Chapter 921
The real challenge has just begun
In Song's office, it was so quiet that you could hear the ticking of the wall clock.
Wang Donglai didn't urge him; he simply picked up the cup of Longjing tea, which had already gone cold, and took a small sip.
He knew that this decision was not something a single manager could make on his own, nor even something that Qin Sheng could make on his own.
Five years, ten million new residents.
This means that Tangdu's population will reach 22 million in 2024, surpassing the current Shanghai and second only to Beijing and Chongqing.
This means an annual increase in demand for 200,000 housing units, 100,000 primary school places, 50,000 hospital beds, and 2,000 kilometers of road and pipeline networks.
This means that the entire framework of the city will be completely stretched open.
“From the East”.
Wu Qingsong finally spoke, his voice somewhat hoarse: "Do you know what you're saying?"
"know."
"Ten million people in five years, an average of 5,400 people per day. Where do these people come from? Where will they live? Where will their children go to school? Where will they go for medical treatment if they get sick? Who will take care of them when they get old?"
"Even though most of the residents are young people, they will eventually settle down here, so the necessary supporting public facilities must be provided."
"This means that the original Tangdu city construction plan needs to be revised and expanded."
"A single hair can affect the whole situation; this will involve modifications in every aspect."
"This is a very important matter; it's not that simple."
Wang Donglai remained unmoved upon hearing this.
As if he had been prepared, he confidently said, "Manager Wu, these people come from all over the country. They come because of Tangdu's good policies, and also because there are jobs and a future here."
"Galaxy Technology plans to expand its workforce to one million this year, and its upstream and downstream industrial chains will need to absorb at least another 500,000 people. The arrival of these people will also drive the development of the service industry, which is roughly estimated to be around several hundred thousand. In other words, Galaxy Technology alone can bring in more than one million people."
He paused, then continued, "As for housing, as I just mentioned, there's a five-year resale restriction and government buyback program to keep housing prices down. As long as prices don't rise, developers will be motivated to build houses, and those with genuine housing needs will be able to afford them. Regarding education, the 1 billion yuan basic education fund is just the beginning; there will be additional funding later. As for healthcare, Galaxy Technology can fund the construction of three new top-tier hospitals in cooperation with Tangdu Jiaotong University School of Medicine."
"Tangdu City was already building a smart city, so with these plans, it's not actually that difficult."
"Science and technology are the primary productive forces, but everything ultimately depends on people, who are both consumers and producers. A large population combined with leading high technology will become the wings for technological take-off."
As Wu Qingsong listened, his fingers unconsciously tapped the table.
He spent most of his life as a local official, working his way up from townships to county towns, and from county towns to provincial capitals. He had seen more planning schemes than anyone else.
But this is the first time someone like Wang Donglai has managed to link population, industry, housing, education, healthcare, and elderly care together in a closed loop.
It's not that the plan wasn't bold enough, but rather its feasibility and the selflessness and dedication Wang Donglai displayed in it—qualities not seen in other entrepreneurs.
"These plans of yours, you didn't come up with them in just the last day or two, did you?" Wu Qingsong suddenly asked.
Wang Donglai did not answer the question directly, but said: "On the quantum computing platform, I ran the data model several times through intelligent program algorithms. Every number has a basis, and every suggestion is supported by detailed data."
"Yinhe Technology has reached a point where it's either progress or regression. As a native of Qin Province, I feel fortunate to be able to do something practical for my hometown."
Wu Qingsong looked at him and suddenly smiled.
There was something complex in that smile, like relief and also like emotion.
"Donglai, do you know what I admire most about you? It's not your skills, it's not your money, it's the way you do things. When you want to do something, you don't start by shouting slogans, you start by doing the math. You figure out the numbers, pave the way, and consider the risks before you start talking. This kind of attitude really makes people feel at ease and reassured."
He stood up from the sofa, walked to the window, his back to Wang Donglai, and his voice became low: "Ten million people in five years, I will report this goal to the higher-ups. Whether it can be achieved or not is not up to me or you, but up to the higher-ups. But I can tell you that I will do my best to strive for it, because Tangdu City cannot lose this opportunity."
Wang Donglai also stood up, walked to Wu Qingsong's side, and looked out the window side by side.
Outside the window, the skyline of Tang City unfolds under the sunlight.
In the distance, tower cranes stand tall at the construction site of the Xuanwu Battery Industrial Park, while nearby, the renovation of the old city is nearing completion.
The old and the new intertwine, like a painting being drawn.
"Manager Wu, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Tangdu City. We can build Tangdu City into a super smart city, and once it is completed, it will become the only truly smart city in the world."
"Yes, this is such a rare opportunity, I will do my best to make it happen."
The two looked at each other and saw the seriousness in each other's eyes.
……
After Wang Donglai left, Wu Qingsong sat alone in his office, looking at the "Tangdu City Mega-City Development Plan Outline".
This outline was created by Wa at Wang Donglai's request, and it only took one second.
However, the computing power used and the data collected behind the scenes are enormous.
The book is 300 pages long and covers everything from population projections to industrial layout, from housing supply to public services, from fiscal sustainability to environmental carrying capacity, with detailed data and models supporting every aspect.
Wu Qingsong had seen plans before, but never such detailed ones.
He's heard advice before, but never such practical advice.
He picked up the phone and dialed a number.
"Boss, I am Wu Qingsong. I have a plan that I would like you to take a look at."
There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone: "What plan?"
"The future of Tangdu City".
……
Three days later, in the capital.
In a small conference room, several people sat around a round table.
On the table was a thick document with the words "Outline of Tangdu City Megacity Development Plan (Draft for Review)" printed on the cover.
The leader presiding over the meeting opened the document, glanced at the table of contents, then looked up at everyone present: "This plan was spearheaded by Comrade Wang Donglai of Galaxy Technology. Comrades from Qin Province think it's feasible. Now we're soliciting opinions from all departments. Let's hear your thoughts."
A leader from the Development and Reform Commission was the first to speak: "From an industrial layout perspective, the core support of this plan is the industrial chain of Galaxy Technology. Semiconductors, new energy, aerospace, and biomedicine—these four industrial clusters, each worth hundreds of billions of yuan, along with the supporting modern service industries and Tangdu's existing industries, do indeed have the potential to support employment for 20 million people. But the question is, can these industries develop as expected? Are the risks controllable?"
A representative from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology continued, "Galaxy Technology's semiconductor industry has already received investment from the national team, and its development direction is clear. In the new energy industry, Xuanwu Battery's production capacity is rapidly expanding, and the market prospects are broad. In the aerospace industry, the whole rocket landing on the moon plan has passed expert review, and the technical route is feasible. In the biopharmaceutical industry, the hepatitis B specific drug and choleretic and liver-soothing tablets have entered the approval stage, and the market potential is huge. There are no major risks in these four industries in the short term."
An education official turned to the education section, his brow furrowing slightly: "Isn't the goal of adding 100,000 primary school places in five years too ambitious? Training a good teacher isn't something that can be done overnight." A representative from Qin Province explained: "Comrade Wang Donglai proposed the 'Tangdu Basic Education Revitalization Fund,' investing 200 million yuan annually for five consecutive years, specifically to improve the quality of teachers in ordinary primary and secondary schools. He also proposed that Galaxy Technology could cooperate with teacher training colleges to train teachers specifically for this purpose. If students teach in Tangdu for five years after graduation, Galaxy Technology will fully refund their tuition fees. This plan can effectively solve the teacher shortage problem."
A representative from the National Health Commission asked, "What about healthcare? It will take at least three years from planning to completion for three top-tier hospitals. How will this three-year gap be addressed?"
Qin Province representative replied: "Comrade Wang Donglai suggested that we first cooperate with existing top-tier hospitals to bring high-quality medical resources to the newly built urban areas through a 'medical consortium' model. At the same time, Galaxy Technology can invest in the expansion and renovation of existing hospitals to improve their capacity to receive patients. After the three new hospitals are completed, they can be gradually transferred to the management of the Municipal Health Commission."
The representative from the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development flipped to the housing chapter, looked at it for a long time, and then looked up: "A five-year resale restriction and government buyback policy—this policy is too radical; there is no precedent for it nationwide."
The representative from Qin Province took a deep breath: "Comrade Wang Donglai said that Tangdu City is willing to be the first. He said that if Tangdu City can succeed in this path, other cities can follow suit. If it fails, it can still provide lessons for other cities."
The meeting room fell silent.
The leader closed the document and glanced at everyone present: "The core of this plan can be summarized in one sentence—Tangdu City aims to transform itself into a super-first-tier city with a population of 20 million within five years. This goal is bold and risky. But the comrades from Qin Province are right; this opportunity for Tangdu City is rare, and Tangdu City is willing to give it its all."
He paused, his voice becoming serious: "This plan can, in principle, be piloted, but there's one prerequisite—we must uphold the bottom line. We cannot sacrifice quality for expansion, we cannot ignore risks for speed, and we cannot forget our original aspirations for development. Comrades of Qin Province, can you do that?"
The representative from Qin Province stood up and said firmly, "Yes."
"it is good."
The leader nodded and immediately made the decision, saying, "Then let's try it out. All departments must provide full support and coordinate promptly if any problems arise. Tangdu City's transformation is not just a matter for Qin Province, but also an important attempt for the future development of the whole country."
After the meeting, the representative from Qin Province walked out of the building, stood on the steps, and looked at the sky over Beijing.
He took out his phone and sent a message to Wu Qingsong: "Approved."
There are only two words, but those two words carry immense weight.
……
In Wu Qingsong's office in Tangdu City, his phone vibrated.
He picked it up, saw those two words, and remained silent for a long time.
Then he stood up, walked to the window, and looked out at the city he loved so much.
At the Xuanwu Battery Industrial Park construction site in the distance, tower cranes are still turning.
The renovation of the nearby old town area is nearing completion.
This city is changing at a speed visible to the naked eye.
He recalled the scene in Tangdu City a few years ago.
At that time, Tangdu City was still an old city in the Northwest, with history, culture, and heritage, but lacking vitality.
Young people are leaving; we can't keep them.
Businesses are moving out, but we can't attract them in.
Its GDP ranks in the middle among provincial capital cities nationwide, neither high nor low.
Even Tangdu Jiaotong University once considered moving away.
However, everything changed after Wang Donglai suddenly appeared.
With its economy booming and its city ranking soaring, Tangdu Jiaotong University is gradually moving towards becoming a top-tier university.
All of this was brought about by Wang Donglai.
With that thought in mind, he picked up the phone and dialed Wang Donglai's number.
I told him the good news right away.
"Donglai, it's been approved from above."
There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone, then Wang Donglai's voice came through, calm but with an undisguised excitement: "Manager Wu, the real challenge has only just begun."
"Yes, but I believe we will definitely succeed."
……
That evening, Galaxy Technology launched a new page on its official website.
The page design is very simple, with only one line of large text: "Tangdu, welcome."
Below is a line of smaller print: "Five years, ten million people, a first-tier city, we are in Tangdu, waiting for you."
At the bottom of the page is a resume submission portal, which reads: "Galaxy Technology and its subsidiaries plan to recruit 200,000 people this year. No restrictions on household registration, age, or education. As long as you have a dream, here is your stage."
The news caused an uproar across the internet.
On Douyin, a topic called "Welcome to Tangdu" garnered over 100 million views overnight.
In the comments section, countless people left messages:
"Tangdu is about to take off!"
"Ten million people in five years? Are they trying to turn Tangdu into the second Shanghai?"
"No educational requirement? Really? I only graduated from junior high school, can I still apply?"
"Hey upstairs, Galaxy Technology never looks at academic qualifications when they hire, they look at abilities. Why don't you give it a try, what if you get the job?"
"I've been working in Shenzhen for five years, earning 6,000 yuan a month, and my rent is 2,500 yuan. I can't save any money. Why don't I try going to Tangdu?"
"The housing prices in Tangdu are only a little over 10,000 yuan per square meter now, which is one-third of the price in Shenzhen. If I could really get residency there, I would like to go too."
"Galaxy Technology's move is incredibly ambitious. It's not just about its own development, but about taking the entire city with it."
"What is Wang Donglai trying to do? Build a city?"
"It's not about building a city, it's about revitalizing a city."
That evening, the Tangdu Municipal Government's official website also launched a special page for "Settling in Tangdu".
The page details the settlement policy: those with a college degree or above can settle directly with their graduation certificate; those with a high school diploma or below can settle in Tangdu after paying social security for two consecutive years; and the whole family can move with one person who settles.
At the bottom of the page is Tangdu's city slogan: "Tangdu, promising you a future."
This slogan was proposed by Wang Donglai and adopted by Wu Qingsong. (End of Chapter)