Chapter 1881: When Things Are Abnormal, There Must Be a Reason

As a trusted subordinate personally promoted by Tian Ye, Zhu Qiang could naturally tell that his old boss was in a very good mood.

This was true; after all, Tian Ye had always been deeply concerned about the women's football cause, and now that such a good opportunity had come knocking, his excitement was understandable.

Tian Ye was indeed very happy. As the person in charge of women's football affairs at the Football Association, although at first he only regarded it as a job.

But over the years, he had come to deeply love this cause.

However, he had always been a person of little influence. Even within the Football Association, he was a deputy director ranked near the bottom, and in recent years he had done his best to fight for women's football.

But unexpectedly, a pie fell from the sky, and such a good thing came to him. Of course, he was delighted.

“Does anyone else know about this?”

After the excitement, Tian Ye looked at Zhu Qiang and asked seriously.

Zhu Qiang shook his head: “Only a few people in the team know. As soon as I got the news, I hurried to report to you.”

“Good.”

Tian Ye nodded with satisfaction: “I’ll go talk to Director Xie right away.”

“Uh…”

Zhu Qiang hesitated, glanced at his old boss, and still said cautiously: “Report it now?”

Obviously, he was a bit worried. After all, the Chinese Football Association had never paid much attention to women's football. Now that women's football had received so much funding, Zhu Qiang was concerned that someone might try to sabotage it.

This was not impossible. In Chinese football, such backstabbing and hijacking were all too common. Zhu Qiang had seen it happen several times during his years at the Football Association.

One simply could not overestimate the integrity of certain bureaucrats.

“It’s fine. I’ll go talk to them.”

Tian Ye didn’t think anything was wrong.

In terms of political acumen, he was sharper than Zhu Qiang. But in Tian Ye’s view, this matter had nothing to do with men's football; it was the sponsor who had proactively offered to sponsor women's football.

Under these circumstances, and with the Olympics approaching, he believed that no one would be so foolish as to interfere.

The greatest advantage of the nationwide system was precisely this: everything was for the Olympics.

“Alright, I’ll reply to them right away.”

Zhu Qiang quickly nodded.

The Future Group was waiting for his response, and his idea was to finalize this matter as soon as possible, at least to ensure the funds were in place.

“Yes, yes, yes.”

Tian Ye also nodded hurriedly. He was afraid that delays would lead to problems; if Chairman Zhao changed his mind, the cooked duck would fly away.

Such things had happened before, so it was better to take precautions.

The two split up. Tian Ye went to see Xie Long, the director of the Chinese Football Association, while Zhu Qiang contacted the Future Group.

Soon, Zhao Fusheng received the news.

“It seems the leaders at the Football Association are quite smart.”

Zhao Fusheng said with a smile after listening to Zheng Yao’s report.

Zheng Yao wasn’t surprised: “After all, it’s a sponsorship. As long as they’re not idiots, they should know what to do.”

“Maybe.”

Zhao Fusheng smiled faintly, neither agreeing nor disagreeing with Zheng Yao’s words.

In China’s officialdom, anything absurd could happen. Zhao Fusheng firmly believed that.

It was like a rocket legend’s serve; you never knew what he was thinking in those few seconds.

Because you are normal, you cannot explore the worldview of an idiot.

…

…

As it turned out, Zhao Fusheng wasn’t wrong.

The next day, at the Chinese Football Association’s regular meeting, when Tian Ye announced the news, sure enough, someone was tempted.

“What’s the background of this Future Group?”

A fat, big-headed middle-aged man asked Tian Ye.

His name was He Jiaming, a full-time deputy director of the Football Association.

That’s how Chinese officialdom worked: small institutions, but plenty of cadres.

Places like the Football Association, compared to ministries, might have less power, but they were small yet complete. All the necessary leaders were present. Besides the top leader, each deputy was in charge of a specific area, and they were all shrewd.

“Started with advertising, now has subsidiaries in real estate, film and television, security, internet technology, etc.” Tian Ye had his secretary look up the Future Group’s information yesterday. Hearing He Jiaming’s question, he directly threw the documents to him: “Here’s the information. Everyone take a look.”

Everyone passed the documents around. Moments later, their expressions changed.

A group with assets exceeding ten billion yuan, a billionaire who was incredibly low-key.

And he wanted to sponsor Chinese women’s football!

That was too absurd, wasn’t it?

There was no helping it. If it were the men's national team, they could understand, but the women's team—would anyone watch their matches? Was there any attention on them?

The thought process of these rich people was truly bizarre!

"Ahem..."

Xie Long cleared his throat and slowly spoke: "Old Tian reported this to me yesterday. Let's discuss it. As the governing body, what should we do?"

"As for the training camp, I don't see the need to go abroad, do you?"

He Jiaming spoke up: "With tens of millions in sponsorship, I think we could definitely hire a high-level foreign coach to improve the women's team's technical and tactical level."

"Yes, one bad apple spoils the bunch. If you ask me, the women's team should find a high-level coach." Another leader nodded, agreeing with He Jiaming's proposal.

In their view, the women's team—what right did they have to go abroad for training? It would waste money and resources, not to mention time and energy. With that money, it would be better to hire a foreign coach.

Moreover, the sponsorship was a considerable sum. A foreign coach's annual salary of a few million would be enough, and the remaining sponsorship could be invested in other domestic football construction projects.

Incidentally, they could also renovate the Football Association's office building.

Tian Ye narrowed his eyes, coldly observing as everyone discussed how to use the sponsorship money, but his gaze fell on Xie Long, who sat there without saying a word.

He knew very well that the reason these people dared to discuss so recklessly was primarily because of Xie Long.

Xie Long, from a professional standpoint, knew nothing about football. Although he was a cadre who had come up through the sports system, he had been in charge of track and field back then, and had nothing to do with football.

But that was China's national condition. Professionals could at most serve as deputies; only candidates who satisfied the higher-ups could become directors.

It was no exaggeration to say that Xie Long's word was law in the Football Association. People like Tian Ye, though professional football experts, had no real say because no one listened to him.

When he had reported this matter to Xie Long yesterday, Xie Long had been perfunctory. Tian Ye had understood then that Xie Long had other ideas.

It was only natural to think about it—that was tens of millions in sponsorship. Anyone would be tempted.

Especially the Football Association, which had limited funds. Now that a fat sheep had delivered itself to their door, it was normal for these people to have ideas.

"Old Tian, what do you think?"

Xie Long waited until everyone had finished speaking, then looked at Tian Ye and asked.

"I have no objections."

Tian Ye smiled: "I'll comply with the organization's arrangements."

Xie Long raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised, and couldn't help but feel suspicious.

He knew Tian Ye too well.

To put it this way, Tian Ye was usually the quiet type in the Football Association. As long as it didn't involve the women's football business under his charge, he was practically invisible during meetings.

But whenever it came to matters related to women's football, Tian Ye was always meticulous and uncompromising.

Yet this time, he had remained silent, letting a group of people discuss how to carve up the sponsorship money.

Something was wrong!

This thought flashed through Xie Long's mind. He frowned and said to Tian Ye: "In that case, you'll be responsible for contacting the Future Group."

Tian Ye nodded: "Yes, Director Xie."

With that, he simply got up and left the meeting room.

Everyone exchanged glances, their eyes turning to Xie Long. After all, he was the backbone of the Football Association; even when dividing the money, he would take the lion's share.

"Everyone, go about your business."

Xie Long was silent for a moment, then waved his hand and instructed the others.

They had no choice but to leave, but He Jiaming stayed behind.

"Director, I always feel that Old Tian has other plans." He Jiaming had been promoted by Xie Long and had followed him from the Track and Field Management Center to the Football Association. He was Xie Long's confidant, so he didn't mince words.

"Heh, of course."

Xie Long nodded faintly: "Do you think Old Tian is a fool? He's a clever one."

In the few years since he had come to the Football Association, the person who had left the deepest impression on him was Tian Ye.

It wasn't that he was exceptionally capable; in terms of professional skills, Xie Long didn't think Tian Ye stood out much in the entire Football Association.

But this guy was truly dedicated to women's football. To that end, he even chose to turn a blind eye to many things in the Football Association.

In short, as long as it was beneficial to the development of women's football, Tian Ye would do it.

For someone like that to be uncharacteristically silent today—Xie Long would never believe that Tian Ye would willingly give up that sponsorship money.

"Then what do we do?"

He Jiaming frowned and said in a low voice: "That's at least twenty to thirty million in sponsorship."

He didn't finish his sentence. If the money came to the Football Association, they could allocate a few million to the women's team and find ways to keep the rest.

"Let's wait and see."

Xie Long glanced at his confidant calmly: "What's the rush? I don't believe that Mr. Zhao doesn't want to advertise his own company!"

"Huh?"

He Jiaming was taken aback, somewhat confused.

"You lead the team and go with Old Tian to negotiate with the Future Group. This money must be allocated to our Football Association." Xie Long looked at He Jiaming and said firmly: "Even if Tian Ye is the Monkey King, he can't escape my palm!"

As he spoke, a smile of complete control appeared on Xie Long's face. He wanted to see what tricks Tian Ye still had up his sleeve.