"How is that possible? Deputy Mayor Chen is our top leader in Guyang City. If he can't do it, no one can,"

No sooner had the words left his mouth than Ou Jian joined in the fray.

It seemed they had agreed to set Chen Fang up for both praise and criticism.

Following that, Yang Guanghong, the deputy secretary of the city committee, said, "Comrade Chen Fang, you are the youngest among us, so you should take on more responsibilities."

"Exactly, don't stir up trouble with enthusiasm only to become timid when it's time for serious business. It would be so embarrassing if that got out."

Zhuang Zhi, the head of the organization department, said with a sarcastic tone.

This was a classic example of workplace manipulation.

It was as if they intended to roast Chen Fang on a spit.

Chen Fang, however, was not angry.

With a slight smile, he looked at Dou Qingquan and said, "Mayor Dou, you are the mayor and surely more capable than I am. Since the investment attraction situation is so severe, wouldn't it be better if you personally took charge?"

This statement was a response to the previous mockery from Dou Qingquan.

Dou Qingquan chuckled, "No, no, no, you are being too modest. Your capabilities are certainly stronger than mine."

"Oh? If I am more capable than you, then why are you the mayor and I am only the deputy mayor? It seems that the leaders who transferred you here had poor judgment, doesn't it?"

Chen Fang replied.

Dou Qingquan's face suddenly fell.

Before he could respond, Chen Fang turned to Ou Jian and said, "Secretary Ou, you said I am the top leader and if I can't do it, no one can. Aren't you then slapping the faces of all the leaders here? Are you implying that all the leaders sitting here are useless?"

"I...I didn't mean that."

Ou Jian replied, his face suddenly darkened, and he spoke awkwardly.

"Secretary Yang, you just said that because I am young, I should work harder. Your mindset is very problematic. Does being young mean I should be worked to death? Could I interpret this as Secretary Yang oppressing the youth?"

Chen Fang then asked Yang Guanghong.

Yang Guanghong was momentarily at a loss for words, unsure of how to respond.

Finally, Chen Fang turned to Zhuang Zhi, the head of the organization department.

He sneered, "Minister Zhuang, I am a member of the standing committee of the Guyang Municipal Party Committee and the Deputy Mayor. You called me a troublemaker. Are you suggesting that either the standing committee or the city government is trash? Otherwise, how could I stir things up?"

"I didn't mean that!"

Zhuang Zhi hurriedly countered.

Chen Fang's face fell.

He said, "Then what do you mean? You say something but don't dare to admit it. Perhaps you are not even as good as a pile of excrement."

"Chen Fang, don't go too far!"

Zhuang Zhi, somewhat angered, slammed his hand on the table and shouted.

Chen Fang, however, remained calm and unconcerned as he lightly said, "Now, could I assume that Minister Zhuang is like a cornered rat?"

"You..."

Zhuang Zhi was momentarily speechless.

Seeing that the situation was getting out of control,

Liu Mingkai cleared his throat,

and said, "Alright Deputy Mayor Chen, let's focus on the official business at hand."

Chen Fang looked around the room.

He stood up.

and said, "I am the Deputy Mayor of Guyang City. Investment promotion is within my job responsibilities. Even if you hadn't spoken sarcastically, I would have taken up this task. But you all should reflect on whether you truly consider Guyang City as your home."

Logically speaking,

such a public mockery

should have led everyone to blame Chen Fang.

But they didn't.

Firstly, their wit didn't match Chen Fang's. If they continued to retort, they likely would have ended up verbally battered by Chen Fang.

Second, now that Chen Fang had agreed to take over the investment promotion work, their goal had been achieved.

Who would look for trouble without reason?

"Comrade Chen Fang, since you've made such bold statements, we certainly need to see your results; dare you make a military order?"

Dou Qingquan asked, suppressing the anger in his heart.

Chen Fang looked at him disdainfully and asked, "How much?"

"How about this, I'm not asking for much; in half a month, if you can bring 50 billion in investment to the Economic Development Zone, I'll consider you the winner. If you can't do it, you lose, how about that?"

Dou Qingquan asked.

A half month, 50 billion!

And that's considered 'not much'?

Upon hearing this, Pei Shanglian hurriedly looked at Chen Fang, signaling him not to agree.

Unexpectedly, Chen Fang, without even thinking about it, said, "Fine, I'll take it on. Since it's a bet, there should always be a stake, right, Mayor Dou? What do you think?"

Even if Chen Fang had not brought it up.

Dou Qingquan would have.

With a slight smile, he said, "Alright, we are all comrades here; I won't make it difficult for you. If you lose, how about cleaning the City Hall's toilets for a month?"

Clean the toilets?

Having the Deputy Mayor do such work?

Dou Qingquan clearly wanted to suppress Chen Fang, embarrassing him in front of the City Committee.

Everyone thought Chen Fang would not agree.

Unexpectedly, he nodded and said, "Well, I don't want to win unfairly. fifty billion in half a month, let's raise it to sixty billion. If I win, how about Mayor Dou contracting to clean the City Hall's toilets for a month?"

All eyes immediately turned to Dou Qingquan.

This was truly a high stake bet.

The bet was essentially their own face and reputation.

Dou Qingquan hesitated for a moment.

Forcing a smile, he said, "Fine, as long as Deputy Mayor Chen can bring in the investment, I am in. I would like everyone present to witness this bet; I, Dou Qingquan, accept it."

The committee meeting ended.

Chen Fang had just returned to his office.

Pei Shanglian rushed in hurriedly.

Worriedly, he said, "Ah Fang, aren't you being a bit too impulsive? If Dou Qingquan dares to make this bet with you, there must be a trap."

"I know; in the upcoming period, he will surely have someone watching me. No matter which company I negotiate with, Wulan City will intercept them. It's not his plan; it must be Zhao Yiping's idea," Chen Fang responded.

Upon hearing this, Pei Shanglian became even more anxious.

He asked, "If you know all this, why did you still accept it?"

"It's not for him; it's for Guyang City. The Economic Development Zone has just been established; we can't let it be wasted. For Zhao Yiping, turning Guyang City into a provincially managed area means all his achievements are erased. He won't let the Economic Development Zone thrive, and that's why he is increasing his focus on the Jinshan District Technology Industrial Park," said Chen Fang.

Pei Shanglian exclaimed in disbelief, "It's all for economic development, isn't it?"

Chen Fang scoffed and said, "Some people don't think that way. To them, the economy is just a stepping stone, a tool for gathering political achievements and also a way to make money. The Hou Family has already promised not to get involved in Guyang City, so they have switched tactics, starting from the Technology Industrial Park. I took on the investment promotion to make them face a Waterloo at the Technology Industrial Park."

Now Pei Shanglian understood Chen Fang's intention.

He sighed and asked, "Is what you're doing really worth it?"

Chen Fang smiled and said, "Why wouldn't it be worth it? If I win, I'm safeguarding the nation's assets. If I lose, the nation's money ends up in private pockets. For the country, it's all worth it."

As soon as he finished,

Yu Zhengchuan walked in.

He said anxiously, "Leader, someone from Yong'an Province is looking for you."

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.