Reborn in 1977

After finishing all the work during the day, Zhou Yali, representing Qianfan Publishing House, signed a cooperation framework agreement with the Jiangnan Writers Association and immediately signed contracts for the publication of two novels.

According to the contract, Qianfan Publishing House only provides publishing services. The literary works need to be translated before being submitted. The basic稿费 is not high, at 50 cents per word, and the royalty rate is only 7%.

Even so, everyone in the company was as excited as if they had been injected with adrenaline.

This is America, especially with the backdrop of the two countries having formally established diplomatic relations less than a month ago. They had opened up channels for the publication of literary works in the United States. Regardless of the sales of those two works, just consider how impressive this achievement is!

In comparison, Bian Huifang and Director Duan of the Foreign Affairs Department's international writing program, although they had already contacted the other party and obtained invitation qualifications for a half-year study and exchange visit to the United States in March, was also a significant achievement, but it paled in comparison.

After finishing work during the day, Chen Fan took the three of them to the Provincial Federation of Literary and Art Circles cafeteria for a meal, and sang "Let's Meet When We Are Young," which was considered completing the task.

The next morning, he packed up his bags and luggage, took the three of them and a group of animals, and headed straight for Yunhu.

…

As soon as the car left the provincial capital, the weather quickly turned gloomy, and before long, it began to snow lightly.

Zhou Yali wrapped herself in a bearskin coat, looked at the gloomy scene outside the window, and couldn't help but worry, "It's snowing, will we be delayed on the road?"

Chen Fan turned his head to look out the window and smiled, "It's okay, it's just snowing. Don't be afraid of light snow, even if it's heavier, as long as it doesn't rain ice."

Freezing rain quickly freezes into ice when it hits the ground, which is really dangerous. Snowflakes, on the other hand, don't freeze so quickly. They need to accumulate into a snow layer, and then wait for a night of cold wind to freeze before they become dangerous.

Moreover, this road is a main provincial road, with cars coming and going all day long, almost without stopping. Even if the traffic flow is relatively low, it will not be easily blocked by ice and snow.

Therefore, as long as he drives faster, he will definitely be able to arrive safely.

Thinking of this, Chen Fan stepped on the accelerator again. The modified shock absorption system fully played its role, and the car sped forward steadily.

It's just that this road is a bit rough. It was originally a dirt road, and as it gets closer and closer to the New Year, there are more and more cars running on the road, inevitably adding some potholes.

Even the modified car body is still a bit bumpy.

The two little monkeys in Zhou Yali's arms couldn't stay still either. They jumped up from her body, lay down at her feet, and each tightly hugged a leg, for fear of being thrown out.

Without the monkeys, she grabbed the handle in front with one hand and the handle on the car window with the other, and sighed, "Brother, when will this road be repaired? It's really bumpy."

Jiang Lili and Jiang Tiantian sat in the back row, each letting go of the civet cat, holding the handle tightly with one hand, trying to maintain balance. When they heard Zhou Yali's words, they also looked at Chen Fan.

But the next second, they looked at each other again, feeling a little funny in their hearts.

This is road construction. Even if Xiaofan is capable, he can't influence anything in this regard, right?

Chen Fan turned his head and glanced at Zhou Yali, and said with a smile, "Your words suddenly reminded me of something."

Zhou Yali turned her head to look at him, "What's the matter?"

Chen Fan smiled and said, "This time I went to the capital, I met an old gentleman from Hong Kong. When I was chatting with him, I also talked about the situation in Hong Kong.

Chen Fan glanced at them and continued, "In fact, in foreign countries, many highways are built by companies. They build roads first, and then charge fees for profit. Infrastructure projects have always been one of the industries with very high returns."

Speaking of this, Chen Fan expressed his meaning, "The Zhou family is in the real estate industry. Have you ever considered investing in infrastructure construction in the mainland?"

He pointed to the front, "For example, building this road."

Zhou Yali's eyes widened instantly, "God, rely on the Zhou family to build a road? You think too highly of your uncle and my old man! He doesn't have this strength."

If it's just building a very short road, the Zhou family can still do an investment assessment.

But this provincial road, from the provincial capital to Yunhu, is nearly 300 kilometers long.

Even if the route can be re-planned and the distance can be shortened, it will not be much less.

Calculated according to 250 kilometers, it is okay to build ordinary highways, which only cost a few million per kilometer, but if you build expressways, considering the price increase factors during construction, and taking into account the prices and labor costs in the mainland, it is estimated that one kilometer will cost tens of millions, or even hundreds of millions.

Nearly 300 kilometers is calculated according to 25 billion RMB, which is close to 15 billion US dollars at the current exchange rate.

Even if the Zhou family is demolished and sold, they can't make up a fraction!

Chen Fan naturally knows how expensive road construction is.

China's first Guangzhou-Shenzhen Expressway built with foreign investment cost 12.2 billion, plus more than 700 million in demolition costs. The total length of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen Expressway is only 122.8 kilometers.

Exactly 100 million per kilometer.

Don't want ordinary highways, build expressways,

According to this price, from the provincial capital to Yunhu, to build a modern high-grade highway, please prepare 30 billion first!

After Zhou Yali finished speaking, Chen Fan smiled and said, "I didn't say invest now, and there are no specific policies yet. I estimate it will take two or three years.

What I mean is, we might as well do some preparatory work first, pay more attention to information in this area, and when we have the strength in the future, and the mainland also has specific policy support, it will not be too late to find a way to invest."

He turned to look at Zhou Yali, "I have always said that I am very confident in the development of the mainland. The basis of this confidence is the stability of policies, and as long as the policies are stable, with the domestic population size and the urban development layout across the country, investing here will definitely get very high returns.

When the time is right, not to mention investing in a highway alone, but investing a small part of the funds and leveraging ten times, or even more, the scale of the loan, I think it is still very possible."

Zhou Yali frowned and silently calculated the accounts.

Calculated according to 15 billion US dollars, at least 1.5 billion should be prepared for the start-up capital, and the Zhou family's current total assets are just over 100 million, fifteen times?

That is unless Wanmu Chun Technology's multi-protocol router can succeed like Apple computers, or even more so, plus Han cards, agent-controlled switches… and all the other new businesses become huge hits; only then is such a possibility likely.

But when will that be?

Zhou Yali couldn't see it as very realistic no matter how she thought about it.

However, she didn't refute her cousin's words. Instead, she shook her head and chuckled, "Little brother, you could actually write a few more books like 'The Legend of the Dragon Knight.' We can partner up and earn twenty million US dollars per book. If you write just a hundred books, that's 2 billion US dollars, enough for the initial funding for road construction!"

Chen Fan's eyes twitched slightly. Two hundred books?

So, I'm independently investing in this road, am I?

However, he didn't say anything else, just smiled and said, "Well, that's a good idea. I'll definitely write more later."

Seriously, if we calculate in US dollars, the current exchange rate is around 1.5, at its historical low. But by 1995, the exchange rate will soar to 8.35 per US dollar. Even if we calculate based on an average of 1:8, a mere 30 billion is only 3.75 billion US dollars.

Extracting the initial funding at a tenth of that amount means only 300 to 400 million US dollars is needed to establish a road and bridge investment company.

In a little over ten years, when Little Chen becomes Old Chen, won't he be able to come up with a few hundred million US dollars?!

So, independent investment isn't impossible, huh.

Meanwhile, the two sisters, hearing such astronomical figures, couldn't help but turn to look at each other, then at Zhou Yali. They met her gaze, and the three of them burst out laughing together.

…

They set off in the morning after having breakfast in the provincial capital. Chen Fan sped up along the way, but due to the snowy and slippery roads, it still took more than 6 hours. It was after 2 PM when they finally drove into Yunhu City, two hours later than the fastest time.

After entering the city, the two sisters looked at the familiar street scenes outside the window, and their hearts grew more eager.

Especially Jiang Tiantian, who had never been away from home for so long since birth. After a year away, her homesickness was already hard to suppress.

However, looking ahead, her mood became a bit more complicated.

She asked softly, "Xiao Fan, are you staying here for a few days, or going directly to Lujiawan?"

Chen Fan glanced at her in the rearview mirror and smiled, "I won't be staying. You've been away from home for so long, so spend more time with your parents. I'll take you home first, then go to the machinery factory to talk about the electric gate, and then go straight to Lujiawan."

Perhaps it was because of the passage of time that it had become a habit.

He was clearly not from Lujiawan, and had houses in Yunhu, the provincial capital, Beijing, and Shanghai, but now he really felt like Lujiawan was his hometown. He had to go back there for the New Year to feel the festive spirit.

Hearing him say this, the two sisters exchanged a glance and nodded gently, "Okay."

Jiang Lili leaned forward, holding Chen Fan's seat, and said softly, "Then you must be careful when driving the boat later. The wind is strong in winter, so be careful not to catch a cold."

Before Chen Fan could speak, Zhou Yali patted her chest and assured, "Don't worry, we all have fur coats. Your man won't get cold."

Jiang Lili's pretty face flushed slightly, and she turned to look at her, "Thank you, cousin."

Soon, they arrived at the cotton mill dormitory area. Jiang Heng and Shen Xueyi, who had already received the telegram, were impatiently waiting at home.

Hearing the movement outside, they immediately opened the door and ran out.

The two sisters got out of the car from both sides and ran towards their mother together. The three of them hugged each other, crying and laughing.

Chen Fan pushed the door open and got out of the car. First, he and Zhou Yali greeted Jiang Heng, then took down the two sisters' luggage and brought it into the house.

Jiang Heng put the suitcase in the corner and smiled at Chen Fan, "Have dinner here tonight."

Chen Fan quickly waved his hand, "No, I have to go to the machinery factory later, and then rush back to Lujiawan."

Jiang Heng's expression changed slightly, "Oh, why are you in such a hurry? Won't you stay for a few more days?"

Shen Xueyi also walked over, "Yes, it's only the Little New Year today, there are still 4 or 5 days until New Year's Eve."

Chen Fan smiled, "It doesn't matter a few days. When the Spring Festival comes, I'll come over to wish Uncle and Aunt a happy new year."

After a few polite words, Jiang Heng and the others didn't try to keep him any longer.

They also knew that although Chen Fan had a house in Yunhu, his acquaintances and friends were still in Lujiawan. Compared to Yunhu, that place felt more like his home.

Although he didn't stay overnight, he did stay for dinner.

They had already had breakfast in the provincial capital in the morning, and were now hungry. Shen Xueyi had also prepared a sumptuous feast, which couldn't be wasted.

After dinner, Chen Fan hurriedly left with Zhou Yali.

He first went to the machinery factory and found Vice Director Xue.

No, he shouldn't be called Vice Director Xue anymore, but Secretary Xue, or Director Xue.

The plan from before the New Year was finally implemented after being approved by the higher authorities not long ago.

The original Yunhu Machinery Factory was divided into three parts. First, Yunhu Automobile Factory was officially independent, and the relevant leadership team was completely separated from the machinery factory, no longer holding internal positions in the machinery factory.

Naturally, Yang Kangnian also resigned from his position as Secretary and Director of the Machinery Factory, becoming a full-time leader of Yunhu Automobile Factory.

Li, the original deputy director of the machinery factory, got his wish and separated more than a dozen small household appliance production lines. A factory building was built next to the Yunqi factory, and the Yunhu Household Appliance Factory was officially established, becoming the "regional governor," Secretary Li and Director.

The current Yunhu Electrical Appliance Factory is no small matter. Relying on its rich product line and practical product functions, it is not only selling well throughout the province, but also, under the efforts of Director Li, it has opened up leading enterprises such as Beijing Wangfujing Department Store and Shanghai No. 1 Department Store, and has also connected with the National Supply and Marketing Cooperative, with a great momentum to sweep the country.

Even the factory area is much larger than ordinary factories. The current factory buildings only occupy less than one-third of the area, and the factory buildings behind are already under construction.

It is said that the special zone has issued a death order to the construction company, requiring them to work non-stop during the Spring Festival, and must ensure that the second phase of the factory building is completed within one month, and strive to supply department stores and supply and marketing cooperatives across the country as soon as possible.

If all goes well, Yunhu Electrical Appliance Factory will surely become the second business card of Yunhu Industry after Yunqi Factory.

The last one is the Yunhu Machinery Factory, which was retained after being split.

Although two pieces were taken away, the remaining machinery factory is still a behemoth that is no less than the original old factory.

Not to mention the business part of undertaking tasks assigned by higher authorities, the creative ideas sent by Chen Fan alone are enough for them to live on for three years.

Industrial sewing machines, automatic incubators… aren't these all good things any year?!

By the way, the automatic incubator has also been successfully developed and has been commended by the Ministry of Agriculture. The machinery factory can be said to be looking forward to good things.