Chapter 226: The Enigmatic Zhou Ming

At the entrance of the Nanhui County Party Committee building, County Party Secretary Gu Ping and a group of county officials were waiting. Many people nearby were surprised by this scene. Even those who rarely visited the county understood that the presence of these high-ranking officials meant a superior leader was coming.

Zhou Ming and Su Han were also among the welcoming party, but according to the unwritten rules of officialdom, their positions were at the far edges.

This arrangement displeased Su Han. In her view, Zhou Ming had directly interacted with central leaders, so he should have been treated with more respect.

Zhou Ming explained to her, "We never mentioned it, so how would they know we've had face-to-face discussions with Old Yang? Even if we did tell them, I don't think they would believe us. Some county officials can't imagine that level of interaction. Besides, being placed here is not necessarily a bad thing. At least it keeps us away from the murky waters of officialdom, doesn't it?"

Zhou Ming pointed to the County Party Secretary and a few officials standing at the very front of the line. Su Han, aware of the rumored internal struggles within the county committee, laughed.

After a while, two cars with municipal license plates, escorted by county police vehicles, arrived and stopped in front of the welcoming party. Mayor Chen Da stepped out of one of the cars. County Party Secretary Gu Ping proactively went up to shake hands with Chen Da and said, "On behalf of all the comrades in Nanhui County, I welcome Mayor Chen's arrival."

With Gu Ping leading, other county officials also came up to greet Chen Da. It wasn't just about showing respect for Mayor Chen, but a necessary courtesy in officialdom. Anyone who didn't understand this basic etiquette wouldn't fare well in government or even daily life.

As a seasoned mayor, Chen Da was accustomed to such scenes and handled them with ease. He merely smiled and thanked everyone before proceeding into the County Party Committee building with the county officials.

Inside the building, a large group, including Zhou Ming and Su Han, moved to the conference room. They took their seats, and Gu Ping began speaking: "Comrades, today is March 11th, the last week of the lunar new year. We are delighted to welcome Mayor Chen Da, who will convey the municipal party committee's post-New Year work spirit. Let's give a warm round of applause to welcome Mayor Chen to address us."

Gu Ping's words were followed by enthusiastic applause from other county officials. Chen Da raised his hand to signal for quiet before speaking: "Thank you for the warm welcome. My visit today is indeed to convey the plans and arrangements from the municipal party committee and government."

"Thank you to the higher authorities and Mayor Chen for your concern and support for Nanhui County. We will certainly follow the arrangements and plans set by the organization," Gu Ping said.

Chen Da nodded and continued, "Recently, the provincial party committee and government issued a unified document to establish a township industrial park in Linyang City. The municipal party committee has decided to use the 760 Factory as the base, integrating surrounding township resources to build the industrial park. I will now read out the document from the provincial and municipal party committees."

At this point, Chen Da's secretary, Xiao Zhao, handed him a document. Chen Da opened it and read it verbatim. Like most government documents, it contained little content, just a statement of the provincial and municipal special approval for the establishment of a township industrial park in Nanhui County.

After reading, Chen Da said, "Comrade Gu Ping, this industrial park plan was personally created by Governor Xiong Qingping and has received approval from central leaders. It's very rare to have such a plan placed in Nanhui County. You should understand that this is a first in the country. Your success or failure will directly impact the future promotion of this idea nationwide. The burden on your shoulders is very heavy."

"So," Chen Da concluded, "I hope you will approach this project with a high sense of historical responsibility and make the township industrial park a national model!"

After listening to Chen Da, Gu Ping immediately responded, "Rest assured, Mayor Chen. We will strictly implement the provincial and municipal plans and make the industrial park a national benchmark!"

Chen Da then looked at the other officials. When asked, the other Nanhui County officials also expressed their commitment: "We will make the construction of the township industrial park our top priority!"

Chen Da finally showed a satisfied smile and said, "It seems everyone has a high political awareness. That reassures me. In the future, the city will establish a special leading group for the township industrial park. The municipal party secretary will lead it personally. Comrade Gu Ping, you will be the main person in charge. I believe this will have significant political meaning for both Linyang and for you."

"The industrial park is not only a pioneering initiative nationwide but also needs to fit the local situation in Nanhui County. So, today's meeting ends here. After the meeting, I hope you will brainstorm and quickly provide a planning report," Chen Da announced, dismissing the meeting. "Everyone, please leave. Zhou Ming, stay behind for a moment."

After the meeting, Gu Ping and other county officials gradually left the conference room. Only Zhou Ming, who was called by Chen Da, stayed behind. Chen Da asked Zhou Ming to sit in front of him, and after sizing him up, asked, "Do you know why I kept you here?"

Zhou Ming shook his head, indicating he didn't know. Chen Da said, "It's because you are at the center of the entire township industrial park. This industrial park is being developed around your Eight Treasure Porridge Factory. This idea was initially proposed by you in front of Governor Xiong. So, do you have any thoughts on this?"

Zhou Ming smiled and shook his head, saying, "Mayor Chen is overestimating me. I just had this idea initially. The specifics still need to be worked out by party and government leaders."

Chen Da wanted to say more, but Zhou Ming interrupted, "If Mayor Chen has something to say, please just say it. I will answer truthfully."

Zhou Ming's statement wasn't without purpose. He knew that if Chen Da really wanted to discuss the industrial park, he could have done it in the meeting. There was no need to specifically keep him behind. Of course, the mayor would want to save face and wouldn't immediately ask his pressing questions. Hence, Zhou Ming decided to break the ice himself.

Chen Da smiled and said, "Alright. Actually, there's nothing else. I just wanted to ask if you have a good relationship with Governor Xiong?"

It was indeed this troubling question.

Zhou Ming sighed inwardly. When Chen Da specifically kept him behind, Zhou Ming had already guessed that the question would be about his relationship with Governor Xiong. 

As a government official, Chen Da's primary concern was his career advancement, which depended on the attitudes of higher-ups. Zhou Ming, as a businessman, had managed to attract the attention of a provincial governor and have the industrial park centered around the 760 Factory. This certainly led Chen Da to question Zhou Ming's connections with Governor Xiong.

Chen Da wouldn't dare directly ask Governor Xiong about this. Thus, he had to come to Zhou Ming.

With this in mind, Zhou Ming answered, "Governor Xiong's care for me has indeed been surprising. Perhaps it's because my ideas align with Governor Xiong's."

Chen Da was skeptical of Zhou Ming's answer and probed further, "I heard that Governor Xiong is a distant relative of yours. Is that true?"

"That's absolutely false!" Zhou Ming firmly stated. "Governor Xiong is an upright public servant. He wouldn't favor someone due to family connections. However, if you must know, I do have a friend who has deep connections with Governor Xiong."

"What friend?" Chen Da immediately asked.

This time, Zhou Ming smiled. "Mayor Chen, the success of my Eight Treasure Porridge in Yanjing, Binhai, and Lingnan Province is largely due to the help of my friend."

Strictly speaking, Zhou Ming didn't provide a direct answer, but this response gave Chen Da plenty to ponder. Chen Da, having spent most of his life in government, knew that it was remarkable for a product to succeed across multiple provinces. For Zhou Ming to achieve nationwide sales implied very strong connections.

Chen Da thought to himself and said to Zhou Ming, "I didn't expect you to have such friends!"

Zhou Ming waved his hand and said, "Mayor Chen is exaggerating. I don't have particularly special friends. It's more about relying on the product's advantages and the efforts of the entire factory staff."

"I understand," Chen Da said.

Zhou Ming laughed. In the end, he didn't tell Chen Da about his relationship with Governor Xiong. After all, to make these officials pay attention, maintaining an element of mystery was essential. In life, it's important to keep some things hidden. Being too honest, especially when it's not necessary, can be detrimental.

If Zhou Ming had straightforwardly told Chen Da that he had no direct relationship with Governor Xiong, and that Governor Xiong was merely giving him a favor due to connections with Du Peng, Chen Da would likely lose interest in him. Consequently, making the industrial park project would become much harder.

On the other hand, by keeping his connection with Governor Xiong ambiguous and presenting himself with an air of mystery, Zhou Ming forced Chen Da to guess and be uncertain, leading him to treat the project with more seriousness and reverence.

After their conversation, Zhou Ming and Chen Da left the conference room. County Party Secretary Gu Ping was waiting

 in a nearby room and immediately came to escort Chen Da.

As they walked downstairs, Chen Da instructed Gu Ping, "Comrade Gu Ping, Zhou Ming is a very thoughtful businessman. The industrial park project was proposed by him. When it comes to its construction, you must seek his opinions more. For the 760 Factory, the county should also provide more policy support. After all, this factory is a pilot unit for reform, and we, as administrative organs, must pay attention."

Gu Ping was first surprised by Zhou Ming but then replied, "Rest assured, Mayor Chen. We will certainly follow your instructions."