Chapter 616: Legislative Council Session 600: Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu Looks Down Upon the Entire Chamber!

9:00,

Inside the Legislative Council Building,

In the main chamber,

All the legislators had arrived, not a single one absent; they were all here to watch the show.

Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu, dressed in a crisp dark suit, was currently the focus of every legislator's attention.

Each legislator thought to themselves:

"It's his time to hog the spotlight again today."

"Boring, I want to see blood flow like a river!"

"Just here for the popcorn~~~"

"Brother Zu hasn't made a proposal in months, the whole Legislative Council meeting has been so dull; today I can finally have a feast."

"I hope the real estate developers aren't too weak; if they fall over at the first gust of wind, that would be too uninteresting."

On the surface, they all looked serious and righteous, but their inner thoughts were incredibly active.

There were also some legislators who had been bought off by real estate interests, thinking to themselves:

"Who's going to object first later?"

"If I stand up first, will I get beaten up?"

"I shouldn't have to be the first one to stand up, right? I only took so much money..."

"Forget it, forget it, I'll just say a few painless words of opposition; it's not worth offending Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu for a bit of money."

9:10,

Tap, tap, tap~~~

Speaker John strategically tapped the microphone.

"Alright, the meeting begins..."

"Ladies and gentlemen..."

After a bunch of "serving the people" rhetoric,

"Legislators, does anyone have any new motions to propose?"

The eyes of the entire room turned toward Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu.

Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu smiled and grabbed the mic: "Alright, then I'll go first..."

The previously drowsy heads of everyone in the room instantly perked up.

They all looked at Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu in unison.

It's coming, it's coming!

I want to see—blood flow like a river!

Hehehe~~~

The bought-off legislators cheered themselves on in their hearts: I shall fight you with all my might with a fearless stance!

"Legislators!"

Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu's gaze was solemn: "Everyone should have seen the news over the past two days and knows what I am going to do..."

"Now, on everyone's desk, there is a document; that is my motion for today... you can all open it and take a look."

Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu's voice became resonant, his delivery filled with emotion, spreading through the loudspeakers across the entire hall.

"Today, I stand here to solve a problem that has plagued the five million citizens of Hong Kong for years—the common area allocation!"

"Common area allocation, by the definition of real estate developers, includes elevator shafts, pipe shafts, stairwells, trash chutes, transformer rooms, equipment rooms, public lobbies..."

"Pfft~~~"

As Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu spoke, he suddenly let out a laugh.

"Sorry, I really couldn't help it."

"It also includes hallways, basements, security guard rooms, public utility rooms, and so on..."

"I don't understand..."

"Everyone!"

Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu looked around the room,

"Our citizens are clearly buying a house to live in themselves, so why must they also buy elevator shafts, pipe shafts, and even more absurdly, public lobbies, security guard rooms, and public utility rooms..."

"Can't we just be a bit more pure?"

"If an owner buys a house, can't they just buy the interior area?"

"Why must we have this common area allocation?"

Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu scanned the room,

"Everyone knows the reason..."

"Ultimately! It is something deliberately created by real estate developers to make more money."

"Because the calculation method is opaque, homebuyers often find it difficult to know exactly how the common area they are paying for is calculated..."

"This means that developers can arbitrarily expand the scope of common areas to increase their profits."

"In other words... the amount of common area depends entirely on the developer's word."

"This is extremely unfair to the citizens who buy homes."

Suddenly,

"I have an objection."

At this moment, the legislator bought off by the real estate developers finally spoke up.

It was a legislator from the real estate functional constituency.

I took the most money, so I'll be the one to fire the first shot!

Otherwise, this money feels a bit too hot to hold!

"Legislator Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan, I... *ahem*..."

This legislator originally wanted to shout sternly, question him, and lodge a protest, but the moment he saw Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu's imposing gaze, he instantly wilted.

Forget it, forget it, it was only 200,000; why risk my life for this!

His tone dropped significantly:

"Mr. Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan... if we cancel common area allocation, then who will pay for the construction of public areas like elevators, hallways, and the residential complex? Should the developers pay out of their own pockets? Canceling common area allocation will inevitably lead developers to cut corners and reduce costs, resulting in a dire consequence—lower property quality."

Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu chuckled: "You can ask the United States, Japan, the UK, Australia, Singapore, and other countries about this question; their properties have no common area allocation."

"Is their real estate quality poor?"

"As for cutting corners? Reducing quality? If that were really the case, then I would have to question the capabilities of the Independent Commission Against Corruption, the Housing Department, the Police Force, the Department of Justice, and the courts!"

"Your question is not a question at all... Next!"

The whole room: "............"

What the hell is "next."

Do you think this is killing chickens?

Another legislator stood up and questioned: "Legislator Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan, if we cancel common area allocation, housing prices will inevitably rise, and in the end, the ordinary homebuyer will be the one to suffer. How do you plan to solve that?"

Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu: "I do not deny that canceling common area allocation will lead to an increase in the price per square foot. However, the goal of my proposal is not to suppress housing prices, but to ensure that money is spent clearly, openly, and transparently."

"Citizens will weigh the housing prices themselves and decide whether to buy or not. I just hope to create an environment where they can spend their money with clarity."

"Furthermore, clear pricing allows for a more intuitive view of price fluctuations, which is beneficial for overall market regulation."

"Next..."

Another legislator: "Without common area allocation, who will maintain the elevators in the complex? Who will clean the lobby? The maintenance costs for these public areas must be borne by someone."

Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu: "When you ask that question, I suspect you have no brain... Doesn't the property management company collect management fees? What are these management fees for? Isn't it to maintain the complex? Besides, since you've already collected management fees, why must you add this into the housing price? That's double-charging."

That legislator: "............"

His face turned bright red.

Why are you insulting people?

Forget it, after all, I took 100,000 Hong Kong dollars; what's a little verbal abuse?

If I hadn't been scolded, I would have felt that the money was too easy to earn and felt a bit embarrassed.

Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu: "Next..."

Following that,

One legislator after another raised their own questions.

But!

They were all painless.

They had no choice; on one hand, they were afraid of Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu and afraid of being targeted by him.

On the other hand, common area allocation is indeed a bit ridiculous, and it is indeed, as Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu said, "nothing more than a tool for developers to amass wealth through opaque calculation methods."

This led to their questions being painless.

If they weren't being paid to do a job, they wouldn't even want to question him.

Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu sighed: "Boring~~~"

Speaker John and Deputy Speaker William couldn't muster any spirit: "Boring~~~"

The many popcorn-eating legislators hung their heads in disappointment: "Boring~~~~"

What happened to the promised blood flowing like a river?

I usually take leave, but I didn't today; I specifically rushed over just to watch the show!

Is that it?

Just that?

After about 20 minutes, the legislators bribed by various real estate developers had finished their performances, having been refuted by Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu until they were left speechless and crumbling, finally bowing down before Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu's leather shoes...

Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu: "Alright, does anyone else have any opinions?"

His gaze swept across the entire room.

The crowd expressed their loyalty one after another.

At this moment, it was finally the turn of the background figure, Chairman John, to speak.

"It seems everyone has nothing left to say, so let us move on to the next segment..."

"Voting!"

"Everyone, please begin voting..."

Soon,

the voting ended.

In the end, out of 60 people, there were 45 votes in favor, 0 against, and 15 abstentions.

"Tap, tap~~~"

Chairman John tapped his knuckles against the microphone.

"Alright, the voting results for the 'Hong Kong Building Area Transparency Ordinance' motion are now out..."

"Among the 60 legislators, 45 voted in favor, 0 against, and 15 abstained!"

"Now, I announce—the 'Hong Kong Building Area Transparency Ordinance' is passed!"

John stood with an air of righteousness.

"This voting result is not only an endorsement of Legislator Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan's proposal but also an important step for the Legislative Council to follow public opinion."

"This is the original intention of our Legislative Council's establishment: everything is for the sake of the citizens being able to live a better life..."

"Abolishing common area allocation allows citizens to spend their money clearly and transparently, leaving no room for real estate developers to engage in fraud or artificially inflate areas to earn profits..."

As expected of a leader, he grasped the essentials and elevated the theme.

"Clap, clap, clap~~~~"

The applause was like a tidal wave, washing over the entire venue.

11 o'clock,

the Legislative Council's weekly meeting concluded.

Everyone left the meeting hall one after another.

Then...

they heard bursts of cursing, fighting, and screaming coming from outside the building.

"Damn it, you support common area allocation? Do you have any conscience left?"

"You bastard, so what if I support it? I own property! What happens to my property value if common area allocation is abolished?"

"Scum~"

"Damn your mother!"

"Damn your..."

"Ahhh~~~ I'll fight you to the death!"

"Go to hell~~"

Outside the Legislative Council building,

two groups of citizens were seen, one side holding high signs saying "Abolish common area allocation, return my hard-earned money," and the other waving "Common area allocation is reasonable, community optimization."

Fierce arguments broke out in the crowd from time to time, and amidst the flying spittle, the angry emotions were like an exploding powder keg.

Both sides were brawling together. Plastic stools and placards became "weapons" in the melee, with shouting and crying echoing one after another.

It had already been going on for four or five minutes.

Someone's glasses were knocked off, the lenses shattering on the ground; several burly men were wrestling together, knocking over the police cordon and dragging the officers maintaining order down to the ground with them.

Someone filled a mineral water bottle with water and threw it fiercely at the crowd opposite, immediately triggering a commotion.

The police immediately formed a defensive line, attempting to separate the out-of-control crowd.

But the scene was too chaotic.

And at this time,

the live broadcast vans of TVB and ATV were naturally not idle.

The cameramen kept their lenses tightly focused on the conflict, and the high-definition footage was transmitted in real-time via satellite signal to the television screens of thousands of households across Hong Kong.

The citizens of Hong Kong had something to watch with their lunch!

"Dear viewers, the two groups of citizens outside the Legislative Council building, supporting and opposing the abolition of common area allocation, are in a fierce conflict; it has been going on for 10 minutes now..."

Le Le Huizhen's eyes were excited, her speaking speed rapid, "Some are holding sticks, some are throwing water bottles, the police are trying hard to maintain order, but the crowd's emotions are agitated, the situation is out of control, and it is a complete mess..."

The TVB side was no exception.

They were reporting excitedly.

On Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu's side, a group of legislators walked out and saw the fighting outside...

"Wow~~~ fighting?"

Their spirits were instantly lifted!

The boredom and lethargy from the meeting just now vanished in an instant.

"Isn't this more exciting than the meeting just now?"

"Well fought... *cough cough*, how can they be fighting!"

"Let's go, let's hurry over to watch the show... *cough cough*, to mediate!"

Each of them, thinking the bigger the spectacle the better, ran outside to watch the chaos.

"Wow, this old lady is impressive, grabbing hair..."

"This one is going for the groin~~"

"Hiss~~"

"That woman is ruthless~~~"

Just at this moment,

Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu walked quickly out of the building and jumped onto his black Chevrolet.

"Everyone stop!"

His voice was loud and clear, instantly overpowering the chaotic and noisy sounds of the scene.

The fighting on both sides paused slightly.

"Everyone, calm down!"

"Neighbors who support me, do me a favor... stop for now..."

As Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu's voice fell, many citizens retreated one after another.

"I listen to Mr. Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan..."

"Not fighting anymore..."

"I also listen to Mr. Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan..."

The crowd was divided into two distinct halves.

The remaining half of the citizens looked at Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu, each of them unconvinced.

"Mr. Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan, I am not convinced!"

"That's right, I'm not convinced either. If common area allocation is abolished, won't the price of the houses we currently own drop?"

"Who will compensate us for our losses?"

"Right, who will compensate? Will you?"

Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu said sternly: "First of all, I want to emphasize one point: buying a house is an investment. You say it dropped now and want me to compensate you. What about when it rises? Do you want to share the dividends with me?"

"You can't have your cake and eat it too, right?"

The opponents: "............"

"There is another point. After banning common area allocation, will your second-hand houses really drop? Not necessarily. If someone wants to buy your second-hand property and demands that only the usable area be counted, you can just raise the price. Isn't the total price still up to you to decide?"

The opponents: "............"

Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu: "When you bought houses in the past, didn't you hate common area allocation? When you buy houses in the future, do you still want to continue accepting common area allocation? You shouldn't want that, right? So now that I want to ban common area allocation, why are you opposing it?"

The opponents: "............"

With logic and evidence, they didn't know how to refute him.

And those opponents who had taken money to cause trouble were also at a loss for how to object, unable to find an excuse.

The whole scene suddenly fell silent.

Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu: "Alright, now I announce a piece of news..."

"Just now, in the Legislative Council meeting, the 'Hong Kong Building Area Transparency Ordinance' motion I proposed passed with 45 votes in favor and 15 abstentions."

"Starting from today, it will go through the process, and barring any accidents, it will soon officially become the law of Hong Kong."

"Things like common area allocation are something we will never see again in the future."

"Which is to say, from now on, every inch of property price must be clearly marked!"

"You no longer need to pay blood and sweat money for hallways or transformer rooms!"

"You no longer need to pay for 'air'!"

"The property market in Xiangdao will welcome true fairness!"

Under the sunlight,

Director Director Director Director Director Director Guan Zu sat in the car, his posture upright, shining brilliantly.

Many council members: "............"

Damn it!

He got to show off again!

If I had known, I would have jumped onto the roof of the car to give the speech!

This show-off moment should have been mine!

(End of chapter)