Chapter 27: Beer and Bullets, The Price of First Love

  In the spacious and bright conference hall of the He Kou Paper Mill, smoke filled the air as various business leaders from Xin Guang District gathered together.

  These people are all clear about the current situation of the paper mill. Now, the biggest dilemma facing the Hekou factory is the huge amount of bank debt and the large demand for raw materials needed for resumption of production. In addition, finding a suitable fist product for the factory is also a problem. If they take over the Hekou factory, the wages of retired workers in the factory will also be a significant burden. With so many thorny problems as prerequisites, the conditions that the district government can come up with to attract everyone may not be very attractive, and this is exactly what these people are most concerned about.

  The affairs of China are always settled before they are discussed in a democratic manner.

  The meeting hadn't started yet, and a group of people were chatting together. Jiang Baofeng, the boss of Baofeng Printing Factory, Lin Yuejin from Chongming Paper Mill, and Hao Yuan Chao, the largest office supplies salesman in Xinguo District, these forty-year-old bosses were chatting with eighteen-year-old Ye Haodong, creating an incongruous scene that looked like a group of parents discussing one of their sons.

  Jiang Baofeng: "Specifically, I had dinner with Mayor Li yesterday and he revealed a bit to me. The district government's determination this time is quite strong, the conditions they offered are quite tempting."

  Lin Yuezhen nodded: "After all, Lao Jiang's connections are wide, you tell us what conditions there are?"

  Jiang Baofeng pulled out a pack of cigarettes, lit one and took a deep drag, then squinted his eyes: "Director Li mentioned two plans, one is dominated by private contracting, the other is public-private partnership. I think both have pros and cons. The operating risk and political risk of private contracting are too great for the district government. They tend to prefer public-private partnership, but this may disperse management rights, making it difficult for enterprises to exert their potential. Currently, everything is just an intention. This time we were called here, I estimate it's to discuss specific methods. However, one thing is certain: regardless of the form in which we take over Hekou Factory, the district government will offer a five-year tax exemption, followed by half-tax benefits for five years. These benefits will also apply to other industries taken over by us in Xin Guang District."

  "Then after taking over, who will solve the living problems of the workers in the River Mouth Factory?"

  "As far as I know, most of the houses these people are living in now were built before the Haicheng earthquake and were rated as dangerous houses after the earthquake. In recent years, there have been frequent incidents of house collapses and injuries. If we take over the Hekou factory, the housing problem for these people will also need to be solved. Currently, only 60 or so of them are able to work, while more than 200 are staying at home but still receiving a monthly salary. The cost of resettling and paying the wages of these people, combined with bank loans, is a huge risk that the new owner must bear. I think the five-year tax exemption policy may not be enough."

  Jiang Baofeng: "If it's a joint public-private venture, then both parties will naturally negotiate and resolve the issue together. If it's a private contract, then the district government won't be involved in these matters anymore. However, they will demolish the entire shantytown on Guangming Street and transfer the land use rights to the new owner, with the condition that the new owner must provide free relocation for the original residents of the shantytown in the new building."

  Lin Yuejin's interest was piqued: "Oh? There's this too, real estate development is a lucrative business. The central government opened up the policy of selling public housing last year, and I heard that there are new policies coming out this year, which are likely to encourage the construction of commodity houses. That area I've been to, with a diameter of over 3 miles, has more than 2-300 million square meters of land given away for free, this policy is too generous."

  Jiang Baofeng: "Free gift? It's hard for you, old Lin, to come up with this. There must be conditions, and they're not low either. He paused, took a drag on his cigarette, and continued: The 30 million yuan loan that the River Mouth Factory owes to the bank must be resolved by the new owner themselves. After signing the land use transfer contract, demolition work must begin within a month, and people must be able to move into their new homes within a year. The reorganized River Mouth Factory must also arrange jobs for over 400 young people in the Xin Guang area. Compared to these conditions, although the policy benefits are great, it's hard to say whether they're suitable or not."

  Hao Yuan Chao: "Land development is not an industry that can make money immediately, and the initial investment is huge. In this day and age, there are not many ordinary people who can afford to spend a large sum of money to buy a house. If the house sells poorly in the future, the bank will put pressure on it, and no matter who takes over, the outcome will be bad."

  Lin Yujin sighed, his enthusiasm greatly reduced, but he still couldn't help saying: "The key is that the paper mill needs to have a new product with market recognition, which can quickly open up the market. In this way, the bank will see that it can recover the loan and won't be too urgent. It's not impossible to complete the task given by the district by revitalizing the whole situation."

  Hao Yuan Chao glanced at Ye Hao Dong, who had been listening with a smile, and interjected: "We seem to be getting old. Look at this young man, he's not even as old as my son, yet he's achieved so much on his own. It seems our ways are outdated, why don't we listen to the young man's ideas?"

  Yeh Hao Dong modestly waved his hand: "I don't have any brilliant ideas, I didn't understand a word of what the seniors said, and I'm all confused. Today, I just followed the leader's arrangement to broaden my horizons and gain experience."

  From these old men in the business circle, Ye Haodong heard a lot of information. Although they all spoke reluctantly, the credibility of the information revealed was very high. Those who said it was difficult were likely to want to take over, but did not want to accept the current conditions. On the other hand, those who said it was good might not have planned to take over the factory and the district government's package at all. Ye Haodong also had his own plans. Before this, he had heard about the conditions of the Xin Guang District Government. He thought that as long as the conditions didn't change, he would dare to take over independently. But now, the conditions were more severe and complex than he knew, with many people involved who had connections and power. It was unclear what others planned to do, and taking it over rashly might offend someone. If he offended some big shot, Ye Haodong feared that he wouldn't be able to do anything in the future. Before he made any moves, these people blocked his way tightly. However, this didn't mean Ye Haodong was afraid of them. His main idea was still to plan carefully and strive for the greatest benefit.

  He said so, and those few also listened like this, no one took it seriously. Those who can appear in this occasion are at least not white given.

  Hao Yuan Chao added, "We're talking so loudly, is your letter reliable? I've heard that Li District Chief was notorious for being a 'shit collector' when he was the town chief down there."

  Hao Yuan Chao said this with ulterior motives, he and the city's Deputy Secretary Hao are close relatives, so he didn't have much to consider when speaking.

  Everyone was chatting on this side, when suddenly a commotion broke out in front of the door, and Song Hao, dressed impeccably and with elegant demeanor, walked in. He is absolutely number one in the Steel City business circle, and people did not expect him to be interested in this matter as well. For a moment, the meeting hall fell silent, and then an even louder buzz erupted.

  Ye Haodong also went up out of politeness, Song Hao perhaps because the occasion was not suitable, only nodded to him, didn't say anything, Ye Haodong also didn't mind.

  Nothing was accomplished at the meeting that day.

  Song Hao went there just because he received an invitation from Fang Wentao, the secretary of the district, to help with the scene. After all, he is a businessman, and in business terms, the renovation project of Guangming Street's shantytown looks promising and profitable. However, the 300 million yuan bank loan that Hekou Factory needs to repay immediately, as well as the harsh development conditions, would require a large investment for whoever takes over, which would put a strain on the finances. Even with Song Hao's strong financial resources, he could barely afford it, but considering his lack of understanding of the papermaking industry and the additional conditions proposed by the Xin Guang district government, it could easily become a bottomless pit that swallows up all the profits from real estate development. Despite his wealth and influence, Song Hao hastily refused to get involved in this mess.

  After that day's events, Ye Haodong also didn't have a clear mind. His original plan was too simple, now it seems that things need to be considered from a long-term perspective. The Xin Guang District government has made this pool of water too murky.

  Night. Inside Lao Wu BBQ City on Taipingmen Commercial Street.

  Ye Haodong, Ding Dawei, Li Weidong and Bao Lijiang were drinking and toasting each other. Jiang Wei pushed open the door from outside and walked in, his face seemingly frozen, his eyes piercingly staring at Ye Haodong.

  Ding Dawei stood up with a fearless expression, his eyes filled with a provocative meaning. Recently, he had been supported by Ye Haodong financially, so he was not afraid of Jiang Wei anymore.

  Jiang Wei: "Ye Haodong stays, everyone else get out!"

  "Your mom..."

  With a loud slap, Jiang Wei swung a big slap and hit Ding Dawei, who was actually slapped silly by him.

  Ding Dawei was dissatisfied and wanted to appeal.

  Jiang Wei coldly stared at him: "On August 16, 1994, you and Er Kui, Wen Mao, and Er Mian Kuang three people assaulted the director of the East City Power Management Office, Wei XX. If you don't want to stir up trouble, get out of here quickly!"

  Ye Haodong sat still and expressionless, facing Li Weidong and Bao Lijiang's inquiring eyes, shook his head slightly, then cast his gaze towards Ding Dawei and outside.

  Li Weidong stood up and hugged Ding Dawei who was still stubborn, and together with Bao Li, they carried him out.

  Jiang Wei picked up a bottle of beer but didn't plan to drink it, his eyes seemed to be spitting fire as he glared at Ye Haodong without saying anything.

  Ye Haodong: "Jiang ge..."

  Bang! The wine bottle smashed heavily on Ye Haodong's head, shattering into pieces. Ye Haodong's head was unscathed, sitting there motionless, as if Jiang Wei had smashed the bottle onto an unrelated rock. Even with his face covered in overflowing beer, his expression remained unchanged.

  "Do you hate me so much?"

  Jiang Weimeng's pistol was pressed against Ye Haodong's head, and the people outside heard the sound of shattering beer bottles, rushing in one after another. There were three brothers of Ye Haodong, as well as two subordinates brought by Jiang Wei, who saw Jiang Wei holding a gun to Ye Haodong's head.

  Ye Haodong showed no fear as he charged towards the three brothers who had just entered: "Get out, and don't come in no matter what you hear."

  One of the two policemen wanted to persuade him, but the other stopped him and said, "Let's go out too. Jiangtou has a measure."

  Jiang Wei: "From tonight on, stay away from my sister, or I'll definitely make you pay with your life."

  Ye Haodong curled his lip and shook his head: "Impossible."

  Jiang Wei was enraged, his thumb lightly pushed, the safety had already been released, and with a flick of his other hand, the bullet was already chambered. Ye Hao suddenly reached out, fiercely pointing the muzzle at his own head, angrily asking: "Are you powerful? Either shoot or do what you should do, I don't care about my business with Jiang Lan!"

  Jiang Wei stared into Ye Haodong's eyes: "You think I don't dare?"

  Ye Haodong met his gaze without flinching.

  Jiang Wei: "No room for negotiation? And another question: Do you think you're worthy?"

  Ye Haodong: "Whether I'm suitable for you or not is not up to you to say."

  Jiang Wei withdrew his gun and turned around to leave, but suddenly turned back at the door and fired a shot at Ye Haodong.