Chapter 83: The High and Low of the Situation

"Is it that serious?" Zeng Yi raised an eyebrow.

"Just this area of houses, don't look at them as old and dilapidated, the price per square meter is at least eight to nine thousand yuan. If it's a storefront, the price is even higher. But the compensation price in the agreement is a flat rate, only one thousand one hundred yuan per square meter." Chen Long mentioned this with some resentment, "Even if the house is old, at least it's a place for a family to live. If it's really demolished, with that little compensation, it's not even enough for a down payment on a small apartment. Where will this family live? No matter who it is, they wouldn't agree to this."

Zeng Yi, who had some understanding of the policy, said, "I remember that according to Rongcheng's demolition management regulations, compensation should be based on market prices."

"That depends on who it is. If Yuan Wenjie is the developer, those regulations are just for show." Chen Long stomped his foot, "Don't talk about it, let's move quickly. Today those people blocked Liberation Avenue, Old Yuan must be extremely angry. I think forced demolition is inevitable. When it gets chaotic, your belongings won't be safe."

A surge of anger rose in Zeng Yi's heart. Yuan Wenjie was truly despicable to the extreme. This area houses at least hundreds of families. If they are forcibly demolished at this price, it would mean that these hundreds of families would face homelessness and family disintegration, and even possibly family destruction.

The ancients said, "A broken family is the county magistrate's fault, a destroyed family is the prefect's fault."

But today, Yuan Wenjie, a businessman with no official position, could make hundreds of families face disintegration in an instant. His actions were so heinous and destructive that they were even more outrageous than the corrupt officials of ancient times.

"How is Lao Qi now?" Zeng Yi suppressed his anger.

Chen Long shook his head, "Don't ask, let's just move quickly."

"No, we won't move!" Zeng Yi swung his arm and stood there with his hands behind his back, "I want to see just how lawless Yuan Wenjie can be."

Chen Long was so anxious that sweat beads appeared on his face. Why bother? How can a small arm resist a big leg? Yuan Wenjie is so arrogant and domineering because of his father. Even though Yuan Gongping is just a vice-provincial governor and ranks third from the bottom in the provincial party committee, he is still a member of the provincial party committee, a high-ranking official directly managed by the central government. Even if Fang Nanguo himself took action, he couldn't completely bring down Yuan Gongping.

As long as Yuan Gongping doesn't fall, Yuan Wenjie can continue to act with impunity. It's said that Yuan Gongping will soon be promoted to governor, making him the second-in-command, who can directly challenge Fang Nanguo, and no one can do anything about him.

Seeing Zeng Yi's attitude, Chen Long knew that persuasion was useless. Fine, he would do his best. After Zeng Yi goes to work, he would directly break in and move the belongings.

Sigh, that's the only way! Chen Long thought gloomily. At least the forced demolition won't target Zeng Yi. If it does, he would get the news in advance and find a way to lure Zeng Yi away.

As a member of the law enforcement agency, Chen Long knew all too well what a forced demolition looked like. He didn't doubt Zeng Yi's enthusiasm, but resisting a forced demolition was resisting the government's decision, and the outcome would not be good. Many brave men who stood up to the government were now sent to labor camps or mental hospitals. In the face of the powerful government machinery, anyone, including individual officials, was very insignificant.

Not to mention the distant past, just take Lao Qi, who usually shouted orders on this street and was considered a figure. But today, standing on Liberation Avenue, he was quickly dealt with and might be detained somewhere, receiving unknown treatment.

Seeing Zeng Yi turn and enter the clinic, Chen Long had no choice but to stomp his foot and call the moving company to come back tomorrow.

On the top floor of the Qingjiang Grand Hotel, still in the Jinxiu Hall, but the main guests had changed. Yuan Wenjie was hosting a banquet for his business partner, Dong Liliang, the CEO of Jutai Group.

"Mr. Dong, I'll toast to you!" Yuan Wenjie raised his glass, "To our successful cooperation!"

Dong Liliang was a middle-aged man in his early fifties, with a simple and honest appearance. It was hard to associate him with a large group company worth over 80 billion yuan at first glance. In China, Jutai Group was a well-known brand. The real estate projects he developed were always a hit and became a benchmark for local housing prices. Jutai Department Stores were spread across the country, and many people used the presence of a Jutai Department Store as a measure of a city's prosperity.

"Mr. Yuan, you're too kind!" Dong Liliang raised his glass and lightly clinked it with Yuan Wenjie's, a smile on his face.

Yuan Wenjie was quite generous, raising his glass and drinking it all in one go, "It's rare for Mr. Yuan to visit Rongcheng. As the host, I must entertain you well. Tonight, we won't stop until we're drunk."

Dong Liliang waved his hand, leaning back in his chair with a smile, "I'm old, I can't compare to you young people. Now, whenever I drink, I feel bad for days. I'm very grateful for your hospitality, but I think we should drink in moderation and enjoy ourselves."

"Then let's follow your lead and drink to our heart's content!" Yuan Wenjie didn't insist. In fact, he couldn't insist. Dong Liliang, this businessman, was not as simple and honest as he appeared. He was very shrewd and had considerable influence, maintaining good relationships with various influential figures. This was one of the main reasons why Jutai Group had grown so large.

Dong Liliang, as a businessman, never acted without profit. The reason he heavily invested in Rongcheng this time was that he saw the economic development potential of Nanjiang Province and the significant value of the land Yuan Wenjie had. He believed that as long as the Jutai Commercial Square was built in Rongcheng, it would become a new landmark, and he would just wait to count the money.

Dong Liliang didn't seem to have a good appetite, just tasting a little before putting down his chopsticks. He said, "Mr. Yuan, I heard that the demolition of that land isn't going smoothly, and residents protested at the government this afternoon!"

Yuan Wenjie waved his hand, unconcerned, "Mr. Dong, rest assured. In a few days, I'll make everyone on that land move out."

Dong Liliang nodded slightly. He knew very well what was going on. The land was for commercial development, and the demolition compensation would be borne by the developer. Jutai Group had already injected a large sum of money into the joint development company according to the cooperation agreement with Yuan Wenjie. This money was mainly used to pay the land acquisition compensation and the funds needed for the project's initial preparation.

Jutai Group was a large listed company that paid attention to its image and reputation. The amount of money Dong Liliang had paid was sufficient to meet the demolition requirements of the original residents. However, the protests still occurred, making Dong Liliang feel that he might have chosen the wrong partner this time.

This was also the reason he personally came to Rongcheng to pressure Yuan Wenjie. After the money was transferred to the demolition office's account under various pretexts, it disappeared, and the details were clear.

Dong Liliang had seen such things many times. He didn't care whether the money was embezzled by Yuan Wenjie or intercepted by the local government. He only wanted the project to proceed smoothly without damaging Jutai Group's reputation and benefits. He would even be willing to spend more money to avoid delays in the project's progress.

Through this incident, Dong Liliang looked down on Yuan Wenjie in his heart. This was a short-sighted and incapable fool. The real estate industry was so prosperous now. As long as the project was completed, there would be plenty of money to be made. Why be so concerned