Chapter 20 3. Beekeeping

Ji Dongxiang flew to Beijing with Jin Weimin and Li Xinru and lived in Beijing Garden.The reason why Ji Dongxiang flew to Beijing with Jin Weimin and Li Xinru was for two purposes: one was to select a location for the Beijing Office of the joint venture between Dongqi Group and Hong Kong Silver Diamond Finance Co., Ltd.; Dongqi Group's listing in the United States. In order to save time, and Ding Nengtong is more familiar with the city of Beijing than the old Beijing, he entrusted Ding Nengtong to find a place for the company's Beijing office.Ji Dongxiang, Jin Weimin and Li Xinru visited the leaders of the People's Bank of China, the State Securities Regulatory Commission and other departments non-stop.

After running for a day, when they returned to Beijing Garden in the evening, the three of them were like deflated balls, unable to cheer up, because every approval procedure in China is a barrier.At first, Ji Dongxiang thought that the approval of the China Securities Regulatory Commission was enough before state-owned enterprises listed on the New York Stock Exchange, but it turned out that the approval of the China Securities Regulatory Commission was only the last hurdle. This is the first time for Jin Weimin to operate a state-owned enterprise to list on the New York Stock Exchange. He originally thought that the main barrier to listing should be in the United States, but he did not expect that there are so many approval procedures in China.However, Jin Weimin was not discouraged, because he knew that his old classmate Ding Nengtong was a master at running the "department" and "money", so he must have a way.It's just that the registered capital of the new joint venture is much higher than 30 million US dollars.The State Council stipulates that joint ventures with an investment of more than 30 million U.S. dollars must be approved by the National Development and Reform Commission. What Jin Weimin is most worried about is whether the approval will be successful once reported to the National Development and Reform Commission. If the approval is not approved, all dreams will come to naught.

In the evening, Ding Nengtong hosted a banquet for Jin Weimin, Li Xinru and Ji Dongxiang at the Sichuan Hotel located in Xirongxian Hutong, Xicheng District.Sichuan Hotel is an old name, and the current name is Beijing Tianfu Club. This is an antique quadrangle, adjacent to the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square. It used to be the residence of the descendants of the 24th son of Emperor Kangxi in the Qing Dynasty. Although it has experienced a hundred years of vicissitudes, it still maintains the elegant and magnificent architectural features of the old palace.Since this club has a Hong Kong-funded background, since Zhu Mingli became the chairman of Beijing Garden, many people have been able to come here to taste the improved and delicious "Sichuan cuisine".

Walking into the quaint restaurant, Jin Weimin and Li Xinru felt very novel about it, especially Li Xinru, as soon as she entered the restaurant, she asked excitedly: "Brother Ding, I heard that this used to be a place where old revolutionaries ate. Is it true?" Is it?" Ding Nengtong smiled and said: "That's right, this place was originally called Sichuan Hotel, which was established on October 1, 1959. It was proposed by Zhu De, Chen Yi and other generals. Premier Zhou Enlai personally named it, and asked Mr. Guo Moruo to write a plaque. A super-class restaurant specializing in Sichuan cuisine. Chairman Mao likes the Lantern Chicken in net oil; Deng Xiaoping likes fried pea tips, camphor tea duck, and duck breast with bean dregs; Yang Shangkun likes camphor tea meat and dry-roasted mandarin fish; How about it, do you want to try these dishes, Xinru?"

Li Xinru patted her tender hands and said, "Great, Brother Ding, I like Beijing more and more. But why did it change to a club again?" "Yes, it was changed after 1996, and the membership system is implemented. Xinru, most of the members here are famous people from all over the world, including politicians, members of the royal family, well-known entrepreneurs, artists and foreign-funded enterprises. Senior executives, I came here under Mingli's light, Mingli is a VIP member here." Ding Nengtong invited everyone to sit down while explaining. He only brought two people with him today, one is Zhu Mingli and the other is Xi Tao.Bringing Zhu Mingli has two purposes: one is to invite Jin Weimin, Li Xinru and Ji Dongxiang to try something new here, and the other is that this place is a membership system, only members can order meals and entertain friends here; The people elected a new location for the Beijing Office. At the same time, Ding Nengtong also intends to subdue Xi Tao, because Ding Nengtong increasingly feels that Xi Tao's brother, Xi Hai, can play a huge role in helping the Beijing Office run "departments" and "money".

After the food and wine were served, Ding Nengtong toasted three cups in a row as the host. Ji Dongxiang was helpless and said: "If you can get through, as the saying goes, everything is difficult at the beginning. Whether Dongqi Group can be listed in the United States, the first hurdle is stuck." Yes, projects with a registered capital of more than 30 million U.S. dollars must be reported to the National Development and Reform Commission. If the report cannot be approved, the cooperation between me and Weimin will come to naught. You are Weimin’s old classmate, so you can’t ignore it!"

Ding Nengtong laughed and pointed to Ji Dongxiang's nose and said, "Old Ji, no wonder Dongqi Group can't get it done. It won't be flexible at all. Dongzhou City is a sub-provincial capital city and can approve projects below 30 million yuan. Why do you have to have a registered capital of more than 30 million U.S. dollars? If you set the registered capital at 29.99 million U.S. dollars, then everything will be solved, let’s start a joint venture first!" A word to wake up the dreamer, Jin Weimin, Li Xinru, and Ji Dongxiang all became excited. "Nengtong," Jin Weimin said in admiration, "It is said that the director of the Beijing Office is a human spirit, but I think you, Ding Nengtong, are a monkey spirit!"

After hearing this, everyone laughed. "Wei Min, Lao Ji, you have to respect Xi Tao today, he found you a very good courtyard house as the office in Beijing." Ding Nengtong said jokingly. "Siheyuan? Brother Ding, you mean that Assistant Xi found a courtyard for us to serve as the Beijing office?" Li Xinru asked repeatedly, hardly believing her ears. "Yes, and it's in a mysterious alley." Ding Nengtong confirmed. "If you can get through, don't be a fool. Assistant Xi, can you tell me what's going on?" Jin Weimin urged. Xi Tao is a quiet person, but since Li Xinru entered the house, his heart has turned into a cheerful little rabbit, jumping up endlessly.From time to time, he peeked into Li Xinru's dark eyes, and every time he peeked, it seemed that Li Xinru had discovered him, and Li Xinru smiled back.As a result, Xi Tao's mind was full of thoughts, and his heart was rippling.

However, many years of anti-espionage career allowed Xi Tao to hide his feelings no matter what the situation. Hearing Jin Weimin's question, he smiled faintly and said: "The courtyard house mentioned by Director Ding is located in the beekeeping alley. It is under the jurisdiction of the Service Office of the Central Security Bureau. I rented it through my brother's relationship. Director Ding said, let me help you rent a place that is most convenient for you to run to the 'department' and 'money'. I don't think it is better than this set. Siheyuan is more convenient.”

"Why?" Li Xinru asked curiously. "Because there is a mysterious courtyard at the end of this narrow alley, which is Beekeeping Lane No. 1. Usually, the gate of this courtyard is closed, and the gate will only be opened when the special car of the deputy minister or above comes in and out." When Xi Tao said this, Li Xinru felt even more novel, and she further asked: "Then what is this mysterious courtyard for?" Ding Nengtong took the words and said with a smile: "Actually, this courtyard is not mysterious at all. It is a high-ranking club. After the liberation of the whole country, life has become more and more stable. Some old comrades pointed out that our central leadership comrades take care of the country's affairs every day. A concentrated place for rest, fitness, and entertainment. It is difficult to guarantee safety when going directly to the society. Chairman Mao was in Tianjin and wanted to eat a bowl of folk snacks. Deng Xiaoping, Peng Zhen and other comrades in the Secretariat of the Central Committee proposed to establish a club in Beijing to provide a comfortable environment for rest and fitness for leading cadres at the level of deputy ministers and above in the army. Beekeeping Road No. 1 on the west side of Beihai. Beekeeping Road is located in the center of the city, only one street away from the North Gate of Zhongnanhai. It is very convenient for leaders from all walks of life to come here for activities. , Finance Committee and other departments' small meetings."

"No wonder you said that the courtyard house is the closest place to running the 'department' and 'Qian' Jin. Mr. Ji and Xin Ru, let's toast to Assistant Xi. We have met a real god today. Our joint venture is listed in the United States." I have to ask Assistant Xi for help with the approval!" Jin Weimin said suddenly. Li Xinru hurriedly filled Xi Tao's wine glass with wine. After clinking glasses with Ji Dongxiang, Jin Weimin and Li Xinru, Xi Tao stared at Li Xinru seemingly inadvertently, and drank it happily. Zhu Mingli had heard many stories about old revolutionaries in Sichuan Restaurant, and it was these stories that attracted her to become a member of Tianfu Club in Beijing. She couldn’t believe that beekeeping was more fascinating than Sichuan Restaurant, so she asked curiously: “Why is it called raising bees?” The alley is lined with bees, could it be possible that bees have been raised here?" Zhu Mingli asked, Ding Nengtong and Xi Tao both burst out laughing. "Mingli, you are a typical example of literal meaning. Beijing's place names are easy to understand, and you can understand them at a glance. For example, those place names with the character "jing" have water wells in history, such as Wangfujing, Xiaojing Hutong, and Datianshuijing. Hutongs, and those place names with bridges, there were indeed large or small bridges in the past, such as Tianqiao, Beixin Bridge, Ganshi Bridge, etc., and Hufang Road, where tigers were indeed raised in ancient times. However, there are also some place names that literally have a meaning, but looking for their original meaning is not as literal, which is a typical "name not worthy of the name". This is the case with Beekeeping Lane. In fact, Beekeeping Lane is the place where sheep were raised in the Ming Dynasty. History In the upper Beijing area, there are many places that specialize in raising and selling sheep, so there used to be many place names with the word "sheep". Later, they stopped raising and selling sheep. It is really indecent to call the original name again, so the homonym is called "yangfangjiadao". In the Republic of China, it was changed to beekeeping. In fact, no bees were raised there at all.” After some explanations from Ding Nengtong, everyone suddenly realized. Ji Dongxiang said with emotion: "I read Er Yuehe's "Yongzheng Dynasty". When a high-spirited general came out in 2009, his face was completely changed. I thought it was Er Yuehe who invented it, but it seems that beekeepers are really involved!" "I don't know if the Thirteenth Master was really locked up in the beekeeping lane for ten years, but Ming Xiaozong did spend his childhood dodging there. After more than 400 years, the beekeeping house has been kept in the lane until During the period of the Republic of China, rumors were spread later, and it gradually became a way of beekeeping." Ding Nengtong added. "Hearing what you said, I am already fascinated by beekeeping. Neng Tong, Assistant Xi, originally wanted to visit the National Development and Reform Commission tomorrow, so I won't go. I will go to the United States the day after tomorrow. Before you go, fix the location of the Beijing Office, so that Xinru can start working." Jin Weimin said anxiously. "Weimin, do you need a guide and translator when you come to the United States? If necessary, I will recommend a female doctor for you." Ding Nengtong said solemnly. As soon as the words "female doctor" came out, Zhu Mingli's heart tightened suddenly, and her anxiety multiplied like tumor cells. Of course, she knew that Ding Nengtong was talking about Jin Ranran, but Ding Nengtong was still thinking about this beautiful woman.Zhu Mingli twisted her slender hands, twisting back and forth non-stop. "I don't need a guide, but I do need a temporary translator. It would be better if I am familiar with American securities." Jin Weimin said sincerely. "Weimin, you are lucky. This female Ph.D. majors in finance, and of course she understands American securities. She seems to have worked in an American securities company." Ding Nengtong strongly recommended. "That's great, what's her name? How can I find her when I get to America?" Jin Weimin asked impatiently. "Her name is Jin Ranran. At the beginning, she was at the University of Washington in Seattle, USA. She kept saying that she would transfer to Columbia University in the center of New York. I don't know if she has transferred recently. I will give you the contact information later!" Ding Nengtong said sweetly. "I can understand. When did I meet this female doctor? Could it be a confidante?" Jin Weimin said jokingly. "Mr. Jin, it's not just a confidante. Ding Nengtong personally sent them to study in the United States, and he even sends tuition fees to them from time to time!" Zhu Mingli said sourly from the side. Li Xinru likes love stories the most. She can see the subtlety from Zhu Mingli's jealous expression, her black eyebrows are knotted, like a primary school student listening to a class. Ding Nengtong was afraid that everyone would talk about him, so he quickly raised his glass to change the subject and said, "Weimin, Dongxiang, Xinru, let's drink to Dongqi Group's early take-off!" Before everyone could respond, Ding Nengtong drank it down in one gulp and put down his glass, but the word "Jin Ranran" wrapped around Ding Nengtong's heart like a snake.It stands to reason that Ding Nengtong's nerves have long been numb after long-term training, but recently when he thinks of Jin Ranran in his mind, he immediately thinks of Yixue. It's been a long time since I heard Yixue and her son's voice. Ever since Luo Xiaomei was imprisoned and Jin Ranran was studying in the United States, Ding Nengtong felt lost like a flash.During this period of time, he has been reflecting on his emotional life, and the more he reflects, the more painful he feels.After thinking about it, Yixue hides in the depths of her heart like a ghost. Arbitrarily accusing Yixue Hongxing of cheating at the beginning was just to find an excuse for her deviance.Now that all the women around him are gone, and his heart is not as impetuous as before, he feels that he has more sexual needs for Luo Xiaomei and Jin Ranran, and more affection for Yixue. For men, the allure of sex is often much greater than love. Sexual desire comes from hormones, and hormones are hormones, which come from the pituitary gland; but love often comes from the soul.But Ding Nengtong could not accept such a judgment. He felt that men should be polygamous according to their nature, but nature is not human nature, human nature is rational, nature is irrational, and all pains are produced in the struggle between human nature and nature. of.Luo Xiaomei and Jin Ranran are nature to herself, and Yixue is humanity to herself, so what nature is to them? The more Ding Nengtong thought about it, the more he felt dazed, and after a few glasses of wine, he became 70% drunk...