"The development of Pudong is astonishing; it's like a different place every year. I remember visiting the capital in '79, and this was still just tidal flats. I never imagined so many buildings would be here now."
Returning to Shanghai after a four-year absence, Li Yong gazed at the unfamiliar yet familiar landscape, a surge of emotion welling up within him.
Indeed, development was the ultimate principle!
Shanghai was finally beginning to resemble a grand international metropolis. Though just starting, a blank canvas offered limitless possibilities for the future.
"Secretary Li, all of this is thanks to your strong support. If you hadn't guided me all along, I wouldn't have dared to agree to Chairman Chen's request to build a factory in Pudong."
"Reality has proven our decision was correct. Over thirty thousand people in Pudong, nearly twenty thousand families, now have a source of household income because of this decision. Pudong has contributed to the nation's economic development."
Hou Yong stood behind Li Yong. He had interacted with Hou Yong back then due to Chen Yang, and he was very respectful of this leader who was about to move to the capital.
And Zhang Qun, now a peer to him, had a very close relationship with Secretary Li back then. It was precisely because both of them strongly supported Chen Yang that he had the courage to see it through.
Of course, it wasn't just Pudong's development; his own promotion last year was also a result of the achievements made by Chen Yang and Zhenhua.
"Old Hou, we're among friends here, no need for formalities. You know my temperament."
"We should focus on action, not empty words."
"I've arranged to meet Chen Yang. Get Old Zhang to join us for a meal. Old Zhang is in Shanghai today; he's here to welcome me."
"As for this Chen Yang, I've been trying to reach him for half a month. He finally agreed to meet, but then he flew to Hong Kong a few days ago, saying there was an issue with his foreign trade company that needed his attention. Fortunately, he's back."
Li Yong instructed Hou Yong while reviewing the documents Hou Yong had prepared.
Zhang Qun had been promoted to Zhejiang Province last year. Strictly speaking, he was no longer in the same region and didn't need to welcome him. However, they had a close personal relationship, and Zhejiang was not far from Shanghai. Li Yong hadn't refused. Sudan Novel Network.
Hou Yong had no objections to Li Yong's instructions. Both Li Yong and Zhang Qun were far more senior than him, and Li Yong was his superior. What could he say?
"Chairman Chen is truly a busy man. I can rarely get hold of him, even when I try. It's only because our Secretary has such influence."
Hou Yong let out a wry smile. Chen Yang was indeed no longer the same person he used to be. Zhenhua now accounted for thirty percent of the national television sales, and the over twenty to thirty thousand workers Zhenhua had hired in Shanghai meant few factories in the city could rival its scale.
And with their home appliance stores in various districts, it was likely that no one in Shanghai was unaware of Zhenhua Appliances.
Chen Yang himself was constantly on the move. Hou Yong would often go to the Zhenhua Appliances factory only to find Chen Yang absent. He could count on one hand the times he managed to reach him directly at his office; usually, his secretary would inform him that he was on a business trip.
"Chen Yang is indeed very busy. I heard that some large factories in the Northeast are struggling, and the state intends to let Chen Yang take over some of them, at least to provide employment for some workers."
"That region is not easy. It's freezing cold. While it's the breadbasket of our nation and a major industrial base, an entire city is built around one or two enterprises. Once those enterprises collapse, a large portion of the city's population will struggle to survive."
"We've made many attempts to accelerate the nation's industrial development and transition from an agricultural to an industrial country. To a certain extent, we've achieved considerable success."
"However, as the nation continues to develop and society progresses, some things are beginning to show signs of not meeting the needs of national development."
"Neither the leaders nor we have a clear solution to this problem, and even Chen Yang doesn't claim to have any brilliant suggestions."
"Our Shanghai hasn't encountered such developmental challenges yet, but that doesn't mean we won't in the future. Old Hou, we must prepare for potential dangers. You need to think about this in advance."
Li Yong's expression was grave. Hou Yong fell silent upon hearing his words.
He hadn't been to the Northeast, but he knew very well that it was the industrial heartland of their country. Li Yong wasn't exaggerating when he said a city could be built around a single enterprise.
Those weren't factories with tens of thousands of workers; they were massive enterprises employing hundreds of thousands!
Hou Yong had considered that Zhenhua might one day grow into such a large enterprise, but Li Yong's words today reminded him: what if Zhenhua were to collapse?
Foreseeing potential crises was crucial. As a cadre, any decision he made could affect tens or even hundreds of thousands of people. He had to be cautious.
"Secretary Li, I will be prudent."
"I've personally inspected the newly established factories in our area. We cannot allow hidden dangers to disrupt our development pace."
Hou Yong's mind was abuzz with new thoughts. In the future, he couldn't just focus on the benefits of enterprise development; he also needed to take proactive measures to mitigate risks.
"Good, as long as you understand. We must guard against risks in the future."
"I'll also discuss this with Chen Yang today. He's taking out large loans to build factories, and rapid development is good, but he must also pay attention to the risks."
Li Yong led the way, material in hand, towards the factory in Pudong. Documents were one thing; seeing it firsthand was another.
…
That evening, Chen Yang hosted a dinner at the Pudong Grand Hotel, specifically to entertain Li Yong, Zhang Qun, and Hou Yong, along with some Pudong leaders.
This Pudong Grand Hotel was also established by Chen Yang last year. Eating at a state-owned grand hotel was less convenient than dining at his own establishment. Opening a restaurant had been Chen Yang's long-held ambition.
Of course, Chen Yang had only opened it in Shanghai. The customer base was not yet sufficient in smaller towns. Only a large city like Shanghai had enough patrons. A larger reason, however, was the convenience for Zhenhua's reception needs.
With his own hotel, Chen Yang could arrange for immediate hospitality for business partners from all over the country or visiting officials.
Therefore, from the outset, the Pudong Grand Hotel did not aim for mass appeal but adopted a high-end strategy. They poached a team of master chefs from state-owned grand hotels and constructed a new seven-story building solely for the hotel's operations.
"Uncle Li, I've been eagerly awaiting your arrival in Shanghai."
Chen Yang raised his wine glass. He was very satisfied with Zhenhua's development in recent years, and all of it was thanks to Li Yong's support. He had to toast Li Yong with this drink.