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

The opening of Huaxingsheng Supermarket not only ignited a shopping frenzy among the communes surrounding Nanshan County, but also attracted people from Zhaoyang County and Linkou County to ride bicycles to Nanshan County to make purchases.

Just as Nanshan County and even the entire Tuocheng Special Economic Zone were bustling with activity due to the opening of Huaxingsheng Supermarket, a Y-7 light military cargo plane slowly landed at the Tuocheng military and civilian airport.

After meeting with Chen Dong, the two directors of the State Planning Commission, Mo Jianlin and Lu Qiuzhi, reported the results of the talks. In order to reach an agreement with Chen Dong on the procurement of secret equipment as soon as possible, the central leadership selected key personnel from various central departments to form a special task force. The task force took a military plane overnight from Beijing, and after several stops for refueling, finally arrived at the Tuocheng military and civilian airport at dusk the next day.

Directors Mo Jianlin and Lu Qiuzhi, who were waiting on the tarmac, immediately approached their superiors respectfully after they disembarked from the plane, saying, "Sir, the guesthouse is ready!"

"Okay, let's go to the hotel first. Inform Secretary Haimin to come see me!"

"Yes, sir!"

Minister Zhou Bingguo nodded calmly, got into the car, and the other accompanying officials boarded the bus behind him. Under the escort of two police cars, the bus sped towards the Tuocheng Guesthouse.

As the convoy drove along Haibing Road, Zhou Bingguo gazed intently at the dark bay. Wang Huaimin, sitting beside him, suddenly spoke up, "If Tuocheng Inner Bay were developed, I think it would rival the Bund of Shanghai!"

"Hehe," Zhou Bingguo chuckled softly, "Currently, the central government attaches great importance to the two major special economic zones in Guangdong Province, Tuocheng and Shenzhen. Which one does Director Wang favor more?"

"Most of the investments that Shantou can currently rely on are from overseas Chinese. Look at Mr. Chen Zaidong, the biggest overseas Chinese investor; he just invested 100 million US dollars in Shantou!"

"Shenzhen, being adjacent to Hong Kong, has a much broader future development potential, in my opinion. Although Shenzhen's annual GDP of 10.8 billion is 4.8 million more than Shenzhen's 6 million, Shenzhen lacks momentum. Moreover, the international financial system seems to be unstable at present, and relying solely on overseas Chinese investment in factories makes it easy for problems to arise!"

"So, Director Wang, you have a better view on Shenzhen?"

"I can't say I'm more optimistic; it mainly depends on the central government's decision. Although Shenzhen's development is not as good as Tuocheng's at the moment, it's like a blank canvas, which makes it easier to draw!"

Zhou Bingguo lit a cigarette and asked a question that was directed at both Wang Huaimin and himself: "Then tell me, why is Mr. Chen Zaidong delaying his investment in Shenzhen, instead choosing to further develop an automotive industrial park in Tuocheng?"

At that time, Shenzhen was inferior to Hong Kong in terms of economy, manufacturing, and import and export. However, the central government was more optimistic about Shenzhen's future development prospects. It not only provided more policy support, but also, being located next to Hong Kong, it had great potential for development. Driven by the policies, talents from all over the country flocked to Shenzhen.

Just when Shenzhen was booming in attracting investment, Chen Dong, an American-born overseas Chinese, chose to invest in Tuocheng, and invested a whopping 100 million US dollars.

If that 100 million US dollars were invested in Shenzhen, it would be wonderful. It would immediately drive the vigorous development of more local businesses that have settled in Shenzhen.

After Chen Dong invested 100 million US dollars, the central government was shocked. Upon learning the news, the State Council ordered multiple departments, including the State Planning Commission and the State Economic and Trade Commission, to jointly re-examine the pros and cons of the development of Shenzhen and Tuocheng, but the conclusion remained unchanged.

Shenzhen has even greater potential for future development!

Tuo City is already at its last gasp!

The leaders of the central ministries thought about it for a whole day and night, but they still couldn't understand why Chen Dong chose to invest only in Tuocheng.

The central government is aware of the approximate estimated assets of Chen Dong and his wife. Their net worth of over five billion US dollars is a considerable sum in any country.

The central government cannot determine whether Chen Dong and his wife invested in Tuocheng simply because it is their hometown, or whether Tuocheng has better development potential that they cannot see.

Zhou Bingguo and his team came here not only to discuss the procurement cooperation of secret equipment with Chen Dong, but also to have a further chat with Chen Dong about why Chen Dong is more optimistic about Tuocheng.

The convoy drove into the Tuocheng Guesthouse. The group went up the stairs to their rooms on the third floor, ate a simple meal, and then Zhou Haimin, the Party Secretary of Tuocheng, arrived.

"Old leader, you must have had a long and bumpy journey," Zhou Haimin said warmly, shaking Zhou Bingguo's hand. He was a little dazed when he suddenly received a call from Zhou Haimin's secretary.

When Zhou Bingguo and the other members of the Central Special Envoy Group arrived in Tuocheng, the Organization Department of China did not give any notice. Zhou Haimin was indeed caught off guard by their sudden visit.

"Comrade Haimin, sit down, sit down, don't stand and talk," Zhou Bingguo gestured for Zhou Haimin to sit down. After everyone was seated, Zhou Bingguo said, "This special task force, led by the Economic and Trade Commission, has come to your Tuocheng with an important mission."

"Comrade Haimin, regarding your report, Mr. Chen Zaidong proposed that 20% of the payment be transferred to the books, 60% be paid in installments with raw materials, and 20% be paid in US dollars in cash. After careful consideration, the ministry feels that we can discuss this further with Mr. Chen Zaidong."

"I support the ministry's decision, former leader," Zhou Haimin replied affirmatively. "After that conversation with Mr. Chen Zaidong, I also met with him several times to discuss some specific details."

"Overall, it is unlikely that Mr. Chen Zaidong will make any concessions at present. The special task force may need to expedite further talks with Mr. Chen Zaidong, otherwise it may take some time."

"Oh! Has something happened, Comrade Haimin?"

"Mr. Chen Zaidong's wife, Ms. Zhang Yi, is about to give birth in America. Mr. Chen Zaidong told me this during a conversation. Before the end of the year, Mr. Chen Zaidong will leave China and return to America to await the birth of his child. This period may be quite long," Zhou Haimin said truthfully.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Bingguo, Wang Huaimin, and the others frowned. This was something they hadn't known before they came. Wang Huaimin said in a deep voice, "Time is indeed a bit tight. Mr. Chen Zaidong's wife is about to give birth, and we really can't delay Mr. Chen Zaidong's time!"

Zhou Bingguo nodded. He understood what Wang Huaimin meant. They had to act quickly. If Chen Zaidong went back to America and didn't return for three to five months, then the important matter of introducing the secret equipment would be delayed.

This is something the central government cannot tolerate!