Chapter 681

Mr. Zhao, let's talk about the deposit later. Actually, the most important thing is to revitalize the Ancient City, to bring people to the Ancient City,

Once there is popularity, the shops we develop in the city construction will be able to sell.

That would ease the pressure on Zhuang Shi." Wu secretary said.

I nodded,

Wu secretary and I think the same; let's say it like this: I guarantee that all the shops developed in the Ancient City will sell. This small matter, just leave it to me." I said lightly.

Wu secretary looked at me somewhat disbelievingly.

I smiled and didn't say anything else.

At this moment, Wu secretary stood up,

Well then, Mr. Zhao, we'll see results in one month; I'll report to Zhuang Shi. Otherwise, if the Ancient City isn't revitalized, you'll have to bear the responsibility.

Okay, you tell Zhuang Shi that if the Ancient City can't be revitalized, I'll take responsibility." I shook hands with Wu secretary.

We saw Wu secretary out.

Li Jia looked at me and said,

Mr. Zhao, are you so confident and well-prepared?

Li Jia, this Huaihai Ancient City still has potential to be tapped; coincidentally I don't want to go back to Zaocheng either, so I'll help them a little in Huaihai. Let their Ancient City come alive, to ease the pressure on Zhuang Shi." I said.

Mr. Zhao, what method are you using? Just free admission?" Li Jia asked.

I shook my head,

That's just a small suggestion for Director Guo; just free admission won't work. You have to know the difficulty of the Ancient City—what if free tickets bring no one?

Exactly, what are you going to do?" Li Jia asked anxiously.

Let's take it step by step; you report the situation here to Tian Shi. You also won't go back for now." I said.

Okay, I'll listen to you." Li Jia said, then took out her phone to report the situation here to Tian Shi.

Tian Shi gave strong support to us.

It seems Tian Shi understands the situation on Zhuang Shi's side.

That's good; we'll just go ahead and do it.

The next day, accompanied by Wu secretary, we went again to the Huaihai City Cultural Tourism Bureau to meet Director Guo.

Wu secretary briefly told Director Guo that we want to contract the Huaihai Ancient City, guaranteeing to make it profitable within one month.

After hearing that, Director Guo looked somewhat astonished, as if his jaw might drop.

Mr. Zhao, you're not joking, are you?

Director Guo, we're not joking; I guarantee that the Ancient City's foot traffic will increase, the shops will be profitable, and the shops built in the Ancient City will be smoothly rented and sold.

I believe that by year-end the Ancient City will undergo a great change; then we'll hand it back over to you for management.

Mr. Zhao, you mean we'll temporarily operate for a while, then after revitalizing the Ancient City we'll hand it back to us. You're a good person. Wu secretary, now the Ancient City's profits or losses have nothing to do with me." Upon hearing this, Director Guo hurriedly tossed away that hot potato.

During Mr. Zhao's contract period, the Ancient City's profits or losses are unrelated to you; rest assured. However, Director Guo, you must fully support Mr. Zhao and his team." Wu secretary said.

Don't worry, Wu secretary; if I didn't support Mr. Zhao anymore, would I still be considered a person?

After all, Mr. Zhao is serving us." Director Guo said cheerfully.

Wu secretary, let's put it this way: we will initially invest in the Ancient City, but the rental prices for the Ancient City's shops will be decided by us, and we also want a 20% cut.

There's no free lunch in the world. We can't just busy ourselves pointlessly." I laughed and said.

Mr. Zhao, we agree on this matter; between us it's just a verbal agreement. As long as we get the Ancient City running, we'll keep that 20% profit for you." Wu secretary also said with a smile.

That's fine; we won't sign a contract, everyone will surely keep their word." I said, then shook hands with Wu secretary.

Mr. Zhao, regarding the taxi issue, I'll go talk to the transportation department today and make sure all those overcharging taxis pay the price." Wu secretary said while holding my hand.

This should have been done long ago; I've complained many times but nobody listened. It's only when an outside monk chants sutras that the higher-ups stop." Director Guo said angrily.

I and Wu secretary both laughed heartily.

After seeing Wu secretary off,

Only Director Guo, I, and Li Jia remained in the room.

Director Guo directly asked,

Mr. Zhao, I want to ask: how to revitalize the Ancient City—is it enough to just not charge admission?

Director Guo, free admission is just one aspect; we also need to comprehensively address other aspects.

So, three days later, you gather the Ancient City's staff; I want to hold a meeting,

at that time you need to accompany me.

Mr. Zhao, that's fine; I'll fully support you." Director Guo said.

Alright, we won't waste time. I have other matters; three days later in the morning, we'll meet at the Ancient City." I shook hands with Director Guo.

Director Guo saw us out the door, his gaze still disbelievingly fixed on me.

After Li Jia and I returned to the hotel,

Li Jia hurriedly asked me: "Mr. Zhao, what should we do? Why only take over the Ancient City three days later?"

Li Jia, we must have our own team; otherwise, how would you direct them to work?

Those old-timers simply won't listen to us—not even if we outsiders manage them, nor even if Director Guo manages them.

By then we'll just be asking for trouble ourselves.

We need our own management team." Li Jia asked.

Right, our people need to come over, so I said three days later. These three days are for us to prepare by gathering personnel." I explained.

Approximately how many people do we need?" Li Jia asked.

At least a dozen or more, possibly more, because the Ancient City's affairs are very complicated. They involve demolition and relocation matters, which we cannot handle.

What we're doing now is to quickly seize the core departments of the Ancient City,

Then we solve the issue of foot traffic, as long as foot traffic increases.

Then the shops will be active, and the remaining stores can be revived quickly.

"By then, a month later, we will be able to hand in a satisfactory answer sheet," I said.

"I understand, we only solve the immediate problem, and as for future matters, we don't ask. Right?" Li Jia said with a smile.

"Right, that's how it is; whatever happens to Huaihai Ancient City later, we can't ask. Our main purpose is not here; we are here to help Zhuang Shi, and the New Year is approaching soon.

If the Ancient City is not revitalized, Zhuang Shi won't have a good year.

If we help Zhuang Shi, Zhuang Shi will know it in their heart. Then everyone can cooperate," I said.

"This way, we can also demonstrate our ability,

let Zhuang Shi believe that when we operate Xue County Ancient City in the future, we can still make money. He will definitely participate then, right, Mr. Zhao?" Li Jia asked me with a smile.

"You are getting smarter and smarter.

Very good. Go to the Ancient City now, go to the Ancient City and conduct a detailed survey: how many shops are there in total, how many are rented, how many are vacant.

What is their annual rent, and are there any profitable shops?" I instructed Li Jia.

"Alright, Mr. Zhao, I will go right now," Li Jia said and stood up.

"Li Jia, you be careful out there yourself. Do not provoke them; I heard the local customs here aren't very good," I urged.

"Don't worry, Mr. Zhao, I still have a way to deal with these people. If I couldn't even handle these people, I would have grown up in Bian Jiang for nothing," Li Jia said, smiled, and left.