[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-romantic-path-to-success":3,"chapter-the-romantic-path-to-success-the-romantic-path-to-success-chapter-525":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Romantic Road to the Top",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},2146716,3567,"Chapter 525","the-romantic-path-to-success-chapter-525",525,"\u003Cp>Ge Honglin was left speechless. How would he know how Su Xinghui had bewitched Hou Guangbi? Before this, other than investigating some information about the Hou family, he hadn't investigated the true relationship between Hou Guangbi and Su Xinghui. Of course, he didn't know why Hou Guangbi had made up his mind so quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>In the final analysis, this was due to information asymmetry and Ge Honglin’s overconfidence. He never imagined that in the competition between Jiangcheng and Shangjun County, the one laughing last would actually be Shangjun County.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Seeing Ge Honglin’s expression, Zhang Shiguang said, \"I believe that the Hou family’s identity as Shangjun natives played the biggest role. Haven't you looked at those coastal provinces? Many overseas Chinese return to invest in their hometowns, and in fact, their hometowns are often just small counties. The affection overseas Chinese have for their hometowns is something we cannot imagine.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Ge Honglin nodded thoughtfully, \"Secretary Shiguang’s insight is sharp. That must be the reason. So, are we just going to watch this investment land in Shangjun County? Do we have no way to recover it? This is ten million US dollars, and there might be more later!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Seeing Ge Honglin’s look, Zhang Shiguang was furious, \"Isn't this because you are all incompetent? If this were wartime, you would be the ones with full American equipment losing to those with millet and rifles! I don't understand how you couldn't suppress that kid surnamed Su!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Ge Honglin said with a bitter face, \"Secretary Shiguang, I have no choice. That kid surnamed Su is making a scene there; I can't make a scene like him, can I? Wouldn't that be losing my status? It would also leave a bad impression on the old man.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Zhang Shiguang waved his hand, \"Enough, don't say any more. In short, you are all incompetent. Now that you've made such a mess of things, you come to ask me what to do? How would I know what to do? Cooked sweet potatoes are delicious, and raw ones are also edible, but half-cooked ones are just bad!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Seeing that Zhang Shiguang was truly angry, Ge Honglin was struck dumb. Although he and Zhang Shiguang were of the same rank—both at the department level—Zhang Shiguang ranked third on the Jiangcheng Municipal Standing Committee, while Ge Honglin hadn't even entered the Standing Committee yet. In terms of actual status and power, he was far behind, not to mention that he was Zhang Shiguang’s old subordinate, promoted by him personally. Therefore, he had always considered himself a subordinate in front of Zhang Shiguang.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Zhang Shiguang was truly annoyed. He had intervened in this matter and even alarmed Governor Tian, only to have Governor Tian lose face. Now that the Hou family had basically decided to land the investment in Shangjun County, the matter had truly been handled poorly.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Zhang Shiguang looked at Ge Honglin and waved his hand, \"That's enough, you may go. I know about this matter.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>The end of 1994 and the beginning of 1995 was an eventful autumn for Hudong Province. Some cadres in Hudong Province and Jiangcheng City were adjusted, especially the two top leaders of the Jiangcheng Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government, who were both transferred to positions of the same rank in other provinces. Although they were not demoted, the \"gold content\" of their positions was far inferior.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>There was no help for it. Who told Jiangcheng City to perform poorly in economic development in recent years? Their national GDP ranking had dropped again and again. If it dropped any further, they would likely fall out of the top twenty nationwide, and at that point, it would truly be shameful.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>One must know that Jiangcheng City was the provincial capital of Hudong Province, and all the province’s resources and policies were tilted toward it. Its natural conditions and geographical environment were also the most superior in the entire Hudong Province and even the Central China region. Its foundation was also good; it had always been an old industrial base and an economic hub. Except for a few municipalities directly under the central government, Jiangcheng had never been inferior to other cities, and its GDP had always ranked among the top in the country.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Under these various advantages, Jiangcheng City’s economic development could now be described as struggling, like a boat sailing against the current. The leadership team of Jiangcheng City naturally bore an inescapable responsibility, and it was not unjust for them to be transferred now.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>After all, in this era where the economy takes command, economic development was the greatest political achievement for a cadre.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>The cadres of Jiangcheng City and Hudong Province had long heard the wind, and they were jumping up and down, wanting to get these two positions. These two positions were not ordinary; Jiangcheng City was a sub-provincial city, and the top leaders of the Party Committee and the government were sub-provincial cadres. Especially the position of Secretary of the Jiangcheng Municipal Party Committee, which also concurrently held the post of Deputy Secretary of the Hudong Provincial Party Committee and member of the Hudong Provincial Standing Committee, ranking fourth among the members of the Hudong Provincial Standing Committee. Whoever could obtain this position would be taking a step up to the heavens!\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>In officialdom, there is a radish for every hole, and this meant that two radish holes had opened up—and they were the two most fertile radish holes. Which radish wouldn't want to go to a more fertile hole?\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Zhang Shiguang naturally also wanted to move to a different hole. He didn't dare to think about the hole of Municipal Party Secretary. Although he ranked third on the Jiangcheng Municipal Standing Committee and seemed to be only two positions away from the Municipal Party Secretary, those two positions were like a chasm. He couldn't jump up in one step; taking too big a step would easily cause a tear.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Comrade Zhang Shiguang was still very pragmatic. He was aiming for the radish hole of Mayor of Jiangcheng. This was a more realistic goal, and it was also a sub-provincial position, and one with relatively high gold content in the province. As long as he did well in the position of Mayor, the next step of being promoted to Municipal Party Secretary would be a matter of course, and that would truly be a step up to the heavens!\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>However, in this cadre adjustment, Comrade Zhang Shiguang did not get his wish. His work resume was mainly engaged in Party affairs, and he had no bright experience in economic work. The superiors now wanted to reverse the situation of Jiangcheng City’s poor economic development; how could they let him be this Mayor?\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>His calculations didn't work out. Fortunately, he was close to Tian Chengzu, so his position was not adjusted, and he remained in the position of Deputy Secretary of the Jiangcheng Municipal Party Committee.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Ge Hongcheng wanted to go a step further and enter the Standing Committee, but he didn't get his wish either. He remained in place, staying in the position of Vice Mayor.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>The central government transferred two cadres from other provinces to serve as Secretary of the Jiangcheng Municipal Party Committee and Mayor. They were Wan Yangbo, the former Standing Committee member and Vice Governor of Zhedong Province in charge of the economy, and Li Hao, the former Secretary of the Jianzhou Municipal Party Committee of Yuedong Province.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>These two were cadres transferred from economically developed regions and had rich experience and solid achievements in economic construction. This also indicated the importance the central government and the Hudong Provincial Party Committee attached to Jiangcheng, as well as their determination to revitalize Jiangcheng’s economy.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Besides these two, there were some individual adjustments for other cadres in the Jiangcheng Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>And in the province, there were also relatively large personnel adjustments. The most important news was, of course, that Provincial Party Committee Secretary-General Lu Zhenghong was appointed as the Vice Governor of Hudong Province in charge of the economy, concurrently serving as a member of the Hudong Provincial Standing Committee. The former Vice Governor had reached the age limit and retired to the second line.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Lu Zhenghong’s rank did not seem to have been promoted; he was still sub-provincial, but his ranking in the Provincial Standing Committee had moved forward by several places, from the last place to the eighth place. This could be considered a not-insignificant progress, and now his actual power was much greater.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Originally, although Lu Zhenghong was also a member of the Provincial Standing Committee, the Provincial Party Committee Secretary-General could be said to be the housekeeper of the Provincial Party Secretary, more of a staff officer to the Provincial Party Secretary, and did not have the power to take charge of a side.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Now that he had become this Vice Governor, the situation was very different, especially since this Vice Governor was in charge of the economy, giving him more actual power in his hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>In fact, Lu Zhenghong had served in various grassroots positions, especially as Mayor of Xiangzhou, where he had achieved significant results during his tenure, and could be considered an expert in developing the economy.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Moreover, in the past two years, he had given Gu Shanmin many good suggestions on developing the agricultural economy in Hudong Province, leaving a very good impression on Gu Shanmin regarding economic issues. Gu Shanmin also needed to make his own voice heard in the provincial government, and he now trusted Lu Zhenghong very much. Naturally, he had to do his utmost to push Lu Zhenghong into this position of Vice Governor.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Therefore, Lu Zhenghong was fully capable of fulfilling the duties of this Vice Governor.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>At the beginning of 1995, the cities and counties below also carried out some minor personnel adjustments. Xiang Jitao was transferred to Yulin City to serve as the Minister of the Municipal Party Committee’s Propaganda Department, concurrently serving as a member of the Yulin Municipal Standing Committee. Due to Shangjun County’s outstanding performance in economic development and other work in recent years, his promotion was a matter of course.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>In 1994, Shangjun County’s GDP growth rate still maintained a high speed of over thirty percent, and its GDP ranking had already reached second in the city, second only to Yushan District, and the gap was already quite small. If it could maintain this growth rate, in another year, Shangjun County’s GDP ranking surpassing Yushan District and rushing to first in the city would be just around the corner.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Zhang Kaishan also naturally assumed the position of Secretary of the Shangjun County Party Committee, Jia Hequn successfully succeeded him as County Mayor of Shangjun, and Chen Hongfu succeeded him as Executive Vice Mayor.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Speaking of which, in the adjustment and development of Shangjun County over the past two years, Jia Hequn didn't have many bright performances, but since he had served as Executive Vice County Mayor of Shangjun, this political achievement could not be missing from him. Plus, there were people in the city speaking for him, so he also managed to catch this ride.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Sometimes, this was just the way things were.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Of course, there was still the word \"acting\" in front of his County Mayor title, and it would still need to be elected at the People’s Congress after the New Year to remove the word \"acting.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>There had been a lot of good news these days. Hou Guangbi’s eldest son, Hou Da, flew back from France and reported the results of his trip to France to Hou Guangbi.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>The main family members of the Hou family held a meeting to discuss and vote on the Hou Group’s investment in Shangjun County. Because Hou Da had done some work with some key members before the meeting, and Shangjun County was indeed the root of the Hou family, after seeing the photos of Zhuangyuan Lane and the Hou family’s old house being very well preserved, the meeting passed the resolution to invest in Shangjun County by a majority vote.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Hou Guangbi’s second son, Hou Dajun, also completed his investigation into the current state of the domestic electrical appliance industry and produced a feasibility report and project plan. He told Hou Guangbi that the electrical appliance industry was currently an industry with very good prospects in the country, and the domestic electrical appliance market was huge, with a population of over one billion. Running an electrical appliance factory was completely feasible and could also expect rich returns.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>The Hou Group moved very quickly. They registered and established a Hou Group Investment Company in Shangjun County, and the electrical appliance factory they were running would be incorporated under the investment company. Their first-phase investment of ten million US dollars would be transferred to the investment company’s account in the near future, and factory construction work would begin.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>They signed a formal investment agreement with the Shangjun County government and the Pengjiawan Town government in the name of the investment company. In this way, the investment was finally settled, allowing Zhang Kaishan to breathe a huge sigh of relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>This investment company would be managed by Hou Guangbi’s eldest grandson, Hou Wenhai, who was one of the people who returned to China with Hou Guangbi this time. He was about thirty years old. Although he was a junior in front of Hou Guangbi and seemed inconspicuous, he was a top student who had graduated from a prestigious university’s management department. Managing such a small investment company and electrical appliance factory was more than enough for him, and this was also Hou Guangbi’s training for the younger generation.\u003C\u002Fp>",2288,"2026-06-16T17:50:43.208Z","2026-06-17T08:56:06.694Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","3af295a9365a54c3554dbee3bc07d9a90c68b362d3acce84b7f53b3ee8128338","the-romantic-path-to-success-chapter-526","the-romantic-path-to-success-chapter-524",572,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-romantic-path-to-success-cover.jpg"]