Chapter 389: January 18

January 18 was a day of great significance in Zhou Ming's memory. In his past life, it marked the beginning of a new era of reform and opening up in China, and from this day forward, the entire country embarked on an unprecedented development spree. Of course, in his past life, this event wouldn't occur for another three years, but now, due to Zhou Ming's influence, it had been brought forward by three years.

On this morning, before dawn, Zhou Ming was already up and about. He drove through the entire industrial park, making sure everything was in order before he was satisfied and headed to the cafeteria for breakfast. By then, the sky had already brightened.

Zhou Ming's early morning inspection in the factory couldn't be hidden from the factory officials. By the time Zhou Ming arrived at the cafeteria, Factory Director Wang Chen and Office Director Sun Jie, among other factory staff, were already waiting for him.

Seeing Zhou Ming get out of his car, they hurried over and asked, "Good morning, Boss Zhou. Is there something wrong with the factory?"

Zhou Ming did not answer immediately. Instead, he invited everyone to have breakfast first. After they were seated in the cafeteria, Zhou Ming asked, "Director Sun, how is the security situation and the ideological and political situation in the factory?"

Sun Jie quickly put down his bowl and chopsticks to respond, "Boss Zhou, rest assured. The comrades in our factory have very positive and healthy thoughts. We have already cooperated with the city's Public Security Bureau to clear out any individuals with radical tendencies or criminal backgrounds. The situation in the factory is excellent."

Zhou Ming then turned to Wang Chen and asked, "Director Wang, how about the Eight Treasure Porridge factory? Are there any issues?"

"There are no problems at all!" Wang Chen replied confidently, patting his chest.

With Wang Chen's assurance, Zhou Ming nodded and said, "That's good. However, no matter how well things are going, we must remain vigilant. At least for today and tomorrow, we cannot afford any problems in the factory or the industrial park. If any area under your supervision encounters issues, don't blame me for not showing mercy."

"Please rest assured, Boss Zhou. We guarantee to complete the task!" everyone replied in unison, their excitement palpable as if they sensed that something significant might happen today—the great moment Zhou Ming had mentioned.

At nine o'clock, after finishing the breakfast meeting, Zhou Ming, accompanied by a group of factory officials, was about to take another tour of the factory when ** (his personal assistant) pulled him aside and handed him his phone.

Taking the phone, Zhou Ming took a deep breath and answered, immediately hearing the voice of Secretary Chen Da: "Zhou Ming, hurry, Governor Xiong has personally called and requested that we both go to Tanzhou immediately. A major figure is making a brief stop in Jiangxia City and will soon come to our Jingchu Province."

"Understood, Secretary Chen. I will head to the city right away and join you."

After hanging up, Zhou Ming told the surrounding factory officials, "I need to go to Tanzhou immediately. All factory work must proceed at full speed. We cannot afford any delays!"

Zhou Ming then got into the car with **. The assistant expertly started the vehicle, and they drove toward Linyang City.

On the way, Zhou Ming felt a surge of excitement. He was about to witness a historical moment. Despite having previously auctioned off the nation's first piece of land, initiated the Nanjing stock market, and witnessed stock booms and crashes, the impact was still limited compared to the historical moment he was about to experience.

The 1992 Southern Tour was an unavoidable major historical event, and a crucial part of China's reform and opening up. It was a significant event that revived the country's direction during a period of confusion in reform and opening up. Zhou Ming was now facing this very event.

What excited Zhou Ming even more, making him tremble with anticipation, was not just that the Southern Tour was advanced by three years due to his influence, but also that this event was his own proposal.

He recalled when he was summoned to Zhongnanhai and suggested to Chairman Du Zhongyuan that Elder Yang should go out for a visit, which was essentially referring to this Southern Tour.

Perhaps before Zhou Ming proposed the Southern Tour, Elder Yang and Chairman Du had already discussed it. However, Zhou Ming's suggestion provided them with reassurance. Originally, they had planned a route from Lingnan to the coast, as that was the forefront of reform and opening up. But now, the Southern Tour included a new destination—Linyang's remote industrial park in Jingchu Province.

Zhou Ming believed that the industrial park's operational model was ahead of its time and did not require the highest leaders to endorse it. However, Elder Yang and Chairman Du, as top leaders, immediately recognized the advantages of the industrial park and decided to validate it with their actions, adding it to the Southern Tour route.

This was not just a passing visit. Today, Elder Yang's train would only stop in Jiangxia for an hour, and even then, it was just a brief visit to the station's reception room, talking to local provincial leaders. However, Elder Yang was now expected to visit the industrial park, an action of great significance.

This was why Zhou Ming felt confident enough to lead a public visit and why he was not worried about Liang An's demolition of the Eight Treasure Porridge factory. Zhou Ming had already communicated with Secretary Jiang Wen and Governor Xiong Qingping before returning, ensuring that they would fully support Zhou Ming's efforts to improve the industrial park in preparation for Elder Yang's visit.

Liang An could not understand why the provincial and municipal responses were so swift. Why was Zhou Ming's problem resolved the same day he raised it? The reason was that Liang An was unaware of the upcoming visit. Otherwise, it would have been unusual if Zhou Ming's issues weren't resolved promptly.

Moreover, whether by coincidence or historical whim, the Southern Tour was scheduled for January 18 in the past, and now, even though it was advanced by three years, it was still on the same date. Despite adjustments for the stop in Linyang and the later Spring Festival, it was indeed an interesting occurrence.

As Zhou Ming pondered these thoughts, the car soon arrived at the Linyang Municipal Party Committee building. From a distance, Zhou Ming saw Secretary Chen Da's car parked out front, with his secretary, Xiao Zhao, anxiously waiting.

Upon seeing Zhou Ming's car approach, Xiao Zhao hurriedly ran over, saying, "Boss Zhou, you've finally arrived. The leaders have been waiting for you. I'll notify them to come down immediately. They said we should head to Tanzhou right away."

Xiao Zhao quickly dialed Secretary Chen Da, and soon, Chen Da rushed downstairs. Zhou Ming greeted him, and Chen Da said, "Didn't I tell Xiao Zhao not to let you get out of the car? We're short on time; we should head straight to Tanzhou. This is so troublesome."

Chen Da then criticized Xiao Zhao, and Zhou Ming replied, "It's fine. I needed to stretch my legs anyway. It would be more troublesome if I got car sick on the way."

Chen Da relented, though Zhou Ming was unsure if Chen Da had actually instructed him not to get out of the car. Regardless, Zhou Ming had to wait outside, not due to Chen Da's authority but out of politeness. If Chen Da said not to get out, it was a courtesy; if Zhou Ming took it literally, it would be foolish.

Zhou Ming and Chen Da got into the same car for convenience during the trip.

A few hours later, they arrived in Tanzhou. Xiao Zhao drove them directly to the Provincial Party Committee, and as in Linyang, the Secretary's secretary waited downstairs. The difference was that in Tanzhou, Zhou Ming and Chen Da were led straight to the train station.

As the capital of the great leader's home province, Tanzhou's train station was grand and impressive. However, today's station was markedly different from usual. Not only was one platform completely cleared, but every person entering or exiting the station faced stricter checks than usual. Armed police guarded underground passages and various exits, creating a tense atmosphere.

But these precautions had no direct bearing on Zhou Ming. He followed the secretary to the VIP lounge, where Provincial Secretary Jiang Wen and Governor Xiong Qingping were waiting.

Zhou Ming and Chen Da first greeted the two senior officials, who nodded and smiled. Jiang Wen signaled Zhou Ming and Chen Da to sit, and after they were seated, Jiang Wen looked at the time and said, "In less than an hour, the elder will arrive. Don't be nervous."

Both Zhou Ming and Chen Da assured they were not nervous. Jiang Wen continued, "One more thing. When the elder arrives, we should avoid rushing out. After such a long journey, the elder will need rest, and we shouldn't disturb him unnecessarily."

Zhou Ming and Chen Da nodded in agreement, saying they would follow instructions.

Zhou Ming was somewhat familiar with this protocol. Generally, when senior officials meet subordinates, the subordinates must be available whenever called. Although it might seem odd for Jiang Wen to apply this rule, given that he was the top official in Jingchu Province, he was still a subordinate in the presence of Elder Yang.

However, as with the earlier situation involving Zhou Ming and Chen Da, whether Elder Yang would stop in Tanzhou or request a meeting was uncertain. Yet, Jiang Wen and Xiong Qingping had to be prepared, ensuring no awkwardness if Elder Yang's visit did not align with their expectations.

This was the art of politics. Many people

 mistakenly believe that promotion comes from flattery, but in reality, attention to detail and understanding every leader's expectations are crucial. Only by being meticulous can one gain recognition and advance in their career.

Zhou Ming found this thought somewhat exhausting. He was relieved he hadn't entered the bureaucracy; otherwise, the convoluted political rules would be overwhelming. The freedom of the business world was far more enjoyable.

As Zhou Ming pondered, Jiang Wen's secretary entered and said, "Secretary, we've just received news from the Railway Ministry that the train has passed Bazhou and is expected to arrive in less than half an hour."

Upon hearing this, everyone in the room tensed up.