Chapter 287: Damn Land (Part 2)

Traditional society is an agrarian one, a society where people rely on the land for their livelihood. Therefore, land is always a major issue. The historical campaign of "beating the landlords and dividing the land" inspired tens of thousands of peasants to charge forward, one after another, braving enemy fire.

Most of the leaders present had rich experience and understood clearly in their hearts: "For Yiyang to develop, land must be requisitioned. The cost of this development is partially borne by the villagers. This is a story playing out every day across the country."

All Hou Weidong could do was to ensure the compensation was paid out as quickly as possible, minimize corruption in the process, and hand over every penny to the villagers without loss.

However, the villagers were not satisfied with the money. First, after their赖以生存 (livelihood-sustaining) land was taken, they had to face market competition just like urban residents. The fear of losing their land drove them to demand as much money as possible, believing that with more money, their lives would be easier.

Second, the money came from the government. The crying child always gets more milk, and the traditional habit was that the law does not punish the masses. So they chose to gather in crowds to make trouble. Through these repeated gatherings, they had indeed tasted the sweetness of success.

As the head of the New Management Committee, Hou Weidong thought most about the land issue. He was extremely clear about the current land situation of the committee. Therefore, when Qian Zhiguo, a member of the Standing Committee of the County Party Committee and Secretary of the Commission for Discipline Inspection, criticized the work for being insufficiently detailed, he could only smile bitterly in his heart: "This is a struggle for interests. For the sake of survival, how could the villagers easily submit?"

Although he had different opinions in his heart, Hou Weidong first made a self-criticism. "I will submit a report to the County Party Committee and County Government. Due to insufficient detail in our work, it led to the villagers surrounding the New Management Committee. After returning, we will definitely work more deeply and carefully to handle the matter properly."

Ji Haiyang said from the side, "The incident has already happened. Don't rush to make self-criticisms yet. How is Yi Zhongcheng's injury?"

"He is out of danger and is currently hospitalized for observation," Hou Weidong replied. "There are also six villagers staying in the county hospital. Dean Yi called me. These villagers didn't bring any money. He asked us how to handle it?"

Vice County Mayor Gao interjected, "The villagers' emotions are very agitated right now. We need to do a good job of guiding them. We cannot escalate the conflict. I will call Dean Yi immediately and ask them to treat the patients first, putting the costs on the hospital's account. If the injuries are not serious, let them be discharged as soon as possible."

The meeting lasted for over an hour. In the end, the responsibility still fell on the New Management Committee and Chengguan Town. The mayor of Chengguan Town was Old Geng, a thin and tall man. Although his surname was Geng (which implies uprightness), his temperament was hard to figure out. As he was leaving, he frowned and said with a troubled expression, "Director Hou, rural work is not easy to do. Now, farmers are the grandfathers, and cadres are the grandsons. Every year, for agricultural taxes and collective contributions, I have racked my brains. The cadres have played the role of grandsons enough. I most hope that the New Management Committee and the Development Zone will expand vigorously, digesting all the land. Then I will only manage urban affairs, which will save me a lot of trouble."

Hou Weidong said, "Mayor Geng, we still need your support for the New Management Committee's affairs. The villagers don't listen to the New Management Committee, but what the town says is more effective than ours."

Old Geng understood this too and said, "I will send Vice Mayor Ma over. He will be completely at your disposal."

Vice Mayor Ma was the deputy mayor who had come to mediate earlier. However, after arriving at the New Management Committee, he was not very proactive. He just stood on the side watching, looking as if the matter had nothing to do with him. Hou Weidong had noticed his demeanor at the time and did not shake his hand, only sending Deputy Director Zhang Xiangyu to greet him.

Hou Weidong did not like Vice Mayor Ma, but he still had to express his gratitude.

The three leaders of the New Management Committee were all busy. They got into their cars and left separately. Hou Weidong waited until the car had driven out of the County Party Committee compound before saying to Wang Bing, "Go to the resettlement housing site."

The resettlement housing was located to the southwest of the New Management Committee, consisting of seven buildings. It was not a small scale for Yiyang. This project was under the responsibility of Deputy Director Zhang Jin, whom Hou Weidong had not paid much attention to.

It was a very desolate construction site. Except for a few scattered workers walking around on one building, the other six buildings were as quiet as unfinished projects. Seeing this scene, he felt anxious and called Zhang Jin. "Director Zhang, I am at the resettlement housing site. Why is only one building under construction? What's going on?"

At this moment, Zhang Jin was engaging in polite but insincere conversation with Vice Mayor Ma Bing. The two had worked in the same town before and had a good relationship. Zhang Jin knew his character well. Ma Bing was good at talking big, and his language was even more colorful at the drinking table, but he was not a person who did practical work. When Zhang Jin was the party secretary, he had criticized Ma Bing many times.

Ma Bing smiled and said, "The people of the New Management Committee are the treasures of the county leaders. They are full of talent and have strong financial resources. How can our Chengguan Town compare?" He patted his chest and added, "Director Zhang is an old leader. Wherever you point, I will strike there."

The New Management Committee and Chengguan Town had some overlap in functions and management scope. Although the New Management Committee had great power, it was only a dispatched agency of the government, not a level of government. The villages and neighborhood committees in the New Management Committee's territory still belonged to Chengguan Town in terms of the system, which was clearly required in terms of responsibilities.

Chengguan Town, on the other hand, was a level of government with relatively complete subordinate institutions. Having long dealt with villagers, they had more advantages in rural work than the New Management Committee.

Zhang Jin was a veteran of the New Management Committee and had many years of rural work experience. He deeply understood the nuances. He took out a pack of Jiaozi cigarettes from his desk and threw one to Ma Bing, saying, "Invite all members of the working group to the New Management Committee in a while. Let's discuss the next step of the work plan together. At noon…"

Ma Bing said unhurriedly, "Old leader, our eight staff members have to take a car to the New Management Committee every day, and sometimes we have to return to Chengguan Town. The transportation costs back and forth will add up. Could you consider providing some transportation allowance? This way, the comrades will have more enthusiasm and work harder."

Zhang Jin calculated in his mind. Eight people would not come to work for many days. Ten yuan per person per day for transportation, eighty yuan per day, eight hundred yuan for ten days. This cost was within the New Management Committee's承受能力 (bearing capacity). So he generously stated, "Ten yuan transportation allowance per day, and a work lunch arranged at noon. Is that okay?"

Vice Mayor Ma smiled and said, "Old leader, rest assured. All staff will be in place tomorrow."

Ma Bing's back was still at the door when Hou Weidong's call came in.

Hearing the implicit reprimand in Hou Weidong's tone, Zhang Jin was also displeased. He said, "General Manager Wang of the construction company has visited you several times, but you were not there."

"What matter couldn't be discussed over the phone? Why didn't he call? The villagers are causing trouble. How could we stop work? That would just give people an excuse to criticize us."

Hou Weidong softened his tone and said, "The resettlement housing must be completed with quality and quantity as soon as possible. This is a political task. Otherwise, we will be in a very passive position. Let's meet at eleven o'clock, the three of us, to discuss this matter."

When he returned to the New Management Committee, it was already five minutes past eleven. Hou Weidong went straight to the conference room. Only Yang Liu was sitting there, and a cup of steaming hot tea was still on his seat.

"Where are the two directors?"

Yang Liu stood up and said, "I will go call them immediately."

Hou Weidong sat in his seat, lit a cigarette, and tried to calm himself down. He only took two or three puffs when Zhang Jin walked in holding a teacup. Yang Liu followed him in and said, "I just contacted Director Zhang. He said he will be back in five minutes."

At this point, Hou Weidong was already very calm. He was not in a hurry to talk about business. He threw a cigarette to Zhang Jin and said, "I read in the newspaper these days that Thailand has been severely harmed by Soros, and many banks have been closed."

Zhang Jin said gloomily, "Don't mention Thailand. Even the New Management Committee has been affected. We went to great lengths to make room for Xiuyun Pharmaceutical Factory, and we got into such a big mess. I heard that Xiuyun Pharmaceutical Factory's capital chain also has problems. Whether they can even come here is questionable."

Last night, Hou Weidong had talked on the phone with Jiang Dali and knew that the pharmaceutical factory's capital chain had some minor problems. He had been startled at the time, but he could not reveal the inside story to Zhang Jin. He said, "That is groundless. Don't believe those rumors. I just talked on the phone with Gao Wang."

Hou Weidong was only twenty-seven years old now, bearing such a heavy burden as the New Management Committee. It was incredibly heavy, like a mountain. He pushed and carried it with all his strength, not showing any cowardice in front of his subordinates. Seeing Zhang Jin was gloomy, he changed the subject. "Director Zhang, let's discuss another matter. The New Management Committee has nearly forty cadres, which is a considerable number in the government office. Most comrades do not have housing. I want to organize collective housing construction to solve the housing problem for the comrades."

Zhang Jin had always worked in townships and had not been transferred back to the city for two years. He was still renting a house. Hearing Hou Weidong's idea, he immediately became enthusiastic. "I raise both hands in support. Solving the worries behind the staff will motivate everyone to work with enthusiasm. This is also something our leaders should do." He then mentioned Ma Bing's request.

Hou Weidong stated, "This is a minor matter. As long as the job is done well and the villagers do not cause trouble, giving a little more money doesn't matter."

At this moment, Zhang Xiangyu also came to the conference room holding a teacup. "Sorry, I was on-site with General Manager Li of Xiuyun Pharmaceutical Factory solving problems."

Hou Weidong waited for Zhang Xiangyu to sit down, talked about the current situation, and said firmly, "Once the bow is drawn, there is no turning back. We can only charge forward now. The land for *** must be implemented. If this matter is not resolved, it will create a demonstration effect, and things will become even more difficult to handle in the future. We will be unable to move forward."

Zhang Jin said, "The villagers' emotions are also agitated. The six people lying in the hospital all have minor ailments. They just won't be discharged. Sometimes they say their heads hurt, sometimes their stomachs hurt. The hospital has no way to deal with them."

Hou Weidong flipped through his work notebook and said, "The New Management Committee has too many things to deal with. Let's first talk about the construction of the resettlement housing. We have paid the start-up fees in full, and according to the contract, we have also disbursed funds according to the progress. Why did they stop work?"

Zhang Jin took out a letter and said, "General Manager Wang came yesterday. This is the request they sent over this morning. The reason for stopping work is the rise in steel prices. They are asking to modify the contract and want more cash disbursed according to the progress. According to what I understand, the situation this year is indeed special. Steel and cement prices are soaring. If they continue at the original price, they will definitely lose money."

In his heart, he thought, "General Manager Wang is Ma Youcai's brother-in-law. What can Hou Weidong do?"

Hou Weidong was clear about the ins and outs of this matter and also knew the relationship between General Manager Wang and Ma Youcai. He said, "Director Zhang, please invite General Manager Wang to my office. The contract has legal effect. How can they stop work casually?"

At the same time, he made up his mind in his heart: "Whether it is Ma Youcai's brother-in-law or Yang Senlin's sister-in-law, as long as they do not listen to instructions, there will absolutely be no next time."