"Since you are from the town, do you think ordinary people like us must obey your orders?"
Yu Zhou's tone was not overly aggressive, but the coldness of the situation caused all the local residents to feel a surge of indignation.
It was indeed not a problem for the town to attract investment; everyone hoped their hometown could prosper, and they were all supportive.
However, resorting to forced sales was not how things were done in the old society, and this was going too far.
And this person, upon arrival, adopted an attitude of overwhelming authority, acting as if you had to sell to him even if you didn't want to. In a world where money equals power, perhaps it would be acceptable many years later.
But in this era of rapid reform, opening up, and economic development, countless people found such an attitude utterly contemptible.
Some elderly men even felt the urge to use their walking sticks to beat to death this official who was harming the community.
Did you really think you were superior to everyone else?
"You... it's for the development of the entire town. Can't you have a spirit of sacrifice?"
"The boss said that as long as this piece of land is acquired, there will be millions in investment later. At that time, you villagers nearby can work in the factory, which would be more profitable than farming at home!"
"Why don't you understand the town's good intentions?"
Gao Chuang felt extremely wronged. He never expected these people, especially the newly arrived Yu Zhou, to be so difficult to deal with.
When he, as a town official, stepped forward, he thought the matter could be resolved in a matter of minutes with just a few words.
Who would have thought that such stubborn villagers would emerge from this poor and desolate place, completely unmoved by his tactics?
"If it's about contribution, it should be voluntary. If I were willing to contribute, then there would be nothing to say. You could do whatever you want."
"But I've never heard of any town forcing people to contribute!"
"With a single word, you want to take away my elderly father's land for his retirement. Is there such a cheap thing in this world?"
Yu Zhou was relentless. If in the past he wouldn't dare to argue with these people, then the current Yu Zhou had the confidence to challenge them.
Let alone the fact that he was now a registered businessman in both the district and the city, even without these credentials, with the money he had accumulated from his business dealings, arguing with a mere town director was not an issue at all.
Moreover, this time they had gone too far. If they hadn't tried to forcibly purchase their land, Yu Zhou wouldn't have spoken with such displeasure.
"That's right. We are just ordinary farmers, but you want to buy our land and try to take it by trickery. Isn't that looking down on us too much?"
"Regardless, it can only be successful if both parties are willing."
"You directly issue a contract saying this land is yours without anyone's consent. Isn't that bullying people?"
Many villagers were also indignant at this point. Clearly, in their eyes, selling seven mu of land for a thousand yuan was something no one would agree to.
Now, to forcibly level the land and build a factory, no one was willing.
"This is the town's decision. If you're angry, go to the town and find someone to talk to, don't talk to me here!"
"I am only responsible for notifying and then leveling the land. Other matters are not my responsibility."
Gao Chuang remained unmoved, insisting on leveling the land.
In his view, even if they wanted to make trouble, the town would not agree to it for the sake of attracting investment.
Since that was the case, it was best for him to just get the job done today.
It had to be said that in this era, some public officials had a very overbearing way of doing things.
This one had learned it well and was not holding back at all, as if any refusal would be seen as opposing the entire town government.
"Dad! Are you sure you don't want to sell?"
Yu Zhou no longer paid any attention to this self-important individual.
Clearly, they were a bunch of swindlers, yet they were considered a prized investment prospect for the small town, even to the extent of causing such a major disturbance.
If this happened in later years, it would undoubtedly become big news.
But in this era, it was not considered news at all.
Didn't some big city governments get swindled as well? There was even a "king of swindlers" who was still at large.
He was about to become the richest man in the country, yet he hadn't been brought down.
Big airplanes, water-to-oil conversion, qigong, pyramid schemes, and so on. In this era, it was a period of chaos.
Coupled with the wind of reform that would blow for many years, it was difficult not to be deceived under such circumstances.
"Of course. I'm counting on this for my old age. Who would be willing to sell their land?"
Yu Hongchang knew that his son had come to confirm his stance.
Naturally, he wouldn't say anything else at this time.
However, he couldn't understand what kind of ability his son possessed now to change this situation. After all, the town government in this era was still incredibly powerful.
Their attitude towards the populace remained condescending, with no change whatsoever.
Even though Yu Zhou had some money now, his father was still worried about him confronting these people.
His eldest son was already a deputy town head; didn't he know the ins and outs of these matters?
"That's simple! I'll ask one last question. If you guys can answer it, then whether it's leveling the land or anything else."
"I will no longer object!"
Yu Zhou's mind raced, and he no longer showed his indignation, preparing to unleash his trump card.
"Huh?"
For a moment, both the bosses and Gao Chuang were stunned. What was this move?
At this point, he was actually going to ask a question?
"Ask away!"
Finally, the boss took a deep breath. To ensure the smooth progress of today's matter, he decided to endure it.
No matter what, the business had to be completed today, otherwise, all future plans would be impossible to implement.
"If you want to take our land, show us your factory permits and your proof of assets."
"I am willing to contribute to the town; it's just a matter of a few mu of land. However, I don't believe you truly have the qualifications to build a factory in Dushan Town."
"If the land is bought by you, and we contribute without receiving any good deeds, and are even pointed at and scolded, then our Yu family might not be able to stay in Dushan Town."
Yu Zhou immediately started by making serious accusations.
However, he clearly saw that the boss's face instantly changed upon hearing about proof of assets and factory permits.