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

The group entered the construction site. Underfoot was a temporary gravel road, with steel bars, cement and various building materials piled up on both sides. Searchlights illuminated the entire site as if it were daytime. Workers wearing safety helmets moved among the workers, with sparks flying everywhere and the roar of machines deafening.

Ji Shuzhi walked very slowly, each step as if he were measuring something. He stopped beside a huge foundation pit and looked down. Inside, the dense steel bars had been tied up, and the workers were pouring concrete.

"Which workshop is this?" Ji Shuzhi stopped and asked Director Zheng.

"The engine workshop," Director Zheng replied, "is the most important part of the first phase of the project. As General Manager Chen said, the engine is the heart of a car, so it must be built first. This workshop needs to be topped out before April, the equipment will be brought in for testing in June, and trial production will begin in July."

Bai Jianbo listened from the side and frowned secretly. From civil construction to trial production in just a few months, this speed might be commonplace for a national project, but Xiaochi Motors is a foreign-funded enterprise, and they are rushing so much. Obviously, Huasheng Company has already purchased the equipment and is eager to transport it in.

"You're in such a rush, has the equipment for Xiaochi Motors already been delivered?" Bai Jianbo asked tentatively. To his surprise, Director Zheng nodded. "Yes, the equipment and everything is at customs right now! That's why President Chen is in such a hurry for us to finish the work."

"What kind of equipment is this, and where did it come from?"

Director Zheng shook his head and waved his hand, "How would I know? You'd have to ask General Manager Chen yourself. But a few sets of equipment arrived a few days ago and are now placed in the newly built factory. However, it's locked and guarded by militiamen with guns, so we usually don't go there."

"Let's go take a look!"

Upon hearing this, Director Zheng looked at Lu Yuanshan with difficulty. Lu Yuanshan wanted to say a few more words of advice, but Ji Shuzhi and Bai Jianbo took the lead and walked forward first. Helpless, he had no choice but to quickly follow.

The group walked along the gravel road and came to an open space filled with shipping containers. Several large forklifts were parked nearby. When the militiamen of Jinbu Township, who were on patrol, saw the large group of people coming, they immediately shouted at them.

"What are you doing! This is a restricted area; do not approach!"

Seeing that the young militiaman opposite him had his Type 56 rifles loaded, Lu Yuanshan hurriedly stepped out of the crowd and approached him, calling out, "Don't be nervous, young comrade, I'm Lu Yuanshan from the Municipal Bureau of Industry and Commerce. These gentlemen are here from Beijing for an inspection!"

"What is it?" Yao Shajiang, the head of the People's Armed Forces Department of Mianyang Commune, rushed over after hearing the shouts from his men. Seeing this group of people, he yelled, "What are you doing? This is the Huasheng Company's warehouse, a restricted area. Unauthorized personnel are not allowed to approach!"

"Old Yao, it's me," Lu Yuanshan called out to Yao Shajiang, who was approaching. Yao Shajiang then recognized Lu Yuanshan, who was backlit, and took his hand off the holster at his waist. "Director Lu, what brings you here at this hour?"

"It's a long story. These are leaders from the Ministry of Industry in Beijing who came to inspect the equipment. They heard it had arrived and came to take a look," Lu Yuanshan said, turning around to introduce the people to Yao Shajiang. But Ji Shuzhi and the others had already walked towards the containers.

Yao Shajiang tried to stop him, but Lu Yuanshan quickly said, "It's alright. They're all veteran cadres who have worked in industry their whole lives. They were just a little anxious when they saw so much advanced imported equipment."

Yao Shajiang, however, dared not relax. "Director Lu, every piece of equipment here is worth millions. I can't afford to make the slightest mistake, or Secretary Hong will scold me to death!"

"These are... stamping equipment imported from Germany," Bai Jianbo said, peeking out from behind some of the open containers and exclaiming in astonishment.

Ji Shuzhi frowned and looked at Yao Shajiang, who had followed him. "Why are all these containers left open? Aren't you worried about the dew getting the equipment wet?"

Yao Shajiang thought to himself that this old man had quite the air of authority. Although he was indignant, he still answered honestly, "It was General Manager Chen who instructed us to open the ventilation every day. During the day, the sun is shining, and the factory is full, so we can only temporarily pile them up here. These all arrived yesterday, and tomorrow workers will come to build a shed to provide shade."

"Are all these imported equipment?"

"Yes," Yao Shajiang nodded, "They're all imported. The customs at Tuogang Port handled it specially, expedited customs clearance, and they were delivered in three days. General Manager Chen told us to keep a close eye on them, saying that the engineers from Germany who came to guide the installation and debugging of the equipment have already arrived in Hong Kong."

Bai Jianbo gasped. The entire set of stamping equipment was imported, German engineers were involved, and there were special customs officials. This Chen Zaidong had connections everywhere.

Ji Shuzhi watched the whole thing with a serious expression, his lips pursed, without saying another word. On the way back to the city, Bai Jianbo wanted to speak several times, but seeing Ji Shuzhi's pensive face, he had to hold back.

After Lu Yuanshan and the others left, Ji Shuzhi said to Bai Jianbo, "Old Bai, when you officially meet Chen Zaidong tomorrow, observe more, listen more, and ask fewer questions."

"How so?"

Ji Shuzhi, puffing on his cigarette, said in a deep voice, "This Chen Zaidong isn't just bragging; he really intends to make a big splash. You saw it at the construction site yourself—it's all imported equipment!"

"This Snapdragon Motors company is up to no good!"

Bai Jianbo paused for a moment, then whispered, "We are the ones who came here!"

Early the next morning, Lu Yuanshan and his men arrived at the guesthouse again. After meeting Ji Shuzhi and his group, Lu told them that Chen Dong planned to receive them at the Guangdong Food Factory in Lianzhai.

The group then boarded two vans and headed to Lianzhai, Jiping, Nanshan County. When they arrived at the Guangdong Factory in Lianzhai, the vans entered the factory area, where Chen Dong, Fang Guotai, and Chen Zaiguang were already standing smiling downstairs in the office building.

As the car came to a stop, Lu Yuanshan got out first and introduced Ji Shuzhi, Bai Jianbo, and the others who were getting out of the car one after another to Chen Dong. Chen Dong smiled and shook hands with each of them, saying, "Secretary Ji, Secretary Bai, welcome, welcome!"

"I heard you arrived yesterday and even went to Jinbu to take a look. What do you two secretaries think of the planning for my automobile industrial park? Could you offer some guidance?"

After everyone settled down on the office sofa, Chen Dong offered a cigarette and then asked Ji Shuzhi and Bai Jianbo about their plans for the Jinbu Industrial Park.

"Comrade Zai Dong, you're too kind. I wouldn't dare to offer guidance. We've come here to learn as well," Bai Jianbo said with a smile, taking the cigarette from the young Chen Dong.

Chen Dong chuckled and looked at Lu Yuanshan. "Your Second Automobile Works and Shanghai Automobile Works are both old state-owned automobile factories in China with a rich history. Our Xiaochi Automobile is just starting out, so we need your guidance."

Ji Shuzhi clearly understood the hidden meaning in Chen Dong's words, and he said bluntly, "Comrade Zai Dong, let's not beat around the bush. You come from America and are planning to get involved in the automotive industry. I believe you have also investigated and understood the current situation in China."

"We are genuinely approaching this collaboration with a learning mindset!"