Returning wealthy individuals develop their hometowns and become rich in the 1980s

In fact, besides Volvo Cars, Chen Dong still has many brands he could choose to acquire, such as Rover and MG, Saab (also from Switzerland), and Subaru (from Switzerland). These brands are all mired in difficulties and continuous losses, and their original owners are eager to get rid of these burdens.

The primary purpose of the acquisition was not to manufacture foreign cars in China, but to use the technology and profits of foreign brands to nurture the growth of independent brands.

Moreover, many of the patents that Chen Dong had his wife, Zhang Yi, apply for in countries like America were related to the automotive industry.

For example, patents on the core algorithm and sensor layout of the ESP electronic stability program, the key triggering and sensor fusion algorithm of the airbag system, and the core technology patent package of gasoline direct injection, etc.

At this point, Chen Dong could directly purchase the necessary equipment from the system, along with the patents he had already obtained and applied for from the system, and then set up a factory and recruit workers.

However, China is a special case. Foreign businessmen like Chen Dong cannot directly set up factories in China on their own. If Chen Dong were to first establish a car company in America or somewhere else before entering China, it might take one or two years, which is too slow.

Sometimes Chen Dong thought that it would be great if he could set up a factory directly in China as a foreign investor.

Just as Chen Dong was lost in thought, there was a knock on the door. Zhang Tiejun opened the door and came in. "Boss, the provincial party committee called and asked you to come to the provincial party committee compound."

Chen Dong used his consciousness to shut down the system's light screen, then stood up, put on his coat, and walked directly out of the room. In the corridor, Chen Zaisheng was already waiting for him with his briefcase.

After getting off the elevator, the group got into the Lincoln and drove towards the provincial party committee compound. Perhaps the provincial party committee had already informed them of Chen Dong's license plate number, because when they entered the compound's security post, Chen Dong's car was not stopped by the guards and was allowed to enter smoothly.

The car stopped in front of the provincial party committee building, where a man in a gray Zhongshan suit was already waiting. Zhang Tiejun quickly got out of the car and opened the door for Chen Dong.

The man in the gray Zhongshan suit greeted Chen Dong with a smile as he got out of the car, and nodded politely to him. "Mr. Chen, hello. I am Wu Renxing, Secretary Ding's secretary. Secretary Ding and two leaders from the Planning Commission are waiting for you in the office."

"Okay, thank you for your help, Secretary Wu," Chen Dong said, leading Chen Zaisheng and following behind Wu Renxing, as they went up to the provincial party committee building and arrived at Ding Zhuo's office. Wu Renxing knocked twice on the door and then pushed it open and entered.

"Secretary, Mr. Chen has arrived," Wu Renxing stepped aside, and Chen Dong strode in, smiling at Ding Zhuo, the provincial party secretary, "Secretary Ding!"

"Comrade Zai Dong, you've arrived. Please have a seat. Let me introduce you to these two comrades from the State Planning Commission," Ding Zhuo stood up to greet Chen Dong and stepped aside to introduce them.

"This is Mo Jianlin, the deputy director of the Planning Commission," Ding Zhuo introduced to Chen Dong, pointing to a middle-aged man wearing black-rimmed glasses.

"Hello, Director Mo!"

"This is Deputy Director Lu Qiuzhi!"

"Hello, Director Lu!"

After the introductions were completed and everyone was seated, Chen Dong offered a cigarette to everyone before asking, "Secretary Ding, is there something you wanted to discuss with me?"

After Ding Zhuo and his secretary Wu Renxing served tea to Chen Dong and Chen Zaisheng and left the room, they said, "The other day, Secretary Quan Wu went to Nanshan County, Tuocheng, to discuss with Comrade Zaisheng the matter of purchasing advanced machine tools. Now the State Planning Commission and the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation have provided a list."

Mo Jianlin took out a printed document from his briefcase and handed it to Chen Dong with both hands. "Comrade Zai Dong, this is the equipment catalog for this purchase. Please take a look."

Chen Dong placed the cigarette he was still holding on the ashtray, then took the thick catalog from Mo Jianlin's hand. He simply flipped through it and handed it to his second brother, Chen Zaisheng, who was sitting next to him.

"So, you must have already discussed the payment for the equipment. Why don't you tell me how you plan to pay for the equipment that I need to purchase on your behalf?"

Before Chen Dong arrived, Ding Zhuo, Mo Jianlin, and Lu Qiuzhi had already briefly discussed the matter. When Chen Dong asked about it, Mo Jianlin smiled and said, "Mr. Chen, we can offer two options regarding the payment for the equipment."

"One option is to pay in installments using bulk raw materials, and the other is to transfer the funds to an account. I wonder, Comrade Zai Dong, which option do you personally prefer?"

"How does the transfer and accounting process work?"

"A secret account will be specially approved by the central bank, granting you special privileges. Every payment received will be settled and recorded at the highest exchange rate!"

Chen Dong laughed and shook his head, saying, "Director Mo, isn't this just using my money to buy equipment for you? You're trying to get something for nothing!"

Mo Jianlin did not rush to refute Chen Dong's words, but waited for Chen Dong to finish speaking before saying, "Comrade Zai Dong, please don't be in a hurry, let me finish."

"If you choose this transfer and accounting plan, the central government agrees to grant you special privileges, allowing you to use the funds in the secret account to make any investments or establish factories in China, and you will enjoy the highest preferential policies!"

"No need for affiliation or joint venture with other entities?"

Mo Jianlin and Lu Qiuzhi nodded in unison, "Yes, this is a special clause attached to the second plan."

"Can I exchange the Chinese Yuan in my secret account for US Dollars?"

Chen Dong had to ask this question mainly because China's current control over foreign exchange is extremely strict. Given China's urgent need for foreign exchange, strict controls are in place, limiting each person to no more than 50,000 US dollars per year.

The purpose of this transfer and accounting method is simply to force Chen Dong to use the US dollars in his international account to "replenish" China's funds. In the end, Chen Dong's money will be transferred into the secret account of the People's Bank of China, and he will be trapped.

If the money can't be exchanged for US dollars, then Chen Dong will only be able to invest the money in that secret account within China.

"Uh... Comrade Zai Dong, I'm sorry, but if you choose the second option, you won't be able to freely exchange foreign currency!"

"To exchange them, we need to coordinate and communicate with the central bank first!"

Chen Dong leaned back on the bench, smoking a cigarette. Chen Zaisheng next to him almost rolled his eyes. If his cousin Chen Dong agreed to such harsh conditions, wouldn't Chen Dong have wasted all those years studying at Harvard in America?

"Then I'll choose the first option!"