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

Chen Zaixing was bold and decisive. Even when Huaxingsheng Supermarket was still under construction, he had already set his sights on the remaining shantytown area along the north bank of the Yellow River.

At that time, Chen Zaixing had discussed with his elder brother Chen Zaiguang about taking over the shantytown area, but unfortunately, the brothers only had 600,000 yuan in bank loans, which was more than enough.

Now, because his relatives are borrowing money from all over the place, Chen Dong and Chen Zaiguang have established the "Oriental Fund". They said they would contribute one million, but Chen Zaixing is confident that as long as he writes a good business plan, he can get the "Oriental Fund" to invest more money in his construction company.

Chen Zaixing is a very ambitious person. After Huaxingsheng Supermarket opened, he was not just someone who idled around the supermarket and the county. He also knew his shortcomings, namely his low level of education.

Therefore, he talked with his second brother, Chen Zaisheng, about improving his cultural knowledge. Chen Zaisheng was very pleased that his younger brother was able to recognize his shortcomings and make progress. He provided him with a list of books starting from the basics and helped him borrow many books on economics from the Tuocheng Library and his former teachers and professors at the university to "tutor" his younger brother, Chen Zaixing.

Chen Dong also knew that Chen Zaixing was working hard to improve himself, and he often said to Chen Zaiguang, "It's true that you should look at someone with new eyes after three days of separation!"

After discussing the matter with Huang Bingkun over dinner at a state-run restaurant, Chen Zaixing drove to the Nanshan County Urban Construction Bureau the next day. Dai Weiguo had just finished a meeting and was in his office when his secretary told him that Chen Zaixing, the boss of Huaxingsheng, had arrived. He smiled and walked out of his office to welcome Chen Zaixing in.

"Zaixing, what brings you here today?" Dai Weiguo personally poured tea for Chen Zaixing, accepted the cigarettes Chen Zaixing offered, and then sat down to ask, "Is there something you need?"

"I heard from someone that a while ago, our Nanshan County was changed to a district, and Secretary Lin brought up the issue of cadre housing again at the meeting," Chen Zaixing said, smoking a cigarette and looking at Dai Weiguo. "Director Dai, has the approval for that area on Huanghe North Road been approved yet? It's been dragging on for so long. Did your Urban Construction Bureau get the county's funding and plan to do it yourself?"

"No way, the budget is all going towards infrastructure construction right now. Secretary Lin keeps urging us at meetings, and even I, the director of the Urban Construction Bureau, am having a headache," Dai Weiguo whispered to Chen Zaixing. "But I've discussed your plan privately with Secretary Lin and County Head Feng. County Head Feng thinks it's feasible, but it's Secretary Lin's side... hehe!"

Dai Weiguo gave Chen Zaixing a meaningful look. Chen Zaixing knew that Secretary Lin had rejected the offer, mainly due to political considerations. Although the central government had put forward various economic reform policies, sensitive issues such as government-business relations and land development still prevented Lin Deying, the county party secretary, from making any decisions on his own.

Chen Zaixing thought for a moment and realized that this matter could not be delayed, so he said to Dai Weiguo, "Director Dai, how about this, you come with me to see County Chief Feng Kun first, to find out what County Chief Feng Kun thinks, and then we'll go to Secretary Lin together. This matter can't be delayed any longer."

"Zaixing, why do I feel like you're more anxious about this than I am, the director of the Urban Construction Bureau?" Dai Weiguo teased. "Tell me honestly, is there some inside information that I don't know?"

"What inside information?" Chen Zaixing waved his hand and said, "Don't be afraid to tell me, brother, these things are all public knowledge. In Shenzhen, they started implementing the model I suggested last year!"

"How so!"

Chen Zaixing whispered, "Back in 81, the Shenzhen Economic Reform Association partnered with businessmen from Hong Kong, but their housing shortage was much larger than our Nanshan District's—a full 300 units!"

"It passed!"

Dai Weiguo stared wide-eyed in disbelief. When Chen Zaixing first came to talk to him, he thought the proposal was good and had room for implementation, but it was difficult to pass at the county standing committee meeting. He didn't expect that someone in Shenzhen had already taken the lead and tried it.

If someone has already taken the lead in doing this, especially in Shenzhen, then wouldn't Tuocheng, which is also a special economic zone, be able to follow suit? After all, Tuocheng is not only facing a housing shortage for cadres in Nanshan District, but also in other counties and districts.

Especially in Zhaoyang District, where the municipal party committee is carrying out cadre reforms and implementing a contract-based system, the civil servants who are subsequently hired can't always stay in guesthouses. That's not a good way to retain talent.

The housing issue must be resolved. This was not only raised by Secretary Lin of Nanshan District at the Standing Committee meeting, but also repeatedly mentioned by Party Secretary Zhou Haimin of the Municipal Party Committee at the Standing Committee meeting, who instructed Party Secretaries Lin Deying and Hong Quan of the two districts to implement it as soon as possible.

"Would I lie to you?" Seeing Dai Weiguo's skepticism, Chen Zaixing directly pulled out his cousin Chen Donglai. "Some of my cousin Zai Dong's friends in Hong Kong came to Tuocheng for a visit and inspection a while ago. I accompanied them and heard them talk about this matter. I also asked them some specific inside details, which is why I came to see you, Director Dai, today!"

As Dai Weiguo listened, his eyes grew brighter and brighter. He clapped his hands and said, "If this is true, that would be wonderful! Let's go, let's go to County Chief Feng's place and tell him about this. Let's see what his opinion is."

Dai Weiguo followed Chen Zaixing out the door, got into Chen Zaixing's Mercedes-Benz 450, and headed towards the county government compound. After meeting County Chief Feng Kun, Dai Weiguo got straight to the point and started talking about the joint venture between government and business in Shenzhen to build commercial housing.

Feng Kun showed no surprise, remaining calm as he listened to Dai Weiguo recount the events in Shenzhen. He occasionally glanced at Chen Zaixing, who had accompanied him. Only after Dai Weiguo finished speaking did Feng Kun nod. "Comrade Weiguo, I basically understand what you've said. So, are you here to replicate Shenzhen's policies?"

"County Chief Feng, do you think our Nanshan District could also implement a joint-venture housing construction policy?"

Upon hearing Chen Zaixing's question, Feng Kun also put away his smile and said seriously, "For specific policies to be implemented, they need to be approved by the municipal party committee, and even the provincial party committee. It's not that if it works in Shenzhen, Tuocheng can follow suit."

"Comrade Weiguo, Comrade Zaixing, I know you are very concerned about the housing shortage for cadres in our county, but political matters cannot be rushed, do you understand?"

Feng Kun spoke with political caution. He couldn't answer any of Chen Zaixing's questions in person. Whether it would work out or not was not something he, as the county head, could completely agree to. If the municipal party committee agreed, that would be fine, but if they disagreed, his words would be a disgrace.

After hearing Feng Kun's words, Dai Weiguo's initial excitement subsided considerably. He gave an awkward smile and didn't respond to Feng Kun's words.

Chen Zaixing looked at Feng Kun with a smile, seemingly lost in thought.