Chapter 70: Do His Job First

The first meeting with the Relocation Office did not go well. Mr. Qian stood his ground, his attitude lofty and dismissive, showing clear disdain for Zhao Zejun, the young disaster relief hero. Disaster relief is one thing; demolition is another—two entirely separate matters.

When you ride the tide, all sides will exalt you in an instant; but if you dare go against the current and obstruct the city’s grand construction plans, you can just as quickly be trampled into the mud, all previous glory stripped away, consigned to oblivion. That was the source of Mr. Qian’s confidence. Now, he was not just an ordinary businessman—he represented advanced productivity, the will of the Party Committee, and before the wheels of economic progress, everything must yield!

If they say they’ll support you, they do; if they say they’ll crush you, they will! That’s how things work, whether you like it or not.

Zhao Zejun naturally understood, yet he was in no hurry. Today was merely an initial meeting—a mutual probing, a chance to put faces to names. There would be plenty of time in the days ahead. With more than ten properties in hand, as long as he didn’t hand over the keys, the initiative remained his. Was he afraid the Relocation Office wouldn’t come back to negotiate? In due time, the doors would close, and the real discussion would begin.

True, the demolition could involve hard tactics; the two police cars parked outside the Relocation Office were proof enough. But Yijiang City was a second-tier city, not to be compared with remote counties and towns where local tyrants ran unchecked. As long as the bargaining stayed within acceptable limits, everything could be negotiated.

Of course, there would be threats: water and electricity cut off, verbal pressure—just like today, Mr. Qian’s attitude was itself a form of intimidation. But Zhao Zejun, returned from another life, knew these were paper tigers, meant only to scare. First they coax, then they threaten, then they negotiate—like a game, three moves in rotation. If none work, then they gather strength for a final, decisive blow.

In the end, it all came back to the eight-character motto Zhao Tao had given him: argue with reason, stop at the right moment.

Zhao Zejun didn’t leave, cheerfully following the Relocation Office as they entered the village to observe, staying close to the action to keep abreast of the latest developments.

Ever since the demolition announcement, the long-silent Gaogang Village had erupted into excitement. Along the way, local residents were everywhere, discussing the coming demolition.

One demolition was worth ten years of hard work. For everyone in Gaogang Village, the question was the same as Zhao Zejun’s: how to bargain with the Relocation Office and earn more.

Seeing the officials arrive, some bold villagers tried to approach for information, but were stopped by the accompanying police officers.

Aside from surveying the area, Mr. Qian had another crucial task: he brought professional surveyors to arrange and begin measuring and registering the houses.

Though the demolition announcement had stated clearly: any houses built after the announcement would not count toward compensation, many still clung to a glimmer of hope, hastily expanding their homes after the announcement.

“I can tell everyone something else!” Old Li stood at a vantage point, addressing the villagers from above. “Yesterday, before the demolition announcement was released, we already conducted aerial photography by plane. Every household’s situation is crystal clear from the aerial images. Even if you tried to secretly build, it’s useless. As I said before: any additions built before the announcement—consider yourselves lucky, they’ll be recognized; anything after, absolutely not!”

Some suddenly recalled that, just days ago, small planes had flown low over Gaogang Village several times. People joked then that maybe the planes were about to crash—why else would they fly so low?

Turns out, they were taking photos!

Now, everyone regretted bitterly. If only they’d known, why hadn’t they risked everything to expand their homes in previous years? Even half a room more would have been good; after the demolition, broken bricks and dilapidated tiles would turn into real money!

“Forget it, nobody has eyes front and back—who could have known…” When the moment came, most could only comfort themselves, though their hearts burned with pain.

Demolition—how many times can one encounter such a thing in a lifetime?

Zhao Zejun kept to himself, watching from the back of the crowd with a stern expression. His properties had long since been expanded.

Taking advantage of the Gaogang Village reconstruction project, Jiang Xuan had arranged for workers to expand his two-story houses and newly purchased properties at the first opportunity, citing a noble reason: to improve the living conditions for the elderly residing there.

No one could find fault—the majority of Zhao Zejun’s homes were occupied by elderly disaster victims with nowhere else to go. Anyone who complained would soon be silenced by the collective scolding of the grannies and grandpas.

The elderly had their own advantages: old age, untouchable, most wielded formidable powers of persuasion…

In fact, after the disaster relief, among nearly two thousand households in Gaogang Village, the dozen or so with the greatest ‘deterrent force’ in the demolition negotiations were all gathered under Zhao Zejun’s command.

This group was his greatest hidden asset and shield in bargaining with the Relocation Office!

Having Jiang Xuan oversee construction quality, insisting on ‘slow work for fine results,’ was also part of the plan—to keep the most formidable team in place until demolition.

This team was ready for action today.

As soon as the officials declared that new houses wouldn’t count, the elderly erupted!

Their houses had collapsed in the rain—the new ones weren’t finished yet. If the new builds didn’t count, it meant they’d have no homes!

“Little Zhao, you have to speak to the Relocation Office for us—our situation is different!” Several old men pulled Zhao Zejun aside.

“Alright, let’s all go, and make our situation clear to them.” Zhao Zejun led the group of elderly through the crowd.

Seeing the sudden appearance of so many seniors, Mr. Qian frowned. He specialized in demolition work at Baoye Corporation and had ample experience. In demolition, the most troublesome were the elderly—they couldn’t be touched or reasoned with. One or two could be managed, but when their numbers grew, the headache multiplied. You couldn’t exactly stage a massacre…

Quick, retreat!

He’d barely taken a few steps before several old women began to wail.

“Leader, you have to stand up for us!” They cried and clung to Director Qian’s legs, sitting on the ground and refusing to budge.

Director Qian was rooted to the spot like a tree, his legs held fast by two old ladies, unable to move, his face awkward.

Old Li from the neighborhood committee hurried to the rescue, glaring at Zhao Zejun. “Little Zhao, these people all live at your place, don’t you have any control? What does this look like—how can the leaders work?”

Zhao Zejun stepped forward, supporting one of the elderly women. “Uncles and aunties, if you have something to say, say it properly—the leaders are here to listen.”

Director Qian, irritated inside but forced to smile, helped up one elderly woman and said kindly, “That’s right, seniors, whatever the issue, let’s talk it over. Come, come, let’s get up first.”

“Yes, yes, let’s get up. The leader isn’t going anywhere, the Relocation Office is right here. Auntie, let me help you up.”

Just moments ago, the old lady had seemed weighted to the ground, but as soon as Zhao Zejun offered his arm, she stood up immediately.

“Leader, my home is at the east end of the village—last month’s rain…”

“Leader, I do have a house…”

“Leader…”

“Everyone, don’t shout. Little Zhao, you explain!” said the elderly woman.

Mr. Qian waved his hand, indicating Zhao Zejun should wait, and asked, frowning and a bit sharply, “Did you bring them?”

“Hello, Mr. Qian. During the disaster, as Old Li knows, these elderly folks were temporarily housed with me. Now, with this situation…” Zhao Zejun explained calmly and thoroughly.

Mr. Qian listened, nodding slightly. After hearing it all, he relaxed—it wasn’t a big problem, and was easily resolved.

He smiled and said, “Everyone, rest assured. Even if the house is gone, you still have your land and registration. You’ve all lived in Gaogang Village for half your lives; the city’s demolition isn’t going to leave you homeless. I promise you—though your houses are gone, compensation will be equal for all. Old Li, go and tally up the homes that collapsed and haven’t been rebuilt yet, and prioritize their measurement and registration.”

“Alright,” Old Li replied. That was simple—the reconstruction company had precise records; just coordinate with them.

The issue with the elderly was resolved surprisingly smoothly. Mr. Qian reassured them, “Seniors, go home peacefully and wait for the keys to your new homes.”

The elderly looked at each other, then all turned to Zhao Zejun.

Old Li shot Zhao Zejun a look, urging him to take the group away—so many seniors gathered was a bad look, and if they raised unreasonable demands, the leaders would lose face.

Zhao Zejun finally spoke loudly, “Uncles and aunties, don’t worry—until you have your new homes, stay with me. Mr. Qian just said it—everyone will have a house. Let’s head back now and not cause trouble for the leaders.”

…

The disturbance caused by the elderly was minor; even if they hadn’t protested, they’d still be given homes after the demolition.

But along the way back, Mr. Qian kept reflecting on what had happened. Once in his office, he called Old Li in alone and asked, “Those old folks seem to listen closely to this Zhao fellow?”

“Absolutely,” Old Li replied. “During the rain, Zhao Zejun led the disaster relief—I saw it with my own eyes. He braved the storm, worked until his skin was raw, and rescued many of these elderly, carrying them out of danger one by one. If they don’t trust Zhao Zejun, who else would they trust?”

“None of them have children? Why are they living at his house?” Mr. Qian wondered.

“When he was doing disaster relief, manpower was short. Most of those rescued were childless seniors with nowhere else to go—their homes weren’t ready, so they had to stay with him. He has plenty of houses.”

Mr. Qian pondered for a moment. “This Zhao Zejun—could he have planned all this in advance? Old Li, do your best to persuade him. He has many houses and considerable influence. If he moves out, and brings all the seniors with him, things will go much more smoothly for us.”

Old Li hesitated. “Mr. Qian, could we be a little more flexible on the compensation? He’s not easy to deal with.”

“We can give a bit more—a few tens of thousands extra isn’t an issue. But there are two principles: first, the elderly must not cause trouble; second, they must move out quickly. And you know Baoye’s bottom line—it cannot be crossed.”