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

"Sir, did you... close the deal?"

"Um!"

Upon hearing this, Lai Zhanggao's face lit up with joy, and he excitedly waved his fists, "Boss, you're amazing! You even managed to snatch Chen Zaidong's project from Shanghai!"

Lai Zhanggao was so excited that he became somewhat incoherent. Having stayed up all night, he showed no signs of fatigue and was full of energy. Although Ji Lianjun was also very happy, he still needed to maintain his image as a leader, so he said to Lai Zhanggao, "Little Lai, don't be so happy yet. We just took it upon ourselves to contact Mr. Chen. Secretary Cai in Ningcheng is still unaware of this."

"Boss, you've already choked off this project. If Secretary Cai finds out about your amazing feat, he'll be overjoyed." Lai Zhanggao could even picture Secretary Cai Shengju jumping up and down in his office upon hearing the news.

Secretary Cai Shengju, with his short and stout stature of 1.65 meters, looks incredibly comical when he jumps. Don't ask Lai Zhanggao how he knows; just ask his uncle. How could I not know?

"It's still far from certain, Xiao Lai. We need to keep this a secret for now. Let's hurry back to the guesthouse and call Secretary Cai to give him the good news. We need to tell Ningcheng to make preparations beforehand. I reckon Mr. Chen and the people in Shanghai will have their showdown in the next couple of days, and then he'll come directly to Ningcheng for an inspection. We can't afford to be careless!"

"Okay, let's hurry back to the guesthouse!"

When Ji Lianjun and Lai Zhanggao returned to the guesthouse, it was past mealtime. The state-run guesthouse canteen would have been empty by this time. Lai Zhanggao searched the kitchen and found only half a bowl of cold porridge and two wilted cucumbers. The two of them did not mind and made do with the pickled vegetable shreds.

After they had eaten and drunk their fill, Ji Lianjun took out the backup document of Ningcheng Economic Development Zone from Lai Zhanggao's bag. After carefully reviewing the various articles, Ji Lianjun led Lai Zhanggao downstairs to the nearest post office.

There weren't many people in the post office. These days, unless it was an emergency, most people would only send a telegram and rarely make long-distance calls. Therefore, not many people used the telephones here.

Ji Lianjun filled out a long-distance call form, paid a deposit, and waited in front of the phone for a while before the operator's voice came through the receiver. The call to Ningcheng was connected, and the person who answered was Xiao Huang, the secretary of Cai Shengju, the municipal party secretary.

"Secretary Huang, this is Ji Lianjun. Could you please have Secretary Cai answer the phone? I have an important work report to give." Ji Lianjun didn't waste any pleasantries. These days, phone calls are expensive, especially long-distance calls.

"Okay, Mayor Ji, I'll transfer you to the other end right away."

There was a pause on the other end of the phone, then a steady voice said, "Comrade Lianjun, this is Cai Shengju. What can I do for you?"

Ji Lianjun glanced around at the people, lowered his voice, and covered the microphone with his hand, saying, "Secretary Cai, I've secured a massive investment of five hundred million US dollars for Ningcheng!"

Upon hearing this, Cai Shengju on the other end of the phone thought he had misheard and asked again, "Comrade Lianjun, what did you say?"

"Five hundred million US dollars! I've landed a huge project for Ningcheng!"

"Old Ji, are you telling the truth? It's that foreign businessman, where are you now?"

Even through the microphone, Ji Lianjun could feel Cai Shengju's excitement at the moment when he asked three questions in a row. A $500 million project! If it really landed in Ningcheng, then Ningcheng would directly jump to the top of Zhejiang Province.

"Secretary Cai, it's Chen Zaidong from Xiaochi Company in Tuocheng, Guangdong. This is a long story, and I can't explain it to you over the phone right now. In short, I've basically got Chen Zaidong on board today, and he's accepted my proposal."

"I'm calling today to report to you, Secretary, so you won't accuse me of acting on my own initiative," Ji Lianjun said with a smile into the microphone.

"Hahaha!"

A hearty laugh came from the microphone: "Old Ji, you brought Chen Zaidong and the project to Ningcheng, you're a hero to all of Ningcheng! If anyone dares to say you acted on your own initiative, I, Cai Shengju, will be the first to object!"

"Then, Secretary, let me tell you about the agreements I discussed with Chen Zaidong. Listen and see if there's anything wrong with them," Ji Lianjun immediately told Cai Shengju everything he had discussed with Chen Dong that morning.

After listening, Cai Shengju said "good" three times in a row, "Old Ji, we in Ningcheng can accept all the conditions you agreed to. Don't worry, I will report to the provincial party committee later. I will personally handle the land procedures and other issues, and I will definitely get them approved for you as quickly as possible!"

"With your words, I feel more at ease. Chen Zaidong asked me to give him a reply tomorrow, so I'll have more confidence in my response!"

"Old Ji, don't worry, go ahead and talk to Chen Zaidong. I, the Party Secretary, will cover for you," Cai Shengju said, thumping his chest loudly through the microphone. "I only have one request: you must bring this 500 million yuan project to Ningcheng!"

"Don't worry, Secretary, if I can't bring this project back, I won't go back to Ningcheng!"

"That's not true, hahaha!"

Shanghai Municipal Government Building

Guo Yifu was on the phone with Huang Bin, the Minister of Industry. Huang Bin said, "Comrade Yifu, you must keep Chen Zaidong in Shanghai. After I finish my work here, I will fly to Shanghai tomorrow to talk to Chen Zaidong in person."

Hearing that Minister Huang Bin was going to personally fly over to appease Chen Zaidong, Guo Yifu finally felt relieved, and his voice even carried a smile, "Don't worry, Mr. Huang, I will definitely appease Mr. Chen, and the Shanghai Municipal Committee will also do a good job in receiving him."

"No need for all this nonsense. I'm going to Shanghai to meet with Chen Zaidong to discuss a project, not to inspect the work. Keep it simple!"

"Yes, Mr. Huang!"

After hanging up the phone, Guo Yifu smiled. The project with Xiaochi had been full of twists and turns. Although the National Land Bureau had not yet officially issued the revised approval documents, Minister Huang Bin had personally come down to see Chen Zaidong, which should be enough to give Chen Zaidong face.

I believe that after meeting Huang Bin, Chen Dong will be able to dispel all his concerns. Then, once the State Council Land Bureau issues the approval document, they in Shanghai can directly sign the contract with Xiaochi, and the project will be successfully launched.

As for Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC), they will allocate 5% of its shares from the municipal government's 20% stake to give Minister Huang Bin an explanation, and this matter will be resolved.

As for Bai Jianbo's dissatisfaction, there's nothing that can be done. Guo Yifu is the Party Secretary of Shanghai Municipal Committee, not the Party Secretary of Shanghai Automobile Group. His primary concern is the interests of the vast majority of Shanghai residents.

Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) must make concessions for the greater good and cannot be petty.