Chapter 215: Lin Zekang's Invitation

Compared to previous visits to Baiyun City, this time Zhou Ming was genuinely here for business. With the Spring Festival approaching and Zhou Ming having successfully secured a CCTV advertisement and exclusive sponsorship for the CCTV Spring Festival Gala in Beijing, it was crucial to make the most of this opportunity. After all, money doesn't come to you unless you actively pursue it.

As a result, Zhou Ming didn't stay in Baiyun City for long and didn't intentionally share his achievements with Yuan Zhigang. However, just the dinner with Chen Yunfei was enough to leave a lasting impression on him.

Zhou Ming's second stop was Baiyun City, which is one of the four major first-tier cities in the country and the capital of Lingnan Province. It is considered one of the southern cities on par with the imperial capital Beijing and the coastal metropolis Shanghai. Compared to the emerging Baiyun City, Baiyun City's development was relatively better, although it was possible that in the future, Baiyun City might be surpassed by Nanjing at an astonishing speed. For now, Baiyun City's development was still ahead of Nanjing.

Upon arriving in Baiyun City, Zhou Ming found a nice hotel in the city center and contacted Cao Jianning to arrange a meeting.

That evening, Zhou Ming had a private room reserved at a restaurant where he dined with Cao Jianning. Zhou Ming sought Cao Jianning's assistance with selling the Eight Treasures Porridge in Baiyun City. Cao Jianning agreed immediately: "This is no problem. Tomorrow, I'll arrange a meeting with the head of the city's State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission."

Zhou Ming thanked Cao Jianning, but Cao Jianning said, "Compared to what you're doing, my contribution is nothing. Following your advice, I also established a company and listed it with a securities firm. In just a month, I've already made over a million!"

Hearing this nearly made Yuan Zhigang jump up in surprise: What? Over a million in just a month? That's faster than robbing a bank! No wonder Zhou Ming was able to easily buy the 760 factory. If he could make so much money with just an idea, his own investments must be even more lucrative.

Zhou Ming simply smiled: "Is that so? Congratulations, Mr. Cao."

"Therefore, I feel a bit embarrassed if I don't do something in return," Cao Jianning said. "But if you want to do this Eight Treasures Porridge, will it be profitable?"

Zhou Ming thought for a moment and replied, "It's hard to say. It depends on how we operate it. I'm not too sure yet."

"Mr. Zhou, you're still so cautious. Are you afraid I'll steal your business?" Cao Jianning asked.

"I'm not worried about that. In fact, since you've just established a company, how about making your company the exclusive agent for my Eight Treasures Porridge? We can give you the entire Lingnan market," Zhou Ming offered.

Cao Jianning was delighted: "That sounds great. If you give me the exclusive agency, I promise to sell it even to the most remote areas of Lingnan!"

"If that's the case, you might end up losing money," Zhou Ming joked.

Cao Jianning shook his head: "Everyone in Nanjing knows that doing business with Mr. Zhou only means making millions. There's no chance of losing money!"

The dinner concluded with Zhou Ming and Cao Jianning chatting and laughing. After the meal, Zhou Ming explained to the still-shocked Yuan Zhigang: "Mr. Cao is a powerful figure in Lingnan. With his help, getting the Eight Treasures Porridge into the market here shouldn't be a problem. His father is Cao Yinghua, one of the Ten Founding Generals."

"General Cao?"

The name was like a thunderclap, leaving Yuan Zhigang stunned. Although he had suspected Mr. Cao was no ordinary person, having dined with a senior vice governor in Nanjing, he hadn't expected Mr. Cao to be the son of one of the Ten Founding Generals. This was incredible.

Dining with a senior vice governor and the son of General Cao, what kind of status did Zhou Ming actually have? And this might just be the tip of the iceberg regarding Zhou Ming's identity.

Yuan Zhigang found it hard to believe, and his mind was in a whirl. Could it be that Zhou Ming's true identity was hidden behind a façade of being from a factory worker's family, possibly from a fallen noble family? Had they hidden their identity at the factory due to some reasons, only to rise to prominence recently?

This idea felt like a legend, albeit a very far-fetched one. But now it seemed to be the only explanation.

Had Zhou Ming used his skills and charm to win over these influential people? It seemed illogical!

Observing Yuan Zhigang's changing expressions, Zhou Ming guessed his internal thoughts but decided not to offer any explanations. As a leader, it was important to maintain an air of mystery to command respect. If everything were known, the leader's authority would diminish.

In the following days, Zhou Ming dined with Cao Jianning several more times. Cao Jianning also introduced people from various departments. Zhou Ming sensed that Cao Jianning was serious about wanting the exclusive agency for Eight Treasures Porridge. Zhou Ming had no objections, as the Cao family was the most influential in Lingnan, and their assistance would ensure the product's success.

With the Baiyun City deal settled, Zhou Ming and Yuan Zhigang headed to the coastal city of Binhai. To save time, Zhou Ming and Yuan Zhigang took a flight.

Yuan Zhigang was very nervous on the plane, his body tense. Zhou Ming reassured him, but Yuan Zhigang thought that Zhou Ming, being a prominent figure, was different from the rest. In reality, Zhou Ming was also quite nervous, as it was his first time flying. However, his composure and breathing exercises kept his anxiety hidden. Upon arriving in Binhai, Zhou Ming felt slightly unsteady on his feet as he stepped onto the ground of the bustling metropolis.

Following the pattern of their trips to Nanjing and Baiyun City, they found a hotel and arranged to meet people for business discussions.

That evening, Zhou Ming contacted Du Peng, whom he had arranged in advance, as he had no connections in Binhai. To quickly establish contacts, Du Peng was the go-to person.

Du Peng provided Zhou Ming with a number that surprised him—it was the office phone number of Lin Zekang, the Binhai City Secretary.

"Du Peng, are you really this efficient? I just needed someone to help open doors for the Eight Treasures Porridge in Binhai, and you've arranged a meeting with the City Secretary?"

Zhou Ming was astonished on the phone. He knew Lin Zekang was a future national leader. Regardless of past online evaluations, Lin Zekang was an important figure in the country's modernization, overseeing major reforms and institutional developments.

"Isn't it better to have the City Secretary involved?" Du Peng replied with a smile. "Though I made the introduction, Lin Secretary is genuinely interested in meeting you."

"Lin Secretary wants to meet me? Why?" Zhou Ming asked, curious.

"I'm not sure. Maybe it's related to your recognition by Old Yang," Du Peng speculated.

Zhou Ming realized he wouldn't get more information from Du Peng and decided to make a note of Lin Zekang's office number. The next day, after arranging a time with Lin Zekang, Zhou Ming went to the City Secretary's guesthouse.

This time, Zhou Ming didn't bring Yuan Zhigang, as he was meeting a future national leader. Despite the changes in history due to his presence, and uncertainties about whether Lin Zekang would still assume leadership of Zhongnanhai, he still had the potential. It was better to be less conspicuous.

Zhou Ming arrived early at the guesthouse and was led to the designated private room, only to find Lin Zekang already there.

"Sorry for keeping you waiting, Secretary Lin," Zhou Ming said, a common courtesy when meeting leaders. Regardless of whether one is early or late, it is polite to apologize if you arrive first.

Lin Zekang waved it off: "No need to apologize. I arrived early and didn't inform you. It's not your fault."

Afterward, Lin Zekang asked the staff to serve the dishes and took a few bites before asking Zhou Ming: "I heard you've set up a factory in Linyang producing Eight Treasures Porridge?"

Zhou Ming set down his chopsticks and responded: "The factory was acquired, and we produce Eight Treasures Porridge because there is a gap in the domestic market. I wanted to fill that gap. I came to Binhai because of its strong economic development and believe the product would sell well here. I originally planned to discuss this with some local officials, but I didn't expect Du Peng to involve you. I'm sorry for that."

"Producing and selling Eight Treasures Porridge is promoting national food and contributing to reform and opening up. As a public servant, I should support such initiatives," Lin Zekang said, introducing his secretary: "This is Secretary Ren, my secretary. He will help arrange things for you."

Lin Zekang then handed Zhou Ming a piece of paper: "This is my pager number."

"Thank you, Secretary Ren," Zhou Ming said as he received the number, mentally preparing for the main discussion of the evening.