am?"
Huo Xiao was almost overwhelmed by the sudden happiness, fearing that Lu Wanqing was playing a trick on him.
Lu Wanqing still smiled enigmatically:
Have you ever heard of a pig being able to fly if it stands in the right place at the right time?
Now that the economy is booming, many people are starting to do clothing business, and the demand for clothing is growing rapidly. Now that I have a wholesale market to serve as the retail outlet, the production capacity of clothing factories is starting to fall behind.
As long as we don't cling to the old ways like other factories, no matter how many garment factories we open, we can still sell our clothes!
Huo Xiao then realized that Lu Wanqing wasn't playing him, but rather wanted to expand her business empire.
Wenwan Garment Factory is located in the city center, but the factory area is only so big, and there is no way to build new workshops. So they can only try to move to the suburbs.
Huo Xiao was quick-witted and immediately grasped this point. He then said with a grin, "Then I'll go and contact the land in the suburbs right away."
If he were really given a new garment factory to manage, then the factory would be like his own son, and naturally he would want to be involved in everything.
Soon, he went to the Land and Resources Bureau with his briefcase.
Upon reaching the entrance of the Land and Resources Bureau, he was stopped by a limping security guard.
What are you doing?
The lame gatekeeper was very arrogant, and the way he looked at him was quite disdainful.
In this day and age, there are still very few people who can afford to buy land.
Huo Xiao is so young, he's practically a baby, how could he possibly have any money?
"Brother, do me a favor, I want to talk to Director Lin of the Land and Resources Bureau about land approval." Huo Xiao said, slipping a pack of Daqianmen cigarettes into his hand.
In the days before the internet, announcements about where land was for sale were posted on bulletin boards, but getting into the compound was quite difficult.
He learned about this information through a friend who works in the government.
When the limping security guard learned that he knew Director Lin, his expression changed. As if afraid of offending someone, he quickly let him through and even kindly told him which office Director Lin was in.
Huo Xiao strode into the Land and Resources Bureau compound, secretly chuckling to himself. He had no idea who Director Hu was; a friend had simply told him that the director's surname was Hu.
In this day and age, you have to learn to intimidate others. You don't have to be timid or hesitant in doing anything. If you're assertive, people will feel insecure.
Upon arriving at the office building, he first browsed through all the land parcels for sale on the bulletin board, noting their locations and sizes to get a clear picture.
As for the price, it's not listed above; it will probably need to be discussed in person.
He followed the directions given by the security guard and found the first office on the east side of the third floor, an office with the word "Director" written on it.
That's it, this is the place.
Huo Xiao knocked on the door.
A deep, languid voice rang out, as if someone had just woken up from a dream.
The door opened, and the person rubbed their sleepy eyes.
It's already 3 PM, and they've just woken up from their afternoon nap?
"Hello, Director Lin." Huo Xiao selectively ignored his state and nodded with a silly smile.
Lin Cong raised his chin, gesturing for him to sit down on the sofa.
Since they've come looking for us, we have to receive them.
However, this young man's attitude was clearly not very enthusiastic; he was just trying to negotiate the price, and there was no chance he would actually buy it.
Unexpectedly, Huo Xiao cut to the chase and addressed Lin Cong, who had returned to his office chair and was sipping tea:
"I'm Huo Xiao from Wenwan Garment Factory, representing Factory Manager Lu Wanqing to discuss purchasing land with you. We'd like to buy the plot of land in the suburbs that's known as '002'. We'd like to know how much it would cost to pay in full upfront!"
Lin Cong paused for two seconds while drinking water, then slowly put it down, a meaningful smile playing on his lips.
"Young comrade, it seems you came prepared! Several companies have their eyes on this land, so naturally the highest bidder wins."
In those days, bidding wasn't common, but if several companies were competing, each had to rely on their own abilities.
The saying "the highest bidder wins" is nothing more than having good connections and giving generous gifts.
"Director Lin, I'm new here too, and there are many things I don't understand yet. Please give me some pointers," Huo Xiao said humbly.
If we can acquire the land, it would be appropriate to give some gifts, such as a few packs of cigarettes and a few bottles of wine, as necessary social expenses.
But he underestimated Lin Cong's appetite. He could offer the most favorable price for the land, 200 yuan per mu. That piece of land, which was about 1,000 mu, would cost more than 2 million yuan. But besides that, he held up two fingers, which were to be given to him privately.
Without this money, no land is even worth discussing.
This is blatant solicitation of bribes.
Huo Xiao naturally couldn't make the decision himself, and could only say that he needed to go back and report.
As they were leaving, Lin Cong patted Huo Xiao on the shoulder and said earnestly:
"If you want to buy land, then do it your way, but don't accuse me of trying to trip you up. If bad word gets out, I won't be happy."
His meaning in giving a warning was quite clear.
He was only allowed to solicit bribes, but not to publicize it.
In reality, how many people would believe him if he told them? There was no evidence whatsoever; Lin Cong didn't utter a single word about money.
After returning to the factory, Huo Xiao truthfully reported the situation to Lu Wanqing.
She tapped the table with her finger, her gaze sharp as a knife:
"He really said that?"
"They didn't explicitly say they wanted 20,000, but the meaning was clear: if you don't give them the money, don't even think about getting the land," Huo Xiao affirmed.
After hearing this, Lu Wanqing opened a drawer, took out a voice recorder, and tossed it to Huo Xiao.
"Get 20,000 yuan from the finance department, find an opportunity to invite Lin Cong out, and give him the money. Remember to secretly record the conversation."
Who would have thought? Who would have thought the director of the Land and Resources Bureau would be Lin Cong!
He had already retired from the military and returned to the capital, and his father-in-law indeed arranged a good position for him.
Moreover, he didn't react at all when he heard her name, which shows that he didn't take the things in the countryside to heart at all during his few days back home.
According to Lin Xiaocui, he had not contacted her since their marriage and probably did not know that she had gone to Beijing.
She still vividly remembered how he stole Lu Xiuwu's medicinal herbs and presented them to the leader back then, and she would never associate with such a person.
Only by removing such parasites can we better carry out our business.
Huo Xiao gladly accepted the order and resolutely carried it out.
Unexpectedly, before the matter was even settled, Lu Xiuwen came knocking on the door again.
He was sentenced to a year for assault last time, but has been released due to good behavior.
However, after his release from prison, he was tainted and couldn't find any work. The worst part was that his wife, Yu Lili, had taken their son back to her parents' home and had already asked him for a divorce.
It is said that Yu Lili's family is looking for a new boyfriend for her!
Lu Xiuwen was furious and thought that all of this was caused by Lu Wanqing, so he was determined to cause her trouble.
With Huo Xiao blocking his way, he wouldn't have been able to get into the office at all.
Contrary to her usual behavior, Lu Wanqing invited him in.
"Do you know how serious the consequences will be if you attack me now?" she chuckled.
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