A barely perceptible smile played on Zhang Cheng's lips as he waited for Director Zhao to continue.

Director Zhao lowered his voice:

"During the three-year crackdown, many were arrested and many were executed."

With policies loosening at the beginning of the year, all sorts of unscrupulous individuals naturally emerged, and you're not the only one encountering this trouble.

He continued his analysis,

"Therefore, many businesses choose to cooperate with local supply and marketing cooperatives and use dedicated vehicles to transport goods."

Those drivers were happy to earn some extra money.

Let me ask you, what's the approximate price for the route from Wenzhou to Funing County?

He paused,

"However, a private car only runs once every two weeks at the earliest, and sometimes once or twice a month. Can your clothing business afford to wait that long?"

Zhang Cheng pondered.

The clothing industry is about to boom, and bell-bottoms and floral shirts will soon be all the rage.

Restocking every two weeks is considered too slow; after a month or two, the daylilies are already too cold.

But this is the best solution we can think of right now.

In these extraordinary times, we have no choice but to spend a lot of money to have the driver make more trips.

"Then I'll have to trouble Director Zhao to do that."

Director Zhao nodded.

"You still want those five shops on South Street, and the one near the department store?"

"certainly!"

Zhang Cheng's tone was certain.

"Director Zhao, the winds of reform and opening up are blowing stronger and stronger. I would feel like I'm missing out if I didn't make some money in these few years."

Director Zhao smiled:

"You little rascal! But then again, the domestic economy is indeed developing rapidly, especially in Shenzhen, which has started to attract investment from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan."

Funing has a good geographical location, and the municipal party committee is determined; development won't be slow.

He revealed that the city plans to develop a development zone, and several vice mayors have gone out to attract investment.

If Zhang Cheng is interested in setting up a factory, he can help him secure a two-year tax exemption and the lowest land price.

Zhang Cheng thought to himself that he only had 25,000 yuan in his pocket, and it was too early to start a factory.

After leaving the supply and marketing cooperative, Zhang Cheng headed straight for the shop on South Street.

The five shops have been connected, and the two on the left have been fitted with stylish floor-to-ceiling windows, making them look very impressive.

Although there are many small shops in Funing County, such a gesture is rare.

Li Yuanyuan quickly stepped forward:

"Zhang Cheng, hurry up and go to the Industry and Commerce Bureau to apply for a business license."

How about naming the store 'Yuancheng'?

Zhang Cheng glanced at her; the name was unbearably vulgar.

He left with the following statement:

"Go and rent three places for Zhongming and the others later. I'm going to the Industry and Commerce Bureau!"

He then left on his own.

Li Yuanyuan stomped her foot in dissatisfaction.

The business license was obtained smoothly, costing only ten yuan.

Store name: [Yangcheng].

Li Yuanyuan's

"Yuancheng"

Don't even think about it.

After handing the license to Li Yuanyuan, Zhang Cheng closed his eyes and rested on a recliner by the door.

The renovation progress was accelerated considerably thanks to the involvement of Li Qiming and others.

The next day, Zhao Daming delivered 10,000 treasury bonds.

Zhang Cheng then went to the Treasury Bond Recycling Center across the street and exchanged it for 10,000 yuan in cash from Lao Liu.

Zhao Daming stared wide-eyed as Zhang Cheng returned carrying five stacks of ten-yuan notes.

Others trade 100 for 50, but this kid goes one to one?

"Brother, let's not bother with thanks, it'll make us feel too distant."

Tonight, a family dinner!

"Okay!"

Li Yuanyuan also insisted on going.

Zhao Daming was in a great mood and agreed with a smile, telling her to go and help her sister-in-law.

Zhao Daming rode his motorcycle to buy the wine first.

Zhang Cheng then drove Li Yuanyuan and arrived at the Zhao family's house half an hour later.

Li Ailian opened the door with great enthusiasm:

"Little Zhang is finally here! Your brother was just saying the other day that he didn't get to drink to his heart's content last time!"

Her gaze fell on Li Yuanyuan, and seeing her radiant beauty, she couldn't help but be taken aback.

"And this is...?"

“My partner, Li Yuanyuan.”

Zhang Cheng introduced.

Li Yuanyuan called out obediently.

"sister in law"

He then affectionately took Li Ailian's arm and led her into the kitchen.

In the living room, Zhao Daming poured Zhang Cheng a bottle of West Lake Longjing tea, which was said to be a gift from Vice Mayor Sun.

"Brother, give me some good tea, it's like a cow chewing on a peony."

"I don't understand either, haha!"

Zhao Daming was in a great mood.

"Brother, when you advised me to buy a house, was it because you thought house prices were going to rise?"

If he hadn't made a profit from these treasury bonds, he really wouldn't have been interested in this.

"Inevitable."

Zhang Cheng explained,

"In the economic era, cities drive rural development."

Farmers who move to the city can't stay in rented accommodation forever.

Zhao Daming nodded repeatedly as he listened:

"Brother, you have a sharp eye! I've spoken to Ailian about this, and she doesn't object."

The key thing is, I'm rich now! I'm going to check out some apartments in the west of the city tomorrow morning.

“I have an apartment on the first floor of Unit 1 in the west of the city.”

"Really? That's great, I'll buy your neighbor's property!"

Zhao Daming excitedly untied a small gadget from his belt.

"Look at this, a pager! High-tech! Call me if you need anything, although it's not as convenient as a phone call."

He handed the Motorola pager to Zhang Cheng.

"Internal price, 1800!"

Zhao Daming felt a little pained; this was three years' worth of his salary.

Zhang Cheng considered it for a moment.

"Okay, I'll buy one too."

"I'll get it for you tomorrow!"

Zhao Daming happily played with the pager.

Li Ailian called out from the kitchen that dinner was ready.

"Brother, let's drink until we drop tonight!"

"I'd risk my life to accompany you!"

The four people sat down, and Li Ailian raised her glass:

"Brother, my gratitude is all in this wine."

Li Yuanyuan also downed a drink, her fair cheeks flushing red.

After a few rounds of drinks, Li Yuanyuan was already a little dizzy.

"Beep beep beep!"

Zhao Daming's pager suddenly started vibrating.

He picked it up and glanced at the number; his expression changed slightly.

"Inside!"

He got up.

"Wife, brother, please enjoy your meal. I'm going to the station."

Zhang Cheng also stood up:

"Brother, you've had quite a bit to drink. I'll go with you."

"Be careful on the road! Yuanyuan will sleep with me tonight, you guys can stay in the guest room when you come back."

Li Ailian gave instructions.

Zhang Cheng rode his motorcycle, carrying Zhao Daming, who was slightly awakened by the night wind, to the police station.

The on-duty police officer, Xiao Xing, came up to greet him:

"Director Zhao, you just received a call from Jiaxing."

Jiaxing? Zhao Daming and Zhang Cheng exchanged a glance.

In his office on the second floor, Zhao Daming picked up the phone.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, he inquired about the goods being detained.

Gradually, the smile on his face disappeared, and he solemnly hummed a few times before hanging up the phone.

Seeing his expression, Zhang Cheng knew something was wrong.

Zhao Daming slammed his fist on the table:

"Damn it! Those bastards from Jiaxing have some powerful connections! Even when my comrade intervened, they completely ignored him!"

He gritted his teeth,

"If all else fails, I'll go to Jiaxing with you!"

Zhang Cheng frowned and immediately stopped him:

"Brother, don't be impulsive! Handling a case in another location involves too many complications. I'll handle this myself."