PDLP Chapter 721: The Final Fatal Blow
Chapter 721: The Final Fatal Blow
If you could only read one urban novel in your lifetime, it would probably be "1990, I'm Back".
Time flies, and it's already the end of 2005. Winter has arrived in Shanghai. Due to the continuous cloudy and rainy weather, the outdoor temperature has been hovering between a few degrees above zero and a few degrees below zero.
At the same time, Chen Zhe conceived a concept in academia. In fact, the prototype of this concept had already existed long ago, namely the Shanghai-Haikou Economic Zone proposed in the 1980s.
Later, in the 1990s, a regional cooperation mechanism between cities was established on this basis.
Based on the above two points, Chen Zhe comprehensively upgraded and refined them. Simply put, he elevated the original limited regional cooperation to the level of national strategy, which Chen Zhe temporarily calls the "Yangtze River Metropolitan Area Economic Model".
He didn't start this research after returning to Shanghai, but rather while he was teaching in Australia.
After returning to China, with the strong support of Huang Xiaochuan and the University of Finance and Economics, he had more ideas in this regard. After sorting out, planning and conceiving, he has now completed the basic framework. So he wants to talk to Huang Xiaochuan first to see what his views and opinions are.
In a conference room at the Shanghai branch of the Xiangjiang Economic Research Institute, Chen Zhe used a projector and PowerPoint presentation to share his concept of the Yangtze River urban agglomeration economy with his friend Huang Xiaochuan.
"Xiao Chuan, have you noticed that the Yangtze River Economic Metropolitan Area, with Shanghai as its leader, has actually been formed? However, due to the existence of regional administrative barriers, it has not yet been able to establish a genuine cooperative and mutually supportive relationship between the cities."
Huang Xiaochuan looked at Chen Zhe with great interest. He was right about this guy; he really had some skills.
Chen Zhe was already in the zone. Since it was just the two of them in the conference room, Chen Zhe let his mind wander and started talking non-stop.
"In general, we need to get all the cities in the metropolitan area to participate more closely, so that each can give full play to its own strengths and form a well-structured industrial system with a reasonable division of labor and complementary advantages among the cities in the region."
To elaborate further, I think we can start with infrastructure connectivity, concentrating our strengths to build world-class airport clusters, shipping port clusters, and integrated energy and water infrastructure.
Furthermore, we should unify the market system, promote the integration of market supervision, standards certification, and credit systems, and create an excellent business environment.
In fact, the Yangtze River Metropolitan Economic Circle, with Shanghai as its core, has become one of the most dynamic, open, and innovative regions in China's economy. Integration will help unleash its powerful development potential and become a source of high-quality development.
Finally, Chen Zhe summarized that his concept of the Yangtze River Urban Economic Circle is not only about geographical integration, but also about the high degree of coordination in various systems, rules, standards, and policies. Only in this way can a world-class urban cluster be established, which will greatly enhance economic development.
"Clap! Clap! Clap!" Huang Xiaochuan couldn't help but applaud Chen Zhe.
He walked excitedly to Chen Zhe's side and patted him on the shoulder.
"Old Chen, your concept is actually a complete theoretical framework. It's not as simple as just having some ideas. If you were to complete this theory, it could influence policies and change the direction of regional economic development."
Chen Zhe felt a little embarrassed by Huang Xiaochuan's praise, and his face turned slightly red.
He humbly said, "I actually gained inspiration by standing on the shoulders of predecessors, and with the things I've seen and heard during my time back in China, I've only recently come up with some ideas."
He then asked hesitantly, "Xiao Chuan, do you think it's feasible?"
Huang Xiaochuan affirmed, "It's absolutely feasible! You've practically drawn up a roadmap for the future development of the Yangtze River urban agglomeration! Your theory isn't just a simple economic theory; it's a detailed development strategy that combines geography, policy, and social development. Old Chen, I suggest you hurry up and complete a systematic report and paper."
He then thought for a moment and said to Chen Zhe, "Here's what we'll do: you immediately set up a research group on regional economic integration at the Shanghai branch. You will personally serve as the group leader, and you can choose the members yourself. The branch's finance department will also cooperate with you unconditionally. In short, we'll provide you with money and manpower as needed. However, you will still need to lead the team to conduct research in various cities along the Yangtze River. I'll call Wu Duo again later and ask him to help you coordinate with the local authorities so that you can obtain first-hand information as soon as possible."
Chen Zhe nodded heavily. He had unconditional trust in his classmate and good friend Huang Xiaochuan, and he knew that Huang Xiaochuan's help to him was also sincere. He was deeply moved.
Huang Xiaochuan reassured Chen Zhe, saying, "Old Chen, all you need to do from now on is to work on your theory as quickly as possible and make it solid. Then I'll go with you to Beijing and we'll ask Wu Duo to help you submit your theory."
With no worries about the future, Chen Zhe began to focus on his research, frequently traveling between major cities in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai with his newly formed research team, embarking on his survey work.
Fortunately, he had just been hired as a full professor at the University of Finance and Economics, but due to procedural issues, he had not yet been promoted to doctoral supervisor, so he had no students to supervise at the moment. After learning about the situation, Hong Yongze naturally gave his full support. He was a sensible man, and he knew that once this theory was formed and recognized by the higher-ups, it would be of great benefit to both the university and Chen Zhe himself. Only a fool would not support it! Moreover, it did not require him to contribute any money or effort.
Busy as the Spring Festival of 2006 was fast approaching, Chen Zhe and his team were still constantly on the go.
Yan Jianhong, however, had reached the end of his rope. Under multiple blows, he was on the verge of bankruptcy. If Ge Changli's factory hadn't been swindled by him, it could have saved him. Unfortunately, Yan Jianhong had shot himself in the foot. Ge Changli was still busy with an international lawsuit against IB, which wouldn't be over anytime soon. Now, the factory could barely keep operating, so there was no way he could help Yan Jianhong.
Yan Jianhong initially relied on loopholes in policies and regulations to save costs and seize the market. His non-compliant business practices became his fatal weakness, and the predicament he faces now leaves him with nowhere to appeal and no way to refute his claims.
"Brother! If the wages aren't paid soon, something bad will happen! It's almost Chinese New Year!" Yan Jiansheng reluctantly went to his cousin to ask for the workers' wages and reminded him that the Chinese New Year was approaching.
Since encountering various problems at the factory, Yan Jianhong has tried every means possible, borrowing a lot of money from relatives and friends to settle the labor dispute lawsuit. But who would have thought that after this lawsuit was settled, a cross-border compensation lawsuit came. Just like before, before the money could be transferred out, all the accounts were frozen again. Yan Jianhong had nowhere to cry.
Now it's not just the workers' wages, but also his debts; the creditors are coming to collect money every day.
A distraught Yan Jianhong stared with bloodshot eyes and said, "How much do you think I'd be worth if you sold me?"
Yan Jiansheng muttered under his breath, "Who wants you!"
Just as the two cousins were staring at each other, a dozen or so people arrived outside, making a ruckus. They were all there to collect a debt from Yan Jianhong.
At this moment, the man who was leading the group, who looked to be in his fifties, said to Yan Jianhong, "Jianhong, we're not trying to make things difficult for you. We're just running a small business. We agreed to help you out of our kinship, but you haven't given us any explanation yet. That's not right of you!"
At this point, the others also started clamoring for Yan Jianhong to return the money. Yan Jianhong remained expressionless, letting these people pull and tug at him without saying a word.
After a scuffle lasting more than ten minutes, a group of police officers suddenly arrived. Their appearance immediately made the atmosphere tense, and even those who came to collect debts dared not utter a sound.
"Who is Yan Jianhong?" one of the police officers asked Yan Jianhong.
Everyone present looked at Yan Jianhong, who had stood up in a daze. Without a doubt, it was him.
After locating the suspect, the police immediately presented him with a detention warrant: "Yan Jianhong, you are suspected of a large-scale job-related crime. In accordance with relevant laws, you are hereby criminally detained. Sign here!"
This was the final, fatal blow. Yan Jianhong's seemingly flawless criminal process had all been documented by the commercial investigation company, forming a complete chain of evidence. This evidence had been submitted to the Economic Crime Investigation Department of the Suzhou Public Security Bureau not long ago, with the aim of sending Yan Jianhong to jail before the Spring Festival.
At this point, Yan Jianhong not only lost all his wealth, but also had to serve more than ten years in prison, all of which was his own fault.