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

"We urge the former leader to carefully consider the opinions of the local comrades!"

As soon as Ding Zhuo said this, the entire small conference room fell silent instantly, followed by a collective gasp.

Wu Nansheng!

He is a pillar of the Chinese political arena, a veteran cadre who came from Tuocheng in Guangdong. Although he has now retired to the second line and voluntarily moved away from the central government to recuperate in Guangdong, he still has considerable influence.

Now he has not only personally taken charge of this proposal, but has even directly called the senior leaders who are about to come for an inspection. What does this mean?

This means that Chen Dong's financial pilot reform plan has been completely removed from the jurisdiction of Tuocheng and even Guangdong Province, and has been placed directly on the desk of the central government's top decision-making body!

Zhou Haimin and Guo Hengwen were so excited that their hands were trembling slightly. They looked at each other and saw the uncontrollable joy in each other's eyes.

With Mr. Wu's endorsement, this matter, which was unanimously opposed at the Provincial Standing Committee meeting, has now been completely overturned.

"This...this is fantastic news!"

Zhou Haimin took a deep breath, trying to calm his surging emotions. "Secretary Ding, if we can really take advantage of this visit from our old leader and establish the financial pilot program in Tuocheng, then our special economic zone will truly be at the forefront of the country!"

"Yes," Ding Zhuo nodded with a smile, and when he looked at Chen Dong again, his eyes showed more of an elder's affection and expectations for a younger generation. "Comrade Zai Dong, I have seen your sincere and patriotic heart."

"But let me be clear from the start, although the higher-ups attach great importance to it, there will still be considerable obstacles to its implementation," he paused and then said, "Next time the old leader comes to Tuocheng for research, you'd better be well prepared and explain your ideas to him face to face. Whether it works or not will depend on your abilities."

Although it was the first time Chen Dong had heard the name "Wu Nansheng," he could easily guess from the delighted smiles of Zhou Haimin and Guo Hengwen that Wu Nansheng must be a very important figure. To have his recommendation delivered directly to the desks of the central leadership was an opportunity that many people would kill for.

But Chen Dong maintained his calm and composed smile, confident that after his face-to-face meeting with the senior leader from the central government, he would be able to convince the leader, nicknamed "Steel Company," of his approval.

This represents nearly hundreds of billions of US dollars in funds held by overseas Chinese in Southeast Asia. Such a large reservoir would be a boon to China, which is currently so poor it's practically selling its underwear. Even the Federal Reserve in America would have to shake Chen Dong's hand and say hello after hearing about his vision for an offshore financial center.

You can choose whichever piece of land you want, and you can propose any policy you desire. I guarantee that no member of Congress will dare to utter a single word of opposition!

Secretary Ding Zhuo and Secretary Zhou Haimin failed to see the enormous potential benefits behind Chen Dong's proposal, but Chen Dong believed that the "Old Wu Nansheng" everyone was talking about must have seen it.

Chen Dong also believed that the old leader who was about to come to Tuocheng for research must have realized this, which was why he chose to come to Tuocheng for research and investigation at this time.

Chen Dong even arrogantly believed that this old leader was probably using the pretext of research to come to Tuocheng, but actually came to talk to him about the offshore financial center project in Tuocheng. Otherwise, why would he specifically ask him to accompany him?

Having thought all this through, Chen Dong felt even more confident about his upcoming meeting with his former leader. He confidently told Ding Zhuo, "Secretary Ding, rest assured, I will speak frankly and without reservation!"

Ding Zhuo was very satisfied with Chen Dong's confident demeanor and composed reply. "Good, young people should have this kind of vigor."

Seeing that things had taken a turn for the better, Zhou Haimin put in even more effort regarding the topics and arrangements for receiving the old leader. After the meeting, Ding Zhuo led the three Chen brothers down the steps of the municipal party committee compound, patted Chen Dong's arm and instructed him, "Go back and rewrite the draft carefully, and try to give the old leader a more detailed report tomorrow."

Chen Dong smiled and nodded, saying okay. Chen Zaiguang and Chen Zaixing also said goodbye to the group of leaders. The three of them then got into the Dilu car and drove out of the municipal party committee compound.

After the car drove out of the gate, Chen Zaixing finally let out a long sigh of relief. "Ah, that's a relief! Hey, Dong, who's this Old Wu? I've never heard of him before."

Chen Dong shook his head; he didn't know who this Old Wu was either. Chen Zaiguang, however, smiled and said to the two, "This Old Wu is no ordinary person. It was Old Wu who personally approved our Tuocheng becoming one of the special economic zones!"

"At the same time, he was one of the deputy chief architects of China's reform and opening up. When he was transferred from the central government to serve as the first secretary of Guangdong Province, he visited our Tuocheng and went to his ancestral home in Shangcang Brigade, Guanbu Commune."

"Wow! It's actually someone from Guanbu's side," Chen Zaixing was very surprised. If Chen Zaiguang hadn't mentioned it, he wouldn't have known that such an important figure had emerged from their Nanshan District.

"It's already in the newspaper. I used to work in the water transport industry and I read that issue of the newspaper. I only remembered it after Secretary Ding mentioned it today," Chen Zaiguang said speechlessly, glancing at Chen Zaixing. It's a good thing that Chen Zaixing has turned over a new leaf. In the past, Chen Zaixing wouldn't even bother to take a dump without toilet paper, let alone read the newspaper.

"So it's true that having connections in high places is advantageous. I've decided that when I get back, I'll urge that brat Rongguo to study hard so that he can at least get some kind of official position within the system someday," Chen Zaixing said with a wicked grin.

"Come on, you're the one urging me on. If you don't lead Rongguo astray, I'll be grateful to our ancestors for protecting us," Chen Zaiguang rolled his eyes at his unreliable younger brother.

"Hahaha," Chen Dong laughed along, "Fifth Brother, you can forget about Rong Guo getting into the system. With Rong Guo's brain, he'll either become a mathematician or a financial expert in the future. Getting into the system would be a waste of his clever little brain."

"Although that brat is half as good at math as I am, I still prefer him to take over my business in the future. After all, I've built this huge business around him. Saying that he should try to work in the system is just something I made up on the spot," Chen Zaixing said seriously. "But I think Rong Fei could try to make a name for himself in the system."

"After all, our Chen family has money now, but I always feel that without someone in the system, sooner or later..."

"Don't talk nonsense," Chen Zaiguang interrupted Chen Zaixing before he could finish speaking. "We must trust our country. As for Rongfei's matter, we'll consider it after he graduates from university."