Chapter 235: Unveiling of the Factory Monument

"I am very pleased to attend the unveiling ceremony of the factory monument for the rural industrial park today. The rural industrial park, centered around the 760 Factory, is an epoch-making initiative that adheres to the principles of reform and opening-up, concentrating advantageous resources to focus on the development of collective economy. We have every reason to believe that this rural industrial park will undoubtedly become a landmark for Linyang, and this monument will become a symbol of both the 760 Factory and the rural industrial park!"

On the broadcast, Secretary Chen Da's voice was strong and clear. As his words ended, the crackling sound of firecrackers and the rhythm of waist drums erupted in unison, as if planned.

Today was the fourth day after the first general organizational meeting of the industrial park. The intersection at the entrance of the 760 Factory was already packed with people. Whether factory workers or nearby villagers, everyone was crowding here, eager to catch a glimpse of the monument.

The monument was the same stone tablet that Zhou Ming and Chen Da had laid the foundation for on the day of the rural industrial park's establishment. At that time, due to the hurried schedule, the monument was not yet completed; it was merely a ceremonial gesture. Only today had the monument been fully finished. It stood tall and was covered with a piece of canvas, adding an air of mystery.

In preparation for placing the monument, the factory had widened the entrance road in the previous days. What used to be a road wide enough for two large trucks to pass side by side could now accommodate four or five trucks. The intersection where the monument was to be placed had been converted into a roundabout centered around the monument.

At this moment, Zhou Ming and Chen Da were standing on the steps in front of the monument, surrounded by people, which made the already narrow space feel even more cramped.

"I am very grateful that Secretary Chen could take time out of his busy schedule to unveil the monument for us at the 760 Factory. Secretary Chen's spirit inspires us to contribute to the development of Linyang in the future! Now, I will join Secretary Chen in unveiling the monument."

As Zhou Ming spoke, he handed a rope to Chen Da. Together, they pulled the rope, and the canvas covering the monument fell away, revealing a white stone tablet to the audience. A wave of enthusiastic cheers erupted, and the sounds of firecrackers and drums grew even louder.

After the ceremony, Zhou Ming and Chen Da descended the steps. Zhou Ming extended his hand to shake Chen Da's hand and said, "I truly appreciate Secretary Chen's support. However, I feel a bit embarrassed, as I might need to trouble Secretary Chen with some matters in the future."

Chen Da waved his hand and said, "Mr. Zhou is the most important businessman in Linyang. There's no trouble at all. Please, go ahead."

Zhou Ming said, "Since we are setting up a rural industrial park here, having only the 760 Factory is not enough. We have only one brand making a national impact, which is Baobao Congee. To truly fill the industrial park, we need more enterprises to move in."

Chen Da responded, "I understand Mr. Zhou's thoughts. However, you also know the situation in Linyang. It is just an ordinary inland city with no geographical advantages. It might be difficult to develop."

Zhou Ming smiled and said, "There's no need to worry, Secretary Chen. I have a friend in the capital who is also interested in setting up a factory, a food factory. I will suggest he build it in the industrial park."

"That's wonderful!"

Chen Da was delighted. Although the GDP was not yet officially linked to political achievements, he understood the impact of the industrial park's development on his future prospects. He was naturally pleased, but he also had concerns and asked Zhou Ming, "Mr. Zhou, considering the traffic and resource situation in Linyang, it seems we have no advantage. I wonder if your friend will come."

Secretary Chen Da had almost forgotten; Su Han reminded him, "Secretary Chen seems to have forgotten, but Mr. Zhou himself is the best reason."

Realizing this, Chen Da quickly acknowledged, "You're right. What reason could be better than Mr. Zhou himself? As long as Mr. Zhou is here, whatever he does will surely be profitable!"

"Secretary Chen is overestimating me. We're not that bad here. At least our wages are much lower than those in the capital's coastal areas. That's our advantage," Zhou Ming said.

"You really live up to being a capitalist! You've already figured out how to exploit workers through wages," Chen Da joked, and everyone laughed heartily.

Chen Da did not stay long at the 760 Factory and soon returned to the city. After Chen Da left, Zhou Ming went back to his office where Sun Jie was waiting for him. As soon as Zhou Ming entered, Sun Jie stood up and said, "Mr. Zhou, as per your instructions, our office has compiled a list of all the signing villagers and arranged their farmland and households accordingly."

Zhou Ming nodded, took the file from him, and opened it to review the classification of the surrounding villagers.

This was something Zhou Ming had arranged long ago and emphasized. He was never a philanthropist; now that these villagers had signed agreements with the factory, they were considered factory workers, so they couldn't just plant whatever they wanted. That's why Zhou Ming had the office gather data on the surrounding villages' land and categorized it based on factory needs for Baobao Congee's raw materials.

After reviewing the file, Zhou Ming handed it to Su Han and said, "No problem. Let's proceed with this plan and send the results to the eight village secretaries."

Sun Jie agreed and then handed Zhou Ming another document, "Mr. Zhou, this is last month's sales data for Baobao Congee in the local area. The office has compiled it."

"How is the situation?" Zhou Ming asked as he took the document.

"Our Baobao Congee sales in each supply and marketing cooperative are good, but overall sales are still much lower compared to other areas," Sun Jie replied.

"That's normal. Our Baobao Congee sales in other places are in first-tier cities, so the overall consumption levels are not comparable. As long as the general sales situation is not too bad, it's acceptable," Zhou Ming said.

At this moment, Zhou Ming's pager went off. He looked at it and saw a message from Xiong Qingping. Sun Jie, recognizing the situation, politely excused himself. After Sun Jie left, Zhou Ming quickly dialed the number. The call was answered quickly, and before Zhou Ming could speak, Xiong Qingping's voice came through, "Congratulations, Mr. Zhou, on the unveiling of the monument. May your business thrive!"

Zhou Ming thanked Xiong Qingping, "Governor Xiong, with your high position, I wouldn't expect you to call just to congratulate me."

"You're quite cheeky," Xiong Qingping teased Zhou Ming before saying, "I'm calling to inform you about a matter. There's a provincial meeting in four days."

"A meeting? What kind of meeting?" Zhou Ming was surprised.

"It's a People's Congress meeting," Xiong Qingping replied.

This surprised Zhou Ming even more, "Governor Xiong, you're only the governor. You wouldn't need to notify me about the People's Congress meeting, would you? Is there something specific you need from me?"

Xiong Qingping got straight to the point, "This People's Congress meeting is focused on economic work. I want you to share your experiences with the rural industrial park's development."

"Discuss the rural industrial park? It's just been established, and no work has really started yet. What experience could there be?" Zhou Ming said. "Governor Xiong, could it be that there's a new central policy that requires us to promote the rural industrial park model across the province?"

"Not quite. Don't overthink it," Xiong Qingping said. "The rural industrial park is still a new concept nationwide. There's little understanding of it within the province. I need you to give an introduction so that others can at least understand what it is. This will make it easier for future promotion."

"I see. I understand now."

Zhou Ming spoke with Xiong Qingping for a few more minutes before ending the call. Su Han, who had been making tea, asked if Xiong Qingping had given him another task. Zhou Ming sighed and said, "You could say that. Governor Xiong wants me to attend the provincial People's Congress meeting and present my ideas on the rural industrial park. If it weren't for his call, I might have forgotten that I'm still a People's Congress representative."

"Did Governor Xiong personally have to notify you?" Su Han was also surprised.

Zhou Ming shook his head, "I'm not sure. There might be something else going on, but I don't have enough information."

"You've been to the central government and received a personal commendation from Elder Yang. What could there be that you can't know?" Su Han said, a bit irritated.

"Political matters are often complex. For me, not knowing some things can be better. Knowing too much might not always be a good thing," Zhou Ming said. "Xiaohan, this time, let's go together. Just the two of us."

"Just the two of us? Don't you need someone to help you with materials?" Su Han asked curiously.

Zhou Ming chuckled, "Of course not. I can organize these things myself, or I can have the office prepare them for me. The most important thing is that we haven't had a chance to be together for a long time. It's a rare opportunity, and

 I don't want to miss it."

"What opportunity are you referring to?" Su Han instinctively wanted to ask, but the question remained unspoken as she suddenly remembered that since returning from the capital, Zhou Ming had been staying at home with his parents, leaving them no time alone together. As for what alone time meant…

Thinking about this, Su Han's face flushed with embarrassment, and she avoided looking at Zhou Ming.

Seeing her reaction, Zhou Ming knew she understood but still playfully asked, "Xiaohan, what do you think?"

Su Han shyly murmured, "I'll do as you say," her voice was incredibly alluring, almost causing Zhou Ming to lose control.