Chapter 233: Simply Extraordinary

"Temporarily set aside other work in the office for now. Open the window for the township industrial park production agreements, and try to open as many as possible. Also, go to the finance department to withdraw 100,000 yuan. I've already made arrangements for this. This matter is the top priority at the moment! Director Sun, I require you to personally supervise the situation. First, maintain order. The security department will assist you. Additionally, make sure to verify the identity of all villagers signing the agreements to ensure there are no fraudulent or duplicate agreements. If any unexpected situations arise, report them immediately, and the police station will be prepared to assist us."

Just back at the factory from Shenglian Village, Zhou Ming gave these instructions to Office Director Sun Jie as he got out of the car. Sun Jie immediately responded, "Rest assured, Mr. Zhou. I will arrange everything properly!"

Sun Jie was very excited. Zhou Ming had been preparing for this matter for days and made extensive arrangements. At that time, Sun Jie couldn't understand why Zhou Ming was making such a big fuss. But now, it was clear that Zhou Ming was preparing for the current situation. His awareness, confidence, and the series of astonishingly effective methods with money made Zhou Ming seem like a genius!

Sun Jie believed that even if there were a second person with Zhou Ming's wealth, they wouldn't be able to come up with such methods.

Zhou Ming patted Sun Jie's shoulder, encouraging him to do well. Sun Jie straightened up instinctively, promised to complete the task, and hurried back to his office to make arrangements.

Watching Sun Jie rush off, Zhou Ming sighed in relief. It was foreseeable that there would be a surge of signing agreements at Factory 760. Regardless of how the factory's performance was or the conflicts with surrounding rural areas, in this era, most people in the interior did not understand what reform was, and these rural people wouldn't grasp what buying Factory 760 meant. To them, working in the factory was still an enviable job with a secure income.

Now, when they suddenly heard they could become factory workers, they would be moved, especially with the Shenglian Village villagers actively persuading them.

In these times, with limited population mobility, rural areas were closely connected through intermarriage, making it easy to find relatives. Persuasion from relatives would be highly credible.

Zhou Ming's approach, though termed as a form of "pyramid scheme" in his view, was essentially just using money to turn all the villagers in Shenglian Village into loyal supporters who would work hard for him. This had no legal issues.

Back in his office, Zhou Ming sat down and picked up the phone. His pager buzzed, showing a message from Governor Xiong Qingping.

Zhou Ming set the pager aside and dialed Xiong Qingping's number. The call was quickly connected. Before Zhou Ming could speak, Xiong Qingping's voice came through: "Mr. Zhou, how are things in Shenglian Village? Is everything going smoothly?"

Although Xiong Qingping tried to hide his anxiety, Zhou Ming could sense it. Zhou Ming calmly replied, "Thanks to your good fortune, Governor Xiong, the situation in Shenglian Village is under control."

"Has Shenglian Village agreed to sign the production agreement with Factory 760 and support its integration into the township industrial park?"

Xiong Qingping's voice was surprised, and Zhou Ming confirmed it. Xiong Qingping was immediately pleased: "That's great! Comrade Zhou Ming, you truly have a way with things!"

Zhou Ming thanked Xiong Qingping and then asked, "Governor Xiong, you seem quite urgent. Is there a policy change coming from above?"

"Of course..." Xiong Qingping began, but then realized, "You're quite astute to catch on. I didn't mean to reveal too much."

Zhou Ming smiled and didn't explain further. It was a matter of protocol, and Xiong Qingping, as the governor, wasn't nitpicking. He said, "You've been to the central government, so you should be aware of the party's confidentiality rules. I can't disclose too much..."

Xiong Qingping continued, "I heard you're a regular news viewer. You must be aware of the situation in Eastern Europe. It has caused a huge stir in the central government, and the situation is quite serious. I can only tell you that the township industrial park must be set up as soon as possible!"

Although Xiong Qingping's words seemed disconnected from the local township industrial park, Zhou Ming understood that Xiong Qingping wasn't referring to the direct connection.

The problems in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union stemmed from the start of reforms. The reforms provided opportunities for Western countries, and the Soviet Union's economic system had significant issues. However, domestic reform and opening up hadn't reached the same level as in later years, making it difficult for central leaders to analyze the Soviet economic problems. To them, it was the reform itself leading to collapse.

Thus, conservative forces that had been suppressed would become active again, aiming to halt reforms. Therefore, setting up a successful model like the township industrial park would serve as a significant symbol for reforms.

Of course, the township industrial park was also prepared for another nationwide shock, but Zhou Ming wasn't sure when that might happen.

Thinking of this, Zhou Ming said, "Governor Xiong, rest assured. Since I proposed the township industrial park, I will see it through. However, will the province or city provide any support?"

Xiong Qingping responded readily, "Yes. Comrade Chen Da will soon become the Secretary of the Linyang City Party Committee and will handle this matter from both the party and government perspectives. Additionally, the province will consider nominating you as a representative to the Jingchu Provincial People's Congress."

For those who don't understand, Xiong Qingping's response might seem trivial, but for those who do, it was very significant. First, Xiong Qingping mentioned that Chen Da would handle things as both Secretary and Mayor, which meant Chen Da would have full authority to act in Linyang, without any hindrance.

The other point about becoming a People's Congress representative was also crucial. Although it might seem common later, having a political identity like a People's Congress representative or a member of the Political Consultative Conference was important. This identity provided special protections and was a significant political role in the current system.

Even as a provincial representative, it was still a serious position, and gaining entry to the National People's Congress was not easy, let alone in this current era.

"Thank you very much, Governor Xiong. I will work hard!" Zhou Ming said. "To show my gratitude, I have some good news to share with you."

"What good news? Did you persuade other villages as well?" Xiong Qingping asked.

"Seems like nothing escapes your notice, Governor Xiong. I did manage to persuade other villages. I estimate that within a week, the township industrial park in my plan will officially start, and with a bit of luck, there might be even more villages joining." Zhou Ming replied.

Xiong Qingping was taken aback. Originally, he had only jokingly asked because he knew of the conflicts between Factory 760 and surrounding farmers. Moreover, the rural areas had just become prosperous through contracting. Asking them to return to a collective management system would be difficult for anyone. So, he thought it would be tough for Zhou Ming to convince them, which was why he had come up with those methods for him.

Now, Zhou Ming was telling him that it was resolved? What was going on?

"Mr. Zhou, please explain in detail what happened. Are you saying you've persuaded all the surrounding villages to sign agreements and support the township industrial park?" Xiong Qingping asked.

"Not yet, of course. As you know, Governor Xiong, I just went to Shenglian Village today and only recently returned. Results wouldn't be so quick." Zhou Ming answered.

Xiong Qingping immediately detected the issue: "Mr. Zhou, wait a moment. You said you went to Shenglian Village today and can already be sure that all the surrounding villages will sign agreements?"

Zhou Ming confidently affirmed this. Xiong Qingping remained silent for a long time before finally asking, "How can you be so sure?"

Zhou Ming then explained the method he used, which was similar to a "pyramid scheme." After listening, Xiong Qingping was stunned for a while before sighing, "Mr. Zhou, you truly have a boundless imagination. Your method is simply... simply..."

Xiong Qingping was at a loss for words, but Zhou Ming didn't leave him hanging and took over, saying, "Now you can rest assured, Governor Xiong. I believe that within a week, we will gather representatives from all surrounding villages to discuss the policies and regulations for the industrial park. I hope for your continued support!"

"Rest assured, I will send Xiao Wu to assist you," Xiong Qingping promised readily.

Zhou Ming thanked Xiong Qingping and, though he had never been involved in official circles, understood that as a governor, Xiong Qingping was very busy and had to manage his status carefully. For now, the establishment of a township industrial park only required a representative from his secretary.