Spring Breeze Twenty Years

Chapter 423 The Night Banquet

Li Weibing said, "They're rich, so they dare to spend money openly without fear of being investigated."

Director Wang nodded and said, "Do you think his father is so naive as to let his kids fool around? He's not afraid of being investigated and can withstand scrutiny, understand? This shows that Da Jun's younger brother and his buddies have far more money in their own hands than that amount. Isn't it worth it for you, Young Master Wang, to befriend them?"

Wang Gang thought for a moment, glanced at Li Weibing, then turned to Zhang Jun and asked, "Dajun, what does your brother do?"

Zhang Jun laughed and said, "You two can chat by yourselves tonight. Let's go to Tieguo Laocai (a restaurant name). My brother has a great personality and loves making friends. You'll see once you get to know him."

Wang Gang nodded and said, "Okay, 5:30 then, we'll be there on time. I'm sorry about today, Dajun, the thing is we've never dealt with each other before, and this matter came a bit suddenly. To be honest, you're not an outsider, and I really didn't know about your brother before I came."

Zhang Jun said, "It's alright, we've already met, and Director Wang is here too, it's nothing." Director Wang is Wang Gang's cousin.

Even if Zhang Jun is unhappy about what happened today, that's all there is to it. Compromise is something that everyone has to learn to do in society.

Director Gao asked Zhang Jun, "I heard from Xiao Wei that they plan to demolish the three walls and bungalows and build shops instead, is that right?"

Zhang Jun said, "That's what they said."

Director Gao said, "Give this job to Gangzi. I've made the decision. Have your brother explain the requirements and ideas to Xiaogang tonight. Xiaogang, do a good job. We'll be building more on this side of the main building later."

Zhang Jun said, "Alright, I trust our own people. You and Xiao Wei can discuss the details yourselves tonight. Director Wang and Director Gao, I'll be going now." He took the official letter and left Director Wang's office, returning to Director Gao's side. Director Gao didn't come out with him, presumably because he still had things to discuss with Director Wang and the others.

Zhang Jun entered the house and said, "Let's go, let's go to the place and get the paperwork done. Iron Pot Stew at 5:30 tonight. Director Gao decided to let Wang Gang and his team do the wall renovation; you two talk to them about your demands tonight."

Xia Maosheng asked, "Approximately how much did it cost to build here?"

Zhang Jun said, "For brick-concrete structures, it's a few dozen yuan for a single-story apartment, and a few dozen yuan for a multi-story building. It depends on the specific requirements."

Xiao Wei said, "Just let them give us a quote. This is just a way to save face for everyone; they won't rip us off. It's a job worth hundreds of thousands. Bro, we can give them the job, I'll pay 30% upfront, and the rest in one lump sum after it's finished. Just don't let them ask me for money in the meantime. I don't have time for that."

As the group walked downstairs, Zhang Jun said, "You guys figure it out yourselves. I can't really say anything about it, since I work here."

Chen Hui said, "Forget it, what's done is done. My brother will still be here. Besides, we saved a lot of money, and they're practically local big shots here. Let's give them face so they can ask for help later. They know what's good for them."

Xiao Wei thought for a moment and nodded, saying, "Okay, let's do it that way then. Does Xiao Hong have any money on her?" Xiao Hong and Geng Hui, who had been acting like invisible people, silently followed the group downstairs. Xiao Hong said, "Yes, I have some."

The military is exceptionally efficient when it comes to handling matters in local areas, especially in Liaodong and Jibei. There is too much military property there, and local authorities don't want to offend the military. Many local units are actually using military buildings, and before the mandatory one-size-fits-all approach to military property management, the government was essentially borrowing them.

Later, in the late 90s, the central government issued a notice on the management of military assets, which divided military assets into several categories and forcibly separated them between the military and local authorities, which finally made the local authorities take action.

There is no certificate for land ownership, only a filing form, and it is allocated rather than transferred, with no term of use.

Land cannot be bought, sold, or transferred.

Prior to 82, my country did not have regulations governing urban land ownership; land certificates were only issued for rural land. In 82, the state declared that all land within cities belonged to the state without any compensation, effectively nationalizing urban land that was previously jointly owned by the state, collectives, and individuals. At that time, privately owned urban land accounted for 4.5% of all urban land in the country.

In 1988, it was stipulated that no organization or individual may seize, buy, sell, or illegally transfer land in any other form. The right to use land can be transferred in accordance with the law. In 2004, it was further announced that the state, for the needs of public interest, could, in accordance with the law, expropriate or requisition land and provide compensation. This led to the introduction of land use certificates with terms of 30, 50, or 70 years.

Before 1990, urban residents did not have any certificates for their housing. Before 2000, urban residents only had property ownership certificates, which at that time indicated a permanent term.

After completing the formalities, the group found a place to eat and then returned to the guesthouse to rest. At five o'clock in the evening, Zhang Jun drove over and picked up the five of them to Tieguo Laocai (Iron Pot Old Dish).

Iron Pot Stew is a fusion of Northeastern and Mongolian cuisines, featuring dishes cooked in an iron pot, emphasizing rich and mellow flavors.

The six people entered the restaurant and ordered their food. A little after 5:20, Wang Gang and Li Wei followed the waiter in.

Zhang Jun stood up and said, "I didn't know what you guys liked to eat, so I just ordered a few dishes randomly. You can see what you want to eat and then order more."

Wang Gang put down his bag and said, "Let's make ourselves at home, no need for such formalities. Since we're here, let's just leave it at that. We're just here to get to know everyone. I'm a bit blunt, so please don't nitpick if I offend you. We can get along better as brothers, okay?"

Xiao Wei said, "Sit down and have some tea. Here, light one." He took out a pack of cigarettes and tossed one to each of the two men. Li Weibing took the cigarettes, looked at them, and said, "Anji Special Supply? Never seen this before." He opened it, lit one, and said, "Hey, this cigarette is pretty good. How much is it?"

Xiao Wei lit a cigarette and said, "They don't sell them outside; they're custom-made directly from the cigarette factory. They're for hospitality. I'm planning to demolish all the bungalows across the street, then demolish 50 meters of walls on both sides, and then build a three-story storefront on the demolished area, 12 meters deep. The first and second floors will be divided into rooms 5 meters wide, and the third floor will be left empty. You two calculate how much it will cost."

Wang Gang looked at Li Weibing, who mentally calculated for a moment and said, "The cost is around 100,000 yuan. You can decide how much to pay." This matter was actually just to bridge the gap between the two sides. Everyone knew the situation. If Xiao Wei didn't pay, they would have to accept it. If they paid the cost, everyone would go their separate ways. If they settled at the market price, everyone would be happy.

Xiao Wei said, "Let's calculate based on the market price. I don't know what the market price is here, so just tell me a number."

The restaurant owner pushed open the door and came in: "Shall we serve the food? Is everyone here?"

Zhang Jun nodded and said, "Go ahead, bring up a few bottles of wine, do you have any mare's milk?"

The boss said, "Yes," and went out.

I haven't slept since the day before yesterday. I've tried lying down several times but can't fall asleep. At most, I can close my eyes and rest for a bit. I don't know what's wrong with me. I'm posting this now so I can go lie down again. What if I fall asleep? I reckon if I do, I can sleep until tomorrow, haha.

(End of this chapter)