Chapter 223: My Industrial Park Concept

After the questioning by Zhou Tao, neither Secretary Zhao nor the County Party Secretary felt comfortable continuing the meeting, so it quickly ended. Zhou Ming then took everyone to the production workshop of the Eight Treasures Porridge.

At the Eight Treasures Porridge workshop, Wang Chen and his team greeted them at the door. Seeing the team composed of CCTV reporters, the mayor's secretary, and several county leaders, Wang Chen nervously greeted them. Secretary Zhao and Gu Ping responded with official tones, "We didn't expect you to stay on duty during the New Year. Your dedication to your work is worth learning from!"

Zhou Tao was uninterested in these bureaucratic compliments. She glanced at the Eight Treasures Porridge workshop and said to Zhou Ming, "So, this is where the nationally famous Eight Treasures Porridge is produced? I thought it would be in a large factory."

"Our factory was originally a mechanical plant. Those large workshops are metalworking workshops. Making Eight Treasures Porridge was a sideline, so we had to clear out a small independent workshop for it," Zhou Ming explained. "But, Zhou Reporter, even though the factory is small, it is well-equipped."

"Oh? In that case, please show us the entire Eight Treasures Porridge production workshop," Fang Ping said with a smile.

Zhou Ming nodded and led everyone into the production workshop.

The large entourage startled even Wang Chen, the factory director, and left the workers dumbfounded. Despite having been informed about the inspection, they hadn't expected such a large group. When Zhou Ming and the team entered the workshop, everyone instinctively stopped working and stared blankly at the door, unsure of what to do.

As the workshop director, Wang Chen took on the role of introducing the workshop: "Everyone, pay attention. These two young ladies are reporters from the capital's CCTV. They are here to interview our Eight Treasures Porridge workshop."

Wang Chen's words were like a bombshell, causing a stir among the workers. They were astonished that CCTV reporters would visit their small Eight Treasures Porridge workshop during the New Year. They thought that only someone as capable as Zhou Ming could invite CCTV reporters.

Zhou Ming raised his hand to signal for quiet and then asked Fang Ping to address the workers: "Hello, everyone. I am CCTV reporter Fang Ping. Today, we need to film some of your daily work for material. Please cooperate."

The workers were once again surprised by Fang Ping's request. They said among themselves, "Why do we need to be filmed? What will they film? Can we really appear on TV? Maybe it's better not to."

Facing their reaction, Zhou Ming reassured them, "Please don't worry. It's just for some footage. Just go about your work as usual and act as if the camera isn't there. I believe you can handle it."

With Zhou Ming's reassurance, the workers agreed, "Don't worry, Boss Zhou. We'll do as you say."

Fang Ping glanced at Zhou Ming, surprised. She had anticipated the workers' fear but not to this extent. Most people want to be on TV, but when given the chance, they often hesitate due to a fear of failure or success, which is known as the Jonah complex. The workers' earlier hesitation seemed to fit this pattern.

However, Zhou Ming's reassurance had helped them overcome their fears. Fang Ping wondered what kind of charm Zhou Ming had.

Fang Ping sighed as she glanced at Zhou Tao, who was trying to hide her admiration for Zhou Ming. 

"Fang Reporter, the workers are ready. Please start the filming," Zhou Ming said, bringing Fang Ping back to reality. Fang Ping agreed and began arranging for the filming of the production process.

Meanwhile, Zhou Ming set up chairs and sat down. Fang Ping interviewed Wang Chen briefly. Wang Chen appeared nervous in front of the camera, occasionally glancing at the camera and stammering, but eventually became more at ease.

"Director Wang, are you aware that the Eight Treasures Porridge produced in your workshop is sold nationwide?" Fang Ping asked.

Wang Chen shook his head, "No, I only handle production. The sales success is thanks to Boss Zhou. He and Director Yuan traveled all over the country before the New Year to establish sales channels. If the sales were bad, that would be unreasonable!"

"It seems you all have great respect for Boss Zhou," Fang Ping commented.

"Of course. Boss Zhou is our savior. Without him, we wouldn't have made it through the New Year!" Wang Chen said.

Fang Ping was surprised by Wang Chen's emotional response and quickly asked, "Why is that?"

Wang Chen then shared their past with Fang Ping: "You may not know, but we Eight Treasures Porridge workers aren't even from 760 Factory or South Hui County. We are from the canned food factory in Xiling Township, Yangbei County in the north."

"Yangbei canned food factory workers? Why did you come to 760 Factory to make Eight Treasures Porridge?" Fang Ping asked.

"Because we had no other choice," Wang Chen replied.

Wang Chen then detailed the dire conditions they had faced in the canned food factory. When Fang Ping learned that the workers had been so impoverished they were forced to work in the fields and suffer mistreatment and hunger, she was astonished, "How could this happen? Wasn't anyone taking care of you?"

Secretary Zhao explained to Fang Ping, "Yangbei County is a well-known poor county in our city. Most people there don't have enough to eat. The city has tried various solutions, but nothing worked because it's a mountainous area."

"At that time, we didn't even consider ourselves human. We didn't know when we would die in the fields, and no one would collect our bodies. It was at that time that Boss Zhou appeared. He came to the canned food factory, promising us food, clothing, and jobs, giving us hope for survival!" Wang Chen said emotionally.

The workers in the Eight Treasures Porridge workshop, all from the canned food factory, resonated with Wang Chen's words. They immediately echoed, "Yes! Boss Zhou is the person we respect the most. Working in his factory makes us very happy. Working during the New Year is fine. Whether we get paid or not doesn't matter because without Boss Zhou, we might not have made it through the New Year! Long live Boss Zhou!"

With one person leading, the remaining workers also raised their hands, shouting, "Long live Boss Zhou!" Seeing this, Fang Ping felt Zhou Ming was truly different from other wealthy people—he seemed like a hero.

Not only Fang Ping and Zhou Tao but even the county officials were speechless. They didn't expect this was just the beginning.

Zhou Ming raised his hand to signal for quiet and said, "I appreciate everyone's support, but I want to say that this is what I should do. I am a native of 760 Factory, and I, like you, have experienced times when the factory was struggling. My parents also went months without proper wages, living on debt. During the hardest times, we couldn't even get enough to eat. I helped you because I saw a reflection of 760 Factory in you, and your situation was even more tragic."

Zhou Ming then continued, "But I know this is just a temporary fix because it only helps one factory. I want to help more people!"

"What do you plan to do, Boss Zhou?" Zhou Tao asked eagerly.

"I want to help more people become prosperous," Zhou Ming said. "Even though our city has been upgraded from a district to a city and development is better than in other places, there are still many people living in poverty. Now that I am prosperous and can afford to buy 760 Factory, I believe I can help the people around 760 Factory become prosperous together!"

"Do you plan to hire more people into the factory?" Zhou Tao asked again.

Zhou Ming shook his head, "No. Since 760 Factory is surrounded by rural areas and the work here is relatively technical, it's not suitable for them. What I plan to do is help them become prosperous by using their own hands."

"What do you plan to do?" Zhou Tao asked excitedly, feeling she might be witnessing something extraordinary.

"A rural industrial park," Zhou Ming said. "I plan to use 760 Factory as the center and Eight Treasures Porridge as the core, expanding outward to turn the surrounding rural areas into raw material planting bases for Eight Treasures Porridge. This type of cash crop is better than just growing rice. As the sales of Eight Treasures Porridge increase, the factory will expand, creating a series of downstream industries. This will provide them with more opportunities to make money. As long as they work hard, I can help them become prosperous together!"

As Zhou Ming finished speaking, the production workshop erupted into warm applause. At this moment, no one cared that Zhou Ming's speech had deviated from the topic; they were simply applauding his spirit.

Zhou Tao's eyes were filled with tears. She choked up and said to Zhou Ming, "Zhou Ming, you must be a hero sent by heaven!"

Not only Zhou Tao, but even Fang Ping's eyes were now filled with admiration as she looked at Zhou Ming.