Chapter 690: Meeting with Director Qian

Qian Director arrived at the Ancient City the next morning,

We met in the office.

Qian Director was still the same as before, only his hair was much thinner than before. His build was much fatter than before.

He saw that the appearance of the Ancient City had become brand new,

He couldn't help but sigh to me,

"If it's me, Zhao Ge, who manages, look how the Ancient City has clearly changed a lot. You know how it used to be, everywhere was trash,

The Ancient City's sewers were all clogged, and those administrators didn't deal with it.

How could a tour group bring people in?"

I smiled and shook Qian Director's hand,

"Welcome, brother. With your arrival, we'll take it to the next level here."

"Zhao Ge, to be honest, if you weren't here, I would never have come to Huaihai again.

This place is really terrible.

Especially loves to bully outsiders," Qian Director said.

"So, I didn't hire a local; look, the team I brought all came from Zaocheng.

Let me introduce them to you.

This one is Li Jia, the head of Zaocheng Cultural Tourism Bureau. She is Yang Tao, a foreigner who returned from the United Kingdom.

This one is Ding Li, now in charge of Qi He Kuang.

Shi Yong, Shi Jinhe, you both know.

I introduced them to Qian Director one by one.

Qian Director shook hands with them.

I then introduced Qian Director to Li Jia, Yang Tao, and Ding Li,

"His name is Qian Kang, he was my former business partner. This man is a real talent; we co‑founded Da Heng Group together.

He made great contributions to Da Heng Group's development.

Later, wanting to start his own business, he left the group, set up a travel agency, and, according to Shi Yong, your travel agency is already among the top ten nationwide.

Truly impressive.

Everyone, please welcome Mr. Qian Kang.

After I finished speaking, I led the applause.

Everyone else followed suit and clapped.

My remarks made Qian Kang embarrassed, and he kept gesturing, saying: "I met Zhao Ge at Qi He Kuang.

My abilities are average; it's all thanks to Zhao Ge's support that we could carve out a space in Zaocheng.

I know my own abilities.

What I have always admired most is my Zhao Ge,

His Da Heng Group, one could say, is renowned throughout southern Lu.

Now he has come to Huaihai Ancient City for a second entrepreneurship.

When I came today, this Huaihai Ancient City has truly changed a lot.

The environment has improved, and the population has increased a lot.

I believe it will get better and better."

After Qian Director finished speaking, I gestured for him to go into the office so the two of us could talk in detail.

Inside the room,

I took out a cigarette and handed it to Qian Director,

Qian Director looked at the cigarette,

took it,

"Zhao Ge, still likes this flavor."

"Yes, a familiar flavor that I can never let go of," I said, then took out a lighter and lit the cigarette.

At this moment, Qian Director said,

"There are no outsiders in the room, Zhao Ge, let me be clear, I still don't have confidence in the Huaihai Ancient City project."

"Why?" I pulled out a stool and let Qian Director sit down.

"Why?" Qian Director said irritably,

"This place really doesn't work. Damn, when I was there they bullied me badly.

Besides that, the tourism in this Ancient City lacks extensibility. You can finish touring it within a morning.

There is nothing else to see.

Look, here it's all imitation ancient architecture, all shops selling goods.

Are you letting tourists come to sightsee or to shop?

Tourists also feel resentful.

Finally, Huaihai City suffers severe pollution; in winter, its steel plant and coking plant are major polluters.

Tourists need a comfortable environment to travel; who would go to a polluted city to play?"

I listened to Qian Director's reasons and did not immediately oppose him.

He was right; everything he said, I have seen.

Otherwise, we wouldn't have gone to great lengths to organize events to attract people.

In fact, a tourist spot holding events to attract people indicates there is a problem.

I took a puff of a cigarette,

Then I looked at Qian Director and said, "Brother, what you said is all right. But I've already taken on the contract, so there's no way to retreat,

I can only grit my teeth and go on.

Revitalizing Huaihai Ancient City is the main task at present.

"Only after Huaihai Ancient City thrives will our major undertakings become easy to handle."

"What's the major undertaking next? Brother Zhao, I really admire you,

You handle things with confidence. Unlike us, who lack planning.

Moreover, you pay attention to strategy…." Qian Director looked at me and praised.

I hurriedly waved my hand,

"Brother, I'm confident, but forget it—I've ruined the Da Heng Group.

An outdated phoenix is no match for a chicken. I'm now like a chicken, just scrambling for food to fill my stomach.

"Brother Zhao, I do understand you—you're someone who takes on major undertakings; quickly tell me about your major undertaking, I want to hear it." Qian Director laughed.

I laughed too,

"Brother, this really is a major undertaking. I'm preparing to develop the tourism project in Xue County."

"Developing Xue County, the Xue County of Zaocheng—what can be developed there?" Qian Director asked.

"There is the Ancient Xue Kingdom Ancient City, and also the homeland of Xi Zhong, the progenitor of carts.

These places are full of historical stories.

Besides the cultural aspects, there are also scenic areas such as Beishan and Hulutao.

I want to unite these places to build a tourist scenic area." I finished speaking and took a puff of a cigarette.

"Brother Zhao, as for tourism, aside from famous mountains and rivers, only a few major historical capitals remain.

As long as this place hasn't produced an emperor or served as an imperial capital, it counts as a minor tourism item.

Furthermore, the scenic areas you mentioned, like Beishan, are far inferior to Mount Tai.

Your idea is good, but reality is harsh.

"Brother Zhao, this project is big, but the risk is high." Qian Director spoke bluntly.

"At a glance, you're clearly an expert—you hit the nail on the head. What I said may not compare to those major scenic areas, but we have advantages.

I've taken a liking to Huaihai City.

I chose Xue County because it's close to Huaihai City, separated only by Shanghu Lake.

If Xue County builds a dock, then Huaihai can reach Xue County directly via Shanghu Lake.

Moreover, within Huaihai City proper, there aren't any notable attractions or parks.

Land prices here are high, so there's basically no spare land to build parks on.

People in Huaihai City who want to travel find that the best option is a short trip—they can complete the round trip within two days, even in a single day, without missing work.

Relying on Huaihai City alone is enough for us to make a living.

Of course, if our tourism project in Xue County is developed well and attracts more visitors,

For example, your travel agency, bringing domestic and foreign guests,

We would welcome it even more.

Then business would be better."

After I finished speaking, Qian Director puffed on a cigarette and said nothing.

He fell into thought,

After a while,

Qian Director said,

"Brother Zhao, you're right—my suggestion applies nationwide.

But you're only thinking of a single city.

Huaihai City really needs a backyard garden.

They're too crowded, too noisy—everywhere is factories and residential complexes.

The tourism project you mentioned for Xue County is a good thing.

I will fully support it from now on.

Brother Zhao, there's still something I don't understand: you plan to develop Xue County's tourism project, so why are you also coming to Huaihai Ancient City,

What's the point of contracting this ancient city?

If the ancient city is well built, they won't go to Xue County for tourism.

You should now devote all your energy to Xue County.

Why should you be making a wedding dress for others."

Faced with Qian Director's question,

I smiled and did not immediately answer Qian Director.