Chapter 286: Damn Land (Part 1)

Secretary Chang Quan attached great importance to the matter of the ten billion yuan loan from the Development Bank. Upon returning from Lingxi to Shazhou, he immediately convened Yang Senlin, Ma Youcai, and the heads of relevant bureaus and banks to study the issue in depth.

"The preliminary work has proceeded smoothly," Secretary Chang Quan said. "While Comrade Zhu Yan was studying at the Party School, he visited Zheng Chaoguang at the Development Bank five times to facilitate this deal. Such dedication to the cause is invaluable. If all cadres in Yiyang possessed this spirit, why would we worry about failing in our endeavors?"

Yang Senlin felt a mixture of emotions, as if a jar of five-flavor sauce had been overturned inside him. Before coming to Yiyang under orders, he had arrived with the determination and confidence to take a bold gamble. However, once he settled into the role, he found the actual work far more concrete and complex than he had imagined. The county’s economy was like a stagnant pool; without a massive stone to disturb it, no great waves could be stirred.

"County Mayor Ma, you’ve been busy running around, and I haven’t had the chance to pay a special visit to Secretary Zhu. When are you free? Let’s go to Lingxi together and take the opportunity to meet with Zheng Chaoguang." Secretary Quan’s words were clear. Zhu Yan had already completed the preliminary groundwork for the ten billion yuan loan; the subsequent efforts now depended on the Yiyang County Party Committee and the County Government. Yang Senlin dared not neglect this matter.

"There’s no time to delay. Let’s go now." Ma Youcai took out his mobile phone and dialed Zhu Yan. As he spoke, he subtly shifted his body, creating a barrier. He snapped the flip phone shut. "He’s waiting for us for lunch. Secretary Ji is also there."

As they got into the car, Yang Senlin felt a renewed sense of isolation. He was willing to be a lone warrior fighting a battle, but Yiyang felt like the Spider Demon’s Cave. There were always invisible threads trying to bind him, restricting his movements and preventing him from acting freely.

Yang Senlin was familiar with Zhu Yan. In his impression, Zhu Yan was always polite and humble. Yet, during this period, Zhu Yan’s influence was everywhere, even in personnel issues that weren’t particularly significant. Old Liu from the Organization Department and Ji Haiyang, the Secretary in charge of organization, treated him with a respect that carried a hint of distance. As for Ma Youcai, it was as if there were a layer of glass between them—visible clearly, yet impossible to truly touch.

While Yang Senlin and Ma Youcai were heading to Lingxi, Hou Weidong accompanied Zhang Mushan to Wangri Village in Shangqinglin for hunting. Before heading up the mountain, Hou Weidong specifically invited Zeng Xiangang. Although Zeng Xiangang was one-eyed, his marksmanship remained outstanding due to his military background, complementing Zhang Mushan’s precise shooting skills perfectly.

Hou Weidong had never served in the military, so he naturally didn’t dare to compete in marksmanship with the two men. Instead, he obediently followed behind them, acting as a spectator.

At noon, Zhang Mushan’s assistant unpacked the backpack, revealing water, compressed biscuits, beef, and other typical men’s rations. Zhang Mushan took a bite of a compressed biscuit and said, "Eating this occasionally reminds me of my days in the army. People can’t help but age."

Zeng Xiangang placed seven wild pheasants into a large bag, sat on the ground, and drank some water. "I was considered a sharpshooter in the army, but General Zhang’s marksmanship is truly excellent."

Zhang Mushan stroked the small-caliber hunting rifle in his hands. "I was a scout and fought in Vietnam. It’s been so many years since I last handled a gun, so my skills have declined. If I could go back ten years, that wild rabbit would have had no chance of escaping."

He added, "I heard Director Zeng opened a shop in the city. How is business?"

Zeng Xiangang had opened a shop in Yiyang County town and continued to operate his quarry, while also holding shares in Yinggang Quarry. His pockets had grown fat, and his horizons had broadened. He was gradually emerging from the shadow of his wife’s death.

"A comrade-in-arms runs a building materials factory in Fujian, and his business is large. I am now the general agent for the Lingxi region and am preparing to open a shop there."

Zhang Mushan and Zeng Xiangang had met during the previous hunting trip. Knowing what had happened to Zeng Xiangang, Zhang Mushan noticed that his demeanor had improved significantly. "Since you’re planning to open a shop in Lingxi, when our real estate projects need building materials, you are welcome to bid."

Zeng Xiangang knew that Zhang Mushan’s business was substantial and that his real estate projects would certainly be large-scale. "General Zhang, please look after me."

Zhang Mushan said seriously, "All bulk commodities for Qingda Group are procured through a bidding system with many restrictions. I welcome you to bid, but whether you win or not is beyond my control."

Hou Weidong interjected, "Xiangang, General Zhang has given you an opportunity. You must seize it."

At Zeng Xiangang’s house, they slowly stewed the wild pheasant over a low fire. Hou Weidong then accompanied Zhang Mushan to Tiejian Mountain to secretly inspect the construction of the cement plant.

After lunch, the group returned to the mountains, fully armed. This time, their luck was even better; they managed to shoot a wild boar. Zhang Mushan was thrilled. He loaded the boar onto the off-road vehicle, planning to host a wild boar banquet that evening, inviting all mid-level and above executives of the group.

At five o’clock, Zhang Mushan finally arrived at the New Management Committee. He took a tour of the area and stopped at the New Management Committee Science and Technology Park, which was under construction. Zhang Mushan carefully observed the terrain and said, "Weidong, this piece of land is excellent. The only issue is that the bearing factory isn’t located within the Science and Technology Park."

Hou Weidong replied readily, "The New Management Committee was approved by the Lingxi Provincial Government. The Science and Technology Park is just one of its smaller projects. It hasn’t been filed in Lingxi or Shazhou. This sign can be moved anywhere, and that location becomes the Science and Technology Park. Please rest assured, General Zhang."

Zhang Mushan patted Hou Weidong’s shoulder firmly. "It’s settled then. The bearing factory investment is over a hundred million yuan, requiring about two hundred mu of land. Please put in the effort. The specific details will be discussed with General Huang. I must take my leave now to go back and treat everyone to wild boar meat."

As three cars passed the New Management Committee office, Hou Weidong saw over a hundred locals gathered outside. He hurriedly called Yang Liu. "What’s going on at the office?"

"Director Hou, I was just about to call and report. It’s people from Sujiacun. They claim the land acquisition compensation hasn’t been paid and are demanding immediate payment."

The land acquisition funds had actually arrived long ago. However, the villagers of Sujiacun believed the compensation was too low and refused to collect it. Zhang Jin was leading the effort to resolve this issue.

Zhang Jin’s phone rang again. "Director Hou, the masses are very agitated. Someone is hiding in the crowd throwing stones. Should we ask the Public Security Bureau to send more people?"

Public Security Bureau Director Shang Guanghua had some rapport with Hou Weidong and agreed readily.

Thinking that the police were on their way, Hou Weidong felt relieved. He saw Zhang Mushan off at the highway entrance before heading back.

Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary Qian Zhiguo also called, his tone stern. "Hou Weidong, where are you?"

"At the highway entrance, seeing off a guest."

"Hurry back. The villagers are fighting with the agency staff. Stop it immediately. Under no circumstances are agency cadres to use force, or they will face disciplinary action."

Hou Weidong hadn’t expected the situation to be so urgent. He tried calling the office back but only heard a busy signal. When he arrived at the gate, he saw that riot police had already controlled the situation. The villagers were still agitated, and stones and mineral water bottles were occasionally seen flying into the courtyard.

The courtyard was in a mess. There were mottled bloodstains on the cement ground, the bright red blood standing out starkly against the gray-white concrete.

Hou Weidong’s heart skipped a beat. He hurriedly looked toward the cadres. Several had bruised and swollen faces, and one was bleeding from the nose.

Zhang Jin’s shirt was torn, his eye sockets bruised and swollen. He was covering his eyes and breathing heavily. Several young men around him were injured to varying degrees. Angry, Zhang Jin said to Hou Weidong, "I was negotiating with them when someone threw a stone. Yi Zhongcheng fainted on the spot and has been sent to the hospital."

The surrounding crowd continued to jeer. The narrative quickly shifted from "the cadres beat people" to "the police beat people." The head of the Public Order Brigade, a large, burly man, was sweating profusely on his back as he directed the riot police to push the villagers back.

The villagers of Sujiacun were suburban residents. Compared to villagers in remote areas, they were more worldly and unafraid of confrontation, often banding together to resist aggressors. With the riot police deployed, the young men stopped their actions. A group of elderly men and women rushed to the front of the police line. Their hair was white, and they walked trembling and unsteadily. The riot police could only watch, daring not to touch them.

Even so, angry curses echoed from the crowd: "They have no conscience, beating even the elderly."

One villager’s child, a college student studying out of town, happened to be home. He was part of the university’s photography association and was frantically taking photos with his camera. There were too many villagers, and the agency cadres couldn’t manage to seize the camera.

The Deputy Mayor of Chengguan Town also arrived with village cadres.

The standoff lasted until dusk, when the villagers gradually dispersed. Hou Weidong of the New Management Committee, Zhang Jin, Zhang Xiangyu, the Secretary of Chengguan Town, and Public Security Bureau Director Shang Guanghua were all summoned to the County Party Committee. Deputy Secretary Ji Haiyang, Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary Qian Zhiguo, and Vice County Mayor Gao attended the meeting.

Ji Haiyang chaired the meeting. "Director Hou, why didn’t you restrain the cadres? Now six villagers are lying in the hospital, and they are planning to go to the Shazhou Municipal Government. What is going on?"

Hou Weidong had already clarified the details of the incident. He organized his thoughts and said, "The people who came to the New Management Committee office today were all villagers from Sujiacun. They came regarding the land compensation funds."

Ji Haiyang pressed, "If land is occupied, compensation must be paid. Despite the tight fiscal situation, this fund was guaranteed. Why wasn’t it distributed?"

"The land compensation was strictly paid according to county standards, not a penny short. However, the villagers’ demands were too high, and they refused to accept the money. With the Xiuyun Pharmaceutical Factory construction about to begin, we applied to the court for forced demolition through proper procedures."

Hou Weidong added with self-deprecation, "We hadn’t even started the forced demolition, yet the villagers stirred up trouble first."

Qian Zhiguo frowned. "Work must be done meticulously. Appeal to their emotions and reason. Villagers are sensible people. Don’t resort to forced demolition at the slightest provocation."