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

Wang Huaimin followed behind the three bigwigs, carefully recording the numbers they reported. Just then, the office operator hurriedly walked to Wang Huaimin's side and whispered to him, "Director Wang, Comrade Chen Zaidong just called and said he has something important to discuss with you."

Wang Huaimin, who was squatting behind Lu Zhenjiang taking notes, looked up at the operator and asked, "Did Comrade Chen Zaidong say anything?"

"He didn't say, he just asked me to transfer you. He said he would call back later," the operator replied truthfully. These days, you can't keep the phone line busy for too long, or the operator will just disconnect the line.

Without even turning his head, Lu Zhenjiang said to Wang Huaimin, "Director Wang, if you're busy, you can go ahead. I'll have Xiao Ke take notes."

Wang Huaimin stood up, and perhaps because he stood up too quickly, he immediately felt dizzy. The operator quickly supported him to prevent him from falling, but Wang Huaimin waved his hand and said, "It's okay, it's okay, no need to help me!"

Upon arriving at his office, Wang Huaimin dialed the phone number for the Guangdong factory office. The call was quickly answered. "Hello! Is this Comrade Zai Dong?"

"It's me, Director Wang," Chen Dong said, sitting in his office chair with the application documents for Xiaochi Motors in front of him. "Director Wang, I applied to the county government for a piece of land in Jinbu Township, Mianyang Commune, Zhaoyang County, to build an automobile industrial park. I think I've already told you about this."

Wang Huaimin thought for a moment, realizing that Chen Dong had indeed mentioned it to him, and then asked, "Yes, there is such a thing. Comrade Chen Dong, is there a problem? Is it about land requisition?"

"The land acquisition is fine, it's just that the car factory I'm going to open is going to produce cars, motorcycles, and vans. My Snapdragon will cover all the models currently on the market. I just don't know how to go through the paperwork?"

Chen Dong asked the question knowingly, and Wang Huaimin, who came from a ministry in Beijing, immediately knew what Chen Dong was going to say.

"Comrade Zai Dong, did you run into a snag with the local planning commission?"

"Heh, you really can't hide it from Director Wang. It was indeed rejected by the Tuocheng City Planning Commission. They said that for a foreign company like mine to obtain a license to manufacture complete vehicles, it must form a joint venture with one of China's three major state-owned automobile factories in order to achieve a backdoor listing!"

Chen Dong changed his tone, lowering his voice to speak into the microphone, "Director Wang, we signed an agreement. Your Chinese government promised me that I would be allowed to operate any business in China on my own!"

Listening to Chen Dong's words, Wang Huaimin smiled and said, "Comrade Zai Dong, don't worry, our Chinese government will not betray you after you've served your purpose. What we promised you, we will definitely fulfill. However, there is a memorandum in our previous agreement that you can establish a wholly foreign-owned enterprise, but the project needs to be approved!"

"Approval is possible, but my requirement is that it must be reasonable and compliant. Director Wang, I hope you can tell the higher-ups that a stagnant, uncompetitive automotive industry cannot thrive!"

"Alright, Comrade Zai Dong, I will relay your words to the higher-ups truthfully!"

"Then I'll leave it to you, Director Wang. You're busy, I'll hang up now!"

After hanging up Chen Dong's call, Wang Huaimin sat in his office for a long time, pondering how to report to the relevant ministries. At this time, China had not yet held any meetings related to automobiles, and the policy of "three major and three minor" that would determine the future direction of China's automobile industry had not yet been implemented.

Chen Dong's decision to launch the automobile project is likely to be approved by the top leadership in China after careful consideration. After all, Chen Dong is not an ordinary foreign investor; he is a capable person who can help China acquire equipment subject to the COCOM embargo, such as five-axis CNC machine tools.

After considering for a long time, Wang Huaimin picked up the red phone on his desk and called Yan Lao from the Equipment Department. "Hello, this is Wang Huaimin from the Nanshan Institute. Please transfer me to Yan Lao from the Equipment Department!"

"Hello! Who is that?"

Hearing Elder Yan's authoritative voice through the microphone, Wang Huaimin swallowed slightly to moisten his throat and prevent his voice from sounding too hoarse. "Elder Yan, it's me, Wang Huaimin from the Nanshan Institute!"

"Oh, Xiao Wang, is there something you need?"

"Mr. Yan, it's like this..."

Wang Huaimin explained to Yan Lao in detail Chen Dong's plan to establish an automobile industrial park in Zhaoyang County, Tuocheng, as a wholly foreign-owned enterprise. He also emphasized the agreement signed with Chen Dong and explained the approval process in detail to Yan Lao.

"Yes, I understand," Old Yan said succinctly. "I will personally report to you regarding Comrade Chen Zaidong's automobile project. A stagnant pool without competition cannot produce an excellent automobile industry. Comrade Chen Zaidong's words are very good!"

"Regarding the approval, after I report to the elderly person, please have Comrade Chen Zaidong submit an application document. We will expedite the process!"

"Okay, Mr. Yan, I'll pass that on to Comrade Chen Zaidong," Wang Huaimin said, about to hang up. But Mr. Yan added, "As for Comrade Chen Zaidong, Xiao Wang, you need to do your job well. Approval is necessary. Tell him not to worry."

"I see!"

Old Yan quickly went to meet with the top leadership to report on his recent work. He also requested approval from the top leadership for Chen Dong's application to manufacture automobiles in Tuocheng. After receiving approval, he then called Wang Huaimin again.

"Xiao Wang," Old Yan dialed the phone number for the Nanshan Institute, but instead of talking about Chen Dong's automotive qualification application, he started chatting with Wang Huaimin about the two five-axis CNC machine tools at the Nanshan Institute.

"The reverse engineering of the equipment must be carried out steadily without damaging it. The country invested a great deal of money to get these two pieces of equipment operational, and there is no room for carelessness!"

"Don't worry, Elder Yan. Comrades Qi, Lu, and Qiu are all highly qualified, with solid technical and political backgrounds. The country has entrusted them with such an important task, and we believe they will be able to play a leading role!"

"At the same time, I will strictly control the process to ensure that no human error occurs that could cause damage to important national equipment!"

"Yes, good. With Comrades Qi, Lu, and Qiu taking the lead, and with you in charge, the country is reassured," Old Yan said, then changed the subject, "Regarding Comrade Chen Zaidong's application for a complete vehicle manufacturing qualification, the higher-ups have already approved it!"

"The old gentleman thought Comrade Chen Zaidong's statement, 'A stagnant pool without competition cannot produce an excellent automobile industry,' was very good and constructive!"

"The subsequent approval procedures will be handled by our colleagues at the Ministry of Industry!"

"Okay, I will pass that message on to Comrade Chen Zaidong!"