Sail across the sea

How could Chapter 536 have anything to do with me?
After the father and son finished their secret plot, Gao Fan ate dinner at home and then went to the Provincial Economic Commission to meet Xu Ying.

Xu Ying was indeed already carrying out the handover work before leaving; there were obvious signs of moving in the office. Hearing that Gao Fan had arrived, Xu Ying instructed her secretary to bring him in, then dismissed the secretary and greeted Gao Fan with a smile, inviting him to sit down. She then sat on the sofa next to Gao Fan.

"You have a lot to do with the Central Committee's decision to transfer me to Beijing this time."

Xu Ying's words startled Gao Fan.

"No way, how could this have anything to do with me?"

Gao Fan racked his brains trying to recall what he had done, but he couldn't figure out how it could affect Xu Ying's appointment.

Xu Ying smiled and said, "When the organization talked to me, they said it was mainly because the word 'independent and controllable' in my report had attracted the attention of the leaders. The reason I was transferred to the State Economic Commission this time was to put me in charge of this kind of work."

"Specifically, based on the principle of self-reliance and control, we will sort out the industrial chains of important industries that are related to the national economy and people's livelihood, and ensure that important industries will not be affected by factors such as the introduction of foreign investment or the resumption of customs ties."

"I first heard you mention the concept of self-reliance and controllability, so you played the most important role in this matter."

Gao Fan breathed a sigh of relief and said with a smile, "Aunt Xu is joking. Actually, the idea of ​​self-reliance and control is something the country has been advocating all along, it's just that it may not have been summarized in this way. I only heard someone say this once and thought it made sense, so I brought it up to show off in front of Aunt Xu."

Xu Ying said, "Indeed, we have always emphasized independence and self-reliance. This idea existed even before you were born. However, in recent years, there has been more talk of opening up and cooperation in China, and some comrades have forgotten about independence and self-reliance. This time, the leaders specifically assigned me to do this job, and to be honest, I am under a lot of pressure."

“Aunt Xu is fully capable of this; I have 100% confidence in her.”

"Flattery!"

"Sigh, is it so hard to tell the truth? Aren't I a good kid who loves to tell the truth?"

"I don't need you to tell me the truth. What I need is for you and your Canghai Chemical Company to be of some use to me in the future."

“That’s absolutely no problem. However, Aunt Xu, Canghai Chemical is just a small private enterprise. There are so many large state-owned enterprises in the country. What role can we play?”

"Compared to the entire national scale, Canghai Chemical is indeed a small enterprise. However, small enterprises also have their advantages; at crucial moments, they can still play a significant role with minimal effort."

"I understand, Aunt Xu, please don't worry."

Gao Fan patted his chest and made a promise to his future mother-in-law.

His earlier statement that he couldn't play a significant role was merely a symbolic display of humility. He knew perfectly well that as a time traveler who owned a company like Canghai Chemical, there was much he could do.

Previously, in the rare earth remediation work in Zeshan, he played a role that many large enterprises could not. The progress of the ammonium-to-urine conversion project in Maolin Province was also due to his skillful management.

Xu Ying's plan to streamline and reorganize the industrial chains of key industries will inevitably affect the interests of many local governments and enterprises. Balancing these interests and breaking down the self-protective mechanisms of these entities requires more than just administrative orders; Gao Fan should be able to play a unique role in this process. However, these matters can only be considered after Xu Ying takes office. For now, Xu Ying only needs a promise from Gao Fan.

Xu Ying believed Gao Fan was trustworthy. This wasn't because Gao Fan was her future son-in-law, but because he had consistently demonstrated outstanding performance over the past ten years. His abilities and character were beyond reproach.

This is also why she was able to accept Gao Fan as her son-in-law.

"What stage has your research institute project reached?"

After telling her about her own affairs, Xu Ying began to inquire about Gao Fan's situation.

“I just talked to my dad and we’re going to invite Aunt Zhou Xiaoyun to be the director of the research institute.”

"Xiaoyun? Hmm, she's the most suitable candidate. What, is your father willing to release her?"

"I promised Aunt Zhou that after she arrived at the research institute, I would let her lead a team to first develop the technology for large-scale potash fertilizer plants, and in the future, this technology will be provided to fertilizer companies first."

"Potassium fertilizer?" Xu Ying was taken aback. "Where are you planning to get potash from to make potash fertilizer for the fertilizer company?"

Gao Fan then recounted the events at Lop Nur to Xu Ying in a roundabout way. Xu Ying's eyes widened, and she asked several times to confirm that Gao Fan wasn't just making things up, before finally saying:

"If what you're saying can really come to fruition, then it will be very important for my work. Potash fertilizer has always been the biggest weakness in our country's fertilizer industry. If we can achieve self-sufficiency in potash fertilizer, even if it only meets 50% of the demand, it will be a major turning point, and it will be of great significance."

"At that time, could Aunt Xu put in a good word for Maolin Fertilizer Company to undertake the construction of the Lop Nur potash fertilizer project?" Gao Fan asked.

Xu Ying laughed and said, "What, you're trying to pull strings for your father, and now you're doing it through me? This matter is of great importance and cannot tolerate any favoritism. If Maohua's conditions are right, then this opportunity will go to Maohua regardless of whether I speak up or not. Conversely, if there are other fertilizer companies with better conditions than Maohua, then I will not favor Maohua."

Gao Fan nodded and said, "I know. What I mean is, if Maohua has the most suitable conditions, with Aunt Xu overseeing things at the Economic Commission, we can ensure that this opportunity won't be snatched away by some people through conspiracies."

"You can rest assured about that, and your father can rest assured too," Xu Ying promised, then continued, "Let's talk about your Canghai Research Institute. Now that you have a director, what's the situation regarding the recruitment of technical personnel?"

Gao Fan said, "We are casting a wide net and have already reached an agreement with more than 30 institutions, all of which are quite capable. In recent years, people in research institutions have been eager to work, so I will contact them again. I estimate that we can eventually recruit one or two hundred people without any problem."

Xu Ying said, "I will ask the comrades at the Provincial Economic Commission to support you in this matter. If we can establish a chemical research institute with one or two hundred senior experts in Ruizhang, it will be of great benefit to improving the status of Maolin Province's chemical industry in the country. This is not just a matter for your Canghai Chemical Company."

Gao Fan smiled and said, "Since that's the case, let's get the site we promised to provide as soon as possible. As for the land transfer fee, could you perhaps offer us some reduction or exemption?"

(End of this chapter)