I'm in the county town, and you say I'm a big shot?

Chapter 770 Someone's trying to sabotage things!

"What's going on?" Fang Qingye frowned slightly.
"Niu Zhuang, CEO of Xiangjiang Hengtai Securities, suddenly appeared in Yongjiang yesterday and submitted a 'Strategic Subscription and Cooperation Proposal' to the local municipal government leaders."

On the other end of the phone, Chen Danlu spoke rapidly, “We just received information from informed sources in the government. There are three key points: First, Hengtai Securities is willing to act as the underwriter for this corporate bond issuance and has committed to subscribing to one-third of the total issuance amount, which is 10 billion yuan. This will greatly ensure the success rate of the bond issuance.”

"Secondly, they proposed a cost optimization plan: Hengtai questioned the interest rate range given by Jinghai and Goldman Sachs as 'too conservative and failing to fully reflect the credit advantages of Yongjiang City,' claiming that it could help the issuer issue at a lower interest rate and save the local government tens of millions of yuan in interest expenses."

"Third, they also proposed additional benefits: a commitment to invest no less than 50 billion yuan in port-related industries in Yongjiang City over the next five years, creating a synergistic effect with port construction."

Fang Qingye gasped in astonishment upon hearing this. Such generous terms were simply unheard of!

"Are the local leaders tempted?" he asked in a deep voice.

"That's absolutely right. If it weren't for an insider secretly informing us, we would still be completely in the dark."

Fang Qingye pondered for a moment, then asked, "What's Goldman Sachs' attitude?"

"President Lin happens to be right next to me, so I'll have her talk to you directly."

Lin Wei's pleasant yet slightly somber voice came quickly from the other end of the phone: "President Fang, I was also shocked to hear this news. But as a mainland securities firm listed in Hong Kong, Hengtai Securities' proposal, while unexpected, is still reasonable in terms of procedure and business logic."

"I admit, judging from the content of this proposal alone, it is indeed very tempting." Fang Qingye's tone was calm, revealing no emotional fluctuation.

"Yes, President Fang, Goldman Sachs China has a good working relationship with the Ningbo government. If they insist on changing underwriters, we respect that decision. Of course, we will conduct a professional evaluation of Hengtai Securities and this agreement internally, and provide our opinions and suggestions to the local government."

"As a partner, my advice is that Jinghai Bank should first leverage its local connections and influence to ascertain Hengtai Securities' true intentions and the government's direction. This step is crucial."

Holy crap, Goldman Sachs China is already backing down before even firing a single shot?!

This doesn't fit Lin Wei's style of maximizing her own interests, does it?

Fang Qingye sneered inwardly, but her tone remained calm: "Understood, thank you for the suggestion. Please transfer the call to Director Chen."

Soon, Chen Danlu's voice came through: "President Fang, what should we do next?"

"Just as Mr. Lin said, we'll use our local connections and influence to find out Hengtai Securities' true intentions and the government's stance. I'll be there right away."

"Ok."

After hanging up the phone, Fang Qingye turned to Zhang Rong: "I can't go to dinner tonight, I have to rush to Yongjiang immediately. President Chen called to say that there has been a change in our agreement with Yongjiang City Investment, someone is trying to sabotage it halfway."

“Qian Duo just called and mentioned this as well.” Zhang Rong nodded, then asked with a puzzled look, “Just who is this Hengtai Securities? This is clearly snatching food from a tiger’s mouth.”

“I don’t know the specifics of the mainland company that is listed in Hong Kong. Zhang Rong, go to the Data Management and Analysis Department right away and have Minister Yang collect all the information on Hengtai Securities. After you have compiled it, send it to me and also send a copy to President Zhao and the others.”

"I'll go right away." Zhang Rong immediately turned and left. "Hu Lingling," Fang Qingye called out.

After his secretary came in, he instructed, "Notify Yue Kai to prepare a car to go to Yongjiang City. Also, have Director Ma of the General Office arrange for Zhou Yu to go with me."

"Fang Xing, if you need to attend any social events, I'll go with you," Hu Lingling said.

Fang Qingye glared at her: "You? You should focus on getting pregnant. If your father-in-law finds out I took you out for a business dinner, he'll nag me to death at the next banquet. He's really looking forward to having a grandson."

Hu Lingling got married last National Day. Her father-in-law is the deputy director of the power bureau, and her husband also works in the power system. Almost a year into their marriage, she still hasn't conceived, and her in-laws are reportedly getting anxious. As a leader, Fang Qingye naturally understands her subordinate's predicament.

Hu Lingling had no choice but to comply and leave. A short while later, she returned with a beautiful female employee in a business suit; it was Zhou Yu.

Zhou Yu and Fang Qingye's distant cousin Chen Yu are both temporary workers. They were originally working as lobby customer managers at the Liulin branch. They were proactive and enthusiastic.

By chance, Fang Qingye discovered that Zhou Yu had a considerable alcohol tolerance, so he transferred her to the headquarters' general office. Besides handling daily affairs, one of her important responsibilities was accompanying Fang Qingye on social occasions. Zhou Yu was married with a child over two years old, so she naturally didn't have the same concerns as Hu Lingling.

Upon seeing Zhou Yu enter, Fang Qingye immediately instructed, "We'll depart in an hour. Go back and settle the children first. This trip will likely take three to five days in Yongjiang."

“Fang Xing, my mother-in-law has been taking care of the child, so there’s nothing I need to prepare at home. I’ll go back and pack my things; it’ll only take half an hour,” Zhou Yu quickly replied.

"Okay, wait for us at the entrance of your community in half an hour," Fang Qingye said while tidying up the documents.

Zhou Yu left in a hurry, while Hu Lingling quickly helped Fang Qingye pack her belongings. Fang Qingye picked up her briefcase, went to Deng Hui's office to give a few brief instructions, and then hurried downstairs. Yue Kai was already waiting in the courtyard in his car.

Fang Qingye got into the car: "Take me to the villa to pick up my luggage first, then you go home and tell your wife."

"I don't need to go back, I can just make a phone call," Yue Kai said with a smile.

Yue Kai's wife had already quit her job at the supermarket to stay home and take care of the children. Fang Qingye had increased Yue Kai's monthly salary from the initial 8,000 to 30,000. With the addition of holiday bonuses and business trip allowances, his annual income could reach 400,000, which was definitely a high salary in Nanxin.

Therefore, Yue Kai let his wife take care of the children wholeheartedly, while he focused on driving. He even prepared a set of toiletries and a change of clothes in the car, ready to go on long trips at any time.

Of course, he also serves as a bodyguard. However, Fang Qingye is a low-key person who doesn't like to wander around, and so far he hasn't encountered any major incidents.

Fang Qingye returned to the villa, quickly packed a few changes of clothes, and left in a hurry. He first called his grandparents to explain that he wouldn't be coming back to the nursery for meals for the next few days, and then sent a WeChat message to Bai Ou in Shanghai, briefly informing her of his itinerary.

Everything was ready, and the vehicle drove to the entrance of an old residential area in the county town to pick up Zhou Yu. Zhou Yu had changed out of her bank uniform and was now wearing a light blue cotton shirt and dark gray casual trousers, holding an umbrella in one hand and carrying a suitcase in the other. Seeing her get into the car, the Mercedes immediately drove towards the highway entrance.

Outside the car window, Nanxincheng was still shrouded in torrential rain.

(End of this chapter)