Rebirth: I am in Jin-Cha-Ji

"Mr. Dong, this is the right thing to do. This is what we as government officials should do.

"No, no. In all these years, I have never seen any official promise us not to collect so much tax.

"Mr. Dong, let's not be so polite. If you have any questions, please raise them. I will help you solve any problems I can solve. If I can't solve them immediately, I will discuss them after I get back and give you a response.

Wei Hongjun is very pressed for time now.

I also took time out specifically to meet with them.

After Wei Hongjun said this, Dong Yan said, "Director Wei, I believe you have also seen that the market in Zhangjiakou is very depressed right now. Many small factories want to open but are unable to do so. Everyone needs the support of the Military Control Commission."

Wei Hongjun became more excited after hearing what he said.

A depressed market means Zhangjiakou's economy is sluggish, which is not a good thing.

Zhangjiakou is the only major city currently controlled by the Eighth Route Army. If it is not managed well, it will affect the reputation of the Eighth Route Army and Yan'an. Only by improving Zhangjiakou can it be seen by more people. The Eighth Route Army is not only capable of fighting and doing good work in the countryside, but also capable of managing major cities.

Dong Yan said: "Ever since the Japanese came, they have only known how to plunder materials, exploit merchants, and exploit Zhangjiakou's industry. As a result, many handicraft merchants have gone bankrupt, including many large merchants. Now everyone wants to reopen factories and do business again, but they simply don't have the capital. Without financial support, these factories will find it difficult to resume operations in the short term. If these factories do not resume operations, then the situation in Zhangjiakou will not improve.

Wei Hongjun did not answer immediately.

Because Wei Hongjun needed to think about it. Of course, Wei Hongjun also knew that Dong Yan said this to put pressure on the Military Control Commission. He told Wei Hongjun that in this situation, the Military Control Commission must support him.

Otherwise, it will be difficult for Zhangjiakou's economy to recover.

It can be regarded as a trick to defeat Wei Hongjun and the Military Control Commission.

Wei Hongjun couldn't just rush into expressing his support because of their "threats." If you get caught up in other people's thinking and easily express your opinion based on their thinking, you'll run into problems. So Wei Hongjun remained silent, thinking. This silenced many people present.

After a while, Wei Hongjun said, "The problem you mentioned does need to be taken seriously."

Dong Yan and the others immediately smiled.

They thought Wei Hongjun was trying to compromise. As long as the government supported them, their business would soon pick up.

"Director Wei, this problem is truly serious and urgent. We hope the Military Control Commission can provide us with a guarantee so that we can obtain financial support from the bank."

Dong Yan finally put forward their idea.

Wei Hongjun shook his head slightly.

Seeing Wei Hongjun shaking his head, Dong Yan became anxious. What did Wei Hongjun mean by this?

Just as he was about to speak, Wei Hongjun spoke first, "Mr. Dong, I know you're in a hurry. Although I'm the director of the Zhangjiakou Military Control Commission, many things can't be decided by me alone. The Military Control Commission still needs to understand the situation of Zhangjiakou's industry and commerce first. Only then can we formulate policies."

“Director Wei, many handicraft merchants in Zhangjiakou can’t wait, and Zhangjiakou’s economy can’t wait.

Dong Yan continued to put pressure on Wei Hongjun.

Wei Hongjun never underestimated Dong Yan. Before the Japanese came, he was a prominent businessman in Chahar. After the Japanese arrived, he refused to cooperate with them. Although he suffered heavy losses, he was able to maintain his integrity and survive the Japanese and puppet troops. He was definitely not a simple man. Countless people lost their lives because they refused to cooperate with the Japanese.

But Dong Yan managed to preserve his integrity and save his life. Such a person must be a very smart person.

So Wei Hongjun was very cautious when talking to him.

Wei Hongjun thought for a moment and said, "Mr. Dong is right. Zhangjiakou needs to recover as soon as possible. I heard that you are reorganizing the Chahar Zhangjiakou Chamber of Commerce?

"Yes."

Dong Yan nodded.

He said: "After the Japanese came, they severely disrupted the business order in Zhangjiakou. Several people in the original Chamber of Commerce became traitors. In order to restore the business order in Zhangjiakou as soon as possible, we plan to reorganize the Chamber of Commerce."

"Good things, good things."

Wei Hongjun nodded.

Then he said: "Mr. Dong, I have thought about it. Any policy formulated by our Military Control Commission must be based on facts. Our Military Control Commission needs to investigate the current problems of the merchants you mentioned. Let's see what the real situation of Zhangjiakou's industry and commerce is at present. What our Military Control Commission wants is the most accurate data, that is, how many enterprises and factories there are in Zhangjiakou, what their current financial situation is and so on. So my idea is to form the Zhangjiakou Federation of Industry and Commerce in Zhangjiakou. Our Military Control Commission will send people over, and the Chamber of Commerce and various "trade associations" in Zhangjiakou will also send people in.

With this Federation of Industry and Commerce, our Military Control Commission cadres can leverage it to communicate with merchants throughout Zhangjiakou and investigate the current business conditions there. This should be the quickest way to gain a thorough understanding of the business situation in Zhangjiakou. If merchants in Zhangjiakou are truly facing difficulties, the Military Control Commission can collaborate with border region banks to support the development of Zhangjiakou's industry and commerce.

When Dong Yan heard this, he understood what Wei Hongjun meant.

The Military Control Commission is trying to extend its influence into the Chamber of Commerce.

If they did not accept Wei Hongjun's proposal, they would completely offend the Military Control Commission. They had been severely damaged by the Japanese invasion and were now desperate for the support of the Military Control Commission.

But Dong Yan didn't want the Military Control Commission to intervene.

Dilemma.

Therefore, Dong Yan said, "Director Wei, I need to go back and discuss this matter with the people from the Chamber of Commerce."

"Of course, this is something we both agree on."

Wei Hongjun would not force them on the surface. This would be detrimental to the image of the Eighth Route Army. So Wei Hongjun smiled and said, "Mr. Dong, let's end this conversation today. I have other things to deal with."

"Okay, Director Wei."

Wei Hongjun stood up and saw them off.

After seeing them off to the door, Wei Hongjun suddenly asked Gao Weinong, "Director Gao, have you notified the representatives of the industry association I'm going to meet with this afternoon?"

"Already notified."

"Okay. Let's listen to their ideas as well."

Dong Yan heard the conversation between Wei Hongjun and Gao Weinong, paused for a moment, and then followed them away.

Wei Hongjun smiled.

Since the Eighth Route Army controlled Zhangjiakou, Wei Hongjun could not allow the disorderly development of Zhangjiakou's business. Now Zhangjiakou had been devastated by the Japanese, and all businesses wanted to develop without the support of the Military Control Commission.

Now is the best time to establish the Zhangjiakou Federation of Industry and Commerce.

The Military Control Commission needed to conduct a thorough investigation of Zhangjiakou's industry and commerce, obtaining the most authentic, firsthand information. They shouldn't just accept Dong Yan and his colleagues' opinions as the truth. Only by understanding the actual conditions of Zhangjiakou's industry and commerce could they formulate accurate policies. The Military Control Commission's policies must not be influenced by the businesspeople at the bottom.

Chapter 433 The Arrival of Military Cadres

Starting from the afternoon, Wei Hongjun met with people from Zhangjiakou's "Trade Association" one after another.

Listened to their difficulties.

He stated that the Military Control Commission would definitely help them resolve their difficulties. Wei Hongjun immediately offered solutions to the difficulties raised by some "trade associations."

Even if there were some problems that could not be solved on the spot, Wei Hongjun told them that he would definitely consider them seriously.

Every industry has different problems.

Different problems have different solutions.

Although Wei Hongjun knew that Zhangjiakou had a thriving trade, his interactions with members of these "trade associations" gave him a deeper understanding of the city's trade. He categorized the different industries and then recorded the questions raised by the representatives, as each industry presented different challenges and problems.

Overall, the meeting was very good.

Wei Hongjun gave these industrialists and businesspeople confidence. He analyzed the current situation in the War of Resistance and informed them of the current situation in North China. He assured them that the Japanese army was no longer capable of retaking Zhangjiakou and that victory in the War of Resistance would be inevitable. He also assured them that Zhangjiakou would become a key rear base for the Eighth Route Army and that the Eighth Route Army would never lose Zhangjiakou again. This gave them the freedom to develop with confidence.

He also told them that the Military Control Commission would definitely cancel all kinds of exorbitant taxes and fees and support the development of Zhangjiakou's industry and commerce.

Wei Hongjun's assurance to them gave them confidence.

Wei Hongjun's analysis that Zhangjiakou would be safe from war gave them the greatest confidence. What did industrialists and businesspeople of that era fear most? Not the government's exorbitant taxes, but a chaotic situation.

In this era, confidence is more important than anything else.

Finally, they were informed of the Military Control Commission's plan to establish the Federation of Industry and Commerce. He explained that the Federation of Industry and Commerce was not a government agency, but rather an organization where the government and businesspeople could work together to resolve issues. Many of the Military Control Commission's policies would be based on reports provided by the Federation. Wei Hongjun stated that every "trade association" could send representatives to the Federation. Several representatives immediately expressed their willingness to participate in the Federation of Industry and Commerce established by the Military Control Commission.

After talking with them, Wei Hongjun had a clear idea in his mind.

Zhangjiakou's business community is still strong, but they are currently in a weak stage with severe damage.

So now they hope for stability and dare not make trouble.

At the same time, there were many people who were exactly as Dong Yan had said. They wanted to restore their family businesses, but they were short of funds. They really needed the support of the Military Control Commission.

Although Dong Yan and his colleagues disliked the Military Control Commission's establishment of the Zhangjiakou Federation of Industry and Commerce, they had no choice but to accept it. Zhangjiakou, while a commercial city, was not Shanghai after all. Shanghai merchants were powerful, especially with deep pockets. Precisely because of this wealth, they were daring enough to challenge the People's Republic of China even after liberation.

But these businessmen in Zhangjiakou are different.

Those who defected to the Japanese were considered traitors and were being purged by the Military Control Commission. Those who did not defect to the Japanese were all targets of oppression and plunder. Even if they were once powerful and wealthy, after years of suppression, their strength has been greatly weakened.

Without strength, military control will be a tough opponent.

Therefore, they had no choice but to accept the Federation of Industry and Commerce established by the Military Control Commission. If they did not accept it, the Military Control Commission could simply exclude them and form a Federation of Industry and Commerce with the larger number of handicraft merchants.

"Liu Hongda?"

"Yes."

“I remember Liu Hongda has been working in the trading company?”

"Yes. Liu Hongda is currently serving as the deputy manager of the Chanan Trading Corporation.

Wei Hongjun is now discussing with Gao Weinong the cadres responsible for the Zhangjiakou Federation of Industry and Commerce.

If the Federation of Industry and Commerce was to be established, it would undoubtedly have been led by cadres sent by the Eighth Route Army. The Eighth Route Army would have been the primary authority in establishing many commercial rules, rather than the merchants themselves discussing and deciding the commercial rules. If merchants could decide the rules themselves, then why would the Military Control Commission establish the Federation of Industry and Commerce?

However, Wei Hongjun had no idea who to send.

The Eighth Column rose to prominence through its illustrious military exploits on the battlefield, so it had many generals. However, the cadres sent to the Federation of Industry and Commerce, even if they weren't entirely specialized in this field, should still be familiar with industry and commerce.

But don't let you go to the Federation of Industry and Commerce to lead them, otherwise you will be fooled by them.

So Wei Hongjun asked Gao Weinong.

Gao Weinong was in charge of the Trade Department, which had many officials in this area. Gao Weinong recommended Liu Hongda, Deputy Manager of the Chahar-Nanning Trading Company. Wei Hongjun knew this official. Liu Hongda graduated from a normal school and previously worked as an elementary school teacher. After the July 7 Incident, he devoted himself to the anti-Japanese war, serving as County Magistrate of the Pingding and Mengxian Anti-Japanese Governments. He was a cadre of the Jin-Cha-Ji Fourth District. Later, he was transferred to North China United University as a teacher. After the rapid development of the 8th Column, the Jin-Cha-Ji Military Region transferred Liu Hongda to the 8th Column's base area, where he joined the newly established Chahar-Nanning Trading Company.

The trade system in Jin-Cha-Ji was that the Jin-Cha-Ji Trade Corporation was the largest. Each military sub-district also had its own trade corporation, but they were nominally affiliated with Jin-Cha-Ji.

Marshal Nie was rather cautious about adjusting the military cadres of the 8th Column.

So far, the only senior cadres who had been sent to the 8th Column were Han Weiguo, who first served as Director of the Political Department, and Zheng Weishan, who later served as Deputy Commander. Other adjustments were generally made with the opinions of Wang Qiuyun and Wei Hongjun in mind.

However, the Jin-Cha-Ji Branch Bureau and the Military Region sent a number of local and other cadres to the Eighth Column. Liu Hongda was one such cadre.

"Well, he's the more suitable one. The Military Control Commission will make a formal decision after the discussion. I'll talk to him then."

"Political Commissar, the cadres sent by the military region have arrived."

When Wei Hongjun and Gao Weinong were discussing how the newly established Federation of Industry and Commerce should operate, cadres from the Military Control Commission came in and interrupted Wei Hongjun.

"They arrived so soon?"

Wei Hongjun stood up immediately.

Zhangjiakou was captured by the 8th Column, but it couldn't remain its territory forever. Because of its crucial location, the Jin-Cha-Ji Branch Bureau and the Jin-Cha-Ji Military Region Headquarters would undoubtedly be relocated to Zhangjiakou. Zhangjiakou would undoubtedly be the future center of the Jin-Cha-Ji Party, government, and military. However, Marshal Nie was currently directing the Jin-Cha-Ji troops in a counter-mopping-up operation, a crucial matter for the region's future. Therefore, a move to Zhangjiakou wouldn't be imminent.

However, cadres from some important departments will come to Zhangjiakou first to start taking over some departments and make preparations for the future transfer of the military district headquarters.