I'm reborn and I'm an international student again?

After a long while, Chen Xi walked out of the Hualiang Group building.

Near the building was a bustling market, where lean porters, their backs hunched, carried fruits and vegetables on shoulder poles, hurrying along.

"what is that?"

Several foreigners who had never seen a carrying pole before were pointing and gesturing curiously.

"This is a unique mode of transportation here," a young female tour guide explained with a smile.

“I want to try!” a burly white man said eagerly.

“Carrying loads on a shoulder pole is hard work, let’s forget about it,” the tour guide shook his head.

"Look at my muscles, and look at them, how could they be working so hard?" The white man confidently showed off his well-defined biceps.

After a brief argument, the tour guide took out five yuan and stopped a porter.

The porter took the money, happily stuffed it into his pocket, and enthusiastically taught the white man how to carry the pole.

The white man looked strong, but as soon as the carrying pole was on his shoulder, he couldn't even stand up straight.

"My God, how can this thing be so heavy? How far do you carry it every day?" The white man put down the carrying pole and asked, rubbing his aching shoulders.

After the tour guide translated, the porter held up one hand: "About fifty kilometers a day!"

How much can you earn?

"A few dozen yuan."

"My God! You guys are amazing!"

Upon learning the answer, the white man gave a thumbs-up in surprise.

Chen Xi watched quietly from the side, and suddenly remembered the black laborers he had seen in Africa before.

Perhaps in the eyes of these foreigners, aren't we just like Audrey Hepburn in their eyes?

This battle for grain and oil must be won!

We have to show these white people just how powerful we really are.

He clenched his fist.

Not long after, Tao Guangxiao called Fan Hongyuan.

Although he was very dissatisfied with Chen Xi, he still spoke quite politely.

After all, Fan Hongyuan was one level above him, and the All-China Federation of Supply and Marketing Cooperatives and China Grain Group were cooperating and complementary, and the latter was much larger in scale.

It can be said that the All-China Federation of Supply and Marketing Cooperatives basically covers everything from procurement to processing to sales, while China Grain Group mainly focuses on processing, and a large part of their raw materials are provided by the All-China Federation of Supply and Marketing Cooperatives.

Prices fluctuate daily, and the hardest hit are China Grain Group, which is why Tao Guangxiao was so angry today.

Although most raw materials are supplied through long-term contracts, processing plants can still suffer losses if the prices of certain materials plummet.

However, Fan Hongyuan, who was determined to win this grain and oil war, naturally supported Chen Xi in his heart, but he made evasive remarks, which made Tao Guangxiao quite unhappy.

Although he was one level below Fan Hongyuan, their direct superiors were not in the same department. Therefore, Tao Guangxiao planned to secretly stop Huahetong's reckless actions.

An hour later, at the All-China Federation of Supply and Marketing Cooperatives, in Fan Hongyuan's office.

“Hey, can’t you be a little more polite? Tao Guangxiao is a leader, after all. It’s always troublesome to have a public conflict with him.” Fan Hongyuan sighed as he looked at Chen Xi.

“There’s nothing we can do. There are more and more Chinese companies now, which isn’t a good thing. Look at Jiangcheng, there isn’t even a single well-known private enterprise. If this continues, it won’t be good for the economy.” Chen Xi shook his head.

Chinese-owned enterprises exist in other countries as well. Chen Xi believes that this type of enterprise is necessary, but it cannot be overdeveloped. For example, some important monopolistic resources, such as electricity and water, can be controlled by Chinese-owned enterprises, but their involvement in other aspects of people's livelihood would be a bad thing.

As we all know, the success and failure history of the Chinese enterprise model has already proven its effectiveness; otherwise, reforms wouldn't have begun decades ago. If most people in the company stop working and simply rely on monopolizing resources, how can there be any progress?

"Judging from what you're saying, it seems you have something to say?" Fan Hongyuan, being a leader, immediately picked up on something.

“Indeed, after chatting with Tao Guangxiao for a while today, I realized why rural areas have been stagnant. I’ve always thought that agricultural reform should start with technology and logistics, but today I feel that even if these problems are solved, the problems of agriculture, rural areas, and farmers will still remain unresolved.” Chen Xi took a sip of tea.

"Oh? Interesting, continue." Fan Hongyuan suddenly became interested.

"I once visited a county-level city in the countryside, where the population was around 150. However, only about 20 people were supported by the government. This means that on average, nine to ten people support one such person, a ratio unprecedented in history. Therefore, the heavy burden on farmers and the inability to reduce their pressure stem mainly from severe overstaffing. I think we should reduce the number of positions by merging townships and villages, cutting about half the number of jobs. I once watched a TV series about the Ming Dynasty. After Zhu Yuanzhang gained power, he began to enfeoff princes everywhere. Then a minister advised him, saying that if this continued generation after generation, wouldn't the Ming Dynasty be overwhelmed by these princes? Throughout history, reducing the military has been an effective way to cut government spending. If the economy is bad but the military continues to expand, and there's no courage to fight, it will eventually be dragged down. Look at our old neighbor next door; it's a cautionary tale. Several workers or farmers support one person who can't currently contribute..."

"Reduce it by half? You really dare to say that..."

After listening to Chen Xi's words, Fan Hongyuan took a deep breath.

Putting aside other positions, if the number of people on the payroll of the supply and marketing cooperative were reduced by half, a lot of people would probably complain.

There are many people who rely on government funding for their livelihood; excluding other professions, the number Chen Xi just mentioned is at least 100,000 cadres. If you were to lay them off, just think about how many people you would offend.

After lighting a cigarette, Fan Hongyuan calmed down and said, "Your suggestion makes sense, but it's completely unfeasible. Let's talk about what we were talking about before."

Chen Xi nodded in understanding: "Okay, given the current number of Chinese companies, they're present in every industry. Judging from the recent situation, these companies, relying on their connections, completely disregard private enterprises. Getting projects wasn't so difficult before, but now many bosses can't even get their project payments. If this continues, the credibility of Chinese companies will continue to decline. I won't go into who they represent or what the consequences will be. Although Huahetong isn't a Chinese company, it still carries the 'Chinese' prefix, and our business involves people's livelihoods. If we let companies like Hualiang run rampant, then this project is better off canceled; they'll all be finished anyway."

"Yes, that's what I called you here to talk about today. Leaders at Huaqi tend to change quite quickly; everyone who gets the position tries to demonstrate their abilities in different ways. Don't take Tao Guangxiao's words to heart. Just play it safe with him on the surface, and do what you want behind the scenes. Generally speaking, we're not under the same department. Although I'm in a higher position than him, it's not good to be too rigid on the surface, especially since Hualiang purchases a huge amount of grain from the supply and marketing cooperatives every year..."

Fan Hongyuan comforted him with a smile.

Ultimately, both men were acting in their own self-interest. Tao Guangxiao wanted Huahetong to stop the grain and oil war because of financial interests, while Fan Hongyuan, if he could defeat the four major grain companies with Chen Xi's help, would be promoted to a higher position.

A few weeks later, facing rapidly rising housing prices in first-tier and some second-tier cities, relevant departments were releasing new real estate control policies, significantly increasing down payment ratios for home purchases. Subsequently, more than 20 cities across the country introduced purchase and loan restrictions. This move initiated a new round of nationwide real estate control measures aimed at curbing the real estate bubble and stabilizing market expectations.

However, anyone with a discerning eye knows that the more they do this, the more it indicates a future sharp drop in housing prices. Just like how Feng Yun in his previous life predicted that houses would be dirt cheap in the future.

From 11 to 16, the national money supply doubled in just five years, with most of the funds flowing into the real estate sector.

Why did the already sluggish real economy worsen after a housing price crash? It's because while policies have consistently aimed to guide funds to support small and micro-enterprises, in practice, due to risk control and return considerations, banks often prefer to lend to individuals and real estate companies with property as collateral. This makes it difficult for loose monetary policy to translate into loose credit for small and micro-enterprises. If housing prices fall, then loan amounts naturally shrink. (New Residence)

“Why sell the houses? We own dozens of properties. With the current rate of price increases, we can leave them to our children, and they can live a life of comfort without having to do anything!” Zhang Xuan clutched a stack of property deeds tightly, her face filled with dissatisfaction.

"How can I not explain it to you? The housing prices in first-tier cities are among the highest in the world right now. An ordinary apartment of about 100 square meters could be exchanged for a villa in a developed country! How much more do you expect it to rise?" Chen Yifeng retorted angrily.

"I think you're just trying to sell the house to cover your losses because your business is failing!" Zhang Xuan said coldly.

Actually, both of them guessed wrong.

Although the newly announced purchase restriction policy affected housing prices in the short term, with prices in first- and second-tier cities declining slightly, they quickly rebounded and rose again.

"Who told you my business lost money? I shouldn't have put your name on the property certificate in the first place. What security? It's all bullshit!" Chen Yifeng practically roared.

Back then, Zhang Xuan always said she felt insecure, so he added her name to the property deed. This tactic seems outdated now, but it certainly fooled many people at the time. Regardless of age, when people fall in love, their intelligence tends to plummet.

"So, you're selling the house now to transfer assets so you can divorce me? You think my figure is out of shape after having two kids? Now you're bringing up old grievances, saying I forced you to put my name on the deed?"

Zhang Xuan also became famous, her mouth talking non-stop like a machine gun.

At this moment, Chen Yifeng had a lot to say but couldn't say it.

The woman in front of him couldn't understand a word he was saying.

His supervisor had previously asked him to support financing for small and micro enterprises, which he enthusiastically undertook. However, small and micro enterprises differ from medium and large enterprises; the collateral they can provide is mostly real estate. Once housing prices plummet, the value of these collaterals will shrink significantly, and their binding force on borrowers will also decrease sharply.

Imagine a house originally priced at three million suddenly becoming worth only one and a half million. Business loans typically only cover 70% of the appraised value. If the borrower defaults upon seeing the price drop, even if Chen Yifeng has collateral, handling the situation will be extremely difficult. The portion that doesn't cover the debt will essentially become a bad debt.

He currently holds a large number of mortgage loans, so if the real estate bubble bursts, then...

"I can't reason with you at all! I thought I'd find someone smart and easy to manage, but it turns out he's not as good as my ex!"

"Well, Chen Yifeng, you regret it now, don't you? I haven't even complained that you're about the same age as my dad, and you're calling me stupid!" Enraged, Zhang Xuan rushed forward without thinking and unleashed the Nine Yin White Bone Claw.

This was the first time the couple had ever hit each other since they got married; before, they had only argued at most.

The saying "the pain of three years and the itch of seven years" is not without reason!

Half an hour later, Chen Yifeng, disheveled, got into the car, touched the injury on his face in the rearview mirror, and muttered, "Crazy! There isn't a single normal woman! I've seen through it all, it's all the same no matter who I marry!"

"Bang!" Just as he was cursing, a high heel suddenly hit the car.

Chen Yifeng looked up and saw Zhang Xuan bending down to pick up her other shoe like a demon. He hurriedly started his car and fled the house.

"They're all lunatics, just like Chen Caiyue. They resort to violence when they can't win an argument!" Chen Yifeng, who was driving, couldn't help but recall the scene of arguing with his ex-wife.

He felt that once a woman couldn't win an argument, she would resort to scratching and hitting, completely ignoring reason.

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but step on the gas pedal harder.

The downtown commercial district is one of the areas with the highest traffic volume in Xinlu.

During this period, traffic violation management was not very standardized, and right-turn lanes were often blocked by vehicles going straight, especially taxis.

When Chen Xi was a child, he often heard Chen Yifeng curse these people as idiots when he rode in his car.

Still seething with anger, Chen Yifeng saw that his path was completely blocked by a row of taxis, so he couldn't help but honk his horn repeatedly.

The honking was particularly piercing, but the taxis ahead didn't budge because they were going straight.

A young traffic policeman at the intersection, already annoyed by the constant honking, gestured for him to stop.

But Chen Yifeng ignored him and continued honking his horn.

"Knock knock," just as the green light was about to turn on, his Mercedes was stopped.

The young traffic policeman knocked on the car window, signaling him to lower it.

"what?!"

Didn't you see me tell you not to honk the horn?

"You ignore the taxis blocking the road ahead, but you're bothering me?"

"Why can't I tell you what to do? What kind of attitude is this? Don't think you're so great just because you drive a Mercedes! Get out of the car!"

These words completely ignited Chen Yifeng. He opened the car door, got out, pointed at the other person, and said, "So what if I drive a Mercedes? I have money, I can drive whatever I want. If you're so capable, then drive one too!"

"Move your car to the side, you can't park here!" The traffic behind them started to back up, and the young traffic officer panicked a bit.

"Didn't you tell me to come down?" Chen Yifeng sneered.

"I... I'll let you drive away now!" The young traffic policeman had only said it in anger, but now he couldn't help but regret it.

"I really don't know how you do your job. You don't care when someone is blocking the right turn lane, but you come and tell me to honk my horn..." Chen Yifeng kept rambling on.

Having just had a fight with Zhang Xuan, he desperately wanted to find someone to settle things with words.

"I told you to drive the car away first!"

"I won't start driving until I explain things clearly today! Hey... what are you doing... ah!"

Before he could finish speaking, his arm was suddenly twisted behind his back, and his face was pressed against the car door.

Damn it, another one who resorts to violence when he can't win an argument!

Chen Yifeng, his face pressed against the car window, cursed inwardly. (End of Chapter)