Chapter 695: Zhuang Shi's Talk

I said with a smile: "Zhuang Shi, I heard you've come; the ordinary people of Huaihai City have all come to welcome you."

"You're just good at talking. Welcome me to work, I'm just bringing everyone to stroll around the Ancient City, and incidentally let them learn a bit of your management experience." Zhuang Shi said.

At this moment, Director Guo immediately said beside him: "Zhuang Shi, I will definitely learn well from Mr. Zhao; originally no one came to the Ancient City, but in just a few days it has undergone such a huge change, I am truly impressed."

Zhuang Shi waved his hand,

"Jianqiang, let's go, take me to stroll around the Ancient City."

I then brought Zhuang Shi walking inside the Ancient City, introducing Zhuang Shi to the business conditions of some shops in the Ancient City,

and the maintenance and repair of ancient buildings inside the Ancient City.

Zhuang Shi listened and nodded frequently.

While walking, he said to Director Guo,

"Director Guo, you must bend down to learn.

Not only must we develop the Ancient City, but also protect it.

How did Jianqiang attract tourists, and also make them spend voluntarily.

I've heard that the big malls of Huaihai City have rented shops in the Ancient City to open branches; if their business is poor, they can rent out the premises in the Ancient City.

You used to always say that the Huaihai people have no money and are unwilling to spend,

then where does the money of these people buying things come from?"

Director Guo kept wiping his sweat, then took out a small notebook to record Zhuang Shi's words.

I stood to the side, watching and wanting to laugh.

After walking around inside the Ancient City,

I happened to meet Li Jia,

Li Jia proactively reached out and took Zhuang Shi's hand,

"Zhuang Shi, welcome; the lottery segment is about to start right now, I hope you can personally go on stage to draw lots for everyone; this lottery not only offers cash rebates but also a mystery gift, which we have specially prepared, please Zhuang Shi present it to everyone."

Zhuang Shi held Li Jia's hand and laughed happily,

"Li Jia, thank you for your hard work.

Okay, thank you for the invitation.

I'll go draw the lottery."

Thus Li Jia led Zhuang Shi onto the makeshift stage at the gate of the Ancient City.

At this moment Li Jia held a microphone,

She softly spoke to the people below: "Good morning, everyone; the exciting lottery moment is coming up again, who will win? Everyone is waiting."

"Today is Little New Year; we have specially invited a distinguished guest to conduct the lottery for us,

he is Zhuang Shi of Huaihai City. Please welcome him."

Then the audience below burst into thunderous applause.

Li Jia continued: "This lottery, Zhuang Shi has also specially prepared a mystery gift for the winning tourists.

I wish everyone could win."

After Li Jia finished speaking, Zhuang Shi began drawing consumption vouchers from a box to hand to the staff.

Zhuang Shi drew a total of twenty consumption vouchers this time; he handed them to the staff for registration, and they were all announced on the screen.

After the announcement, someone will come on stage holding their ID to claim the prize.

Zhuang Shi presented the awards on the spot.

and gave each winner a beautifully packaged candy.

After the lottery ended,

Zhuang Shi took the microphone,

to the audience below, he began speaking,

"Hello everyone, today is Little New Year; in our Huaihai customs, Little New Year is for worshipping the Kitchen God. Why worship the Kitchen God,

because the Kitchen God oversees a family's food and drink and can see the family's private affairs,

and then he likes to report his work to the Heavenly Court.

Everyone wants the Kitchen God to speak well, so they try to sweeten him with maltose to make him say more good things.

This is, of course, just a legend.

What I want to say is, today I came here and saw the prosperity of the Ancient City, saw crowds of tourists in the Ancient City, saw shop owners smiling,

and heard the laughter of tourists.

Everyone here eats happily and plays joyfully.

This shows that our development of the Ancient City is good,

it gives ordinary people a place to play.

it gives everyone a place to relax.

Today I ask everyone to eat candy, so please speak well, promote the Ancient City more, and protect the Ancient City more.

and support the Ancient City more.

Thank you everyone, wishing everyone a happy Little New Year."

After Zhuang Shi finished speaking, he bowed on stage.

The audience below immediately erupted in continuous applause.

The candy rewarded by Zhuang Shi, it's estimated that these people taking it home will surely be reluctant to eat it.

This has great commemorative significance.

Going shopping inside the Ancient City not only includes the lottery but also giving out candy; where else could you find such a good deal?

More people from Huaihai surged into the Ancient City.

Now, out-of-town tourists are no longer the main consumers.

Even the shills Ding Li invited from Zaocheng are no longer needed.

Sometimes they can't even squeeze into the shops to spend money,

I had Ding Li give them some money and send them all back to Zaocheng.

The people sent by Cui Rulin are even less needed.

This Ancient City has already been revitalized.

After seeing Zhuang Shi off, Bureau Chief Guo did not leave.

He held a notebook and walked up to me,

"Mr. Zhao, Zhuang Shi arranged for me to stay in the Ancient City,

specifically to follow you and learn management."

"Please teach me."

Seeing Bureau Chief Guo's sincere expression, I just wanted to laugh.

What era is this, still taking notes in a little notebook?

What's the point of writing it down if there's nothing in your heart?

I said to Bureau Chief Guo, "Bureau Chief Guo, don't worry, I'll tell you everything I know. Between us, there's nothing to teach; it's mutual learning."

I think the success of this Ancient City is mainly due to Bureau Chief Li Jia's efforts.

The lottery segment she designed is particularly attractive.

Actually, you can continue using it entirely from now on.

This approach is really good.

Bureau Chief Guo took notes seriously.

I then brought Bureau Chief Guo to find Li Jia,

Li Jia has been so busy these days her lips have cracked.

She is truly exhausted.

Just looking at me makes her feel sorry.

We can't keep busy here forever.

I said to Li Jia, "Li Jia, Bureau Chief Guo wants to learn from you; please teach him."

Li Jia smiled,

"Bureau Chief Guo, how should I put it? Methods are thought up by people."

"I had no choice either; I forced it out."

"Fine, forced it out." Bureau Chief Guo wrote in his notebook.

At that moment I leaned over Li Jia's ear,

"Li Jia, rest well at the hotel tomorrow; you're too tired."

"Really, no need, Mr. Zhao." Li Jia said.

I didn't let Li Jia speak.

At this point Bureau Chief Guo hesitated for a while, then asked me, "Mr. Zhao, I want to say something inappropriate,

"this Ancient City is already booming under your management."

"I'd like to ask when you will hand over the Ancient City to the Cultural Tourism Bureau for management."

Li Jia, upon hearing that, was about to speak.

I signaled with my eyes for Li Jia not to speak.

I laughed and said, "Bureau Chief Guo, between us there was never any agreement or contract; we're just helping out."

"You can take over anytime you want."

"Our team can withdraw at any time."

Hearing this, Bureau Chief Guo was stunned.

Then he asked again, "Mr. Zhao, how should we calculate the fees? I heard Secretary Wu say that you and he agreed on 20% of the total rent.

"I discussed it with Secretary Wu, and we settled this fee with you according to the agreement."

I said indifferently,

"This is trivial; you can settle it with Yang Tao. She handles the fees; the money comes from her, so profits or losses are her concern."

I passed the buck to Yang Tao.

"Okay, then I'll talk to Ms. Yang Tao." Bureau Chief Guo said.

"Bureau Chief Guo, when will you take over the Ancient City? Give us a specific time so we can prepare." I asked.

"Let's do this: I'll go back and discuss with Secretary Wu, ask him whether it's before or after the year. I'll follow his lead." Bureau Chief Guo said.

I nodded,

"Bureau Chief Guo, that's fine; whether before or after the year, it's okay—I have no objection."

"Come on, I'll take you around the Ancient City so it'll be easier for you to manage later."

Bureau Chief Guo happily followed me around the Ancient City.