Chapter 814: Project Development Progress

Our car quickly arrived at Xue County.

When we got to Xue County, Li Jia and Xixi were already waiting for us.

After seeing me, Li Jia got extremely excited,

"Mr. Zhao, you're finally here."

"Li Jia, the first thing I did after returning to Zaocheng was to see you. How is the project progressing?" I asked.

"Mr. Zhao, it's hard to put into words.

Let's go talk inside the hotel," Li Jia said.

I nodded and followed Li Jia into a small conference room inside Xueguo Dajiudian.

I asked Li Jia, "Why didn't we see Cui Chengshan?"

"Yang Tao was sent away. When Yang Tao came back, he went straight to Cui Chengshan. Sigh, that Yang Tao," Li Jia said, sighing.

"Oh, that Cui Chengshan, still not learning his lesson. Indeed, this is the most critical moment in the early development phase of the Xue County project.

How could he do that? I'll go back and talk to him," I said.

"Mr. Zhao, Wen Han is done; is it stable now?" Li Jia asked.

"It's relatively stable. From now on I won't do anything else, I'll focus solely on the project," I said, pulling out a cigarette.

At that moment, Xixi poured me a glass of water,

"Uncle, smoke less; wherever you are, you should take out a cigarette first."

I took the cup from Xixi,

smiling, I said, "Xixi, it's been a while, you've grown into a fine young lady. You're much prettier than before."

Xixi felt a bit embarrassed,

"Uncle, it's mainly because Sister Li Jia guided me, taught me how to dress and style myself. I really didn't know how to dress before."

"Li Jia, thank you again for that," I said, lighting the cigarette.

"Mr. Zhao, from what you said, Xixi is extremely outstanding. Xixi, please introduce the current situation to your uncle," Li Jia said to Xixi.

"Alright, Uncle, here's the situation.

Our preliminary work mainly involves road construction.

Also, negotiating with Shanghu Town to establish a dock.

The road work has been planned by the highway bureau, but the cost is too high, so construction hasn't started.

As for the dock, Shanghu also made a huge demand, instantly asking for fifty million.

If we don't give fifty million, Shanghu Town won't allow the dock to be built.

"It's beneficial to them, yet they still want money; it's infuriating," Xixi said angrily.

"That's normal; nowadays everyone is short on cash, and who wouldn't want a bite when there's money.

How's the land requisition near the Xue County Ancient City wall going?" I asked again.

"That's even more complicated.

You've seen around the wall; it's all wasteland, no one farms there.

When we went to survey and prepare for requisition, the surrounding villages immediately objected.

And they demanded compensation.

Cui Xian refused to compensate.

The dispute with the villagers of those few villages became very tense.

Uncle Jinhe led the construction crew near the Ancient City wall, and the villagers immediately surrounded them.

Cui Xian, fearing trouble, ordered Uncle Jinhe to withdraw his men.

So the wall area hasn't been fully surveyed, and we don't know how much land needs to be requisitioned. Uncle, our preliminary work hasn't gone well. I don't know what to do," Xixi sighed.

"Some things, Xixi has already done her best. Actually, Mr. Zhao, it's mainly caused by the unstable situation.

Over at Tian Shi, there's also no mood to handle these matters.

Cui Chengshan is watching and waiting.

You went to Huaihai.

So some things are hard to resolve," Li Jia explained.

I nodded,

"Li Jia, you're right.

It's this situation that caused it; actually, having you start the preliminary work was mainly to expose them, to see what they're thinking, so we can handle it gradually. Xixi, don't get impatient.

Some matters can't be rushed.

"Li Jia, what do you think is the most urgent matter?"

"It's the road construction; once the road is open, everything will go smoothly.

Connecting Xue County directly with Zaocheng Xin Cheng, as well as the road to Beishan, all need to be built.

If the road can't be built properly,

the building materials for our development can't be brought in," Li Jia said.

I took a sip of water,

"Is the road construction the responsibility of Zaocheng's highway bureau?"

"Yes, Tang Ju is in charge, and his budget is one hundred million.

I didn't expect it to be that much.

"I thought ten to twenty million would be enough to finish it," Li Jia said, looking at me.

"Now it's different; labor and material costs are high, and the roads to Beishan are mountain roads with complex terrain, so a hundred million for Tang Ju isn't high," I said.

But we have no money; Tian Shi only gave me that, the fifty million brought from Huaihai.

That amount has already been spent on the early work.

Mr. Zhao, I've looked at the experts' estimates; the whole tourist area will need over two billion.

Just thinking of that two billion makes my head spin.

Mr. Zhao, without money, what shall we do? Li Jia said helplessly.

Li Jia, don't worry about anything.

Zhuang Shi over there has already planned to invest five hundred million.

There are some matters I still need to wait for Tian Shi to return and discuss.

The money issue, don't worry. I reassured Li Jia.

Hearing me say that,

Li Jia let out a sigh,

Mr. Zhao, as long as the money isn't a concern, then all other problems are nothing.

Alright, Li Jia, if I had confidence like yours.

Confidence is more important than money.

As long as you intend to do it, you can accomplish it. I said to Li Jia.

Mr. Zhao, once you return, I will instantly have a main pillar.

These days I've been busy in a chaotic mess, not knowing what to do.

I've never been able to grasp the main point.

Mr. Zhao, how should we proceed? You tell me. Li Jia instantly became full of confidence.

Li Jia, how about this,

I'll split the work.

I'm staying in Xue County for now, not leaving.

You go to Tang Ju of the Zao Chengshi Highway Bureau, agree to their budget, pay them part of the funds in advance, and let them start construction.

The road must be built first; without a road, everything is nonsense.

Also, contact Cui Chengshan; I'll meet him tomorrow to talk.

Give him a Calming Pill, otherwise that kid will overthink. I instructed Li Jia.

Li Jia nodded,

Alright, Mr. Zhao, then I'll go to Zaocheng tomorrow to find Tang Ju and discuss the road construction.

By the way, have Secretary Qin accompany you. After all, Secretary Qin is close to Tian Shi.

Apply some pressure on that Tang Ju. I said.

Great, why didn't I think of that? Then tomorrow I'll find Secretary Qin and have him accompany me to meet Tang Ju. Li Jia said happily.

Just as you said, the main cause is Zaocheng's instability; everyone fears a change of personnel,

Tang Ju also worries; if they start construction,

what if later parties don't pay the bill?

Tell Tang Ju that Tian Shi is in a provincial meeting and will return in a week.

Everything remains unchanged; let him feel at ease to build the road.

Li Jia smiled,

Mr. Zhao,

Actually, I previously asked Secretary Qin to accompany me to find Tang Ju, but Secretary Qin politely declined. That shows Secretary Qin also has no certainty.

Indeed, at that time everyone was uncertain.

What if I can't return from Huaihai, and what if Tian Shi gets transferred away?

Everything is unknown.

So Li Jia, for some matters we just have to be open; they also have their own considerations. It's different now.

You boldly approach Secretary Qin; trust that this time he will help you. I said.

Alright, Mr. Zhao, I'll first contact Secretary Qin to see; if he refuses, you step in. Li Jia said.

Rest assured, Secretary Qin will definitely agree.

Xixi, you and Xiao Shitou go tomorrow to a few villages near the Gucheng Qiang, and learn the situation.

Find out what the villagers are demanding.

Investigate thoroughly, then report back to me. I instructed Xixi again.

Alright, Uncle, tomorrow Xiao Shitou and I will go together. Xixi agreed.