Chapter 149: Jianghai's "Mini Songjiang"

"Damn, your math is still as good as ever, you little monkey!" Zhao Guoyang couldn't help teasing.

"Hehe, I learned it all from you, Guoyang!" Monkey said with a shameless grin.

The conversation with Monkey was relaxed and cheerful. At that moment, the guy was roaming around Jianghai County, scouting the market for other types of hair clips.

Hearing Monkey murmur that it was inconvenient to run errands in town, Zhao Guoyang chuckled.

Speaking of which, after experiencing Songjiang City firsthand over the past few days, Zhao Guoyang had gained an intuitive understanding of transportation issues.

Originally, in his impression, Songjiang City in the 1990s should have had very few vehicles.

However, after experiencing it himself, Zhao Guoyang discovered that the pace of transportation development in that city exceeded his imagination.

Judging by the current domestic rate of development, Ninghai City—a relatively developed county-level city in the east—would likely usher in a period of rapid growth in motor vehicles within the next two years.

Let alone cars for now, at least motorcycles would definitely become widespread gradually.

In light of this, Zhao Guoyang began to ponder whether he should get Monkey a vehicle.

Of course, since the conditions for buying a car weren't met yet, it could only be a motorcycle.

Yet even a motorcycle, in this era, would cost close to ten thousand yuan for a decent one. This was almost equivalent to four or five years of income for a family of three.

After pondering for a moment, Zhao Guoyang casually said, "Monkey, I know you've been working hard running back and forth lately. Once we're done with this busy period and save up some more money, I'll buy you a motorcycle to get around."

"This... Guoyang, that's not what I meant, I..." Hearing this, Monkey grew anxious, scratching his ears and cheeks, not knowing how to explain.

"Alright, stop dilly-dallaying. Running an enterprise requires the look of an enterprise. You aren't satisfied just being the foreman of a small workshop, are you?"

Zhao Guoyang said in a rather relaxed tone, "It's a motorcycle for now, but in the future, our little workshop will also buy sedans, trucks, and even airplanes. Straighten your back for me and look like an entrepreneur, understand?"

Zhao Guoyang's words almost frightened Monkey out of his wits.

Hearing the guy stammering over the phone, Zhao Guoyang gave a few more instructions, made an appointment to meet him in the county town in the evening, and then hung up.

During this time, a few more people had returned to the office one after another.

Zhao Guoyang noticed the rather resentful gaze Huang Xiaohua cast at him and felt a trace of disdain in his heart.

In Zhao Guoyang's view, although this Huang Xiaohua had some ability, his breadth of mind was somewhat lacking, and his jealousy was too heavy to ever achieve greatness.

After exchanging a few pleasantries with his colleagues in the technical department, Zhao Guoyang went to Wang Youchang's office.

Upon entering, seeing that it was him, Plant Director Wang's face broke into a gratified smile.

He personally poured a cup of tea for Zhao Guoyang and cheerfully pulled him down to sit on the sofa.

"Guoyang, I heard everything about what happened from Old Ma, and it's wonderful. Your trip to Songjiang has brought great honor to the technical department of our Hongda Machinery Plant, and it brings a good deal of glory to my face as well."

Zhao Guoyang smiled and didn't say much.

He knew that with a technical cadre like Plant Director Wang, hypocritical modesty and polite formulas were unnecessary; they would only make the other person averse.

After chatting for a while, once Zhao Guoyang stated the purpose of his visit, Wang Youchang readily granted permission.

Patting Zhao Guoyang on the shoulder, Plant Director Wang said earnestly, "Guoyang, you've been tossing and turning all the way from Songjiang City to Nanjing, and then back to Ninghai over the past couple of days; you must be exhausted, right? If you can't manage, go back and rest for a couple of more days. I'll help you ask Plant Director Mu for leave."

Zhao Guoyang hadn't expected such a stroke of good fortune, and upon hearing this, an idea immediately popped into his head.

After pondering for a moment, he spoke up, "Plant Director Wang, two days won't be necessary. How about you grant me one day of leave so I can rest tomorrow? With the New Year approaching soon, I can go back and see if there's anything at home that needs help."

"Alright, no problem, I approve this leave!" Plant Director Wang waved his hand heroically.

Bidding farewell to Plant Director Wang, Zhao Guoyang still felt a deep appreciation for this leader in his heart.

Like many cadres with a technical background, Wang Youchang was upright, kind-hearted, straightforward, and considerate enough of his subordinates. Perhaps his only minor flaw was a lack of flexibility.

...

When he rushed to the Ninghai East Bus Station, Zhao Guoyang abruptly discovered that the number of scheduled buses to Jianghai County had increased by two more runs: one in the morning and one in the afternoon.

This newly added afternoon run happened to coincide with the present moment.

Zhao Guoyang had originally thought he would have to wait an hour or more before departure, but who would have known that as soon as he arrived at the station, he would catch this very bus.

Sitting in the minibus, Zhao Guoyang couldn't help but silently marvel at these minute changes around him.

Ninghai City and Jianghai County had actually always shared an interdependent relationship.

Ninghai City was very small in area, only about a tenth the size of Jianghai County.

However, its commerce and light industry were the most developed in all of Guangling City outside of the urban center, historically known as the "Little Songjiang" of Jianghai.

Its radiation region included counties and cities far from downtown Guangling, such as Jianghai County, Xingtai County, and Tai'an County.

As the county with the shortest straight-line distance to Ninghai City, Jianghai County undoubtedly received the greatest commercial radiation.

Coupled with its relatively developed agriculture and textile industry, it could likewise bring considerable complementarity to Ninghai City.

Zhao Guoyang believed that with the continuous improvement of economic levels everywhere, the ties between Ninghai City and these surrounding counties and cities—especially Jianghai County—would surely grow even closer.

By the time Zhao Guoyang rushed to the Xiangyang Machinery Plant, it was already past four in the afternoon, close to closing time.

Having come so many times, the gatekeeper already recognized Zhao Guoyang. Seeing him approach, he let Zhao Guoyang in without even asking a question.

Once inside the factory gates, just as Zhao Guoyang was contemplating whether to go to the workshop first to find Ning Xiaohong, Liao Jingsheng's characteristic deep voice came from behind him.

"Oh, Guoyang? Didn't I hear that you were drafted by the Ninghai Municipal Machine Building Commission? How is it that you have time to come over today?" Liao Jingsheng, who had just returned, didn't know Zhao Guoyang would be coming today, and an expression of surprise crossed his face.

Hearing this voice, Zhao Guoyang hurriedly turned around to shake hands and exchange pleasantries with Plant Director Liao.

"Plant Director Liao, I was indeed drafted by the Machine Building Commission, but I just finished and came back. Hearing from Xiaohong over the phone that you two were looking for me, I hurried right over," Zhao Guoyang answered truthfully.

"Ah, right, right, right, that's the matter!" Hearing this, Liao Jingsheng immediately threw an arm around Zhao Guoyang's shoulder and laughed heartily.

Zhao Guoyang turned his head slightly and asked with a trace of puzzlement, "Plant Director Liao, I wonder what on earth you and Xiaohong are looking for me for?"

"No rush, no rush, Brother Guoyang. Come on, let's go to my office and talk slowly. We'll go get a bite to eat in a bit; today this older brother wants to drink with you until we're thoroughly drunk!" Liao Jingsheng said with a seemingly carefree demeanor.