On the banks of the Hutuo River, a glorious chapter was written, and I’ll share the story of dedication. In the previous installment, we saw how the ironworks got on track and how Jingye Group was officially established. But in fact, even before that, Li Ganpo had already embarked on a cross‑industry endeavor.

Back in 1992, although the salicylic acid produced by Pingshan County Chemical Plant accounted for roughly one-third of the national market share, it was nonetheless plagued by market volatility and intensifying competition. Li Ganpo clearly recognized that relying on a single industry entailed excessive risk and that diversification across sectors was essential.

In search of new opportunities, he traveled north to Beijing and south to Hainan, scouring numerous locations before ultimately setting his sights on Shijiazhuang. Coincidentally, the Luquan Economic Development Zone was being established, and he keenly foresaw: “Shijiazhuang’s urban area is bound to expand, with its western edge seamlessly merging with Luquan.” Seizing the moment, he decided to acquire land and build a hotel.

When the plan to build a bathing hotel using the hot springs of Wentang was announced, doubts abounded: “The location is remote, water transport is difficult, and losses are inevitable.” Yet Li Ganpo firmly believed that business opportunities often lie where most people oppose them—what everyone else deems promising is, in fact, no opportunity at all. Thus, defying widespread skepticism, he set about constructing the hotel and, drawing on the poetic imagery of Bai Juyi’s line “In spring’s chill, grace is bestowed at the Huaqing Pool,” named it the “Huaqing Pool Health Resort.”

In August 1993, construction of the civil engineering works officially commenced. However, due to financial constraints, the main structure was built in fits and starts and was not completed until late December 1995. Subsequent interior finishing was subsequently put on hold, as all available funds were diverted to the construction of the iron‑making blast furnace. It was only in early 1997, once the ironworks had stabilized, that the Huaqing Pool project was resumed.

The Huaqing Pool Sanatorium under construction

Yet dissenting voices rose once again: “Nine kilometers from the city center—where would the customers come from? We’d be better off waiting for property values to appreciate.” Still, Li Ganpo refused to back down and, determined to cut costs, personally led the renovation team. He made his home on the construction site, sleeping alongside the workers in the skeletal frame of a building stripped of doors and windows; in the biting spring chill, frost would settle on his blankets each morning. To ensure top‑notch workmanship, he shuttled between job sites every day, rolling up his sleeves and doing the heavy lifting himself—his sturdy military boots worn through in less than a month. To secure a high‑value‑for‑money bathtub, procurement manager Fan Wenjun made three trips to Guangdong, subsisting on instant noodles and sleeping at train stations, even staying behind to guard the delivery truck for three days and three nights before bringing the tub back. And when no one knew how to install central air conditioning, Wang Guotai and Zhang Qinghai relied on sheer determination to master the intricate design and installation process.

On May 1, 1997, the Huaqing Pool Hot Spring Resort officially opened. With hot spring water delivered daily from the hot spring pool, its signature service—each guest in a private room, with each room disinfected after every use—paired with soothing background music, quickly propelled the hotel to popularity.

But just as business was booming, an unexpected incident occurred. The hot spring water suddenly turned red, scaring away customers and causing a sharp drop in visitor numbers. After numerous inspections yielded no results, experts advised that a special substance in the hot spring had reacted with the iron tanks and pipelines. In response, Wang Guotai promptly fitted the iron tanks with fiberglass-reinforced plastic and applied anti-corrosion treatments to the pipes, ultimately resolving the crisis and restoring the bustling atmosphere to Huaqing Pool.

At the time, Shijiazhuang’s bathhouse industry was still underdeveloped. The success of Huaqing Pool set a trend for high-end bathing facilities and spurred the emergence of numerous similar establishments. Today, Shijiazhuang is known as the “Bath Capital,” a reputation to which Huaqing Pool has significantly contributed. Later, Huaqing Pool was renamed the “Jingye Grand Hotel” and evolved into a five‑star hotel, continuing to hold a prominent position in Shijiazhuang’s hospitality sector.

Looking back on this cross-industry journey, Li Ganpo has written a legendary tale through his vision, perseverance, and boldness. Yet the story is far from over—what opportunities and challenges will Jingye face next, and what new chapters will it pen? We’ll pick up the thread in our next installment.