Chapter 72: Teased
In the second half of 2000, Darong Construction was among the participants at a corporate macroeconomic study conference held in the Provincial Party Committee's auditorium in the provincial capital, Rongcheng.
The conference analyzed economic conditions throughout the province in agriculture, industry and construction, fixed-asset investment, transportation and postal and telecommunications services, the provincial consumer goods market, foreign economic relations, finance and insurance, science and education, culture, health and sports, employment, living standards and environmental protection, and the economies of ethnic autonomous regions. It summarized the direction of national macroeconomic policy and analyzed trends and key issues for the second half of the year.
That year, as China's economy developed, houses and cars-big-ticket purchases people had once never dared imagine-had now become important items on household spending agendas. Tourism, catering, retail, and cultural entertainment were beginning to find new selling points.
Investment in property development already accounted for more than twenty percent of all fixed-asset investment that year, becoming the leading driver of investment growth. For Darong Construction, this was good news for its hopes of joining the "ten-billion club" sooner, and it added even more weight to Su Licheng's position as a deputy general manager.
The new advancement also intensified the company's internal, bloodless warfare. Only upon reaching Su Licheng's level could one understand the maneuvering that went into every change of course and policy decision aboard this aircraft carrier.
The national Western Development strategy was fully launched that year. Ecological development drew attention, and trains heading west, westbound flights, and the enthusiasm for developing the western regions were attracting more and more people.
Su Can's eldest uncle, Zeng Qu anming, oversaw the Comprehensive Development Planning Department, which operated under Rongcheng's Western Development banner. He held the title of deputy director of the municipal Planning Commission and