Chapter 134: Nordermann

Chen Yunfei stayed in the private room for only a short while before leaving. For people of his status, social engagements like drinking and dining typically don't take much time. Unlike ordinary people who might spend an entire night singing in a KTV, high-ranking officials usually just discuss and finalize matters, sing a song as a formality, and then leave. Even in the entertainment industry of the future, it's rare for officials above the provincial level to stay long in such places. Firstly, they're usually older and don't have the energy to waste there, and secondly—and most importantly—the significance of someone like Chen Yunfei taking time to come is far more important than how long they stay. That's why, upon learning that Chen Yunfei had arrived, even Hua Shao (Mr. Hua) quickly left.

After Chen Yunfei left, Zhou Ming went to Tang Ran's private room but was surprised to find her standing at the door instead of singing inside.

Seeing Zhou Ming approach, Tang Ran hurriedly ran over and asked worriedly, "Brother Ming, are you okay? I heard someone downstairs was causing trouble and that there was a fight. You weren't hurt, were you?"

Zhou Ming patted Tang Ran's head and said, "Of course not! Ranran, you forget that my security team is made up of retired soldiers, some of whom have been on battlefields in recent years. How could some street thugs stand a chance against our soldiers? Don't you agree?"

"But I was still worried! I wanted to come down and find you, but I was afraid I'd cause trouble for you," Tang Ran pouted.

"What trouble could you cause? You know someone came to make trouble, but didn't you hear that Mayor Chen Yunfei and the police chief also came afterward? With the police chief here, who would dare to cause trouble? Aren't they afraid of being arrested?" Zhou Ming replied.

"Really? Mayor Chen and Chief Zhao both came? That's great! They should arrest all those bad guys!" Tang Ran exclaimed.

Seeing Tang Ran's innocent expression, Zhou Ming couldn't resist bending down to kiss her. Tang Ran was initially stunned, then stomped her feet in embarrassment, complaining that Zhou Ming didn't consider the place—they were outside the private room where people were coming and going, and it was so embarrassing! Zhou Ming just laughed heartily, carefree.

Zhou Ming didn't tease Tang Ran much longer. Once she calmed down a bit, he accompanied her back into the private room to sing.

Inside the private room, Zhou Ming saw Tang Ran's colleagues huddled together, singing into a single microphone. When they saw Zhou Ming enter, they quickly let go of each other and looked at him sheepishly, too embarrassed to continue singing. But Zhou Ming didn't mind; after all, KTV is a place to release emotions, and for most Chinese people, it holds great appeal. Especially since it was their first time in such a place, it was normal for them to be excited and eager to dominate the microphone.

Zhou Ming stayed with them singing until midnight before driving them home with Du Peng.

That night, Hua Shao was quite open-minded as well. Since he had run into Chen Yunfei at the venue, even though Chen Yunfei only stayed for a short while, Hua Shao didn't come back to cause trouble.

Of course, Chen Yunfei was true to his word. The next day, Director Liu from Dongmen Public Security Bureau came to discuss with Zhou Ming and Du Peng about setting up a police post at Nanjiang Nightclub. Zhou Ming and Du Peng had no objections, as nightclubs are often mixed with good and bad elements. Having a police post nearby would deter thugs and make Hua Shao think twice before causing more trouble.

So, that afternoon, a temporary police post was set up in front of Nanjiang Nightclub, and it was officially put into use three days later.

With Chen Yunfei helping Zhou Ming set up a police post, Zhou Ming couldn't refuse to work on the construction of the securities market.

Although the current securities market was only in its preliminary stage, there were still many complexities to deal with.

According to Chen Yunfei's plan, they would first establish a Nanjiang Securities Company to serve as a temporary trading venue, testing the operations of the securities market. If issues arose, they could be adjusted or replaced at any time. Once conditions were ripe and the market was proven stable through trials, they would establish a formal Nanjiang Exchange modeled after the one in Hong Kong.

While this plan sounded simple, executing it was far more complicated. The country had only begun its reforms a few years ago, and even the concept of a market economy was still in its infancy. Many market economy laws were still being explored and were not yet fully developed, let alone the securities market, which was completely uncharted territory.

Now, Zhou Ming, entrusted by Chen Yunfei, had to assist the securities team in filling in the gaps with temporary measures to substitute for these undeveloped laws—a very tedious task.

At this time, something happened: Chen Yunfei mentioned that a world-renowned economist was coming to Nanjiang to observe the construction of the securities market.

On this day, Zhang Heng, the Deputy Director of the Office of the Securities Market Construction Leadership Team, accompanied Zhou Ming to Nanhu Port, as they had received word from the municipal government that this economist was coming from Hong Kong.

Standing in the square in front of the port, Zhang Heng asked Zhou Ming, "Advisor Zhou, what kind of person is this Nordermann?"

Faced with this question, Zhou Ming shook his head. Although Zhou Ming knew that this person had won the Nobel Prize in Economics and was a world-renowned economist who had served as an advisor to the U.S. Treasury and whose economic theories had supported the entire U.S. economic recovery in the 1980s, all of this was history for this time period. Zhou Ming had been reborn from over twenty years in the future, and this person wasn't often mentioned in later years. Zhou Ming had only recently brushed up on his biography, so he didn't have a deep impression of him.

"In the U.S., this person is highly respected. However, foreign scholars often have a stubborn streak, so he might speak bluntly and ask direct questions. We should just be polite," Zhou Ming advised Zhang Heng.

Zhang Heng nodded, indicating that he understood. After a while, Zhang Heng pointed to a few people coming out of the port and asked Zhou Ming, "Advisor Zhou, could that be Nordermann?"

Following Zhang Heng's direction, Zhou Ming saw a middle-aged foreign man with a bald head and black-framed glasses, medium build, being accompanied by several people through the port. Zhou Ming compared him to the photo they had, confirming that this was indeed Nordermann.

Zhou Ming and Zhang Heng immediately approached. Zhou Ming formally greeted Nordermann, "Hello, are you Mr. Nordermann? I am Zhou Ming, the development advisor for Nanjiang City, and this is Zhang Heng, Deputy Director of the Office of the Securities Market Construction Leadership Team. We represent the Nanjiang Municipal Government in welcoming you and hope you enjoy your stay here."

Before Nordermann could respond, a young man with a Hong Kong accent next to him spoke up indignantly, "You're the Nanjiang development advisor? And he's just a deputy director of some office? What's wrong with Nanjiang City? We already notified your municipal government from Hong Kong that Mr. Nordermann would be arriving today. Why are you sending these two irrelevant people to greet him?"

Zhou Ming and Zhang Heng exchanged glances. Zhou Ming felt a bit helpless. Indeed, many things in the domestic bureaucratic system were foolish and baffling, but these wrong practices couldn't be pointed out openly.

"Sorry, and you are?" Zhou Ming asked.

This question made the young man even angrier. He pointed at Zhou Ming's nose and yelled, "I'm Nordermann's student, Wang Jian! Did you even look at our materials? Are you bureaucrats always so careless? Mr. Nordermann is coming here with goodwill to see the state of the mainland's securities market, and you still don't show any respect for knowledge?"

Zhou Ming shrugged and said, "I apologize, Mr. Wang Jian. Your materials only included a photo of Mr. Nordermann. How could I recognize you?"

Zhou Ming genuinely didn't know this young man named Wang Jian. Not only was he not mentioned in the materials provided by the Nanjiang Municipal Government, but Zhou Ming also had no memory of any famous person by that name in his knowledge of future events.

Although Zhou Ming had spoken quite tactfully, his attitude was still unacceptable to Wang Jian, who immediately lashed out at Zhou Ming, "I am also an economist in the U.S. and have published papers in many academic journals. You ignorant bumpkins! How can you expect to develop a securities market? It's like children playing house!"

Wang Jian's words made Zhou Ming chuckle, "So, just because you've published papers, we're supposed to know who you are?"

Zhou Ming's response left Wang Jian momentarily speechless. He then said, "That's not what I meant! I'm talking about your extremely careless and irresponsible attitude. Someone as distinguished as my teacher, Mr. Nordermann, is visiting your country, and yet there's no one of importance here to greet him? Just you two—a so-called advisor and a deputy director? What do you people think you are? What gives you the right to welcome my teacher?"

"Mr. Wang Jian, I can understand your concern for your teacher. But let me tell you, Mr. Zhang Heng and I are the most knowledgeable people about economics in Nanjiang. We are the best choice to greet your teacher, Mr. Nordermann."

Zhou Ming then turned to

 Nordermann and said, "Mr. Nordermann, I apologize for any inconvenience. I'm Zhou Ming, representing the Nanjiang Municipal Government. The reason no high-ranking officials are here is that they don't understand your economic theories. We are the best people to welcome you."

After listening to the translation, Nordermann responded indifferently, "Oh, that's fine. I'm here on a private visit. I just heard you were developing a securities market and wanted to take a look. I'm not here on official U.S. business. I'm happy you came to greet me; the formality isn't important."

Zhou Ming nodded, "Thank you for your understanding. The securities market you're interested in is being built by Mr. Zhang Heng and myself."

"Is that so? That's quite impressive! I'm definitely looking forward to seeing it," Nordermann replied.