Chapter 66

"Comrade Yu Dong wants to resolve the issues in Jiutan Development Zone as soon as possible, and this is also the wish of all comrades in the municipal party committee and government. However, the problems in Jiutan Development Zone are not ordinary problems. They involve various aspects. There are historical legacy issues accumulated over many years, issues of developers fleeing with donations, and issues of inadequate compensation for land requisition. Now, to solve these problems, everything involves money. Everyone knows that due to the obstruction of Jiutan's development, the progress of land requisition has been delayed, and the sale of land has come to a standstill. Without land to collect and sell, the city's finances are already in a very tight situation. The Jiutan Avenue has been halted for a long time due to lack of funds. Many municipal infrastructure projects are waiting for money. If someone can bring in a large sum of money now, the problems in Jiutan would be resolved. The key is that no one is willing to take over the unfinished projects in Jiutan Development Zone. If these unfinished projects are not resolved, the development of Jiutan will be obstructed. These are all interconnected issues. Therefore, solving these problems cannot be rushed." Party Secretary Zou Qitai clearly did not completely agree with Jiang Yudong's views.

Jiang Yudong frowned. After a few months in office, although some progress had been made in various tasks, the resistance he faced was truly immense. Zou Qitai had operated in Tanshan for many years and was deeply rooted. The entire Tanshan, from top to bottom, was a team built by Zou Qitai. As a parachuted official like Jiang Yudong, no one could fully exert their influence here, and Zou Qitai could easily resolve any issues with a few moves. In Tanshan City, Zou Qitai was the local emperor. Without his approval, very few things could be accomplished.

"Comrade Secretary Zou, I have already considered this issue. Therefore, I have contacted some business friends I met while working in Donghai. They are quite interested in developing in Tanshan City. Although there are indeed some problems in Jiutan Development Zone, they are still very optimistic about the prospects of Tanshan City. They naturally do not want to take over the unfinished projects, but if we can provide them with certain policy incentives and make the valuation of the unfinished projects more reasonable, they might be willing to accept them. Of course, they are businessmen and are here to seek profit," Jiang Yudong said.

"Ah, Comrade Yu Dong, if you can resolve the issues in Jiutan Development Zone, all comrades in the municipal party committee and government will be very grateful to you. Finally, the heavy burden on everyone's hearts will be lifted. Are there any specific companies that have shown interest?" Zou Qitai said.

"Not yet, it's still in the preliminary stage. I hope they will come," Jiang Yudong said.

Zou Qitai nodded, "Since that's the case, we cannot put all our eggs in one basket. The issues in Jiutan have been closely monitored from above, especially the implementation of compensation for the displaced residents and the handling of the owners whose payments were embezzled. The municipal party committee and government are under tremendous pressure. Whoever can find someone to take over will be a hero of Tanshan City."

The meeting went on late into the night, but there was no substantial outcome. Jiang Yudong was somewhat tired. It felt like hitting a soft target; the city officials appeared very cooperative, but Jiang Yudong knew he was completely excluded from Zou Qitai's circle. Tanshan City was still Zou Qitai's territory. Jiang Yudong had originally thought he could work well with Zou Qitai, but now it seemed that Zou Qitai was using a non-ally, non-enemy approach to control all the officials in Tanshan City.

"Mayor, it's late. Why don't you go home first?" Gao Zhe said.

"Gao Zhe, a while ago, I asked you to investigate the situation in Jiutan. How is it?" Jiang Yudong asked.

"The people in the development zone are very tight-lipped, but I heard some things. All the unfinished projects in Jiutan Development Zone are linked to one company," Gao Zhe said.

"Which company?" Jiang Yudong immediately sensed something unusual.

"Di Hao Group. These unfinished projects are all related to Di Hao Group to some extent. I even heard rumors that these companies are actually shell companies set up by Di Hao Group. I checked all the companies involved in the unfinished projects, and some of them do seem like shell companies. I don't understand how such companies managed to secure land in Jiutan Development Zone," Gao Zhe said.

"Do you know the background of Di Hao Group?" Jiang Yudong looked at Gao Zhe seriously, clearly aware that the background of Di Hao Group was not simple.

"Officially, the boss of Di Hao Group is Wang Rong, but everyone knows that it is actually controlled by Zou Jiahao. Wang Rong is Secretary Zou's nephew. The reason for this arrangement is to avoid the regulations prohibiting the children and spouses of leading cadres from engaging in business," Gao Zhe said. He was indeed very capable in this area and had already gathered most of the information Jiang Yudong wanted to know.

"Can you confirm this?" Jiang Yudong said with a serious expression.

"Actually, this is not a secret in Tanshan City. Everyone in the circle knows. It's just that Mayor Jiang, being new, is not familiar with these situations," Gao Zhe said.

"It seems you have infiltrated the circle," Jiang Yudong smiled.

"No, no. I just wanted to understand the situation, so I interacted with them," Gao Zhe said.

"Gao Zhe, you are a student of Mr. Zhou. I hope you do not become too close to those people. Appropriate interactions are fine, but being too close can lead to trouble," Jiang Yudong warned. Although he did not particularly like Gao Zhe's personality, he recognized his abilities and did not want to see him go down the wrong path in his career.

"Mayor Jiang, don't worry. I will be careful," Gao Zhe was moved by Jiang Yudong's words, which showed that he was highly regarded.

Jiang Yudong talked with Gao Zhe for a while and then went home. The information Gao Zhe provided was very important and could become a crucial support for establishing his authority. However, such situations are quite common in China, and usually, everyone tacitly understands. But once something goes wrong, it can become a fatal issue.

Tanshan City was quiet and beautiful in the night, the hustle and bustle of the day slowly fading away, and the night market gradually taking over the city's joys and sorrows.

Hu Yemei insisted on staying in the hospital to take care of her youngest son, Zhang Guishan, but Zhang Guiping was worried that Hu Yemei would take the opportunity to visit Yao Sihai.

"I will stay here to take care of Guishan today. You all have to work tomorrow, so go home early," Hu Yemei said.

"No, Mom. At your age, how can you stay up all night? Guishan is doing well and doesn't need much care at night. We can leave a bit later. If anything happens, there are nurses, right?" Zhang Guiping said.

"No, if I don't stay, I won't be able to sleep well. When you were young and sick, wasn't I always there with you?" Hu Yemei insisted on staying.

"Mom, I know what you're thinking. You want to visit Yao Sihai, and I don't oppose it, but you saw their attitude. If you go now, it will definitely lead to an argument. They won't appreciate our kindness, so why should we go to them with a warm face?" Zhang Guiping said.

"Guiping, you must have a conscience. When you were young, if it weren't for Uncle Yao, I couldn't have raised you two, let alone sent you to school. Now you have made something of yourselves, but you can't forget your roots. These years, I have kept a low profile for your future, and I haven't visited Uncle Yao. If I had known he was hospitalized at the Central Hospital, I would have come to take care of him. Our family owes Uncle Yao, and we can never repay him," Hu Yemei said, revealing her true thoughts.

"Mom, you must also think about us. If people at our workplace find out about this, how will they view us? Will I still have any authority at work?" Zhang Guiping said.

"What authority? If you do something ungrateful, what authority will you have? Big brother, I can't listen to you on this. If you are worried that it will affect your future, then don't recognize me as your mother. Once Guishan recovers, I will go back to our hometown. I don't feel comfortable in this city. If you do something that goes against your conscience, you won't be able to sleep well at night," Hu Yemei said.

In another ward, Yao Sihai lay quietly in bed.

"Brother, eat something," Yao Hong brought food from outside, but Yao Sihai had no appetite.

"Put it down. I don't want to eat now," Yao Sihai said.

"Brother, I know you are upset because of Hu Yemei and her family. It's not worth it for such people, do you understand?" Yao Hong said.

Yao Sihai did not speak, his lips moved, but he did not say a word.

"I know you still think about Hu Yemei, but she hasn't visited you in the hospital for years. Can't you see what kind of woman she is? Don't think about it anymore. No matter how successful Hu Yemei's family becomes, it has nothing to do with us. In the future, as long as I have food, you won't go hungry. We are the only two left in the Yao family. If anything happens to you, where will I go when I am in trouble?" Yao Hong said.

"Red, don't say anymore. I have already seen the truth. Sigh," Yao Sihai sighed deeply, a tear sliding down his cheek onto the bed.

"Don't say it, don't say it. I won't mention it again in the future," Yao Hong quickly said, unable to bear seeing her brother's heartbreak.