Chapter 39: Building Roads, Boosting Consumption

The next day.

After enjoying a captain-level luxurious breakfast at the restaurant, Tang Wen leisurely went downstairs with Tang Yi.

The discarded ten-wheeled truck they had arrived in was left behind; the two boarded the hotel's own Willys Jeep, swaying and rocking as they crossed the mountains from the wasteland back to the shipyard.

In fact, the hotel had two dedicated 1940 Lincoln Continentals, but unfortunately, there were no roads to drive them out.

The open-top Willys Jeep was a proper military off-road vehicle; sitting in it felt imposing, letting Tang Wen indulge his fantasy of being a US officer.

Upon arriving at the shipyard, Tang Yi immediately went to prepare for the port's concealment renovation and road construction, while Tang Wen headed straight for the village head's house.

This time, he saw the wide-open courtyard gate from far away, and the Jeep drove directly into the yard.

Chen Yonggui heard the car sound and came out, seeing a very new Jeep parked in the yard, with Tang Wen beside it, fixing his wind-tousled hair.

"Good heavens, where did you get this?"

The village head was even more surprised by the Jeep than by the ten-wheeled truck; the 212, similar to the Willys Jeep, was still widely in service at public institutions, almost a symbol of the system.

Moreover, the driver this time was not a shipyard worker, but a driver sent by the hotel, wearing high-waisted trousers, a small vest, and a trench coat—typical attire of the thirties and forties—with white gloves on his hands.

Set off like this, Tang Wen looked even more imposing, like an officer.

"No big deal, Uncle, I brought you some little snacks."

Tang Wen acted a bit showily, then lifted two exquisitely packaged cardboard boxes from the Jeep's back seat.

Inside were the cakes and pastries he had packed in the morning, emitting a rich cream aroma.

Chen Yonggui took one look inside and let out a "Yo"; he had intended to politely refuse, but the snow-white cream combined with the fresh scent of fruit immediately made him unable to look away.

The other box contained baked pastries, equally complete in color, aroma, and taste.

He had seen pastries in pastry shops in the city, but these in front of him were clearly several levels higher; buying them would cost at least several hundred yuan.

The village head ultimately could not withstand the temptation and said somewhat embarrassedly:

"Since it's food, I'll accept it. Have lunch here with me; there happen to be two links of sausage left."

Sausage in August? This is Guangdong's climate.

In this era, there were no refrigerators; Tang Wen absolutely dared not try it and quickly shook his head to change the subject:

"No trouble for you, this is my thanks. Fudong Company has really contacted us; they will visit on Monday. This is all thanks to you, Village Head."

"What's the big deal? I just have an acquaintance over there and said a few words."

Chen Yonggui waved his hand, but the pride on his face was unmistakable.

He still had some connections in this land of E City; as long as he put in some effort, what connection couldn't be made?

However, it was also thanks to Fudong Company really being busy buying ships; otherwise, they wouldn't have flipped through the Yellow Pages to make calls.

Tang Wen thanked him a few more times, then finally stated his purpose.

"You want to build a port at Dawan?"

Chen Yonggui was somewhat puzzled, then quickly realized.

The village's boats were not large, with shallow drafts; they could just be tied to a stake driven into the beach, or simply driven ashore to run aground.

But fishing boats of several hundred tons were definitely different; they needed a dedicated docking port.

The naming of Dawan Village came from the bay occupied by Tang Wen; locals simply called it "Dawan."

There was little value there; the land was poor. Chen Yonggui agreed without much thought:

"No problem. That piece of land is even worse than where your shipyard is now. I'll make the decision; one thousand yuan is enough."

Tang Wen was overjoyed, then immediately added:

"Then give me the land between Dawan and the shipyard as well. I'll give the village two thousand."

"Good!"

How could Chen Yonggui refuse? With two thousand yuan in the village, many things could be done.

"One last thing, Village Head. I want to build a road between Dawan and the shipyard, and also fix the roads in the village."

Tang Wen had originally only considered the shipyard and the port, but thinking of the village's support, he decided to build them all together.

He planned to build a cement road; the trucks could provide themselves, materials and machinery could be bought, and personnel would naturally be recruited mainly from the village.

Moreover, he had another purpose he did not state:

Gaijin Port had very good infrastructure and great potential; perhaps it could attract consumers to subsidize some operating costs.

Many people in the village were not without money; they were just limited by the environment and couldn't spend it.

If consumption from several nearby villages could be attracted, that would also be a considerable income.

Upon hearing about road construction, the village head's joy increased even more, and he quickly said:

"The roads between the village and the bay add up to nearly four kilometers. Building them would probably cost seventy or eighty thousand, which is too heavy a burden for you."

"How about this? Let me calculate how the village can contribute a bit more, so everyone has it easier."

Chen Yonggui had actually been planning road construction all along; he understood the principle that to get rich, one must first build roads. Moreover, the convenience of travel alone was worth considering.

Currently, one cubic meter of cement cost around 200 yuan. According to the standard of 3.5 meters wide and 15 centimeters thick, it would require at least two hundred-plus cubic meters.

For labor, the village could bring its own dry rations; even without pay, everyone would be willing to work.

Crushed stone could be mined themselves; at most, it would be the cost of renting equipment. The main expense was cement.

Building four kilometers of road, the total cost should be over eighty thousand.

Hearing the village head's plan, Tang Wen nodded in approval.

Currently, there was no such high demand for traffic; a 3.5-meter cement road was already sufficient.

As for letting the villagers contribute money... it might not be a bad thing.

Chen Yonggui had strong execution; he immediately grabbed a runny-nosed kid from the neighboring yard, gave him a pastry, and sent him to tell the whole village to hold a meeting in the afternoon.

After lunch, when he and Tang Wen arrived at the village committee, quite a few people had already come.

By now, the villagers knew it was about road construction; almost everyone who could come from every household had come, cramming the village committee courtyard until it was packed tight.

"Make way, make way."

Chen Yonggui brought Tang Wen through the crowd, found two small stools, and sat in the center of the courtyard; immediately, all voices turned toward them.

"Little Tang wants to build a road? How's your shipyard business?"

"The village roads should have been fixed long ago; it just so happens we can spare some to pave a courtyard."

"Does Tang Wen have a partner? I have a niece coming back soon..."

"Can it reach Lower Sanli? Chen Yonggui, don't forget your roots!"

"..."

"Stop talking, listen to me!"

Chen Yonggui summoned the village head's authority and roared; the crowd quickly fell silent.

He stood up, hands on hips, and shouted at the top of his lungs:

"Everyone is right; our Wan Village is going to build cement roads. Our young boss Tang originally planned to build one for himself, but thinking of how it would benefit the villagers, I discussed with him to also build the village roads!

We've gathered everyone here hoping you'll contribute some money, and those who can, contribute labor; it will benefit everyone in the future!"

As his words ended, Tang Wen, who had been ready, stood up and raised his hand:

"To help the village, I announce that no matter how the village builds or what the budget is, I will cover half!"

"Good!"

The surrounding villagers immediately applauded; half the cost was at least tens of thousands, and spreading it across each household would immediately reduce the pressure significantly.

With this, Tang Wen's image was instantly established, and people's looks became much warmer.

Tang Wen's role was just to make a statement; the rest was the village head's business.

Every household's location is different, and the difficulty of building the road varies accordingly.

Moreover, since some contribute more money and others less, the labor contribution must be balanced.

In a village of over a hundred households, relationships are mixed, and involving interests and disputes will be very troublesome.

To get the road built, most people must first accept their own share; otherwise, there will be no peace in the future.

Chen Yonggui, full and well-fed from noon, was ready for a battle; Tang Wen, meanwhile, quietly slipped away while no one was paying attention.