Chapter 1767
At the moment when Lin He spoke those words, Song Guanchao knew he didn’t need to continue chatting with him.
He pushed the red wine aside, picked up the teacup to moisten his lips, then looked into his eyes, saying: "I can make the decision today. If Mr. Lin wants to take on this project, take it all as a package. There’s profit to be made, it’s just a matter of earning more or less."
The two stared at each other for a few seconds. Seeing that he was serious, Lin He’s relaxed brows began to furrow slightly: "I only want quality assets."
Song Guanchao shook his head, stood up and said: "Enjoy your meal, Mr. Lin."
He turned to leave without uttering any unnecessary words.
Lin He did not try to stop him. Song Guanchao’s firm attitude made him very annoyed.
He felt he had shown enough sincerity to Song Guanchao, but Song Guanchao gave him no face at all.
He poured more red wine, drank it down in one gulp, and snorted coldly: "Without the Lin Family’s say-so, let’s see who dares to take on your project!"
He had ways to make things difficult for Song Guanchao.
...
The next morning, there was a knock on the door outside.
Song Guanchao looked up to see a stranger, a middle-aged man.
The visitor was wearing a finely textured high-end suit, had gold-rimmed glasses on, and carried a black leather briefcase, looking refined and gentlemanly.
"Director Song, pleasure to meet you." The man reached out to introduce himself: "Jiangzhou Bank, Provincial Branch Vice President, Shen Hui."
"Hello, President Shen." Song Guanchao was quite curious, why were people from the bank coming to see him?
Shen Hui took out a stack of documents from the briefcase and handed it over: "Director Song, have a look."
Song Guanchao opened the documents, glanced at them, and instantly understood the reason.
The other was here to collect a debt.
Jiangzhou Bank’s provincial branch had given loans to several pollution-related enterprises.
According to contract stipulations, if the enterprise engaged in illegal operations or experienced major commercial changes, the bank had the right to seize the enterprise’s relevant finances and equipment, and repay the bank’s loan through auction.
If there were surplus funds in the enterprise account, the bank would have priority repayment rights.
The image of Lin He suddenly popped into Song Guanchao’s mind.
Nine out of ten chances, it was his doing.
This was pressure on him, to force him into submission.
Song Guanchao closed the documents and said: "President Shen may not fully understand this matter, partly because of me, too busy to contact you."
"Here’s the situation, these enterprises haven’t reached the point of bankruptcy. They merely failed to meet pollution standards, the city needs to reorganize them."
Shen Hui chuckled wryly: "Of course, I understand what Director Song said, but banks have their own standards. Don’t think I’m the president, there are many things I cannot decide. The risk control department below is independent, and when the risk control side detects operational problems with these enterprises, I have to make a trip."
"I see," said Song Guanchao. "How about this, President Shen, you go back first, we’ll arrange a time to have a proper discussion."
"Alright, I’ll wait for Director Song’s call."
Shen Hui was here today just to give Song Guanchao a heads-up first.
As for whether to continue demanding repayment or for the city government to come up with a proposal, that would be discussed later.
Song Guanchao personally saw him off from the office, then called Jiang Zhengdong to ask him over.
In just about half an hour, Jiang Zhengdong arrived.
Song Guanchao told him about the bank’s debt collection and asked if he had any advice.
On these matters, Song Guanchao wasn’t completely ignorant, but close enough.
By comparison, Jiang Zhengdong was the expert.
After hearing him out, Jiang Zhengdong said: "President Shen is not wrong. Procedurally, the bank is qualified to freeze the enterprise account and auction the assets mortgaged to the bank. But since the city has already frozen it, the bank won’t have the chance to intervene. And unless the city lifts the freeze, the bank cannot auction."
"However, I suggest not getting too rigid in relationships. The city is paying keen attention to this matter, banks usually are willing to cooperate."
Upon hearing this, Song Guanchao felt reassured. He became even more convinced that it was indeed Lin He arranging for the bank to challenge him, causing distress.
After Jiang Zhengdong left, he found Wu Qiangwei and asked her to personally intervene, negotiate with the bank, and pacify them.
In cases like this, Song Guanchao’s level was too low to effectively stabilize the situation.
...
Chairman Fang had been waiting for Director Huang’s call from morning till afternoon.
Finally, the call came.
"Mr. Huang... Good, thank you Mr. Huang!"
Chairman Fang exhaled deeply, clenched his fist firmly.
The company’s account was finally unfrozen!
But time was tight, because at any moment, Song Guanchao might find out, and he had to swiftly transfer the money while he could.
He called several shareholders to have them come to the company immediately.
At four-thirty in the afternoon, shareholders had gathered at the company.
Chairman Fang said: "The company account has been unfrozen, have the finance department transfer the money immediately!"
Before visiting Mr. Huang, he had discussed it with the shareholders.
This was not the same as Lin He’s initial promise.
Lin He initially planned to bypass corporate shareholders and transfer the money directly to him.
But now that Song Guanchao was responsible for the project, Lin He’s promise was effectively nullified.
Thus he had to enlist the shareholders and bribe Mr. Huang at the Judicial Bureau to unfreeze the account.
It certainly wasn’t regular, and even violated the law.
But faced with huge interests, he couldn’t care less.
The shareholders, hearing the account was unfrozen, immediately called in the finance department to transfer the funds.
Chairman Fang tapped the table: "Gentlemen, let’s start by transferring my salary."
Regardless of how they transferred the account’s funds or how much they transferred, Chairman Fang couldn’t be bothered.
However, his money shouldn’t be a cent less, and it had to be transferred first.
After all, he came up with the plan, he contacted Director Huang.
Dealing with this group only focused on money, he had to remain cautious, relying on them to voluntarily give money was near impossible.
The shareholders chuckled and had the finance department transfer this year’s salary and bonus for him altogether.
Chairman Fang waited a few minutes, confirmed the money was received, and stood up with a smile: "I’ll be leaving first."
...
The bank was indeed Lin He’s arrangement.
The purpose was also as Song Guanchao guessed, to apply pressure, letting him know that without his support, operational changes were nearly impossible.
He believed Song Guanchao surely figured it out, undoubtedly felt the pressure, and understood how extensive his means were.
He glanced at the time, approaching the end of Song Guanchao’s workday, then drove to the city government.
As it was nearing six, Song Guanchao was still nowhere to be seen. Lin He suspected if he had left early.
But his car was evidently still there.
Lin He got out of the car, found his office, its door wide open, lights still on inside, indicating he was working late.
He smoked a cigarette outside, then returned to his car.
Not until around nine did Song Guanchao come out of the city government.
As soon as he exited the building, his phone began to buzz uncontrollably.
An unfamiliar number.
He pressed the phone against his ear to answer while walking toward the parking lot: "Who is this?"
"I am Su Rong." A cold voice sounded from the other end.
Song Guanchao paused his steps, asking: "Oh, it’s Su Chu, what advice do you have?"
Su Rong said: "We’ve received a report concerning you, please come to the guest house immediately to accept an investigation by the inspection team."