Zhang Ruiqiang’s hand was trembling from his anger. He stared at Feng Yu and kept quiet.
“Leader. Look, you have already told the Russian that the City will be purchasing a batch of Songjiang Motors vehicles and the quantity will not be less than 100. That Russian will remember this. If they returned and find out that the City did not make any purchase, they will surely think that there are problems with Songjiang Motors vehicles. If not, why would the City go back on their words?”
“The City does not need any new vehicles!” Zhang Ruiqiang barked.
“Why is there no need? Our City is a Provincial City, and the population is one of the highest in China. Also, our City’s region is quite big with many districts. Many of the City Government leaders did not go down to the grounds for inspections. Why? It is because there are not enough vehicles in the City. There are only one or two vehicles for every department. This is too pitiful. We don’t talk about other cities. Just the non-provincial cities in the South have more vehicles than us. As such, their efficiency is much higher.”
“How are one or two vehicles not enough for a department? Do you still want those deputy chiefs to be assigned with a vehicle each?” Zhang Ruiqiang retorted.
When Zhang Ruiqiang was still a Deputy Chief at the Foreign Trade Bureau, he was also not assigned with his own vehicle. Whenever he needs to go out for official matters, he needs to book a car from the transport office.
“Leader, times are different now. How much tax revenue does the City Government have in the past and how much is the revenue now? How much had the revenue increased? Even if you don’t assign a personal car for those deputies, but you should still increase the number of vehicles for all your departments. If some major event happens, it will be faster for them to react. Look at the Agriculture Department and Bureau of Animal Husbandry. They have only 3 vehicles each, and the vehicles are still the minivans from Bing City’s Aviation Factory. Do you think the leaders there are happy with this? Don’t you think this will affect their performances and efficiency?”
“They dare?! I will punish them severely if they slack in their work!” Zhang Ruiqiang said.
Feng Yu slapped his forehead. This Old Zhang was really impenetrable.
“Leader, carrot, and stick should go together. This way, their efficiency will increase. Just look at Jidong County north of our City. Their deputy head also has his own vehicle. What about us? It will be hard for you to lead your men in this way.”
“You know a lot about the government’s work?”
“Even if I do not know about how the government works, but I have my companies, and I have a few thousand staffs all over China and overseas. Staffs need to be motivated. If not, they will stop moving forward. Not everyone who works in the government service is because they want to contribute to the nation. Some of them are after status and authority. Many of them are capable, and if you dangle a carrot in front of them, they will put in more effort.”
“You are telling me that the City needs to buy your cars to motivate the staffs?” Zhang Ruiqiang sneered. What logic was this?
“Then I want to know why is it that the City will use that Mercedes Benz whenever some businessman visits?” Feng Yu asked.
To be honest, the City wants ‘face.’ Also, even if the City wants to stop its departments from ordering vehicles from the Machinery Company, it was impossible. There was more than one City’s department calling Li Mingde to ask about the cars.
Those departments do not have the funds to purchase new vehicles if the City does not give them the funds? Those leaders will find ways to get money from their department to buy. Isn’t it better to consolidate all the orders for a bulk purchase? It will be cheaper this way.
“Government vehicles are for safety, convenience, and speed. That Mercedes Benz is to host investors. This is very normal and is happening all over China. What’s wrong with this?”
“The City needs to host investors and businessmen. The other departments and counties don’t need to host guests? Look at your men. What cars are they using? Santana is still fine. They are driving Xiali, Passat, and Hongqi. Which one of these cars is safe? My cars are the safest. All my models are equipped with airbags, and the exterior looks grand. It is the most suitable car for work. Also, even the City does not purchase my vehicles, the Provincial Government will not buy my cars?”
Zhang Ruiqiang frowned. He knew that his men will find ways and means to purchase Songjiang Motors vehicles even if he tries to stop them.
“Also, some departments must increase the number of their vehicles. For example, Public Security Offices. They have lots of confidential documents, and you let them take public transport and taxis? Their transportation expenses in a year is also not a small sum. Look at our Police department and compare it to the Policemen from other major Cities. The gap is too big. You want our policemen to take public transports back to the station with the criminal they caught from the streets?”
“You just want the City to buy your vehicles. We are still considering this. What you are doing now is useless!” Zhang Ruiqiang was determined not to buy new vehicles for the City.
Swished~~~
Feng Yu took out a copy of the newspaper and place it on the coffee table.
“Leader, look at this. This is yesterday’s Bing City news. Two hooligans had snatched a handbag while riding a motorcycle. Two policemen ran after them on foot for about 200 meters, and the criminals escaped. If the policemen are chasing after those thieves in a car, do you think they will escape? Here state the interviews on the public conducted by the reporter. The public are very concern with the security of our City and most of them do not have confidence in our policemen!”
Zhang Ruiqiang sneered and said: “Humph! Those two hooligans are riding Songjiang Motorcycles?”
“That is not important. The important thing is our police department need patrol cars. If there is an emergency, the police department can dispatch policemen immediately. Don’t tell me the City did not receive complains about the Policemen arriving at the crime scene too late?” Feng Yu asked while tapping the coffee table with his fingers.
Zhang Ruiqiang kept quiet. Of course, he had received complains about the Police department. But which city doesn’t? Even Beijing will also receive such complaints. If based on what Feng Yu said, that means every Police division will need to purchase vehicles. Then do the police stations need vehicles? There are almost 20 police divisions in the whole City and more than 100 police stations. All of them needs to be assigned to cars?
Even if the City had purchased the cheapest model, it would also cost 20 million RMB. Where will the City get this much money?
“This situation will improve. The City does not have so much money now. If we had spent too much money on the Police department, what about the other departments? Even if we were to improve our Police department equipment, this is also not the way to do it.”
Finally, this Old Zhang was moved. This was what Feng Yu wanted.
Feng Yu smiled and said: “Don’t have money? I can help you think of a way. The City does not need to worry about the money. Once you give the approval, the departments will be able to raise funds themselves.”
“Raise the funds themselves? How?”
“Didn’t you realize that since the recovery of our Bing City industries, there has been a revival of nightclubs, bathhouses, etc.? A number of them are illegal.” Feng Yu said and raised his brows.
“Really?” Zhang Ruiqiang frowned. How come he was not aware of this?
“It is not as serious as the Song Laosi’s era. But there are still many fights, gambling, and prostitution. If the Police department were to catch them, the fines they receive would be sufficient for them to buy new vehicles. This will also keep our crime rates low, and at the same time, the police department can improve their equipment. Killing two birds with one stone.”
“In fact, many departments can raise their own funds. These departments have been doing this almost every festive season. For example, the Trade and Industry Bureau can catch those illegal factories, the Health Bureau can catch those illegal clinics. Those departments will be able to think of ways to raise their own funds. The City does not need to spend a single cent and even make some money from this.”
“Make money?” Zhang Ruiqiang was confused. How can the City make money from this?
“That’s right. The City can consolidate all the departments’ orders of vehicles, and I will give you a bulk discount. Those departments will be providing the City the funds of the new cars based on the retail prices and the City can earn from the difference.” Feng Yu continued.
Zhang Ruiqiang’s eyes widened. He could not catch up with Feng Yu. But…… this seems to be a good idea!
