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

Chen Dong and his group slowly walked back downstairs. Ji Lianjun was still excited. He didn't expect Chen Dong to be so straightforward in taking the Beilun land and offering 30% of the equity at once.

150 million US dollars! At the current official exchange rate of RMB to USD, that's nearly 400 million RMB. Ningcheng's total fiscal revenue last year was only 800 million RMB. Xiaochi's 150 million US dollar investment immediately accounts for 50% of Ningcheng's total fiscal revenue last year.

At that time in China, apart from the four special economic zones, cities like Ningcheng had to hand over 75% of their fiscal revenue to the central and provincial governments, leaving only about 25% for the local government. The $15 million project investment was 1.5 to 20 times the Ningcheng municipal government's disposable financial resources.

Although the money was converted into shares, Xiaochi's subsequent construction and building work all required hiring people and purchasing in Ningcheng, so the money was actually spent in Ningcheng.

"Uncle Ji, what are you thinking about?" Chen Zaixing's voice pulled Ji Lianjun back from his reverie of numbers. Ji Lianjun snapped out of it, waved his hand, and smiled. "Nothing, I was just daydreaming."

Chen Dong took out a cigarette, lit it, took a puff, and the smoke he exhaled dissipated quickly in the wind. "Uncle Ji, go back and tell Secretary Cai that Xiaochi will provide funding, technology, and equipment, accounting for 70%, while Ningcheng will provide land, supporting facilities, and policy support, accounting for 30%."

"The decision-making power rests with Xiaochi. Ningcheng will not interfere with production and operation, but will only be responsible for ensuring the external environment. The contract will be drafted according to this framework. You can directly approve it at the Standing Committee meeting and then contact me."

Ji Lianjun listened attentively, memorizing every word. He remained outwardly calm, but inwardly he was in turmoil. This wasn't an investment opportunity; they were here to deliver a huge gift.

The group returned to the city by car. Ji Lianjun did not leave immediately, but stayed in Chen Dong's room at the hotel and discussed the contract details with Chen Dong and Chen Zaixing for a long time. After lunch, Ji Lianjun finally left.

Ji Lianjun rushed back to the municipal government building and ran to Cai Shengju's office. The secretary outside didn't stop Ji Lianjun. He knocked on the door and opened it for him without asking any questions.

Cai Shengju, wearing glasses, was looking at documents when he looked up and saw Ji Lianjun come in. He casually asked, "Old Ji, you're back so quickly after you finished looking at the documents? Please sit down and have some tea. I'll be done in a minute."

Ji Lianjun was in a bit of a hurry. He didn't seem to mind the hot tea his secretary brought him, sipping it slowly with a hissing sound as he blew on it. Cai Shengju, having finished his work, saw Ji Lianjun like this and asked with a smile, "How is it? Is Chen Zaidong satisfied with the land in Beilun?"

"Secretary, the people who came with me to see the land today are just going through the motions," Ji Lianjun said, having quenched his thirst. He was no longer in a hurry and started to keep everyone in suspense.

"He's not satisfied? Is it because he thinks there's not enough land or something?"

Seeing Cai Shengju's anxiety, Ji Lianjun laughed and said, "Satisfied, very satisfied. He told me on the spot that Xiaochi wanted this land and asked me to come back and tell you, Secretary, to prepare the contract!"

"Really! Oh, that's wonderful!" Cai Shengju, his short, stout body immediately jumped up from his chair, rubbing his hands together as he paced back and forth in front of the coffee table. "Great, Lao Ji!"

"Secretary, you weren't there, but I planned the land use in Beilun for the two brothers. I didn't bring the contract with me at the time, otherwise they could have signed it on the spot," Ji Lianjun laughed.

Cai Shengju smiled like a Maitreya Buddha and asked immediately, "So how many shares does he plan to give us? Is it 20%?"

Ji Lianjun held up three fingers and said, "Xiaochi will give us 30% of the shares, on the condition that Xiaochi retains all decision-making power. Our municipal government will only participate in profit sharing and guarantees. What do you think, Secretary?"

"This is more than Shanghai," Cai Shengju grinned. "Shanghai gets 20%, we get 30%, hehe!"

Ji Lianjun naturally understood the meaning behind Cai Shengju's words: giving Ningcheng 30% was not because Ningcheng was better than Hucheng, but because Hucheng had ruined its good hand.

Chen Dong's extra 10% to Ningcheng was not charity, but an investment. It was an investment in Ningcheng's sincerity and in the future of this land whose value was not yet apparent.

"Old Ji," Cai Shengju suddenly stopped smiling and said to Ji Lianjun, his voice not loud but every word firm and resolute, "You are fully responsible for the contract. You don't need to ask for instructions on everything. If you need the cooperation of any department, go directly to them. If any bureau chief is uncooperative, tell me."

"Secretary, rest assured, at this time, if anyone dares to hinder the project like those officials in Shanghai, I, as the vice mayor and full-time deputy secretary, can fire them immediately without you even having to lift a finger!"

Cai Shengju nodded. "Old Ji, you'll have to work hard tonight to finish the contract with Xiaochi. We'll need it for tomorrow's extraordinary standing committee meeting."

"Okay, I'll work hard with Xiao Lai tonight and make sure we finish the contract." Ji Lianjun took the Peony cigarettes that Cai Shengju handed him, lit a match to light Cai Shengju's cigarette first, and then lit his own cigarette.

"Don't push yourself too hard. You're not a young man anymore. Don't be stubborn. Lai is still young. Just talk to him about the contract outline and have him stay up all night to finish it," Cai Shengju said with a smile. If you didn't know that Lai Zhanggao was Cai Shengju's nephew, you would think that the municipal party secretary was making things difficult for Lai.

"Alright, it's time to give this young Lai some more responsibility," Ji Lianjun told Cai Shengju how Lai Zhanggao overheard the Shanghai Municipal Government and Xiaochi's negotiations falling apart outside Gao Yueming's office corridor in Shanghai.

Cai Shengju nodded with a smile, "Little Lai is clever. He did a very good job. After following you for several years, he has changed a lot of his old, impulsive habits."

"I intend to propose at tomorrow's temporary municipal standing committee meeting that Xiao Lai be appointed as the deputy director of the Beilun Economic Development Zone, and Lao Ji, you be appointed as the director. What do you think?"

Ji Lianjun shook his head and said, "Secretary, I am in charge of investment promotion in Ningcheng. Let's not keep the title of director of the development zone. I propose that Comrade Lai Zhanggao be directly nominated as the director of the development zone."

"That's not a good idea. People will say that I, Cai Shengju, am nepotistic. That's not good, not good," Cai Shengju said after thinking it over, and quickly waved his hand to refuse.

"What's the big deal? We don't avoid relatives when recommending people. Just because you're Lai's uncle, does that mean we have to wrong this young and ambitious comrade?" Ji Lianjun spoke up for Lai Zhanggao. "Besides, Lai is my secretary, and I don't even avoid suspicion. What are you afraid of, Secretary? I'll make the suggestion at the Standing Committee meeting tomorrow!"

"The central government has always advocated and encouraged local governments to select younger cadres. Our teacher also said that young people are like the rising sun, full of potential. Xiao Lai is capable and has been by my side for so many years. He is reliable and hardworking. Why can't he be the director of this development zone?"