Reborn as a Noble’s Son
Chapter 1249 - Chapter 1249 Chapter 1204 Greed Is Not Enough

Chapter 1249: Chapter 1204 Greed Is Not Enough Chapter 1249: Chapter 1204 Greed Is Not Enough Speaking of this, Nie Zhenbang’s expression became animated and extremely serious. He said in a deep voice, “On the issue of land acquisition and demolition, I am the one who sympathizes the most with the people being relocated. During the demolition process, urban households are generally involved very little. It is mostly rural households that are affected. For the farmers who have lost their land, we must compensate them economically, but we also have to plan for their future prospects. However, when it comes to illegal constructions, my attitude is to demolish every single one of them. I don’t care if the construction has bankrupted the owner. On this issue, the attitude of the Provincial Committee is that we will absolutely not allow anyone to use this kind of extortion to inflate the cost of demolition.”

When it comes to the issue of demolition, Nie Zhenbang has deep feelings and experiences. Generally speaking, land expropriation and demolition are mostly carried out in places like development zones and high-tech zones. The targets are mostly the original suburban farmers. With the push of the urbanization construction wave, a large number of farmers leave the land to move to the city. In the blink of an eye, they go from being rural people to urbanites, from poor to wealthy. The gap and change are enormous. The number of urban demolition households is actually quite small, mostly on a minor scale involving dozens of households, and at most just over a hundred. The high cost is the fundamental reason for city demolitions.

In terms of land expropriation and demolition, there are many problems in various parts of the country. The most common issue is that farmers who leave their land suddenly become wealthy, suddenly holding large amounts of cash. Hundreds of thousands, or even millions. At that point, their mindset doesn’t know how to adjust.

Playing cards, gambling, seeking out women, or finding new loves outside; buying cars and showing off. These are not surprising. After going back and forth, living off their wealth, many of the demolition households, after enjoying a year or two of glory, not only have no demolition compensation left. They’ve lost their houses, their land, and what’s more serious is that they even end up with heavy burdens. Therefore, Nie Zhenbang says, we must consider not only the present circumstances of the relocated residents but also their future.

“Secretary, on behalf of the Liangzhou Municipal Committee, I express here, in front of all the leaders and in front of the reporters from the provincial TV station and newspaper, our stance. Liangzhou will strictly follow your instructions, intensify the crackdown on illegal constructions, and ensure the smooth progress of demolition and economic development,” Yang Yicheng said loudly.

Nie Zhenbang nodded and said, “There’s no need for slogans and guarantees. I still believe in the combat effectiveness of the Liangzhou Municipal Committee. Let’s talk about Majia Manor. On the issue of Majia Manor, the province will not ask too many questions. I believe that you will be able to handle and arrange this issue properly.”

Nie Zhenbang was very tactful and wise in handling affairs. He kept tightly in hand the things that needed to be controlled and did not take on things that should be let go.

Since the Auto City project had settled in Liangzhou City, it had received the approval of not only the Provincial Committee but also ministries like the National Development and Reform Commission and was jointly recognized by the central government.

This was an acknowledgment of Liangzhou City’s geographical environment, industrial foundation, transportation location, and mineral resources. It was also an approval of the leadership of the Liangzhou Municipal Committee.

In the Auto City project, the role of the Provincial Committee was one of escort and guidance; however, the specific work, such as attracting investment, introducing surrounding supporting enterprises, management of the introduced enterprises, and so on, were all within the scope of Liangzhou City’s responsibilities. Since the enterprises were located in Liangzhou City, the unified management of the enterprises required Liangzhou City to take the lead.

Therefore, in land acquisition and demolition, Nie Zhenbang did not wish to interfere too much. Some matters needed to be let go and handed over to those below. That is the true way to manage subordinates.

After inspecting the Auto City project, the group got into cars and headed to the Liangzhou Municipal Committee Guest House for a working meal. In the afternoon, they would first listen to the work reports of the Development Zone and the Liangzhou Municipal Committee. Afterwards, they would visit the Liangzhou City Veteran Cadres Bureau to express their regards to old comrades. They would not rest in Liangzhou City but take a car overnight back to Ancient City.

With the nearing of the Spring Festival, Nie Zhenbang’s daily schedule was also becoming increasingly packed. It could be said that from the 20th of the New Year to the afternoon of the 28th, Nie Zhenbang’s schedule was full.

The reason it was only arranged until the 28th was because this year’s New Year’s Eve fell on the 29th. The Provincial Committee’s four major groups would hold a Spring Festival gathering. They would visit and express their regards to the old comrades, former leaders, and veteran cadres in Longxi Province. Within the various universities in the province, distinguished academicians and professors would go to the Provincial Military Area Command to visit and express their regards to the stationed troops and armed police. These were all essential annual procedures that had to be undertaken thoroughly.

Therefore, Nie Zhenbang’s time was urgent. Including inspection and research, when to go to which place was strictly controlled. Even if something unexpected occurred, it could not be delayed more than half an hour, for exceeding this limit could impact subsequent itinerary arrangements.

The convoy started up, departing from the entrance of an under-construction site of Auto City. The vehicles quickly took to the highway. But just as they took a turn onto another main road up ahead, there was a large group of people gathered, blocking the way forward.

Nie Zhenbang was neither deaf nor blind; those scenes on TV where convoys were moving forward and suddenly blocked by people, leading to intense disputes, yet the leaders behind were completely unaware–such scenarios only existed in television dramas.

In the realities of life, there could only be two possible situations: the first, the leaders were aware but chose to ignore it, pretending not to see. The second, the leaders saw and were willing to intervene, which would naturally cause some ripples.

“Comrade Yicheng, what’s happening up ahead?” Nie Zhenbang sat in his seat without standing up, merely turning his head slightly to look.

At that moment, just outside the door of the Da Jin Long bus, an official from the Liangzhou City Public Security Bureau came over, his expression a mix of embarrassment and anxiety.

As the door opened, the official reported to Yang Yicheng, “Secretary Yang, those ahead are from the Majia Manor. They’re holding banners and asking the Municipal Committee and government to reconsider, stating their willingness to sign the land acquisition and demolition agreement in accordance with the conditions set by the city.”

Hearing this, Nie Zhenbang’s expression darkened. He had heard quite a bit about the Majia Manor during this trip to Liangzhou City. Nie Zhenbang didn’t have a high opinion of Majia Manor. Overnight, they had built tens of thousands of houses. This showed that the entire village was greedy and willing to take risks for profit. Then, they fought with the government over the price, inciting the masses, and even encouraging media reporters, attempting to put great pressure on the Liangzhou Municipal Committee. It was another audacious place.

Now, these people had started blocking the convoy again. In Nie Zhenbang’s view, these people were being indulged by the Liangzhou Municipal Committee. Group petitions, regardless of whether you have a reason or not, are a violation of the law. Although Yang Yicheng’s side did not pursue them too much based on the principle that the law does not punish the masses, they let these people off too easily.

Clearly, these people did not regard this favor as a favor. Perhaps in their view, this was a sign of the government’s fear, indicating that the government didn’t dare to arrest them.

Now, their reason seems to be incredibly aggrieved. But in fact, in Nie Zhenbang’s eyes, it was still a manifestation of greed.

The government wants to requisition your houses and land, and you complain that the price is too low and are unwilling to be requisitioned. This could still be accepted. In some places, no matter how much money you offer, there are people who are unwilling to relocate, which is indeed the case. Some people have been farmers their whole lives, and it is normal to feel reluctant to give up their land when suddenly demanded. But Majia Manor absolutely did not belong to this category; the main reason they were unwilling was still profit.

Now that the city of Liangzhou was going with public sentiment and not requisitioning this area, they made a fuss again. They even unfurled banners, asking the government to carry out the demolitions and willing to sign at the government’s set price. Think about it, the people of Majia Manor acted this way still because of profit. They were waiting for the land acquisition and demolition; if that didn’t happen, wouldn’t their source of wealth be cut off?

After pondering for a moment, Nie Zhenbang slowly said, “What’s going on here? Time and again they assemble and block visits, or simply make group petitions. Are these people ignorant of the law, or do they think they have nothing to fear? In times of chaos, severe penalties must be used. Sometimes, we must be firm where it is not appropriate to be lenient.”

Hearing Nie Zhenbang’s words, Yang Yicheng felt a cold sweat. Clearly, Secretary Nie was extremely dissatisfied. The people of Majia Manor had unknowingly enraged Secretary Nie’s bottom line. This recent speech was expressing his dissatisfaction with him. Not being firm enough, somewhat soft–that was talking about the city of Liangzhou, stating that Yang Yicheng lacked resolute decisiveness. It was a warning for him.

Subsequently, Yang Yicheng nodded and said, “I will certainly take Secretary’s critique to heart. However, there are some unique issues with Majia Manor.”

“Unique? Humph, I would like to hear what’s so unique about it. Are the people of Majia Manor not citizens of the Republic? Can they be allowed to brazenly start group petitions and block visits? Is the Provincial Committee’s petitioning department not accessible enough, or do they have no way of escalating their issues? It’s all nonsense. In the end, these people have an attitude of contempt and indifference towards the Party and government.” Nie Zhenbang began to seethe with anger. Under his administration in Longxi Province, the channels for voicing concerns were wide open. Every city had its own special office for petition review and a petition bureau, as well as designated days each month for the reception by the secretary and mayor. Provincial leaders also took turns to work on-site at the petition bureau. Additionally, there was his public Weibo platform where issues could be raised. What issue couldn’t be raised? There was no need to resort to illegal methods.

Yang Yicheng could definitely sense the anger in Nie Zhenbang’s heart. With no other choice, he braced himself and said, “Secretary Nie. The heritage of Majia Manor is intricately connected with the Ma Family of Xibei, and the people of Liangzhou say that before the foundation of the nation, those from Majia Manor would till the fields for the people, but ride as bandits. Times are changing now, but the banditry and brazenness of Majia Manor remain unchanged. I’m somewhat worried that taking drastic measures could potentially lead to even greater problems.” (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for it at NovelFire.net. Your support is my greatest motivation.)