Reborn as a Noble’s Son
Chapter 1247 - Chapter 1247 Chapter 1202 Actively Requesting Relocation

Chapter 1247: Chapter 1202: Actively Requesting Relocation Chapter 1247: Chapter 1202: Actively Requesting Relocation Majia Manor in Liangzhou City Economic Development Zone.

At this moment, in the meeting room of Majiazhuang Village branch. Inside the old house from the ’80s, the scene was already smoky and choked with fumes.

In the middle stood two stoves, burning vigorously. In the room, people were standing, sitting. On the chairs, on the tables next to them, even on the windowsills, and even outside, were all seated with people. Leaders from all of the village’s groups had come over. Together with the influential figures in the village, those who were doing relatively well, were all sitting here.

As the behind-the-scenes organizer of the demolition in Majiazhuang, Ma Lao San had a particularly unpleasant expression at this moment.

“Lao San, it’s not that your uncle is criticizing you, but as the old saying goes, ‘ordinary folks shouldn’t fight against officials.’ We are just common people; can we really fight against them?” a man in his forties started to say.

“Old Man is right. Lately, I’ve also seen a lot of newspaper reports, as well as many online articles. All about our Majiazhuang. Now, the outside world has a pretty negative view of us. There’s a chorus of condemnation. Actually, I think the compensation the government is offering is really quite fair. The Wangjia Village next door, they went through land acquisition and demolition. My wife’s family is from there, and I heard their compensation was only around eighteen hundred per unit,” a young man wearing glasses chimed in.

“Glasses is right, we’ve gone too far. Too much is as bad as not enough,” said another, quoting a proverb.

Hearing this, Ma Lao San’s face grew even more sullen. These people were all worrying about their own little calculations. This demolition was indeed instigated by him. However, weren’t these people also trying to get more compensation?

Suddenly standing up, Ma Lao San glared angrily at everyone and said in a deep voice, “We are all fellow villagers, don’t you think it’s too much to say such things? It’s true, it was my idea to ask for more demolition compensation. It’s true. But didn’t you all benefit from it? Everybody here signed the agreement. We in Majiazhuang should stick together through thick and thin. Now you’re laying all the blame on me. Where were these concerns earlier?”

“Alright, alright. Let’s stop quarreling. Let’s hear what Xin Jun has to say. After all, he’s the university graduate from our Majiazhuang and works at the town government. He has more information about official matters than we do,” an elderly man stood up. If the dispute continued, there would be no end in sight.

In a corner of the room, a young man about thirty years old stood up. This was Ma Xin Jun, the university graduate from Majiazhuang.

Over the years, quite a few from Majiazhuang had gone on to university. However, most had attended local colleges or provincial educational institutions, at most managing to get into a second-tier university. But Ma Xin Jun was different; he attended Ancient Capital Traffic University, which is a 211 University. After graduating from university, he became an official and was fortuitously assigned to work in his hometown. It could be said he had really made a name for himself.

However, this time, the elders and folks of Majiazhuang had first managed the feat of putting up thousands of bungalows overnight. Then, they began threatening the party and the government, confronting them over the compensation terms for the land acquisition. Over this period, almost every day, the town leaders were called over by Secretary Peng and severely reprimanded.

And Ma Xin Jun didn’t have it easy either. As a person from Majiazhuang valued by the town leaders and entrusted with important responsibilities, what was the result? In the end, he accomplished nothing. Before this, Ma Xin Jun had been considered for promotion by the organizational department, with a strong possibility to take a step further and become the deputy mayor. But with the disruption caused by the elders of Majiazhuang, Ma Xin Jun’s promotion was definitively off the table.

Just last night, Ma Xin Jun got reliable news from the leadership that the decision for the deputy mayor position had been made, as Secretary Peng personally made an annotation, but it was not him, Ma Xin Jun, who was chosen, but someone else.

Thus, Ma Xin Jun was surely angry with the villagers, even with his own parents. You might say others construct buildings and cause demolition trouble, but why should you get involved? Isn’t that rubbing the leaders the wrong way? If Ma Xin Jun cannot even manage his own family, how is he to manage others?

He was reluctant to come to this meeting. When he tried to persuade you, each one of you treated me like an enemy, wishing to drive me away instantly. Now that a problem has occurred, you suddenly remember to look for me. Is there such a good thing?

“Xin Jun, we’re regretful too. Initially, we should have heeded your advice and signed according to the government’s demands. Now it’s great. Every household has invested everything they have; some even incurred debts. If the land isn’t acquired, wouldn’t that be deadly? You’re an official with connections and access to information. Think of a solution for us,” a respected elder in the village spoke up.

As the last words fell, Ma Lao San snorted coldly and said, “What nonsense, it’s just a deputy director of the Party and Government Office, what does he know?”

Ma Xin Jun’s face darkened. Smiling, he said, “Ma Lao San, you’re capable. I don’t have your abilities. I’m nothing, but you have great abilities, go find Secretary Peng, go talk to Secretary Yang. Go get the compensation. More than thirty million, that’s not a small amount.”

“Youngest uncle, what kind of language is that?” An elder next to him scolded. Then, he looked at Xin Jun with a smile and said, “Xin Jun, the youngest uncle never went to school, he doesn’t know how to speak properly, don’t stoop to his level. Tell us, is there any news from the city?”

Xin Jun hesitated for a moment, initially unwilling to speak, but considering his responsibilities to his fellow villagers, he opened his mouth and said, “Yesterday, Secretary Peng went to a meeting in the city. Tomorrow, Secretary Nie from the Provincial Committee will come to Liangzhou City to inspect the Automobile City project. Besides, I’ve heard that the city already started research on it. Their initial consideration is to give up on Majiazhuang Manor and include Guanzhuang Township instead, shifting the land acquisition there. I guess we can forget about demolition and relocation for Majiazhuang Manor.”

“Ah, what can we do then? If they don’t demolish anything, how is my family supposed to survive? My child is counting on that money for school!” many people raised their voices and spoke up.

“Guanzhuang Township? If they move that way, they should be acquiring land from Yangjiao Village. What’s there to be scared of? We can talk to the people over there, finance the construction of some houses on their side, and split the profits,” proposed the third Ma brother loudly.

Xin Jun snorted coldly, looked at the third Ma brother and said, “Ma Lao San, haven’t you troubled our fellow villagers enough? They’re all nearly bankrupt. I can’t believe you have the nerve to suggest that. And don’t think no one knows about your dirty dealings. You want to replicate what happened in Majiazhuang Manor? Go ahead and try. I guarantee even if you build a hundred houses, they will all be razed. If you have money, don’t drag the rest of us down. Forcing the purchase of gravel and material supplies, the district’s Public Security Bureau has already filed a case against you. You really think just because you have some money you can act all high and mighty? They haven’t moved against you just to give you a chance. With your behavior, it’s only a matter of time before you end up inside.”

After saying this, Xin Jun didn’t want to stay any longer. He stood up, made his way through the crowd, and walked straight out of the house.

Behind him, Xin Jun’s parents, his elder brother, and sister-in-law followed him out. Elder brother Ma Xinmin and his wife were extremely embarrassed. Due to the previous disputes over house construction and relocation, they had said many unpleasant things. Now that they had come to a real loss, they were truly panicked.

“Brother, look at our house… What are we going to do now?” his sister-in-law asked in a twisting manner.

“What to do? You should have thought about that earlier. I told you from the start not to get involved carelessly. After all, I still work in the town. I would have been well-informed during the demolition and land acquisition. Did you listen then? No, you said I was blocking your way to wealth. Now you regret it? It’s too late. Back then, I asked you to help me persuade the villagers, did you listen? Now, look what happened. My chance to be the deputy mayor is gone. You’re all satisfied now. I don’t want to, and can’t get involved with your matters anymore. Don’t come to me in the future. I’m just an ordinary official, not even at the deputy head level. I can’t help you.” The resentment Xin Jun had been harboring erupted at this moment.

Watching Xin Jun’s retreating back, Ma Xinmin and his wife stood rooted to the spot, dumbfounded. The sister-in-law’s lips curled up as she spoke with a snort, “What kind of person is he, with no brotherly affection at all? To say such ruthless words.”

“Xinmin’s wife, this time, you two really ruined your younger brother’s future. Deputy mayor, oh! No one from our Ma family has ever become an official in all these generations. And you squandered a deputy mayor position just like that,” Father Ma voiced out angrily.

Mother Ma at this moment looked complexly troubled and sighed, “Xinmin, this time, you and your wife have gone a bit too far.”

“Ma Xinmin, look at what your parents are saying? I knew it, they always favored your brother Xin Jun more,” the woman complained discontentedly.

Ma Xinmin, a somewhat timid man, now glared at his wife and shouted, “Zhang Cuihua, enough!”

…

Inside the office building of the Economic Development Zone, in Peng Yihua’s office, Peng’s pressure had somewhat decreased these past two days. The city committee had already convened a meeting. They were formally discussing the issue of expanding the Economic Development Zone’s boundaries and removing Majiazhuang Manor from it. This development meant that Secretary Yang wasn’t just speaking casually; he was serious about it.

At the same time, tomorrow morning, Secretary Nie from the Provincial Committee would come to inspect the construction of the Automobile City. This was also a good opportunity to be in the spotlight. At last, his hard times had come to a sweet end.

Just then, a hurried knock came from the door, and Director Fang from the Management Committee rushed in, “Secretary Peng, there’s trouble. People from Majiazhuang Manor have come again.”

“Come again? They really think our party and government are to be trifled with. Old Fang, call the Public Security Bureau right away. Act immediately; arrest all these troublemakers,” Peng Yihua was furious. Everything has its limits. If they gave in to Majiazhuang Manor like this, how could the government carry on with its work.

“It’s not like that, Secretary Peng. It’s different this time. This time they’re begging us for demolition,” said the director.

(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you are welcome to vote and donate monthly tickets on Qidian (NovelFire.net). Your support is my greatest motivation.)