Era: I was a farmer at the foot of Yaoling Mountain

Fang Wei stopped their discussion. Some things are better left unsaid in public, and this needs to be emphasized in the future. If you can't control your tongue, you might offend someone for no reason.

The signing ceremony was quite complicated; media were arranged to cover it beforehand, so it's likely to be on television.

After the ceremony ended, it was almost noon. Cui Yiming invited the guests to go to the county, where there would be a banquet at noon.

Fang Wei remained low-key throughout; he didn't need to step forward to claim credit, much less steal the limelight from others. He had a generally good impression of Cui Yiming and could understand why the latter had gone to such lengths to organize this event.

These are all achievements! If we don't publicize them and make a big fuss about them, who will pay attention to these things?

It can only be said that doing practical work and self-promotion are not contradictory. As long as it is not fraudulent, there is nothing to criticize about some things.

After dinner, Fang Wei and Zhao Jinsheng quietly left. They weren't the main characters today, but rather guests who came to show their support. Having eaten and drunk their fill, going home and getting some sleep was the best thing for them.

"Third Brother, you're back! You're surprisingly not drunk. That's impressive."

Pan Lianhua was off work today. When she saw the man walk in, she circled around him a few times and noticed that Fang Wei smelled very little of alcohol.

"There's an event in the county today, so just eat your fill. Who would drink heavily on such an occasion?"

Fang Wei washed her face and then went back to the room to rest with Pan Lianhua.

Pan Lianhua wasn't sleepy at the moment and kept asking questions. When she turned around again, she saw that the man had already fallen asleep.

in the afternoon.

Zhao Jinsheng came to Fang Wei's office and talked about this year's harvesting and logging plans.

Fang Wei nodded after listening.

"No problem, just do as you say afterwards."

The forestry brigade is responsible for tasks such as picking medicinal herbs, chestnuts, camellia seeds, and fruits, as well as logging.

The forestry brigade has generated considerable benefits, and the cooperative's overall living environment has improved significantly, a feat largely attributable to the brigade. The cooperative has found a balance between afforestation and orderly logging, truly achieving sustainable development.

Fang Wei asked Zhao Jinsheng to implement the harvesting and logging plans. He then took out the documents that had been delivered that morning and began to read them.

He then saw some interesting internal discussions. Although the overall system is now mainly based on the household contract responsibility system, the exploration of the collective economy has not completely disappeared.

This document lists the "Yaoling Model," the "Northern Hebei Model," and the "Southern Jiangsu Model," with the "Yaoling Model" referring to the cooperative development model.

There is currently a lot of controversy surrounding these models, but the fact that the government is bringing them up for nationwide discussion is probably not a bad thing.

Of course, Fang Wei wouldn't participate in the discussion, because it would be pointless. Regardless of the model, they are all unreplicable; at most, they provide the media with some material, and everyone just enjoys the spectacle.

He immediately put the document aside and began to deal with the official business at hand.

He was so busy that he forgot about the time until the phone rang suddenly, pulling him out of his reverie.

"Hello! I'm Fang Wei."

"Secretary Fang, hello. I am Jiang Shiyue, Chairman of Xiangjiang Zhenglong Holdings. Our company is very interested in Yaoling Electric Group. Could we schedule a time to meet and discuss this further?"

The person on the other end of the phone line was a stranger; Fang Wei had absolutely no idea what Hong Kong Cheng Lung Holdings did.

However, the fact that the other party was able to reach me directly by phone suggests they must have some connections.

"Alright, let's talk then. But, Mr. Jiang, we're quite far apart, where do you think would be a more suitable place to meet?"

Fang Wei didn't refuse outright. He wasn't afraid to chat; he was mainly curious about the other party's purpose.

Investing or acquiring a stake? Forming a joint venture?

Since the Company Law hasn't even been enacted yet, it's unlikely that they're discussing an acquisition.

“Secretary Fang, don’t be shy. You can choose the location. You can come to Hong Kong if you want; I’ll take care of the formalities for you.”

"Let's forget about Hong Kong. Why don't you leave me your contact information and I'll get in touch with you when I get to Fragrant Hills?"

Fang Wei wasn't in the mood to go to Hong Kong, but he didn't want to ask the other person to come to the county. Since he was planning to visit Fragrant Hills, he asked the other person for their contact information so they could get in touch later.

The other party exchanged a few polite words and then hung up the phone.

The phone rang again immediately; this time it was Zhang Wenyuan calling.

"Secretary, there's something I need to report to you."

Zhang Wenyuan called to talk about Jiang Shiyue, who had his eye on the electrical appliance group and wanted to form a joint venture with the company.

Jiang Shiyue's Cheng Loong Holdings owned a television factory in its early years, which was later moved to the mainland and sold to a local state-owned enterprise. Now he wants to re-enter the home appliance industry and is particularly interested in refrigeration equipment.

The other party found Zhang Wenyuan through connections. After several meetings, Zhang Wenyuan revealed that his company belonged to a cooperative.

Jiang Shiyue then planned to contact the cooperative directly, and Zhang Wenyuan quickly informed Fang Wei.

"Mr. Zhang, your call comes too late. Chairman Jiang already spoke with me on the phone. I said, 'Why are you only telling me now about something this important?'"

"How was I supposed to know Chairman Jiang was in such a hurry? Besides, Secretary, haven't you always been against joint ventures? I really don't think this is a big deal."

"Whether it's feasible or not, we can discuss it. I'll be visiting your area in a few days, and I'll meet with Chairman Jiang then. Let's leave it at that for now, and talk about it again when I get to Xiangshan."

Fang Wei didn't pay much attention, guessing that Chairman Jiang was in a hurry, which caused this time difference.

He is unwilling to form joint ventures with others in areas where he has an advantage, such as breeding, but not in manufacturing.

The production lines introduced by the refrigeration equipment factory are not advanced, and there is still a gap between the factory's technical level and the international advanced level. If the production line and technical issues can be resolved through joint ventures, it would be worthwhile.

The key is to look at the conditions. If the conditions offered by the other party are unacceptable, then there's no point in discussing this matter.

When Fang Wei got home that evening, he told Pan Lianhua about it.

"You're going on another business trip? Third Brother, I've noticed you're getting more and more into traveling these days. Tell me honestly, is it because the scenery outside is more beautiful than at home?"

Pan Lianhua was used to men running around everywhere, but she still couldn't help but make a joke.

"Nonsense! I won't be gone for long this time, I'll be back in ten days or half a month."

Fang Wei found it amusing and reached out to flick his wife's forehead.

Pan Lianhua didn't mind; the couple had lived together for so many years and trusted each other completely.

Yu Hao arrived during dinner. He brought some local specialties from his wife's hometown, clearly indicating that he had just reunited with his wife and children for a few days.

"Still having dinner? Secretary, here's some local specialty for you to try. You guys eat, I'm leaving now."

Yu Hao put down his things and was about to leave when Fang Wei called him back.

"Don't leave yet. Have you eaten? If not, just grab something here."

"I've already eaten. You eat first, I'll watch the chainsaw for a while."

Yu Hao had already eaten when he arrived. Hearing Fang Wei tell him not to leave yet, he pulled up a stool, sat down, and started watching the news on TV. Fang Wei quickly finished eating, and then went with Yu Hao to the rooftop to sit and drink tea.

Are you busy lately?

"It's alright, Party Secretary. Just let me know if you need anything."

"Alright, come with me to Fragrant Hills these next couple of days. I'm planning to have you work somewhere else, is that alright?"

Fang Wei has been thinking about this issue recently. He wants Yu Hao to go to the electrical appliance group company and be in charge of sales.

The furniture company has established a set of established practices, and it would be a waste for Yu Hao to just stay there. This guy is a natural sales expert; we can't let him slack off.

"I'm fine with it, I'm available to work anywhere."

Yu Hao is someone who is used to traveling around and makes his home wherever he goes. Whenever he has free time, he goes back to reunite with his family for a few days.

His household registration is still in the countryside, and he plans to earn more money while he's young so he can retire in the city when he can no longer work. So for him, working for a furniture company or working for an electronics group is the same.

Do you still offer feng shui advice to people?

After finishing their business, Fang Wei chatted with Yu Hao about everyday things.

Yu Hao is, after all, his junior brother. Putting aside official business, the two actually have a pretty good personal relationship.

"Yes, but not many. I've found that you can't be too diligent in this line of work. You have to be reserved when necessary, the more mysterious the better, that's how you make money."

"You better watch out, kid. Too much of anything is bad. Be careful with yourself."

The two chatted for about an hour before Yu Hao got up to say goodbye.

Day three.

Fang Wei took Yu Hao with her to Fragrant Hills.

Besides the two of them, there were two other people arranged by Zheng Bao, who were essentially drivers and bodyguards. Although security has improved this year due to crackdowns on crime, we still cannot let our guard down.

Fang Wei was quite comfortable on this journey because he didn't have to drive himself.

Upon arriving at Fragrant Hills, Zhang Wenyuan had already arranged accommodations. Fang Wei and the others put down their luggage and went to eat.

After dinner, Fang Wei called Zhang Wenyuan and Yu Hao to his room.

"Old Zhang, I'm planning to transfer Yu Hao here to be in charge of sales at the group company."

"Welcome, welcome! Who in our company doesn't know that Haozi is a top salesman? I couldn't be happier."

Fang Wei explained his arrangements, and Zhang Wenyuan immediately expressed his welcome to Yu Hao's arrival.

That's good. Before he came, his biggest worry was that Zhang Wenyuan and others would be resistant. He could force Yu Hao to take office, but that would hinder his future work.

Now that Zhang Wenyuan has expressed his opinion, he feels much more at ease.

Finally, Zhang Wenyuan left, and Yu Hao returned to his room.

Fang Wei took a nap and woke up in the evening. Although he didn't have to drive, he was still quite tired.

night.

He took Yu Hao and the others outside for a walk, and then found a restaurant to have dinner.

"Secretary, there are so many people here."

"Yes, there are many factories here, so there are many people coming to work, and correspondingly, there are many people providing various services."

After everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, they returned to the hotel. Fang Wei planned to rest and recharge, so she went to bed early.

The next morning, Fang Wei and Yu Hao arrived at the electrical appliance group company and announced Yu Hao's appointment.

Yu Hao serves as the company's sales manager, responsible for overall sales work, and is considered a senior executive.

Next, someone took Yu Hao to arrange his dormitory and other things, while Fang Wei listened to the work report from Zhang Wenyuan and others. After the work report ended, he asked Zhang Wenyuan to call Jiang Shiyue.

Jiang Shiyue was in Guangzhou at the time, and after receiving the call, she took a car to Fragrant Hills.

"Chairman Jiang, hello."

“Secretary Fang, you are younger than I imagined.”

Fang Wei met Jiang Shiyue at the group company. Jiang was in his forties, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, and looked more like a university professor than a businessman.

Zhang Wenyuan led everyone to the reception room, where the guests and hosts took their seats, and tea and pastries were served.

“Memorandum, I would like to invest in your company. Please rest assured that I will not participate in the operation and management. When the time is right, I can even help the company to be listed in Hong Kong.”

Jiang Shiyue took a few sips of tea and then got straight to the point.

Fang Wei understood that the other party intended to make a financial investment, which was a good start. If the other party had tried to gain a controlling stake right away, then there would have been no point in continuing.

“Chairman Jiang, the company doesn’t actually lack funds, but we lack technology and world-class production lines. If it’s just about having more funds, it won’t mean much to the company.”

Fang Wei didn't hide anything and directly stated her conditions.

"That's easy to discuss. Give me some time, and I think I can handle it. The key is that we both have the intention to cooperate, which is great. We can talk about it slowly."

A smile appeared on Jiang Shiyue's face. He was most afraid that Fang Wei would refuse outright. It wouldn't hurt to add some conditions. Negotiation is a process of bargaining, and there is always a possibility of reaching an agreement.

With the fundamental issues settled, the remaining task is for both sides to send representatives for formal negotiations.

This process will definitely take a long time; it can't be finalized in just one or two months. Furthermore, both sides need to assess each other's capabilities. In short, there's a lot more to come.

Next, Fang Wei and Jiang Shiyue started chatting.

Jiang Shiyue is knowledgeable and has his own opinions on many issues, clearly a learned person.

In the end, Fang Wei learned that the man had actually taught at a university and was a rather unconventional businessman.

Seeing that the two were getting along very well, Zhang Wenyuan got up to make arrangements. Regardless of whether things went well or not, they had come all this way, so they should at least have a meal together.

Jiang Shiyue did not refuse, and then went to a restaurant with Fang Wei, Zhang Wenyuan and others for a seafood feast.

After the meal, Jiang Shiyue took his leave. Once both sides' negotiation teams are assembled, the negotiations will begin immediately.

Fang Wei called back to inform the council of the matter and requested that the council send a member to participate in the negotiations.

He didn't participate in the specific negotiations himself, but spent the next few days visiting the two factories, gathering a lot of firsthand information. This information was basically the same as what Zhang Wenyuan and others had reported: the entire group company was in a phase of rapid development.

There are problems, but none of them are major. (End of Chapter)