novelraw Chapter 258: They are All Bad People
Chapter 258: They are All Bad People
"Stop dithering and just keep out of my way! One more bit of nonsense and I’ll make you disappear from the face of this earth!" Young Master Wang snapped as he hung up the phone, boiling with anger at Hu Zhenqiang’s words. Your company isn’t even worth that much money, and you dare to compare it with my Dongling Mountain project? There’s absolutely no comparison. Now you’re pestering me and if you annoy me with one more phone call, I’ll make you vanish into thin air! This is maddening, how dare a pathetic businessman like Hu Zhenqiang bark orders at me, Young Master Wang? I really can’t fathom what they’re thinking!
He grabbed a cigarette from the desk and walked to the large glass window of the office, gazing out over the entire Capital City, his mind churning with agitation because of something Hu Zhenqiang said. The Shen Corporation must have had its eye on Dongling Mountain to acquire Zhenqiang Company, but the real question now was why the Shen Corporation suddenly took an interest in the tourist industry, especially so abruptly in Dongling Mountain?
Could the Shen Corporation also have learned about Dongling Mountain’s development plans through some channel?
Impossible, absolutely impossible! Although this development project has been in consideration for two years and I’ve been preparing since then, the formal schedule was set only a month ago. It’s in strict secrecy right now; only a few people in the entire country are privy to it, and outsiders can’t possibly find out. So what gives? While Dongling Mountain is indeed picturesque, it hasn’t reached a level to justify acquiring a listed company for its development. That means the Shen Corporation must have caught wind of something or someone must have tipped them off about Dongling Mountain’s development. Otherwise, the Shen Corporation wouldn’t have struck like lightning.
This is so strange. Only a handful of people know the development plans for Dongling Mountain and it’s a closely guarded secret. Nobody would leak it, as doing so would mean grave responsibility. Under such circumstances, how did the Shen Corporation find out?
Could it be that someone among these few has a murky relationship with the Shen Corporation and secretly informed them? Or did the urban demolition at Dongling Mountain draw someone’s attention?
Young Master Wang stood alone by the window, lighting a cigarette, his mind racing to analyze the situation. He didn’t want to contend with a powerful enemy that he was not even aware of. Even though tens of billions had been snatched away by the Shen Corporation, infuriating him, having an unknown and powerful adversary behind him was truly dangerous! The cigarette burned quickly, flickering as he sank into deep thought.
Meanwhile, early in the morning, the conference room of the Wanlilai Company was also filled with people.
Bi Huihuang looked around the room full of people with a sense of helplessness. If his own demolition crew wasn’t still stuck in the hospital, their arms too injured to raise, he wouldn’t have had to call upon these people. Compared to his own crew, these police officers, municipal enforcers, and demolition companies were like a swarm of bloodsucking locusts. But in the current situation, he simply had no other option. Time was of the essence, and since there was no one else available, he had to resort to using them. If he couldn’t demolish Lin Family Village today, Young Master Wang would surely have his hide.
Bi Huihuang was growing more irate the more he thought about it. Last night, the swelling in his demolition team’s shoulders hadn’t gone down at all, and come morning, there had been no improvement. Under these circumstances, he had no choice but to call the leaders from the county and the Zhongzhou City demolition company to bring together this demolition crew, primarily made up of company personnel, with police and municipal enforcers supporting them. The cost of their services was bleeding him dry though. If his own people were available, he would never have resorted to these voracious wolves.
However, employing these official figures, despite the exorbitant price—a price that made his heart bleed—came with its benefits. At least they could rise under the banner of joint law enforcement. When necessary, they could carry out forced demolition legally and arrest those who interfered, eliminating the various obstacles they faced in demolition. This was something his own crew simply couldn’t do.
"Everyone is here; I won’t say much else. Our goal today is to finish demolishing Lin Family Village, that’s the one and only objective. If it’s completed, everyone will receive a bonus today," Bi Huihuang declared, puffing on a cigar. He had only notified their leaders; these rank-and-file men could not possibly know the specifics. He had grown accustomed to such people. Without the incentive of profit, even if their superiors pressured them, they would slack off. So promising a bonus would certainly motivate them to do their best.
A bonus?
A bonus isn’t too bad.
After all, work is about making some money.
...
Upon hearing the promise of a bonus from Bi Huihuang, their eyes instantly lit up. They all knew Wanlilai Company was loaded, and the straightforward offer of a bonus meant it wouldn’t be small. They were there to earn some extra cash, and Bi Huihuang’s words showed he understood what motivated them. However, they weren’t sure how easy the job would be. If trouble arose and Wanlilai Company suddenly backed out, they would be in a fine mess!
With that thought, everyone kept silent, eyeing each other, hoping someone would take the initiative to voice the concerns of the group.
"Chairman Bi, I am not worried about the demolition itself, but I would like to know what we should do if people try to stop us. Who is responsible in case something happens? And are our demolition procedures complete?" a balding demolition team leader of short stature asked, standing up. How long it would take to demolish a village wasn’t the main issue; the key concern was dealing with opposition. Whoever was responsible for any mishaps, and if the demolition procedures were not complete, it could result in illegal demolition—an unacceptable responsibility.
"Yes, these are our concerns as well."
"If something happens, who will be responsible?"
"If all the procedures are in place, it would be much easier for us to handle our business."
...
Upon hearing someone raise such practical questions, everyone immediately started chattering and discussing, voicing their own opinions. However, the consensus boiled down to two points: who would take responsibility if anything went wrong, and whether all the procedures were completely legitimate. As long as these two points were clear, the workers could carry out their tasks with confidence. But without clarity on these matters, everyone would remain on edge. If a life were lost and Wanlilai Company washed its hands of the matter, then they would be digging their own graves.
"Do I really need to teach you what to do in these situations? Just detain the person and that should settle it. Remember who you are; you’re police and urban management officers. If anything really happens, Wanlilai Group will take care of it. Just don’t cause any serious injuries. As for the demolition procedures, that’s even simpler. We have a full set of legitimate procedures approved by the county here, so the demolition in Lin Family Village today is absolutely reasonable, appropriate, and legal!"
Bi Huihuang spoke while clutching a cigar, not wasting words and making things clear. He was in no mood to waste time quibbling with these people. What worried him most now was to tear down Lin Family Village as soon as possible, only then would he be at peace, and Young Master Wang would no longer blame him.
"Any more questions? If not, let’s set off." Bi Huihuang was particularly anxious now; the sooner Lin Family Village was demolished, the easier his mind would be.
"No problem!"
"No problem!"
"No problem!"
...
Hearing Bi Huihuang say so, everyone in the meeting room from the joint demolition team was relieved. With him making such statements, the demolition job was much simpler. After all, it was forced demolition under reasonable and legal circumstances, and they had nothing to do with the compensation work afterwards, so what was there to worry about?
"Let’s go!" Upon realizing there were no issues from the team, Bi Huihuang called out to depart, and was the first to leave the meeting room, leading the people toward the parking lot. After everyone got into their vehicles, Bi Huihuang signaled his driver to start the car, and the convoy of more than a dozen vehicles majestically headed for Lin Family Village.
An hour later, the convoy arrived at the entrance to Lin Family Village. The machinery that had been damaged the day before had been fixed and stood ready to join the demolition.
Seeing trouble brewing, all of the villagers of Lin Family Village ran out—just like last time—blocking the entrance to the village with various tools, swearing to never let the demolition team in.
"Villagers of Lin Family Village, blocking our demolition work like this is pointless. Wanlilai Company is a cooperating partner of Yuegang Zhenqiang Company, responsible for demolishing Lin Family Village. We are carrying out a reasonable and legal demolition, with complete demolition approvals and signatures from all the villagers of Lin Family Village. By doing so, you are now obstructing the law! If you continue to resist, our police will arrest the stubborn resisters and subject them to administrative detention."
Seeing the villagers of Lin Family Village each armed with tools blocking the entrance, Bai Ye, the police leader of the joint demolition team, knew it was his turn to step forward. He took a couple of steps to the front and shouted forcefully; after all, wearing a police uniform, his words carried weight. He expected the villagers would clear the way upon hearing him.
But the idea was good in theory, yet he greatly overestimated his power of persuasion. Just as he finished speaking, an egg flew through the air, hitting Bai Ye squarely on the head. The egg, a mix of white and yellow, ran down Bai Ye’s uniform. Before Bai Ye could respond, a child’s voice shouted from the opposite side.
"They’re all bad guys. Anyone who wants to demolish our house is a bad guy!"