Chapter 234: Methods of Combining Grace and Severity

"With flags fluttering and drums beating, we are now at the 760 Factory in Nanhui County, the core of the nation's first rural industrial park. Today, the inaugural organizational meeting of the industrial park is about to take place. Secretary of the Municipal Committee and Mayor Chen Da will give an important speech at the meeting, and Wu Shiping, Deputy Director of the Provincial Government Office, will be present to offer congratulations and present the policies and work arrangements from the Provincial Committee and Government."

"Secretary Chen Da stated that the establishment of the rural industrial park is a major experimental reform. By leveraging collective advantages to centralize and develop economic resources, it has a significant role in advancing the city's reform and opening-up work. Chen also praised the leadership team of the 760 Factory for their innovative spirit and bravery. He noted that the 760 Factory is a pilot enterprise for the unified planning reform in Linyang City, setting a significant example. The creation of the rural industrial park is a new initiative that, if maintained, will definitely lead to a qualitative leap in the local economy!"

"Deputy Director Wu Shiping of the Provincial Government Office also emphasized the importance of Linyang City's economic reform to the province. Provincial Governor Xiong Qingping has frequently mentioned the development of the rural industrial park in provincial government meetings. Wu believes that although this path has not been previously taken, it is theoretically feasible and has great development potential. The province will strongly support the development of the rural industrial park, making it a model for the province's economic work."

...

The TV stopped here, in the large hall with a thousand seats at the 760 Factory. Zhou Ming and other factory leaders, including Su Han, were seated on the stage. Behind them was a large screen projecting the TV content, while a dense crowd of people sat below.

Zhou Ming picked up the microphone and said, "This is yesterday's news from the city TV station. I believe many of you have already seen it. I'm showing it again to let you know that our rural industrial park is established with strong support from the provincial and municipal governments. It is a very formal organization aimed at helping everyone become prosperous."

"I am a native of the 760 Factory, not a government official, so I won't talk too much about grand principles. Today, at this meeting, I just want to share some heartfelt thoughts."

Zhou Ming continued, "I don't know what you think, but for me, the establishment of this rural industrial park has been quite a journey. I still remember when the old secretary from Menqian Town brought me to the villages to persuade the villagers to sign agreements with the factory. Everyone was cursing me as a fraud and a heartless capitalist. If it weren't for the old secretary and the village secretary, I might have been chased away with brooms and various farming tools."

At this point, the crowd below burst into friendly laughter. Some were surprised to hear about Zhou Ming's past experiences, and the people from Shenglian Village, who had been among those cursing Zhou Ming, looked a bit embarrassed.

Su Han, who was on stage, glanced at Zhou Ming. Only she knew how difficult it had been, from Zhou Ming being scolded and chased out of villages to having hundreds of households from eight surrounding villages sign cooperation agreements with the factory and voluntarily join the rural industrial park system.

To those unaware of the details, Zhou Ming's success might seem like luck, but Su Han knew the hard work behind it.

When Provincial Governor Xiong Qingping inspected the factory and Zhou Ming presented the rural industrial park concept, Zhou Ming had already been considering how to persuade the surrounding villagers.

At that time, many questioned the rural industrial park concept, seeing it as his wishful thinking, arguing that collective economy was outdated and that private economy was now encouraged. But Zhou Ming argued that the rural industrial park was a combination of collective and private sectors. While the future development was uncertain, it stood firm politically and economically.

When the rural industrial park was officially established, it amazed everyone, and with strong support from the city and province, it was believed to be poised for flourishing development. Zhou Ming, however, was concerned about the villagers' potential lack of cooperation.

From that point on, Zhou Ming had been preparing ways to persuade the surrounding villagers, a method he referred to as "pyramid selling."

Using this method, Zhou Ming sparked a signing frenzy at the 760 Factory. In just two or three days, thousands of villagers came to the factory to sign production agreements.

This was why Municipal Committee Secretary Chen Da held the first organizational meeting here.

Zhou Ming had anticipated and prepared for everything ahead of time, making his actions seem almost inevitable. He was undoubtedly the most formidable boss, unmatched by any other entrepreneur!

"Of course, those things are now in the past. Now that you have signed the agreements, the main framework of the rural industrial park centered around the 760 Factory is already set up. It's like building a house—the framework and walls are in place; what remains is painting and interior decoration."

Zhou Ming said, "You are all villagers from around the 760 Factory. You might not fully understand what the rural industrial park is, so I want to assure you that the 760 Factory is a haven where you can find shelter from the storm."

"Previously, there were many conflicts between the 760 Factory and the surrounding areas, mainly due to uneven development and resource distribution. Why should factory workers earn more than you? They work in the factory, while you labor in the fields exposed to the elements. Here's a simple example: a villager once told me his child was treated unfairly at the factory's school and had to pay extra for attending."

Zhou Ming paused and then continued, "I believe many of you have encountered such issues. So we must ask why this happens. I think the biggest problem is that the 760 Factory is a collective, and our development should be better than yours. If we were all part of the same collective, such problems wouldn't occur."

Thousands of people below nodded silently, and Zhou Ming didn't give them much time to think before continuing, "Therefore, the Nanhui Rural Industrial Park is established!"

"Some of you may know what I said at Shenglian Village, and others may have heard it from relatives and friends. I'll repeat it here: as long as we establish the rural industrial park and you follow me, not only will you earn two thousand yuan, five thousand, ten thousand, or even twenty thousand yuan, but you will also get more!"

As soon as Zhou Ming finished speaking, the crowd erupted into excitement. Although many had heard of Zhou Ming's promises, hearing him speak in person, especially with his emphatic tone, made the prospect of money seem almost tangible.

But Zhou Ming wasn't done: "Money is just one part. As long as you support the rural industrial park, the factory's school will be open to your children. They will be able to attend the school, gain knowledge, and change their destinies. So, tell me loudly: do you want to make money? Do you want your children to attend a good school? Do you want to change your destinies?"

"Yes!" The crowd of thousands responded in unison, their voices so loud it felt like they could lift the roof of the auditorium.

"Very well!" Zhou Ming raised his voice, "I hope you remember what you said today. You have seen the prosperity of the people in Shenglian Village. Now, I want you to forget about reforms and communes. I only want you to believe that I can bring you wealth and that your future efforts are for yourselves and your families!"

After Zhou Ming finished, the applause below surged like a tidal wave and continued for a long time.

As the applause died down, Zhou Ming stood up to announce the end of the meeting, leaving only the eight village secretaries to a side room for a small meeting.

In the side room, facing these village secretaries, Zhou Ming no longer spoke cautiously as he had with the villagers. He directly said, "The reason I called this meeting is simply to tell you that now that you have agreed to merge your villages into the rural industrial park, you are no longer village secretaries. Instead, you are now cadres of the 760 Factory or the rural industrial park. I don't care how you wielded power in your villages before, but now and in the future, you must rectify your past bad habits and wholeheartedly serve the rural industrial park!"

Zhou Ming paused and then added, "Of course, you can try to cause trouble if you want, but I advise you not to, because I guarantee you will regret it for the rest of your lives!"

Listening to Zhou Ming, the secretaries shivered involuntarily. If the previous meeting had filled them with fervor, Zhou Ming's current words felt like a cold bucket of ice, sending a chill down their spines.

They looked at Zhou Ming's young face and seemed to sense the killing intent emanating from him. They lowered their heads in fear and one by one promised, "Rest assured, Mr. Zhou, we will work diligently and won't intentionally cause trouble."

Zhou Ming nodded in satisfaction, "I believe you. As long as you work hard, I will not treat you unfairly."

Zhou Ming then took out eight agreements and handed them to them, "I have investigated your previous income. Here are eight agreements specifically for you. The compensation in these agreements is different from that of ordinary villagers, indicating my higher expectations for you. I am cultivating you as cadres. I believe you, as village secretaries, can read, right?"

The eight village secretaries took the agreements and opened them, immediately smiling broadly. They collectively assured Zhou Ming, "Rest assured, Mr. Zhou, we will work diligently!"

Zhou Ming smiled: Although their words seemed the same as before, the tone was evidently more resolute.