What the hell is a private enterprise?

This section of Chapter 441 has been cut (6200 monthly votes in May).

"The IAA was a huge help?"

Tang Wen questioned the source of the information, wondering what it had to do with the IAA.

After thinking for a long time, Zhao Hande finally managed to utter a sentence:
"Perhaps they had too many assassination attempts in the past and were worried that this incident would have a negative impact, but it was indeed quite unexpected."

"..."

This statement is strangely reasonable. In this world, whenever a major murder case occurs, it is hard not to have some connection with the IAA.

When this topic came up, Zhao Hande suddenly thought of China's entry into the WTO:

"Recently, the secret negotiations regarding joining the WTO have almost come to an end. In early September, the WTO will hold another review meeting for new members. If all goes well, we will be able to become a formal member starting in January 1998."

The past few months have given us time to adjust our policies towards foreign investment. Do you think there are any areas that still need improvement?

"That's a lot."

"Aren't you going to offer any suggestions?"

Having been immersed in the business world of this era, Tang Wen has experienced many differences from the future, understands the purpose and effect of many new regulations, and is very clear about what the country lacks now.

but……

"It's pointless. Many comprehensive regulations require the ability to be implemented. If they are forcibly introduced now, they cannot be implemented. As the country develops, people will naturally raise these issues."

Tang Wen's answer was somewhat disappointing, but upon closer reflection, it might actually be true.

Any change must be born in response to the times; if it is forcibly established in advance, it is probably no different from blindly copying.

"However, there are a few things I can mention. There are quite a few investment scams these days, and they generally fall into a few categories..."

Tang Wen described some classic tactics used at this time, such as using investment promotion as a pretext to hoard land and speculate on prices, and fabricating performance records to cash out in local areas. These methods are relatively primitive, but the amounts involved are usually extremely large, and supervision must be strengthened.

Zhao Hande nodded repeatedly as he listened. In fact, there was another reason why he sought Tang Wen's advice: after returning from the United States last time, the latter submitted a list that had captured a number of traitors, covering areas that would make one break out in a cold sweat.

The losses from these investment scams are truly staggering; he'd already suffered losses in many places before, but the more he listened, the more confused he became.

Such a concise summary, could it be that you've actually done it?

Tang Wen seemed to have guessed what he was thinking and pointed north:
"These are all pitfalls that the eldest brother has fallen into; the tricks have been used to death long ago."

"...Okay, but there are still problems with preventing these things. We can't monitor funds in so many places at the same time right now. We might not even have time to react before they succeed."

Although the proposal was easy to understand, Zhao Hande had already noticed some problems with it.

These methods are designed to exploit limitations; how can they be so easily cracked?
Tang Wen: "Let's just establish UnionPay directly using the internet. We can then use the internet to directly monitor financial risks across the country. Moreover, this would be very helpful for joining the WTO... No, it should be a necessary condition for joining the WTO. Otherwise, we would definitely suffer a great loss."

Of course, this requires a highly specialized security software vendor to help you develop this system; otherwise, it would be an unprecedented disaster.

"Security... software? You mean preventing hackers? I know some departments have their own cybersecurity teams."

Your internet company must be almost the biggest in the country, right? Can you handle this?

"No, but if we start working hard now, it might be the fastest way, and we should be able to catch up next year."

"Then please help me out. I'll go find someone at the bank to connect with Gaijin later."

Zhao Hande readily agreed, but Tang Wen strongly suspected that this was because he was not very clear about the importance of network security and UnionPay, and just thought it would be convenient to do it.

Only after that did he remember the main point:

"What are the uses of 300 million tons of steel and cement, and are there any special requirements?"

"No, it's just for building houses. Crude steel is fine. The cement should ideally be high-strength cement used in construction, but ordinary cement is also acceptable."

"How long do you need it?" "Is it no problem to provide 50 tons of steel and 5 tons of cement per month? All payments will be settled before 98."

"Yes, there is a big problem!"

Zhao Hande counted on his fingers:

"Shougang has an annual output of 8 million tons, which is only 670,000 tons per month. Tonggang, which is not as good, is only preparing to break through 1 million tons this year, which is only 80,000 to 90,000 tons of capacity per month."

You want 50 tons of steel! That would wipe out the monthly production capacity of a super-large steel company in one go. Even if one company could squeeze out 5 tons of steel for you, it would take 10 large companies to figure it out. How many train cars would you have to coordinate to get it to the port?
This hasn't just been happening for a month; it's been five consecutive months of supplying goods like this. Unless we're given at least two months to prepare, we have to pay even more penalties and postpone orders from other companies.

"..."

Tang Wen hesitated several times before speaking. This year, China has just topped the list with a production capacity of 100 million tons, and from now on, steel production will be the undisputed number one.

What's 250 million tons of steel in the future? Baosteel can produce more than 5300 million tons of steel every year even with production cuts. Meeting its needs can be achieved simply by working overtime.

"Here's what we'll do. Starting from the first day of October, there will be... five cargo ships docking, with a total of 550,000 tons of supplies. We'll see which ports you've concentrated them at, and then I'll send people to pick them up."

Separating them would mean a production capacity of 10 tons. Is that achievable?

"Hmm...that's enough, it's sufficient to expedite the process."

Zhao Hande mentally reviewed the locations and capacities of some large steel mills. He figured that if the capacity of a certain region was concentrated and then distributed among different areas, the delivery pressure wouldn't be that great.

This matter will most likely be approved by the higher-ups, since paying off debts with steel and cement is much easier, essentially a form of discount, and it can also use large orders to keep a number of companies upgrading their equipment.

50 tons of high-grade cement is actually a minor issue; a significant amount can be coordinated from the war reserve warehouses, as there was a lot of cement left over from previous fortifications.

Last year, China's cement production approached 5 million tons. 50 tons is nothing; it can be easily disposed of on the market.

……

Hong Kong, Police Station

"Mr. Tang, we are deeply sorry for what happened to you. We have now apprehended the culprit and obtained crucial evidence. We will bring him to justice!"

After arresting the man, the authorities were so eager to have Tang Wen come over again that they not only escorted him in a special car but also personally accompanied him in a car, showing the utmost importance they attached to him.

However, Tang Wen knew very well that this was not entirely because of Gaijin, but more importantly because of the $1800 billion in reserve funds to boost market confidence.

When he arrived at the police station, he saw the mastermind, a greasy-looking but classic wealthy tycoon.

Upon seeing Tang Wen, the latter burst into tears and said:

"Mr. Tang, I was just casually complaining, thinking I just wanted someone to throw some blood on you or something. It was the guys under me who wanted to harm you."

Please forgive me, I'm willing to give you all my assets as atonement, please don't let me stay here, they won't even let anyone sleep... Ugh!!

"Cut this part off."

The police commissioner, expressionless, said something to the media, then smiled and said to Tang Wen:

"Rest assured, all the evidence is sufficient. We have authorized a special procedure, and the trial will begin soon. As an apology, his assets will be used to compensate you for your emotional trauma, and this will absolutely never happen again. Please don't take it to heart!"

After that, the other local bigwigs stepped forward and presented a bunch of things, including random items like club IP cards and VIP status at the racecourse that they couldn't give away before. Tang Wen could only accept them with a smile.

"Thank you, thank you all for your hard work. You've worked so hard. I will donate 10 cars and two speedboats to the police station to help with your work."

Amidst a chorus of harmonious expressions of gratitude, the accompanying officials finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Thank goodness, we landed safely.

(End of this chapter)