Reborn as a Noble’s Son
Chapter 1246 - Chapter 1246 Chapter 1201 Mastering Public Opinion

Chapter 1246: Chapter 1201: Mastering Public Opinion Chapter 1246: Chapter 1201: Mastering Public Opinion As soon as the words left this person’s mouth, Peng Yihua’s face turned incredibly awkward. Ma Lao San was truly audacious, even daring to speak to Secretary Yang in such a manner. If it hadn’t been for the presence of so many media journalists, Peng Yihua would have definitely stood up and loudly scolded him for his complete lack of decorum.

On the other hand, Yang Yicheng’s expression also darkened. However, Yang Yicheng still had political acumen. In this situation, it was absolutely imperative not to lose his temper. He had to show the magnanimity and broad-mindedness of a leading cadre and to consciously guide the direction of public opinion. Otherwise, under the pressure of public opinion, things would become difficult to handle.

Moreover, Yang Yicheng held a strong hand. The demand proposed by Majia Manor was undoubtedly excessive. Immediately, he responded with a smile, “Comrade, as I mentioned just now. What I just stated is our final bottom line. If that is acceptable, then we can proceed with our discussion. If not, on behalf of the municipal party committee and the government, let me state our position here. We can also consider learning from those excellent models abroad. Regarding land acquisition and demolition, we may contemplate expanding to other neighboring regions. But let me make it clear. Aside from the original houses, all subsequent constructions are illegal. The city has taken into account the difficulty of making money, and thus we have not pursued it. However, if Majia Manor continues to build houses without any permits, for every discovered illegal construction, one will be demolished.”

Ma Lao San, at this moment, stiffened his neck and said, “Fine. If you’re not going to requisition our land, I truly couldn’t be happier. I’m really reluctant to leave this old house where I’ve lived for so many years.”

Speaking, Ma Lao San then turned his head and said, “Let’s go!”

In fact, after Yang Yicheng’s words, some people from Majiazhuang Village were tempted. What was Majiazhuang Village in the past? Although it was near the urban area, it was still considered rural. Throughout the year, there wasn’t much money. Now, with development happening and compensation being offered for requisitioning, every household was becoming more financially active. They could also look forward to local job recruitment in the future. Now, if there were no acquisitions, would they not be returning to square one? No, it was far from being as good as it once was. These days, every household had built houses, with the least investment being tens of thousands, and many spending over a hundred thousand or even more, almost all through taking on debts. This was all for the sake of compensation upon demolition, but if that’s not happening, wouldn’t they all be saddled with debt?

But who was Ma Lao San? He was a troublemaker who had done time in prison and was now a bigshot in the village. To offend him was to court trouble. Despite being tempted, they all still stood up and walked out.

Once all the villagers from Majiazhuang had left, Yang Yicheng also stood up and loudly said, “Friends from the press, reporters from across the country and even from Hong Kong and Macau, please stay. Next, I would like to take this opportunity to elaborate on the situation regarding Majiazhuang.”

At Yang Yicheng’s signal, the staff from the Development Zone quickly provided all the reporters with bottled mineral water. At the same time, the projector was also set up.

Standing beside the screen, Yang Yicheng said, “Ladies and gentlemen of the press, next, I’d like to invite Director Tan from the Liangzhou City Economic Development Zone Office for Removing Illegal Constructions to give everyone an introduction.”

Projection images began to appear. Director Tan, a young man around thirty years old, began to explain, “Ladies and gentlemen of the press, the photos displayed above are all of the illegal constructions within Majiazhuang Village. Among them are buildings that were dismantled during construction, buildings that showed no signs the night before but were completed the next day, as well as those constructed under the guise of building walls, where the perimeter walls were erected first and then illegal buildings were constructed within. In addition to these photos, there are also numerous recordings of conversations with the local villagers. If you are interested, you may come to me, and I will provide you with copies.”

“According to the statistics of our office, from the time the Auto City project was settled to when requisitioning and demolition officially began in the Development Zone, Majiazhuang saw an increase of 112,360 square meters of illegal construction in less than two months. This frenzy is unrivaled by any other village in the Development Zone. Therefore, Secretary Peng Yihua of the Development Zone also made a special report to the municipal party committee. Secretary Yang, taking into account the hard-earned money of our farmer brothers, could not bear it and, for the already completed illegal constructions, decided to turn a blind eye.”

Upon hearing this, all the reporters began to contemplate. Looking at the facts and evidence presented by Liangzhou City, with photos and recordings available for verification, they believed it all to be true. They were not naive. They were experienced and knowledgeable. They knew whether photos were Photoshopped or recordings were fake; these things could be authenticated, and deceiving them would be counterproductive.

On this note, Peng Yihua also began to speak slowly, “Friends from the press, regarding the compensation for demolition, we strictly adhere to the national regulations. Over the past two months, the Development Zone has successively signed investment contracts with more than forty automotive production and supporting enterprises. A total of over 5,300 acres have been requisitioned, and there’s not been a single instance of forced demolition, with not one person dissatisfied. Everyone is happy. Regarding this matter, you can also investigate the surroundings. If you need our cooperation, we will provide it fully. If you wish to investigate privately, we will not obstruct or interfere.”

“Just now, our Secretary Yang proposed our compensation opinion. I believe you, as seasoned journalists, can clearly calculate. Based on the local land and commodity prices in Liangzhou, this is already the most generous compensation we can offer. However, the people of Majiazhuang have proposed that, regardless of new or old, all properties should be compensated at the highest housing price in Liangzhou City. The highest price in Liangzhou is in a high-end villa community, reaching an average price of 7,000 per square meter. Therefore, the people of Majiazhuang are demanding a price of 7,000 yuan per square meter.”

Upon hearing this, all the reporters were astounded. Many of them raised their hands, and Yang Yicheng nodded. Peng Yihua understood and said, “That comrade, please go ahead.”

“Secretary Peng, hello, I am a reporter from the national television station. May I ask, is the account you just gave truthful? Why does it differ from what we’ve heard?” a male reporter from the national television station challenged.

Peng Yihua pondered for a moment and said very seriously, “Here, in front of the media and press representatives, I can solemnly promise that there is no exaggeration in any of the words I have said, and I am willing to take legal responsibility for every single word I’ve spoken.”

“Furthermore, perhaps you are not aware that the man leading Majiazhuang earlier, named Ma Lao San, is an ex-convict. Currently thirty-six years old, he was once sentenced to ten years in prison for grievous assault. He was released after serving seven years. After Majiazhuang was included in the Development Zone, this man gathered a group of idle members of society and forcibly solicited work at various construction sites within the Development Zone, monopolizing the supply of gravel and sand for the projects, profiting massively. Additionally, this man’s house in Majiazhuang is the largest one, with more than one hundred and sixty square meters of space, excluding his original six rooms of flat housing. His newly built illegal constructions in Majiazhuang total a staggering area of five thousand three hundred thirty square meters. If we calculate this at the rate of seven thousand one hundred yuan per square meter, just for the illegal constructions, we are poised to pay him thirty-seven million three hundred and thirty-one thousand yuan. Such terms are something the government will never compromise on, nor will we yield to any threats.”

All the reporters were dumbstruck. Before coming, each one of them thought they were chasing a big story; that was why they had rushed over. As news reporters, where there was news, there they would be. It was their job, and they had to be present. Upon arrival, everyone initially felt sympathy for the farmers of Majiazhuang. In their habitual way of thinking, farmers displaced by land acquisitions were always the vulnerable group.

However, at this moment, after hearing Liangzhou City’s explanation, everyone was stunned. This couldn’t simply be described as a windfall. The total annual salary of all one hundred reporters present wouldn’t even amount to this much.

On this note, Peng Yihua added, “Ladies and gentlemen, we only spoke of compensation thus far, but I believe you’re more interested in the cost. Let’s just say that the illegal constructions recently built in Majiazhuang were made in the most simple and economical way possible. Cement bricks, then yellow soil mixed with thin mud as the binder for the walls. The roof beams were also made from the cheapest materials, and inferior quality asbestos tiles were used for the roofing. According to careful calculations by professional construction supervisors and the cost assessment department, including labor, the construction cost for these buildings, at current prices, does not exceed two hundred yuan per square meter. If you don’t believe it, you are welcome to conduct an on-site inspection in Majiazhuang.”

At this point, Yang Yicheng couldn’t help but smile in his heart. With things having reached this stage, the perception had essentially been set. These reporters were not easily fooled. If Ma Lao San dared to be difficult, he would surely push himself to the edge of a cliff. If he didn’t cause trouble, the direction of public opinion would definitely shift entirely towards the government’s side.

Watching the reporters leave the auditorium, Yang Yicheng immediately turned to Lin Dun, the Director of Liangzhou City’s Public Security Bureau, and instructed, “Director Lin, please arrange for some plainclothes officers from the city bureau to covertly protect these reporters. Remember, your men are not to enter Majiazhuang unless something happens. Understood?”

…

Three days later, in Nie Zhenbang’s office at the Provincial Committee, Xia Gang came in with several newspapers and said, “Secretary, these are today’s major newspaper reports. This time, Liangzhou City has really made a name for itself.”

Taking the newspapers, Nie Zhenbang was a bit surprised. The headline of the first paper on the front page, in bold black type, read: “Land Acquisition and Demolition: Forced Removal or Outrageous Demands? An In-Depth Investigation Into Liangzhou City’s Land Acquisition and Demolition.”

Below, the front-page headlines of many newspapers covered the same topic. The titles differed, but the content was the same, without exception. Everyone uniformly aimed their criticisms at Majiazhuang.

“Ha, this Yang Yicheng has done well this time. He even knows how to guide public opinion.” Nie Zhenbang chuckled. “Xiaoxia, find the Secretary-General and arrange to give Yang Yicheng a call; I will visit Liangzhou City tomorrow morning to inspect the progress of the Automotive City.” (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for it at NovelFire.net. Your support is my greatest motivation.)