Wu Qiangwei was startled by Secretary Lu’s words.
She could see that Secretary Lu had been cornered.
This approach had the air of destroying the old to establish the new!
Since none of you support me, I’ll figure something out myself.
Don’t care whether this method is good or bad.
If something happens, suppress it.
If it can’t be suppressed, suppress it anyway!
Mayor Jiang’s expression was grave, and he didn’t speak.
At this moment, Secretary Lu was like a lion that had lost its cub, on the verge of losing control.
Forced demolition was his only choice.
At such a time, anyone who tried to stop him would be consumed by his anger.
Even if sidelined, he was still the City Secretary.
He might not get money, but administratively, he could use the project as an excuse to remove you from office, temporarily distancing you from the power center.
Secretary Lu slowly swept his gaze over the room and said, "If no one has any objections, we’ll do it this way. Meeting adjourned..."
"Secretary Lu!" Director Tu spoke up.
"Secretary Lu, I think this method is inappropriate."
He steeled himself to say.
Seeing him speak, someone immediately followed suit: "I also think that..."
"Knock knock." Secretary Lu knocked on the table and said, "This is the Standing Committee, not a marketplace. Director Tu is speaking, others should not interrupt. If you disrupt the meeting order again, leave."
Everyone immediately shut their mouths, cursing silently, you idiot Lu Zhizhong.
"Director Tu, continue."
"Yes, yes." Director Tu wiped the sweat covertly and said, "I think it’s not quite appropriate to do so."
"What’s inappropriate about it?"
"The price is too low."
"Hmm, it is indeed a bit low."
Secretary Lu said, "But you know the city’s situation, I know, and everyone knows. It’s not that I don’t want to demolish according to the price of ten thousand per square meter, it’s that there’s no money."
"In that case, the people will have to suffer a bit; after all, the bigger picture is more important."
"...Secretary Lu, I actually have an idea."
"I think we can sell the land."
"Sell the land?" Secretary Lu feigned puzzlement.
Director Tu said, "Yes, sell the land!"
"I think the old town renovation project of Fengmen Building can be canceled. Switch this project to a commercial project and sell the whole area directly!"
"Sell it to developers and let them develop it!"
"The demolition funds will also be paid by them."
"Moreover, in terms of land finance, we can also get money."
"This way, the pressure on financial funds is relieved, and Fengmen Building can shake off its old and dilapidated image."
"The money from selling the land can also be used to repair the roads around Fengmen Building, making them spacious and clean."
"Secretary Lu, what do you think?"
Director Tu gave a series of suggestions and waited quietly for Secretary Lu’s response.
The others, upon hearing this suggestion, also brightened up.
Director Fu of the Transportation Bureau said, "I think Director Tu’s suggestion is feasible! A commercial complex is more in line with Lingjiang’s development than some government center."
Director Zhang of the Housing and Construction Bureau also said, "Indeed, it’s a very good suggestion, Secretary Lu, I vote for this suggestion!"
Secretary Lu looked up from his contemplation and said, "This is the Standing Committee, what are you voting for?"
Director Zhang gave an awkward, sheepish smile.
However, everyone could see that Secretary Lu was tempted by the suggestion.
Secretary Lu smoked several cigarettes in a row, finally shaking his head and saying, "No."
Everyone’s hearts sank halfway.
After thinking for so long, just a "No"?
"The nature of the land has been determined, and the old town renovation has been initiated, changing it rashly..."
"Secretary Lu!" Director Huang of the National Development and Reform Commission couldn’t care less about interrupting and immediately said, "The nature of the land can be changed, and the project can be canceled anyway; it hasn’t started yet, and no upfront costs have been invested, so there’s no loss."
"Plus, it’s our city’s project; it doesn’t need provincial approval for initiation. You, as the City Secretary, can decide directly!"
"I can decide directly?"
This sentence seemed to anger Secretary Lu. He sneered and said, "Now you treat me as the City Secretary?"
Everyone twitched their mouths, focusing on the wrong thing, aren’t you?
They were talking about changing residential to commercial, why focus on this?
Is it necessary to be so petty?
Secretary Lu flicked the ash off his cigarette, his tone indisputable: "It can’t be changed, the government center needs to continue being built, this land, can’t be sold!"
"No money, then find ways to increase revenue and cut expenditures."
"Start with the demolition funds!"
"Director Tu, immediately after the meeting, go and conduct an evaluation, not in three days, but deliver the new evaluation report to me by tomorrow."
Everyone saw that it was Director Huang’s earlier sentence that angered him.
Some people are good at controlling emotions, focused on rationality.
For example, Secretary Lu is such a person.
But even the most rational person gets angry sometimes.
This time, all the units had embarrassed him, making him feel like a City Secretary without control, thoroughly angering him.
Now, to avoid responsibility, they suggest changing from residential to commercial, letting him use the City Secretary’s power to change directly.
The huge contrast before and after made him lose his emotional balance.
It made him have the rebellious mindset of opposing whatever they wanted him to do.
It had a bit of a childish tantrum feel to it.
It made them anxious and helpless.
Some people turned their gaze to Mayor Jiang, Zheng Bihui, and Wu Qiangwei.
Hoping they could speak up and persuade Secretary Lu.
Wu Qiangwei didn’t speak.
Although she also thought it was the best method.
But the situation arose too suddenly, and she extremely disliked making decisions impulsively.
Such a decision to change residential to commercial needed proper debate on whether the benefits outweighed the drawbacks and could not be decided impulsively.
Zheng Bihui also remained silent.
He knew what Secretary Lu wanted to do.
It was precisely because he knew that he couldn’t speak carelessly.
This speaker had to be Wu Qiangwei or Mayor Jiang.
Jiang Yuan flicked the ash off his cigarette, exchanged a glance with Minister Zhou, and then smiled: "Changing from residential to commercial is indeed a good idea. Secretary Lu, perhaps you could consider it."
Secretary Lu looked at him, pondered for a few seconds, and said, "We’ll table this topic for now. Mayor Jiang and Mayor Zheng stay, everyone else, you may leave."
Everyone finally exhaled a sigh of relief.
Secretary Lu was tempted; they could all see it.
Mayor Jiang also gave him an out.
And Secretary Lu, having calmed down, accepted the way out.
Everyone left the conference room, leaving only the three of them.
Secretary Lu took out a cigarette and handed it to the two.
Jiang Yuan said, "Director Tu’s suggestion is quite good. And the government center isn’t a necessity; whether in terms of location or building, the old center is still very good."
"Use this place for commercial purposes first. When the economy in the area advances in the future, build a government center nearby, which will also make living more convenient."
Mayor Zheng nodded, "Mayor Jiang makes a good point."
Secretary Lu gave a wry smile, "Of course, I know the proposal is good, it’s just that the words were already said, suddenly going back on them...sigh." The rıghtful source is 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹•𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖•𝗇𝗲𝘁
Jiang Yuan also sighed, "These people indeed aren’t very reasonable, but the City Government has always supported your work as the Secretary."
Secretary Lu comfortingly smiled, "Over the years, I’ve always noticed the support from Mayor Jiang. No need to say more words of gratitude."
"Let’s change Fengmen Building to a commercial nature."
"The relevant departments still need help with coordination from Mayor Jiang and Mayor Zheng."
Zheng Bihui said, "Rest assured, Secretary Lu. Mayor Jiang and I will cooperate with the work."
Mayor Jiang’s gaze subtly swept over the faces of both, smiling meaningfully.