amaotonovel Chapter 394 Blinded by greed, what's the point of pretending?
Chapter 394 Blinded by greed, what's the point of pretending?
Strong liquor makes you feel dizzy.
Huang Jianming was filled with excitement.
Living in a large, luxurious apartment next to the bustling business district of Yanjing, one can't help but feel successful and superior.
However, as soon as Ma Yongliang finished his phone call and returned, Huang Jianming immediately got up and handed him a glass of wine.
"Brother, another one, it tastes just right!"
"I'm not drinking anymore, I have to go back in a bit."
Ma Yongliang plopped down and casually picked up the renovation plan from the coffee table.
Huang Jianming put down his wine glass and sat down to the side with a smile.
My heart was in my throat.
Two years ago, in preparation for the World University Games, he easily earned more than 20 million yuan from the renovation project of the Workers' Stadium.
Now that we're preparing for a larger and more prestigious Olympics, we need to spend more money on upgrades and renovations, so wouldn't he be able to earn even more?
Today, he invited Ma Yongliang to his luxurious penthouse, not just to watch the national team's World Cup match together.
The main purpose was to persuade Ma Yongliang to take advantage of the Olympic Games to renovate the Workers' Stadium and the stadium.
however……
Ma Yongliang shook his head after less than two minutes of deliberation regarding the renovation plan.
"What's wrong, bro? Is the plan not good enough?"
"If you're not satisfied, just point it out, and I'll have someone fix it right away!"
Huang Jianming straightened his back, looking extremely serious and earnest.
This is a huge project that could earn hundreds of millions, so of course he takes it very seriously.
Ma Yongliang did not rush to answer.
He was a heavy smoker, and lit a cigarette and started smoking.
Leaning back on the sofa, he expertly exhaled a smoke ring before speaking earnestly:
"Old Huang, I haven't made you hundreds of millions over the years, but I've certainly made tens of millions, right?"
Huang Jianming, with a beaming smile, said in a very obsequious manner:
"Brother, you've helped me a lot, I'll always be grateful and remember it in my heart!"
Ma Yongliang gave a disdainful snort.
"Are you grateful? I think you just want to drain me dry and eat me alive!"
Upon hearing this, Huang Jianming became somewhat anxious.
"Hey bro, what are you saying? You've been good to me, and I'm just as loyal to you!"
“I’ve always known that without your help, I, Huang Jianming, wouldn’t be where I am today. I’m truly grateful to you from the bottom of my heart…”
As soon as Ma Yongliang raised his hand, Huang Jianming immediately shut up.
Immediately afterwards, he handed the proposal to Ma Yongliang with both hands.
"Then what do you mean by this?"
"The Workers' Stadium across the street started construction in September of the year before last and was completed in March of last year."
“It’s only been a little over a year since it was completed, and now you’re suggesting renovations, with a budget of several hundred million yuan, to renovate the Workers’ Stadium as well.”
Huang Jianming said with a fawning smile, "Isn't it because the Olympic Games will be held in six years?"
"The Olympics are far more prestigious than the Universiade. We Chinese people worked so hard to win the hosting rights, how can we make it too shabby?"
"If the sports venues are old and outdated, and foreign athletes participating in the competition are dissatisfied, and this is exposed by major international media outlets, how do you think the world will view our Dragon Country?"
"They will definitely think that we Chinese either don't value the Olympics or are too poor to host the Olympics well, but no matter how they speculate, it will inevitably affect our international image."
"We also hope to use this Olympics to showcase our nation's traditional culture, reform achievements, and development progress, thereby increasing our international profile and facilitating further opening up..."
Ma Yongliang tossed the proposal onto the coffee table.
"But the Workers' Stadium, which was only renovated last year, I think will not be shabby or outdated even in six years."
"Moreover, the stadium successfully hosted the opening and closing ceremonies of the World University Games last year, as well as many track and field and football events, and star concerts."
"Even if the exterior and interior look a bit old after a few years, we can just do a simple repaint and renovation before the Olympics open, and replace some of the old facilities, right?"
"Why spend hundreds of millions on an even larger-scale renovation and expansion after only two years of upgrades and renovations? We are going to host the Olympics in a grand manner, but not to waste money on lavish events!"
Huang Jianming was stunned and speechless.
Suddenly I feel like my mind is a bit of a mess.
I can't understand why Ma Yongliang's attitude changed so suddenly.
We all worked together to make money before, and things went very well, didn't we?
Why would they refuse to host the Olympics, when it would provide a more legitimate excuse to engage in engineering projects and make money?
"Brother, what's wrong with you?"
"How is renovating sports venues to better host the Olympics considered a waste of money?"
"If that's the case, then planning and building so many venues and proposing so many high-speed rail and subway lines is also a waste of money?"
"Aren't those protective forests, relocation of heavy industry, and the South-to-North Water Diversion Project all unnecessary vanity projects?"
Ma Yongliang took a puff of his cigarette.
"Don't give me that nonsense!"
"What you're saying is not only for better hosting of the Olympics, but also for creating a better ecological environment and infrastructure in the northern region, and ending drought and water shortage."
"The Workers' Stadium was just renovated last year, and you're proposing to renovate it again this year? Isn't this just blatantly using the pretext of hosting the Olympics to carry out more projects and make more money?"
Huang Jianming gave an "oh" and laughed, somewhat speechless.
He finally understood.
I understand what Ma Yongliang is worried about.
"Hey bro, isn't this a misunderstanding?"
"I'm giving you a solution now, not saying you have to change it right now."
"Even if you agree, with all the reporting and approval processes, it won't be until next year before construction can begin."
"Moreover, such a large renovation project will take at least a year to complete; it simply cannot be finished in three to five months."
"What I mean is, isn't the Olympic Organizing Committee already widely soliciting public opinions and discussing the preparation plan?"
"Regardless of whether this plan will be approved or when it will be implemented, let's submit it first and reserve a spot!"
Seeing that Ma Yongliang's complexion had not improved.
Huang Jianming moved forward a little.
"Brother, don't worry, someone will make a fuss about this."
"These days, no one has the guts to directly make money, nor would they dare to."
"But people not only have the audacity to use the guise of hosting the Olympics to engage in construction projects and make money, they have an enormous amount of audacity!"
"It's a rare opportunity to have such a legitimate and legitimate way to carry out large-scale construction and make money. Everyone is ecstatic. Who would want to undermine each other?"
"Besides, look at those municipal engineering guys. They dare to dig up roads that have only been repaired for a short time, repeatedly repairing and demolishing them. Isn't it all about making money?"
"As long as there's a legitimate reason and the accounts are kept clean, who can say anything? Everyone makes money this way, doesn't everyone know that? Let the people disapprove if they don't like it!"
Huang Jianming was secretly relieved when he said this.
I'm glad I chose the more conservative upgrade and renovation plan instead of a complete rebuild.
If we were to follow his original idea, he intended to suggest that the Workers' Stadium and the stadium be demolished and rebuilt on their original sites.
In this way, the entire project will cost at least several billion, and he can make a fortune immediately.
After his persuasion, Ma Yongliang stopped having a tense, cold expression.
"If it's just about applying for projects, then I might consider it."
"right!"
Huang Jianming slapped his thigh and said with a smile:
"Six years until the opening of the Olympics! Six years!"
"The north is windy and dusty, and there is a lot of acid rain in autumn and winter. It is inevitable that our sports stadiums will look old in three to five years."
"Moreover, with so many events held every month, the stadium's seating, lighting, broadcasting, sanitation, and other facilities will inevitably continue to age."
"After five years of intensive use, the Olympics will be held, so it will need to be thoroughly upgraded and renovated inside and out. Therefore, you will have to come up with a plan sooner or later."
"Since we'll have to raise this sooner or later, why not do it now? For our first application, we can exaggerate the scale and increase the budget, leaving room for negotiation."
Ma Yongliang nodded silently.
As someone working within the system, he certainly knew that there were nuances to reporting budgets.
If the budget isn't done well, having too much money is easier to manage; there's always a way to rush to spend it.
But if you don't have enough money, it's difficult to increase your budget.
Therefore, stadiums and gymnasiums will inevitably need to be upgraded and renovated in a few years.
Submitting a proposal and a budget of several hundred million yuan first will give you more room for maneuver.
Moreover, with economic development, the costs of labor, materials, and other resources will inevitably rise significantly in a few years.
"Alright, I can submit the proposal, but I can't guarantee it will be adopted!"
"Brother, you can rest assured. With your position and background, the proposal you submit will be 100% adopted!"
At this point, Huang Jianming handed over his wine glass, smiling obsequiously as he said:
"Moreover, I have a strong feeling that after we submit this proposal, it will probably be criticized as being too petty."
"The stadium can be upgraded and renovated and still be used to some extent, but the stadium is already decades old and too old."
"Not only can it not accommodate too many spectators, but the building structure is also seriously old, and it won't be much better even if it's renovated."
"I reckon some people will definitely suggest that we stop making changes and rebuilding on the original site!"
Ma Yongliang's pupils constricted slightly.
"So you're taking this opportunity to make a fortune, huh?"
Huang Jianming said with a fawning smile, "Let's all make money together!"
"Didn't your uncle always teach you that to succeed in the system, you have to be discerning and share the benefits?"
"Since many hands make light work, everyone should have a share in something beneficial!"
"So don't be fooled by my high budget; I don't actually earn much myself. I'm just doing this for everyone's benefit!"
Huang Jianming and Ma Yongliang picked up their glasses and clinked them together lightly.
"In a couple of years, shouldn't your son also be going abroad to study?"
"It's expensive to live abroad, so we need to save up enough for his tuition and living expenses in advance!"
Ma Yongliang remained silent.
He took a sip of his drink and looked out the window.
Early in the morning.
As usual, Huang Jianming took a taxi to send Ma Yongliang away.
Ma Yongliang, who was already quite wealthy, always traveled 'lightly' due to his status and position.
When he goes out, he always dresses simply and plainly, and he rides his old bicycle to and from get off work.
Watching the taxi drive away, Huang Jianming stopped waving and revealed a disdainful sneer.
"The money they embezzled is enough to execute several rounds of people, what's the point of pretending!"
"Go ahead and pretend if you want, just don't interfere with my making money!"
With a sigh, Huang Jianming put his hands behind his back and leisurely went upstairs.
I drank quite a bit tonight, won quite a bit, and successfully submitted the proposal.
In high spirits, Huang Jianming lay half-reclined on the sofa, picked up his phone, and ordered someone to send over a beautiful woman.