Chapter 679: Seeking Zhuang Shi for Another Discussion

After the meeting with Director Guo was finished.

I then got onto the car,

After getting into the car, Li Jia asked me, "Mr. Zhao, how did you talk with Director Guo, and what ideas did you propose?"

I smiled,

"Simple: have Director Guo stop charging admission to the Ancient City."

"No admission fee? Then what's the point of developing a tourist site, since everyone relies on ticket revenue," Li Jia asked, not understanding.

"My thinking is this: if the Ancient City development charges no tickets and relies entirely on rental income within the Ancient City to cover the scenic area expenses, could we try such a model?"

Could our future tourism projects follow this path,

I hope to pilot it first in Huaihai Ancient City," I said.

"Director Guo should be able to agree; after all, a matter as big as dropping admission fees is not his decision," Li Jia said.

"We need to stir up another fire. How about this: you contact Zhuang Shi again and arrange for me to meet him once more. I'll discuss the Huaihai Ancient City matter face to face," I told Li Jia.

Li Jia nodded,

Then she took out her mobile phone and contacted Zhuang Shi.

But Zhuang Shi did not answer Li Jia's call.

Li Jia helplessly waved at me,

"Mr. Zhao, Zhuang Shi didn't answer my call. Our matter may become difficult to handle."

"No problem, contact Secretary Wu, ask where he is, and invite him to a meal," I said.

Li Jia found Secretary Wu's phone number and called him.

Secretary Wu answered and told Li Jia that he was in Yuxian County accompanying Zhuang Shi on an inspection below.

Li Jia said, "Zhuang Shi is on a business trip in Yuxian County."

"We'll go to Yuxian County to find him," I said.

"How do we find him? Yuxian County is so large," Li Jia said.

"We'll figure it out once we arrive," I said, then started the car and drove toward Yuxian County.

Yuxian County is a county under Huaihai City. It took less than an hour by car to arrive.

Arriving at Yuxian County town,

I had Li Jia prepare a password‑free bank card and loaded fifty thousand yuan onto it.

After we found a hotel in Yuxian County and settled in,

Li Jia then contacted Secretary Wu.

Secretary Wu agreed to meet in the evening.

Li Jia met Secretary Wu at the hotel,

Li Jia handed the card to Secretary Wu. He hesitated briefly but accepted it.

Li Jia asked Secretary Wu to help us see Zhuang Shi once more.

Secretary Wu agreed.

Thus, with Secretary Wu's arrangement, we finally met Zhuang Shi in the Yuxian County hotel.

Zhuang Shi's first words upon seeing us were,

"Jianqiang, Director Li, I didn't expect you to come all the way here."

Li Jia smiled,

"Zhuang Shi, I feel we haven't fully discussed our matters and need to deepen them, so we came after you."

"Alright, then let's have an in‑depth talk," Zhuang Shi said with a smile.

Zhuang Shi's attitude was much better than in Huaihai.

I hurriedly said, "Zhuang Shi, Director Li and I have already been to the Ancient City, and we have also met with Director Guo."

"How did it go?" Zhuang Shi asked.

"Not well. Huaihai Ancient City is managed chaotically, and there are scams that overcharge tourists. If this continues, the scenic area will collapse sooner or later," I said bluntly.

Zhuang Shi nodded,

"I sent you to see it to point out the flaws.

Tell me, what did you all notice?"

I continued, "First, there is overcharging by taxis. Second, ticket management is chaotic. Also, shops inside the scenic area force purchases."

"These phenomena are detrimental to tourism projects. I have discussed all these issues with Director Guo."

"Jianqiang, I ask you, what do you think of Director Guo?" Zhuang Shi asked, looking at me.

"Zhuang Shi, do you want the truth?"

"Of course," Zhuang Shi said with a smile.

"Temporarily usable," I said.

"Usable. Jianqiang, why do you say that? With the Ancient City managed this way, he should bear the main responsibility.

Moreover, he is coarse and lacks strategic methods in management.

How can such a person be usable?" Zhuang Shi asked, not understanding.

"Zhuang Shi, personally I think Director Guo is usable. Why? His personality is straightforward, making him easy to manage.

Regarding the mismanagement of the Ancient City, he simply hasn't found the right approach; thus the Ancient City yields no profit and incurs losses.

I have already suggested a method for him to try,

believing that the Ancient City's revenue will become very high thereafter."

"What method, and does it work? Tell me," Zhuang Shi asked.

That means not letting the Ancient City collect admission fees.

If we don't collect admission fees, how will the Ancient City have revenue? How will those people get paid, how will the Ancient City's maintenance be handled? Zhuang Shi asked, not understanding.

I visited the Ancient City and saw that many of the newly built shops were vacant, and even the ones that were open were not doing well. If business were good, there wouldn't be any customer cheating.

Why is the business at the Ancient City's shops so bad? It's mainly due to lack of foot traffic.

We need to find ways to draw people in; as long as the flow increases.

Then the shops in the Ancient City will do well.

Then the shops that have existed in the Ancient City for a long time will all be leased.

Just the rental income would be enough to offset the Ancient City's losses.

Of course, we still need to strengthen management in this regard.

Director Guo is still not bad at management; it's just that Zhuang Shi, you haven't given him enough authority, letting him do as he pleases. Believe me, next year the Ancient City's revenue won't be the same. I said sincerely.

After I finished speaking, Zhuang Shi said nothing.

He held his teacup.

He took a sip of water.

Then he said, 'Jianqiang, okay, let's try.'

Actually, you came this time.

I know your purpose is to discuss Xue County's tourism project.

Let me say this: if the Huaihai Ancient City projects aren't profitable, I also can't recommend the Xue County project.

Do you understand my meaning?

I understand; you mean for us to help get your Huaihai Ancient City up and running, give it some vitality, so we can cooperate going forward.

Yes, Jianqiang, that's exactly it. Actually, there are some things I haven't told you outright: this Huaihai Ancient City is what I oversaw developing, but the revenue is far from what I imagined.

After my previous visit to Zaocheng, we had some communication.

Although I'm also somewhat moved by the Xue County project I mentioned, the Huaihai Ancient City project has no revenue, so I lack persuasiveness with others.

Without persuasiveness, my decisions will also bring negative consequences.

This time you came, I deliberately neglected you, ignored you,

I want to see your true attitude and ability.

Just talking without practice is empty talk.

Director Li, Jianqiang, do you dare accept my task here? Zhuang Shi looked at me and said.

Zhuang Shi, shouldn't we assist Director Guo in revitalizing the Huaihai Ancient City? I said.

Yes, that's exactly it. Jianqiang, I see you as a talent. When we met in Zaocheng last time, you described many prospects.

Saying more about these things is useless.

We need to show real ability.

Once we settle the matters of Huaihai Ancient City, then we can proceed with cooperation. Zhuang Shi said.

Zhuang Shi, we'll stay in Huaihai to help you; what about Tian Shi? Li Jia asked.

As for Tian Shi, I'll say it: do you dare agree? Zhuang Shi directly asked.

Sure, we'll stay to help Director Guo. But Zhuang Shi, you must fully support us. I said.