Chapter Sixty-Six: Mobilizing for Demolition

After the brief opening ceremony, Zhao Zejun, Jiang Xuan, Junzi, and the workers who had been there from the beginning went together to a restaurant for an internal celebration meal. This time, they didn’t go to Junzi’s family’s food stall. With the company established and Zhao as the boss, Huayang Group had been generous by transferring the construction funds to Zejian’s account before the project even started. Their status had risen, funds were plentiful, and returning to a food stall felt rather shabby. No matter how tasty crawfish might be, after eating it for months, they had grown tired of it—and besides, it never really filled you up.

A crowd of them descended upon Shu King Hotpot, booking a large private room. Including Zhao Zejun, there were twenty-one people in all, most of whom were workers pulled in by the original construction team. Among that initial group, Old Chen was the most well-connected, having brought seven fellow workers himself. He became Zejian Company’s first real subcontractor—albeit a small one—but already stood as a key figure below the bosses, able to rival Liang Shi, the engineer. This was a promising sign: rivalry meant the organizational structure was beginning to take shape, and the company was no longer just a loose collection of people.

With a full twenty-person construction crew, Zejian Company had already surpassed many of the small engineering firms in Yijiang City. The new company, energized by Huayang Group’s project, was vibrant and lively, and Zhao Zejun—the true head—felt a sense of fulfillment.

In the first half year since his rebirth, he genuinely started from scratch, earning four hundred thousand through an internet café license. In the next half year, he spent all of that, trading it for more than a dozen soon-to-be-demolished houses, a small but legitimate engineering company, and thirty-five thousand in project funds sitting in the company’s account. There were also intangible gains—connections, such as Yu Zhe, Yu Jin, Huayang’s branch, the local street office...

Along the way, there had been a few coincidences, but mostly he had followed his plan step by step, tackling unexpected challenges as they arose. Fortunately, the effort had not been wasted; reaching this point gave Zhao Zejun a sense of satisfaction while strengthening his resolve, urging him to explore further and broader horizons.

Give me three years, five years, even ten or twenty—how far can I go? What kind of enterprise can I build? One day, will I really be able to bring some change to this world?

...

As the cups were raised and exchanged during the banquet, Zhao Zejun remembered that in his previous life, it was drinking that had killed him. This time, he truly didn’t want to overindulge. The culture of drinking is vast and profound: at the table, it’s not as simple as deciding to drink less. Drink with one person, and you must drink with another; the first glass leads to a second. If word spreads that the boss can drink, more people will want to drink with you next time. Deciding whom to accompany and whom not to can easily offend someone.

With the lesson from his past life, Zhao Zejun resolved that starting from this meal, he would gradually establish an image for himself: Boss Zhao neither likes alcohol nor can handle it.

Zhao Zejun abstained, but others drank. Jiang Xuan and Junzi, both seasoned drinkers, kept the atmosphere lively. This was also a minor reason Zhao Zejun entrusted Jiang Xuan with managing Zejian Company. In real industry, especially construction, you inevitably deal with people from all walks of life, and social drinking is frequent. Zhao Zejun didn’t want to waste too much energy on this. When it was time to delegate, he would delegate—he could be a genius, but he still couldn’t do everything alone.

Speaking of energy, Zhao Zejun thought that once he started university and had more free time, he would stick to exercising. A strong body is more important than anything.

Besides the Zejian staff, Huayang Group had sent their accountant Chen to oversee fund usage—a man in his forties with thick black-rimmed glasses. At first, he joked, “The project hasn’t even started, and Zejian is already feasting.” But after several rounds of drinks, his face flushed and he was pounding the table, changing his tune: “Eat well and drink well, then you’ll have strength to work. Cheers!”

After the Shu King banquet, the reconstruction project officially began. Under Jiang Xuan’s leadership, Zejian Company truly became busy. Zhao Zejun’s routine shifted once more—and for the last time—back to preparing for the college entrance exam, now only twenty-two days away.

Meanwhile, in Yijiang City, the municipal government was holding the final mobilization meeting for the demolition and redevelopment of Gaogang Village.

Inside a meeting room at Yijiang City Hall:

“The importance and significance of Gaogang Village’s demolition and redevelopment have been emphasized many times by the city. All of you present are seasoned colleagues, so there’s no need for me to repeat myself. Next, Comrade Yang Jun from the Publicity Department will convey the summary of the municipal party committee’s meeting regarding resettlement and demolition.”

After a brief address, the city’s new mayor handed the microphone to Yang Jun from the Publicity Department. The leaders from each unit in attendance wore smiles, but their thoughts differed. The city’s resolution to redevelop had come fast: only a hint at the beginning of the month, and less than two weeks later it had already passed the party committee’s vote. Everyone thought that even if things moved quickly, implementation wouldn’t start until the second half of the year, with actual demolition perhaps delayed until next year. No one expected this mayor, determined to seize the day, to convene several mobilization meetings immediately after the committee’s decision, pushing for action within the first half of the year.

It was just like the new approach seen in the internet café license incident: nothing leaked beforehand, and execution was swift and decisive, leaving no room for manipulation.

Yang Jun took the microphone and, in a calm, rote manner, relayed, “Based on the difficulties provided by each unit regarding Gaogang Village’s demolition, the party committee has issued several guiding principles: First, the primary criterion is the speedy demolition of Gaogang Village, with the aim of benefiting the people. One: property rights will be streamlined, disregarding all historical disputes—regardless of how property rights were previously divided, all houses will be attributed to their current residents. Two: house size will be determined by on-site measurement and aerial photography on the date the demolition notice is issued; any new construction after that date will not be counted, but all prior construction will be acknowledged. Three: compensation for demolition will, in principle, follow current laws and regulations, using the highest standard. Four: any actions or individuals obstructing the demolition will be dealt with decisively...”

After Yang Jun conveyed the party committee’s summary, a murmur spread through the room. The city’s intent was clear: pay whatever it takes to thoroughly resolve Gaogang Village’s issues.

Yet Yijiang’s municipal finances were limited; with this compensation scheme, the city simply couldn’t afford it.

The mayor raised his hand and pressed down, quieting the room, then took back the microphone and said, “As for funding, rest assured. The city has already completed bidding and signed a land transfer agreement for Gaogang Village with Baoye Group, a renowned publicly listed real estate company. The specifics of demolition and compensation will be managed jointly by the city and Baoye Group. I hope all units will unify their thinking, gather strength, and make a determined effort to handle the demolition and resettlement of Gaogang Village, firing the opening shot for our city’s urban village redevelopment and achieving a strong start.

Today, right here in this meeting room, we’ll clarify and implement every detail of the demolition work, according to the party committee’s guidelines. Once everything is determined, the meeting will end. Don’t worry— the cafeteria has specially prepared a meal today to make sure everyone’s stomach is taken care of.”