Dramatic changes in the movies and TV shows

Chapter 1326 Clarifying Water Rights
"Secretary Lin, the Water Resources Bureau's Technical Department has completed the statistics." Li Mingyang placed a document on the table and said with a solemn expression:
“When we built the Red Flag Canal, we occupied flat mountainous areas, mausoleums, and demolished houses. The list is all here.”

Li Mingyang paused here before stating a number:
"Old Xu and I did a preliminary calculation, and the compensation would amount to about 360,000 yuan."

"Three hundred and sixty thousand?" Lin Jie frowned immediately upon hearing this, saying in disbelief, "So much?"

"This is just our preliminary estimate!" Li Mingyang explained helplessly. "The exact amount will depend on the final statistics from Shanxi."

"More importantly, in order to get the water flowing by May Day, we started construction across the entire line and mobilized all the people in the county to polish stone slabs and dig earthen canals throughout the county!"

"The funds are almost exhausted. There are only about 100,000 yuan left in the account, which is not enough to continue the project."

"Secretary Lin, County Head Li, the situation is actually much more serious than you just described!" the Finance Bureau Chief said, his voice hoarse.
“If we include all the money we can move, the funds available in the account, at most, are less than 180,000 yuan.”

This number silenced everyone for a moment.

Director Luo of the Water Resources Bureau couldn't help but interject, his tone filled with concern:

"Yes, Secretary Lin, the main canal is only two kilometers away from completion, and a large number of branch canals and irrigation ditches in the county are also waiting for funding to start construction."

"Could we postpone this compensation payment for now?"

Lin Jie was still considering it when Li Mingyang shook his head and said:
“We acknowledge this debt. It’s better to pay it off sooner rather than later. The irrigation canal is almost finished, and we can’t let the people of Shanxi who supported us so strongly suffer losses and feel disheartened.”

"Comrade Mingyang is right!" Lin Jie immediately agreed, saying firmly in his tone:
"When we built the canal, the people of Shanxi provided manpower, land, and even vacated their houses. Their support was unparalleled. Now that we're almost at the water's edge, we absolutely cannot do the kind of thing that's done after we've served our purpose!"

Sun Shihou scratched his head, looking troubled, and said:
"That makes sense, but Lao Lin, we already don't have enough funds. If this is another large sum of money going out, we'll really be in trouble!"

"Moreover, there are only two kilometers left of the main canal. That's a rocky mountain, not an earthen slope. Although the canals built in the county are earthen, some key parts still require explosives and detonators!"

"We can use the grain reserves to feed the migrant workers, but explosives and detonators are things that need to be bought with money!"

"If we don't have a single penny, how will we repair this last section of the canal? Are we supposed to have everyone dig it out by hand?"

Although Old Sun had a bad temper, his words struck everyone like a hammer blow.

The final stage of a project is like the last kilometer of a marathon—the peak of morale, but also the easiest time to fail due to a lack of stamina.

Director Luo of the Water Resources Bureau added with concern: "Moreover, the network of branch canals leading to various townships has just been laid out, and many key nodes are waiting for money to buy materials."

"The main canal is connected to the water, but the branch canals can't be connected, so the water can't reach the fields."

Linxian Cotton Boiler is currently in two situations: if compensation is paid, the project will immediately stop; if compensation is not paid, Linxian will be burdened with a moral debt; and if the water rights issue is postponed, it may leave future problems.

"The difficulties are temporary," Li Mingyang said, trying to encourage everyone.
"Our construction teams have work to do, and the materials we produce have a market, so our cash flow may be tight for a while!"

“But as long as the channel is cleared, the situation will gradually improve.” After saying this, Li Mingyang turned his gaze to Lin Jie, awaiting his final decision.

Lin Jie pondered for a moment, then his eyes suddenly lit up as he remembered the idea Lin Hao had mentioned before.

"There is a way to slow things down!" Lin Jie said, looking at everyone.
“Let’s go to Pingshun together tomorrow, and bring Lin Hao along. We’ll sign an agreement with the Pingshun government, and be frank about our difficulties.”

"We'll pay a portion of the 360,000 upfront, and the remainder will be repaid in installments over several years!"

He explained the specific installment payment plan.

Li Mingyang picked up the compensation list of 360,000 yuan, looked at the financial statement again, and frowned deeply.
"Even if we pay in installments, we still need to pay at least half of the down payment, which is 180,000 yuan. Besides, we can't even afford 180,000 yuan."

"Even if we manage to raise the money, once we pay the compensation, we won't have a single penny left."

An awkward silence fell over the meeting room. All eyes turned to Lin Jie once again.

Lin Jie's fingers tapped the table unconsciously, making a dull sound.

His gaze swept over the anxious faces of each of his comrades, finally settling on the bright red flag on the wall and the portrait.

Suddenly, his tapping fingers stopped.

"If all else fails—!" Lin Jie's voice wasn't loud, but it made everyone hold their breath, "Then we'll use a special fund!"

Li Mingyang immediately realized something, as if he had thought of something, and asked Lin Jie with surprise:

"Old Lin, did you get the approval from your superiors?"

Lin Jie shook his head and said: "The higher-ups haven't approved it yet, but we've submitted the application again!"
"It hasn't been approved yet?" Li Mingyang immediately objected upon hearing this.
"You absolutely cannot touch this money. I told you last time, this is a red line! It must be used for its designated purpose, that's an ironclad rule! Besides, Deputy Secretary Yu and his group are just looking for something to do with us, if this happens...!"

“I know!” Lin Jie interrupted him, her tone resolute.

"I know those are high-voltage lines! I also know Yu Fenggao is just waiting for us to make a mistake!"

As he spoke, Lin Jie stood up, placed his hands on the table, leaned forward, and looked intently at everyone, saying:

"But comrades, tell me, do we have any other way to go now?"

"Paying compensation is the integrity that Linxian should have towards its brother counties! Repairing the irrigation canal is a pledge we made to the 600,000 people of Linxian! We cannot abandon either integrity or our pledge!"

He took a deep breath and made his final decision, his voice heavy and resolute:
"We'll use this money first. The compensation payment to Ping Shun County will come from this. At the same time, we must ensure that the main canal is operational and that the construction of earthen canals within the county begins!"

"I, Lin Jie, will take full responsibility. If the higher-ups investigate and punish me in the future, I will not hesitate to speak out!"

Upon hearing this, Sun Shihou slapped his thigh and exclaimed, "Then count it as mine! I'll go call Pingshun County right now to discuss it!"

"Count me in too!"

"Yes, it's us!"

"Alright, I'll handle it all myself!" Lin Jie said earnestly.

"The Hongqi Canal was completed with your help. If we are all taken down, what will happen to the Hongqi Canal? What will happen to the 600,000 people of Linxian who are starving for food?"

Actually, Lin Jie wanted to tell everyone that he and Lin Hao had a complete plan, but he definitely couldn't say it at this time. After all, there was still a spy here, and they absolutely couldn't let their efforts go to waste.

Everyone opened their mouths, but for a moment they didn't know what to say.

······
The next day, the group arrived at the Ping Shun County Committee, where Wang Danian warmly invited them to sit down.

"Old Lin, Mingyang, Engineer Lin, you must be tired from your journey. Please sit down and have some water." Wang Danian poured tea for Lin Jie with a smile. "Danian, we're old comrades, so I won't beat around the bush." ​​Lin Jie took the teacup and, without much small talk, got straight to the point:

"We are here today to discuss the issue of compensation for the land and houses that have been occupied during the construction of the canal."

Lin Jie said sincerely, "The canal is something that our Linxian County is going to build, and we can't let the people of Pingshun who support us suffer losses."

"Have you calculated the specific losses?"

In fact, Wang Danian had indeed thought that since the water passed through their area, it was still a valuable asset.

But that 1.3 million catties of life-saving grain last time... that favor is too heavy. If we were to obstruct it now, it would make us seem like Ping Shun is being unfair.

A fleeting, almost imperceptible hesitation crossed Wang Danian's face, but he quickly waved his hand, his tone unusually decisive:
"Old Lin! You're being too polite! Look at the grain you sent not long ago, it was a life-saving favor!"

Seeing this, Li Mingyang knew the other party was trying to brush it off, so he immediately smiled and said:

“Secretary Wang, let’s keep things separate. The grain is a matter of goodwill, and the compensation is a matter of principle. We can’t confuse the two.”

“Yes, it’s the Lunar New Year.” Lin Jie nodded, making her point even clearer:
"The construction of the Red Flag Canal is a matter for Linxian County, but we cannot let you suffer losses!"

"Besides, no matter what, your Pingshun and our Linxian are, administratively, under the jurisdiction of Shanxi and Henan provinces respectively!"

Wang Danian understood that the other party had hit the nail on the head, and it seemed they were determined to settle the matter.

Trying to manipulate things with sentiment would make me, Wang Danian, seem petty. But this water right…!
Wang Danian's smile faded slightly, and his tone became more formally dismissive:

"Well... if you insist on handling this matter this way, I really don't think it's necessary."

Lin Hao, who had been silent, saw that the other party hadn't given in yet and knew that the other party still had ulterior motives, so he spoke frankly:
"Secretary Wang, we've come here not only to determine the amount of compensation, but also to ensure the vital interests of the people in both counties!"

"We also hope to sign a usage rights agreement for the Hongqi Canal within Shanxi Province with you, which will permanently establish the rights and obligations of the Hongqi Canal in Shanxi Province regarding water intake and land use in a written form."

Li Mingyang also frankly stated at this point:
“Old Wang, we’ve all lived through the war years, you should understand the stakes involved. We can’t leave our descendants with a messy account a hundred years from now!”

At this point, reason, emotion, and benefit have all been laid out on the table.

Wang Danian glanced at the three people in front of him, realizing that his little scheme was doomed. He sighed and gave a helpless, bitter smile:

"Old Lin, Old Li, it seems you've thought ahead of us!"

"Fine, I think you won't agree to this unless I make you pay some compensation!"

"Alright then, the three of you can stay here for the night." Wang Danian then stood up and said.
"I will immediately notify the relevant communes below and have them report the verified loss data!"

"Row!"

A moment later, Wang Danian handed a document to Lin Jie and said in a calm tone:

"Old Lin, these are the loss statistics from the communes below. Take a look and see if there are any problems!"

"This~!" Lin Jie took the receipt, glanced at it, a hint of surprise flashed across his face, and then handed it to Li Mingyang: "Old Li, take a look."

Li Mingyang looked at it carefully, and when he looked up, he said with a surprised expression, "Secretary Wang, this...this data, I'm afraid it's not quite right, is it?"

Wang Danian's heart skipped a beat, thinking that his subordinates had given false information, and he quickly asked, "What's wrong, Lao Lin? Did they... write too much?"

Lin Jie and Li Mingyang exchanged a glance, surprised to find that the amount was less than they had estimated.

Lin Jie smiled sincerely and gently placed the document back on the table, saying:
"No, no! Da Nian, to be honest, we think this is a bit too little!"

"I've always said that even close brothers should keep clear accounts, so we did the math too." Lin Jie said, turning to Li Mingyang and gesturing:

"Old Li, bring us the calculation we did."

Li Mingyang handed the list of calculations for Linxian County to Wang Danian.

Wang Danian took it and looked at it, his face instantly filled with astonishment. He said, "Three hundred and sixty thousand? Old Lin, this...this is too much!"

“Not much, not at all!” Lin Jie leaned forward, pointing to each item on the list and explaining:
"We've just calculated this account in more detail than you have."

“Look, the land occupied by the canal construction, the destroyed houses, the felled trees, and the future maintenance and upkeep of the Hongqi Canal will also depend on you. We have carefully calculated to arrive at this figure.”

"That won't do!" Wang Danian was determined to see this favor through to the end, and directly waved his hand in refusal:

"You need money to build canals right now, and the whole country is suffering from drought. There's really no need for this!"

After several rounds of sincere concessions and negotiations, and with Lin Jie's insistence, the compensation amount was finally settled at 360,000 yuan.

"Alright, Lao Lin, I can't argue with you!" Wang Danian said with a helpless smile.

"Then let's stick to what we just agreed on. I'll have the office draft the agreement as soon as possible."

"Okay, okay!" Lin Jie agreed readily, then a hint of barely perceptible embarrassment appeared on his face as he said:

"Um... Da Nian, I have another favor to ask."

"We are indeed facing a very tight cash flow situation right now. Could you allow us to pay 150,000 yuan of this compensation upfront?"

"As for the remaining 210,000, we assure you that we will pay it all within two years once the drought is over!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Danian immediately put on a stern face and said:

"Old Lin, I have to say something to you! Since things are so difficult, the compensation issue can be put on hold for now!"

Li Mingyang promptly took over the conversation and explained earnestly:
“Old Wang, that’s what we were worried about. We were afraid that if your comrades in Shanxi knew about our difficulties, they wouldn’t even mention compensation to us anymore. That’s why Secretary Lin left it until last and only brought it up now.”

Wang Danian looked at his two old comrades-in-arms, remained silent for a moment, and finally could only smile wryly and point at them:
"Sigh, I really can't do anything with you guys! I'll just do as you say!"

The agreement was quickly drafted, and after both parties reviewed and approved it, they signed the agreement and transferred the funds to the Ping Shun County account.

The first installment of 150,000 yuan from Linxian County was then transferred to the account of Pingshun County.