Chapter 242: Thanks to Young Master An

"Genius!" Du Zhongyuan exclaimed instinctively. "Zhou Ming, you truly deserve the title of a genius entrepreneur with your stock market and Eight Treasure Porridge ventures. This idea is fantastic! Indeed, since the central government lacks funds, we can use the 'road maintenance through tolls' approach—invite companies to invest in construction and set up toll stations to collect fees from road users. This is essentially using the people's contributions for their own benefit."

With Du Zhongyuan's endorsement, both Jiang Wen and Xiong Qingping also praised Zhou Ming's plan. Du Zhongyuan looked Zhou Ming up and down and said, "I really can't figure out how your brain works. The stock market, rural industrial parks, and this road maintenance idea—you come up with these things so easily?"

Hearing praise from the President, Zhou Ming was secretly amused. These ideas weren't originally his; he was simply presenting methods from later years. In this era, presenting such ideas first made them seem like his own.

However, he hoped this wouldn't get out. If it became known in the future that he proposed highway tolls, he feared he'd be lambasted by internet trolls, despite the genuine financial constraints of the time. Even if this era was truly impoverished and unable to fund road construction, critics would not consider that; they'd just see it as a foolish idea.

"Thank you. If President Du agrees, we could start with a pilot project—a highway connecting Jingchu and Lingnan. If successful, we can extend it nationwide," Zhou Ming said.

"Seems like you, young comrade, are quite invested in transportation infrastructure!" Du Zhongyuan said with a smile.

"Well, what can I do? President Du, you know I'm a capitalist from the old society. I just want to make money as quickly as possible. All restrictions on earning money, I want to remove," Zhou Ming said with a shrug. "But now, I'm genuinely frustrated with our domestic transportation network. If we had highways, I could drive the 200 kilometers from Linyang to Tanzhou."

Du Zhongyuan nodded in agreement: "Yes, these are indeed shackles to economic development."

Zhou Ming then brought up another point: "Also, President Du, may I suggest speeding up the trains? The current train speeds are astonishingly slow."

Du Zhongyuan laughed heartily and pointed at Zhou Ming: "You started out appearing so reserved, like you didn't dare say much, but now you're raising issue after issue."

Zhou Ming shyly scratched his head: "It just shows how approachable President Du, Secretary Jiang, and Governor Xiong are."

The three laughed again, and Du Zhongyuan said seriously: "Alright, since our people's representative has given his input, I promise you that I will mention this at the meeting and strive to implement the people's representative's suggestions as soon as possible."

Zhou Ming thanked Du Zhongyuan. He vaguely remembered that the proposal to speed up trains was made in this era but got shelved for unknown reasons. He hoped that by bringing it up with Du Zhongyuan, he could influence this matter. After all, speeding up trains would greatly facilitate travel and, under the premise of ensuring safety, would be beneficial for the country and its people.

After discussing these important matters, Du Zhongyuan talked with Zhou Ming about some interesting stories from Linyang, Nanjing, and Gangcheng. When Zhou Ming shared some of his methods and ideas, the three leaders were astonished and exclaimed in disbelief.

"I didn't expect you could make money with government bonds this way, Zhou Ming. You're really bold. Aren't you afraid you might not be able to repay that high-interest loan?… How can you be sure that the American index will fall? What if it doesn't?… How can you make such a judgment when everyone globally is optimistic?… How did you come up with the combination formula for the capital protection fund…"

Faced with these questions, Zhou Ming could only helplessly reply: "Actually, I can't be 100% certain about these things. Often, I'm taking huge risks, including political and economic risks. But as we say back home, 'Risk a little, and you might turn a bicycle into a motorcycle.' As long as you're confident and take the plunge, there's at least a chance of success. If you don't dare, you'll have no chance at all."

Du Zhongyuan and the others deeply agreed with Zhou Ming's words. Du Zhongyuan sighed: "Indeed, only by doing can you have a chance to succeed. Many things are not because we are not smart or cannot think of them, but because we fear this and that, and don't dare to take risks, resulting in missed opportunities."

The meal lasted about an hour. Since there was another meeting in the afternoon, they didn't drink alcohol, but each was served a bowl of silver ear soup according to Du Zhongyuan's preference.

After the meal, Zhou Ming escorted the three leaders to the lounge. Just as he was about to leave, Governor Xiong called him: "Don't rush off just yet. There's someone in another room I think you should meet."

Zhou Ming was puzzled but knew that someone had indeed come to speak with Governor Xiong during the meal. Since Governor Xiong wasn't one to make such jokes, Zhou Ming followed his instructions and went to the adjacent room.

Upon entering, Zhou Ming saw an elderly man and a young man standing inside. The young man, whom Zhou Ming recognized as Liang An, was the one who had previously contradicted him. Consequently, the middle-aged man's identity was clear: he was Liang Tian, the chairman of the Jingchu Mechanical Company.

Zhou Ming had seen this major businessman from Jingchu Province on television and in newspapers before, but back then, he was quite arrogant, unlike the present, where he seemed somewhat obsequious.

Liang Tian approached Zhou Ming and extended his hand: "This distinguished comrade must be Zhou Ming. Hello, I'm Liang Tian."

Zhou Ming shook his hand and replied: "Hello, Chairman Liang. I had some matters earlier and just learned you were waiting for me. I apologize for keeping you waiting."

Liang Tian waved his hand: "No problem. It's most important that you were with President Du and Secretary Jiang, Governor Xiong. I can wait a little longer."

"Are you kidding? Someone like Zhou Ming, a rural landlord, is dining with President Du?" Liang An said in astonishment.

Liang An's sudden remark made the atmosphere awkward. Liang Tian immediately slapped him and scolded: "Can't you speak properly? Don't you know Zhou Ming is a nationally renowned big boss?"

Zhou Ming shook his head in resignation. The issue was the lack of information. Because he appeared to be just a provincial representative from Linyang, Liang An naturally saw him as an easy target. With some provocation, he dared to cause trouble during the representative meeting, only to encounter a tough opponent.

With Liang An's outburst, Liang Tian had no choice but to apologize to Zhou Ming: "I'm very sorry, Mr. Zhou. My child is usually poorly supervised and doesn't know better. Please don't hold it against him."

Zhou Ming wasn't surprised by Liang Tian's words. In fact, when he saw these two people, he had already guessed how the conversation would go. He was just taken aback by Liang An's boldness in causing trouble, which forced Liang Tian to address the issue directly instead of engaging in pleasantries.

"Since Chairman Liang has said this, it would be petty of me to hold a grudge," Zhou Ming said, shifting the topic. "However, Chairman Liang, you should know that Liang Manager's comments during the meeting were made in the presence of President Du, Secretary Jiang, and Governor Xiong. Addressing this issue with me alone won't resolve it."

Zhou Ming then posed a question: "Chairman Liang, do you know what President Du said during our meal?"

"What did President Du say?" Liang Tian asked eagerly.

Zhou Ming just smiled: "Chairman Liang, some things are hard for me to say, but you should be able to guess."

Zhou Ming was deliberately being vague. In reality, Du Zhongyuan hadn't mentioned Liang An's incident during the meal. As a President, he wouldn't waste time on a minor matter involving a young person.

If it were a normal situation, Liang Tian might have doubts, but under the current circumstances, he was understandably anxious and began to speculate in the direction Zhou Ming hoped.

"Mr. Zhou, are you saying that President Du is very upset about this matter?" Liang Tian asked tentatively.

"Chairman Liang, what do you think? I had previously reported the rural industrial park concept to President Du, who was very supportive. This time, he wanted to make a statement at the meeting, but it didn't turn out as expected!"

Zhou Ming sighed heavily, deliberately not answering directly. His intention was to make Liang Tian worry and let him fear the worst. After all, an answer given by someone else might not be as frightening as one that came from Zhou Ming himself.

As expected, Liang Tian grew anxious upon hearing Zhou Ming's words and asked: "Mr. Zhou, what should we do?"

"I can't say for sure; after all, the higher-ups' thoughts are beyond my guess," Zhou Ming said after some consideration. "However, one thing is certain: President Du is very supportive of the construction and development of rural industrial parks and intends to build a national model base. But currently, the industrial park is still in its early stages…"

Zhou Ming paused deliberately and asked Liang Tian: "Do you understand now, Chairman Liang?"

Liang Tian finally understood and nodded: "Thank you, Mr. Zhou. I will definitely support the development

 of the Linyang rural industrial park!"

Zhou Ming nodded, secretly delighted: Thanks to Young Master An. If it weren't for you, how could I have tricked your father into investing in the rural industrial park? Now, you should be thanking me.