Chapter 37: The Genius Mind

After the meeting, Lu Chengwen walked back to his large office.

Li Meiqin caught up with him: "Boss, we need to talk."

"Oh, sure, let's talk. Shihan, coffee."

Lu Chengwen sipped his coffee while Li Meiqin stood in front of his desk.

"Boss, it's almost certain that the shantytown project will lose money. With your judgment, you must see it's a huge pit. I don't understand why we have to take it on."

Lu Chengwen smiled: "How's the coffee?"

"It's good," Li Meiqin forced a smile. "I'm here to seek your wisdom. I hope you can enlighten me."

Lu Chengwen said, "The Buddha said, it cannot be told."

"Huh?"

"Anyway, just do as I say. No matter how much effort it takes, we must secure this project."

Li Meiqin had never heard of such a lousy project requiring "no matter how much effort." This project doesn't need effort; just throw money at it.

If the Great Sage Group takes it on, everyone will give you the green light. Finally, a sucker has come along.

"Also, Boss, wage increases should be gradual, based on the local average wage level and domestic inflation standards. Raising them so suddenly is too costly..."

"Let's not discuss these matters. Also, you don't have to wear short skirts like them anymore. Wear whatever you like."

At that moment, Jiang Shihan knocked and entered: "Boss Lu, Mayor Zhao has invited you to a meeting at the city government conference room at 3 PM to discuss the shantytown renovation project." "Got it."

Lu Chengwen looked at Li Meiqin: "Time for the meeting."

...

3 PM.

City Government Conference Room.

Lu Chengwen was five minutes late, but fortunately, Mayor Zhao was also busy and hadn't arrived yet.

As soon as Lu Chengwen entered, he saw many familiar faces.

Leng Qingqiu, CEO of Qianfeng Group; Xu Xuejiao, Vice President of Houde Group; and Chen Mengyun, CEO of Xiangyun Group...

The four major families of Snow City were all present, and none of the chairmen attended personally. All were represented by CEOs and vice presidents.

No need to say, their thoughts were the same.

They would never touch this project, letting the younger generation take the heat.

As soon as Lu Chengwen entered, Leng Qingqiu and Chen Mengyun stood up simultaneously.

Leng Qingqiu looked at Lu Chengwen and smiled slightly.

Lu Chengwen smiled politely and shook her hand: "CEO Leng, long time no see."

Leng Qingqiu smiled, thinking, "Long time no see? We just met yesterday."

Chen Mengyun, feeling annoyed by Leng Qingqiu, also shook hands with Lu Chengwen: "Boss Lu, still as dashing as ever."

"CEO Chen, you look beautiful today. Nice dress."

Just as Lu Chengwen was about to greet Xu Xuejiao, she jumped up, startling him. Afraid she might fall, he quickly caught her.

Goodness, Xu Xuejiao clung to him like a koala.

Xu Xuejiao was petite, with slender arms and legs, not heavy, but... you're the vice president of Houde Group!

What are you doing hanging on me in public!?

Lu Chengwen nervously asked, "What are you doing? Get down!"

"No, kiss me and I'll get down."

"Stop messing around, there are so many people here!"

"So what?"

Leng Qingqiu slammed her documents on the table in displeasure.

Xu Xuejiao ignored her, wrapping her arms around Lu Chengwen's neck: "Did you miss me?"

"If you're not plotting against me, I'm already grateful..."

At that moment, the secretary opened the door, and Mayor Zhao entered.

"Sorry, everyone, I've been very busy lately. Let's start the meeting."

Seeing a vice president hanging onto Lu Chengwen, Mayor Zhao was stunned.

"Boss Lu, what's this..."

Lu Chengwen quickly patted Xu Xuejiao's bottom, and she blushed, got down, stuck out her tongue, and sat down.

Secretary Wu began speaking, emphasizing that this project was crucial for the nation's welfare. If it remained unfinished, the city leadership would look bad in front of higher-ups, severely hindering Snow City's economic development. He hoped the groups would consider the greater good and take on the project.

After Secretary Wu finished, Mayor Zhao spoke, sighing first: "Esteemed business leaders, I know your elders, and I understand this project is complex and a hot potato. But Snow City needs to overcome this hurdle. Any group willing to invest and see this project through to completion, I, on behalf of the city committee, the city government, and the thirty million citizens of Snow City, express my gratitude. This is a great cause benefiting the present and future generations. I hope you can view this matter with a long-term perspective."

In other words, they wanted the businesses to foot the bill and take over the project for the government.

Everyone looked at each other, remaining silent.

Hu Shuhui, sitting at the end, looked at Lu Chengwen and suddenly said, "Mayor Zhao, we are businessmen. In business terms, investing in a project with no returns is like throwing our hard-earned money into the wind. Our Minghui Group will definitely not get involved in this mess."

He then pointed at Lu Chengwen: "He's rich! Everyone knows the Lu family, the wealthiest of Snow City's four major families, is immensely wealthy. If he's willing to invest, I'll chip in a small portion."

Mayor Zhao turned to look at Lu Chengwen.

At that moment, Lu Chengwen's phone rang. He quickly stood up: "Sorry, everyone, I need to take this call. I'll be right back."

Next, a dozen entrepreneurs took turns speaking, each with different content but the same theme.

All were polite, all spoke eloquently.

In short, they had no money.

Some cried poverty, some cited difficulties, some claimed they couldn't handle construction... a variety of excuses.

Mayor Zhao's face grew darker.

A bunch of capitalists who eat people without spitting out bones!

When they wanted conditions and benefits from the city, they were all high and mighty. When it came to their own interests, they all shrank back.

Mayor Zhao, visibly angry, made the meeting atmosphere tense.

Secretary Wu tried to mediate, listing various conveniences and benefits the city committee and government could provide, urging everyone to overcome difficulties and respond positively.

Mayor Zhao didn't need to look to know these black-hearted guys were unreliable.

Especially that Hu Shuhui, who spoke the most harshly.

Every time he spoke, his central idea was one sentence: Lu Chengwen is richer than me; if he's willing to invest, I'll invest!

His meaning was simple, but his words were fragmented and unpleasant.

The entire meeting was dominated by his arrogant, non-committal chatter.

Mayor Zhao slammed the table, and he quieted down.

"If someone invests, will you invest?"

"If Lu Chengwen invests, I'll invest! He's much richer than me!"

Mayor Zhao pointed at Secretary Wu: "Good, note down that Minghui Group will invest if someone else does."

"Wait, I'll only invest a small portion!"

Mayor Zhao sternly looked at Hu Shuhui: "If you have no money, what were you blabbering about earlier?"

Hu Shuhui's face darkened, but he didn't dare say anything.

Mayor Zhao looked around and asked, "Anyone else?"

In such situations, the first one to speak sets the tone.

Once someone starts, the rest find it hard to refuse.

Everyone now cast angry glances at Hu Shuhui.

Secretary Wu breathed a sigh of relief; at least there was a breakthrough. Mayor Zhao was indeed shrewd.

But the rest weren't pushovers either.

Each stated they would invest if Lu Chengwen did, because he was the richest.

Mayor Zhao stood up: "I need to step out."

Lu Chengwen was relieving himself when he ran into Mayor Zhao outside.

"Mayor Zhao."

"Ah, Chengwen, how's your family?"

"Thanks for asking, all is well."

"Sigh." Mayor Zhao sighed. "No rush to go back, walk with me."

Strolling in the small garden behind the city government, Mayor Zhao spoke candidly: "Chengwen, what's your take on this shantytown renovation project?"

Lu Chengwen said, "Your planning has issues."

"Oh? Please elaborate."

Lu Chengwen explained: "That area originally belonged to six villages. Now you want to connect them all, building a large residential community. The area is huge, requiring over two hundred buildings, widening and paving new roads, renovating sewers, building supporting facilities..."

"Then where do you see the problem?"

Lu Chengwen said, "Everything is fine. You even designed subway stations. No issues there."

"Point out the problem."

"The problem is, you lack a commercial district there."

Mayor Zhao was stunned: "This is residential land, and it's not far from existing commercial districts."

"What's the use? What do people consider when buying homes? Schools, hospitals, even parks are planned, but there's no commercial district! It's inconvenient!"

Mayor Zhao pondered.

Lu Chengwen turned: "Jiang Shihan! The blueprint!"

Jiang Shihan, following from a distance, quickly ran over and pulled out the blueprint from her bag.

"Here, Mayor Zhao, all the designs are reasonable, showing the city committee and government's high regard for this project. But think about it, if we design a circular commercial city here, with entertainment, shopping, dining, movies, even a stadium for concerts... Not only would the shantytown get a facelift, but the entire northern city would be revitalized!"

Mayor Zhao's heart skipped a beat.

This proposal had been suggested before, but no one was as bold as Lu Chengwen.

Initially, when reclaiming the land, it was promised to be entirely for public welfare, with no factories or commercial buildings.

Someone had proposed building a small commercial district to attract residents.

But their proposal was much more conservative compared to Lu Chengwen's.

Lu Chengwen was aiming for something big.

His bold circle would take up a huge chunk of land!

Mayor Zhao pondered, thinking deeply.

After a while, he sighed: "The residents won't agree. They want buildings and demolition and Relocation compensation."

Lu Chengwen said, "Calculate how much they want, give me a number, and I can provide it. As long as you rebuild according to this plan, redesign the blueprint, and redesign the transportation routes, then the subway stations can't be just a few; they need to cover the area. Roads need to connect to the ring road, and there should be a separate highway entrance..."

Mayor Zhao looked at Lu Chengwen, amazed by his grand vision and surprised that today he wasn't crying poor or playing games but seemed genuinely interested.

From his secretary carrying the blueprint, with his own markings evident, it was clear he had been following this project closely.

"If, hypothetically, the project could be significantly modified according to your vision, would you be willing to take it on?"

Lu Chengwen smiled: "Why else would I study it?"

Mayor Zhao said, "Good, but I need you to help me deal with those people inside. Can you do that?"

Lu Chengwen smiled and patted Mayor Zhao's shoulder: "Just watch me!"