In March of the millennium, after stockpiling over a million mobile phones, Feiyang Communications Technology Company officially launched its first product.
While other domestic manufacturers existed, their technology lagged behind Feiyang Group considerably.
Moreover, with foreign products dominating the mobile phone market at the time, the emergence of another domestic mobile phone brand caused a significant stir.
Of course, the main factor was Feiyang Group's impressive mobile phone technology, resulting in products with superior performance compared to competitors.
While other phones were limited to calls and text messages, Feiyang phones were already prepared to be compatible with upcoming chat software and internet access, and even included numerous mini-games.
Therefore, as soon as it hit the market, Feiyang phones eclipsed other brands, becoming the brightest star in the market.
From Hanzhong Province, the craze spread nationwide, and over a million phones were sold out in a short period.
Dealers across the country placed larger orders, leading the factory, which had only begun production recently, to immediately enter a state of overtime work.
That year, Sun Lianguo earned several hundred million from mobile phones and VCDs, with a profit exceeding two hundred million, instantly earning him the title of Hanzhong's richest man.
However, as news coverage about him grew, everyone learned of Sun Lianguo's unassuming nature.
Following Sun Liancheng's suggestion, Sun Lianguo restructured the shareholding structure of Feiyang Group.
While ownership remained practically in the hands of the Sun family, Feiyang Group allocated no less than twenty percent of its annual profits as incentives, ensuring employees at all levels received bonuses equivalent to at least several months' salary.
Additionally, approximately forty percent of profits were reinvested in research and development, while the remaining funds were directed towards investments in other small and medium-sized enterprises.
For instance, Sun Lianguo had already invested in Tencent, acquiring at least twenty percent of its shares, as advised by Sun Liancheng.
Other investment targets included numerous internet websites, biotechnology, energy technology, and so on.
Even when returning to his hometown, he couldn't refuse his relatives' pleas and established an agricultural and pastoral company in Yunzhou, specifically to help his fellow villagers sell agricultural products. Although it was not a profitable venture, it served as a gesture of goodwill.
Taking everything into account, Sun Lianguo actually didn't receive much of the profits, and his investments outweighed his earnings.
His primary financial backing still stemmed from his external ventures!
Particularly after a trip to Southeast Asia last year, where he profited several hundred million US dollars during the financial crisis, ensuring he had no shortage of funds.
Without this solid financial foundation, he wouldn't have dared to follow Sun Liancheng's advice and distribute profits.
As a result, employees at all levels were enthusiastic and worked with greater dedication.
Feiyang Group's salary levels were already the highest in Hanzhong Province, and with the added share of profits and bonuses, their overall income was close to the national top tier.
This ensured that employees wouldn't easily leave, providing a larger pool of skilled workers and significantly boosting efficiency.
The economic growth rate driven by the development of such a large enterprise was remarkable.
In less than a year, tax revenue in Guangming District surged by nearly two hundred million, representing a growth rate exceeding thirty percent.
As other enterprises entered their peak production phases, GDP and tax revenue became even more impressive.
Moreover, the development of other tertiary industries and agriculture further propelled economic growth and tax revenue.
Within a few years, Guangming District's economy secured the top spot among the districts and counties in Jingzhou City, becoming the highest GDP unit among all districts and counties in Hanzhong Province.
Due to these projects, Zhou Shanhe had already been promoted and solidified his position as the mayor of Jingzhou City.
Simultaneously, Qi Lei, the district party secretary who benefited from his achievements, was quickly transferred to another prefecture-level city as deputy mayor, later becoming mayor when Liu Hanting was promoted to provincial governor.
In 2001, Sun Liancheng successfully filled the vacant position as deputy district head of Guangming District, becoming district head the following year.
At this point, Sun Liancheng wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry.
Becoming district head meant reaching the deputy director level, a promotion, after all!
However, considering that his future prospects might remain stagnant for the next decade or two, it was disheartening.
Regardless, the current situation was quite favorable.
At the age of thirty-eight, he had successfully reached the deputy director level, which was a testament to his talent and ambition, even from a national perspective.
Therefore, while Sun Liancheng might have felt some anxiety, he remained diligently committed to his work.
He just didn't work overtime and adhered to a strict schedule, leaving and arriving at work punctually, which raised eyebrows for some.
However, Sun Liancheng excelled in all his tasks, completing them efficiently without any delays, silencing any complaints.
His exceptional memory made his work much easier.
With strong support and exceptional abilities, Sun Liancheng's career was thriving, making him a true winner in life.
Just as Sun Liancheng had been promoted to district head, barely settling into his new role, Zhou Shanhe summoned him.
"How does it feel to be a deputy director?"
Sun Liancheng chuckled, "Not bad! I'm only thirty-seven, and many people say I have the potential to join the cabinet!"
"Haha, do you believe that?"
"I don't."
Zhou Shanhe shook his head, "You have some self-awareness! But don't get cocky, you need to take your work seriously. I've heard a lot about your lack of ambition, how come you're still so passive even at this level?"
Sun Liancheng quickly protested, "Old leader, I haven't done anything wrong! You know that I've been dedicated to my work in every position I've held, never slacking off..."
"Don't deflect, you know what I'm talking about!"
"But I haven't missed any deadlines, I've always performed as well as anyone else, what's the problem?"
Zhou Shanhe sighed, "Sigh, if you keep going like this, don't blame me for not warning you!"
Sun Liancheng's heart sank, and he quickly asked, "Old leader, did something happen?"
Zhou Shanhe pondered for a moment before ultimately deciding not to reveal the truth.
During a previous provincial party committee meeting, Xu Kaiqiang had proposed transferring Sun Liancheng to another location to assume the role of county-level chief executive, concurrently serving as deputy mayor of a certain city.
However, the proposal met with opposition during the meeting, with individuals presenting evidence of Sun Liancheng's "negligence".
They argued that despite his capabilities, his work ethic was lacking.
What did this signify? It meant he lacked awareness, party discipline, and a strong sense of service to the people!
There were numerous dissenting opinions, and many other standing committee members also voiced their disapproval. Notably, even the party secretary and deputy secretary, Zhao Lichun, disagreed with the proposal.
As a result, Sun Liancheng was appointed as district head, but his opportunity to become the chief executive was lost.
While informing Zhou Shanhe about the matter, Xu Kaiqiang speculated that the party secretary and Zhao Lichun might have their own agendas, both aiming to promote their own candidates.
However, they had not anticipated such blatant actions!
This situation also sparked some concern, prompting Zhou Shanhe to warn Sun Liancheng.
Unfortunately, Sun Liancheng had grown accustomed to his laid-back approach and failed to grasp the true meaning of the warning.
By the time he realized the implication, Zhou Shanhe and the others had already been transferred!