Chapter 1193: Blatant Plunder!

The next day.

Just as Tang Ye entered the office, Deputy County Magistrate Chen Shan walked in.

"County Magistrate Tang, these are the conditions for the demolition and relocation of those four gardens."

Tang Ye took the document, and after reading it, he couldn't help but slap the table. "These conditions clearly show they have no intention of negotiating. Chai Zhenkun wants to hold us to ransom and make all the common people of Yechuan County pay the price. His scheme is truly calculating."

This was the first time Chen Shan had seen Tang Ye slap the table.

In her impression, Tang Ye was highly capable, but very gentle in how he handled people and matters.

"County Magistrate Tang, Mayor Gao called me about this matter." Chen Shan glanced at Tang Ye's expression and reminded him cautiously.

"Mayor Gao, is that Gao Qidong?" Tang Ye asked with some surprise.

"Yes," Chen Shan said. "Mayor Gao feels that Chai Zhenkun is a banner of the Hanzhou business community and that we should provide a green channel. He even brought up the fact that Chai Zhenkun previously provided funding to donate a primary school to Yechuan County."

Tang Ye thought to himself, that donation for the primary school was to resolve the issue with Zhaojiang Wharf; how did it get dragged into the Strategic Eastward Expansion demolition and relocation?

One should remain calm in the face of great events; Tang Ye's emotions quickly cooled down.

"We must clarify our own stance. The power and obligation for the demolition and relocation of these four gardens lie with the Yechuan County Government. Leaders in the city may offer suggestions, but those are merely reference opinions; the final decision still rests with us in Yechuan County."

Chen Shan heard the firmness in Tang Ye's voice and felt a sense of admiration.

Gao Qidong was the Executive Vice Mayor and the fourth-ranking figure in the Municipal Party Committee, while she was merely a Deputy County Magistrate and not even a Standing Committee Member of the County Party Committee; it was difficult for her to withstand the pressure Gao Qidong exerted on her.

However, Tang Ye's willingness to state his position gave her a sense of confidence.

"County Magistrate Tang, the initiative lies with the other party. One of the gardens is located in the construction area of the New Train Station. If we cannot reach an agreement, it will affect the construction progress of the New Train Station." Chen Shan also felt helpless and could only seek Tang Ye's help.

Tang Ye said in a deep voice, "I will bring this matter to the Standing Committee for discussion. Comrade Chen Shan, do not feel pressured."

After Chen Shan left.

The office door was knocked on.

Tang Ye called out to come in.

Deputy Secretary Shi Guangrong walked in with a smile.

Tang Ye was somewhat surprised; he picked up the desk phone and dialed Ma Ran's number. "Pour tea for Secretary Shi."

After Ma Ran poured the tea, he withdrew.

Shi Guangrong smiled and said, "County Magistrate Tang, you gained quite a lot from your trip to Liaoning Province to attend the summit!"

Tang Ye said, "Oh, I just went over to see the world outside."

Shi Guangrong said, "You are just being too modest. You represented Huai Province to give a presentation at this summit and appeared on the News Broadcast, winning face for our Yechuan County."

Tang Ye waved his hand. "You flatter me. By the way, Secretary Shi, is there something you need?"

Shi Guangrong smiled, took out a document, and handed it to Tang Ye. "There is indeed a matter I would like to ask for your help with. If it is troublesome, that is fine too."

Tang Ye glanced at the content of the document; it was related to a training class at the Municipal Party School.

He said with a smile, "Secretary Shi, I understand what you mean. You should prepare first, how about that?"

Shi Guangrong breathed a sigh of relief. "Then I am very grateful!"

After seeing Shi Guangrong off.

Tang Ye rubbed his chin.

It was not a bad thing that Shi Guangrong asked him for a favor.

This time, when he went to Liaoning Province for the summit, he had ended up on the News Broadcast by a stroke of luck.

Unsurprisingly, many cadres in the county, including Shi Guangrong, all felt that his background was particularly deep.

Shi Guangrong taking the initiative to come and ask for his help could actually be seen as him showing goodwill.

The matter Shi Guangrong asked for help with was not difficult to handle, and there was no conflict of interest for him!

Therefore, Tang Ye agreed.

On Wednesday, the Standing Committee of the County Party Committee was convened.

At the meeting, Han Zhengyi announced that the Strategic Eastward Expansion Project had achieved phased progress.

"Comrades, the first batch of startup funds has been transferred to the fiscal account of Yechuan County.

These funds are to be used for the construction of the New Train Station.

This train station will be a station primarily for high-speed trains.

In the future, it will become the most important transportation hub in Xiyang City.

Everyone must seize this historic opportunity.

County Magistrate Tang has put in a lot of effort for this project, running to the provincial level many times, and finally secured this project.

County Magistrate Tang, thank you for your efforts."

The Standing Committee Members began to applaud one after another.

Tang Ye hurriedly stood up and bowed to express his gratitude.

"County Magistrate Tang, why don't you say a few words!" Han Zhengyi touched his teacup and handed the floor to Tang Ye.

Tang Ye spoke briefly—about the significance of the New Train Station being located in Yechuan County.

Immediately, he changed the subject and brought out the demands Chen Shan had given him.

"The New Train Station is an important component of Yechuan's Strategic Eastward Expansion.

Currently, the startup funds are in place, and the next step is demolition and relocation.

Demolition and relocation involve interests.

Therefore, our work will be very rigorous.

Right now, there is a difficult problem.

A few months ago, Chai Zhenkun acquired four gardens in Yechuan County, and now he is opening his mouth like a lion, demanding one hundred million from the government."

Chen Shan, who is responsible for the negotiations, is under great pressure and has high blood pressure; she has been taking antihypertensive medication for the past few days.

"What does everyone think we should do!"

Han Zhengyi rubbed his chin and said in a deep voice, "I have looked into these few gardens, and the cost of land acquisition and demolition is very high. Chai Zhenkun spoke with me on the phone, and his meaning is that the Government can offset the acquisition and demolition compensation by transferring land."

Tang Ye sneered.

Subsequently, in a rare move, he exposed Chai Zhenkun's greed without sparing any face.

"Acquiring land may look like it doesn't require paying out real money, but land is very precious, especially after the Strategic Eastward Expansion matures; the price of every piece of land will rise. He is very clever and knows how to speculate to maximize his profits."

Executive Deputy County Magistrate Zhao Kaiyuan said, "County Magistrate Tang, are you worried that Zhenao is hoarding goods for speculation? How about this: we require them to invest after they receive the land. Once they go into production and become profitable, we can quickly recoup the land costs through taxes."

Tang Ye sighed and said, "We cannot easily trust the promises of Zhenao Group. As far as I know, Chai Zhenkun only spent eight million in costs to acquire these four gardens initially, but now he intends to use the policy benefits of the Government's development of Dong Qu as leverage to pry open assets worth over a hundred million. This is not investing; it is blatant plunder of state-owned resources."

The group had witnessed Tang Ye's eloquence more than once.

Tang Ye's words were reasonable, well-grounded, and very persuasive.

Zhao Kaiyuan questioned with a lack of confidence, "Although Zhenao is suspected of speculation, the procedures for acquiring those gardens were legal. Labeling it as plunder seems a bit exaggerated."

Tang Ye glanced at Han Zhengyi.

Tang Ye knew that the person he was truly facing was Han Zhengyi.

Zhao Kaiyuan was debating him under the instruction of Han Zhengyi.

The County Party Secretary furrowed his brows and did not express a stance.

Han Zhengyi still maintained a welcoming attitude toward Chai Zhenkun.

After all, from Han Zhengyi's perspective.

Zhenao Group is a leading hegemon in Xiyang City; if they can invest in Yechuan, it would be a growth point for political achievements for the locality.

Merchants do not get up early without profit.

Chai Zhenkun took down four gardens, which shows that he has vision and understands investment.

As for Tang Ye's position, Han Zhengyi could actually understand it.

He does not want government assets to flow into the pockets of speculators.

Therefore, the difference in positions created disputes and disagreements.