Reborn as Zhao Ruilong of Handong, I will defy fate.

Chapter 278 Zhao Anbang's dilemma, Ye Guanghui's provocation!

"Okay! Great!"

"I'm relieved to hear that!"

Zhao Anbang was overjoyed, grinning from ear to ear.

After more than 20 years of hard work, he finally became the Vice Governor of Hanjiang Province.

Having already reached this position, how could he not want to improve?

Especially his cousin Zhao Lichun, who wasn't much older than him, was already the top leader of Handong.

How could I not feel envious or jealous?

My own predicament is terrible, but my brother's success is the most heart-wrenching.

Seeing his cousin Zhao Lichun making progress, Zhao Anbang was naturally getting increasingly anxious.

"Uncle Bang, don't be too happy yet."

"The steel industry along the Han River has a history of nearly a hundred years."

"Over the years, there have been at least several dozen steel companies, large and small, including state-owned, private, and mixed-ownership enterprises, if not a couple hundred."

"Merging, restructuring, and integrating so many companies into Hanjiang Iron and Steel Group is no easy task!"

Zhao Ruilong squinted, smoking as he sized up Zhao Anbang.

Although they are all members of the Zhao family, and are relatives with blood ties thicker than water.

In addition, in order to defy fate, he also needed his family to prosper.

Therefore, helping my uncle Zhao Anbang make progress is both reasonable and an inescapable duty.

but……

My money doesn't grow on trees!

Even if it was obtained by exploiting vulnerabilities in various Western system software and repeatedly plundering them, it still took a lot of effort.

Moreover, as time goes by and technology improves, various bugs and vulnerabilities will eventually be discovered and patched.

In the future, it will become increasingly difficult to make money using hacking techniques.

Therefore, I don't have unlimited money to spend and can invest and squander at will; I must spend my money wisely.

Also.

Since it's an investment, you must consider both risk and return.

Zhao Ruilong was not worried about the returns.

China is about to build a large-scale high-speed railway, which will create a huge demand for high-quality steel. As long as we can produce high-quality steel, we will not lack a market.

The only thing to consider is the risk.

We must invest heavily and provide demand to help Hanjiang Province complete the upgrading and transformation of its steel industry.

Zhao Anbang has to do something to prove that he has enough strength to protect his investments, right?

If he can integrate resources and unite the scattered steel industry in Hanjiang to create Hanjiang Steel Group.

This is enough to prove that he has sufficient ability and courage, and has enough influence in the Han River area, making him trustworthy.

on the contrary……

If they can't even get the Hanjiang Iron and Steel Group up and running, what's the point of investing in it themselves?

Even if you go to great lengths and spend countless resources to help him achieve political success, it is very likely that you will only be doing the work for someone else.

The clever Zhao Anbang knew, of course, that Zhao Ruilong was giving him a test.

Only by doing the questions well can investment occur.

Put away your smile and straighten your back slightly.

Zhao Anbang looked at Zhao Ruilong with a deep gaze.

“You’re right. Merging and reorganizing dozens of steel companies with different situations to form Hanjiang Steel Group is indeed not an easy task.”

"Among so many steel companies, there are provincial and municipal enterprises, as well as joint public-private enterprises and township collectives. Some are still profitable, while others have long been insolvent."

"It is indeed not easy to get everyone to give up their personal interests, petty calculations, or even minor grudges, and to support mergers and reorganizations for the sake of the future of the entire Hanjiang Steel industry."

"Especially over the decades, various interests have become deeply intertwined. There are countless people who abuse their power for personal gain, cheat and shirk their responsibilities, and simply coast along. They are definitely the ones who are most opposed to mergers and acquisitions."

At this point, Zhao Anbang let out a soft sigh.

"But Ruilong!"

"Even if we don't meet or chat tonight, some problems are already unavoidable."

"The fragmented and disorganized state of our Hanjiang steel industry has not been a problem for just a day or two; it has long been a chronic and serious disease!"

"Logically, if everyone does their own thing and fully participates in market competition, the survival of the fittest should have been achieved long ago under the law of the market economy. But what happened?"

"In order to protect employment, tax revenue, and social stability, many enterprises have been protected by local governments and have not experienced fierce market competition, and have been barely surviving."

"They're barely surviving, so naturally they don't have enough funds to hire talent, improve salaries, develop technology, or upgrade equipment, thus falling into a vicious cycle of technological backwardness, low efficiency, and low profit margins..."

Zhao Ruilong listened silently.

Poor business management and lack of funds for technological development lead to a decline in product competitiveness.

If you lack competitiveness, you can only lower prices and promote sales to earn a meager profit.

With meager profit margins, companies naturally lack the funds to develop advanced technologies...

This vicious cycle exists in many industries.

Many businesses are getting worse and worse because they fall into this vicious cycle, with their situation deteriorating until they become insolvent and go bankrupt.

The only saving grace is that the steel industry is a typical technology-intensive, asset-heavy industry.

Technological updates and replacements don't happen that quickly.

Moreover, the investment and operating thresholds are relatively high; it's not something that can be done by just any small workshop.

It won't go out of business or be eliminated by the market just because its technology is slightly outdated or its costs are slightly higher.

After all, steel is a necessity in modern society, and the demand from all walks of life is particularly large.

Even if the quality level is lower and the price is not as high, they can still survive.

not to mention……

Didn't Zhao Anbang just say that?

In order to protect employment and tax revenue, local governments have been trying every means to provide subsidies to steel companies.

However, long-term local protectionism and insufficient competition have left these steel companies, large and small, in a state of 'half-dead and unambitious'.

It doesn't matter if we can't produce high-end steel, since we can still sell mid- to low-end steel.

They can also engage in cutthroat competition and price wars!

You're cheaper, but I'm cheaper than you!

Selling steel at rock-bottom prices isn't impossible.

They were convinced of one thing: if a company went bankrupt, the local government would not stand idly by.

Therefore, even if they lose money to gain publicity and sell steel at a loss, they don't care.

In addition, these companies inevitably have various cronies and even employees who draw salaries without working, so the losses are even more severe.

only……

So that the workers have jobs and so that steel companies can produce and operate.

The local governments' annual subsidies have not yielded substantial financial returns, but instead have incurred a heavy burden.

Furthermore, the long-term high-energy-consuming, high-polluting, and low-output steelmaking and processing production has also led to serious environmental pollution.

The steel industry along the Han River may seem to have a large annual output value, but what is the reality?

It consumed a large amount of raw materials such as ore and coking coal, and also caused considerable environmental pollution.

In the end, the industry's net profit was not much, but instead became a huge financial burden.

Given this situation, even if it is not rectified now, the higher authorities will inevitably take action in the future.

In particular, the high-quality economic development in Handong has achieved pilot success, and the extensive growth economic model has been abandoned.

Traditional high-energy-consuming, high-polluting, and low-output industries will be subject to large-scale cleanup and rectification.

Being dealt with by higher-ups is not as dignified as taking the initiative to rectify things yourself.

of course.

Everything has its pros and cons.

The steel industry along the Han River has significant problems.

If Zhao Anbang can put in a lot of effort to rectify the situation now, it will be a highly valuable political achievement.

"There will definitely be difficulties. Long-standing problems cannot be cured easily."

“But Ruilong, you have to believe me. I, Zhao Anbang, have worked in Hanjiang Province for many years. I have a deep enough foundation and enough feelings. I am willing to disregard everything and burn my bridges.”

Zhao Anbang's words conveyed the same meaning.

That means we're going all out!

In order to advance his career and become the governor of Hanjiang Province.

No matter the cost, he will definitely get the Hanjiang steel industry back in order.

Zhao Ruilong stubbed out his cigarette and nodded emphatically.

Where there's a will, there's a way!

"I may not trust others, but I do trust your abilities, Uncle Bang!"

"To give you more confidence and strength in your reform efforts, I will stand by you at the Han River to cheer you on at the appropriate time!"

Zhao Anbang frowned.

"Just showing up to cheer them on probably isn't enough, is it?"

"You should at least invest in a bigger project, so I can save face!"

Zhao Ruilong chuckled awkwardly.

He knew that his uncle wouldn't act until he saw a clear benefit.

It's not enough to just make empty promises; we have to give him real benefits.

"An investment project, right?"

“You previously said that you wanted to develop Wenshan City into an economic engine and economic radiation center in the northern part of the Han River.”

"Moreover, I've heard that Wenshan City has a strong foundation in metallurgy and chemical engineering. I think it would be better to invest in building an auto parts base."

"Moreover, our Handong Automobile Group is vigorously developing new energy vehicles, which will require a large number of auto parts in the future, which is a good opportunity for Wenshan."

Zhao Anbang nodded repeatedly with great delight.

"Good, good, good! Auto parts is a good industry. If it develops well, it can generate hundreds of billions in annual output value, allowing Wenshan City to break free from its dependence on the steel industry!"

Amidst his感慨 (feelings of deep emotion), Zhao Anbang suddenly frowned slightly and asked curiously:

"You seem to know a lot about Wenshan City in our Hanjiang Province? Do you have any people from Wenshan around you?"

Zhao Ruilong smiled slightly.

"Yes, my secretary Qin Shuang is from Wenshan."

"Secretary? A woman?"

Zhao Anbang looked around in surprise.

"What about her?"

"Of course she's resting in her room. Do you expect me to introduce her to President Shen?"

"Yeah!"

Zhao Anbang slapped his forehead and laughed at himself, "Look at me, I got so excited that my brain got all muddled!"

"Well, since your secretary is from Wenshan, she should have told you about Wenshan..."

Exhausted and sleepy, Zhao Ruilong really didn't want to waste any more words.

In the end, isn't it just that they want you to help them improve?

“I understand the situation, and I will definitely keep my word regarding the investment. Uncle Bang, is there anything else you want to say?”

"No, no more."

Zhao Anbang stood up with a big laugh and patted Zhao Ruilong on the shoulder.

"I heard from your dad that you're dating a prosecutor?"

"Yes, her name is Lu Yike, and she works at the Anti-Corruption Bureau of the Supreme People's Procuratorate in Handong."

"Her father is General Lu Changsheng?"

"It's him, what's wrong?"

"It's nothing. You must cherish such a wonderful girl!"

"Cherish it, cherish it very much!"

As the two approached the door, Zhao Anbang suddenly stopped and smiled:

"Good girls should be cherished, and bad girls shouldn't be wasted either."

Zhao Ruilong chuckled to himself.

"Uncle Bang, are you encouraging me to make mistakes?"

"Hmph, do you even need my encouragement?"

After punching Zhao Ruilong in the chest, Zhao Anbang said with a meaningful smile:

"The world is a turbulent place, full of endless temptations."

"It would be strange if a handsome young man like you, with a good background and great abilities, didn't have a lot of beautiful women around him."

Even if you want to keep yourself pure, those beautiful women will still go to great lengths to get close to you, like moths to a flame, for fame, fortune, and their future!

"But as someone who's been there, I have to warn you: have fun and joke around, but safety is very important. This safety isn't just about being physically healthy; you also need to avoid causing chaos in other areas."

"..."

Zhao Ruilong was speechless.

Given his current background and status, it seems that no one would believe him if he said he wanted to be a loyal, pure, and innocent good man.

Moreover, the world is so beautiful, the women are so lovely, and they are so young and full of passion, how could they possibly resist?

"Alright, go back and get some rest!"

"I will return to Hanjiang tomorrow to reorganize the steel industry and begin mergers and acquisitions."

"Please hurry up and do what you promised to do about investing in an auto parts production base in Wenshan City!"

"Since we are all members of the Zhao family in this life, let's work together to revitalize our Zhao clan!"

Zhao Ruilong nodded repeatedly, opened the door, and left.

After the door is closed.

Zhao Anbang put his hands on his hips and sighed deeply.

"Time waits for no one, Ruilong!"

"At our level, there is no way back, and it is impossible to land safely."

"Only through continuous progress and development can a family prosper and thrive; otherwise, it will be doomed to ruin and death!"

……

in the corridor.

Zhao Ruilong walked forward at a leisurely pace.

Two tall, well-built plainclothes guards, exuding a restrained menacing aura, followed closely behind.

Reflecting on his conversation with his cousin Zhao Anbang, Zhao Ruilong's biggest feeling was that he was anxious.

The urgency to improve was so strong that it was palpable, and he made no attempt to hide it in his conversations with himself.

"We're all from the Zhao family, so there's no point in hiding it!"

"If you're in the system, and in a high position, and you don't want to advance, then what's the point of getting by?"

"Besides, he's still quite young, it's the perfect time for him to work hard, and retirement is still a long way off!"

Arriving at the elevator lobby.

Before Zhao Ruilong could even reach out, a guard helped him press the button, and someone also reached out to protect the elevator door when he entered.

With the two of them around, Zhao Ruilong not only felt no sense of security, but also felt a little uncomfortable.

She seemed to be under their close protection, but wasn't she also being closely monitored?

With the two of them around, how could he dare to invite Qin Shuang to his room for an in-depth work discussion?

Just as I was feeling a bit regretful, the fat man sitting next to two flamboyantly dressed women in the elevator suddenly asked:

"You're Zhao Ruilong?"

Zhao Ruilong frowned.

They didn't recognize who the other person was at all.

But considering that someone can stay at this state guesthouse and is surrounded by women, they must not be an ordinary person.

So, out of politeness, Zhao Ruilong smiled slightly and nodded.

"It's me, who are you?"

"My name is Ye Guanghui, and I'm a director. I saw your secretary, Qin Shuang, tonight, and I thought she was incredibly beautiful. I really want her to join my film crew. Mr. Zhao, you won't be upset, will you?"

Zhao Ruilong did not rush to speak.

Instead, he carefully examined and scrutinized Ye Guanghui.

He couldn't help but think to himself, "This vast capital city under the emperor's nose is indeed full of hidden talents; there are all kinds of amazing people here!"

They were so shameless and straightforward, without any attempt at concealment.

How could there be such ignorant and audacious people in the world?

Are secretaries people who can be invited to appointments at will?

This unreasonable request is no less than asking someone's girlfriend or even wife out, and then asking them in person afterward if they are willing.

I'd rather die than do that!

What kind of lousy director is this?

"What's wrong, Mr. Zhao? What are you standing there for?"

"I saw that she had the potential to become famous, so I gave her my business card and wanted to invite her to act in a movie."

"If you can't bear to see her act, and don't want to watch me make her a big star, then that's fine too. Just pretend I never said anything!"

Ye Guanghui, who was embracing both of them, had a contemptuous look in his eyes and a wicked smile on his face.

He wasn't afraid of angering Zhao Ruilong at all; in fact, he seemed to be hoping that Zhao Ruilong would get furious and beat him up in the elevator.

"My secretary is indeed one in a million, as beautiful as an angel, but whether she wants to act or not is her own business!"

Changing the subject, Zhao Ruilong asked with a playful smile:

"But if I may ask, what films have you made, how many awards have you won, and how much have they grossed?"

"What are you standing there for, Director Ye? You can't possibly not have a single good-looking and commercially successful movie, yet you claim you can make my secretary famous, can you?"