Chapter 644

I poured Zhu Sheng a cup of wine,

"Zhu Sheng, I still have something I haven't told you. I am preparing to develop the tourism project in Xue County."

"Develop the tourism project in Xue County. Xue County is southwest of Zaocheng, a very remote place. How could you have such a plan?" Zhu Sheng asked.

"As for me, after leaving Da Heng Group, I have always planned to develop rural tourism; our rural development is now too backward,"

Some villages have become desolate,

Some have only children and elderly left.

If the countryside continues like this, there will be no prospect of development at all.

Moreover, with urbanization progressing, many villages have disappeared in the long river of history due to demolition.

You should know that the histories of these villages are several hundred years old, some possibly reaching a thousand years.

My brother-in-law Wang Changguang has been writing histories for the countryside,

That is his hope: that the histories of all Zaocheng villages be recorded on paper so that future generations will know that there once was a village here.

While writing histories for villages in Xue County, he discovered the ancient Xue State city wall there.

Ancient Xue State was the fief of Meng Changjun, one of the Four Lords of the Warring States; many stories that have been passed down to this day occurred here.

Furthermore, the hometown of Xi Zhong, the ancestor of cart-making, is also in Xue County.

After learning this, I thought there is much material to work with here.

You should know that tourism projects are now a very good development avenue; once people have money, their first choice is to go out traveling and sightseeing.

If you go to major scenic spots, you'll see crowds everywhere.

Our Zaocheng's Xue County borders Huaihai City, facing it across the lake.

I am contemplating whether we can turn Xue County into Huaihai City's backyard garden, so that Huaihai residents will come to Xue County for tourism.

You should know that Huaihai City has a population of over a million.

It possesses tremendous consumption potential.

Much work needs to be done here,

Namely, we must first build a dock in Xue County so that Huaihai residents can reach it directly.

Then we should open a direct road from Zaocheng to Xue County to facilitate driving tourism.

Besides the historical and cultural aspects above, I think we can incorporate Beishan's natural scenic area together to form a flagship product.

That way, when people come to Xue County, they can view both cultural history and natural scenery.

As long as we revitalize Xue County's tourism project,

Xue County's economy will immediately change; ordinary villagers can fully engage in the service sector to increase their income.

Through Xue County as a window, we can promote Zaocheng's tourism image.

I have already begun; a few days ago, after I reported to Zaocheng's Tian Shi, he was very interested.

He also strongly supports me in handling this matter, and he too wants to achieve something in Zaocheng.

Zaocheng's development relying solely on coal resources is no longer sufficient; we must break through and bring in new industries.

This tourism project is very good.

Tian Shi has already introduced my tourism project to Zhuang Shi of Huaihai.

After hearing it, Zhuang Shi was also very interested.

I then took him to Xue County, Beishan, and other places to have a look.

He was very satisfied.

"Zhu Sheng, I have already connected with Zhuang Shi."

After hearing me finish speaking,

Zhu Sheng was very pleased; he patted my shoulder and said,

"Jianqiang, I never expected you to get ahead of me; you already know Zhuang Shi, which is great."

"I originally planned to have someone else introduce you two; if you merely establish contact, then next we might be able to bring the Liu family in."

"Once the Liu family gets involved, the matter will no longer be something Wen Han and Wang Ge can handle; it will become more complicated."

"Also, your tourism project is really good; after hearing you, I felt my blood boil."

"We have only been developing the city; these years rural development has been too backward."

"If we do not develop the countryside, our rural areas will gradually wither; rural development is a tough problem, and relying solely on agriculture certainly won't work."

"This tourism drives the service sector; as long as villagers' incomes rise, their living standards will improve, and everything will form a virtuous cycle."

"I support you. Tell me what you need me to do."

"Zhu Sheng, I now need some experts to conduct research and write a feasibility report; then we can submit it,"

"so that Tian Shi and they can proceed with the next steps."

"You should know that I am not familiar with the experts in the provincial capital."

"It's hard to invite them; Zhu Sheng, you have resources in the provincial capital,"

"I need to borrow your resources; please send a batch of provincial capital experts to Xue County for research,"

"and then write the report."

"Jianqiang, this matter is simple; my idle post is precisely to manage these experts—wherever research is needed, I just send them there,"

"let them eat and take whatever they want,"

"then have them write the research report."

"Anyway, these reports are neither read nor valued; they are merely a formality."

"Just go through the procedures more thoroughly,"

"these experts will also be happy with that—good food, drink, fun, and no responsibility."

Everyone is having a great time playing this game.

You say, when to use it,

Tell me how many experts you need, I'll release a batch, and I guarantee these experts are all top-notch masters.

You tell them how to write, and they'll write exactly that way.

These experts have no integrity—give them something to eat and they'll forget their own surnames. Zhu Sheng said, holding a beer.

I never thought experts would be so worthless.

I originally thought I could still ask for them through Zhu Sheng.

Now it seems unnecessary—Zhu Sheng just gives an order and these experts will obey him.

In Zhu Sheng's view, these experts are worthless—they'll even sell their surnames for profit.

In today's society, why have professors and experts become derogatory terms?

The reason surely lies with these people—they have no principles and can sell their conscience at any moment.

No matter the interests of the country, nation, or group, if personal gain can be had, they'll sell it all.

Finally, they flee abroad by any means, escaping the law.

I told Zhu Sheng, 'Zhu Sheng, that's good—when I get back I'll arrange everything and let you know. Then,'

You organize experts in tourism, culture, environment, etc., to go to Xue County for on-site research.

Zhu Sheng nods.

These are just small matters,

Jianqiang, there's still one thing—don't forget it.

That's the Four Treasures the Wang family took from Zaocheng.

Actually, developing tourism in Zaocheng isn't just about telling stories—we need something real.

You can build fine tourist zones, hotels, and the like—these are modern facilities.

If Zaocheng had some bronze ware to show, it would be different.

Zaocheng has real history right there.

Thus, visitors to Zaocheng who see the bronze ware will trust more in the authenticity of Zaocheng's history.

These treasures belong to Zaocheng.

You handed them over to the Wang family.

Now we use the Wang family to defeat the Zhou family.

What I want to tell you is, we must make sure these treasures are returned to Zaocheng.

I constantly think of these things.

I am a Zaocheng native; I hope these treasures return to Zaocheng.

Jianqiang, do you remember?

We must definitely take these things back from the Wang family—don't let them leave, because once they're out, they'll never come back.

Zhu Sheng had drunk a bit too much, he kept holding my hand and talking about those treasures.

Actually, I haven't forgotten those treasures either.

But the gap in strength between me and the Wang family is too great; for now I can't come up with any good plan.