In the past two years, there has been a boom in industrial parks all over the country, from top to bottom. There are industrial parks in the city and in the counties below. However, apart from the city, which has managed to attract two promising enterprises, most of the city's other industrial parks are still stuck in the planning stages, with either just empty promises or leveled plots of land that are overgrown or have been turned into sunflower fields.
Mayor Fang also understands Feng Yiping's character. He always speaks his mind, and the fact that he is saying this in front of her today shows that he is fully confident.
An investment of 200 to 300 million yuan will, upon completion, not only drive employment, but also boost GDP. At a conservative estimate, it will at least achieve an output value of 500 million yuan!
An industrial park with an investment of 200 to 300 million yuan and an output value of at least 500 million yuan is a political achievement that will excite the mayor of a poor national-level city like hers.
'You, Uncle Zheng, are right. It looks like your village will become the richest village in the city. You can stick to investing in your hometown, a place with not the best geographical environment, and you really have the passion of a child,'
'This is what I should do,' Feng Yiping said sincerely.
'I understand your thoughts. So what are your other requests and concerns? Tell me today, and I will definitely satisfy them,'
Feng Yiping made a special trip to tell her this, which was a way of giving himself credit. Mayor Fang was so pleased that he made a big deal of it.
'I don't have any requests, but Mayor,'
Mayor Fang interrupted him, 'at home, you can just call me Auntie,'
'Auntie, you are Jiayi's mother and also my old high school principal. I have always treated you as an elder. If what I say next is too abrupt, please don't mind,'
'It's fine, you can say it. Jiayi, refill Yiping's cup,'
'Boss Feng, please have some tea,' Zheng Jiayi said with a smile, filling Feng Yiping's cup to the brim.
'Auntie, what I'm thinking is that we can get this industrial park built as soon as possible, put it into production as soon as possible, and contribute to the development of the city as soon as possible. However, investing several hundred million yuan to build an industrial park like this is definitely not possible without the support of the local government.
Our town has always been dominated by agriculture, and the town leaders and civil servants are very experienced in agricultural management, but they may lack experience in industrial management.
My biggest concern is this: I worry that in the future, the company and the town leaders may not cooperate very well. If conflicts arise due to differences in opinions, it will inevitably affect the construction of the industrial park.'
Feng Yiping's words were very tactful, but in fact, he was saying that he distrusted the town leaders.
Back then, even a cabinet factory with a village collective shareholding was subject to difficulties from all sides. The clerks below, who were not even officials, did not care how they behaved, let alone look good while they ate.
When Sun Wukong was looking for a famous teacher, he had only one criterion: 'Can I live forever?'
Many civil servants at the grassroots level also have only one criterion when doing their work: 'Is it beneficial?'
When investing 200 to 300 million yuan in a project like this, you can't expect them to each fulfil their role as public servants, not caring about personal gains or losses, and helping you to work together. That's just wishful thinking.
From previous experience, in terms of the town, the duplicitous town mayor Wang Ganqing can be considered a tiger, while the clerks below who are looking for ways to take advantage are flies.
In fact, it is easy to deal with the tiger. He has some scruples. If he wants to go further, he has to consider Feng Zhenchang and their connections with the county and city leaders, which is equivalent to having a rope around his neck.
But those flies are different. Hopeless for advancement, they just want to get benefits for themselves. And there are so many of them that you can't control them all, and it is impossible to guard against them.
Even if Feng Yiping invests 3 billion in the town, it is impossible to demand that all the civil servants be replaced. The only thing you can do is to find a way to optimise.
And finding someone who is self-disciplined, can set an example, and is strict with others, to be the leader of the town, will also have the right effect.
'In fact, if I only consider it from a profit perspective, investing in the coastal area would be much easier. Our furniture factory in the special economic zone alone had sales of over 100 million yuan last year. However, since the company started production, only the fire department has been there a few times to inspect the fire safety facilities, spread fire safety knowledge, and assist the factory in organising fire drills.
No other government departments have visited the company, and all the various approvals have been issued in a timely and transparent manner.
I want to do what I can to help my family, but I really don't want to get into a whole lot of trouble because of my good intentions. Of course, I trust that with Auntie here, nothing like that will happen.'
Feng Yiping's words, when put bluntly, meant that his hometown was not the most ideal place for investment, and that it was out of personal feelings and to show respect for Mayor Fang that he was doing it.
'I understand your concerns and what you mean,' Mayor Fang thought for a moment, 'I will reflect your idea of this industrial park to the municipal party committee. Before the approval is completed, I can guarantee two things. We will consider the allocation of the leadership team of Wuli'ao Town as appropriate. At the same time, we will strengthen the discipline inspection and supervision work in Wuli'ao Town, so that they understand that they will be caught if they reach out,'
'Thank you, Mayor,'
Feng Yiping believed the former point. As soon as his plan was revealed, it was certain that the town would achieve results, and it was estimated that many people who hoped to have a promising career would find a way to transfer there.
As for the latter point, he hoped it would have some effect!
'Call me auntie,' Mayor Fang corrected with a smile.
'Yes, auntie,'
'Yiping, don't worry, you won't have to shed blood or tears,' Zheng Bosong said with a smile.
'Thank you, uncle!'
'I'll go make the phone call, Jia Yi, you keep Yiping company. Zheng, I'll come down in a bit to help you with lunch,'
'Go do your thing, I'll take care of lunch,' Zheng Bosong also laughed and got up, 'Yiping, is there anything you don't like to eat,'
'I'll eat anything, uncle, do you need any help?'
'No, trust me on my cooking,'
'Yes, I like my father's cooking the most,' Zheng Jiayi couldn't interrupt before, feeling that Feng Yiping had marginalized her since he arrived, and now she hurriedly tried to assert her presence.
'Why did you want to go on an exchange?' Zheng Jiayi asked as soon as her parents left.
'I've had this plan for a long time,' Feng Yiping said. "With China's accession to the WTO, many industries are facing international competition. Obviously, it's not a good thing if you don't know anything about your competitors. I don't think I'll have time to study abroad, but I think I can be an exchange student for a year. That way, I can learn something and get to know my future competitors at the same time. It's a win-win situation, don't you think so?'
'You've thought this far ahead," Zheng Jiayi seemed a little disappointed.
'You're already a junior this year, but I guess you don't have any plans yet for what you want to do in the future,' Feng Yiping asked.
'I don't really have any plans yet. If that doesn't work out, I guess I'll just keep studying,' Zheng Jiayi said.
'It's hard for you, too. No matter what you do in the future, if you do well, people will definitely say that you're just taking advantage of your parents. With your family's resources, you can do anything. But if you don't do well, they'll say that you're just not capable, and that you're not going to amount to anything despite having such good conditions.
Unlike me, if I go back and work the land with my parents, I'll be continuing to contribute to the country quietly. If I'm lucky enough to accomplish something, it'll be a positive inspirational story.'
Feng Yiping's words made Zheng Jiayi, who hadn't even thought about what kind of work she wanted to do in the future, even more depressed. 'You're doing this on purpose, aren't you, so I won't be happy even during the New Year?'
'No, I'm just thinking about you. Since no matter what you do, no matter how well you do it, people will gossip, you shouldn't pay any attention to what other people say,'
'I never really cared about what other people say. I do what I want, what do they care?' Zheng Jiayi said.
This is indeed her character.
'Can you help me think about what I should do?' Zheng Jiayi asked.
Feng Yiping nudged his teacup and said, 'Brew a new cup,' with a condescending air.
Zheng Jiayi was so angry, but she really wanted to hear Feng Yiping's advice, so she brewed him a new cup of tea and placed it heavily in front of him, 'Can you tell me now?'
'First of all, for most girls, you have to grasp one important point, and that is, no matter what kind of work you do in the future, no matter how good you are at it, it is not as good as getting a good marriage,'
'You're looking for a kick again,'
'Just remember this, and it doesn't matter if you don't understand it now, you will definitely understand it in the future. It's really good advice,'
Feng Yiping looked around. Mayor Fang was still upstairs in his study, and Zheng Bosun was in the kitchen, so he continued, 'I believe you have the ability, I believe you can do well in many things, but you may not care to do them. For example, whether you join a company or an organisation, you may not try to please people and you don't want to look at the faces of your superiors,'
'Isn't Jin doing quite well in your company?'
'That's because she's got a good boss like me. Besides, look at her, how hard she works! Plus, she hasn't even had time to find a boyfriend yet,' Feng Yiping said.
'So tell me, what kind of work would be good for me in the future, not doing anything?'
'There are so many options. If you're interested in something, just go for it. You're not like the rest of us, worrying about making a living,'
'You're not ashamed to call yourself a member of the common people? Forget it! Besides, what else can I do?'
'Besides, I think your mother had a good job. A teacher is an engineer of the human soul. What a great and noble profession! There's even a special holiday for it. It doesn't carry much power, but everyone respects it.
Nowadays, there is only one child in a family, and everyone values them very much. Moreover, as living standards continue to rise, people generally attach more and more importance to education. If you work hard, you will be awarded a senior or top-level title. Don't be too popular!
In addition, Mayor Fang's influence in the education system is not to be underestimated. It will be very easy to pave the way for you, don't you think so?'
These words really did not contain any teasing, and Feng Yiping was genuinely thinking of her.
Zheng Jiayi was still deep in thought over there, and Feng Yiping saw Zheng Bozhan serving food to the customers, so he quickly walked over to him and said, 'Uncle, let me help you!'