Chapter 268: More Hong Kong Businessmen?

After conversing with various Nanjiang entrepreneurs, Zhou Ming found that they were generally optimistic about the model of the Nanhui Town Industrial Park. After all, this was a replica of Nanjiang's successful model in Jingchu Province. With Nanjiang's success as a precedent, this town industrial park was bound to be promising.

Moreover, a poor economic foundation in a region typically means lower labor costs, which is an advantage for this industrial park. Politically, Zhou Ming had proposed this model at the Provincial People's Congress, which had received approval from the central and provincial governments. Both Jingchu Province and Linyang City were very supportive. Although the economic foundation was somewhat weak, the policy support helped offset this.

The only headache was transportation, but Zhou Ming had already considered a solution for this during his time in Nanjiang. At the dinner table, he took the opportunity to bring it up again.

"Everyone, since you've all recognized this place and are interested in investing here, there are some things we need to address, such as the construction of the highway connecting Nanjiang to Linyang," Zhou Ming said. "Although we discussed this in Nanjiang, I think it's worth reiterating."

Zhou Ming then proposed the idea of jointly investing in a toll highway: "I know everyone is interested, but this is just a preliminary intention. After calculating the costs and your own financial chains, do you have any new ideas or difficulties? This money isn't a small sum, and it might take twenty or thirty years to recoup. Can everyone accept that?"

"Additionally," Zhou Ming continued, "you should all be aware that Cao Jianing and I have established Zhongmobile Company in Nanjiang. While constructing the highway, we will also set up mobile phone base stations along the route to ensure network coverage. Of course, Zhongmobile will handle the costs for the base stations separately, but the highway is our joint project, so I wanted to keep you informed."

Cui Jiang, Chairman of Jinke Co., was the first to express enthusiasm: "That's great! As businessmen, we care most about communication and transportation. As long as we can resolve these two issues, everything else can be overcome."

With Cui Jiang leading, others quickly agreed: "Yes! We were prepared for this. If we needed urgent funding, we wouldn't have invested or considered road construction. We've raised quite a bit of money in the stock market, and if we don't find ways to use it effectively, it's a loss for us!"

Zhou Ming then raised his glass: "I sincerely thank everyone for your support and wish us all a pleasant cooperation!"

Li Hong and others also raised their glasses to toast Zhou Ming and Cao Jianing, wishing for a successful collaboration. At this moment, neither Li Hong nor Cao Jianing anticipated that their discussions would set a standard for rural industrial parks and highway construction nationwide.

After the dinner, Cao Jianing and the other Nanjiang businesspeople were assigned rooms, while only Zhou Ming was retained by County Party Secretary Gu Ping.

"Secretary Gu, is there something you need?" Zhou Ming asked, somewhat puzzled.

After this trip to Nanjiang, Gu Ping had shown no trace of his former attitude, adopting a completely subordinate stance. He said to Zhou Ming, "Representative Zhou, there's a Hong Kong businessman coming tomorrow. Our county has no experience with Hong Kong businessmen. Since you've been to Hong Kong, I'd like to ask for your help in receiving him."

Zhou Ming was surprised: "Secretary Gu, you managed to contact a Hong Kong businessman?"

Flattered by Zhou Ming's praise, Gu Ping chuckled: "Actually, I didn't do much. The Hong Kong businessman contacted us himself."

"Contacted us himself?" Zhou Ming asked, surprised. Even though it was just a year since his return and foreign investment in inland areas was still limited to Nanjiang and Binhai, it was still unusual for a Hong Kong businessman to proactively seek investment opportunities in Linyang.

Seeing Zhou Ming's furrowed brow, Gu Ping grew anxious and said, "Representative Zhou, is there an issue with these Hong Kong businessmen? Are they foreign agents aiming to sabotage our reform and opening-up?"

"Spoiling our reform and opening-up? Secretary Gu, why would you think that?" Zhou Ming asked in surprise.

"It's because of a document issued by the central government before the Spring Festival. It mentioned that there are hostile foreign forces with a persistent desire to undermine our reform and opening-up, and many agents are infiltrating to disrupt our national strategy. We were instructed to be vigilant and defend against such threats," Gu Ping explained.

Zhou Ming understood now. He recalled his visit to Yanjing before the Spring Festival, where he encountered a mysterious foreign girl, reminding him of future events. He had alerted the central government through Du Peng, preventing a major disaster, and the central government, in response, issued a nationwide alert to county committees to watch out for spies.

During the Cold War, even though China had embraced reform and opening-up, many officials still thought with a Cold War mentality, which explained Gu Ping's concern.

Zhou Ming thought for a moment and said, "The nationwide anti-spy operation has already made those foreign forces cautious. I don't think this is related to that. Secretary Gu, don't be too sensitive. I just don't understand why a Hong Kong businessman would want to invest here."

"By the way, when is the Hong Kong businessman arriving?" Zhou Ming asked.

"The notice said June 13th," Gu Ping replied.

Zhou Ming nodded, "Got it. I'll go with you to meet him then."

"Thank you so much, Representative Zhou! With you by my side, I feel much more at ease," Gu Ping said.

"Secretary Gu, don't mention it. I'm also invested in this rural industrial park. Since it was my idea, having foreign investment will certainly boost its profile," Zhou Ming said.

Gu Ping hesitated for a moment. Clearly, he didn't understand what "profile" meant, but it sounded impressive. Zhou Ming didn't explain further, so Gu Ping simply responded, "Yes, we all want the rural industrial park to develop better!"

Zhou Ming then left the county guesthouse. Outside was a Crown sedan, a car he was very familiar with—it was the best car from the 760 Factory, usually driven by Su Han.

As Zhou Ming approached, Su Han jumped out of the car and ran into his arms, crying about how much she missed him.

Since their intimate encounter, Su Han had never been apart from Zhou Ming for so long. As a woman who had given everything to Zhou Ming, it was only natural for her to miss him.

Zhou Ming patted Su Han's back and said, "Alright, Xiaohan, don't cry. We're at the county guesthouse entrance, and there are many people around."

In the past, Su Han would have hurriedly let go if Zhou Ming said this, but now she simply buried her head in his chest. Though not indifferent, her face was blushing, extending to her neck. She was completely focused on Zhou Ming, caring only about her deepest feelings.

After a while, when Su Han's emotions calmed down, Zhou Ming helped her into the car. Zhou Ming took the driver's seat, feeling Su Han's gaze from the passenger seat. He turned to look at her.

A woman with tearful eyes, a flushed face, and affectionate glances was incredibly alluring. Zhou Ming reached over and pinched her small nose, saying, "Xiaohan, don't look at me like that. I'm afraid I'll lose control."

Su Han's face reddened even more, and she said, "Zhou Ming, what are you talking about? Can't you be a bit more serious?"

Zhou Ming kissed her rosy lips and chuckled, "Why should a man be so serious with his own woman?"

Unable to argue with Zhou Ming's reasoning, Su Han shyly lowered her head in protest. Zhou Ming's teasing made her even more attractive. He leaned closer and whispered, "Xiaohan, I know a few secluded spots on the way back to the factory. Why don't we try what I mentioned last time?"

Su Han looked up, biting her lip, and said, "Really... in the car?"

"We can give it a try as long as there's no one around," Zhou Ming said, starting the car and speeding towards the factory. However, instead of heading straight to the factory, he took a detour into a small grove.

In the grove, Zhou Ming and Su Han got out of the car and moved to the back seat, closing the doors. Soon, the car began to sway rhythmically. If someone were to pass by, they might hear faint sounds of moans...