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

"Director Dai, you're begging for food while holding a golden rice bowl!"

After listening, Huang Bingkun asked curiously, "What did Director Dai say?"

"What else can I say? He just said, 'What good is having a golden rice bowl? You can't eat it or spend it. The county's finances are tight, and the county bank won't give them loans,'" Chen Zaixing said with a smile. "I asked Director Dai how many vacancies there were for cadre housing, and Director Dai told me there were still 100 vacancies!"

At this point, Chen Zaixing's expression changed, and he looked at Huang Bingkun, "Brother Bingkun, guess how I gave Director Dai my feedback?"

Huang Bingkun shook his head, indicating he didn't know. How could he possibly guess what Chen Zaixing and Dai Weiguo had discussed? Chen Zaixing, not wanting to keep anyone in suspense, stated directly, "I'll tell Director Dai this: your county currently has a shortage of 100 housing units for cadres. I'll set up a construction company; your county's urban construction bureau won't need to contribute a single penny. However, you must grant me the land in that shantytown area next to Huaxingsheng Supermarket!"

"Don't worry about how your county's urban construction bureau builds them. I'll deliver these 100 apartments according to the blueprints you provide, and our company will set the prices for the rest!"

After hearing Chen Zaixing's words, Huang Bingkun almost dropped his cigarette. He stared at Chen Zaixing, hesitating for a long time before finally whispering, "Zaixing, you're... trying to get something for nothing!" Chen Zaixing laughed, a very frank laugh. "Brother Bingkun, what do you mean by 'getting something for nothing'? I'm spending real money. The construction company needs to be registered, right? The workers need to be paid, right? The materials need to be bought, right?"

"I'm using my own money to help the county solve its housing problem, and on the side, I'm earning some extra money. What's wrong with that?"

Huang Bingkun was stunned by Chen Zaixing's words. He thought about it for a long time, but still felt that something was wrong. "Zaixing, but this land belongs to the county. You use the county's land to build houses for the county, and then sell the leftovers for money. Isn't that speculation?"

"Yeah, the land belongs to the county, but the county doesn't have the money to build houses," Chen Zaixing stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray and leaned forward. "Brother Bingkun, let me do the math for you. Do you know how big that shantytown is? More than 20 acres of land, right next to Huaxingsheng Supermarket. The location is amazing! I've wanted to take it over ever since I built the supermarket."

"Besides, the county had wanted to demolish it for a long time, but they didn't have the money! I helped them demolish and build, and in the end, I gave them a hundred apartments. As for the extra apartments built, how much they sell for is my business and has nothing to do with them."

Huang Bingkun's mind was buzzing. He felt that the accounts were not right no matter how he calculated them, but he couldn't put his finger on what was wrong. He had been a production team leader for more than ten years, managing work points, distributing grain, and mediating neighborhood disputes, but he had never even thought about something involving dozens of acres of land and hundreds of houses.

He had only wanted Chen Zaixing to help him find a job today, and he didn't know why Chen Zaixing was suddenly bringing this up. But since he needed Chen Zaixing's help, he had no choice but to ask, "So, Zaixing, how much money are you planning to invest?"

Chen Zaixing held up his hand and waved it. "For the first phase, invest 500,000!"

Five hundred thousand!

Huang Bingkun was dumbfounded. As a village production team leader, he didn't even earn two or three hundred yuan a year. Hearing Chen Zaixing say such a number suddenly seemed like an astronomical figure!

"Zaixing, can you come up with... 500,000?"

Chen Zaixing laughed heartily, "Brother Bingkun, is 500,000 a lot?"

"Not...that much!"

"Brother Bingkun, as long as Director Dai and Secretary Lin of the County Party Committee reach an agreement, and County Chief Feng of the County Government gives his approval, the matter will be settled. 500,000 yuan is not a problem," Chen Zaixing said nonchalantly, waving his cigarette-holding hand.

Huang Bingkun was completely bewildered. He felt that the young man he had watched grow up was almost unrecognizable. The carefree kid who used to slack off and cheat every time he went to work was now able to have dinner with the bureau chief, talk about Secretary Lin and County Chief Feng all the time, discuss projects worth hundreds of thousands of yuan, and even think about building houses to make money.

The world is changing so fast!

"Can this work out?"

Chen Zaixing smiled easily, "I reckon it's pretty much true. The county is desperately short of money, and the housing problem for officials has been dragging on for years. It's been brought up in meetings every year, but it's never been resolved. County Chief Feng is also having a headache. Now that someone is willing to pay to help them solve the problem, why should they disagree!"

Chen Zaixing looked at him, then suddenly changed the subject, "Brother Bingkun, do you know why I'm telling you all this today?"

Huang Bingkun shook his head and then nodded. He had a vague idea in his mind, but he wasn't sure. He could only look at Chen Zaixing.

Chen Zaixing smiled and raised his wine glass to Huang Bingkun. Huang Bingkun quickly raised his glass as well. Chen Zaixing said, "Brother Bingkun, we're from the same village. If we follow the generational system of your Huang family, you'd have to call my mother 'aunt.' We're practically cousins!"

That makes sense!

"You've been a production team leader for over ten years, I know what kind of person you are," Chen Zaixing said, downing his drink in one gulp. "Since you've asked me to help you find a job today, I can't just give you any old job to get by!"

"Zai Xing, are you planning to make me..."

Chen Zaixing interrupted Huang Bingkun, "Don't rush, let me finish. If this project to build houses for the county goes through, once my construction company is up and running, I'll need someone to keep an eye on the construction site and manage the workers, so no one steals the materials or anything!"

"Brother Bingkun, you've been a production team leader for over ten years, so you're quite experienced in managing people. If you're willing, come and work for me. I guarantee your salary will be higher than what you're getting now in the village!"

Chen Zaixing looked at him sincerely, "Once the project gets going and grows bigger, you'll be a veteran, a key member. At that time, you might even get bonuses, let alone a salary."

Chen Zaixing started painting a rosy picture for Huang Bingkun, and Huang Bingkun found it incredibly tempting. His eyes welled up with tears, and he excitedly raised his glass to Chen Zaixing, saying, "Zaixing, brother, I'll work for you from now on!"

"Hahaha! Great!"

Chen Zaixing drank with him and said, "Brother Bingkun, for now, just stay in the team and do what you're supposed to do. Don't let anyone notice anything, and don't gossip. This matter isn't completely settled yet, so don't rush things. Once the county approves it and the company is registered, I'll let you know as soon as possible!"

"Okay," Huang Bingkun's hands trembled slightly with excitement. He had finally hitched a ride on Chen Zaixing's coattails, a carp poised to leap over the dragon gate. Looking at the dramatic changes in the Chen brothers over the past two years, he couldn't help but imagine his own future.

"drink wine!"

"Brother Bingkun, I'll take you to new heights from now on!"

"Brother, from now on I will only obey you!"