Chapter 224: Focus Interview

On February 26, the tenth day of the Lunar New Year, a day that would normally be quite ordinary, was made exceptional for the 760 Factory. On this day, CCTV aired a special program about the Linyang Eight Treasure Porridge.

At 7:30 p.m., after the daily episode of the popular news program, a new show began: "Exploring hot news topics, connecting with people's lives. Happy New Year, everyone! This is Focus Interview. I'm your host, Fang Ping. Today is the tenth day of the Lunar New Year, just ten days after the start of the new year. During this time, our lives have quietly changed as a product called Eight Treasure Porridge has entered our lives…"

"Wow! Sister Ping and Tao Tao's work efficiency is really high. I didn't expect the program to air so quickly! And the opening lines are the same as what you said, Zhou Ming," Su Han said excitedly, clenching her little fist.

At this moment, Zhou Ming was watching TV at home with his parents after dinner. Su Han was there too. Since it was the New Year and Su Han was alone at the factory, Zhou Ming thought it was better to have her at his home rather than leaving her alone. He would send her back later in the evening.

"It is indeed surprising," Zhou Ming agreed with Su Han.

The idea for this Focus Interview had been a spontaneous thought. After Fang Ping and Zhou Tao finished their interview at the Eight Treasure Porridge production workshop, they discussed the broadcast with Zhou Ming. Not knowing how to create a special program, Zhou Ming casually suggested, "Why not just put it on Focus Interview? It's about exploring news and connecting with the people!"

Although Zhou Ming said this offhandedly, Fang Ping and Zhou Tao took it seriously. At that time, CCTV did not have such a program; many similar news segments were made into special reports, which seemed casual and disorganized compared to CCTV's usual rigor. Fang Ping and Zhou Tao didn't want to present such good material in a haphazard way. They realized that a dedicated program on social issues in the current reform and opening-up environment would be well-suited and aligned with policy needs.

Fang Ping and Zhou Tao discussed this with Su Han for a long time, but Zhou Ming felt it was just wishful thinking. After all, CCTV wasn't a place where a program could be created just like that. Even if it was very policy-relevant, a program of this quality would likely need a lengthy review process.

Zhou Ming didn't expect that within just two days of Fang Ping and Zhou Tao returning to Yanjing, the Focus Interview would air.

Reflecting on this, Zhou Ming shook his head in disbelief, realizing he had underestimated both CCTV and Fang Ping and Zhou Tao. He hadn't expected that a program as famous as Focus Interview would start just from his casual suggestion. He wondered how the program started in his previous life but was sure it wasn't as informal as this.

Zhou Ming was also surprised to see Fang Ping as the host, since he recalled she had initially started in variety shows at CCTV. It seemed he had inadvertently changed her career path, moving her from a variety show host to a news host.

However, this was inconsequential. Given Fang Ping's hosting skills and quality, the Focus Interview episode seemed flawless to Zhou Ming.

"Look, look, it's about our factory now," Su Han said, pulling Zhou Ming's attention back.

The Focus Interview had indeed reached the part about entering the factory and showed footage of Wang Chen and other workshop staff praising Zhou Ming.

As the segment ended, Fang Ping said, "We can see that the Linyang Eight Treasure Porridge Factory is a business that has risen from the brink of bankruptcy. Here, we witness the resilience and unyielding spirit of the Eight Treasure Porridge factory workers—qualities needed in the new era of reform and opening-up."

Fang Ping then shifted the focus: "However, we also observe an issue: why did such a situation occur with this canning factory? What were the local authorities and officials doing? Why did the local government not provide any support when the factory decided to pivot to making Eight Treasure Porridge? If not for the factory owner's decision to sell the product to Yanjing and Binhai, might the product have failed, and would the workers have returned to their previous poverty?"

Fang Ping concluded, "During our conversation with the Eight Treasure Porridge owner, he mentioned his dream of establishing a township industrial park. We consulted experts about this idea, and they said it is not only a good one but also feasible. We hope the local government will pay attention, adapt to the times, and work hard to promote reform and opening-up."

As the first episode of Focus Interview ended, it was past eight o'clock, and Zhou Ming drove Su Han home.

On the way, Su Han discussed the program enthusiastically: "Zhou Ming, do you think the business at our Eight Treasure Porridge factory will improve now that this CCTV program has aired?"

"The business will remain as it is. No matter how influential Focus Interview is, it can't compare to the Spring Festival Gala. But the provincial and municipal governments will certainly be more attentive to us now," Zhou Ming said.

"That's great!" Su Han said. "If that's the case, next time when that Fatty Yan from the Weihui Supply and Marketing Cooperative comes by, we can really give him a piece of our mind!"

Zhou Ming playfully pinched Su Han's small nose and said, "Whether we give Fatty Yan a piece of our mind or not is secondary. But I just noticed you look really good on camera, not worse than those movie stars."

Su Han blushed and playfully retorted, "Stop it! I'm talking about something serious here!"

Despite her words, Su Han's eyes were still smiling.

Zhou Ming's prediction quickly came true. The day after the Focus Interview aired, Zhou Ming received a phone call from Mayor Chen Da himself, simply informing him to prepare for a visit from Governor Xiong Qingping.

Su Han was overjoyed: "Zhou Ming, this is wonderful! You were right; the influence of the CCTV program is indeed huge. Just one day later, the governor is coming down!"

In contrast, Zhou Ming was more contemplative. He knew that as a provincial governor, Xiong Qingping wouldn't make a special visit to a small factory just because of a CCTV program—it would be too unceremonious. In fact, Xiong Qingping's visit was likely more due to Zhou Ming himself.

Zhou Ming remembered that last year, when he bought the 760 Factory, Xiong Qingping was still a vice-governor, and he had been promoted to governor just before the New Year.

Zhou Ming recalled mentioning Xiong Qingping's name in front of Old Yang, who then got promoted to governor. Now, with the Focus Interview airing, Xiong Qingping was coming for a visit. It was hard to believe there wasn't a connection, and there might be other reasons behind the governor's visit.

Two days later, on February 28, at 10 a.m., the 760 Factory was decorated with festive banners, and a sign read: "Warmly welcome Governor Xiong Qingping for a factory inspection."

Zhou Ming and the factory staff waited at the entrance to greet the governor. As the crowd cheered, Governor Xiong Qingping's convoy arrived. The car stopped at the factory entrance, and Xiong Qingping got out. Zhou Ming was not unfamiliar with him; he had met him once before and had seen him on TV.

Xiong Qingping, wearing glasses and exuding an old-school scholarly demeanor, approached Zhou Ming.

Zhou Ming extended his hand for a handshake: "Governor Xiong, hello. I'm Zhou Ming. On behalf of all the staff and workers of the 760 Factory, I warmly welcome your visit."

As Zhou Ming finished speaking, the crowd cheered, "Welcome, welcome, warmly welcome!" Xiong Qingping signaled for silence and then said, "Comrade Zhou Ming, there's no need to stand on ceremony. Actually, we owe you an apology. In the past, our government departments didn't pay enough attention and support, which led to the difficulties you faced. It's painful to see that the canning factory workers had to go to production teams for work and struggled to have enough food. This is a serious oversight on our part."

"As a pilot unit for state-owned enterprise reform in Linyang City, the 760 Factory should have received administrative support. Instead, you felt abandoned. This is a mistake on our part, and we owe the entire staff of the 760 Factory an apology," Xiong Qingping continued.

"Governor Xiong, you're too kind. Since we accepted the enterprise reform, it means we're no longer relying on fiscal support and need to be self-reliant. There's no need for the organization to provide additional care. Also, our current performance is quite good," Zhou Ming said.

Xiong Qingping nodded: "Indeed, it's fortunate that the 760 Factory has a leader like you. You've created the Eight Treasure Porridge miracle in the capital, Binhai, and Lingnan, saving the factory."

Zhou Ming humbly replied, "It's what I should do." Xiong Qingping then asked, "I heard you have an idea for a township industrial park?"

Zhou Ming confirmed, and Xiong Qingping said, "Comrade Zhou Ming, your idea is excellent. The province is also studying its feasibility. I announce that the first township industrial park experimental field in Jingchu Province will be established here at the 760 Factory. Comrade Zhou Ming, do you have confidence in making it work?"

"Of course!" Zhou Ming answered confidently.