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

"The consensus is that it was caused by land reclamation!"

"The experts in America concluded that land reclamation will severely reduce tidal volume, eventually causing serious siltation and blockage of waterways in the inner bay," Zhou Haimin said, tapping his finger on the table. "Comrades, our inner bay can only accommodate ships of 5,000 tons now, which is already outdated. If we continue to fill in the sea, even ships of 10,000 tons won't be able to get in. How can Tuocheng develop then!"

The meeting room fell completely silent. Zhou Haimin's words would affect the development of Tuocheng, so the Standing Committee members had to take it seriously.

"Nowadays, international cargo ships are often 10,000 tons or even 100,000 tons, and 5,000 tons are only suitable for coastal navigation. Comrades, times are changing, and we, the members of the Standing Committee, now hold the future of Tuocheng in our hands."

"Reclaiming land from the sea would destroy the Tuocheng Special Economic Zone. There is only one way out, and that is to widen the shipping channels. We will analyze this in detail later when we discuss the expansion of Tuo Port. We won't talk about it now!"

Tan Youlin, the director of the Municipal Finance Bureau, listened to Zhou Haimin through gritted teeth. "We haven't even discussed the Xiaogongyuan area yet, and now you've brought up the 'Tuogang Expansion' project. Our municipal finances really don't have any money left!"

Zhou Haimin, oblivious to the worried look on the municipal finance bureau chief's face, raised his second finger and continued the previous topic, "The second reason is the policy feasibility of land value reuse!"

"The Xiaogongyuan area is located in the old town of Tuocheng, right next to Tuo Port. Its commercial value is enormous. If developed properly, this land will be a prime location and a bellwether for the future economic development of Tuocheng."

"Look at the documents in front of you. Look at these old houses in the old city, built during the Republic of China era. By our country's housing standards, these are already dilapidated buildings. Not only are they unsafe to live in, but they are also undignified!"

"After coming down from the cross-sea bridge, all you see are these old buildings, which seriously detract from the overall appearance of our city, Tuocheng. The land value in the city center is not being realized at all. Is that right, comrades?"

"Some members of the Standing Committee or the CPPCC might say that we need to preserve some of Tuocheng's historical features, but in my opinion, there's absolutely no need!"

"These arcade buildings are not local to Tuocheng and have little historical value. To hinder the redevelopment of the entire city in the name of preserving historical features is not a political achievement, it's a mistake!"

"I'm not disrespecting history, but what irreplaceable value does a commercial and residential building that's a hundred years old have? If it's truly a garden, a historic residence, or a cultural relic, then we should preserve what needs to be preserved and repair what needs to be repaired."

"But those arcade buildings, the plaster is peeling off, the wooden beams are rotten, it's not safe for people to live in them. Using 'history' as a shield, this isn't protecting history, it's harming people!"

Looking at the silent Standing Committee members, Zhou Haimin paused, then held up his third finger. "This third reason is also the most important issue for us cadres: whether we dare to take responsibility!"

"Comrades, as leading cadres, I won't comment on whether your vision is good or not, or whether you have a long-term perspective—those are all empty talk! I'll only say one thing: when faced with difficulties, do you dare to shoulder your responsibilities bravely, like the old revolutionaries and Red Army veterans of yesteryear, instead of choosing to evade or muddle through?"

"Back then, our Provincial Party Committee Secretary Ding said something to me that has benefited me greatly to this day. Secretary Ding said, 'The most difficult thing for a cadre is not making decisions, but whether you dare to take responsibility when you encounter difficulties that need to be solved!'"

After Zhou Haimin finished speaking, his gaze swept over the twelve Standing Committee members present. He picked up the porcelain cup in front of him, took a large gulp of warm tea, and gently set the cup down before continuing, "The Central Committee has already issued a decision, and the Provincial Committee has also spoken with me. Given the continued economic growth of Tuocheng, the Central Committee has decided that next year, in 1983, the administrative division of the Tuocheng region will be abolished, and the other two cities will be completely under the direct jurisdiction of our Tuocheng City!"

The bombshell news revealed by Zhou Haimin caused the members of the Standing Committee present to gasp in surprise. This was no small matter; it concerned whether they, as members of the Standing Committee, could continue to sit here and hold the meeting in peace.

If Fengcheng and Rongcheng are abolished as cities and converted into counties and districts, it will affect the personnel transfer of many department-level cadres. Whether someone will be promoted or transferred down depends entirely on the decision of Secretary Zhou Haimin!

Why did Zhou Haimin reveal this news at this time? The Standing Committee members present already vaguely knew something about it.

"The workload of our municipal party committee next year will increase exponentially. I won't even mention the newly incorporated counties and districts; just look at this small park area in our Tuocheng city. If you don't even dare to take on the responsibility, what will the future hold for Tuocheng when you are truly needed to lead the charge?"

Everyone lowered their heads after Zhou Haimin's words, "It's difficult." Liu Guangyuan, the full-time deputy secretary, cleared his throat and raised his hand to speak, "Secretary Zhou, your remarks are truly thought-provoking. I basically agree with your views!"

"But in practice, there are indeed many difficulties. How to get funding, how to carry out demolition, and how to deal with the property rights of overseas Chinese? If these problems are not solved, even if we set the tone, it will not be implemented."

"Yes, yes, Secretary Zhou, we've taken on the responsibility, but even a skilled cook can't make a meal without rice!"

"Yes, Secretary Zhou, our city's total revenue last year was only..."

Zhou Haimin interrupted Tan Youlin, the director of the Municipal Finance Bureau, saying, "Comrade Youlin, we're not here today to hold a grievance meeting, but to brainstorm solutions!"

Zhou Haimin pointed to Guo Hanqiang, the director of the Municipal Construction Bureau, who was sitting at the end of the table, and asked, "Comrade Hanqiang, could you tell us how much funding your Municipal Construction Bureau plans to invest in the overall renovation of the small park?"

This was Guo Hanqiang's first time speaking in front of so many members of the Municipal Standing Committee. He showed no fear, holding the plan he had stayed up all night to write, and said in a clear voice, "Secretary Zhou, leaders, if we abandon land reclamation and turn to the renovation of the Xiaogongyuan area, my preliminary calculations show that the first phase will require at least 200 million yuan, and the entire project will cost at least 800 million yuan."

Eight hundred million!

Tan Youlin, the director of the municipal finance bureau, rolled his eyes. "Don't even mention 800 million, even if you ask him, the finance bureau director, to come up with 80 million right now, all the leaders and cadres in the city, no matter how high or low, will have their salaries canceled!"

Tan Youlin had no choice but to raise his hand again. "Secretary Zhou, I would like to speak. Our city's finances, let alone 800 million, can only squeeze out 20 million right now. And that's just the first batch of funds for the initial stage of the land reclamation plan."

"This is the current state of the city's finances; the amount of money we can squeeze out is really limited!"