Chapter 233

Ye Manzhi's mental journey cannot be told to outsiders.

She picked out what she could say and told Xia Zhuyun.

"Tonglan County felt the Lihua factory was too small. Building supporting factories like a flour mill and a packaging plant around it would be a major upheaval."

Xia Zhujun laughed: "For a small factory with 300 people, it's really not necessary."

"Yes, I understand the county's difficulties, so we want to expand our operations." Ye Manzhi chewed a piece of cucumber and said vaguely, "One small factory isn't enough, so let's build a few more. We're all in the food industry, so we can leverage the advantages of collaborative support within our industry."

Industrial zones are nothing new. As early as the early days of liberation, there were industrial zones in Binjiang.

However, at that time, they were all heavy industrial areas, engaged in supporting production around airplanes or automobiles.

The light industrial area doesn't seem to have been there yet.

Thinking of this, Ye Manzhi asked, "Director Xia, do you think this plan is feasible?"

Xia Zhujun just looked at her and smiled, with faint wrinkles appearing at the corners of her eyes.

"What are you laughing at?" Ye Manzhi was confused.

Xia Zhujun handed her a plate of cooked food and motioned her to go out and talk.

"If you ask for my opinion, I'd certainly agree. The province requires Binjiang to strictly control urban size, prohibit new factories in the urban area, and require a unified plan for old town renovation. However, the actual implementation seems to be poor. If all the food factories in the city center could be relocated to the suburbs, it would serve as a model."

Ye Manzhi held the plate, waiting for her next "but".

However, after waiting for a long time, she didn't say anything else.

Ye Manzhi asked hurriedly, "That's all? Do you really agree?"

"Yes, that's all," Xia Zhujun said as she greeted the two children and sat down at the table. "This is your Binjiang project. It doesn't require funding from the provincial bureau, and it's a brand new experiment. If the integration is successful, perhaps it can provide the province with a new approach. There's no need for the province to object."

“…”

"Actually, there's a similar light industrial zone in the Zhongjiang District. They've built several new printing plants around a plastics printing factory. It's essentially the same as the food industry zone you mentioned, except the local leaders didn't name it an industrial zone. Instead, they followed convention and named the street 'Printing Factory Road.'"

Ye Manzhi sighed, "There are always people better than you. There are so many comrades with ideas and vision!"

"Printing Factory Road has developed slowly over the past decade or so, with leaders consciously placing new printing factories together. But your plan to relocate the old factory to a new residential complex will present significant challenges, including funding, employee acceptance, and resistance from the district where the old factory is located."

Ye Manzhi asked tentatively, "Director Xia, since the province is willing to let Binjiang give it a try, can you give us some support?"

It would be best if some funds could be allocated.

Xia Zhuyun picked up a piece of pork ribs and gave it to Youyan. She then said to Ye Manzhi, "The provincial bureau can support you spiritually."

The other three people at the table: "..."

Fang Zhiran complained: "When we were exhausted from working, the production team leader didn't even offer us a sip of water. Instead, he shouted slogans at everyone. What's the point of these slogans?"

"The province's lack of objection is the greatest support for Binjiang," Ye Manzhi said with a grin. "Director Xia, it's okay if we don't have material support, but could the province consider our food industrial park a pilot project?"

All these pilot projects in the province sound very intimidating.

This thing, like a product, needs to be packaged appropriately.

While Wu Yuzhuo was eating hard, he kept his ears perked up, waiting to hear the next result.

Her mother had been worried about the Lever Factory for over a month, and had written half a book of manuscripts just on various reconstruction plans.

Uncle Zhou next door smokes when he is thinking, and her mother keeps her mouth busy when she is thinking at home.

The few snacks she saved were all eaten by her mother!

Therefore, Wu Yuzhuo is definitely the one who most hopes that his mother's work will go smoothly.

Xia Zhujun said, "Your plan should be approved by your city first. If the Municipal Revolutionary Committee agrees, then submit it to the provincial government. We'll then see if it can be used as a pilot project."

*

In addition to the Lihua factory, Ye Manzhi also took a fancy to four other food factories.

Their characteristics are that they are jaggedly intertwined with residential areas and have sharp conflicts between factory groups, which not only hinder production development but also affect residents' lives.

But the five factories have a large number of employees, totaling more than 1,500.

Such a large project is not something Ye Manzhi can decide on a whim.

She organized a research team in the bureau and brought together all the writers in the bureau.

While conducting research, I was also writing a feasibility report for the construction of a food industrial park.

After completing the first draft of the report, Ye Manzhi made only minor modifications and submitted it to the Municipal Revolutionary Committee.

As a result, it was returned the next day.

The city leaders disagree!

Song Hongjun assisted Ye Manzhi in handling this matter. He came to her office with the report and said, "Sure enough, we got beaten back!"

On the first page of the report, someone had drawn a big cross with a red ink pen.

It's enough to show how much they dislike it.

Ye Manzhi laughed and said, "Asking the city's finances to spend so much money to relocate the old factory is like taking a layer of skin off the body. Director Song, what do you think we should do next?"

When she was working in the enterprise, she got along well with the deputy directors, so she wanted to continue this good relationship to the Light Industry Bureau.

Although the four deputy directors all have qualifications and backgrounds, it does not affect her ability to unite the forces that can be united.

Song Hongjun was the first deputy director to whom she extended an olive branch.

This person's experience is somewhat similar to hers.

At the Binjiang Watch Factory, he rose from technician to deputy director. Later, when the city established the Binjiang Camera Factory, he was transferred there as deputy director of the Revolutionary Committee.

This time, the city established the Light Industry Bureau and transferred 42-year-old Song Hongjun to serve as deputy director.

Although he had always been a deputy and had never held a full-time position, Ye Manzhi had talked with him several times and felt that Song Hongjun was a pragmatist.

Therefore, when she needed help this time, she pulled Song Hongjun over.

Song Hongjun looked at the big red cross, smiled and said, "Submit your second plan."

The only difference between the two plans is the proportion of municipal financial investment.

They knew that it was unlikely that the city leaders would agree, but given how bold they were and how fertile the land was, they still had to give it a try.

Song Hongjun asked someone to change the investment amount, turning it into a second plan, and quickly submitted it to the Municipal Revolutionary Committee.

This time, the city leaders did not reject it immediately. A week later, they returned the cross-shaped plan to the Light Industry Bureau.

The next day, Ye Manzhi submitted a third plan.

…

The secretary knocked on the door and walked into the leader's office, reporting in a low voice: "Director Ye's application was rejected by the Municipal Revolutionary Committee again."

He Bi Neng adjusted his glasses and said "hmm" before asking, "How many times has this happened?"

"For the third time, there was some not-so-good talk in the bureau."

"Did Director Ye come to see me when I was conducting corporate research?"

"Xi Yingchun came to ask once, but I told you that you were conducting research at a company and weren't sure when you'd be back." The secretary speculated, "Could Director Ye possibly want you to go to the Municipal Revolutionary Committee to smooth things over?"

After all, Director He has worked in the production command for many years and should have some face.

He Bi said nothing and waved his hand to let the secretary go out.

He has worked in the government for twenty years and in the Municipal Revolutionary Committee for seven or eight years.

Based on his experience, the city leaders would never agree to such a plan.

That food industrial park sounds like a novel idea. But to city leaders, it's just a matter of moving factories from one location to another, with little impact on production capacity. Can a move really increase output?

Maybe not?

The city has to pay money, coordinate with various districts and counties, and appease the employees.

If you invest so much but don't necessarily get a corresponding return, why bother?

If you have that kind of money, you might as well invest in building a new factory in the suburbs. Maybe you’ll see results faster!

He Bi Neng pushed the survey form in front of him aside and hummed the lyrics of "Sha Jia Bang": "Thinking back to the beginning, my team had just started, with only a dozen people and seven or eight guns."

He wandered around the office for a while with his hands behind his back, then took the survey form back.

There was no hope for the food industrial park, so there was no need for him to get involved.

After walking out of the office with the materials, he said to his secretary, "I have to go to two MSG factories for research in the next few days. Call them if you have any questions."

After saying that, he put his hands behind his back and quickly left the office.

…

Hearing that Director He had gone to the enterprise for research again, Song Hongjun laughed in his heart and turned to go to Ye Manzhi.

He thought Lao He was very boring.

The Light Industry Bureau is a newly established unit and its staff are all new.

There will be no personnel adjustments in the next two to three years.

Now is the time for comrades to work together to develop light industry. Lao He clearly has connections in the city, but he is unwilling to contribute.

He's still holding a grudge about not becoming the director!

Song Hongjun entered Ye Manzhi's office and asked, "The third proposal was also rejected. How about we organize a seminar and discuss it with the city leaders, enterprises, and district and county leaders?"

Ye Manzhi hesitated for a moment and said, "I'll go to the Municipal Revolutionary Committee first and see what's going on."

There's no need to involve too many people in some things.

Some things cannot be stated explicitly in the report.

She made an appointment with Peng Jingyun's secretary in advance and went to the Municipal Revolutionary Committee in the afternoon to report her work to the leaders.

Peng Jingyun put aside the fourth report she handed over.

"The Light Industry Bureau's intentions are good, but the city doesn't have the energy to carry out such a large-scale relocation right now. It's not just a matter of funding; we also have to consider the wishes of the employees..."

Ye Manzhi said, "Director Peng, the original intention of the Light Industry Bureau to propose this plan was to solve the problem of the Lihua Food Factory. The city won't fund the reconstruction of the Lihua Factory, and we can't properly resettle all 300 employees. So, the solution we came up with is to have the county finance the funds to allow the Lihua Factory to rebuild in the suburbs..."

She gave a detailed account of the results of her negotiations with several counties.

"The Lihua factory is too small, and the county government is unwilling to fund its construction, so we want to bring in a few more companies and move the food factories in the residential area to the suburbs."

Peng Jingyun frowned and said, "For a Lihua factory, the city is being asked to spend millions to build a food industrial park. Isn't this like buying the casket and returning the pearl?"

It would be better to spend some money to help Lever Factory rebuild its factory!

If Ye Manzhi is allowed to mess around, the city's fiscal expenditure will only increase.

She even regretted handing the Lihua factory issue over to Ye Manyi.

The small problem was not solved, and a bigger trouble arose!

The other party obviously cared more about money, so Ye Manzhi did not talk about the advantages of industry supporting cooperation, nor did he say that this relocation was not an ordinary relocation.

She glanced around the office, confirming they were alone, and then said boldly, "Director Peng, the most urgent issue right now is dealing with the Lihua factory. The city can approve this food industrial park first and relocate the Lihua factory there. As for those companies that aren't in a hurry, we can take it slow and complete the relocation within three to five years."

Peng Jingyun looked at her, and it took him a long time to understand the deep meaning of her words.

What does she mean?

First, plan a food industrial park in the suburbs, and use the county finances to house the Lihua factory, but forget about the other food factories?

Of course Ye Manzhi couldn't let the other food factories off the hook. If he did that, wouldn't he be cheating the county?

However, the renovation and demolition of old factories is indeed not an easy task, and perhaps only one factory can be relocated in a year.

Such work cannot be completed in three to five years.

Ye Manzhi made a huge budget of several million in the report, but in fact it would not cost that much to implement it.

The equipment for those factories is already available, and only new factory buildings need to be built.

The investment in a new factory does not necessarily require financial funding. The factory’s land in the city center can be exchanged for many things.

However, these are uncertainties and are not suitable for inclusion in the report submitted to the city.

At this moment, Peng Jingyun obviously misunderstood and thought that she wanted to use the name of a food industrial park to deceive the county into investing in the relocation of the Lihua factory.

Ye Manzhi didn't explain and let her misunderstand like that.

Peng Jingyun frowned and thought for a long time, then waved his hand and said, "You go back first. I'll discuss this with the other comrades."

I didn't agree, but I didn't refuse it outright either.

It seems there is still room for maneuver.

*

The project of the food industrial park has not yet been approved, but the news that the Light Industry Bureau submitted three reports to the city and was rejected three times gradually spread among various units.

Some people saw the joke, some watched the fun, and some saw the opportunity.

At the Anyang County Revolutionary Committee, Xu Miao, the deputy director in charge of industry, specifically inquired about the project situation.

"Director, Anyang County can actually strive for the food industrial park project!"

Dong Shaolin said: "The project has not yet been approved. It is too early to fight for it now."

He has also recently been paying attention to the food industrial park developed by the Light Industry Bureau.

The development of agriculture and industry in Anyang County is relatively balanced, ranking among the top three among the eight counties.

However, the industrial development of Anyang County mainly relies on Shuguang Factory, which is a municipal enterprise. Anyang County is like a nursery aunt, who worries a lot but is not the biological mother of the children.

When summarizing the achievements every year, people praise the city’s leadership for its ability and the Shuguang Factory’s own efforts, but rarely attribute the achievements to Anyang County.

Relying on Shuguang Factory, Anyang County has developed several supporting factories.

However, the leaders of Anyang County were not satisfied with this. Apart from the Shuguang Factory, they had no industrial achievements to show off.

Xu Miao said, "We all know Ye Manzhi. She's a bit of a jerk. Once she gets her hands on something, she won't let go. This is her first major project since taking office. A new official wouldn't want to go awry, right? I think there's at least a 50% chance that this food industrial park will be approved. It's better to act sooner rather than later. If we wait until the project is officially approved before trying to get it, it'll be too late!"

Another deputy director said, "I think this is a bit strange. Relocating a factory is different from building a new one. The relocation schedule is decided by the other party. If they refuse to move for three to five years, then our food industrial park will be vacant for three to five years."

Xu Miao and Dong Shaolin exchanged glances, but neither of them explained.

Those companies in the city are actually nothing special, it doesn’t matter whether they come or not.

What they are interested in is not the enterprise, but the name of "Food Industrial Park".

If the project is successfully established, this will be the only food industrial zone in the province, which will have certain political and economic significance.

Binjiang is a medium-sized city. According to the central government's requirements, the city's size must be strictly controlled.

It will be impossible to build new food factories in Binjiang City in the future.

If the city needs new construction, this "food industrial park" will be the first choice.

Dong Shaolin suggested: "We have an old friendship with Ye Manzhi, so why not contact her?"

"Okay, I'll call Kang Jian from Shuguang Factory and treat Director Ye to a meal together."

…

Ye Manzhi was not surprised when she received the call from Anyang County.

Before this, she had already received three calls!

Four of the city’s eight counties expressed to her their desire to strive for food industrial parks.

Ye Manzhi said on the phone, "Director Dong, you're my old boss, and I have to be honest with you. This project hasn't been approved by the Municipal Revolutionary Committee yet. Even if it was, there are still additional conditions when choosing a site."

"What are the conditions? Tell me first."

"The county where the industrial park is located should fund the construction of new factory buildings for the Lihua Food Factory to solve the housing problem for its employees."

"Haha, building a factory is a piece of cake. There are still vacant residential buildings for family members at the Shuguang Factory. We can rent one there when the time comes."

Dong Shaolin agreed very readily.

It’s worth it to exchange a factory for the only “food industrial park” in the province!

Ye Manzhi smiled and said, "Okay, I've made a note of Anyang County. If the project is successfully approved, I will focus on Anyang County when selecting a site!"

After she put down the phone, the secretary came in and said that the county leaders from Dongyang County had arrived.

Ye Manzhi was secretly proud of himself. The attraction of the food industrial park was indeed extraordinary!

The city hasn't approved it yet, but her place is already packed with people!

Ye Manzhi was in high spirits for several days while receiving leaders from various counties.

By the weekend, she still felt a little unsatisfied and felt that she had not performed enough.

Wu Yuzhuo retrieved a package from the post office and said as soon as he entered the door: "Mom, there are two people at the gate sentry who want to see you. They are holding two sacks in their hands, but they were stopped by the soldiers on duty."

"You didn't say anything?"

"No, it looks like they're here to give gifts."

"Just keep quiet."

Ye Manzhi can receive comrades from the county at work, but does not want to accept gifts at home.

What happened then!

She waved and said, "Is this package from the taxi? Let me see what's inside."

Mother and daughter unpacked the package together.

Wu Yuzhuo first took out the top plastic cover notebook and skillfully opened the first page. Sure enough, he saw a photo of Che Ge inside.

"Why does he always mail you photos?" Ye Manzhi flicked at the photo.

"He's just being conceited," Wu Yuzhuo said, flicking his head. "He just wants to say he's grown taller, thinner, and better-looking. He's too embarrassed to say it in a letter, so he sent a photo so we can see for ourselves."

"What's so good about that brat? He's nowhere near as good-looking as your third uncle," Ye Manzhi muttered. "When your third uncle was a teenager, he was more energetic than him."

The two continued to flip through the pages and found some local specialties from the Third Line as well as several bottles and jars.

"What is this?" Ye Manzhi picked up a bottle and examined it. "Look at the color. Is it stinky tofu?"

"No," Wu Yuzhuo shook his head while holding the letter. "My brother Che said in the letter that it was a facial mask given to you by my third aunt. Applying it on your face can beautify and nourish your complexion."

“…”

Ye Manzhi opened the jar, took a look at the green paste, and smelled it carefully.

Has a little aroma.

But she was so green that she didn't dare to smear it on her face!

All vanishing creams are white, why is this green?

Where did Wong Tai Sin get his stuff?

Weird.

She took the jar to the study, scooped out a little bit with her fingers, and wanted to test it on Wu Zhengrong's face.

However, when the time came, Ye Manzhi regretted it again, "Forget it, you should just show your feet."

Dr. Wu's face is an important family asset, and she would be very sad if it was ruined.

Wu Zhengrong was thinking about something else, so he stretched out a hand and let her tinker with it.

There was a layer of green unknown substance smeared on the back of his hand, but he didn't say anything.

Ye Manzhi followed the instructions in Wong Tai Sin's letter and wiped off the mask after twenty minutes.

"What do you feel in your hand?"

"It's a little cold."

"Then what?"

“No more.”

Ye Manzhi didn't give up and touched the back of his hand. The skin seemed to have become a little softer.

But she still didn't dare to put it on her face.

Her gaze passed across Wu Zhengrong's face and fell on her daughter's little face.

Forget it, she couldn't bear to part with either of them.

Find some time to go back to the military industrial compound. Lao Ye has thick skin and tough flesh, so you can try it on his face.

*

In the military industrial compound, the tough and strong Ye Shouxin suddenly heard someone calling his name.

He opened the window and looked downstairs, and immediately exclaimed "Ouch".

He put on his slippers and ran downstairs.

"Director Ye, wait a minute, what's the rush?" The neighbors in the hallway all laughed and joked, "Is it the director's daughter who's back?"

Ye Shouxin did not tell anyone in the factory about his daughter becoming the director, but Ye Lai Ya worked in the city, and after a long time, the news was bound to spread to the military industrial compound.

This news spread faster than a virus, and now all the neighbors know that the young lady of the Ye family has become the director.

Ye Shouxin waved his hands randomly and ran to the first floor, and then the voice came up.

"Even if she becomes the director, she's still my daughter. Why should I run out to greet her? She's not my mother!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he ran to the donkey cart at the door and shouted, "Mom, why are you here?"

The old woman sitting on the donkey cart stretched out a withered hand. "Why am I here? Lai Ya is becoming director. Why didn't you tell your family?"

Uncle Ye and Uncle Ye San helped my mother down from the donkey cart, one on each side.

Ye Shouxin argued, "I just heard the news not long ago and haven't had time to tell my family yet."

The old lady was still able to work at home. After getting out of the car, she went up the stairs by herself with the help of a tree branch without the help of her sons.

"Mom, Lai Ya's job transfer isn't a big deal, so why did you make a special trip to the city? Third brother, why didn't you stop him?"

Ye Shouxin and Chang Yue'e were both startled by the old lady who suddenly appeared at home.

This old lady is quite old. The road from the countryside to the city is so bumpy. Why is she going through so much trouble?

But the old lady said: "I am here for business this time, no one can stop me!"

"What kind of official business can a rural old lady like you have?"

"How do you think I knew Lai Ya was the director?" the old lady, a little hard of hearing, said in a loud voice, "The commune secretary and the team leader came to our house and said that our Lai Ya was the director of some bureau!"

Chang Yue'e felt something was wrong. "Mom, why is the commune secretary telling you this?"

Uncle Ye explained, "I heard the city is planning to move a number of factories to the suburbs and build some kind of community..."

"Food industrial park." Uncle Ye added.

"Yes, it's that residential complex. Tonglan County wants this community," Uncle Ye said. "The county leaders heard that Lai Ya was in charge of this work, so they came to our house. They have to take care of Tonglan County no matter what, right?"

Chang Yue'e: "..."

Are the county leaders crazy?

Just for a residential complex, she actually moved out her grandmother who was over 90 years old!

She quickly ran out to call her daughter and explain the situation.

Ye Manzhi smiled and said, "The leaders of Tonglan County rejected me before. I guess they felt embarrassed, so they brought out my grandma."

"Laiya, can you handle this? Will it affect you?"

"It can be done. My grandma has personally taken action, so why can't she do it?" Ye Manzhi said readily, "Let the county leaders come to the bureau to find me, and we can talk in person."

She is not afraid of those who have connections, but she is afraid of those who are indifferent.

The competition among the eight counties was fierce, so she had the opportunity to negotiate terms with everyone.