Chapter 400: Chapter 400 Setting up a Military Order
"No need to thank me, Mayor Liu. It was but a simple gesture of goodwill. Besides, with Liu Jiaxin connecting us, it didn’t require much effort. Furthermore, you’ve provided me with a new research direction, so I should be the one thanking you."
"That’s not acceptable. You took the trouble to come all the way to town. By the way, you’ve just arrived at the village chief’s village. There must be many things awaiting your attention. Do you even have the time and energy to focus on these additional matters?"
"Moreover, since I have assumed this position, I absolutely will not allow anyone, whether below me or above, to be disappointed with me. I will take good care of both ends, and I won’t give up on either side easily."
"Good, young man, to have something to strive for, one must also have things they forgo. Therefore, I really appreciate this about you."
"Mayor Liu, actually, I have been thinking about the issue with Chenhe Village. It has become a historical problem. Since it was not resolved during the previous term, we must confront it head-on this term. I have already made it a priority in my future work tasks. I must take care of it as quickly as possible."
"This matter has indeed been brought to my attention by Jiaxin. In the past, I’ve given it a lot of thought. Do you think we do not wish to merge that village back together? It’s indeed what we have been longing for, but the historical issues left behind are just too numerous. If you can truly win over the hearts of the people and resolve this issue, I promise you that the position of village chief will be yours, and no one else will be up to the task."
"Excellent, Mayor Liu. If you say that, then I can rest assured. Besides, what about the matter with Jiaxin’s factory?"
"Right, I was about to contact you about that. It so happens that Jiaxin is downstairs right now. Come, let’s go down and I’ll brief you on a few things."
Seeing Mayor Liu’s intention, it seemed that this matter must have taken shape; otherwise, he would not have been so cautious in explaining these matters to me.
"Hmm, Mayor Liu, how are things going?"
Noticing the two descending from upstairs, Liu Jiaxin quickly stood up and anxiously asked with concern.
However, seeing the expression on Mayor Liu at that moment, she felt that the matter must have found a temporary resolution.
"Jia Xin, this time, I really do need to thank you. If it weren’t for you introducing Doctor Liu to me, my mother’s illness would not have been alleviated so swiftly."
"Haha, it was merely a small effort on my part. Plus, when I heard about your troubles, he immediately came to mind. However, honestly, I was also worried, given that so many famous doctors hadn’t solved the issue. I was afraid Liu Zheng wouldn’t be able to handle your problem either."
"You’re right to say that. This time, he was different from all the previous doctors, so I genuinely saw hope. Anyway, I really am grateful to you. Oh, and about the factory investment you mentioned last time, I forgot to tell you, but we had a meeting in town last night, and they have approved the project. Moreover, they are also ready to provide substantial support."
"That’s fantastic, Mayor Liu. I’ve been waiting for this news from you. As soon as you notify me, I will immediately arrange for the engineering team to start entering the village tomorrow. If we push the construction, the factory building can be established within a month at most."
"But, about the location selection for the factory, I have certain divergences with other leaders. Now, you are spanning two villages. Aren’t you unnecessarily creating trouble? This way, those villagers and the so-called village chief of that village will all come up to the town, and then, how should I respond?"
At that moment, Liu Jiaxin was momentarily stunned. Truthfully, she had considered the issue of location but ultimately, it was Liu Zheng who insisted on doing it this way, so she was left without recourse.
"Mayor Liu, I need to explain this to you properly. Initially, the factory location was chosen to be on the eastern end of our village."
"Yes, I have looked into the historical changes of your village, and that place is indeed the most suitable. Why would you not build the factory there but choose to stretch across the two villages instead?"
"Don’t you think I don’t know that place is the best choice? But to address the conflict between the two villages, including some historical legacy issues, the factory must span two villages. First, the first point I want to make to them is that we are not two separate villages; we are one. Therefore, there is no issue with the factory’s location."
"Yes, Liu Zheng, I absolutely agree with you in principle, and I support you. But yes, this work involving the villagers is indeed difficult."
"Mayor Liu, since I have chosen to do this, I definitively have my plans and considerations. Also, when the factory is established, it will definitely need a large number of workers. Our village may not have enough labor, so I plan to bring over the people from Chenhe Village. By then, they probably won’t be so fixated."
"Are you planning to use this leverage to slowly win over the hearts of the villagers there?"
"Yes, you could say it’s a kind of winning hearts, but I believe this is currently the best approach. Another thing is, the ideas that the other village chief has instilled in them are too ingrained. I must rectify these thoughts. Therefore, this step must be taken. I know there could be disturbances down the line, but I am confident and capable of resolving these issues."
"Well, Liu Zheng, if you have this confidence and capability, then as a town leader, I will definitely support you fully. The merger of the two villages is something everyone has longed to see. If the opportunity of building this factory can reunite the two villages, it would surely be the outcome everyone desires to witness."
"So, the location for the factory is set and cannot be changed. Additionally, about that piece of land on the eastern end of the village, I’m also devising a plan. I intend to channel the mountain spring water there and then dig out a fishpond to lease out. With that, the village will gain some additional benefits."
