Chapter 68: A Changed Era

"Looks like after being reborn, Heaven has been kind to me, greeting me with a bright and cheerful smile."

Zhou Ming walked out of the Linyang train station, looked up at the recently cleared sky, and felt as refreshed as the weather after the rain. Not far away, a black sedan was parked with someone waving at him. Zhou Ming recognized him as Dai Zhenjiang, the head of the Agricultural Bank of Nanhui County.

With matters in Nanjiang wrapped up, Zhou Ming had instructed Du Peng on handling the land speculation and to be cautious of potential land speculation trends that might follow. As for other issues, Du Peng's intelligence was sufficient to manage them. These changes were potential outcomes of his rebirth. Zhou Ming didn't want a repeat of the Qionghai real estate bubble in Nanjiang. He was indeed eager to earn money and improve the lives of those he cared about, but he wasn't prepared to resort to unscrupulous means.

As for Tang Ran, she was very reluctant to see Zhou Ming go. When they had their final meal together, she cried continuously. Even though Tang Ran didn't demand Zhou Ming stay, her silent tears made him even more upset. It took a long time for Zhou Ming to comfort her and stop her tears. He was unsure how the innocent girl would cope with his departure.

Setting aside thoughts of Nanjiang, Zhou Ming approached Dai Zhenjiang and said, "I'm sorry, Director Dai, for troubling you to pick me up."

Dai Zhenjiang waved it off, saying, "The method you used to profit from treasury bonds has earned me over 100,000. Picking you up is nothing. Besides, I was coming to the city for some errands anyway."

"Well, congratulations on your profits, Director Dai!" Zhou Ming glanced at the car behind Dai Zhenjiang and said, "If I'm not mistaken, this car must be your own new private vehicle?"

Dai Zhenjiang nodded, "Yes, just bought it recently."

Zhou Ming wasn't surprised. After all, Dai Zhenjiang was the head of the Agricultural Bank of Nanhui County and had access to considerable resources. When Zhou Ming was there, Dai Zhenjiang had already easily earned several thousand. Now that Zhou Ming had taught him the method and he had teamed up with Dog Ye, a local big shot, it was expected he'd make a significant amount of money.

Dai Zhenjiang scrutinized Zhou Ming and remarked, "It seems you've gained quite a lot from your trip, at least your demeanor now reflects that of a big boss."

Zhou Ming shrugged, "Not bad. I made some money. At least, I can settle the accounts with you here."

"You're still as modest and cautious as ever."

Dai Zhenjiang admired Zhou Ming's attitude and then invited him into the car, driving him back to Nanhui County. During the drive, Dai Zhenjiang started talking about treasury bonds again. Zhou Ming casually asked, "Director Dai, is it true that the treasury bond business has hit a bottleneck and is becoming difficult?"

Dai Zhenjiang abruptly braked, turning to Zhou Ming with surprise, "You knew about this? You didn't foresee this business wouldn't last long and purposely handed it all over to me, did you?"

"I did see that this business couldn't continue forever, which is why I handed it over. After all, there are only so many treasury bonds issued by the state, and a significant portion cannot be redeemed immediately. Even if we're the only ones in Linyang dealing with them, the supply will eventually run out," Zhou Ming explained. "Of course, Nanjiang has bigger opportunities waiting for me. If I were deliberately trying to exit, I could have continued for another two months and then pulled out. Don't you think so, Director Dai?"

Dai Zhenjiang sighed in resignation, "As expected of someone with a university education, you think long-term! Unlike us who focus on immediate benefits."

"Indeed," Zhou Ming agreed. "The treasury bonds in Nanhui County are almost collected. I had Ah Gou go to neighboring counties and the city to collect more. Initially, it went smoothly, but later it seemed people realized something was up and stopped letting us collect. Ah Gou's people even clashed with others, drawing police attention and leading to many arrests. It's become difficult to collect now."

Zhou Ming was surprised. He hadn't expected that during his two months away, the treasury bond situation in Linyang would become so tumultuous, even leading to clashes and police involvement.

But this was to be expected. This was the nature of capital. There's a famous saying: When there's a 10% profit, capital gets restless; with a 100% profit, capital becomes reckless; and with a 300% profit, it would even resort to extreme measures like executions. The comprehensive profit from treasury bonds was clearly over 300%, and from this perspective, their merely fighting was a remarkably restrained reaction.

"Zhou Ming, since you discovered and initiated this business, you must have a solution, right?" Dai Zhenjiang asked.

Zhou Ming turned to Dai Zhenjiang, who looked hopeful. Zhou Ming smiled and said, "Sorry, Director Dai, but I have to disappoint you. The essence of this business is such that it cannot last long."

Dai Zhenjiang sighed but was then surprised by Zhou Ming's next words.

Zhou Ming continued, "Although it cannot last, it can still be done for now. Since it's difficult to collect treasury bonds now, and we're not competing with others, we can wait for them to finish collecting and then buy the bonds from them. I believe they probably don't know about the different interest rates between banks. We still have room to maneuver."

"Right!" Dai Zhenjiang suddenly understood, "I was so blind to not think of that. Zhou Ming, you're really smart. As expected of a university talent from our Nanhui County!"

Seeing Dai Zhenjiang's thumb-up, Zhou Ming smiled and said, "Director Dai, you flatter me. It's just that you were too close to see the problem, while I, as an outsider, had a clearer view."

With the profit problem resolved, Dai Zhenjiang was in high spirits. He laughed heartily and said, "Even standing up and talking without concern requires a reason to do so. Not everyone who stands can articulate such grand principles. Though this approach may lose some profit, as you said, being able to open up the market and continue the business is the most important thing!"

Then Dai Zhenjiang added, "By the way, Zhou Ming, you previously asked me to inquire about the restructuring of your Factory 760. I have a relative working in the city government who can help check on the situation."

Zhou Ming was momentarily taken aback, then remembered he had asked Dai Zhenjiang to keep an eye on the restructuring of Factory 760 to ensure he could catch it when he returned from Port City. During their phone conversations, he had asked Dai Zhenjiang to help find connections, given Zhou Ming's ordinary background and limited influential contacts in Linyang or even in Nanhui County. However, after making money and meeting Du Peng in Nanjiang, Zhou Ming had forgotten about this.

Even if he hadn't forgotten, it was likely Dai Zhenjiang hadn't really looked into it in the two months Zhou Ming was away.

The fact that it was being mentioned now was probably just a spontaneous gesture after Zhou Ming solved the treasury bond issue for him.

Thinking this, Zhou Ming smiled and said to Dai Zhenjiang, "Thank you, Director Dai, but I believe I already have a solution for that."

Dai Zhenjiang looked surprised and said, "You must have gained a lot from your trip to Nanjiang!"

"Not bad. I made some friends there, earned quite a bit of money, and they have some connections in Linyang. I asked them to help with the factory's issue," Zhou Ming said.

"I knew it! Zhou Ming, you're definitely not a small player!" Dai Zhenjiang said, "It seems your parents' employment issue should be resolved, and they can return to the factory without further trouble?"

Zhou Ming nodded, "Of course. I plan to buy the entire Factory 760 and give it to my parents."

Dai Zhenjiang, about to start driving, slammed the brakes upon hearing this, nearly hitting his head on the steering wheel. He looked up, stunned, and said, "What… What did you say? You're going to buy Factory 760? You're not joking, are you?"

Zhou Ming nodded casually, "Of course. If not for this, why would I go to Nanjiang for business? If I don't do this, how can I resolve those troublesome issues once and for all?"

Zhou Ming's simple statement stirred up a storm in Dai Zhenjiang's mind. Although Dai Zhenjiang was just a county bank director, due to family reasons, he was well-informed about certain matters. Moreover, Nanhui County was his base, and the restructuring of Factory 760 was a significant event in both Nanhui County and Linyang City. Dai Zhenjiang couldn't be unaware.

Though Factory 760 was just a small county enterprise, in the current environment, it was a political symbol. Not only county leaders but even city leaders might not have control over it. Dai Zhenjiang had heard from city friends that even provincial officials were looking into the matter.

Now Zhou Ming's remark about buying Factory 760 left Dai Zhenjiang shocked. He knew Zhou Ming didn't boast, and if Zhou Ming was serious, it meant he had changed dramatically. The friends helping Zhou Ming secure Factory 760 must be significant figures. What kind of business had

 Zhou Ming done in Nanjiang, how much money had he made, and what was his current status?

These questions weighed heavily on Dai Zhenjiang, leaving him breathless and alarmed.

At that moment, Zhou Ming said, "Director Dai, why are you dazed? Drive!"

Hearing Zhou Ming's words, Dai Zhenjiang quickly nodded and started driving as if in the presence of a high-ranking official.