Reborn as a Noble's Son

The baseline for relocation compensation was set by Nie Zhenbang himself, a time when the real estate industry was not particularly booming in China. Some privately owned real estate businesses existed in the coastal areas of the east, and in the west, like in Urumqi, the first real estate company was just emerging. As for Bazhou and Lixian, at this time, houses were mainly financed by units or distributed among them. Even though the housing reform policy had been in effect for quite a few years, in many places, houses were subsidized by units and sold at low prices.

In Lixian, for example, almost all formal employees of the government and enterprise institutions enjoyed the uniform house distribution of their units. There were no privately-owned real estate enterprises in Lixian. This led to the issue of not having any definitive and effective reference data during the demolition process. Nie Zhenbang made an executive decision and set a compromise. Based on the housing prices in the northwest region and Li County City today, a starting price was set at one hundred yuan per square meter, with the highest not exceeding one hundred and fifty yuan as the standard for relocation compensation.

In Lixian, the overall value, including the subsidy for green seedlings, of an average farmhouse’s architectural and actual usage area can be compensated up to sixty or seventy thousand yuan after demolition. Nie Zhenbang made a rough calculation of the house in front of him, considering all aspects, it was about six hundred square meters in total. According to the published price, a compensation of up to seventy thousand yuan would be considered good.

Don’t underestimate this seventy thousand yuan, at this time, households with ten thousand yuan were still exceedingly rare. Seventy thousand yuan could do a lot. To give you an idea, it was enough to rebuild a house like the one here, without ever needing to spend any additional money on the foundation, and still leave around fifty thousand yuan in savings. This is why the thirty or so households that are being relocated were so readily agreed to the demolition.

However, now this Old Zeng had boldly proposed a price of one hundred thousand yuan, which was basically the upper limit set by Nie Zhenbang.

With a change in expression, Nie Zhenbang knew that this bottom line was likely instigated by someone, and the person with the greatest suspicion was Old Zeng’s nephew, Zeng Taiping, the village head of Shengli Township.

“Old man, you see, your neighbors have already relocated. If you don’t, it won’t be lively in the future. Besides, think about it, everyone has the same price. The government did not make two different prices. If we raise your price, others will have opinions. Then, Zhangsan will want to increase the price. Lisi will think, since you all raised the price, I also want to raise the price, right? This is our country’s construction. You are a person with awareness. You followed the great man, the party. Won’t you support the national construction?”, Nie Zhenbang also walked into the crowd at this moment.

As soon as they saw Nie Zhenbang, people like Ma Danaiu headed towards him. At this moment, the police standing behind Nie Zhenbang further incited Old Zeng’s dissatisfaction. “This comrade, are you trying to entrap me with your words? I don’t care about any construction, all I know is, no money, no demolition. If you have the guts, come and bulldoze me and this house together. Bury me too.”

“Old Zeng, you are being presumptuous. Do you know who this is? This is our Director Nie. The policies of the development zone were set by Director Nie himself. From now on, once the development zone is completed, the people of Shengli Township will become workers just like those of the Farmer Welfare Company in Muli Township. Isn’t it better to receive a monthly salary than working in the field?” Beside him, Ma Danaiu also stepped forward and spoke.

A trace of fear flashed across Old Zeng’s face. Director, in ancient times, was a high-ranking official. This was a person that mattered. Moreover, there were so many police officers standing behind him. After hesitating for a moment, Old Zeng stubbornly said, “What Director, what not Director. I don’t care about these things, all I know is, if you want to demolish the house, you have to do it as I say. Otherwise, we won’t talk about anything.”

Dealing with such a person is the most troublesome. To beat him? Nie Zhenbang disdains doing so. Furthermore, Nie Zhenbang has an idealistic mentality in his official career. He hopes to avoid many of the malpractices in the officialdom of his previous life. Although he can not affect too many people, Nie Zhenbang’s idea is simple. At least, such situations should not occur in his own jurisdiction. Making sense? The problem is, the other party simply does not believe in his theory. Keeping an obstinate and argumentative attitude, they insist on one ultimate truth – give money, demolish house!

If this was a private matter, Nie Zhenbang might have agreed. However, under the watchful eyes of so many people, once this precedent is set, the remaining households to be demolished, might be tempted by the sight of money, and might change their minds any time. Moreover, this sets a bad precedent for future expropriation issues. It would be tough. This problem must be solved, and it must be solved without increasing the price. This can also be seen as making an example of one to warn others.

Immediately, Nie Zhenbang turned his head and said to Xiaoyi beside him, “Xiaoyi, make a call to Zeng Taiping of Shengli Township right now. What is he doing? At the demolition mobilization meeting, he patted his chest and guaranteed that he would do a good job in the ideological work of those being relocated. This is good, all other people’s work is done, but he can’t persuade his own uncle. Such a big incident happened, but we don’t see any cadres from Shengli Village here. Make a call right now, ask all the people from Shengli Township Party Committee to come here.”

Now, Zeng Taiping was very pleased, the development zone was eventually set in Shengli Township, which was in fact, inevitable. Shengli Township, as the suburban village of Lixian, would naturally be the first to develop. With the Deputy Secretary of Chengguan Town Huang Shuyong now on the county standing committee, Zeng Taiping was clear that his opportunity had arrived. The area of twenty square kilometers practically included all of Shengli Township. By then, being a member of the development zone team would be much better than the current village head.

At this moment, Zeng Taiping was at his home, with a pot of small wine, a plate of peanuts, and a plate of braised lamb on the table.

“Taiping, I feel the thing you told our uncle seems a bit unreliable. Isn’t this inciting our uncle? If Director Nie finds out, won’t he skin you?”, Next to him, Zeng Taiping’s wife, who was carrying a plate of braised pork ribs from the kitchen, walked out.

Old Zeng Taiping originally hailed from Chunan Province. In the ’60s, he moved with his entire family to the northwest. While they’re now considered natives of the region, they still retain distinct customs of Chunan Province.

Listening to his wife’s words, Zeng Taiping disdainfully responded, “What does an old woman like you know? This money doesn’t belong to private individuals; it’s the state’s money. Not taking it is a waste. The price quoted by my uncle is still within the limit. I didn’t have him quote an outrageous figure. This stalemate is merely over a few tens of thousands. Where else can such a good fortune be found? Besides, Director Nie clearly stated at the mobilization meeting that there would be no violent or forced demolitions. Everything will proceed in an orderly manner, winning over people with virtue. Don’t worry. My uncle won’t be taken away by the Public Security Bureau.”

The telephone atop the high-low cabinet began to ring at that moment. Just as Zeng Taiping’s wife picked up the call before she could even say a word, she brought down the receiver and looked at Zeng Taiping, saying, “Old Zeng, it’s for you. The caller said his name is Yi Jun.”

The moment he heard this name, Zeng Taiping, who had been leisurely sipping on his drink, immediately stood up. Taking three steps as two, he took the phone, his face was all smiles as he enthused, “Brother Yi, do you have any instructions?”

At this moment, Yi Jun was in no mood for jokes. He said in a serious tone, “Director Zeng, I won’t mince words with you. You need to rush to your uncle’s place right now. Director Nie is there. During the last mobilization meeting, your team at Shengli Township pledged to fulfill ideological work among the masses. But now, you haven’t even persuaded your own uncle. Director Nie is quite vexed. You better hurry before the Director is kept waiting too long.”

After hanging up the phone, Zeng Taiping broke into a smile, far from being nervous. Yi Jun’s call confirmed his speculation. Indeed, Director Nie walked the talk and refrained from imposing high, forced demolitions. Now, it was his time to demonstrate his abilities. If he could make an impression in front of Director Nie, his future would be limitless.

As Zeng Taiping made his way to the demolition site, it was the evening and the sky had darkened slightly. Workers at the construction site had already extended the electrical wires, brightening the surroundings of Old Zeng’s house. The Shengli Township Party Secretary, Leng Guohua, had already arrived at the site. However, Old Zeng, who seemed determined at this point, paid no heed to him.

Putting on an out-of-breath facade, Zeng Taiping dashed forward. Seeing Director Nie’s stern face, he began, “Director Nie, I sincerely apologise. I had no idea my uncle would act this way. This is a mistake in my work and I welcome your critique.”

Director Nie, with a stern expression, glanced at his watch and replied in a deep voice, “Comrade Zeng Taiping, half an hour has passed since I contacted you. Secretary Leng, who lives farther away than you, has already arrived. It seems that you, Director Zeng, are pretty busy. Ha, you’ve even had some drinks, seems like you are having a good time.”

Zeng Taiping let out an awkward laugh, as he had indeed been too complacent and completely forgotten about this matter. The current Director Nie was not a person he could easily interact with. Mo Zhihai had already been brought down, and now, the new secretary could not even manage the county finances. This was not a person one could take lightly.

Zeng Taiping then stood up straight and said, “Rest assured, I will certainly persuade my uncle.”

Just as he reached his uncle’s side and spoke for barely two minutes, suddenly, Old Zeng raised his voice, “Taiping, how could you do this? We’d agreed that no one else’s intervention would make a difference. Now, for the sake of your own future, you’ve sold me out. Do you still consider yourself part of the Zeng family? Had I known earlier, I would’ve simply accepted the money for the demolition, rather than waiting for this ruckus to occur.”

As his words fell, the entire place went quiet, then the onlooking crowd burst out into laughter. This time, Zeng Taiping was done for. With his uncle’s words, an instigation charge was inevitable.

Director Nie then stood up, his face sullen as he thundered, “Despicable! Zeng Taiping, from tomorrow onwards, do not come to work. You are suspended pending organizational review!”

PS: Congratulations to Lindi for becoming the newest leader of this book. This is the fifth update, my brothers and sisters, today’s monthly ticket is not doing so well, the top authors are already closing the gap, and the front runners are rapidly advancing. At this moment, I, Old Cai cannot help but express, our brothers and sisters reading official literature, you are way too rationale. Fellow brothers and sisters, why not indulge in a bit of madness? Those with monthly tickets, please cast them towards me. Comrade Nie Zhenbang might soon be showing his prowess. Monthly tickets, please support.