135: Chapter 135 It's Not Too Late to Regret It Now

Jiang Yunheng held the phone, stunned for two seconds. Zhao Yang's words had truly given him a shock.

This kid came here to write a research report; what kind of big gift could he possibly offer?

He was young, after all, and his words lacked a sense of propriety.

Jiang Yunheng suppressed the displeasure in his heart and said in a deep voice:

"Come to my office first and explain things clearly."

The Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection and the Economic and Trade Commission were both located in the Administrative Office Center Complex.

A few minutes later, Zhao Yang arrived at Jiang Yunheng's office.

Facing Jiang Yunheng's puzzled gaze, Zhao Yang spoke first:

"Uncle Jiang, what is Secretary Shen most worried about right now? Is it that the enterprise restructuring is difficult to push forward?"

After the incident at the Die-Casting Machine Factory, state-owned enterprise reform in Tongan City was indeed difficult to advance.

No one could afford the high-quality assets.

As for the non-performing assets, even when transferred strictly according to the appraised value, nobody wanted them at all.

Zhao Yang hit the nail on the head, making Jiang Yunheng even more surprised.

"That's right, how did you know?"

Zhao Yang smiled slightly. "Uncle Jiang, just tell him that someone from the Policy Research Office has a way to break the deadlock in state-owned enterprise reform, and he will definitely make time to see me."

Jiang Yunheng glanced at Zhao Yang, feeling somewhat skeptical.

Seeing the confident smile on Zhao Yang's face, he pondered for a moment and dialed the number for Shen Nianqiu's office.

"Secretary Shen, this is Jiang Yunheng. A comrade from the Policy Research Office wants to see you, saying he wants to break the deadlock for Tongan's state-owned enterprise reform. Do you have time?"

Upon receiving the call, Shen Nianqiu's heart immediately stirred.

"From the Provincial Government Policy Research Office? Let him come over!"

Shen Nianqiu was originally the director of the Economic and Trade Commission, so he was not unfamiliar with the Policy Research Office.

Coming to Tongan without contacting him first meant that the person arriving must not be of a high rank.

A mere youngster, and he dares to speak lightly of breaking the deadlock for reform?

He wanted to see who exactly dared to speak such arrogant words.

Jiang Yunheng hung up the phone and looked at Zhao Yang with some concern:

"Shen Nianqiu is the head of the Municipal Committee; you should mind your manners."

Zhao Yang stood up and smiled:

"Don't worry, Uncle Jiang. What I'm bringing is a gift, not a bomb."

Tongan Municipal Committee office building, fourth floor.

The door to Shen Nianqiu's office was half-open, and Zhao Yang knocked on it.

"Come in."

Zhao Yang pushed the door open and entered. Shen Nianqiu was sitting on the sofa, with a tea set placed in front of him.

Seeing that Zhao Yang was so young, a flash of disappointment crossed Shen Nianqiu's eyes.

He did not get up, but pointed to the seat opposite him:

"Sit."

Zhao Yang sat down, and Shen Nianqiu poured a cup of water and placed it in front of Zhao Yang.

"From the Policy Research Office? I haven't seen you before."

Zhao Yang did not stand on ceremony; he picked up the teacup and took a deep sip.

He introduced himself: "I am Zhao Yang, from the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection, and I was just transferred to the Policy Research Office last week."

Zhao Yang from the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection—the man who had turned the Tongan officialdom upside down. Shen Nianqiu was all too familiar with this name.

He immediately put away his disdain for Zhao Yang and leaned forward slightly.

"Comrade Zhao Yang, I wonder what high insights you have regarding state-owned enterprise reform?"

"I wouldn't call them high insights." Zhao Yang put down the teacup and looked directly into Shen Nianqiu's eyes.

"Secretary Shen, I would like to ask, what do you plan to do about the Die-Casting Machine Factory?"

This question was a bit too direct.

Shen Nianqiu frowned slightly.

But he didn't lash out; he just said calmly:

"I am thinking of a solution. Why, do you have a way?"

"I do. I know the situation at the Die-Casting Machine Factory better than anyone else." Zhao Yang was not modest at all.

"Die-casting machines are key equipment for producing motorcycle engine casings and other aluminum castings. Currently, motorcycle sales are huge, and die-casting machines are in short supply on the market."

"The Die-Casting Machine Factory not being able to get orders is only temporary."

Shen Nianqiu picked up his teacup and said nothing.

Zhao Yang continued: "The problem with the Die-Casting Machine Factory right now is that no one is taking over the restructuring. If it isn't restructured, the enterprise mechanism won't be active, the workers won't have any motivation, and if it drags on, the enterprise will collapse sooner or later."

Shen Nianqiu put down his teacup, his gaze becoming sharp.

"Then tell me, what should be done about the Die-Casting Machine Factory right now?"

"Mixed-ownership reform." Zhao Yang gently uttered the phrase.

Shen Nianqiu's eyelid twitched.

When he was at the Economic and Trade Commission, he had only heard of this concept.

He had no idea how to specifically reform or operate it.

"Why don't you tell me about it!"

Zhao Yang's suggestion was very clear: the Die-Casting Machine Factory should offer a portion of its equity, introduce strategic investors, retain state-owned controlling status, and introduce private capital at the same time.

While restructuring, they should establish a modern enterprise system.

This would solve both the funding problem and the mechanism problem.

Seeing that Shen Nianqiu seemed to half-understand, Zhao Yang continued to explain:

"This can minimize the administrative nature of state-owned enterprises and better adapt them to market rules."

After all, having worked at the Economic and Trade Commission for a long time, Shen Nianqiu quickly understood Zhao Yang's idea.

He raised his head and stared into Zhao Yang's eyes.

"Comrade Zhao Yang, do you know what this suggestion implies?"

Zhao Yang nodded: "There is no precedent for mixed-ownership reform in Jianghan Province. If Tongan dares to be the first to eat this crab, it will be the first in the entire province."

Shen Nianqiu smiled, a meaningful smile.

"The first in the province? If it succeeds, it's experience; if it fails, it's a lesson. Tongan cannot afford this risk anymore."

Zhao Yang poured himself another cup of water, a cold smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.

"Secretary Shen, do you think Tongan has any other path to take right now?"

Shen Nianqiu looked up and met Zhao Yang's gaze for a few seconds.

He suddenly revealed a bitter smile: "That's right, Tongan has nowhere left to go."

Daring to face himself squarely, this Shen Nianqiu was actually a down-to-earth cadre.

Zhao Yang couldn't help but feel a bit more favorably toward him, and said solemnly:

"Secretary Shen, the path is right in front of you, and I have already told you how to defuse the bomb. Whether you dare to defuse it or not depends on you."

"If needed, I will give you a detailed promotion plan for the mixed-ownership reform of the Die-Casting Machine Factory."

Having said that, Zhao Yang stood up and walked toward the door.

He counted silently in his heart; within ten seconds, Shen Nianqiu would call him back.

Just as he reached seven, he heard Shen Nianqiu say in a deep voice from behind:

"Comrade Zhao Yang, I am willing to be the first person to eat the crab."

Zhao Yang turned back and smiled slightly:

"Not bad, worthy of being the candidate Governor Sun has his eye on."

In fact, Zhao Yang did not know if Shen Nianqiu was someone Governor Sun had his eye on.

Considering that this guy still had some courage, it wouldn't hurt to pull him over to Governor Sun's side.

Shen Nianqiu looked deeply at Zhao Yang, feeling that this guy in front of him, although young, was unfathomable.

That afternoon, the mixed-ownership reform plan that Zhao Yang had compiled was placed on Shen Nianqiu's desk.

"If the mixed-ownership reform of the Die-Casting Machine Factory succeeds, other enterprises can follow suit."

Shen Nianqiu glanced at it; the plan was very detailed and highly operable.

He immediately had his Secretary notify the director of the Economic and Trade Commission and the factory director, Yang Decai.

"Have them come over to discuss how to restructure the enterprise!"

Zhao Yang smiled with satisfaction and said to Shen Nianqiu:

"Secretary Shen, get to work quickly. I am going to write your approach into my research report."

Shen Nianqiu frowned, "You wouldn't happen to have nothing to write about and be using us as actors, would you?"

Zhao Yang's expression changed, and he reached out and grabbed the restructuring plan on the table.

"Secretary Shen, it is completely not too late for you to regret this now."

After saying this, Zhao Yang turned and left.