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

"County Chief Feng is right. Political matters really can't be rushed! I was thinking that if our Nanshan District can take the lead and pave the way for the city and province, then if the policies are really relaxed in the future, wouldn't we have a head start?" Chen Zaixing looked at Feng Kun with a smile.

"Comrade Zaixing, your intentions are good," Feng Kun stood up, walked to the office, took out his cigarettes, and offered one to each of them. "Being ahead and seizing the initiative can sometimes be a good thing, but it can also easily turn into a bad thing. Being one step ahead means you're more likely to step on landmines and fall into traps!"

"Although both are special economic zones, Shenzhen implements policies from top to bottom, while we apply for policies from the bottom up. If the municipal party committee doesn't agree, everything will be in vain!"

"I know what you're saying, County Chief Feng, but we can't stop doing it just because we're afraid of failure, right? We're both special economic zones. If the cadres in Shenzhen dare to take this first step, we can't be too far behind, even if we don't say we're ahead of them," Chen Zaixing said slowly.

"Otherwise, when Shenzhen is developing rapidly and all the cadres have been allocated housing, while we're still hesitant and timid, those cadres waiting for housing will criticize our Tuocheng Special Economic Zone cadres as 'conservative' old fogies who lack any advanced thinking on special economic zone reform and will only 'miss opportunities'!"

Dai Weiguo was so shocked by Chen Zaixing's words that his eyes widened. He stared blankly at Chen Zaixing, thinking, "How dare you say such things in front of County Magistrate Feng Kun?"

On the contrary, Feng Kun, upon hearing this, showed no sign of anger. Instead, he burst into laughter, pointing at Chen Zaixing and saying, "You, Chen Zaixing, you're actually trying to provoke me!"

Feng Kun walked back to the sofa and sat down, smoking a cigarette as he leisurely said, "Since you've put it that way, I'll give you a heads-up, lest you, Chen Zaixing, go around telling everyone that I, the county magistrate, am an old fogey who doesn't know how to be flexible, haha!"

Chen Zaixing chuckled, while Dai Weiguo clenched his fists. He was genuinely worried that County Chief Feng Kun would lose his temper on the spot. If it were a more narrow-minded leader, he probably would have started cursing at Chen Zaixing for saying those things.

"Comrade Weiguo mentioned all of this to me last year, and he also briefly discussed it with Secretary Lin. Secretary Lin did indeed consider the feasibility of the policy in its entirety and reported it to the Municipal Party Committee, but the Municipal Party Committee has not yet given a clear response," Feng Kun said, pointing to the coffee table. "Without the approval from above, who dares to approve it? If it goes wrong, and the higher-ups hold them accountable, no one can afford to bear that responsibility!"

Having said all that, the meaning was quite clear. Chen Zaixing nodded, indicating his understanding of the district committee's difficulties, but the determination in his eyes hadn't completely faded.

"County Chief Feng, may I ask another question? If the municipal party committee approves this, how long will it take to formally approve the project?"

"It could take a year and a half at most, or three months at least," Feng Kun said, giving Chen Zaixing a meaningful look. He knew that this kid was going to use his connections to lobby the municipal party committee.

Chen Zaixing did a quick mental calculation and figured three months was alright, not too long. He stood up and said to Feng Kun, "County Chief Feng, Director Dai, I'm here today to report my thoughts to you both again. We'll go through the procedures as they should; I can wait. Just don't leave me behind when it's finally approved."

Feng Kun laughed and said, "What are you talking about? If we leave you behind, who will build houses for us? Alright, go back and wait for news. I will communicate with Secretary Lin about this matter again, and Comrade Weiguo will inform you when there is progress."

"Alright, County Chief Feng, Director Dai and I will be leaving now. You go ahead with your work!"

After the two left Feng Kun's office, Dai Weiguo came out and breathed a sigh of relief. "Zai Xing, my palms were sweating in County Chief Feng's office just now, but you were fine, acting like nothing happened."

Chen Zaixing smiled and said, "Director Dai, you've been in officialdom for too long, so you always think the worst. I'm in business, so I always think the best. Besides, I've met County Chief Feng a few times, and he's not the kind of person who holds a grudge just because he can't stand a kind word."

"Look at what he said today. It sounded like he was pouring cold water on me, but every word he said was actually teaching me how to get through this hurdle."

Dai Weiguo was taken aback, then recalled the conversation between Chen Zaixing and Feng Kun in the office earlier, and realized that there was indeed some truth to it.

Dai Weiguo then asked Chen Zaixing, "So what are your plans next?"

"What else can we do? Some things, if you don't fight for them, you won't get an opportunity by just waiting," Chen Zaixing said as he walked side by side with Dai Weiguo toward the stairs. "I have my cousin Zai Dong's connections. If I don't make good use of those connections, wouldn't I be a fool?"

Dai Weiguo stopped and looked at Chen Zaixing, then suddenly said with emotion, "Zaixing, to be honest, I really admire you. You have ideas, you dare to do things, and you're also eloquent. If I were twenty years younger, I would also learn to do business from you."

"Hahaha!"

Chen Zaixing smiled and said to Dai Weiguo, "Director Dai, what are you saying? You have a secure job, yet you envy someone like me who has to beg for a living. You, the director of the Urban Construction Bureau, will be the future 'bread and butter' of my construction company. Just let me know if you need anything, and I'll be there whenever you call!"

"What do you mean by 'bread and butter'?" Dai Weiguo waved his hand. "As the director of the Urban Construction Bureau, I'm here to serve you too. If you build the houses well, develop and utilize the land effectively, and benefit the people, then I, as the director, will also have something to be proud of!"

"Yes, yes, Director Dai, you're right. Let's not go back to the bureau. I'll treat you to lunch. Let's go to the county state-run restaurant." After the two got into the car, Chen Zaixing was about to drive to the county state-run restaurant.

Dai Weiguo quickly stopped Chen Zaixing, "No, Zaixing, this isn't appropriate. Let's go another day after I've rested. I have to go to work this afternoon!"

Dai Weiguo politely declined, and Chen Zaixing didn't insist. The two chatted and laughed, and the car soon arrived at the entrance of the Urban Construction Bureau. Dai Weiguo got out of the car, Chen Zaixing said goodbye to him, and then turned the car around and drove towards Huaxingsheng Supermarket.

On the way, Chen Zaixing kept thinking about what Feng Kun had told him, and how to talk to Chen Dong about it and ask him to help talk to the municipal party committee to see if the policy could be implemented.

Feng Kun said that those who walk in front are more likely to step on landmines, but Chen Zaixing would say that those who walk behind will not step on landmines or fall into pitfalls, but they can only eat the leftovers.

Chen Zaixing always remembered a sentence that Chen Dong had said to his brothers during a casual conversation: "China's economic reforms at this time are a huge opportunity. Opportunities are like seats on a bus. If you get on the bus first and take a seat, the people who get on later will have to stand!"

Sometimes if you miss this bus, you don't know when the next one will come, or there might not even be another bus waiting for you!