Chapter 51

Many of the villagers were quite confused, feeling dizzy from the information.

"Then, then, how much living space will we get after the demolition? Who decides?"

"How much compensation will we get? Is it still 38,000 yuan per mu for the farmland and 33,000 yuan per square meter for the residential land?"

The clamor of voices rose and fell, never ceasing. The villagers were most concerned about their immediate interests, not the requirements of these rules and regulations.

He Dacheng raised his hoarse voice and shouted, "Let me put it this way: all the issues you care about will be addressed under the conditions allowed by national and city policies. The four candidates will propose plans. Even if you demand 100,000 yuan per square meter in compensation, as long as they dare to write it into their plans and gain the support of the villagers, and it doesn't violate national and regional regulations, anything is possible. It all depends on their abilities!"

A murmur of excitement rippled through the crowd. This approach was something they had never heard of before. What was this all about?

Even Zhang Weifa felt that this plan was very different from what he knew. However, he sensed a deeper meaning. The government seemed to be passing the conflicts of the demolition back to the village. This was true. But he was worried that these money-grubbing villagers would drag the new district's construction to the end of time.

He was extremely pessimistic about this fanciful plan.

The villagers wouldn't consider the overall construction of the village. They were concerned about their own land and who would give them the most money. Now that the district chief had spoken, in their eyes, Zhao Zhiqiang, Fu Jinghua, Zhang Jike, and the absent Zhao Tiemilitary were four potential deities of wealth...

It took less than ten seconds for the villagers to understand the situation.

The plan was secondary. In their view, nothing could be done without money. So where would the money come from? Clearly, the four candidates, the Zhao and Zhang families, had the strongest competitiveness. Fu Jinghua, who owned a small styrofoam factory, came second. Zhao Zhiqiang, however, was completely ignored. His family was poor, and he had no connections or financial resources. Where would he get sponsors? The words he spoke yesterday were now empty, and he had no chance in this election method.

"Ah, what a pity. Daqiang just returned from the army, ready to start a career. What he said yesterday really touched me, but when it comes to raising funds, he's bound to lose. Who came up with this idea?"

"Who else? It must be that despicable fatso, Li De!"

"He's no good!"

"Watch, this will be another matter for the Zhang and Zhao families. Sigh, Chang'an Village has been dominated by these two families for thirty years. It seems this time will be no different!"

"Whatever, if Daqiang can't be the chief, he can't. We can go out to work with him and won't be bullied or cheated out of our wages."

"But, you know, my uncle and others went out to work and haven't returned yet. I heard it's because the developer hasn't paid them, so their construction team can't leave!" A middle-aged woman suddenly remembered her husband was still out there.

"Alright, that's how it is. If you want more money, talk to them. If you have more ideas, talk to them. Support whoever you like, and their ideas will form the new village construction plan. The person who gets the most support and raises the most funds will be elected as the village chief for the next year after the village-wide election!"

Li De finally found a chance to speak, though his lips were numb from the cold. This was a moment to show his face, with many officials from the district government behind him.

Although he didn't see eye to eye with Deputy District Chief He, the guy was still the leader responsible for the new district's construction... so he spoke.

After the meeting, the director of Tieshan Street, one by one, encouraged Zhang Jike and Fu Jinghua, but gave Zhao Zhiqiang a particularly strong handshake. Zhao Zhiqiang was puzzled; he didn't know this former town chief, now street director. He Dacheng also congratulated him as if he didn't know Zhao Zhiqiang at all...

Li Shangbo from the district, Jiang Han from the town, and Tian Xiuqing from the village recorded the meeting and filed it in the election records. The formal campaign began.

It was fresh.

There was a sense of excitement, like the martial arts competitions of old.

Zhao Zhiqiang looked at his new phone; it was around ten in the morning. Tomorrow was New Year's Eve, and his father hadn't returned yet. Nothing had been bought for the house. The tasks were clear: draft a plan, raise funds, and gather votes. With only a month, it was tight, but after three years away, the New Year was a big deal. He thought about it and decided to leave the village committee and go home, dealing with these matters after the New Year.

Wu Bing, looking worried, held Zhao Zhiqiang back.

The two got into his Pusan car to talk.

"Zhiqiang, I didn't expect the district to really modify the new village construction plan according to your suggestions. You've really set a big stone on your own foot this time."

He didn't know what Zhao Zhiqiang's true goal was. Without control over the village, he couldn't control the Lingquan. Even a thirty-year lease was nothing in the face of a government order.

Zhao Zhiqiang smiled, "Brother Gazi, don't worry. Whatever I decide to do, I will accomplish. Oh, by the way, I see you have a car. Sell it to me. Here's 30,000 yuan. After the New Year, help me transfer the ownership. It's inconvenient not to have a car. Haha. Also, if I'm not around, you and Tang Gun can keep an eye on their points. I'll figure out the rest."

"Ah? No, no, keep the money. You can use the car..."

Wu Bing, who had been forced to take the 30,000 yuan, watched helplessly as Zhao Zhiqiang drove away from the village committee courtyard.

Wu Bing found Tang Gun and asked curiously, "Hey, Gunzi, has Daqiang struck it rich? He paid off his debts the day before yesterday, and now he's spending 30,000 yuan!"

Tang Gun shook his head.

On the way back to Erdao Street, the heads of the Zhang family's dozen households walked and talked.

"Hehe, Jike, this election method and conditions are very favorable to you. Not to mention, the relatives we have in Linzhou who do business can fill your sponsorship fund. If we really get the land rights, a million yuan is possible!"

"Impossible, Uncle, this is the edge of the city, with no development value."

"No value? How can that be? Haven't you heard that Old Zhao's construction guy has connections with the famous Dongya Group in Quanbin City? If the land had no value, would they come?"

"That guy? Didn't Zhao Guangming run away and get into trouble?"

"That was because they couldn't divide the spoils equally. Zhao Guangming filled his own pockets first."

...

Zhao Zhiqiang didn't go home first but drove around the familiar nine square kilometers of the village for the morning, getting out of the car to observe in detail where the car couldn't reach. After becoming more familiar with the land, he had a rough blueprint in mind.

Passing by the village committee, he saw Zhang Jike returning to find Jiang Han.

"Hmph, a high school dropout, competing with me? No way!"

PS: Thanks to Brother Qingfeng for the tip.

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