75: First Letter of Intent

Upon hearing Lin Zifeng's introduction, Gao Shengli smiled and said, "It is clear that Secretary Lin is a good Secretary who keeps the common people in his heart."

"With you in Heping Town, I am at ease regarding the local business environment."

"However, I am a businessman, and we should speak in business terms. Regarding the point Secretary Lin just raised—that eighty percent of the employees must be hired locally—I completely agree."

"Even if you hadn't brought it up, I would have done so to save on labor costs."

"Except for a few technical personnel, we can hire all other employees locally."

"But Secretary Lin is also aware that the products we manufacture need to be sold in big cities. After all, Heping Town is located in a remote area, which invisibly increases transportation costs."

"Therefore, on the basis of providing land for free and the tax policy of two years of exemption and three years of reduction, can you provide us with some additional preferential policies to offset the transportation costs?"

Lin Zifeng was not afraid of the other party making demands, because only when the other party made demands did they have a genuine intention to invest.

He had played a trick earlier and had not revealed all his cards, all in preparation for the negotiation.

Therefore, he feigned contemplation for a moment before speaking: "General Manager Gao, the issue you raised is real and quite reasonable."

"How about this! I assure you that even if I cannot completely resolve the extra costs, I guarantee to resolve more than half for you. How does that sound?"

"You should also be aware that as a grassroots Cadre, we are sometimes in a difficult position. This is already the limit of what I can do."

"What do you think?"

Gao Shengli hadn't expected it to be completely resolved either, because he knew in his heart that he could accept some increased transportation costs if he could save on labor costs.

Upon hearing Lin Zifeng's promise, he had already made his decision.

So he smiled and said, "If Secretary Lin can fulfill your promise, I can sign the Letter of Intent to Invest with you right now. May I ask, in what aspect can Secretary Lin subsidize these costs for me?"

Lin Zifeng felt a surge of joy but controlled his emotions as he said, "General Manager Gao, you are aware that it is impossible for the township treasury to subsidize you directly, so I have to find another way."

"What if we convert industrial electricity usage to residential electricity rates? Wouldn't that subsidize more than half of your increased transportation costs?"

"I will go back and plead with the County Party Committee leaders to secure this item."

"This is already the limit of what I can do. If General Manager Gao still has other conditions, I will be powerless to help."

This was a preferential policy he had already discussed with the county in advance. The reason he acted as if he were in a difficult position was to shut Gao Shengli's mouth and prevent him from raising other conditions; this could be considered his strategy.

Hearing his answer, Gao Shengli's heart stirred. Electricity for the factory was also a significant expense, even though his project was not comparable to high-electricity-consumption projects.

However, the difference between industrial electricity and residential electricity rates could at least subsidize half of his increased transportation expenses, which was already an unexpected pleasant surprise.

"Secretary Lin is straightforward. Let's discuss the details, and then we can sign the Letter of Intent to Invest."

"After I bring people for a site visit, we can sign the formal contract."

The two men discussed various details for over an hour, and then Gao Shengli signed a Letter of Intent to Invest for 15 million.

The Letter of Intent to Invest listed the responsibilities and obligations of both parties. Regarding Gao Shengli's investment of 15 million, after the formal contract was signed, the first installment of 5 million would be transferred to Heping Town's account.

Once the project officially started, the remaining funds would be transferred to Heping Town's account, and the investment funds would be used to build the factory under the government's supervision.

Heping Town had the right to supervise these investment funds but could not misappropriate a single cent, and had to ensure the use of the project investment at all times.

Gao Shengli intended to invest in a food processing plant in Heping Town covering an area of 180 mu, along with ten large cold storage facilities as supporting infrastructure.

Heping Town was to provide no less than 200 mu of construction land, and the government would be responsible for completing the land acquisition work.

After signing the Letter of Intent to Invest and exchanging contact information, they agreed that Gao Shengli would bring people to Heping Town for a site visit in five days, and then the two walked out of the lounge together.

After shaking hands again, Lin Zifeng spoke first: "General Manager Gao, I look forward to your arrival in Heping Town."

"Secretary Lin, I look forward to meeting you again. I hope that next time we meet, we can reach a consensus on cooperation and sign the contract smoothly."

"Then I will say 'happy cooperation' in advance!"

Gao Shengli nodded with a smile and turned to leave.

Cao Shuang and the others had been keeping an eye on Lin Zifeng's side. Seeing Lin Zifeng send off Gao Shengli, they walked towards the booth, and Cao Shuang and Jiang Yufei hurried over to meet him.

The two came to his side, one on the left and one on the right, both looking expectant and asking eagerly: "Secretary, how did it go?"

"Secretary, did the other party sign the Letter of Intent to Invest? I just heard from Zhongyu that this unassuming middle-aged man is the owner of a food processing plant."

Lin Zifeng patted the Letter of Intent to Invest in his hand and said with a smile: "We finally have something to show for it; we shouldn't be returning empty-handed."

"Take a look for yourselves!"

Jiang Yufei reached out and took the Letter of Intent to Invest from his hand, opened it eagerly, and the two looked at it together.

After the two browsed through it, Cao Shuang said with a look of surprise: "Secretary, you really managed to negotiate it! This is an investment of 15 million!"

"Our Heping Town has actually succeeded in attracting investment. For our Heping Town, this is the first time in history!"

"Now, we no longer need to worry about the sales of those thousand-plus mu of peach orchards," Jiang Yufei said with excitement.

"I can only say we are halfway successful. In five days, General Manager Gao will personally bring people to Heping Town for a site visit. We must do a good job with reception and the corresponding support work. Only after the formal contract is signed and the project lands can we consider it a complete success."

"I hope there are no complications; we must not be careless."

"Please rest assured, Secretary. You have already led the God of Wealth to our Heping Town. If anyone dares to have ulterior motives regarding this matter, the entire population of Heping Town will not stand for it."

"Whoever dares to drop the ball in this work or neglects their duty will be an enemy of the entire Heping Town."

Cao Shuang said emphatically.

"Town Chief Cao is right. No one dares to have crooked thoughts about this matter. This is the hope for Heping Town's economic development and, even more, the reliance for the fruit farmers to get rich."

"If anyone dares not to fulfill their duties, the common people will not agree."

"Secretary, it's almost four o'clock. You talked with General Manager Gao for so long that you haven't even had lunch. You should hurry up and go eat!"

"Haha, I was so happy that I forgot about eating, and I didn't even feel hungry."

"In another hour or so, today's investment promotion conference will be over. Let's wait and eat together when we go back!"

As he spoke, he walked towards the booth, with the two following behind him, both wearing looks of joy.