Official Career Storm
Chapter 643

Chapter 643: Chapter 643

That afternoon, two residential areas had signed relocation contracts.

However, before the project team could feel happy, Director He suddenly received a call, and his expression drastically changed.

"Secretary Song, something bad has happened! The residents from Three Lanes have gone to the City Committee!"

Upon hearing this, He Songming and the others also showed a change in their expressions.

Song Guanchao slightly furrowed his brow.

Going to the City Committee, he wasn’t surprised.

It was just that it happened too fast.

Unnaturally fast.

Song Guanchao said, "You all continue the negotiations, Director He, come back with me to handle this."

On the drive back to the City Committee, he found Zhou Qian’s number, hesitated for a moment, and then called.

Since returning from Old Mountain, he had not seen Zhou Qian, nor had she disturbed him.

Just as she said, she only wanted to be Song Guanchao’s lover, and she wouldn’t interfere with his daily life.

Whenever he wanted to see her, he would look for her.

With the girl being so open-minded, Song Guanchao, on the contrary, felt somewhat constrained.

"Secretary Song, what’s the matter?"

Zhou Qian’s voice was calm, but a restrained happiness could clearly be heard.

"Are you busy?"

"Not busy."

"Then come to the City Committee, bring the cameraman with you, and the live broadcast equipment as well."

"Okay," Zhou Qian agreed without asking what he needed, immediately accepting.

The more she behaved this way, the guiltier Song Guanchao felt.

Pushing aside these mixed feelings, Song Guanchao drove seriously and attentively.

The City Committee Building was swarming with people.

Elderly folks holding children, strong youths tugging banners, sitting cross-legged on the ground, shouting slogans every so often.

Around them, a group of men and women in their twenties and thirties, filming with cameras or mobile phones.

The security guards didn’t dare to make a move, and the police who were called in could only maintain order, not daring to use force.

Director Qin had come personally, since the city police station was so close.

Director Qin stood in the distance, smoking and cursing "damn it" after every puff.

He might be slow, but he wasn’t dumb.

Such an obvious targetting, even a blind man could see.

The high-speed rail project had always been Wu Qiangwei’s responsibility; it was clear that this was targeting her.

Aside from Secretary Lu and Mayor Zheng, no one else would do this.

Moreover, Secretary Lu had said, if the people have grievances in their hearts and come seeking a resolution, then give them one—reason with them; don’t be violent.

Especially with so many journalists watching.

Journalists...

Yes, the journalists were there, too.

Do you even have to ask where these journalists came from?

Without Secretary Lu’s approval, would these journalists dare to brazenly shoot openly at the City Committee Building?

Director Qin felt somewhat shaken; he realized that his so-called past struggles were just minor skirmishes.

Look at Secretary Lu; this is a display of real skill.

Strike directly at the vital spot.

If today’s issue is not well resolved, it would be Wu Qiangwei’s competence in question.

Wu Qiangwei stood in front of her office’s floor-to-ceiling window, looking down at the several hundred residents below, emotionlessly holding a cigarette.

She hadn’t called Song Guanchao; such a big issue, he definitely knew and was on his way here.

He also hadn’t called her.

Since there was no call, he must have a solution.

Wu Qiangwei just felt it strange.

Why would Secretary Lu do this?

He should know that she wouldn’t allow them to meddle in the high-speed rail project, just as they wouldn’t let her interfere with the old city redevelopment project.

Even if this issue isn’t handled well, the provincial government wouldn’t intervene, and it would still be resolved internally by their city.

The high-speed rail project was still hers.

So, what was the meaning of him doing all this?

Merely to disgust her?

Wu Qiangwei didn’t think Secretary Lu and Zheng Bihui had so much free time.

They must have other reasons for doing this, but she couldn’t see them yet.

At that moment, she saw a private car drive into the City Committee.

A familiar figure got out of the car, none other than Zhou Qian, the star presenter from Lingjiang TV Station.

She must have been invited by Song Guanchao.

But for what purpose?

Before long, she saw Song Guanchao’s car return.

When the car stopped, Song Guanchao and Director He got out.

As soon as the two appeared, the residents, as if seeing their arch-enemies, immediately got up from the ground and surrounded them.

Even though this was the City Committee, Director He was also somewhat trembling.

At times like this, all it took was for one person to start something, and it would cause a chain reaction.

Even at the City Committee, it would be no use.

Song Guanchao was very calm, looking at everyone with an expressionless face.

As their yelling reached a climax, Song Guanchao seized the opportunity to shout, "Have you made enough noise?"

That shout subdued the crowd’s noise.

There was a moment of quiet in front of the City Committee Building.

Song Guanchao gave Zhou Qian, who was outside the crowd, a look.

Zhou Qian immediately had the cameraman start the live broadcast equipment, pushed through the crowd, and came to Song Guanchao’s side.

Seeing a reporter coming and filming, the crowd suddenly felt more confident.

Song Guanchao asked, "What are you doing here?"

A middle-aged man around forty replied, "We want to be relocated!"

Song Guanchao didn’t respond to his words but instead asked Director He, "Director He, where are these residents from?"

Director He didn’t understand why he was asking a question he already knew the answer to but still cooperated, "From Three Lanes."

Song Guanchao continued to ask, "What are the conditions for the relocation of Three Lanes?"

"There are three relocation options. The first is cash compensation at one thousand eight hundred per square meter."

"The second is..."

After stating all three options, Song Guanchao then asked, "Are the residences in Three Lanes commercial properties or self-built homes?"

"Self-built homes, on the outskirts, with village characteristics."

"What’s the market price for Three Lanes?"

"One thousand two to three hundred per square meter, but generally it doesn’t reach this price— the most recent transaction was at nine hundred seventy per square meter."

The crowd listened to their back and forth, feeling something was off, but they couldn’t pinpoint what exactly.

Song Guanchao asked again, "Before the relocation, did the Land Bureau post a notice following procedure and notify every household?"

"They posted it and notified everyone. We have photos for proof."

"Are the residents of Three Lanes satisfied with these three relocation options?"

"Uh... not very satisfied."

"What are they not satisfied with? What are their demands?"

"They think the price is too low."

"Oh? Too low? How much do they want?"

"Eight thousand per square meter." Director He probably understood what Song Guanchao was planning to do and quickly added, "The entire negotiation process has been recorded on video."

Song Guanchao asked, "What is the current decision on how to proceed?"

Director He said, "After a meeting and research, we decided to continue the relocation according to the original three options. However, to avoid compelling those who are unwilling, the demolition is not mandatory."

"We posted a public announcement a week ago and notified every household properly, informing them that if, within a week, even one household disagreed with the demolition, we would abandon the demolition."

Song Guanchao asked, "Now that a week has passed, how many households in Three Lanes have agreed to the demolition?"

"Eleven households."

"Good, please trouble Director He to organize all relevant video material and hand it over to the media."

"No problem."

Director He sighed with relief, realizing for the first time the importance of legal compliance.

If Song Guanchao hadn’t been so insistent on strict adherence to rules, they wouldn’t have been able to explain themselves today if even one part was missing.

He couldn’t help but admire him; though Secretary Song wasn’t old, he handled things very adeptly.

Song Guanchao scanned the crowd and said, "Our conditions for demolition are fair and align with the market, and the government respects the will of every citizen. Since some feel the price is too low and are unwilling to be demolished, we won’t proceed."

"Yet, now that we’re not proceeding according to your wishes, you want us to demolish."

"Sorry, the government’s credibility is not a joke—it won’t change from morning to night!"

"Everyone, please go back!"

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