Spring Breeze Twenty Years

Chapter 1139 Banks and Postal Services

Chen Hui said, "You're overthinking it. The actual work is handled by the newly hired deputy director. The old lady's main role here is to maintain order and manage the finances. Besides, don't think of her as the same woman who just came from the countryside. Everyone changes."

Xiao Wei wiped his nose, turned his head to look at the red spire of the kindergarten's main building, and said, "Okay, I'll talk to her about it tonight and see what she thinks."

Chen Hui said, "We're not doing this to make a lot of money, right? As long as the kids are well taken care of, healthy and lively, playing happily and eating safely, and the schools accept them, that's enough. I'm perfectly capable of doing it."

Xiao Wei thought for a moment and said, "That's true. If my mom is here, there can't be any fighting or scolding of the kids. My mom really cares about the kids."

Chen Hui said, "Let's set teachers' salaries higher, agree on a few rules, and it'll be fine. Who can turn down money?"

Xiao Wei shook his head: "That's not how it's said. Sometimes, he might not even realize that something is wrong before he does or says something. You can't rely on that. Or rather, you can't rely solely on that."

"Let's install a closed-circuit television system throughout the school, including all the restrooms, the playground, corridors, classrooms, playrooms, and lounges. Parents can request to view the surveillance footage anytime." Xiao Wei turned to Chen Hui: "That should attract quite a few wealthy parents."

Chen Hui didn't understand: "Why?"

Xiao Wei said, "We'll use the best equipment. We can sell this record later, as a testament to our child's growth."

Chen Hui suddenly realized and slapped his thigh: "Right, if it were me, I'd probably buy a copy to collect too. You're really cunning."

Xiao Wei said, "Burning a CD doesn't cost much these days. You can even do it as a favor by giving it away for half price."

Chen Hui said, "Karaoke prices have dropped now, all thanks to these DVD players. Yesterday, my brother-in-law borrowed a million from me, saying he wanted to start a DVD player factory. What's that all about? Three-disc playback? I still don't understand."

Xiao Wei said, "If you ask me, you should just invest some money in Chen Peng, buy land and build a proper factory, and create a real brand. With his connections in Sanhao and Daxi, there shouldn't be any problem in the market. Just focus on the quality and that should be enough."

And it's not just DVD players; you can also get gas stoves, water heaters, and range hoods. These things are really popular right now, and they'll definitely become standard household appliances. Establishing a brand early will allow you to reap the rewards later. Besides, those things don't require much technology.

Chen Hui thought for a moment and said, "How about I build a factory and rent it to him? I'd rather not invest in it. I'll find a place to build a bigger factory, give him some money to experiment with, and pay the rent when we make a profit."

I think renting out factory space should be feasible now. More and more people are setting up factories, and there's nowhere left in the city. It's unrealistic to expect everyone to buy land and build their own factories. What do you think? Aren't there still quite a few vacant lots around Zhangshi? Let's clear out a plot and build a whole bunch of factories to rent out.”

Xiao Wei covered his ears, thought for a moment, and said, "It should work. How big should it be? Should we build one whole thing? Or should we build them in different sizes?"

Chen Hui pointed ahead: "This road is four kilometers long. We'll build a few office buildings there, and then a cluster of factories over there, all sizes. Two or three hundred square meters, seven or eight hundred square meters, one or two thousand square meters, and that'll cover both factories and office space."

Xiao Wei lit a cigarette, exhaled a puff of smoke, squinted at the distance, nodded, and said, "That works too. A few buildings won't take up much space."

Chen Hui said, "We'll register an industrial park then. If the companies and factories that come in have good projects, we can just invest a little and take some shares. Who knows, maybe we can develop a few big companies in the future. Investing in ten or more companies would be worthwhile, even if it's just one or two."

Xiao Wei raised an eyebrow and looked at Chen Hui: "Great, you're capable of strategic planning now. I agree with this and fully support you."

Chen Hui said, "Nowadays, it's not easy for ordinary people to do anything. Look, besides snack bars and restaurants, there are clothing stores, food shops, grocery stalls, karaoke bars, billiard halls, and at most, larger ones. Those with a little more money can go to bathhouses or dance halls."

Are you saying that's all we can do? I don't think so. There are quite a few people with ideas, the key is a lack of money. Loans aren't reliable these days either. A few years ago, banks were practically begging people to lend money, but now if you beg them, they won't listen to you. Right?

Whether we get a loan or not is irrelevant. Look at the attitude of the banks. China Construction Bank and Agricultural Bank of China have contacted me countless times, but if an individual really wants to do something, they don't care whether the project is feasible or not. They just won't lend to you.

Now they're launching a new type of personal loan, a certificate of deposit secured loan. Interesting, right? I already have a certificate of deposit, I can just withdraw it, why would I need a loan?

Xiao Wei said, "Not necessarily. Loan interest rates are lower than deposit interest rates. It's not easy for ordinary people to save money, and many are reluctant to give up that little bit of interest. The bank breaks even with each inflow and outflow, so it's like the money just goes through the motions for free; the bank doesn't have to pay interest."

There are so many deposits now, banks will go bankrupt if they don't come up with some solutions.

Chen Hui said, "Now banks and post offices are fighting. Remittances are a huge source of income, which has always been in the hands of the post office. The post office is even preparing to attract deposits and open a bank. On the other hand, the banks are just paying interest, not only can they not make this money, but they are also watching their savings share be taken away."

Banks are now actively upgrading and building networks to enable universal deposit and withdrawal. At that time, people will only need to carry a passbook or bank card when they go out, and they can withdraw or deposit money anywhere. In this way, the remittance income of the post office will go to the bank. Do you know how much that is?

"Over a billion yuan in revenue a year. I had no idea the post office had such a large hidden income until my mom mentioned it the other day. I estimate that banks will be able to achieve provincial-level interconnection this year, and nationwide direct remittances will be possible next year, or at the latest the year after. That would be quite convenient."

Xiao Wei asked, "Can't a bank be opened just like that? Anyone can open one?"

Chen Hui said, "You're dreaming. There are some people in the private sector, wealthy people, especially wealthy people, who are not satisfied with the current banking system and are trying to open a bank that serves private enterprises."

He smiled and shook his head: "It's not that easy. If you're willing to put up money to start a bank, the government will definitely support and agree. The combined wealth of these people is indeed formidable. But the fact is, it's privately owned, state-run, and controlled by the Party, understand?"

"You want to build it? Fine, bring the money, I'll build it for you. You'll all be shareholders, just wait for the dividends. The government didn't spend a single penny to create another big bank, and one linked to a bunch of large enterprises at that. What a great thing!"

Xiao Wei asked, "How could the post office just open like that?"

Chen Hui said, "Nonsense, a post office has its own Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, what kind of status does that have? People in the petrochemical industry are all capable, why don't they have a Ministry of Petroleum? Can't you understand this? They don't even need the approval procedures from the central bank, they just start operating nationwide."

Just think about it, what other organization can compare? Even in remote mountain areas where bicycles can't get in, there's a post office. Everyone, some people who never even know what the outside world is like, definitely knows about post and telecommunications, and have used them.

Xiao Wei thought for a moment and said, "Damn, I never thought of that before. It's true, wherever there are people, there will be post and telecommunications services. Doesn't that mean it will immediately become the bank with the largest number of branches in our country?"

(End of this chapter)