Chapter 819: Reminder to Xixi

After leaving the ancient city wall of Xue County, I went straight back to Xue County.

I need to meet Cui Chengshan and ask whether those village heads have been settled.

I hope Cui Chengshan can use both kindness and force, so that those village heads all obey him.

But pressing hard would be counterproductive.

We must give them some benefits,

and also make them work for us.

This is the result I want, and instead let them stand completely on our opposite side.

Having Shi Jinhe here planning the ancient city makes me much more at ease.

The main issues I am solving now are land acquisition and money matters.

When I think of money, Zhou Jie suddenly comes to mind.

The kid hasn't shown any sign for a while. What is he busy with?

Ding Li has returned to Qi He Kuang,

Ask Ding Li again whether his monitoring of Zhou Jie has yielded any clues.

Arriving at Xueguo Dajiudian in Xue County,

Cui Xian was already waiting for me.

As soon as he saw me, he smiled happily and said, "Mr. Zhao, it's already resolved.

The land around the city wall we can boldly develop, and I believe no one will dare cause trouble."

"Cui Xian, how was it resolved?" I asked.

"Kindness and force together.

I brought the mayor of Jinhe Town,

to handle this matter; those villages are under Jinhe Town's jurisdiction.

First, give those village heads some benefits, so they can persuade the villagers not to cause trouble.

Second, if anyone causes trouble, arrest them first; those villagers all have small braids.

Then regarding the trees around the city wall, we compensate 50 yuan for small trees and 100 yuan for large trees.

And we will proactively clear the trees; otherwise we won't compensate," Cui Xian said proudly.

"Did they agree?" I asked.

"Of course they agreed; those village heads also don't lose anything, each can earn a little money.

The villagers with trees also don't lose; they receive compensation.

In fact, many of those trees are wild.

The village heads agreed, and over the past few days they have tallied the trees.

Then within a week they cut down the trees. Mr. Zhao, I'm afraid those village heads will deliberately overreport the trees, so I've already sent county officials to audit.

We first need a baseline before proceeding.

After a week, once they have cleared the trees, our construction crew can enter.

The village heads pound their chests in assurance that no one dares cause trouble.

Otherwise we will interrogate them."

Hearing Cui Xian say that,

I felt reassured,

"Cui Xian, this matter was resolved very well.

Your work is spot on.

As long as you want to do it, you can do it well.

Also the matter of Shanghu's port.

This still requires you to negotiate.

I heard they demand fifty million for the land acquisition fee."

Hearing my praise, Cui Xian smiled happily,

"Thank you, Mr. Zhao, for the compliment. Regarding Shanghu Town, I went there a few days ago; they are not in the same city as us, so some things they won't take to heart.

Building a dock at Shanghu is good for them, yet they want money first.

I was angry then, so I didn't continue the discussion.

What are those things? If they were under my jurisdiction, I would have torn them apart long ago.

How could the town leaders accomplish anything like this?" Cui Chengshan said shamelessly.

Cui Chengshan's handling method is simple and brutal.

"Chengshan, you continue to engage with them and negotiate again.

Only allow them to state a price; we must not counteroffer.

Also we need to tell them about future development.

After this dock is built, the benefits to Shanghu.

Make them not focus on this immediate money, but think about the future.

When a port is completed, besides tourists, it can also transport goods, right?

You first finish the preliminary work; for the rest, I'll later ask Tian Shi,

to have him handle communication with Shanghu's superiors. For this matter, don't fear trouble; we are the ones asking them."

I instructed Cui Chengshan.

Cui Chengshan listened.

Alright, Mr. Zhao, I'll have dinner with the people over at Shanghu tonight. Everyone can discuss further.

Okay, Chengshan.

"You just have to work hard; I believe there will be good rewards," I said.

Cui Chengshan shook my hand and then left.

I found Xixi and told her about the design plans,

asking her to take Shi Jinhe to the design institute to rework the plans,

and also to consult some university professors to get their opinions.

Xixi said, "If we redesign these plans, the cost will be high and it will delay the schedule. Uncle, we should start construction while we operate."

I said to Xixi, "Xixi, I used to think the same way, but after I returned from Huaihai, my view changed.

The business side isn't urgent; the key is that we must build well, a distinctive Ancient City."

"Xixi, what is your father busy with? Bring your father over to join us."

"My father is still gathering data on the villages," Xixi said.

"Xixi, I'm thinking of something,

we've developed too quickly these years.

You see, most things from the 1980s are already obsolete. Let your father come,

and have him figure out how to build a 70s‑80s exhibition hall.

Put the tools and appliances we used in the 70s‑80s inside; that would be a selling point," I said.

Xixi said, "My father sighs all day that development is too fast and he can't keep up.

He still lives in the 1980s. His clothing and gear haven't changed much. Uncle, your idea is good; I'll go find my father and have him help."

"When will I take Uncle Jinhe to the design institute?"

"The sooner the better. Xixi, let the design institute know,

not every building has to be a replica of ancient architecture, nor all the same.

What does that mean,

figure out how to build some distinctive houses, like folk dwellings from various regions and the evolution of our own homes, etc.

Also, don't limit yourself to a single Ancient City or kingdom; think of the Spring‑Autumn period and its major states.

Find a way to condense them together.

For example, this could be the ancient city of Qin; the architecture here would be Qin style, and the attractions would relate to Shaanxi.

You need to use your brain and read more books to learn.

Open your mind,

imagine if we later construct the whole Warring States background,

and then dramatize the stories from the Spring‑Autumn and Warring States periods; how interesting that would be.

By then, our tourism projects will attract visitors," I reminded Xixi.

After hearing my reminder, Xixi

quickly thought,

after a moment she said, "Uncle, I understand your point. We were planning to build an Ancient Xue Kingdom city, which is too narrow. The Ancient Xue Kingdom has few stories and little influence. If we absorb the whole Spring‑Autumn and Warring States background and expand the city,

condense the Spring‑Autumn Five Hegemons or the Warring States Seven Heroes into this city, we could develop many projects."

Each ancient city would be different, including houses, shops, food, clothing, and so on.

Thus, visitors wouldn't leave after seeing it; their tours would be extended and they'd stay here to spend money.

"Uncle, is that what you mean?"

"Xixi, yes, that's the idea. Of course, we can't reconstruct the whole ancient kingdom; building just a symbolic portion of the architecture will suffice."

Every day we reenact an ancient story, from the State of Qi to Lu, Zhao, Qin, and so on.

Performed like a stage play.

Thus tourists get both scenery and drama. Look at the Three Kingdoms Ancient City, the Upper River Ancient Garden, the Great Tang Ancient City, etc.; they all operate this way.

We can take inspiration from them.