Spring Breeze Twenty Years

Chapter 867 The District Chief Arrives

Xiao Wei took the phone and walked to the wall to look at the map. He gestured as the district chief had instructed and said, "You've basically just taken over a park. Fengkong is a state-owned enterprise and doesn't fall under the district's jurisdiction. What are you after? You're not just trying to get us transferred here, are you?"

The district chief laughed and said, "It's good that you understand, haha. Of course, it's all to get you transferred here. I went to great lengths, patted the old leader on the chest, and even resorted to trickery. You'd better live up to my expectations."

Xiao Wei forced an awkward smile. He couldn't answer that question. What did it have to do with him if he insisted on giving up this land? Did it benefit him? Did he ask him for a favor?

The district head said, "It's mainly for better cooperation. Although you're a provincial-level company, we're all one family here, right? Please consider Shenhe more in the future. That's all I mean."

Xiao Wei said, "That's definitely no problem. Shenhe has a great business atmosphere, so we'll definitely consider this place first. I really have to thank you for your high regard, District Chief. Honestly, I don't know what to say, I'm a little overwhelmed."

The district head asked, "Has your land been secured yet? I see General Manager Chen still running around everywhere, and now he's gone to Heping again."

Xiao Wei said, "No, we're not entirely satisfied with Dongling's side. I asked him to talk to Heping, but it's uncertain. I was planning to build the factory here, in the area behind the school. We were originally in talks with Dongling, but now it looks like we'll have to ask you."

The district head asked, "How many households does the resident have? Does anyone work for them?"

Xiao Wei laughed and said, "District Chief, that's not right. I don't believe you don't know. I'm planning to return the houses, and I'm currently talking to the residents. There are over thirty households, plus a small factory near the school, and some other things on the street."

The district head laughed and said, "Alright, leave it to me. I'll handle it. I guarantee you'll be back to work by next spring, okay?"

In the early 90s, the whole country was engaged in a frenzy of investment promotion, and people were willing to use any means necessary to attract investment. In fact, there were even numerous instances of the government organizing events involving Guan Gong and his concubines. In addition, information was slow to spread at that time, and various regions were relatively closed off, so people dared to do anything and agree to any conditions.

The bizarre rules from back then seem like a series of farcical stage plays now. Due to the nature of the rules, I can't go into detail.

Even with such a booming business, investments like Xiaowei's, involving hundreds of millions of yuan, were extremely rare nationwide, referring specifically to private investment, including foreign investment. Back then, investments of several hundred thousand or tens of millions of yuan were considered large.

In 1992, the total fixed asset investment in China was 7855 billion yuan, which was almost half of the increase in 1991. Private investment accounted for a little over 10%, about 10.6%, or about 1256 billion yuan. This also included investment from collective enterprises, such as local government enterprises and institutions like Wahaha, Lebashi, and Lenovo Group.

Fengtian Feilong claims revenue of 200 million yuan, while Taitai Oral Liquid, Ginseng, and Royal Jelly all boast revenues of hundreds of millions or even billions of yuan. In reality, their investments were minimal, only a few hundred thousand yuan each. They expanded production after making money, but even then, the revenue was only in the millions.

When Wahaha was featured on CCTV and marketed nationwide, it was just a makeshift workshop set up in a village office with an investment of around 100,000 yuan. Later, after making money by selling nutrient solutions, it started to become a joint-stock company and began to invest in expanding production, becoming one of the two major domestic drinking water giants at the time, the other being Robust.

Later, neither company could escape the wave of foreign investment in the late 90s, and they were forced to sell to foreigners at low prices. Or rather, at that time, even the slightly better-performing domestic companies couldn't survive. Products worth five million were sold for fifty thousand, and then they were shut down, had their production lines changed, and their brands frozen.

After 00, there were no more domestic brands in China. In every aspect, our food, clothing, housing, and transportation began to be completely controlled by foreigners. We ate whatever they gave us and used whatever they produced.

Foreign countries won a great victory in this battle, occupying the entire space from the source to the market, but this is not because they are so powerful.

True patriots are always just ordinary people, but that doesn't really matter.

……

The district head was very efficient; he brought his people over in the afternoon.

A large contingent of officials from the Investment Promotion Bureau, Land Bureau, Housing Bureau, Public Security Bureau, Tax Bureau, Industry and Commerce Bureau, Urban Construction Bureau, and Urban Management Bureau arrived in force. The new receptionist in the lobby turned pale with fright, and she could barely speak as she tried to make a phone call upstairs. In those days, the government didn't have gated compounds or armed police guarding the entrances, but its credibility and intimidating power were unimaginable in later generations.

The receptionist called the office, where Li Na is still handling things. Li Na then called Xiao Wei, who called Chen Hui, and together with Li Na and Sister Jin, they went downstairs to the lobby to greet them. There was no way around it; it was basic etiquette, and they had to go. It was a way of showing respect.

"Welcome, welcome, welcome to the inspection, leader." Chen Hui greeted the district head loudly with a smile as soon as he stepped out of the elevator.

After shaking hands, the district head introduced the people from various bureaus to Xiaowei and Chen Hui. Everyone got to know each other and then took the elevator upstairs.

There were too many people, so they split into three elevators. Xiaowei and Chen Hui accompanied the district head, Secretary Xie, the investment promotion bureau, and the public security bureau, while Li Na and Sister Jin accompanied the other leaders. They went directly to elevator number thirty-three, Xiaowei's office.

There were also receptionists on the 33rd floor, two girls who also served as Xiaowei's secretaries and personal assistants.

"Welcome to Brothers Group."

As everyone walked inside, the district head looked them over and asked Xiao Wei, "You're using this entire floor by yourself? That's too extravagant. You guys are much more comfortable." He then turned to Chen Hui and asked, "And you, where's your office?"

Chen Hui said, "Downstairs. Lao Xia and I are downstairs, on the same floor as the office."

The district head laughed and said, "He comes to work every day but never shows up. Isn't that just for you to use? That's too extravagant."

Although there were regulations and rules that repeatedly emphasized that public officials and their families were not allowed to engage in business, in the early 90s it was extremely common for public officials to engage in business or hold shares in companies. This was the case from top to bottom, and nobody cared.

It wasn't until 94, with the implementation of the civil service system and the separation of government and enterprise, that management in this area became stricter, with time limits for share withdrawal and transfer, and this phenomenon gradually disappeared. However, it only moved from the surface to the background; in reality, things remained the same.

Furthermore, the regulation itself is problematic. Like all our laws and regulations, it lacks detail and adopts a one-size-fits-all approach, making it unenforceable and creating numerous loopholes and hidden dangers. Frankly, it's just a statement of intent, something for the public to observe and use.

(End of this chapter)