Chapter 267: Two Welcome Banquets

On June 10th, outside the main square in front of the Linyang City Party Committee and Government Building, the city police had cleared the area. Linyang's Party Secretary and Mayor, Chen Da, was waiting with other city leaders, eagerly anticipating something.

This scene surprised all the passersby in Linyang, as such occasions usually involved provincial leaders coming for an inspection. Could it be that provincial leaders were visiting today as well? A few days ago, a similar situation occurred when Gu Ping, the Party Secretary of Nanhui County, brought Nanjiang businesspeople to Linyang. So what was the current situation? Were there more Nanjiang businesspeople arriving?

This question was soon answered when an Audi, unfamiliar to Linyang, sped up and stopped in front of the city leaders. Zhou Ming and Cao Jianing stepped out of the car. Zhou Ming approached Chen Da and shook his hand, formally saying, "Hello, Secretary Chen. Thank you very much for coming to greet me. I am honored to have completed the task assigned to me by the Party and the government!"

Chen Da responded with a smile, "Welcome back, Representative Zhou. Everything you've done for Nanjiang is for the economic development of Linyang. On behalf of the millions of people in Linyang, I thank you for everything you've done!"

"Secretary Chen, you overestimate me. As a native of Linyang, it's only right for me to do something for my hometown."

Zhou Ming then introduced Cao Jianing to Chen Da, saying, "This is Cao Jianing, the CEO of Guoli Company and the youngest son of Marshal Cao Yinghua. He is also the CEO of Nanjiang Securities and Nan Development Bank, among the top entrepreneurs in Nanjiang. He is now collaborating with the Lingnan Military Region to build a mobile communication network. The newly established Zhongmobile Company is also preparing to set up here in Linyang."

Cao Jianing smiled and shook Chen Da's hand. "Please take good care of me in Linyang."

Chen Da shook Cao Jianing's hand firmly. "I will definitely provide whatever assistance I can for Mr. Cao!"

Chen Da's tone was respectful, as Zhou Ming's mention of Marshal Cao Yinghua had shocked him. Even though Zhou Ming had mentioned earlier that he would bring someone influential, Chen Da had not expected him to bring the son of a marshal.

If it had been another marshal, Chen Da might not have reacted so strongly, but Cao Yinghua was not an ordinary person. He was the revolutionary who overthrew the counter-revolutionary group ten years ago, rescuing the nation from turmoil. His actions were closely linked to Yang Lao's return to power and the establishment of the central leadership core.

Moreover, as an official, Chen Da had heard that the Cao family held absolute power in Lingnan, essentially being the Lingnan royalty. Cao Jianing, as the son of this Lingnan king, was not someone to be treated casually.

With this in mind, Chen Da looked at Zhou Ming, wondering what kind of charisma Zhou Ming possessed to bring such a prince to Linyang.

Chen Da couldn't figure out the answer himself and had no time to ponder. He took Cao Jianing to the city Party Committee's guesthouse, where he had prepared a welcome banquet for both Cao Jianing and Zhou Ming.

…

At the guesthouse, Chen Da and other city Party Committee members stood up to toast Zhou Ming and Cao Jianing.

After the initial pleasantries, Zhou Ming began discussing mobile communication with Chen Da. "Secretary Chen, although mobile phones may seem like a luxury for the wealthy now, with continuous technological advancements, they will definitely become the trend in communication. The convenience of being able to communicate anytime, anywhere, is far better than struggling to find a phone, which helps bridge the distance between people."

Upon hearing Zhou Ming's words, Chen Da immediately gave a thumbs up. "Representative Zhou, you truly are a pioneer in Lingnan's development. Your strategic vision for the future is impressive!"

Zhou Ming was taken aback. "Pioneer in Lingnan's development? Secretary Chen, you flatter me too much."

"It's not flattery. That's how the newspapers in Lingnan are commenting on you!" Chen Da said.

Seeing Zhou Ming's skepticism, Chen Da asked a service staff member to bring a Lingnan newspaper. Zhou Ming, who had not read the newspaper during his train journey, saw a flattering article about himself.

"Representative Zhou, it's not just me boasting. This reporter says you are the most charismatic entrepreneur, with unparalleled vision and a thorough understanding of the times. Although Zhongmobile is just starting, it will undoubtedly change the communication habits of people nationwide!" Chen Da said.

Zhou Ming awkwardly scratched his head. "Perhaps this reporter had bought stocks I recommended before and wrote this article to repay me."

This remark made everyone laugh heartily. Cao Jianing seriously said to Zhou Ming, "I think that's quite possible. Given that stocks have been rising steadily, if those who followed your advice had earned tens of thousands of yuan, could this be considered a form of bribery?"

Chen Da quickly joined in, "Representative Zhou, don't worry. Even if it's considered bribery, it's a matter in Lingnan, and it doesn't count here in Linyang. Moreover, as a People's Representative, you have immunity, so I can ensure your safety in Linyang."

Hearing Cao Jianing and Chen Da's banter, Zhou Ming felt helpless.

Such jokes were harmless, and no one took them seriously. Soon, the conversation shifted back to mobile phones. Zhou Ming said, "Secretary Chen, setting up mobile phone base stations is not something that can be done overnight; it requires time. However, due to the implementation of our town industrial parks and successful investment promotion, some things need to be done in advance."

Chen Da immediately understood. He asked Zhou Ming, "Are you suggesting that we should start by setting up the mobile phone base stations?"

"Base stations will definitely need to be built, but that's for later. I hope to use a few paging station base stations first, adding some equipment to achieve mobile phone functionality. This will require your assistance, Secretary Chen," Zhou Ming said.

Chen Da readily agreed, "No problem. I'll make the arrangements right away. Which base stations do you want to start with?"

Zhou Ming listed, "First, we need one in the town industrial park, and another near the Party Committee and government building. To test the advantages of mobile communication, Cao Jianing and I have agreed to provide phones to you and other leaders."

Chen Da smiled and immediately approved, "No problem!"

Zhou Ming and Cao Jianing then raised their glasses to thank Chen Da.

…

At the banquet, Zhou Ming and Cao Jianing drank quite a bit, especially after Zhou Ming promised to provide phones to Chen Da and other city officials. The officials enthusiastically toasted them.

Zhou Ming felt helpless, thinking that a phone was a mere trifle. In the future, if someone offered a phone to a city Party Secretary, they wouldn't even look at it. But now, phones were seen as a luxurious and prestigious gift, highly valued by Linyang officials.

Zhou Ming and Cao Jianing rested in the city for a day before heading back to Nanhui County the next day.

They first went to the Nanhui County Party Committee, where, as expected, the County Party Secretary Gu Ping was waiting at the entrance of the county committee building to greet them. At the county guesthouse, Gu Ping had arranged a banquet for them, but unlike the city, this one also included other Nanjiang business owners who had arrived earlier.

Having learned from the previous day's experience, Zhou Ming and Cao Jianing announced, "We drank too much yesterday, so we shouldn't drink too much today."

If it were anyone else, such a statement would be dismissed as nonsense. In such a setting, it was impossible to avoid drinking. However, given their influence and status, Zhou Ming and Cao Jianing's words were respected, and the banquet only involved an initial toast, with minimal drinking thereafter.

Their influence was evident not just in drinking but also in conversation.

Typically, in such gatherings, the focus would be on the County Party Secretary or Cao Jianing. However, here, Zhou Ming was the central figure. This was accepted by everyone, including Gu Ping himself.

"Advisor Zhou, after arriving here and listening to various plans, I believe Nan Development Bank must open here first to provide better financial services for these investment enterprises," said Li Hong, the manager of Nan Development Bank, who had come in place of Luo Han due to his dual roles.

Zhou Ming nodded, "Indeed. In warfare, logistics are crucial before the troops move. The business world is similar; funding is like the army's rations, essential for success. This is why it's important for Nan Development to set up quickly."

"Advisor Zhou, I was shocked by how different the wages here are compared to Nanjiang. Even 100 yuan a month is considered high. Transportation is also inconvenient, so we need to build highways first," said Zhou Yuan, Chairman of Wantian Corporation.

"Chairman Zhou, I understand. My own Eight Treasure Porridge also needs to be transported, so highways are crucial for me too!" Zhou Ming replied.