"Mr. Tan, you've been very busy lately; it's been a month since you returned to Beicang."
"Brother Zhao, you're joking again. I'm just busy for nothing. I also wish I could comfortably earn money sitting in an office like you."
"How is the work going in Tianjin? Has anything been decided? Do you need any help?"
Zhao Jinsheng's words surprised Tan Jincheng.
Did someone intercede on his behalf?
He just hadn't expected Zhao Jinsheng to have such connections.
My Brother Zhao has some connections.
"Not yet. I'm having decision-making difficulties. Brother Zhao, do you have any advice for me?"
Zhao Jinsheng didn't bother with pleasantries:
"Well, I have a friend in Jinghai. If you haven't decided yet, could you consider his side more? Of course, that's assuming it doesn't affect your company's plans."
"Jinghai? Brother Zhao, please wait a moment, I'll get a map."
These past few days, Tan Jincheng had been constantly studying the map of Tianjin.
Jinghai is bordered by BHX District to the east, and most of its area from north to south borders Ji Province.
Geographically, it's similar to Xiqing District and Wuqing District, which Tan Jincheng had previously looked at.
Tan Jincheng thought this way: since the best location, Beichen District, was taken by Yadi, he would choose an area closer to Ji Province, which would better radiate to the North China market.
As for the advantage of BHX District being coastal, that wasn't an advantage for Tan Jincheng.
For exports, it must be through Yongcheng Port.
This is Shanchi's stronghold.
A moment later, Tan Jincheng replied,
"No problem. Brother Zhao, where in Jinghai is your friend? I'll go check out the place tomorrow."
"It won't affect your company's plans, right?"
"No impact, no impact. Besides, I'm just going to take a look; I didn't say I'd definitely settle there, right?"
Zhao Jinsheng's hearty laugh came from the other side:
"Alright, looking around gives you more options. He's in Chenguantun Town. I'll give him your number in a bit and have him arrange a time with you."
"Okay, thank you, Brother Zhao."
"It should be me thanking you,"
Zhao Jinsheng said in a deep voice.
He knew that once this call was made, even though Tan Jincheng said he was just going to look and hadn't decided, that was only half the truth.
As long as his friend wasn't ridiculously foolish, it was pretty much a done deal.
Tan Jincheng had been in Tianjin for several days and had seen many places.
Shanchi's factory plan this time directly exceeded Xinri Tianjin factory's total investment, with the first phase alone investing over 100 million yuan.
Such a large project is a rare and high-quality project for any township under Tianjin, which favors the electric vehicle industry, and competition from all sides is reasonable.
The key was that Zhao Jinsheng knew Shanchi currently had a lot of cash.
For this 100 million yuan first-phase investment, Tan Jincheng didn't even need to borrow a single penny from the bank!
Compared to those "empty-handed glove a white wolf" projects, this was like heaven and earth.
After giving Tan Jincheng's phone number to his friend Yang Zhenting, Zhao Jinsheng specifically gave a few more instructions, leaving the rest up to him.
Yang Zhenting grew up in the same compound as him and is currently seconded as a second-in-command in Chenguantun Town.
The two of them were childhood friends, which is why Zhao Jinsheng was willing to help and specifically gave some instructions.
He also mentioned some of Tan Jincheng's personality traits that he knew.
"Oh, so just state any requirements and offers directly, no need for roundabout talk, right? Understood, understood, this is actually better,"
Yang Zhenting responded happily.
"That's right, at 20-something, when one is full of vigor, beating around the bush with him might not make him happy. Weren't we like that when we were young?"
"Haha, exactly. But don't misunderstand that Xiao Tan is arrogant; he's a decent person, not arrogant at all. I hope you can secure this, so that when you come here for business trips in the future, we can still have a meal together."
"Oh? You think highly of Mr. Tan?"
"He's a good young man, full of ideas and drive, with very advanced thinking. Most importantly, he's clean. Another reason I'm introducing him to you is that I hope you can look after him a bit; the North is, after all, different from the South."
"Understood, I get what you're saying. Don't worry, I'll strive to get this. We won't offer fewer incentives than other places. Although our geographical location is a bit less ideal and our infrastructure isn't as good as elsewhere, it's still Tianjin, after all; things will get better slowly."
"Alright then, that's it. I'll give you his personal number, you can contact him in a bit. He promised me he'd go see you tomorrow; you two can figure out the exact time."
"Okay, thanks, old buddy,"
Yang Zhenting said in a deep voice.
Regardless of one's family background, everyone needs to put in effort to progress after entering society.
The only difference is that some people's efforts yield results, while others' do not.
From Zhao Jinsheng's words, Yang Zhenting could tell that as long as there were no issues on his end, the matter was basically settled, which was a huge help.
He owed him this favor.
The next day.
Tan Jincheng, having arranged a time with Yang Zhenting, arrived in Chenguantun Town as agreed.
This place wasn't much different from the other towns he had seen before.
In 2006, Tianjin's suburban areas, almost reaching Ji Province, couldn't be described as highly developed.
Low-rise buildings, dry air, and vast agricultural fields basically defined the town's appearance.
The only silver lining was that the roads were relatively well-maintained.
"Brother Yang, I see your roads are quite good here. Why haven't any electric vehicle factories come to set up here before?"
As soon as they met, Yang Zhenting, being naturally familiar, insisted that Tan Jincheng call him "Brother" just like he called Zhao Jinsheng.
Tan Jincheng found it hard to refuse; whether the deal would work out or not, acknowledging him as a brother wasn't a bad thing.
"Those were built a while ago. There's a good bicycle factory in the neighboring town. We thought improving the roads might benefit it a bit, but the bicycle factory hasn't expanded in recent years."
"I see,"
Tan Jincheng nodded, not paying much attention.
He then added,
"The geographical location here is decent, and the terrain is good. Since transportation is convenient, let's go back and discuss. What do you think, Brother Yang?"
Yang Zhenting said with some surprise,
"We can talk now? No more considering?"
"The basics are fine, so let's discuss other things. I've been delayed here long enough, and I have other matters to attend to back home."
"No wonder Old Zhao said you're straightforward; this is really straightforward,"
Yang Zhenting sighed.
In just two hours, the matter proceeded more smoothly than he had imagined.
"Don't worry, we'll offer as many or more incentives than other districts. I'll go back now to organize a meeting with the staff."
"Good, then I'll wait here in town. I hope Town Head Yang can be as quick as possible,"
Tan Jincheng smiled.
Yang Zhenting noticed the change in Tan Jincheng's address, and solemnly said,
"Absolutely. The earliest will be this afternoon, the latest tomorrow morning. Please rest assured, Mr. Tan."
"Okay, Xiao Zeng, go book a few rooms at the town's guesthouse. We'll be staying here for a few days,"
Tan Jincheng said to Zeng Jixiang.
"No need, no need. How could we let Mr. Tan book himself? We'll arrange the accommodation,"
Yang Zhenting quickly said.
"No, really. We'll handle this ourselves; we won't trouble Brother Yang."
"This isn't trouble at all; it's our duty to host investors. Come on."
"Really, Brother Yang, there's no need. We've been handling our own food and accommodation everywhere we've gone recently, so we won't trouble you."
During this trip to Tianjin, before the final location was decided, the Shanchi team handled their own food and accommodation, refusing all invitations to avoid gossip.
Tan Jincheng wasn't too familiar with the business environment in the North, but ultimately, it wasn't his home base, so he needed to be cautious in everything.
Tan Jincheng liked to "fleece the sheep" (take advantage of opportunities), but some benefits still couldn't be taken.
Seeing Tan Jincheng's persistent refusal, Yang Zhenting couldn't say much more:
"Alright, I'll listen to you. But afterwards, don't refuse when I treat you to a meal. Don't worry, I'll pay for it myself."
"Okay, then thank you, Brother Yang. We'll head back first; we also need to prepare some materials."
Tan Jincheng already knew about the relationship between Zhao Jinsheng and Yang Zhenting.
Personality-wise, Zhao Jinsheng was much more reserved, while Yang Zhenting seemed more straightforward.
Of course, this might also be related to their respective positions.
Yang Zhenting was aware of the administrative efficiency in coastal areas and knew that Tan Jincheng was accustomed to it.
Therefore, he didn't waste any time after returning.
After reporting to his superiors, he immediately arranged a meeting with relevant personnel.
The head of Chenguantun Town was also thrilled.
Shanchi Group was coming to Tianjin to build a factory, with a first-phase investment exceeding 100 million yuan.
Every town wanted to secure a project of this scale, but the other party seemed uninterested in Jinghai.
When they came to Jinghai for inspection, they only took a cursory look, and they hadn't even visited their town.
He hadn't expected such a turn of events.
How Xiao Yang managed it, or through what connections he attracted them, he didn't care at all, nor would he fuss over Yang Zhenting not having informed him beforehand.
"Does this mean it's almost a certainty?"
Yang Zhenting smiled and said,
"Yes, it's almost a certainty. Now it just depends on our attitude. Mr. Tan is still very approachable."
"Then rest assured, whatever incentives other places offer, we will offer as many or more. If they want land, we'll give them land; if they want preferential policies, we'll give them preferential policies. If they need loans, we can also help arrange them."
"Yes, Mr. Tan said that the first phase involves 100 million yuan, with a total planned investment of over 300 million yuan. They have detailed plans and will show us their project proposal during formal negotiations, so they might require more land."
"How big is their industrial base in Beicang?"
"150 mu, not including the two existing factories."
"Easy to say, then give them 200 mu or more. Now, let's meet and discuss which land plots are most suitable."
Shanchi Group is wealthy and the exclusive sponsor of electric vehicles for the Olympics.
For such a company to settle here, it's politically correct.
Could such a small matter as land hold them back?
Give it to them.
Not only give it, but give them more.
For industrial land, you need to have a specific plan for how much you're given; it's not just given for you to leave idle.
"Understood."
On the other side, Tan Jincheng didn't stay in Chenguantun Town; the hotel conditions there weren't great.
After obtaining Tan Jincheng's approval, Zeng Jixiang decided to stay near the district government.
If the site were truly chosen in Jinghai, it would also need approval from the district.
While driving along the road he had just mentioned to Yang Zhenting, heading towards the district government, Tan Jincheng happened to pass the neighboring town he had mentioned.
Out of curiosity, he looked at the bicycle factory by the roadside.
Rows of factory buildings.
As the vehicle passed the factory gate, the gilded characters "Aima Automobile Industry Co., Ltd." were visible, with some of the gold lettering already peeling off, indicating that the factory had been there for some years.
Tan Jincheng, sitting in the car, was stunned.
"Holy crap! Could this place be Aima's future headquarters? I remember Aima did seem to transition from a bicycle factory to making electric vehicles."
(End of Chapter)