Dai Xu served as the boss of a state-owned enterprise and the secretary of the party committee within the enterprise. However, with the arrival of foreign companies, the competitive pressure faced by state-owned enterprises had intensified.

In today’s China, the internal issues of state-owned enterprises were grave, including lack of ambition, technological lag, a deficiency of advanced management practices, nepotism, and corruption.

Introducing foreign companies could exert substantial pressure on state-owned enterprises, potentially leading to reorganization, bankruptcy, or comprehensive reform.

The burden on Dai Xu was undoubtedly significant.

Jiang Xiaochuan, who lacked expertise in economics, could only offer a comforting smile to Dai Xu, claiming that someone was looking for him elsewhere before making a swift exit.

This investment promotion was inherently a challenging endeavor.

Jiang Xiaochuan had prior experience with such events and could generally grasp the rhythm of the entire reception. He had come merely to observe and appear formal.

As a result, Jiang Xiaochuan sat with a polite smile and observed the interactions of people drinking and socializing.

Foreigners were unfamiliar with Chinese wine, so the hotel served red wine, often of a high quality. Jiang Xiaochuan wasn’t fond of drinking, and when others approached him for toasts, he would take a small sip as a gesture of courtesy.

Afterward, the other party usually inquired about his name, and he would introduce himself as Deputy Mayor Jiang Xiaochuan. Individuals from these foreign companies would offer compliments, but they would depart after exchanging a few words.

Jiang Xiaochuan couldn’t provide substantial preferential policies to benefit them.

Chengzhou, as a city with significant development potential in Asia, offered advantages for foreign companies considering expansion. However, the competition among foreign firms was fierce, and not every company received substantial incentives. The municipal finance needed to maintain a balanced budget to offer preferential policies confidently.

Mayor Fu Peng took full responsibility for attracting investments this time. Vice Mayor Qian Qiming and Zhou Qian provided assistance, and even Li Dakai, the Municipal Party Committee Secretary, attended, underscoring the significance of the matter for the entire city.

The Lisson Group seemed to be encountering a lukewarm reception throughout the venue because of their stringent investment agreement terms and high environmental requirements. Mayor Fu Peng and Municipal Party Committee Secretary Li Dakai appeared less optimistic about this group.

Qiao Sen, the head of the Lisson Group’s China region, had come specifically for negotiations, but the situation appeared to be different from their expectations. No one informed them about the negotiations. Several senior leaders sat down to discuss with a foreign company offering favorable conditions.

Qiao Sen was clearly displeased. Chinese officials fell short of his expectations, and he brought his negotiation team to sit at Jiang Xiaochuan’s table.

Jiang Xiaochuan shared the table with Qin Yu, another non-party deputy mayor. Qin Yu wasn’t a member of any political party, following a tradition established during the domestic Anti-Japanese War where a specific proportion of non-party members was included in government departments. Three out of the nine mayors were non-party members.

Qin Yu wasn’t involved in party affairs and managed lower-level departments such as the Women’s Federation and the Disabled Persons’ Federation – roles typically assigned to non-party members.

Qin Yu harbored no bitterness about this and hadn’t considered joining any political party. He appeared somewhat aloof in the city government. While many political struggles centered on parties and internal party disputes, these issues didn’t concern Qin Yu, who was a non-party member.

His department didn’t clash with the other deputy mayors, as they lacked shared interests. As a result, Qin Yu was regarded favorably by the entire city government.

Now he sat with Jiang Xiaochuan, and the adjacent table was occupied by the overlooked Lisson Group.

Qin Yu raised his glass and waved it in front of Jiang Xiaochuan. His eyes conveyed a message, suggesting that Jiang Xiaochuan observe the neighboring table. In a hushed tone, he said, “That’s the Lisson Group. They don’t understand the norms of Chinese officialdom, so they just took a seat there.”

What were the norms in Chinese officialdom?

They essentially revolved around building relationships through gift-giving.

Foreign companies with extensive experience in China were aware of these practices, although they might not fully comprehend them. However, they generally followed local customs.

Compared to these adaptable foreign companies, the Lisson Group’s methods appeared inflexible.

When Jiang Xiaochuan heard this, he simply smiled and clinked glasses with Qin Yu. He knew that Qin Yu was also present merely to make up the numbers, so he didn’t mind. He replied, “The ability to attract foreign investment ultimately depends on a company’s strength.”

Qin Yu shook his head upon hearing this. Being an outsider like Jiang Xiaochuan, he had a unique perspective. “What you don’t know is that the people we are discussing are the mayor’s favorites. Both the mayor and the secretary have high hopes for them.”

In fact, Jiang Xiaochuan didn’t fully comprehend the situation, and he was feigning ignorance. As a party member, he didn’t dare to speak so boldly. He was an outsider to the party, and he couldn’t afford to criticize it. Everyone understood that China was under strict party rule.

In politics, there was virtually no democracy.

Qin Yu continued to inquire, “What’s your take on the recent Rong Family’s Club incident?”

Jiang Xiaochuan suddenly became wary, glanced at the group of reporters who had just entered, and said, “For matters of this nature, we act based on the directives from higher authorities.” After this statement, he fell silent.

Qin Yu appeared to be anticipating more, waiting for Jiang Xiaochuan to elaborate, but when nothing more was said, he felt somewhat embarrassed. Observing Jiang Xiaochuan’s composed demeanor, he concluded that this person was dull and uninteresting.

Jiang Xiaochuan now believed there was something more to the Rong Family’s Club case, but it seemed impossible for him to find out.

Qin Yu stopped pressing, and Jiang Xiaochuan was content to leave it at that.

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As he observed the reporters with cameras, microphones, and recorders, he noticed a vaguely familiar face – Xue Yan. Xue Yan was still working at the TV station and hadn’t resigned yet.

Jiang Xiaochuan saw Xue Yan, but Xue Yan didn’t see him.

Qin Yu remained at his table for a while before eventually departing.

Qiao Sen, the General Director of Leeson Group China, observed that Jiang Xiaochuan was left to himself and curiously looked at him. He sat down and greeted Jiang Xiaochuan in somewhat broken Chinese, “Mayor Jiang, how are you?”

Jiang Xiaochuan recognized Qiao Sen, but it appeared to be their first meeting from Qiao Sen’s perspective, and he seemed unfamiliar with Jiang Xiaochuan. Knowing that very few people in the world could experience rebirth like him, Jiang Xiaochuan didn’t mind.

He engaged in conversation, “The Lisson Group wields significant influence worldwide. This time, we must be confident of success, right?”

Qiao Sen didn’t fully comprehend the nuances of Jiang Xiaochuan’s words in Chinese. He took a sip of his drink and replied, “I’m afraid we may have to postpone our investment plans in Chengzhou.”

Jiang Xiaochuan was well-informed about the subsequent developments, as he had come back with golden finger.

He raised his glass and clinked it with Qiao Sen. “There’s an old saying in China, perhaps you’ve heard it, Mr. Qiao Sen: ‘When a car reaches a mountain, there must be a road; when a boat reaches a bridge, it will naturally go straight; and there are mountains and rivers, even if there is no way out, and there is always a bright future.’ Many situations may seem dire, but solutions often emerge in due course. Don’t become disheartened; a turning point will arrive soon.”

The foreign company, Fuyi Group, was essentially a half-empty shell, defrauding preferential policies and subsidies from the municipal finance before disappearing. No one could locate them – this was Jiang Xiaochuan’s opportunity.

Qiao Sen seemed not to fully grasp the meaning of the two lines from the poem, but he deduced that Jiang Xiaochuan was likely offering encouraging words. Thus, he set aside the day’s unpleasantness and smiled at Jiang Xiaochuan, “Deputy Mayor, you are a good person.”

Jiang Xiaochuan, however, felt he had overthought the situation and had no nobler intentions than others; he acted with a specific purpose.

In his previous life, his actions had been an error, leading to a significant incident. In this life, he had a clear purpose.

He engaged in a brief conversation with Qiao Sen to better understand each other’s situations. Before leaving the table, Jiang Xiaochuan reassured him that things would eventually work out.

The welcoming reception concluded, and the participants hurried to the conference room on the upper floor for negotiations.

Three members of the Municipal Party Committee’s Standing Committee attended, all familiar faces to Jiang Xiaochuan. He likely knew everyone within the municipal government. Jiang Xiaochuan also sat in the conference room. Upon hearing that discussions were about to begin, the Lisson Group representatives became excited and anxious.

In contrast, Fuyi Group remained relaxed and composed, without any records to present.

The discrepancy between the two groups was substantial. However, individuals on both sides of the municipal and municipal committee selectively disregarded these differences.

The conditions presented by Fuyi Group seemed very favorable, such as job creation, economic growth, and various benefits. Nearly everyone in the municipal party committee and government quickly approved these conditions.

Jiang Xiaochuan felt bored and knew that Lisson Group was destined to lose in this negotiation. He discreetly stood up and made his way to the bathroom.

After washing his hands, he glanced up and noticed Xue Yan, who had just put down his belongings and was washing his hands next to him, still focused on his own task.

Xue Yan did not look up but quietly murmured, “I’ve gathered some information regarding the Rong Family’s Club case. Mayor Jiang, are you interested?”

Interest?

Certainly, Jiang Xiaochuan was very interested, but he wisely chose to remain silent while continuing to wash his hands.

His reaction appeared to align with Xue Yan’s expectations. Xue Yan continued, “Mayor Jiang, your public mayor’s hotline is operational, correct?”

Jiang Xiaochuan nodded, recalling the People-Friendly Project which included the hotline.

Xue Yan also nodded but maintained a stoic expression. He walked over to the hand dryer, placed his hands beneath the airflow, and finally divulged his most significant news of the day, “I’m taking the civil service exam in a week.”

Jiang Xiaochuan responded promptly, “I won’t arrange any special treatment for you.” He purposefully misinterpreted Xue Yan’s intent.

Xue Yan had arrived for a disciplinary inspection.

The disciplinary inspection fell under the jurisdiction of the municipal committee. As a member of the municipal government and a candidate for the standing committee, Jiang Xiaochuan had limited influence in this domain.

Xue Yan exited first, and Jiang Xiaochuan remained in the bathroom for a brief moment before returning to the venue inconspicuously.

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Qiao Sen’s expression was so grim that it seemed he could wring water from it. Angrily, he gathered his documents and left the conference room, paying little heed to the surprised and puzzled expressions of those still in the room.