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

Hongqiao Airport

The military plane carrying Huang Bin landed smoothly on the runway. It was a sunny day in Shanghai. The freezing rain of the past few days had chilled people to the bone. Huang Bin felt the damp cold of the Jiangnan region as soon as he got off the plane.

On the tarmac, Guo Yifu, Gao Yueming, and other leaders of the Shanghai Municipal Party Committee and Government arrived to greet him. Although they all had smiles on their faces, they became more reserved when they saw Huang Bin's serious expression as he stepped off the plane.

Huang Bin glanced at the people who came to pick him up, and after lingering on Gao Yueming's face for a moment, he got into the car. Guo Yifu quickly followed and got in, while Gao Yueming had no choice but to sit in the passenger seat to accompany him.

"What's the situation with Chen Zaidong now?" Huang Bin unbuttoned his trench coat. Guo Yifu's expression flashed with a hint of panic, but he quickly replied with a serious face, "I already appeased Chen Zaidong yesterday. Everything is proceeding smoothly. He's at the Peace Hotel right now, waiting for you, Mr. Huang, to meet with him."

The so-called orderly approach was just something Guo Yifu said to appease Huang Bin. He had been feeling uneasy ever since he saw the Ningcheng plan on Chen Dong's coffee table yesterday.

Now that Huang Bin has arrived, he hopes that Huang Bin, the Minister of Industry, can step in and appease Chen Dong, so that Chen Dong can invest in Shanghai with peace of mind. As for the matter concerning Ningcheng, Guo Yifu only mentioned it briefly and did not go into details.

But Huang Bin, being the kind of person he was, immediately grasped the key point in her words: "You said you saw an investment plan for Ningcheng at Chen Zaidong's place?"

"Who delivered it?"

"It's still unclear," Guo Yifu swallowed hard, "but the person who can get in touch with Chen Zaidong at this critical juncture and hand over the Ningcheng investment plan to him must be of a high rank."

Gao Yueming whispered, "Old Huang, the Vice Mayor of Ningcheng, Ji Lianjun, came to our Shanghai for inspection and study a while ago. Could it be that Ji Lianjun gave it to us?"

"That's it, it must be him," Huang Bin sighed. "You guys are practically being robbed and you don't even know it. Drive faster."

As soon as Huang Bin's convoy arrived at the entrance of the Peace Hotel, Chen Dong was already waiting in the lobby. Unlike his usual casual suit, he was wearing a well-tailored dark gray suit, and even had a tie on.

This detail made Huang Bin's heart sink slightly. Dressed so formally to see him meant either that he valued the meeting extremely highly or that it was just business.

"Mr. Huang, you must be tired from your journey," Chen Dong stepped forward and grasped Huang Bin's outstretched hand.

"Zai Dong, how have you been doing in Shanghai?" Huang Bin asked with a smile, looking Chen Dong up and down. Chen Dong replied, "It's alright, but the weather is a bit unpredictable. It's much colder than in Tuocheng."

"Haha, you know what, I just came from Beijing and I almost got chilled when I got off the plane. Jiangnan is indeed a bit damp and cold," Huang Bin patted Chen Dong's arm. "Let's not stand here at the door anymore, come on, let's go upstairs and talk."

The group did not go to Chen Dong's room on the eighth floor. Knowing that the minister and city leaders would be coming today, the Peace Hotel had prepared a small conference room on the fifth floor for the leaders to have a talk.

After entering the conference room, everyone took their seats. Huang Bin glanced at Chen Zaixing next to Chen Dong and asked with a smile, "I heard that your Huaxing Real Estate Company is doing very well now. Your company even participated in the renovation project of the small park in Tuocheng City."

"Zaixing, would you be interested in investing and building something in Shanghai with your cousin Zaidong?"

"Yes, Mr. Huang," Chen Zaixing did not answer Huang Bin's question directly, but instead indicated tactfully, "Huaxing Real Estate will gradually expand beyond Tuocheng in the future. With such a strong development momentum in Shanghai, not only Huaxing Real Estate, but also many other companies will be moving into Shanghai in the future."

However, not now. This was what Chen Zaixing didn't say. Huang Bin nodded. "Zaidong, you were invited by me to invest in Shanghai. Even if you don't care about me, you should at least show some respect. I already know what has happened these past few days. Here, on behalf of the Central Committee, I would like to express my sincere apologies to you."

"Land approval takes time and procedures, I hope you can understand that, Zai Dong. Regarding the equity, let's stick to a 30% to 70% split. What do you think?"

After Huang Bin finished speaking, he smiled and waited for Chen Dong to bargain. He expected that as long as the price was not lower than 25%, he would make a decision immediately. However, Chen Dong shook his head and said to Huang Bin, "Mr. Huang, Xiaochi plans to give up on the project of investing in an engine factory in Shanghai!"

"Why!"

The smiling faces of Huang Bin, Guo Yifu, Gao Yueming, and the others turned to surprise and confusion after Chen Dong's words. Guo Yifu even spoke up urgently, "Mr. Chen, won't you reconsider?"

Gao Yueming was the most anxious. "Yes, Mr. Chen, please reconsider. Have you felt wronged by the hospitality we've provided in Shanghai these past few days? I assure you..."

"No need, Mayor Gao," Chen Dong interrupted Gao Yueming's assurance. "I've already made up my mind. It's not because of your city of Shanghai, but because of the company's future development needs that I've made this careful decision!"

"Zai Dong," Huang Bin took a deep breath, suppressing his surging emotions, "can't we give them another chance in Shanghai?"

Chen Dong's voice was calm and steady, with an undeniable air of authority. "Shanghai is a metropolis, a municipality directly under the central government, and a window for China to open up to the outside world. But if the window is not opened, even the best scenery cannot be seen in. Xiaochi is not a charity. We can wait, but we will not wait indefinitely."

Huang Bin fell silent. He knew that what Chen Dong said was true, but he couldn't just let Chen Dong go. If this project failed, it wouldn't just be a matter of Shanghai losing face, but a matter of the reform and opening-up policy being blown askew on this land.

"Zai Dong, just give Shanghai three more days for my sake, and the land issue will be resolved immediately." Huang Bin still thought that Chen Dong was angry because the land issue was being blocked, which was why he was planning to withdraw his investment.

"Mr. Huang, this is no longer about land," Chen Dong said, taking out the project plan given to him by Ji Lianjun and placing it in front of Huang Bin. "Take a look at this."

When Chen Dong produced the Ningcheng plan again, Guo Yifu and Gao Yueming's faces immediately darkened. Sure enough, their home had been stolen after all.

Huang Bin didn't rush to look at the business plan. Instead, he looked at Chen Dong and asked, "Zai Dong, no matter how good the conditions Ningcheng offers, Shanghai's geographical advantages, policy support, and tax breaks are things Ningcheng can't provide. You should stay in Shanghai!"

"Mr. Huang, can't a $500 million initial investment be exchanged for policy support and tax breaks from the central government?"