Chapter 678: Give Director Guo Some Advice

Don't say anything. I can point it out—is it about Huaihai Ancient City?" I asked, looking at Director Guo.

Ah, you even noticed that—truly a deity! This is the matter; I'm worried sick." Director Guo let out a sigh.

Director Guo, I'll speak plainly.

You're not on good terms with Zhuang Shi, and Zhuang Shi wants to deal with you. I'm being straightforward. Is that right?" I said.

This... this." Director Guo hastily checked whether the doors and windows were shut tightly.

Because in the system, what's most feared is directly laying bare the relationship.

No need for this and that,

Director Guo, your Cultural Tourism Bureau is in complete chaos.

Zhuang Shi is furious and is about to take action against you." I deliberately raised my voice again.

Mr. Zhao, keep it down. Please, don't let outsiders hear. Mr. Zhao, damn it, the waters here are too deep. I'll work myself to death and still can't manage well. Everyone working here are relatives of the leaders. Damn it, who the hell is in charge?" Director Guo complained.

I shook my head,

Director Guo, this isn't the main issue; the main issue is that your Huaihai Ancient City's management is even more chaotic, and you haven't seen any benefit at all.

You believe you lose money every year, right?"

Sigh, that ancient city, damn it, how to manage it—since the demolition and relocation, there have been lingering issues. Some displaced households have never been resettled; they can only rely on eating in the ancient city, otherwise they'll cause trouble.

If I manage strictly, when something happens I still have to clean up the mess. That Zhuang guy has long taken a dislike to me. I know the score." Director Guo said directly.

I nodded,

Director Guo, the waters of Huaihai run deep—you definitely have difficulties in management,

For example, taxi drivers overcharge passengers, and you can't easily stop it. We took a taxi from the guesthouse to the ancient city for fun, and the taxi driver ripped us off for over a hundred.

This severely damages the city's image, but what can you do about management?

Moreover, there are many ways to enter the ancient city; you can get in from many people's homes.

And it's cheaper than the ancient city's ticket.

Thus the ancient city's income will decrease.

Who would buy a ticket to enter?

Finally, the merchants in the ancient city bully outsiders,

We just go into a store in the ancient city to look around, and they demand money.

Just think how terrifying that is,

Who would want to come to this rundown place for tourism.

Once you come, you get ripped off. With no tourists, the ancient city's shops do poorly, so they can only resort to underhanded tricks to fleece customers.

Thus the ancient city enters a vicious cycle.

The ancient city's revenue is very poor,

We looked around the ancient city yesterday, and many shops are up for transfer.

In this situation, not even you, Director Guo, let alone a deity, could fix it.

I seemed to have hit Director Guo's sore spot all at once,

His expression pursed his mouth,

Who says it isn't so? Damn it, they're pushing all the blame onto me.

Who can I complain to?

That Zhuang guy is capable—let him come manage this place himself. Who doesn't know there are many troublemakers here?

This bunch of riffraff—I see them every day and can't do anything about it.

Director Guo directly voiced his inner displeasure.

I chuckled,

Director Guo, yesterday Zhuang Shi deliberately had us go to the ancient city to have a look.

You know Zhuang Shi has a very good relationship with Tian Shi of Zaocheng.

The report below contains many inaccuracies. So he had us come for an on-site investigation.

Then we would report back to him truthfully.

Why do I dare say that your position, Director Guo, is not secure?

If I tell Zhuang Shi the actual situation, I believe he'll think what?

Fortunately, we met first.

If that's the case,

I'll just lay this matter out plainly.

Director Guo, continuing like this really isn't good. Since I'm not speaking, the reality just sits there, doesn't it?" I lightly took a puff of a cigarette.

Director Guo also took a hard puff of a cigarette at that moment,

He was stunned for a moment,

Thank you for the reminder, Mr. Zhao. You've been in official circles for a long time—like me in this situation, does my position still have any security?

Is that so? Let's change the venue to talk." I said, deliberately adopting a deep tone.

All right, Mr. Zhao, come with me to a secluded place to talk." Director Guo said, stood up, and walked off.

I and Li Jia stood up,

I said to Li Jia behind me,

Director Li, go wait in the car for a moment.

Li Jia nodded.

When discussing such matters, we must ensure no third party is present.

Now Director Guo is already eight‑tenths convinced of me; in a while I'll make him fully convinced.

Hmph, from now on, whenever you see me, you must obey honestly.

Director Guo again led me into a very secret room.

The room had curtains drawn.

Director Guo gestured for me to sit.

After I sat on the sofa, Director Guo quickly took out a cigarette and handed it to me,

"Mr. Zhao, please specify the method by which I break the impasse."

I took the cigarette.

"The ancient saying goes, 'No destruction, no establishment.'

Director Guo, everything is like that; the way to break the impasse lies in tourism of the Ancient City."

"Tourism in the Ancient City," Guo asked, "how should that be phrased?"

"Actually, Zhuang Shi has grievances against you, mainly because of the Ancient City's administration—its management is chaotic and it's not yet profitable.

If you can produce results in the Ancient City,

this position can be secured." I said lightly.

"Mr. Zhao, I don't understand—how can this mess of the Ancient City become profitable?" Director Guo shook his head.

"Did I just say,

No destruction, no establishment.

You must be bolder,

since it's already like this, what's there to fear? For your own future, just go all out. The bolder a person is, the more fertile the land becomes.

Similarly, this applies to the Ancient City's administration,

since ticket sales can't be collected, then abolish tickets; any tourist who comes need not pay.

If tickets aren't collected, those who rely on ushering people into the Ancient City lose income and can only abandon the trade.

In fact, with more visitors, shop business improves, making shop management easier.

If a shop refuses to obey management, can it be driven out of the Ancient City?

Of course, that requires you to diligently improve the management.

You also need to link with the hotels; for out‑of‑town guests, find ways to get them to visit the Ancient City,

and attract people over.

Actually, have you considered that ticket revenue is limited.

The main income comes from the shops built inside the Ancient City.

The rents are the Ancient City's primary earnings. I see many houses in the Ancient City are vacant.

You need to make a move here.

Director Guo, you're a smart person.

As long as you attract people, increase traffic in the Ancient City, boost shop revenue, that's enough. I'm confident that in less than three months your situation will be different."

After I finished speaking, I took a drag of the cigarette.

"Mr. Zhao, I can't be the one to make the Ancient City free of ticket fees; you must know the Municipal Price Bureau is watching.

This maneuver is difficult to execute and the risk is too great," Director Guo said, somewhat reluctant.

Actually, I'm giving Director Guo suggestions mainly to see what happens if the Ancient City stops charging tickets, to lay a foundation for our future project.

"Director Guo, no destruction, no establishment. Over at Zhuang Shi, I'll find a way to tell him about your situation and give you some time, let you make an effort. Guo, no matter what, you must try boldly; only by trying can you have a chance, otherwise there's no chance at all," I urged Guo.

"Alright, Mr. Zhao, could you personally go to Zhuang Shi to discuss my current situation? I hope to gain his support. This is my sincere intention; please, Mr. Zhao, accept it graciously," Guo said, then pulled a card from his pocket.

I didn't take it,

"Director Guo, no rush; wait until I finish talking with Zhuang Shi. We have plenty of time ahead," I said with a smile, stood up, and shook Guo's hand.

Damn it, I don't want that little money of yours.

I just want to find a place to test it, I thought to myself.