Reborn as Zhao Ruilong of Handong, I will defy fate.

The north wind is howling and snowflakes are flying.

It was already freezing cold outside.

But inside the heated room, it was as warm as spring.

After dinner, Zhong Zhengguo sat in the living room with his legs crossed, watching TV.

Tonight, Hou Liangping, a skilled culinary son-in-law, cooked several state banquet-level dishes.

The food was so delicious that he couldn't help but drink a couple more cups.

My whole body felt warm and my head felt lightheaded.

at this moment.

He was incredibly relaxed and happy.

Temporarily forget the unpleasantness of not being able to take up the post of First Deputy Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission after leaving Handong.

"Dad, have some tea to sober up."

Zhong Xiaoai handed over the teacup with both hands.

"Put it down first, I'm not drunk!"

After saying this with a smile, Zhong Zhengguo looked at the television.

"Recently, Handong Province successfully hosted a forum on high-quality economic development."

"During the forum, representatives from many well-known domestic and foreign enterprises, universities and research institutions gathered in Jingzhou."

"Zhao Lichun, then Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee of Handong, led multiple departments from various cities and counties in Handong to meet with the representatives face-to-face and conduct in-depth research and discussions on promoting the integrated development of military and civilian sectors and serving and supporting the non-public sector economy..."

The news footage showed Zhao Lichun talking and conversing with the delegates inside the meeting hall.

"This Zhao Lichun is really impatient!"

"He's only been officially elected a few days ago, and he's already rushing to attract investment and pursue high-quality development."

Hearing his daughter's mutterings, Zhong Zhengguo gave a cold smile.

"A new broom sweeps clean!"

"Since he proposed the high-quality plan, we should of course expedite its implementation."

Zhong Zhengguo spoke calmly, not taking the matter to heart.

"...During the forum, Handong Province signed investment intention agreements with more than 370 enterprises and institutions, including Longguo Academy of Sciences, Longxing Communications, and Huawei Technology, with a total investment exceeding 250 billion yuan..."

"What? 2500 million?"

Zhong Xiaoai was terrified.

Her monthly take-home pay is only a little over two thousand yuan.

Unexpectedly, Zhao Lichun, who had just taken over as the top leader of Handong, was able to secure a deal worth over 2500 billion yuan.

"Dad, is this...is this true?"

Zhong Zhengguo scoffed.

"It's just a letter of intent; you can say it's worth 2.5 trillion!"

"If even one-tenth of the investment actually translates into real investment, that would be considered good."

Zhong Xiaoai frowned and said, "Even one-tenth is a lot, that's over 20 billion!"

"Besides, since Zhao Lichun dared to let CCTV report on it, the investment scale couldn't have shrunk significantly, otherwise wouldn't he be slapping himself in the face?"

Zhong Zhengguo chuckled.

"You're still too young. Big projects don't happen that quickly."

"It's uncertain when or how much to invest."

"Just like when I recruited Longguo Petroleum to invest in and build a large-scale petrochemical base in Handong with an annual refining capacity of over 20 million tons."

"From reaching an investment agreement to establishing Handong Oil and Gas Group, to project planning approval, and finally to implementing the investment, it took a full three years."

"It was actually quite fast to complete it in three years, but even so, the final investment scale was significantly reduced to ten million tons."

Zhong Zhengguo spoke with disdain, showing no concern whatsoever.

After hearing this, Zhong Xiaoai nodded in deep agreement.

My father has been in politics for many years and is very experienced.

His words are clearly trustworthy.

"So, Zhao Lichun is just creating hype."

"Regardless of how much investment will ultimately be implemented, let's make a big splash first."

Zhong Zhengguo picked up his teacup and sneered:

"He painstakingly came up with the plan, and the higher-ups gave him the authority to conduct pilot projects. Of course, he had to make a big splash no matter what."

As the father and daughter were talking.

After tidying up the dining table and kitchen, Hou Liangping brought over a plate of fruit.

Just as I was about to sit down and join in mocking Zhao Lichun, my phone rang at the most inopportune moment.

Who would call you so late?

Zhong Xiaoai asked with a displeased expression.

"My childhood friend, Cai Chenggong."

"I remember he's the chairman of Jingzhou Dafeng Apparel Group. He's probably not just calling you to wish you a Happy New Year!"

In Zhong Xiaoai's eyes, businessmen don't get up early for nothing and aren't worth getting close to.

“It’s just a phone call, I’d better answer it. Otherwise, he’ll definitely tell his old classmates that I look down on people now that I’ve been transferred to Yanjing.”

"Then go to the study to pick it up, don't disturb Dad and me watching TV."

"Yeah, okay."

Hou Liangping hurriedly went to the study.

He and Cai Chenggong were childhood friends, but their family backgrounds and upbringing were completely opposite.

Hou Liangping, who came from an extraordinary family, enjoyed a privileged life and excelled in both character and academics from a young age.

Cai Chenggong came from a poor family, and his parents were strict with him, but all they did was beat and scold him.

Lacking parental love, he was particularly mischievous and academically poor.

They whispered in class and were punished by the teacher to stand outside the door, but they climbed over the wall to go out and play.

Hou Liangping, who was even younger, was able to become his classmate.

It was because Cai Chenggong had poor grades and liked to fight that he repeated a grade multiple times.

but……

The more unruly and academically challenged a student is, the more adventurous they tend to be.

He started from scratch and became a private entrepreneur.

Hou Liangping was admitted to Handong University and was assigned to the Handong Provincial Procuratorate after graduation.

I worked in the Economic Investigation Division for a short period of one year and two months.

He then asked his father-in-law to help him transfer to the Supreme People's Procuratorate in Beijing, citing the fact that living apart from his wife was detrimental to their relationship.

During that year and two months, he often ate and drank with Cai Chenggong.

It was precisely because of this relationship that Hou Liangping was determined to answer Cai Chenggong's call no matter what.

"Hey monkey, I'm Erpi."

As soon as the call connected, Cai Chenggong's shouts came through.

Hou Liangping gently closed the study door and scolded him impatiently:

"How many times have I told you not to call me a monkey? Why don't you listen?"

"Oh, isn't this called getting used to it?"

Cai Chenggong laughed heartily, then quickly asked, "Have you eaten?"

"I've already eaten. Hurry up and tell me what you need me for."

Hou Liangping was getting anxious.

He knew very well that his wife, Zhong Xiaoai, disliked businessmen and didn't want him to deal with them.

What if he is lured away and corrupted? Wouldn't that jeopardize his promising future?

Cai Chenggong stopped beating around the bush and said directly:

"You've probably seen or heard about the news from Handong, right?"

Hou Liangping hummed in agreement.

"I heard that. Just now, the news broadcast said that your Secretary Zhao is particularly capable and has attracted more than 250 billion yuan in investment projects."

Cai Chenggong hurriedly said, "That's why I came to you. I've been observing carefully these past few days, and it's indeed quite a big commotion on a large scale."

"Furthermore, I've heard that many companies are planning to buy land in Jingzhou to build bases and factories, causing the price of industrial land in Jingzhou to skyrocket..."

Hou Liangping interrupted, asking, "What exactly are you trying to say? Can you stop beating around the bush?"

Cai Chenggong chuckled.

"You've worked in Jingzhou for over a year, and your father-in-law has been the top official in our Handong Province for many years. Logically speaking, you should know quite a few leaders in Jingzhou, right?"

Hou Liangping snorted coldly, pulled over a chair, sat down, and crossed his legs.

"We knew each other before, but it's hard to say now."

"As you know, my father-in-law has been transferred to Yanjing, and Zhao Lichun, the secretary, is now in charge of Handong."

"Prior to this, the major mining accident in Lincheng that shocked the whole country, and the bribery by the children of Liang Qunfeng, the former secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission in Handong, caused a major earthquake in the officialdom of Handong."

"So if you're asking me if I know any leaders in Jingzhou, I really can't say. Who knows if they're in jail or transferred? But why are you asking this?"

Cai Chenggong sighed, "Monkey, let me tell you the truth. These past few years, foreign trade exports have been bad, haven't they? They said that joining the WTO would improve exports, but I really can't hold on until that day."

Hou Liangping sneered, "Really? It's the New Year, why are you crying your eyes out to me? I'm not asking you for money!"

Cai Chenggong sighed, "I'm not crying about how bad it is. Our group's performance is really getting worse and worse. Forget about year-end bonuses, I have to sell my house to pay salaries."

"Since Jingzhou is going to develop high-end manufacturing on a large scale, and many companies are vying to buy land, I was wondering if we could include Dafeng Factory in the demolition area?"

"To be honest, with our group's current performance, we can't support more than a thousand employees, and we don't need 120 acres of land at all. We might as well just demolish it sooner rather than later."

Hou Liangping pulled his legs back and leaned forward.

"What do you mean? You're giving up and don't want to play anymore?"

"Back then, when Old Chen oversaw the restructuring of Dafeng Factory, he put you in charge of the factory, hoping you would lead the company to continue its development. Now, all you want to do is be a recipient of demolition compensation?"

Cai Chenggong said with a wry smile, "Without orders and with loans so hard to come by, how am I supposed to support those thousand-plus employees? I might as well just tear it down!"

"That way, I'll hold 60% of the shares and still get several million in the end. The workers will get their share and be able to find another way to make a living as soon as possible, instead of wasting time and getting nothing in return."

Hou Liangping hurriedly said, "But have you ever thought that once Jingzhou's economy develops, the land of Dafeng Factory will be a treasure trove, worth at least several hundred million!"

"I can't even last a few months, how can you expect me to last until Jingzhou's economy develops? Isn't that wishful thinking?"

After Cai Chenggong sighed, he pleaded:

"Old classmate! Good brother! I'm begging you, please help me, okay?"

After thinking for a moment, Hou Liangping said in a low voice:

"Then I'll tell you a secret: we will definitely join the WTO this year, and foreign trade will definitely improve."

"If you just hold on for a few more months, your business will definitely improve. Don't even think about the demolition and relocation, understand?"