Reborn as a Noble’s Son
Chapter 1227 - Chapter 1227 Chapter 1182 In-depth Visits

Chapter 1227: Chapter 1182: In-depth Visits Chapter 1227: Chapter 1182: In-depth Visits With Nie Zhenbang making such a move, suddenly, many in Ancient City furrowed their brows. Luo Qiuliangs face darkened. This was a prime opportunity to vigorously promote the renewal of Ancient Citys old districts and the transformation of shantytowns. The provincial leadership was on an inspection tour, accompanied by the national television station. Suddenly, it had come to this. What on earth was going on?

Falling a few steps behind, Luo Qiuliang said in a low voice, “Old Xue, what’s going on with the Nancheng district? Weren’t they ordered to thoroughly clean up the sanitation in the slum area? Why does it still look like this? Isn’t this making us lose face in front of the provincial committee?”

Xue Yonghua’s complexion was also quite ugly. The secretary of the Nancheng district party committee; this was Xue Yonghua’s old subordinate. Now, such a huge blunder had occurred. It was not only the face of the city committee that was lost, but even more so, it was Xue Yonghua’s face.

At the side, a middle-aged man of about forty-years-old had sweat breaking out on his forehead as he caught up to them, saying softly, “Secretary Luo, Mayor, I…”

“The sanitation work in the slum area is really challenging to clean up. The total area of the slums in Nancheng district exceeds four square kilometers, accounting for two-thirds of the entire city’s slum area. In most places, the roads are too narrow to accommodate vehicles. So…”

“No more excuses. Let’s see what Secretary Nie has to say,” Xue Yonghua reprimanded in a low voice.

At this moment, toward the front, Nie Zhenbang led the way, accompanied by the director of Venus Community, with Liu Xiaomin, the secretary-general of the provincial committee, at his side. Behind them were vice governor Xiong Dongwei and others including Luo Qiuliang and Xue Yonghua.

The group walked through the alleyways, and the condition of the entire slum area gave off a very bad impression. On the ground, stagnant dirty water could be seen everywhere. At the doorway of each household, litter was discarded indiscriminately.

The alleyways themselves were far from regular; some had recesses, some had shanties built out onto the road, and some had piles of coal briquettes stacked up against the walls.

On the whitewashed walls on either side, huge characters spelling ‘Demolish’ were painted, encircled by a white round.

At this time, seeing such a scene, everyone was quite silent. No one spoke, nor did anyone dare to speak. Such a situation, in the middle of an inspection and research visit, was already considered an anomaly. Who would dare to speak when they did not even know what attitude Secretary Nie might take?

After walking for a while, Nie Zhenbang stopped and turned to look at everyone, his gaze resting particularly on Luo Qiuliang and the rest. Then, with a smile, he said, “This inspection, I am very satisfied. Outside, what we saw, so neat and clean, that’s hardly a shantytown. If real slums looked like that, would we need to initiate a transformation? A slum, inevitably, is a symbol of dirt, chaos, and inferiority, both here and abroad. When you think of slums, think of poor districts, that’s the way it is.”

At these words, the accompanying personnel finally let out a sigh of relief. Nie Zhenbang continued, “At present, the slum transformation plan of Ancient City has been launched, and I believe that the future will be bright. But for now, sanitation and security in the slum areas still need to be managed properly. These places are characterized by a high transient population, complex demographics, and varied levels of quality – they present both a difficulty and a focus in terms of security. The city must increase investment in this area. Local police stations must also adjust to this situation and step up patrols. Even though living conditions cannot yet be changed, in terms of sanitation, security, and education, we must meet the standards of the entire city.”

As his words concluded, nearby, a leader from Nancheng district came over, “The district will definitely follow Secretary Nie’s instructions and ramp up the comprehensive security management project to ensure a safe living environment for the local residents.”

The entire slum area of Nancheng district borders a part of West City district. Inside the slum, roads branch out in all directions. For a person visiting such a place for the first time, they would get lost just by walking in circles.

After a short walk, they saw a household ahead that had opened its courtyard door. Nie Zhenbang, showing interest, pointed ahead and said, “Let’s go take a look in that house.”

Liang Bingkui was a resident born and raised in the slum area. Both he and his wife were in their forties and fifties. Previously, both worked at the Nancheng District Electromechanical Factory. Ten years ago, they were both laid off. Nowadays, the couple runs a breakfast stand at the corner to make ends meet.

Today they had just finished packing up the stand and returned home. The items were barely put away when a group of people walked in. Leading the way was a middle-aged man whom Liang Bingkui found vaguely familiar.

The man beside him was recognized by Liang Bingkui–it was Li, the director of the community. Just as he was about to speak, the middle-aged man next to Li interrupted, “Old comrade, pardon the intrusion. May I ask your surname?”

At this moment, a staff member from the Venus Community by Nie Zhenbang’s side had already come forward, speaking in a low voice, “Old Liang, this is Secretary Nie of the Provincial Committee. He has specifically come over to our shantytown for field research. This time, our shantytown is really going to be demolished.”

As soon as he heard this, Liang Bingkui was completely stunned, his hands and feet flustered, and his speech somewhat faltering, “Nie… Secretary Nie. Hello, hello.”

In Huaxia, the common people are just like this. When facing officials, they always have a sense of reverence in their hearts.

Nie Zhenbang smiled, his demeanor as amiable as possible, and spoke gently, “Old Brother Liang, sorry to disturb you.”

By now, the accompanying staff had already taken the initiative to get ready. They brought chairs out from Old Liang’s house, and the group sat around in the courtyard.

“Old brother, what work do you do?” Nie Zhenbang’s question was easy at first but became more probing.

Gradually, it eased Liang Bingkui’s agitated emotions. He then began to chat along with Nie Zhenbang’s topics, starting with inquiries about Liang Bingkui’s family circumstances, income situation, as well as social security and health insurance issues. Then Nie Zhenbang abruptly changed tack, asking about the shantytown redevelopment and demolition, “Old Brother Liang, has the district discussed the resettlement with you? Is there anything you’re unsatisfied with? If there is, you can bring it up with me. When the government carries out the shantytown redevelopment, it also has to fully ensure everyone’s interests, especially the interests of those households like yours that will be relocated.”

With so many people talking, the nearby crowds also gathered around out of curiosity, with many even climbing on the courtyard walls to listen in.

The Secretary of the Provincial Committee had arrived. This was the best chance to obtain information, to find out if they were being shortchanged. It was a rare opportunity.

Such pointed questions from Nie Zhenbang instantly made Luo Qiuliang and the others from Ancient City nervous. In such a situation, it was definitely impossible to greet others casually; in full view of the public, with media reporters filming the entire thing, everything was now left to fate.

All eyes were on Liang Bingkui, but he seemed as if he saw none of it. Falling silent for a moment, he then said, “We all support the shantytown redevelopment with both hands raised. You’ve seen it for yourself, Secretary. It’s cold in winter, hot in summer. The roads are hard to navigate. The sanitation is poor. Come summer, there’s a stench in the air and flies and mosquitoes everywhere. But what we fear most isn’t even these issues. What worries us the most, is fire. With house connected to house, and narrow roads, once a fire starts, it would burn a large area. Now, with the provincial and municipal leaders caring, and the district making a great effort and resolution to redevelop the shantytown, we’ll be living in a community, in apartment buildings, there’s nothing not to be happy about.”

Having said that, Liang Bingkui paused for a moment before continuing, “Regarding the compensation for the demolition, leaders from the district and the streets have visited us, walking from one household to another, explaining the Party’s policies. According to the current market price and the area of each household’s home, including the subsequent illegally constructed buildings, the compensation is in the form of house for house. In addition, there is a certain amount of cash compensation. With such good terms, we are a thousand times willing.”

The words of Liang Bingkui instantly relieved the cadre from Ancient City, including Luo Qiuliang, and the leaders of Nancheng District even more so showed delighted expressions. This Old Liang, what a good comrade. In future, they must take extra care of him.

Of course, the work was done to the letter, but the price assessment was essentially idealistic. A house-for-house exchange plus cash compensation, no matter how much, was indeed a very generous policy. But it’s hard to satisfy human greed. What if there was someone insatiable, who said something negative? Wouldn’t that be embarrassing?

Of course, Luo Qiuliang had also made a detailed calculation of the price. This time, the demolition and reconstruction area involved was up to six square kilometers, affecting the demolition compensation of over ninety-thousand residents. The total staggering transformation was up to hundreds of billions. This was a major project.

Besides the land needed for road widening and municipal greening, the project involved two streets and a total of five communities. For the demolished households, the principle of settling them nearby was applied. High-rise residential communities would be built on the selected sites in the same area. A single building could easily have forty to fifty floors. In this way, a single building could accommodate two hundred households. In fact, when calculated, there would be an excess of vacant land. This land could be used to attract investment, bringing in real estate companies for commercial development. This would reduce the government’s capital investment and also promote the development of Nancheng District, a win-win situation.

After the conversation at Liang Bingkui’s home ended, Nie Zhenbang went on to visit other residents of the shantytown, personally observing their actual living conditions. He also inquired carefully about any difficulties in the residents’ lives and their views on the demolition and relocation. It was not until noon at twelve o’clock that the group finally left Nancheng District and returned to the Ancient City Committee.

This trip fully reflected Nie Zhenbang’s pragmatic style and unconventional approach. Especially for the leaders of Nancheng District, who now dared not harbor any thoughts of negligence, as who knew whether Secretary Nie would break routine on his next research visit. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian (NovelFire.net) to cast your recommendation votes, monthly votes, your support is my greatest motivation.)