Chapter 719 – The troubled Zhang Ruiqiang
Feng Yu thought that Li Mingde would be able to fend off those government officials for at least a few days. Even if he could not handle them, he could always as Zhang Ruiqiang for help. But Zhang Ruiqiang called Feng Yu, asking him to go over to his office for a discussion about getting the Machinery Company listed.
Why did Zhang Ruiqiang change his mind? Feng Yu had told Zhang Ruiqiang clearly that it was not he does not want to get his companies listed. It was because this was not the right time yet. Feng Yu wanted to let his company grow for a few more years before getting listed. Also, he promised that he will list his company during Zhang Ruiqiang’s term as the Mayor. Zhang Ruiqiang cannot even wait for 2 years?
Actually, it was not Zhang Ruiqiang that could not wait. It was the Provincial Government’s No. 1.
The Provincial Government’s No. 1 was old, and his higher-ups had asked him to be prepared to retire to the backend at the end of the year. Based on past experiences, the Provincial Government’s No. 1 might be promoted first. But there was also the possibility that he would not be promoted and transferred to a relaxing and leisure position.
The Provincial Government’s No. 1’s rank was now Provincial-Ministerial level and was a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. His next rank was the Sub-national Leader. There was a great difference for the retirement benefits between those two ranks. Also, if he were promoted to a Sub-national Leader, he would be able to continue to work for a few more years. He still does not want to retire. He felt he could still contribute to the nation.
The problem with Longjiang province was its location. It cannot be compared with the coastal regions in terms of trading. Also, the government does not have the support of the central government, and its development was slow. There was another reason. Agriculture and Forestry were separated into two departments. The Ministry of state farms and land reclamation was in charge of the agriculture, and the forestry was handled by the State Forestry and Grassland Administration. All the profits and taxes in these two industries were handed over to their respective departments and not the Provincial Government.
Longjiang Province’s biggest trading partner was Russia. They mainly export food products. Of course, now they were also exporting Feng Yu’s motor vehicles and other necessities. But compared to the coastal regions, there was still a vast difference.
But the heavy industry in LongJiang province was doing well. The growth of this industry was higher than the national average. In some sectors like agricultural machinery and automobile manufacturing were the most advanced in China.
The Provincial Government’s No. 1 had never expect to be promoted before his retirement to the backend. But now, he felt he could be promoted and does not need to retire!
The Provincial Government’s No. 1 had some achievements under his belt and could try fighting for his promotion. But his opponents also had some significant contributions which were about his equivalent. He wanted to remain in power and not retired.
Some time ago, during a meeting at the Central Government, the Provincial Government’s No. 1 heard other provincial governors reporting about their work. He knew why these people were allowed to report about their provinces’ developments during the meeting. It was because their provinces had many listed companies.
The Provincial Government’s No. 1 realized that once a company got listed, the company’s value will increase by several folds! That means 1 RMB would become 3 to 5 RMB? 100 million would become 3 to 5 million? That means the province’s economy would improve by leaps and bounds!
Although the Provincial Government’s No. 1 knew that the government’s shares would be diluted after the company was listed, he felt there should be more benefits. If not, why would so many companies get listed?
Looking at the proud looks of those leaders and the Central Government Leaders’ approving looks, Longjiang’s Provincial Government’s No. 1 was jealous.
If he still could not get more results, then he will lose his promotion to his opponents!
Most government officials had retired at his age. However, the Provincial Government’s No. 1 was used to be in power and have authority. He was used to commanding people around and could not give up his authority.
He felt he still had not achieved what he wanted and could still continue working. Why should he retire to the backend and hold leisure and relax position? He felt his results were better than most of the other leaders and should be promoted.
It was not the higher-ups not appreciating his contributions. It was because he lacks something that makes him stand out among the rest.
Bing City had a machinery company that’s worth only tens of millions. After a few years of development, the company’s worth grew to billions. This company had become one of China’s biggest company. This was considered a huge political achievement.
But the Provincial Government’s No. 1 felt it was not enough. Other provinces also have companies that were worth billions, and those companies were state-owned enterprises. If the Machinery Company could increase its value to more than 10 billion RMB, then his chances of getting promoted would be higher.
China’s first listed company, which was worth more than 10 billion, had appeared in the province under his charge. Who can claim that this was not his credit? The higher-ups will surely notice him.
The Provincial Government’s No. 1 had been praised by the Chief Architect, Jiang Daming, Iron-fist Zhu, and many other national-level leaders before. If he were 5 to 8 years younger, he would surely be able to enter the central government.
But he was old now, and this was his last chance to fight for his promotion.
The Provincial Government’s No. 1 knew it was Zhang Ruiqiang who proposed the restructuring of the Machinery Company, and he had also supported this proposal. If he had not supported this restructuring, would it be successful? At that time, all the state-owned enterprises’ restructuring was for those loss-making enterprises. The Machinery Company was still profitable.
Zhang Ruiqiang was very close with Feng Yu, and the Provincial Government’s No. 1 had received complains that Zhang Ruiqiang was in cahoots with this private businessman. He was the one who stopped all these rumors and supported Zhang Ruiqiang.
Zhang Ruiqiang could get to his current position was because of him. If he did not transfer Zhang Ruiqiang from Foreign Trade Office to Bing City Government, Zhang Ruiqiang would still be a nobody.
Zhang Ruiqiang was able to get to his current position was also partially because of his own abilities. But without the support of the Provincial Government’s No. 1, he would not be able to become the Mayor of Bing City. Even if Zhang Ruiqiang could be promoted to a Mayor, he would also not be the Mayor of Bing City and get the rank of Sub-Provincial (Ministerial) level.
Also, the Provincial Government’s No. 1 had supported Zhang Ruiqiang’s proposal for restructuring the whole Bing City pharmaceutical industry. This resulted in the formation of Bing City Pharmaceutical Enterprise.
Men are all selfish and tend to think for themselves. Although Zhang Ruiqiang could help extend the Provincial Government’s No. 1’s career, after he got promoted, Zhang Ruiqiang could still receive support from the Provincial Government’s No. 1. This was a win-win situation.
The Provincial Government’s No. 1 spoke to Zhang Ruiqiang and wish Zhang Ruiqiang could help him to persuade Feng Yu to let Bing City Machinery Company be listed on the stock exchange as soon as possible. He wanted a listed company which was worth billions to appear in Longjiang province. This was the bargaining chip for him to further his career.
Zhang Ruiqiang was also feeling troubled. He knew Feng Yu was a genius when it comes to business. He had never seen anyone as successful as Feng Yu. Even those legendary businessmen from other countries could not be compared to Feng Yu.
Feng Yu had said that now was not the right time for Bing City Machinery Company to be listed and Zhang Ruiqiang chose to believe him. This was why he did not bring up this subject again. But now, he needs to return the Provincial Government’s No. 1’s favor. The Provincial Government’s No. 1 had groomed him to become the Mayor, and he was in a dilemma.
In the end, the Provincial Government’s No. 1 took one step back. He only asked Zhang Ruiqiang to call Feng Yu over, and he will speak to Feng Yu personally. This was why Zhang Ruiqiang called Feng Yu.