Chapter 296: Quiet Changes

In the minds of the people of Hong Kong City, the mainland has always been synonymous with poverty and backwardness, and indeed, it was. Since Her Majesty the Queen ascended the throne, Hong Kong City has made significant progress and has even become a crucial financial center in the world. The people of Hong Kong City have always looked down upon the mainland with an air of superiority, while mainlanders have viewed Hong Kong City as a paradise of happiness.

However, since the mainland began its reform and opening-up policy ten years ago, this situation has been quietly changing. The mainland's economy is catching up at an incredible speed.

Just a week ago, entrepreneurs from Jingchu and Lingnan provinces gathered in Baiyun City and, under the leadership of a great figure, accomplished an astonishing feat: privately raising funds to build a 600-kilometer-long highway.

Note that this highway is entirely funded by private contributions. During the first-phase investment meeting, the Road Administration Management Company received 700 million yuan in investment. Even in Hong Kong City, this is no small amount. In stark contrast, our East District undersea tunnel project, with a budget of just 100 million Hong Kong dollars, has not even managed to raise the funds in two years.

We always thought the mainland was barren, only capable of farming, but we forgot that the mainland is vast with countless talented individuals who are forging ahead under the guidance of the mainland authorities. We forgot how Nanjiang transformed from a remote county to an international metropolis in ten years, and we also forgot Nanjiang's super-speed construction of one floor per day.

If we continue to rest on our past achievements, we can imagine that one day in the future, we will certainly be surpassed by the mainland and will be thoroughly trampled underfoot.

...

Zhou Ming closed the notebook. This was a draft of an article Shen Xin prepared for the next issue of a financial magazine, which Shen Xin had given to Zhou Ming before leaving the mainland.

It must be said that Shen Xin's vision was quite accurate. The rapid development of the mainland after the reform and opening-up has attracted worldwide attention. However, it will take at least another twenty years before the mainland truly surpasses Hong Kong City.

Hong Kong City and the mainland are of the same origin. Especially in a free environment and under the pressures of the fast-paced life in Hong Kong City, people's personalities tend to be somewhat extreme. Therefore, it's not hard to imagine the result of publishing this article; Shen Xin will surely be attacked and criticized by countless angry people from Hong Kong City. Zhou Ming had advised her against it, but this stubborn girl firmly said, "This is the truth, and I want to say it this way so that those people will not live in their dreams forever."

Zhou Ming knew that many artistic young women have their own principles, so he didn't push the matter further. Since Shen Xin had Lin Muqing looking after her in Hong Kong City, he wasn't too worried. He could only hope she would be cautious and take care of herself.

Now Zhou Ming was on the train back to Linyang. Given the time, Shen Xin's article should have already been published. It had been half a month since the Road Administration Management Company's investment meeting.

After Shen Xin returned to Hong Kong City, Zhou Ming did not leave Lingnan immediately but continued with the first phase of the highway's bidding process. This bidding process was not a sudden arrangement. In fact, it had been initiated once the Road Administration Management Company was established.

As the first highway connecting Lingnan and Jingchu provinces, this bidding meeting received attention from both local and central leaders. The bidding session was particularly grand, with several of the most powerful engineering bureaus from the central government participating. As expected, the final result was that these engineering bureaus would handle the construction in sections. Given the importance of ensuring the success of this highway project, these bureaus were the most reliable choice.

After the bidding meeting, Zhou Ming chose to return to Linyang.

A few hours later, Zhou Ming's train arrived at Linyang Station. Zhou Ming got off and saw Su Han waiting to pick him up. Su Han ran into Zhou Ming's arms, expressing her longing.

Zhou Ming gently stroked her hair. After a while, Su Han looked up and excitedly said, "Zhou Ming, I've read the news about you in Lingnan. You're truly amazing. That Xing Yuan managed to defraud so much money in Jiangnan without anyone noticing, but in Lingnan, he was exposed right away. Zhou Ming, you are the real financial leader in our country!"

"Forget about being the financial leader; I'm not interested in that empty title. Compared to that, it's better to stay low-key and focus on making money and prospering," Zhou Ming said.

Su Han nodded in agreement.

Since they were at the station, where it was noisy and crowded, Zhou Ming and Su Han quickly left. Back at the factory, all the factory staff and leaders warmly welcomed Zhou Ming at the factory plaque.

Noticing Zhou Ming's puzzled look, Su Han awkwardly explained, "They heard you were coming back and have been asking to come and greet you every day, preparing a welcome ceremony. I thought, given your current status and the changes in our 760 Factory, with so many external business guests coming, it's appropriate to show some attitude."

Zhou Ming smiled and said, "That's fine. As long as you have your own ideas, and today's welcome ceremony was not excessive, it's okay."

Su Han breathed a sigh of relief. Zhou Ming and Su Han then greeted the enthusiastic crowd briefly. Zhou Ming said, "I really didn't expect everyone to welcome me so warmly. In the past, we said one had to return in glory to receive a grand welcome, but now it seems I haven't worn gold or jewels, and there isn't even a palanquin, yet everyone still welcomes me so warmly, which makes me feel quite flattered."

This remark elicited laughter from the crowd. Someone said, "Boss Zhou, this isn't returning in glory; it's returning in honor. You were originally a big boss who came from our factory. Now we all know you've achieved great success outside and are helping us build roads. We all came to welcome you voluntarily!"

With someone leading, others cheered, "That's right, Boss Zhou, you're returning in honor!"

Zhou Ming also smiled, "Whether it's returning in glory or in honor, the important thing is that we need to make our hometown even better!"

No one doesn't want a better life, especially now that with the launch of the township industrial park project, the 760 Factory is a hot commodity in Linyang. All factory employees feel a sense of superiority when they mention where they're from.

Because of this, Zhou Ming's words further heated the atmosphere.

After the long train journey, Zhou Ming didn't have the energy to linger. He quickly wrapped up the welcome ceremony and, with the factory staff, went to the meeting room to hear reports on recent work and review and sign important documents.

"Manager Su, has the new site for the Eight Treasures Porridge factory started construction yet?" Zhou Ming suddenly asked Su Han while looking at the documents.

Although it was already August, the advertising effect of CCTV during prime time, coupled with the lack of similar products in the domestic market, kept the Eight Treasures Porridge craze going since the Spring Festival.

With new sales markets opening up everywhere, the single production workshop for Eight Treasures Porridge was clearly insufficient to meet market demand. A few months ago, Zhou Ming added two more production lines, but it still wasn't enough. Last month, Zhou Ming called Su Han to suggest building a dedicated factory for Eight Treasures Porridge, separate from the 760 Factory.

"Not yet, but the location has been selected, and the design drawings are ready. Construction can start anytime," Su Han said.

Zhou Ming nodded, "That's good. Although Su Han's thinking might still lag behind market trends, her efficiency is reassuring. In just over half a month, she has completed all the preparations for the new Eight Treasures Porridge factory. Only the construction remains."

After discussing the Eight Treasures Porridge factory, Zhou Ming asked about the 760 Factory. In fact, Zhou Ming was more concerned about the 760 Factory. Not only is it where he grew up and where his parents worked for most of their lives, but it is also a key factory. With all industries moving to the coast, setting up such a factory in the mainland requires significant effort.

Su Han responded, "I've done research on the investors coming here and found that some of them are related to the mold industry. I believe our 760 Factory can collaborate with them, whether through old-new partnerships, apprenticeships, or direct production integration. We have a clear advantage."

"Great, Manager Su. Let's proceed with this plan. Start reaching out to other units and finalize this as soon as possible," Zhou Ming said.

Su Han agreed.

Subsequent reports from other departments were less significant.

In the following days, Zhou Ming focused on the Eight Treasures Porridge and solving the capacity issues at the 760 Factory. As the chief designer of the township industrial park, he also needed to keep an eye on the overall development of the industrial park.

Zhou Ming, Su Han, and Gu Ping, the secretary of Nanhui County, inspected the construction of the industrial park. Along the way, Zhou Ming was very satisfied with the overall progress. Many factories in the industrial park had already started construction, and even the old roads in Shenglian Village had been paved with cement, showing signs of vigorous development.

Seeing this, Gu Ping said with satisfaction, "I didn't expect Nanhui County to have such development one day. This is all thanks to Representative Zhou!"

"Not at all. It's said that the train runs fast because of the engine. If Secretary Gu hadn't led well, it would have been difficult for our Nanhui County to develop!" Zhou Ming modestly replied.

"Representative Zhou, you're saying that to criticize me…"

Gu Ping was about to say something when his secretary, Xiao Zhang, hurriedly approached. Gu Ping frowned slightly but was stunned after hearing Xiao Zhang's words.

"Representative Zhou, um… Jiangnan Province is sending a research team to our Nanhui County to inspect the development of our township industrial park," Gu Ping said.