Reborn in 2000: I'm the Boss's Driver

September 3, 2008, Gangcheng City Government Auditorium.

The auditorium, which could hold three hundred people, was packed to capacity, the atmosphere so heavy it seemed almost palpable. All the top Party and government leaders from the city's banners, counties, and districts, as well as the principal officials from various bureaus, commissions, and offices, were present. Each person sat upright, notebooks open in front of them, but almost no one was writing—everyone's attention was focused on the stage.

Mayor Chen Li was speaking. The mayor, who had just turned fifty, had a livid face and his tone was so stern it was almost a reprimand:

"...As of the end of August, 37% of the city's large-scale industrial enterprises were operating at a loss, an increase of 22 percentage points compared to the same period last year; fiscal revenue decreased by 18.6% year-on-year, of which tax revenue decreased by 26.3%; the urban registered unemployment rate climbed to 6.8%, and this does not include the large number of migrant workers returning to their hometowns!"

The auditorium was completely silent, except for the low hum of the air conditioning vents.

Chen Li adjusted his glasses and continued reading the data: "The growth rate of fixed asset investment has slowed, the growth of total retail sales of consumer goods is sluggish, and both import and export trade have declined... Comrades, this is not an ordinary cyclical fluctuation; this is a concentrated outbreak resulting from the financial crisis spreading to the real economy!"

He raised his head, his gaze sweeping across the audience: "What's even more heartbreaking is that, under these dire circumstances, some comrades are still pursuing vanity projects and image-building projects! They blindly launch projects without considering the actual situation, leading to unfinished projects, withdrawn investments, and wasted resources!"

Upon hearing this, many people in the audience subconsciously looked in the direction of the Tu County delegation—County Head Li Jianguo was sitting in the second row, head down, his face pale.

"The Tuxian stone processing plant project, with a total investment of 50 million and a county government matching 20 million, what's the situation now?" Chen Li's voice suddenly rose. "The investors have withdrawn their investment! The factory is half-built and left there, the equipment has been ordered but no one has paid, and the bank loans can't be repaid! This is a typical case of poor decision-making and reckless advancement!"

Li Jianguo lowered his head even further, almost burying it in his chest.

"And what about the Hongqi Reservoir reinforcement project? Were there any problems with the bidding process? Why was the winning construction company unqualified? Why was the project halted halfway through?" Chen Li bombarded him with questions. "Comrade Li Jianguo, can you answer these questions?"

All eyes were on Li Jianguo. He slowly stood up, his lips trembling, unable to speak for a long time.

"Sit down," Chen Li said coldly. "The Municipal Party Committee Standing Committee has decided to remove Comrade Li Jianguo from his positions as Deputy Secretary of the Tu County Party Committee and County Head, and to arrange for him to take up another post. The position of County Head of Tu County will be temporarily held concurrently by Comrade Zhou Wenyuan, the County Party Secretary."

A suppressed commotion arose in the auditorium. Many people whispered among themselves, their eyes filled with complex emotions as they looked at Zhou Wenyuan—who sat upright and calmly in the first row, near the side.

The meeting lasted for more than two hours. It was 12:30 pm when it adjourned. People left silently, few spoke, and the atmosphere was so oppressive that it was hard to breathe.

Zhou Wenyuan had just stepped out of the auditorium when his phone rang. It was the secretary of Wang Zhenshan, the municipal party secretary: "Secretary Zhou, Secretary Wang requests your presence in his office."

"Okay, I'll be right there."

The municipal party secretary's office was on the eighth floor. When Zhou Wenyuan knocked and entered, Wang Zhenshan was standing by the window with his back to the door.

"Secretary Wang."

Wang Zhenshan turned around. This 55-year-old municipal party secretary had aged noticeably in the past six months, with deep eye bags and a significant increase in gray hair at his temples.

"Wenyuan, please sit down." He gestured to the sofa. "What are your thoughts on today's meeting?"

Zhou Wenyuan carefully considered his words: "The situation is indeed severe. But the more difficult the times, the more we must remain steadfast."

"That's right." Wang Zhenshan sat down opposite him. "It was my suggestion to appoint you as the county magistrate concurrently. Given the current situation in Tu County, someone needs to take on both responsibilities and shoulder the burden."

"Thank you for your trust, Secretary."

"It's not about trust, it's about having no other choice," Wang Zhenshan said with a wry smile. "No one else can clean up the mess Li Jianguo made. In the past six months in Tuxian County, you've done a remarkable job in Party building, and the cadres and the masses have given you positive feedback. Now it's time to test your overall work capabilities."

Zhou Wenyuan listened attentively.

"Economic downturn, business difficulties, rising unemployment... these problems are city-wide, but even more severe in Tuxian County," Wang Zhenshan said. "I'm giving you three months to stabilize the situation. Don't pursue growth; prioritize stability, protect people's livelihoods, and prevent any incidents. Can you do that?"

"Yes," Zhou Wenyuan answered readily.

"Good, that's the attitude I want." Wang Zhenshan stood up. "Go, and hurry up. If you encounter any difficulties, report them directly to me."

After leaving the municipal party committee building, Zhou Wenyuan went straight back to Tuxian County. On the way, he called Lin Fan: "Notify the leadership team that there will be a meeting at 3 PM this afternoon. Also, come to my office; let's meet up first."

At 2 p.m., when Lin Fan entered Zhou Wenyuan's office, he found Zhou Wenyuan already there, standing by the window smoking—a habit he had when under pressure.

"Brother Zhou."

"Sit down." Zhou Wenyuan stubbed out his cigarette and turned around. "Li Jianguo has been dismissed from his post, and I will temporarily serve as the county magistrate."

Lin Fan was not surprised. The attendees from Tu County had already relayed the news from the mayor's office meeting that morning.

"The current situation is that the economy continues to decline, a wave of business closures is beginning to emerge, and the number of unemployed is increasing." Zhou Wenyuan walked to his desk, picked up a report, and said, "In August, three more small factories in the county shut down, resulting in more than two hundred people losing their jobs. And this is just the beginning."

Lin Fan took the report and looked at it. The numbers were shocking.

"Secretary Wang gave me three months to stabilize the situation." Zhou Wenyuan sat down. "Lin Fan, what are your thoughts?"

Lin Fan did not answer immediately. He walked to the window and looked at the deserted street outside the county committee compound—usually at this time, there should be many people on the street, but now, there were few pedestrians, and even several shops on the roadside were closed.

The impact of the financial crisis has finally reached this remote county.

"Brother Zhou, I think... we can't follow in others' footsteps." Lin Fan turned around. "While others are worried about the economic downturn, we should find ways to protect people's livelihoods; while others are focusing on big projects, we should focus on small-scale economic development."

"Be specific."

"Develop the street vendor economy," Lin Fan said directly. "Let ordinary people have food to eat and jobs to do. This is the most direct and effective project for improving people's livelihoods."

Zhou Wenyuan's eyes lit up slightly: "Street vendor economy?"

"That's right." Lin Fan walked to the whiteboard, picked up a pen, and said, "You see, Tu County has several problems right now: first, there are many unemployed people; second, consumption is shrinking; and third, small businesses are having difficulty operating. Developing the street vendor economy can kill three birds with one stone."

He wrote on the whiteboard:

1. Solve employment problems – setting up a street stall has low barriers to entry and does not require much capital.

2. Stimulate consumption – Night markets can attract crowds and boost consumption in the surrounding area.

3. Revitalize small businesses – Street stalls can become a sales channel for small commodities.

"How exactly do we do it?" Zhou Wenyuan leaned forward.

"We can create several themed streets," Lin Fan said clearly. "For example, a night market food street, a small goods street, and an agricultural products street. We can designate specific areas, manage them uniformly, and provide them to vendors free of charge or at a low cost."

"What about the urban management officers and traffic police...?"

"That's the key," Lin Fan said. "We need to change our mindset—urban management officers are not thieves, but service providers; traffic police are not finers, but guides. All government departments should prioritize helping the people."

He wrote a few more things on the whiteboard:

Traffic police: The focus around the areas where vendors set up stalls will be on managing traffic, and fines and vehicle impoundments will not be imposed arbitrarily.

• Urban management officers: primarily use persuasion to provide suitable locations for street vendors and help regulate business operations.

• Business and tax authorities: Simplify procedures, reduce or exempt taxes and fees, and provide convenient license application services.

Police: Increase patrols to ensure safety.

Zhou Wenyuan stared at the whiteboard, lost in thought. After a long while, he slowly nodded: "This idea... is worth a try. But there are a few problems: First, where will the funding come from? Second, can the various departments cooperate? Third, can the results be guaranteed?"

"The funding doesn't need to be too much," Lin Fan said. "It's mainly for site preparation, lighting, and sanitation facilities; a few hundred thousand should be enough. Cooperation from various departments... requires your personal oversight; a dedicated leadership team needs to be established. As for the results..."

He paused for a moment, then said, "Brother Zhou, what do ordinary people need most right now? Not empty slogans, but real livelihoods. As long as we sincerely help them, they will vote with their feet."

Zhou Wenyuan stood up and paced around the office. Sunlight streamed in through the window, casting long shadows at his feet.

"Okay." He finally stopped. "Let's do it this way. Lin Fan, you take the lead in developing a detailed plan. Tomorrow morning, we'll hold a standing committee meeting to finalize this."

For the next three days, Lin Fan barely slept. He and several people from the county government office scoured the county town for potential night market locations, measuring, planning, and calculating the necessary investment. Simultaneously, they drafted "Several Opinions on Developing the Street Vendor Economy to Promote Employment," clarifying the responsibilities of each department and formulating detailed implementation rules.

On September 8, the Standing Committee of the Tu County Party Committee unanimously approved the "Opinions." That afternoon, a county-wide cadre meeting was held, where Zhou Wenyuan personally delivered a mobilization speech.

"Comrades, these are extraordinary times, and we need extraordinary measures!" Zhou Wenyuan stood on the stage, his voice resounding. "Economic difficulties are one thing, but the livelihoods of the people cannot be! From today onward, the entire county must prioritize developing the street vendor economy, ensuring people's livelihoods, and promoting employment!"

He announced several strict rules:

First, three areas were designated as night market zones, which were provided free of charge to vendors.

Second, traffic police, urban management, industry and commerce, taxation and other departments have formed a joint service team to provide assistance as the main focus and punishment as a secondary measure.

Third, each of the county's on-duty cadres will be assigned to a stall to help solve practical difficulties.

Fourth, the county finance allocated 500,000 yuan in special funds for the construction of night market infrastructure and small loan guarantees for struggling vendors.

The meeting room was quiet at first, then erupted in enthusiastic applause. Many officials' eyes lit up—this policy was down-to-earth, compassionate, and effective.

On the evening of September 10th, the first night market street in Tuxian County—Renmin Road Night Market—officially opened.

At 5:30 p.m., before it even got dark, both sides of Renmin Road were already lined with stalls. Barbecue vendors, snack vendors, clothing vendors, daily necessities vendors… a dazzling array of goods. Temporary lights illuminated the entire street, making it as bright as day.

Zhou Wenyuan and Lin Fan stood at the street corner, watching the gradually increasing flow of people. At first, they were local residents who came over out of curiosity. Soon, the aroma wafted through the air—grilled meat skewers, spicy hot pot, stinky tofu, jianbing guozi (Chinese crepes)... the fragrance of various foods mingled together, whetting people's appetites.

"Boss, how much are the lamb skewers?"

"Three skewers for five yuan!"

"Six skewers, please!"

"Okay!"

The shouts, the haggling, and the clanging of spatulas blended together to create a lively symphony of the marketplace.

"Let's go, let's try some too," Zhou Wenyuan said.

The two walked up to a barbecue stall. The stall owner was a middle-aged man in his forties who used to work in a factory, but hadn't been able to find work since the factory closed down.

"Secretary Zhou, Director Lin!" The man recognized them and looked somewhat nervous.

"Don't be nervous, grill us a few skewers," Zhou Wenyuan said with a smile. "How's your stall?"

"Great, excellent!" the man said excitedly. "Yesterday alone, I earned over two hundred yuan, which is better than working in the factory! Thank you to the government, thank you to the leaders!"

Zhou Wenyuan nodded, took the grilled meat skewers, took a bite, and found them to be quite delicious.

"Work hard. If you encounter any difficulties, go to the cadre in charge."

"Hey, hey!"

That night, the Renmin Road night market was bustling until 1 a.m. Later statistics showed that on its opening night, the market attracted over 3,000 people and generated nearly 100,000 yuan in sales. More importantly, the more than 300 stalls provided employment for nearly 500 people.

But this is only the beginning.

Over the next month, the reputation of Tuxian Night Market spread like wildfire. Not only did locals love to visit, but people from neighboring counties also drove over—after all, under the shadow of the financial crisis, such a lively, inexpensive, and vibrant night market was incredibly attractive.

By late October, the night market had expanded to three streets with over a thousand stalls. Starting around 5 PM each day, vehicles from surrounding areas began arriving. By 7 or 8 PM, the night market streets were packed with people, bustling with activity.

Lin Fan spent every day at the night market, gathering information and addressing problems. He discovered that the night market not only created jobs but also revitalized some small factories—one handicraft factory, facing sluggish sales and near bankruptcy, found a new market after setting up a stall at the night market, directly facing consumers. The factory has now resumed production and hired over ten workers.

There is also a family workshop that makes seasonings. They used to only supply restaurants, but now they sell them at the night market. Business is so good that they can't keep up with the demand, and they are preparing to expand.

"Brother Zhou, the night market brings more than just popularity," Lin Fan said in his report. "More importantly, it connects the production and sales links, allowing small businesses and workshops to thrive."

Zhou Wenyuan looked out the window at the night view—Renmin Road, directly opposite the county committee building, was now brightly lit and bustling with people. This was a scene he wouldn't have dared to imagine just three months ago.

"Lin Fan, we need to strike while the iron is hot," he said. "We need to develop the night market into a brand and create economies of scale."

"That's what I think too." Lin Fan took out a planning map. "Look, this is the next step of the plan—to build some permanent shops around the night market, forming a tiered development from street stalls to shops. At the same time, we will introduce some distinctive catering and entertainment projects to enhance the night market's level and attractiveness."

Zhou Wenyuan carefully examined the planning map: "How much money is needed?"

"The initial investment was about two million, mainly used for infrastructure construction and subsidies for attracting investment," Lin Fan said. "But the money was well spent—it is estimated that the related industries driven by the night market have already generated more than five million in economic value per month."

"Let's do it!" Zhou Wenyuan decided. "The county can squeeze out another million, and we'll find a way to attract investment with the rest."

In November, the night market in Tuxian County underwent a qualitative change.

Under the guidance of the government, more than 30 permanent shops have been built around the night market, including specialty restaurants, bars, cafes, and boutiques. The street vendor economy has upgraded to a shop economy, forming a commercial ecosystem that combines high, medium, and low-end products.

What's even more surprising is that the night market's reputation has spread to the provincial capital. In mid-November, the provincial television station did a special report, calling the Tuxian night market "a heartwarming initiative during the financial crisis and an innovative practice of livelihood projects."

After the report aired, even more people came to Tuxian County. Not only people from surrounding counties, but also many people from Gangcheng City drove here specifically on weekends to experience the lively atmosphere of the night market.

"Director Lin, we have to limit the flow of people." One evening, the deputy director of the Public Security Bureau said to Lin Fan with a wry smile, "Last night, the number of people on Renmin Road was estimated to have exceeded 10,000. If this continues, the security pressure will be too great."

Lin Fan nodded: "It's time to regulate it. So, starting tomorrow, we'll implement zoned management—separate the food area, department store area, and entertainment area. We'll increase security personnel and install more fire-fighting facilities."

After the regulations were implemented, the night market became more orderly and bustling. By the end of November, the night market's operating hours had been extended to 4 a.m. every day. Many vendors joked, "Now it's not a night market anymore, it's an 'all-night market'!"

On December 5th, an unexpected piece of news arrived—the provincial governor was coming to Tuxian County for an inspection.

"The governor specifically requested to visit the night market." Zhou Wenyuan was both excited and nervous when he received the notification from the municipal party committee. "Lin Fan, this time the scale is even higher than last time, we can't afford any mistakes."

"Don't worry, Brother Zhou, I'll take care of it."

For the next three days, the entire county was busy again. But this time was different from the last—last time it was to welcome the leaders, this time it was to showcase the real results of their work.

Lin Fan specifically instructed: "The night market will operate as usual. Do not make any special arrangements. When the leaders come, just see the real thing."

On the evening of December 8th, the provincial governor and his delegation arrived in Tuxian County. After a simple dinner, they went directly to the night market for inspection.

At 7:30 p.m., the night market is at its liveliest. Several streets are brightly lit, teeming with people. The aroma of food, the shouts of vendors, and the laughter of customers intertwine to create a vivid picture of everyday life.

The governor walked among the crowd, stopping from time to time to talk to the stall owners.

"Boss, how's business?"

"Great! Earning four or five thousand a month is better than working a regular job!"

"What did you do before?"

"Since construction work has stopped, I've set up a stall here. Thanks to the government for giving me this opportunity!"

At a handicrafts stall, the governor picked up a woven bamboo basket: "Did you make this yourself?"

"Yes, my whole family does it." The stall owner was a woman in her fifties. "Before, we had nowhere to sell our finished products, but now the night market provides us with a platform. This month, I earned over three thousand yuan selling these handicrafts!"

The governor nodded and said to Zhou Wenyuan beside him, "Comrade Wenyuan, your night market is quite something."

Then they looked at the food area, the department store area, the entertainment area... After walking around, it was already past nine o'clock. The governor didn't seem tired at all; on the contrary, he was in high spirits.

Back in the county party committee meeting room, when listening to the report, the governor's words surprised everyone.

"Before I came here, I read the materials that said Tuxian County had set up a night market, which solved employment problems and boosted consumption," the governor said. "But after seeing it with my own eyes tonight, I realized that this is not just an economic measure, but also an innovation in social governance."

The meeting room was quiet, with only the governor's deep voice.

"Traffic police don't issue fines, urban management officers don't drive people away, and various departments are not managers but service providers—this shift in mindset is remarkable!" The governor looked at Zhou Wenyuan, "Comrade Wenyuan, how did you come up with this idea?"

Zhou Wenyuan stood up: "Governor, this was actually forced upon us. The economy is difficult, and people need to eat, so we have to find ways. The street vendor economy has low barriers to entry and quick results, making it most suitable for the current situation."

"But many people only think about letting ordinary people set up stalls," the governor said. "What you've thought about is creating an environment, providing services, and building a brand. That's a step ahead."

He turned to the accompanying heads of various departments: "The experience of Tuxian County is worth summarizing and promoting. Especially during times of economic hardship, Tuxian County has delivered an excellent answer in how to protect people's livelihoods, promote employment, and stabilize society."

The briefing lasted until 11:00 AM. After the meeting, the governor specifically asked Zhou Wenyuan to stay behind.

"Wenyuan, you were an outstanding cadre when you were in the Finance Bureau. You've been working very diligently in Tuxian County for the past six months," the governor said earnestly. "You've made significant progress in Party building and achieved notable economic development. That's no easy feat. Keep up the good work; the organization is watching."

"Thank you for your encouragement, Governor. I will continue to work hard."

It was already 1 a.m. when they saw the provincial governor and his entourage off. Zhou Wenyuan and Lin Fan stood in front of the county government building, looking at the still brightly lit night market street in the distance.

"Lin Fan, you've had a tough three months," Zhou Wenyuan said.

"Brother Zhou has worked even harder," Lin Fan said sincerely. "Without your courage and sense of responsibility, the night market wouldn't have been able to get started."

Zhou Wenyuan shook his head, looking at the sparse stars in the night sky: "Sometimes I wonder, if I had been like Li Jianguo six months ago, focusing solely on big projects, what would the situation be like now?"

"Then we're probably in a real mess too," Lin Fan said. "With the financial crisis, big projects are most prone to problems."

"Yes, it's a blessing in disguise," Zhou Wenyuan remarked. "While others worry about the economic downturn, we focus on improving people's livelihoods; while others worry about rising unemployment, we create jobs. We've chosen the right path."

The two remained silent for a while, then the night breeze blew in, carrying the faint sounds of the night market.

"By the way, is Wang Juan about to give birth?" Zhou Wenyuan asked.

"The due date is next February," Lin Fan said with a smile. "The doctor said the twins are developing very well."

"Double happiness!" Zhou Wenyuan patted him on the shoulder. "I'll give them a big red envelope after the baby is born."

"Thank you, Brother Zhou."

As night deepens, the night market's hustle and bustle continues. The lights, the fireworks, and the busy figures all tell a story—the greatest opportunities often lie hidden in the most difficult times.

Tuxian seized this opportunity.

Zhou Wenyuan and Lin Fan were the ones who seized the opportunity.

This is enough.

There is still a long road ahead and many more challenges to face.

But they believe that as long as they keep the people in their hearts and keep their feet on the ground, there is no obstacle they cannot overcome.

This is enough.