With the backing of a powerful and influential older brother like Lu Hao, Yang Jian wasn't too worried about any potential issues at the casino before the tenth.
Taking advantage of his sister and Lu Yao's holiday, he took them to a nearby scenic spot for three days. Lu Hao had to return early due to company matters after their hot spring visit.
After sending his sister and the others back to school, Yang Jian and Lu Yao returned to Xinqiao. The road from Xinqiao Town to Yangli Village was nearing completion, and the town planned to hold a ceremony. Yang Jian, as the contractor and investor, was required to attend.
Yang Jian didn't understand why a simple village road needed a completion ceremony, but since it was arranged by the town, he had to comply.
The completion ceremony was scheduled for October 8th.
At nine in the morning, the town mayor, Peng Chaoyang, arrived with a large entourage at the connection point between the road and Xinqiao Town's southern exit. A significant amount of firecrackers and fireworks had been prepared, and many small red flags were planted around the area.
Yang Jian, Xu Zheng, and the cadres from the village committees of Yangli Village and Fanji Village were already waiting there.
As the last can of concrete was poured, the three-kilometer-long Xin Yang Road was officially completed. The deafening sound of firecrackers erupted at the scene.
Following that, Peng Chaoyang began his speech. Midway through, Yang Jian finally understood the true purpose of the completion ceremony.
It turned out that Peng Chaoyang had invited factory owners from all over Xinqiao to attend this completion ceremony. He loudly publicized Yang Jian, the owner of the template factory, for investing over 600,000 yuan to widen and thicken this road.
Then, he encouraged the factory owners he had brought with him to learn from Yang Jian, actively donate, and participate in Xinqiao's large-scale road construction, contributing to Xinqiao's economic takeoff.
This wasn't a completion ceremony at all; it was clearly a fundraising event. Peng Chaoyang demanded that these bosses raise their hands and pledge donations on the spot.
The bidding boards had been prepared by the town long ago, with the smallest denomination being 50,000 yuan, followed by boards for 100,000, 200,000, and 500,000 yuan.
The board factories in Xinqiao Town were generally not large. Only a few had the financial capacity to donate 500,000 yuan, so there were no boards for higher amounts.
The first person to take a bidding board was Wu Wangchun. He took a 500,000 yuan board and posed for a photo with the town leaders, signifying his donation of 500,000 yuan. After the ceremony, designated personnel from the town would collect the money from each factory.
With someone taking the lead, the other factory owners felt embarrassed not to contribute anything. One by one, they reluctantly took bidding boards and posed for photos. Most chose 50,000 yuan, and two opted for 100,000 yuan.
However, no one took the 200,000 or 500,000 yuan boards.
Xu Zheng also donated 50,000 yuan. After all, he was a well-known figure in Xinqiao Town, and he had contracted the construction of most of the road.
"Er Jian, aren't you going to donate some money?"
Yang Huailin stood beside Yang Jian.
"Uncle, I've already spent over 600,000 yuan on this road myself. You still want me to donate?"
"This ceremony is going to be broadcast on the district television station. This is the perfect time for you to clean up your image and gain fame. Look at Wu Wangchun, he's leading the donations, isn't that just securing his future?"
"But I'm short on cash right now as I'm preparing to establish the agricultural and sideline products trading company."
"Donate a little, at least. The scene today is all for your benefit. You funded this road, but some people say you only did it for the convenience of your factory's transportation. You need to reclaim that reputation."
"But I doubt if the money donated today will all be used for public utilities. I think it would be better to donate some money to the elderly and lonely in the village to improve their lives, or to help students from families with financial difficulties with their tuition and living expenses, rather than donating to the town."
"You can do that later if you have the heart, but it's being televised today, so you can't miss this opportunity."
"Alright then, I'll donate some."
After speaking, Yang Jian walked forward and took two bidding boards, one for 100,000 yuan and another for 500,000 yuan.
Peng Chaoyang was not surprised at all. "Manager Yang, you truly are a man of great vision and empathy. Not only did you invest 600,000 yuan to build the road, but you are also donating another 600,000 yuan to support Xinqiao's development. You are the biggest donor today. On behalf of the people of Xinqiao, I thank you."
However, Yang Jian handed over the 100,000 yuan board. "Mayor Peng, my donation to the town this time is 100,000 yuan. Additionally, I am donating 500,000 yuan to Yangli Village for the relief and living subsidies for the elderly and lonely, as well as financial aid for poor university students."
Peng Chaoyang was momentarily stunned, which was a bit awkward. However, he quickly adjusted his demeanor. "That's excellent. Caring for and helping vulnerable groups is also an entrepreneur's sentiment. We fully support this as well. Director Yang, let your Yangli Village receive this 500,000 yuan."
Yang Huailin was caught off guard. He hadn't expected Yang Jian to pull off such a move, but it achieved the desired effect of appearing before the cameras. He quickly stepped forward, accepted the 500,000 yuan board, and posed for a photo with Yang Jian and the mayor.
After the ceremony concluded, Yang Jian immediately asked Jing Yongli to transfer the funds. The casino's profits had surged during the Golden Week holiday, with his personal income exceeding 200,000 yuan per day. The earnings were promptly deposited into the template factory's account, so donating 600,000 yuan was not an issue.
Lu Yao also gave him the 480,000 yuan she had earned from the casino's dividends to pay for the road construction. This way, there were no outstanding wages for the road workers or mechanical fees. The allocation for the road construction at the end of the year would more than cover the remaining concrete payments.
The town had arranged a banquet, but Yang Jian had no intention of attending. He needed to go to Xunsi River to hand over matters to Li Jin. Since it was a partnership, they should part on good terms and not leave without a word.
Just as he was about to get into his car, Wu Wangchun stopped him. "Xiao Yang, you're not busy, are you? I'd like to chat with you for a moment."
"Certainly, Uncle Wang. Let's go back to the factory and sit for a while."
Yang Jian held Wu Wangchun in high regard. During the road construction, Wu Wangchun had arranged for his men to maintain the site. This was partly to prevent troublemakers from causing disturbances.
Another reason was to protect the road surface. After the concrete was poured, it required a two-week curing period, during which no motor vehicles were allowed on it. This necessitated dedicated personnel to guard it. It was difficult for ordinary people to maintain such a watch, but local ruffians had more deterrent power. With them on guard, no one dared to drive over it.
For this, Wu Wangchun had incurred significant manpower and material costs, and he had refused any payment from Yang Jian.
Wu Wangchun, however, got directly into his car. "No need, let's just chat in the car."
"Uncle Wang, your men have worked hard during this period. They still need to maintain it for another half a month."
The freshly poured concrete also needed half a month of curing, and Wu Wangchun's men would still be needed for guarding during this time.
"It's nothing, it's a small matter, not hard work at all. They're just sitting in the car playing games."
"Alright, I won't be overly polite about this. I remember all the kindness you've shown me. How has business been at the casino recently?"
"Not very good. I came to discuss this with you. You have to help me this time."
Wu Wangchun's words clearly indicated that something had happened at the casino, which made Yang Jian feel uneasy. He had already decided to withdraw from casino-related affairs and focus on his business.