Chapter 444: Lots of Benefits

Chapter 444: Chapter 444: Lots of Benefits

Han Xiaorui smiled. "That could work. But Director Zhao, as you know, even with the discovery of the treasure and ancient tomb, the island will still be an excellent tourist attraction once it’s developed."

"Developing it will cost a fortune. Since my initial investment is already so substantial, I might have to reduce the capital allocated to the water park and aquarium. Their construction schedule would also have to be pushed back."

Having heard Han Xiaorui’s words, Director Zhao, a veteran of bureaucracy, of course, understood what she was implying.

Director Zhao smiled and nodded. "Of course. The martyrs’ cemetery will be jointly built by the local civil affairs department and the armed forces department. In addition, upon learning that this is the site where Yuan Cheng—a disciple of Sima Chengzhen from the Tang Dynasty—achieved apotheosis, the Maoshan Sect and the Taoist Association want to build a Daoist Temple here. The higher-ups have already approved it."

"This is all considered infrastructure, which will be funded by the government and the Taoist Association. You won’t have to pay for it. As for the island lease contract, you’ve already paid ten years of rent upfront, so no further payments are needed for now. With that in mind, your required investment is a bit lower now, isn’t it?"

Han Xiaorui was taken aback for a moment. ’I thought I’d have to pay to build the martyrs’ cemetery and the Daoist Temple, but it turns out I don’t.’

This was fantastic news.

"Thank you, this is a great help from the government. Although I won’t need to build the cemetery or the Daoist Temple, the murals depicted many peach blossoms. Both the Maoshan Sect and the Taoist Association have recommended that I plant peach trees on the island."

"Planting peach trees across the islands will also require a significant investment. This puts a lot of pressure on the budget for the water park and aquarium. What kind of assistance can the government offer me in this regard?"

Director Zhao had dealt with plenty of foreign investors who made bizarre demands during negotiations, so he wasn’t the least bit angered by Han Xiaorui’s request.

When investing hard cash, it’s only natural to want to minimize costs and maximize returns.

"First, road construction. The government will build the road from Jinshan Bay to the site of the aquarium and water park in the next village. Additionally, if you invest, you will enjoy not only tax incentives but also low-interest loans. The loan amount will be no less than half of your total investment."

The district wouldn’t have offered such favorable terms to just anyone.

The loan in particular was a great deal—not only was the interest rate low, but the principal amount was enormous.

With the Jinshan Bay ornamental fish farm being such a powerhouse for generating foreign currency, they had no concerns about Han Xiaorui’s ability to repay the loan.

Han Xiaorui was quite pleased to hear this.

’I have to admit, these incentives are quite generous.’

Han Xiaorui smiled. "Thank you, Director Zhao, and the district leadership for your tremendous support. I’ll do my part to move the project forward as quickly as possible."

"However, as you know, leasing land in the next village involves the villagers and their committee, which can be tricky. I don’t have any connections there, making it difficult for me to handle those negotiations."

Hearing this, Director Zhao chuckled. "Rest assured, the district will handle that. According to our plans, the neighboring White Crane Village is the closest to you, and it has a plot of land large enough to build the water park and aquarium."

"From what I understand, building a water park and aquarium on the mainland is much less difficult than building them on an island. Even without foreign technology, we should be able to do it by applying domestic tech and studying international design concepts."

Han Xiaorui nodded. "The professors from the planning bureau and Fudan University said the same thing, but by then I had already leased the islands. Besides, the view from the islands is more expansive. Building there would be extremely difficult."

"Since we can’t build on the islands now, the difficulty and the associated costs are both lower. As long as we put in the effort to design some fun attractions, we’ll still be able to draw in plenty of tourists."

"If the district can resolve the land issue in White Crane Village, then I have no objections. Of course, we’re all neighbors here, so we have to do right by the villagers. There will be relocations, and the leasing fees will be paid at the current market rate."

Director Zhao asked tentatively, "The village leadership of White Crane Village said they would agree to the same terms as the Jinshan Bay village committee. They’re willing to waive compensation fees. They only ask for the land lease fees, which they’ll use to compensate for the requisitioned land. They don’t want anything else, but they would like a 15% share of future profits."

"Also, if possible, once the water park is completed, could you prioritize hiring villagers from White Crane Village for jobs like cleaning and food service?"

Han Xiaorui thought for a moment. "That’s doable, but the village committee cannot have any management authority. Otherwise, it will lead to administrative chaos and an unclear division of responsibilities. If that happens, even after the aquarium and water park are built, they might not turn a good profit."

Since the strict enforcement of the fishing moratorium this year, many people could no longer make a living by fishing and had to sell their boats. They either switched to aquaculture or left to find work elsewhere.

Working close to home would naturally be the best option for them.

Profit-sharing rights would ensure the villagers receive a long-term income stream. It was the same deal she had made when leasing the islands at Jinshan Bay.

Han Xiaorui wanted to be an entrepreneur, not a capitalist. When considering her business operations and profits, she naturally had to factor in her social responsibilities.

She couldn’t just use these resources to line her own pockets while the local people around her struggled to get by.

That would go against the principle of "letting some get rich first to help others prosper." ’Besides, if things reach a certain point and they start "struggling against the local landlords" again, wouldn’t I be the first one they come for?’

After thinking it over, Han Xiaorui decided she couldn’t hog all the profits.

Seeing that Han Xiaorui had agreed to the main points, Director Zhao was delighted. "Thank you, Comrade Xiao Han, for your support of our socialist cause."

Han Xiaorui laughed. "It’s just as they say: let some get rich first to help others prosper. I’ll take the lead, and everyone can follow along so we can all get wealthy together. If they have a share of the profits, the future employees from White Crane Village will treat the business as their own and work diligently."

Director Zhao agreed wholeheartedly. "Exactly. I’ll handle the mobilization work. I guarantee I’ll get everyone on board with a high level of political consciousness."

"Thank you, Director Zhao," Han Xiaorui said gratefully. "Once you’ve finished coordinating with them, we can sign the contracts."

"Excellent!" Director Zhao departed, beaming.

When Ye Feng came home from work and heard about the day’s events, he was completely stunned. "I know ’apotheosis through meditation’ is a concept, but actual ascension? I’ve never seen it, and I don’t believe it."

Han Xiaorui scratched her head. "I don’t believe it either! But that ancient Daoist, Yuan Cheng... it’s been over a thousand years, and his body really hasn’t decomposed. It’s perfectly lifelike. If it weren’t for the fact that he wasn’t breathing, he just looks like he’s resting with his eyes closed, fast asleep."

"So what happens now? Now that he’s been discovered, are they just going to leave him there?" Ye Feng felt that leaving the body there could lead to trouble.

Han Xiaorui answered, "Of course not. He left a casket behind. Inside, there weren’t just cultivation manuals for everyone, but also a letter."

"A letter?" Ye Feng was astonished. "From over a thousand years ago? Wouldn’t it have turned to dust by now?"

These events were far beyond Ye Feng’s understanding, and he found it all utterly unbelievable.

’Was it just the unique environment of the hidden chamber that preserved the body? As for the ascension part... that’s just feudal superstition.’