Chapter 272: The Differences Between People

"In general, the economy should develop independently in a relaxed and free environment. That is the most ideal state. However, what I'm talking about is the ideal state. In reality, it's very hard to achieve such a state. Why? Just like how many people from Hong Kong look down on people from the mainland and go to Hong Kong to seek their fortunes, it's because the mainland is too poor, and the economic foundation is too weak. We have no choice but to use some extreme measures..."

Hearing this, Dai Tingwei's expression stiffened. After all, he was the Hong Kong person that Zhou Ming referred to as looking down on mainland people.

At this moment, he was on a minibus heading to Nanhui County. Including Zhou Ming, Lin Muqing, Shen Xin, and the other welcoming officials such as Secretary Chen Da, everyone was on the bus. The use of a minibus was because it was easier to talk when everyone was together, whereas a regular car would have been very dull.

Indeed, ever since getting on the bus, Shen Xin, as the chief economic reporter from Hong Kong, had been using her professional advantage to conduct interviews, with Zhou Ming being her primary interviewee.

Dai Tingwei glanced at Zhou Ming and noticed that Zhou Ming was not looking at him. This made Dai Tingwei feel even more hurt. If Zhou Ming had shown a smug expression towards him, at least it would mean that Zhou Ming was deliberately trying to embarrass him. But now, it seemed that Zhou Ming didn't even consider him at all. This complete disregard was even harder for him to accept. It was as if his previous actions were seen by Zhou Ming as nothing more than childish behavior in front of an adult, who would only smile and not take it to heart.

In comparison, Dai Tingwei felt that it would have been more comforting if Zhou Ming had humiliated him.

As Dai Tingwei wrestled with these thoughts, Zhou Ming continued, "Reporter Shen, think about it. Which is stronger, five fingers or a fist made by clenching them?"

"Of course, a clenched fist," Shen Xin answered promptly.

"That's it," Zhou Ming said. "Our country is too poor, but at the same time, it is too large. If we scatter our limited resources for investment, we are likely to end up developing nothing anywhere and missing out on this great era of development. Therefore, it's better to concentrate our limited resources, first focusing on developing one place, and then use that as a starting point to drive development in other areas."

"The central government is considering this, which is why they designated Nanjiang as an economic zone. It now appears to be very successful. Seeing Nanjiang's success, I proposed setting up a similar economic zone in Linyang, with a township industrial park to boost the local economy," Zhou Ming said.

Zhou Ming paused and then continued, "Reporter Shen, you, as someone from Hong Kong, must know about Silicon Valley in the United States. It is the most renowned electronic industrial hub in the world, and everyone around the world tries to imitate its model. Why did Silicon Valley succeed? Besides having many world-famous universities nearby, the most important point is that Silicon Valley is an economic zone of the United States, with substantial resources invested in that one area. As long as the development direction isn't fundamentally wrong, success is inevitable."

"Mr. Zhou, are you aiming to build a Silicon Valley in the mainland?" Shen Xin asked.

Zhou Ming shook his head with a smile, "Building a Silicon Valley on the mainland is still a long way off. Linyang doesn't have those conditions. For now, I can only focus on establishing an industrial park and attract major enterprises to invest here, boosting the economy of Nanhui County first."

"You've explained it very well, Mr. Zhou!" Shen Xin clapped her hands in delight. "Centralized investment and scattered investment are indeed different. If companies are allowed to locate wherever they want, not only will the development be difficult for the companies themselves, but it will also lead to a significant waste of resources due to incomplete supporting facilities. Conversely, concentrating all companies in one place can reduce costs to the maximum extent."

Hearing Shen Xin's praise for Zhou Ming made Chen Da, who was standing nearby, envious and jealous. It wasn't that Chen Da liked Shen Xin particularly, though she was a very beautiful and sunny girl. What mattered more to him was that Shen Xin had asked him similar questions earlier, and he had been rigorously challenged. She almost mocked him as a bureaucrat who was only occupying a position without actually doing anything.

But now, with Zhou Ming, the treatment was entirely different. Was the difference between people really this vast?

Chen Da felt hurt, and Dai Tingwei felt similarly distressed.

As a Hong Kong person, Dai Tingwei was more familiar with Shen Xin. He knew that Shen Xin dared to speak frankly even in front of the Governor, and her sharp questions had left many heavyweight figures speechless. How could she now be so supportive and praising of Zhou Ming? It was unbelievable!

Shen Xin didn't care about the reactions her praise might evoke. She turned to Lin Muqing and asked, "So, Director Lin, were you attracted here because of Mr. Zhou's ideas?"

"Not at all," Lin Muqing gave a surprising answer. "Before I became Director Lin, I was also from the mainland. I've heard too much about the concept of economic zones. So, whether it's about industrial concentration or other ideas, they are not important to me. What I value is only Zhou Ming himself."

Lin Muqing's answer left everyone stunned. Shen Xin asked on behalf of everyone, "Why is that?"

Lin Muqing smiled and replied, "It's because of his charisma and his ability to make waves in the business world."

Lin Muqing paused for a moment and continued, "You might not believe it, but last year I saw how Zhou Ming made tens of millions of Hong Kong dollars in Hong Kong. Since then, I've admired him greatly. That's why, when I heard he was setting up an industrial park here, I had to come here to invest, no matter how busy things were back in Hong Kong. I had to come personally."

Gasp!

As soon as Lin Muqing finished speaking, there was a collective gasp in the minibus. Clearly, everyone was shocked by her words.

Firstly, everyone knew that Zhou Ming had gone to Hong Kong, but no one knew the exact amount he earned. Hearing Lin Muqing mention tens of millions, it left everyone stunned. Even the entire budget of Linyang City wouldn't be that much.

Moreover, Lin Muqing, who was an object of admiration for many men, openly confessed her admiration for Zhou Ming and said she came to invest in Linyang because of him. This made people envious and jealous!

Dai Tingwei looked at Zhou Ming. If Lin Muqing and Shen Xin had just arrived today, he would have been tempted to grab Zhou Ming by the neck and force him to reveal what kind of charm he had that made these two women support him so strongly.

Faced with Lin Muqing's and Shen Xin's flattering attitudes, Zhou Ming suddenly felt a headache coming on.

Of course, Zhou Ming's headache wasn't due to the jealousy of Chen Da or Dai Tingwei. After all, he wasn't a government official or married. It didn't matter how many women liked him. What really bothered him was the trouble waiting for him back at the factory.

Shen Xin could be set aside for now, but Lin Muqing's attitude was very clear. He had an ambiguous relationship with her in Hong Kong, and now she was here, making Zhou Ming wonder what decisions she had made.

And there was also Su Han at the factory! Zhou Ming had a relationship with Su Han, and if they met, it would be like a collision of two worlds.

Zhou Ming was not a playboy who could casually handle multiple relationships. He was not a morally impeccable gentleman who would cut ties with Lin Muqing after being with Su Han. He had dreamed of having multiple wives and lovers, but now that Lin Muqing was back, Zhou Ming didn't know how to handle it.

In the end, Zhou Ming could only sigh internally: Just take it one step at a time. If something happens, so be it!

The greatest fear is having no plan. Once Zhou Ming had a plan in mind, he felt much more composed, and they continued on to Nanhui County.

Originally, Chen Da wanted to arrange for Lin Muqing and Shen Xin to stay at the Nanhui County Party Committee's guesthouse, but Lin Muqing wanted to go directly to the industrial park, so the car drove straight to the entrance of Factory 760.

The general manager of Factory 760, Su Han, was at the entrance with the factory staff to welcome them. When she saw Lin Muqing get out of the car, her formal smile immediately turned into surprise. "You... you're Sister Muqing? So the Hong Kong investor they mentioned was you!"

"That's right, it's me," Lin Muqing smiled as she stepped forward and took Su Han's hand, looking her up and down. "They say women change a lot in eighteen years. I didn't expect you to become so beautiful in less than a year."

Su Han, feeling a bit embarrassed, said, "I'm not that pretty. Sister Muqing, you are the one who is truly beautiful."

This scene left Chen Da and Dai Tingwei stunned once again. Chen Da asked, "Director Lin, do you know each other?"

Lin Muqing nodded, "Of course. I used to work at Factory 760 and went to Hong Kong to seek my fortune with Zhou Ming."

This statement shattered the hearts of many men

 who had fantasies about Lin Muqing. If what Lin Muqing said was true, and she and Zhou Ming had been so far apart in Hong Kong and relied on each other, one could imagine what might have happened.

However, Lin Muqing didn't care about the impact her words had on other men. She asked Su Han, "Why are you here to welcome me today?"

"I am now the general manager of Factory 760, appointed by Zhou Ming, responsible for the entire factory. Of course, I have to come out to welcome a big investor like you, Sister Muqing," Su Han replied.

"Really? It's impressive that you've become a general manager at such a young age."

Lin Muqing praised Su Han, but while speaking, her eyes were directed towards Zhou Ming. This made Zhou Ming feel a bit uneasy, as the smart Lin Muqing had probably guessed something. Her gaze seemed to be questioning him.

" It seemed like today's challenge might be a bit tough. " Zhou Ming sighed inwardly.