novelnext Chapter 202 A Farce of Investment Promotion
Chapter 202 A Farce of Investment Promotion
The morning after the town party committee meeting.
Sun Runcai called.
"Zhiyuan, there's new information about Lin Guofu, whom you asked me to investigate. Your judgment was correct."
"Runcai, what are you saying?" Wu Zhiyuan's spirits lifted.
"We investigated through our internal system and inter-provincial cooperation channels."
The company you provided is a shell company. The legal representative is a rural old man in his seventies who knows nothing and whose ID card was lost years ago.
The so-called state-owned enterprise background is completely fabricated; it's a typical fake state-owned enterprise tactic used to deceive people.
Wu Zhiyuan wasn't surprised: "This is pretty much what I initially understood. What about Lin Guofu himself?"
"That's the key point." Sun Runcai paused, "This Lin Guofu, apart from his gender, is almost entirely fake."
His real name is Liu Sanwang. He has a criminal record for fraud and was given a suspended sentence a few years ago for contract fraud.
After his release from prison, he devoted himself to this kind of investment fraud.
Their gang operated across various regions, targeting local governments in underdeveloped areas that were eager to achieve political success and attract investment.
Wu Zhiyuan asked, "What was the method of the crime?"
Sun Runcai said: "They forged prestigious identities, boasted about huge investments, and took advantage of the eagerness of local leaders to defraud them of money under the guise of small amounts of earnest money, deposits, or requests for matching funds or loans from local governments."
Sometimes they directly defraud the government of matching funds and upfront fees, and sometimes they defraud construction companies that want to take on projects of deposits and kickbacks.
They disappear immediately after succeeding and move on to another location.
We contacted the police in another region, and they happened to be investigating a similar case. The methods and characteristics of the suspects matched perfectly, making it highly likely that it was this group!
Wu Zhiyuan said, "As far as I know, Boss Lin has already hinted to some local construction companies and material suppliers through intermediaries that the project is about to be contracted out, and he plans to collect so-called intention fees and bribes. Once the Qingshanxia project is signed, they will collect the money."
They're not only trying to swindle money from the government, but also from the construction companies.
"Zhiyuan, based on the existing clues, especially the information on the merged cases in other provinces, and their characteristics of fabricating facts and illegally possessing property, they are suspected of contract fraud and can be subjected to coercive measures."
Wu Zhiyuan had a sudden thought: why not arrest Boss Lin at the signing ceremony?
This way, we can severely damage Zhang Ping and make him lose face.
Otherwise, Zhang Ping, who currently controls the town's Party Committee, might even try to strip him of his power as the town's Party Secretary.
Therefore, Wu Zhiyuan suggested: "Runcai, they plan to hold a grand signing ceremony in the next two days."
As far as I know, the town's promised five million yuan in matching funds will only be disbursed after the formal signing of the agreement.
It's highly likely that Lin Guofu will only start collecting the project deposit after the contract is signed.
Preventing the signing at this crucial juncture is the best time to avoid actual losses.
Sun Runcai immediately understood Wu Zhiyuan's meaning: "You mean, expose them on the spot and arrest them at the signing ceremony?"
By striking at the last moment before the scammers succeed and the scheme is launched, the perpetrators are caught red-handed with irrefutable evidence, which also serves as a maximum warning to potential victims and prevents losses to town finances and local businesses.
Zhiyuan, the on-site arrest is a vivid lesson in fraud prevention and can also deal a heavy blow to your political enemy Zhang Ping.
But have you considered the possibility of accidentally harming Geng Dongqing? Because that would undoubtedly humiliate him.
Wu Zhiyuan made up his mind: "Runcai, don't hesitate. I didn't get along with Geng Dongqing when I was in the Municipal Party Committee Office. Even if I don't humiliate him, he won't treat me well."
Sun Runcai paused for a few seconds, then said, "Okay, I'll handle the necessary procedures and deploy reliable personnel to ensure everything goes smoothly."
……
On the day of the signing, the weather was perfect, sunny and cloudless.
The square in front of the town government was grand and bustling.
On a huge red backdrop, gold lettering read: "Signing Ceremony for Investment Cooperation of Qingshanxia Ecological Tourism Resort Project".
On both sides of the backdrop are brightly colored flags, fluttering in the wind.
A red carpet was laid out in the square, and seats for guests and media were set up.
The loudspeakers played a rousing welcome song on a loop.
Several hostesses dressed in red cheongsams stood gracefully with smiles on their faces.
Red banners and slogans were hung all around the square and in front of the town government building:
"Attracting major investors and striving to write a new chapter in the development of our new store!"
"We are committed to creating a first-class business environment and sincerely welcome investors from all over the world to invest and develop their businesses!"
"Revitalizing Qingshan Gorge, creating a new picture of gold and silver mountains!"
"Let's accelerate project implementation and work together to promote development!"
"Green hills and clear waters welcome distinguished guests; cooperation and mutual benefit create a better future!"
The slogans created a festive atmosphere in the small square.
Invited guests arrived one after another: County Mayor Geng Dongqing, Deputy County Mayor Li Changgui in charge of investment promotion, as well as the main leaders of some bureaus, commissions and offices of the county, local entrepreneurs, some people's congress deputies and CPPCC members, etc.
Zhang Ping, dressed in a suit and tie with his hair neatly combed, warmly shook hands and exchanged pleasantries with the guests, occasionally letting out a hearty laugh.
Beside him, Deputy Party Secretary Chen Junqiang, Deputy Mayor Wen Qiang, and others were all smiles, busy greeting the guests.
Wu Zhiyuan requested leave under a pretext and did not attend the signing ceremony.
The ceremony is about to begin.
Guided by Zhang Ping, Geng Dongqing walked to the center of the stage and took his seat.
Next, today's main character—the investors—made their appearance.
Lin Guofu, still dressed in designer brands and full of confidence, walked the red carpet accompanied by Su Wen and Liu Weiwei, exuding an air of grandeur.
They were led to their seats on the stage for the investors.
The signing ceremony was presided over by Zhang Ping.
He cleared his throat, spoke into the microphone, and his voice was loud and passionate:
"Respected County Head Geng, County Head Li, distinguished leaders, guests, entrepreneurs, and comrades, good morning!"
With the warm spring breeze and the flourishing of all things, we are filled with joy as we solemnly hold the signing ceremony for the investment cooperation agreement of the Qingshanxia Ecological Tourism Resort project in this beautiful and hopeful season!
First of all, please allow me, on behalf of the Xindian Town Party Committee and Government and the 50,000 people of Xindian, to extend our warmest welcome and heartfelt thanks to all the distinguished guests who have taken time out of their busy schedules to visit and provide guidance!
After the applause subsided, he continued, "Qingshan Gorge is the treasure of our new store and the long-awaited dream of ours!"
It boasts beautiful scenery and profound cultural heritage, but due to various reasons, it has been dormant for many years, becoming a weakness and pain point in our development.
How to transform green mountains and clear waters into gold and silver mountains, revitalize dormant resources, and drive people to increase their income and become wealthy has always been a key issue that our Party committee and government have been considering.
Today, we are very honored to welcome our visionary, capable, and passionate strategic partner – Mr. Lin Guofu and his elite team!
With keen insight, they saw the unparalleled potential and value of Qingshanxia and decided to invest heavily in high-standard planning and high-quality construction, determined to make Qingshanxia a shining pearl in the tourism industry of our county, our city, and even our province!
This project, with a total investment of several hundred million yuan, will be developed in three phases and will create a comprehensive tourist destination encompassing diverse business formats such as ecotourism, leisure and vacation, health and wellness research and study, and outdoor sports.
Once fully completed, the project is expected to receive over one million tourists annually, provide tens of thousands of jobs, and generate tens of millions of yuan in tax revenue annually.
This will completely reshape the development landscape of Xindian Town, giving us wings to take off!
Zhang Ping became more and more excited as he spoke, waving his arms powerfully: "Comrades, friends, signing this contract is not just a simple piece of paper, but a heavy responsibility and a bright future!"
It embodies the care and support of the county party committee and the county government, especially the great importance and personal promotion of County Head Geng;
This reflects the investors' trust in Qingshan's development environment and their optimism about the future of the new store;
It also carries the dreams and expectations of all the cadres and people in our town!
Hereby, I solemnly declare that the Xindian Town Party Committee and Government will resolutely implement the decisions and plans of the County Party Committee and Government, and with the utmost sincerity, the best service, and the highest efficiency, safeguard the project and ensure that it starts construction, is completed, and yields results as soon as possible!
Let us join hands and work together to usher in a new chapter of high-quality development for Xindian Town!
Zhang Ping's speech was highly engaging, bringing the atmosphere to a small climax, and the applause was enthusiastic.
His face lit up, as if he could already see the project's success and his career advancing further.
Next, Lin Guofu spoke.
He adjusted the microphone, a calm and confident smile on his face, and said in Mandarin with a slight southern accent:
"Respected County Head Geng, County Head Li, Town Mayor Zhang, distinguished leaders, and friends, good morning!"
It is a great honor to be entrusted by our group's board of directors to come to the beautiful Qingshan County and the town of Xindian with unlimited potential.
The first time I set foot on this land, I was deeply attracted by its green mountains and clear waters, and its simple and honest folk customs.
Qingshan Gorge, in particular, captivated me at first sight. Its superior natural endowments and profound cultural heritage give it the potential to become a regional benchmark, and even a nationally renowned eco-tourism resort!
He paused briefly, his gaze sweeping across the room, before continuing, "Our group has always adhered to the philosophy of 'investing in a promising land to benefit the local people.'"
After examining numerous projects, we finally set our sights on Qingshanxia, not only because of its natural resources, but also because of the determination of the Qingshan County and Xindian Town Party Committees and governments to develop the economy, their sincerity in optimizing the business environment, and their pragmatic and efficient work style!
From our first meeting to sitting here today, I have deeply felt what Qingshan speed and nanny-style service mean.
In particular, Mayor Zhang personally handled every detail and solved many practical difficulties for us, which moved us deeply and strengthened our confidence in investing!
Our plan is not just to create a scenic area, but to build a tourism ecosystem that is livable, business-friendly, and enjoyable for tourists.
In the first phase of investment, we will focus on restoring and improving the core landscape, building a high-standard visitor service center and an eco-friendly parking lot, and developing distinctive projects such as exploring the hidden wonders of Qinglongtan and experiencing the ancient village of Yunding.
At the same time, we will preserve the original ecology to the greatest extent possible, and promote the development of homestays and farmhouses in the surrounding villages, so that the people can truly share the benefits of tourism development.
We are committed to prioritizing local employment and procurement for our projects, truly achieving mutual growth and win-win cooperation between the company and the local community!
Lin Guofu's speech was both insightful and detailed, offering both grand promises and practical advice, which once again won enthusiastic applause. In particular, when he talked about leading the people to prosperity, many village cadres and representatives in the audience nodded frequently.
Finally, County Head Geng Dongqing delivered a speech.
Comrades and friends: I am very pleased to participate in today's signing ceremony.
First of all, on behalf of the Qingshan County Party Committee and County Government, I would like to extend my warmest congratulations on the formal signing of the project!
We extend our sincere welcome to Mr. Lin and his delegation for choosing Qingshan and investing in their new store!
Development is the fundamental principle, and projects are the essential support.
The Qingshanxia Tourism Development Project in Xindian Town is one of the key investment projects in our county this year, and it is also an important engine for promoting the upgrading of the county's tourism industry and driving the development of towns.
From initial contact and negotiation to the upcoming signing of this project, the comrades in Xindian Town, especially Comrade Zhang Ping, have done a great deal of effective work, demonstrating a proactive and responsible spirit in overcoming difficulties, which is commendable.
Mr. Lin and his team possess strategic vision and strong capabilities. Their advanced concepts and successful experience will undoubtedly inject new vitality into the development of tourism in Qingshan.
The county party committee and county government will, as always, support the project construction and require all relevant departments to strengthen their service awareness, improve efficiency, and do their utmost to create a first-class business environment to ensure the smooth progress of the project.
It is hoped that Xindian Town will take this signing as a new starting point, earnestly fulfill its local responsibilities, continue to proactively provide services, and promptly coordinate and resolve difficulties and problems encountered in project construction.
We also hope that investors will keep their promises, accelerate the investment process, and promote the project construction to a high standard and with high quality.
We strive to complete and put the project into operation as soon as possible, so as to achieve a "win-win" situation for local development and corporate profits, and contribute more to the high-quality economic and social development of Qingshan County!
After the speech, the audience erupted in enthusiastic applause once again.
The most crucial moment has finally arrived.
The hostess brought out a tray covered with red velvet, on which were two beautifully bound investment cooperation framework agreements.
According to the agenda, Zhang Ping will represent the Xindian Town Government and Lin Guofu will represent the investment company to sign the agreement.
Once this agreement is signed, the initial achievement of successfully attracting a major project worth hundreds of millions of yuan will be secured.
Zhang Ping and Lin Guofu stood behind the signing table and picked up their pens.
Zhang Ping's face was filled with barely suppressed excitement as he aimed his pen at the signature area.
Lin Guofu had a confident smile on his lips.
The scene fell silent as all the cameras and video cameras focused, recording this "historic" moment.
Geng Dongqing smiled, ready to witness the signing process.
However, just as Zhang Ping's pen was about to touch the paper, several agile men suddenly rushed out from the crowd and pounced on the podium with lightning speed!
The leader was Sun Runcai. He moved swiftly and decisively, flashing his identification with one hand while firmly gripping Lin Guofu's shoulder with the other. His voice was loud and serious: "Liu Sanwang! We are from the Criminal Investigation Detachment of Longcheng City Public Security Bureau!"
You are suspected of committing a major contract fraud crime, and we are now arresting you in accordance with the law! Take him away!
All of this happened too fast, too suddenly!
On the stage, Lin Guofu, or rather Liu Sanwang, froze instantly with a smile, struggling in vain: "What are you doing! We are businessmen! County Chief Geng! Town Mayor Zhang! This is a misunderstanding! We're innocent!"
Su Wen and Liu Weiwei, who were standing next to him, also turned pale and screamed as they were taken into custody by other plainclothes police officers.
The scene instantly erupted in chaos!
All the guests and media were stunned. After a few seconds of silence, a commotion erupted as cameras frantically focused on the arrest scene.
Zhang Ping was completely dumbfounded!
He stood frozen behind the signing table, pen in hand, like a comical clay sculpture.
He was first extremely surprised, then shocked into disbelief, and finally, all his emotions turned into embarrassment, panic, and lingering fear!
The stage he meticulously built, the "achievement project" he poured all his heart and soul into, and the "glorious moment" he invited the county magistrate to witness, all turned into a blatant exposure of a fraudster!
And he himself was the clown who performed energetically on stage and almost dragged the town's finances and local businesses into the abyss!
His mind went blank. The pen slipped from his trembling hand with a "thud," fell onto the red velvet cloth, and rolled to the ground.
County Chief Geng Dongqing, who was in the center of the stage, was first shocked, never expecting such an outcome. Then, he was filled with anger, the anger of being publicly humiliated.
He had absolutely no idea about the arrest operation! No one informed him!
He, the county head, had just been giving a speech on stage, expressing his welcome and support, when in the blink of an eye, the "investors" he "welcomed" were handcuffed by the police right in front of him!
How could he possibly accept this? Where would he put the county government's reputation?
A burning anger of being fooled, ignored, and humiliated simmered within him.
He felt this wasn't just about catching a fraudster, but a carefully orchestrated public humiliation of him!
Police cars sped by, and Lin Guofu and others were taken away on the spot.
The scene was chaotic, and what was originally a solemn and grand ceremony was completely turned into a huge farce and scandal.
Geng Dongqing's face was ashen, and with undisguised anger, he severely criticized Zhang Ping: "Look at what you've done! Look at the mess you've made!"
Hundreds of millions of yuan in investment? State-owned enterprise background? Strategic partners?
This is the high-quality project you so confidently promised to me and the county government? A major breakthrough in attracting investment?
A complete fraudster, a con artist with a criminal record!
You actually treated me like an honored guest, praised me to the skies, and invited me to this stage!
Let me, and all the leaders and guests present, witness this utterly absurd scam!
Zhang Ping trembled all over, his lips trembling as he tried to explain and defend himself, but he couldn't utter a single word. He wished there was a crack in the ground he could disappear into.
Geng Dongqing loudly questioned: "I have repeatedly emphasized that while we should be enthusiastic about attracting investment, we must also be clear-headed!"
We must be courageous in taking responsibility, but we must also be prudent in our judgment!
What did you do? You were blinded by the so-called investment amount and the big picture!
They're greedy for quick success and ambitious achievements! Have they even done the basic due diligence and verification?
Have their creditworthiness and background been thoroughly investigated? Have the relevant departments been strictly requested to conduct a risk assessment in accordance with the established procedures?
If the police hadn't intervened in time and exposed the scam, the consequences would have been unimaginable!
The town's public funds may have been swindled, and the hard-earned money of local businesses may have been stolen!
Can you, Zhang Ping, shoulder this responsibility? You're treating the development of the entire town and the interests of the people like a joke!
They are playing with the credibility and authority of the county government!
This incident is extremely egregious in nature and has had an extremely negative impact!
This fully exposes the serious formalism and bureaucracy of the Xindian Town Party Committee and government, especially the main responsible comrades, in the introduction of major projects. Their work is superficial and they lack basic sense of responsibility and risk awareness!
This has tarnished the county's investment promotion efforts and caused irreparable damage to its image!
The county party committee and county government have established an investigation team to investigate how this flawed scam was given the green light and promoted to this stage! Those who should be held accountable will be held strictly accountable!
All levels and departments throughout the county must learn a profound lesson from this incident!
Immediately conduct a comprehensive and thorough review of all investment projects under negotiation or already signed!
We must resolutely prevent similar incidents from happening again!
Attracting investment requires real money and tangible development; any fraudulent or deceptive practices will not be tolerated!
After erupting in anger, Geng Dongqing waved his hand and said to Li Changgui, "Let's go! This is utter nonsense!"
In fact, Geng Dongqing knew in his heart that he was only venting his anger on Zhang Ping to shirk responsibility and try to save face.
Zhang Ping has powerful backers; can he be dealt with seriously?