From Evil Sect Leader to Doctor

Chapter 738 - 708: Securing Sponsorship

Xu Chunliang said, "That brings up the issue of handling the traffic. Once the traffic increases, we need to see if we can handle it. If we can, Dongzhou’s culture and tourism can reach a new level. If not, it might have the opposite effect, so I need to discuss with you whether we should do it or not."This requires testing a leader’s decisiveness. Fu Guomin furrowed his brow, thinking for a moment. Since transferring from the Beijing Office to the Culture and Tourism Bureau, he had yet to achieve anything notable. On the surface, everything seemed calm, but if Dongzhou’s culture and tourism didn’t show any improvement this year, others would question Secretary Zhou’s choice, and he wouldn’t be able to justify it for himself.

Although there are many cultural and tourism plans currently in progress, they all require a long implementation process. The most likely action at present is the Fuyang Festival. However, it’s been organized many times before with little effect. Even if it’s successful this time, others won’t give him full credit. If it’s not successful, it would be seen as unoriginal and laughed at.

Fu Guomin said, "Go for it!"

Xu Chunliang said, "If we’re going to do it, we need to make full preparations. We need to prepare a promotional fund."

Fu Guomin said, "Are you talking about investing in traffic?"

Xu Chunliang nodded, as if that was the term.

After some discussion, Fu Guomin would strive for maximum financial support. Of course, there was no precedent for such a thing, so they shouldn’t be too optimistic about the results. The best approach would be to seek sponsorship.

In fact, sponsorship is the most reliable method. If this barbecue cultural promotion turns out to be a hit as expected, it can be a win-win for all sponsors. If not, at least it wouldn’t lead to criticism for wasting public funds.

It’s very challenging to attract sponsors with a new project, so they decided to bundle the sponsorship with the naming rights of the Fuyang Festival.

When it comes to sponsorship, Xu Chunliang first thought of the well-funded Equatorial Capital, and his first call was to Mo Han.

Upon hearing he was seeking sponsorship, Mo Han immediately said grumpily, "Are you trying to swindle me again?"

Xu Chunliang seriously corrected her, emphasizing that he wasn’t swindling her but rather Equatorial Capital. After all, it’d be Luan Yuchuan’s money. He’d given them many benefits recently without receiving a penny. Both emotionally and rationally, Equatorial Capital should reciprocate.

Mo Han said, "No need to explain. I’m not interested in your promotion, but since Director Xu asked, we can’t turn you down completely. How about we sponsor 500,000?"

Xu Chunliang said, "That’s such a small amount. Just sponsor more, and we’ll give you the naming rights for the Dongzhou Fuyang Festival."

Mo Han cursed him for being greedy: "How much more?"

"Ten million."

Mo Han said, "Money doesn’t grow on trees. If you want ten million, give us a dragon bone in exchange."

"That’s unreasonable. I gave you many photos before, and you didn’t give me any money."

Mo Han said, "You didn’t ask for it then, not that I wouldn’t give it."

"Well, I’m asking now."

"Sorry, I don’t want to give it now—expired and void."

Xu Chunliang said, "Fine, we’ll go our separate ways from now on."

Mo Han said, "Oh, are you mad? How about this, we won’t take the naming rights for the Fuyang Festival and will sponsor you one million."

Xu Chunliang was satisfied with this amount. After all, beggars can’t be choosers. He then contacted Chen Qianfan, who was more enthusiastic and willing to sponsor two million, but on the condition that he wanted the Fuyang Festival named after the Five-Whip Rejuvenating Wine.

Xu Chunliang was a bit troubled. While two million was acceptable, naming the Fuyang Festival after the Five-Whip Rejuvenating Wine seemed inappropriate. Telling Chen Qianfan that someone had offered ten million, Chen Qianfan only wanted to contribute two million, feeling anything beyond that wasn’t worth it. After all, the record showed last year’s Fuyang Festival naming rights only fetched two million, indicating Dongzhou Culture and Tourism’s limited domestic influence.

In business, deals must be mutually beneficial. Dealing with these businessmen isn’t easy; they won’t act without seeing the profits first.

Fortunately, he knew many wealthy individuals. He then contacted Sheng Chaohui from Enheng Pharmaceutical.

Enheng Pharmaceutical is a local company, and it’s only right for Sheng Chaohui to support the development of local culture and tourism.

Sheng Chaohui was interested in this matter, and when Xu Chunliang contacted him, he happened to be near the Culture and Tourism Bureau and offered to come over for a face-to-face discussion.

Xu Chunliang waited for him in his office.

Even though Xu Chunliang’s position wasn’t high, his status in Fu Guomin, the director of the Culture and Tourism Bureau, was significant. He was given an office, although it didn’t have a nameplate, it was exclusively for Xu Chunliang’s use.

When Sheng Chaohui arrived, Xu Chunliang had already brewed the tea. Actually, there was a reason he came over this time; he was worried about his health and wanted Xu Chunliang to take a look.

Sitting down with a cup of tea, Sheng Chaohui began to talk about his recent health issues, mentioning that he hadn’t been feeling well and suffered from insomnia all day.

After checking Sheng Chaohui’s pulse, Xu Chunliang told him that there wasn’t much to worry about. Observing Sheng Chaohui’s complexion, he asked, "Have you been under a lot of work pressure lately?" Xu Chunliang actually understood that this guy was just a puppet in Enheng; it was really his wife, Liang Wenjing, who was in charge.

Sheng Chaohui smiled bitterly, "There isn’t much pressure at work, mainly in life. You know my situation."

Xu Chunliang said, "Oh? Is President Liang giving you pressure?"

Sheng Chaohui replied, "She recently hired someone to follow me and is collecting evidence against me."

Xu Chunliang knew Sheng Chaohui’s character very well. This guy had flings everywhere and even secretly had a son with Zhao Xiaohui. It was too easy for Liang Wenjing to catch him, but Liang Wenjing wasn’t any better. Xu Chunliang had even caught her having a secret meeting with Zhao Xiaohui’s ex-boyfriend, Chen Jianxin, in a cinema.

The couple were just two of a kind, each playing their own games. Neither was a saint, and typically in such a situation, everyone gets along just fine.

Sheng Chaohui said, "She wants to distance herself from me and kick me out of Enheng."

Xu Chunliang said, "I can’t really help with your domestic issues."

Sheng Chaohui sighed, raised his teacup, and gulped down a cup of tea: "Director Xu, you are aware of my situation. I can’t talk to anyone else about this, only you."

Xu Chunliang was truly at a loss whether to laugh or cry. He originally wanted to discuss sponsorship with him, but this guy treated him as a confidant.

Xu Chunliang said, "Wouldn’t splitting up be detrimental to the company?"

Sheng Chaohui replied, "I used to think so in the past, and we’ve always been getting by uneventfully. But women’s hearts can be quite wicked. She’s been marginalizing me lately, weakening my influence in Enheng, and now she’s investigating everywhere for evidence against me. I think it won’t be long before she confronts me."

Xu Chunliang said, "Since you’re in trouble, then let’s forget I ever mentioned the sponsorship."

Sheng Chaohui said, "That’s not what I meant. I’m willing to sponsor. As a local enterprise in Dongzhou, promoting the hometown’s culture and tourism is both our duty and honor."

Xu Chunliang immediately saw through Shen Chaohui’s motives. He wanted to use this event to expand his own influence, but Xu Chunliang didn’t believe Sheng Chaohui had the final say in this matter; after all, the real owner of Enheng Pharmaceutical was Liang Wenjing, and the final decision was hers to make.

Sheng Chaohui inquired from Xu Chunliang about how much it would cost to secure the title sponsorship of the Fuyang Festival this year. Xu Chunliang told him three million, which was a price set considering the realities. Previously, Mo Han wasn’t interested, and Chen Qianfan only offered two million. In fact, historical records show the title sponsorship never exceeded two million.

Sheng Chaohui indicated that it wasn’t a big issue for him. He would go back and discuss it at a meeting. If Enheng were his, he would certainly agree to it, but at Enheng, it was his wife who was the boss. He planned to use this opportunity to challenge Liang Wenjing through sponsoring the Fuyang Festival.

As Xu Chunliang was seeing Sheng Chaohui off, he bumped into Zhang Hengyang, who was there to handle affairs at the Culture and Tourism Bureau.

Zhang Hengyang had just taken over the Han Yuan Hot Spring Resort and was there to handle some formalities. He didn’t expect to see Xu Chunliang there, thinking he would be in Hu Shan Town.

Since they met, Xu Chunliang invited Zhang Hengyang to his office for tea, knowing that Zhang Hengyang had also been busy with publicity lately. He deliberately brought up the Culture and Tourism Bureau’s recent plans to promote Dongzhou Barbecue, using cuisine as an entry point to enhance Dongzhou’s cultural and tourism reputation.

Zhang Hengyang was actually considering this opportunity. Having taken over the Han Yuan Hot Spring Resort, which integrates gourmet food with vacationing, he couldn’t pass up such a good chance. Zhang Hengyang said, "Town Mayor Xu, how could you forget me when such a good opportunity comes up? Every year there is a main venue for the Fuyang Festival, and I’m wondering if this year’s main venue could be at the Han Yuan Hot Spring Resort."

Xu Chunliang said deliberately, "President Sheng from Enheng just came to discuss the naming rights for the Fuyang Festival. He’s determined to get it, and I’ve already agreed to him, you see..."

Zhang Hengyang said, "The Barbecue Festival works too."

In his heart, Xu Chunliang thought, we haven’t even planned a Barbecue Festival yet.

Zhang Hengyang said, "There’s no naming rights for the Barbecue Festival, right?"

Xu Chunliang shook his head. Zhang Hengyang said, "I’ll take the naming rights."

Xu Chunliang said, "Are you serious?"

Zhang Hengyang said, "When have I ever lied to you? Isn’t three million enough to show my sincerity for the Dongzhou Barbecue Festival naming rights?"

Xu Chunliang looked somewhat surprised at Zhang Hengyang. Is this guy a sucker? He just offered three million. Although Zhang Hengyang had some money, his financial resources couldn’t compare with the Qianfan Group, let alone Equatorial Capital, which specialized in capital operations. If three million for the Dongzhou Fuyang Festival naming rights wasn’t a surprise, since it’s a mature IP that’s been around for years, but the Dongzhou Barbecue Festival, it currently existed only in the imagination. Xu Chunliang wasn’t even sure about it, yet here he was, wanting to buy its naming rights for three million.

Xu Chunliang asked, "Are you that confident in this Barbecue Festival?"