He also wanted to know what projects they intended to undertake and whether he should invest and participate.
"After the meeting, don't leave. I'll treat you to dinner. I need to go host today's meeting now," Chen Jiayuan said. He then turned and took his place at the head of the table, commencing the day's main agenda: project discussions.
"Everyone knows me, so I won't introduce myself today.
Let's get straight to the point and discuss the purpose of calling everyone here.
We have only one objective: what are the future plans and projects for our chamber of commerce?
I don't need to tell you that everyone is aware the train station will commence construction soon. Many related projects will follow, such as catering, accommodation, a comprehensive commercial hub, transportation, and so on.
These are all benefits brought about by the train station. There are many projects involved, and we just need to focus on the train station.
The discussion begins now. Anyone with ideas can voice them. We will ultimately vote on which projects to develop, whether everyone is willing to invest, how much they are willing to invest, and other related matters.
Now is your time. Please speak up."
After speaking, Chen Jiayuan sat down, awaiting the first member's speech.
Upon hearing this, everyone did not rush to express their thoughts but first exchanged views with those beside them before the first speaker emerged.
Zhang Liunian was familiar with this person; it was the young man with the yellow hair he had just had a disagreement with.
He stood up excitedly, cast a contemptuous glance at Zhang Liunian, and then said, "President, I believe that developing a comprehensive commercial hub is the most suitable. This project is large enough and can be divided, encompassing things like building commercial spaces, constructing residential areas, attracting businesses, and leasing. We will definitely earn a lot of money by then."
The young man with yellow hair's idea resonated with many bosses. Directly developing a complete chain was indeed the best option because it allowed for better division among their large group.
If they only focused on one aspect, how would so many of them divide it, and how much would they get? It certainly wouldn't be enough to make a dent.
"President, I agree with Boss Huang's idea. A comprehensive chain is most suitable for us and can also prevent the intervention of domestic businesses."
"President, I also think this project is the most suitable, and it can also deal a blow to those old conservatives in domestic businesses."
"That's right. As long as we can strike a blow against those stubborn old folks in the Chamber of Commerce, I also support Boss Huang's idea."
"..."
In just one minute, more than half of the more than two hundred businessmen present agreed with the young man with yellow hair's idea.
The young man with yellow hair was extremely pleased and looked provocatively at Zhang Liunian, silently saying:
"See, this is your dad."
Zhang Liunian twitched his lips and remained silent. This was a Hong Kong businessmen's meeting, and as an outsider, he dared not express any opinions.
However, he admitted that their ideas were quite advanced and close to the thinking of later generations.
"Does anyone else have any other ideas?" Chen Jiayuan smiled, not rushing to a conclusion, and continued to ask if there were any other thoughts.
After a few more minutes of hushed discussion, the second speaker appeared.
Zhang Liunian didn't recognize this person. He only saw him wearing glasses, with a big belly, and standing up shakily to deliver his speech.
"I think the transportation project is better. Take the current Pengcheng train station as an example. They seem to only have one bus that goes to the countryside, and you can't just get on it when you need to.
Not to mention short-distance or long-distance buses.
After the new train station is developed, we can build short-distance and long-distance bus stations next to it. This way, anyone needing to travel elsewhere will definitely choose our location first.
This is a project that can be passed down through generations and will never lose money."
Zhang Liunian found it amusing. "Never lose money"? In the future, it would indeed lose money. Even the state couldn't bear it, let alone them.
But he could only think this in his heart; he wouldn't say it. Today, he had only brought his ears, nothing else. Thinking this, he quickly suppressed his urge to smile and sat up straight.
However, what he didn't see was that the black-haired youth and the yellow-haired youth, who had been looking for trouble with him, both saw his slight smile. They immediately seemed to find a point of attack and spoke one after another.
"Comrade Zhang, who is new here, seems to look down on Boss Ren's idea. Do you have any brilliant insights?"
"You dead self-employed person, are you mocking Mr. Ren? Do you think what he said is wrong, or do you have a better idea? Why don't you say it so everyone can hear, and we can see what you're using to mock Mr. Ren's speech?"
"..."
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone's attention was immediately drawn to Zhang Liunian.
Stared at by hundreds of people, Zhang Liunian remained seated with an unchanged expression, as if he were not the one being spoken about.
Chen Jiayuan, seeing this, admired his thick skin.
"Who is that? Comrade Zhang, is it? Why were you laughing? Is there something wrong with what I said?" the man called Boss Ren, the stout fellow, adjusted his glasses and looked at Zhang Liunian with an unfriendly tone.
Seeing that the person in question had found him, Zhang Liunian quickly said, "I wasn't laughing. They are speaking nonsense with their eyes open."
He had wanted to laugh but hadn't managed to. It was all these two youths stirring up trouble.
However, the man called Mr. Ren did not turn his aggression towards the two youths but continued to fix his gaze on Zhang Liunian.
"If you weren't laughing, they wouldn't have said those things. You'd better explain honestly why you laughed after I spoke?"
"..." Zhang Liunian was speechless.
The yellow-haired youth was amused. "We are not speaking nonsense. You did laugh. I guess you must have thought Mr. Ren's words were incorrect, which is why you laughed. If that's the case, you need to explain it clearly, otherwise, we won't let you off easily."
"Yes, Boss Ren is not someone a small self-employed person like you can mock. This time, you must provide a reasonable explanation. Don't say you were thinking of the woman at home when you laughed; no one will believe that."
The black-haired youth also joined in to provoke Zhang Liunian.
Zhang Liunian saw that they were deliberately making things difficult for him and could only look at Chen Jiayuan and say, "President Chen, I am just someone looking for investment projects; I am not good at discovering projects. If you want to hear my ideas, I'm afraid I'll disappoint you."
Chen Jiayuan had indeed seen Zhang Liunian's mouth twitch slightly just now, but it wasn't obvious. He also wanted to know what Zhang Liunian was thinking at that moment, so he said, "Comrade Zhang Liunian, I know you are a sensible and good comrade who wouldn't mock Mr. Ren."
Afterward, he continued to address the crowd, saying, "Let's drop this matter. Everyone, don't say any more. Let's hear Comrade Zhang Liunian's thoughts on the automobile projects, let him participate, and actively contribute to the construction."
His words successfully silenced those who were unwilling to let Zhang Liunian off the hook, such as the black-haired youth, the yellow-haired youth, and the man called Boss Ren.
"President Chen, I am just here to find investment projects, not discover them. If you want to hear my thoughts, you will be disappointed."