Seeing this setup, Jing Yongli knew that Xu Zheng, that kid, was up to no good again. Yang Jian had been on the run for a long time, and Afeng and the others had been missing for half a year. He still thought he was the boss of Xinqiao, forgetting Afeng's warning to him.
"Brother Zheng, what do you mean? You know we're developing here, and you're deliberately looking for trouble?"
Jing Yongli was now a celebrity in Xinqiao, with strong economic backing and close ties to the town leaders. Therefore, he wasn't as intimidated by Xu Zheng as he used to be.
Xu Zheng wasn't angry. "Little Jing, I don't like what you're saying. How am I looking for trouble? This riverbank is public property, not yet under your company's name. I have legal procedures here. Do you want to see them?"
"I don't want to see them. Since you have legal procedures, I have nothing more to say. I wish you great fortune."
Jing Yongli didn't want to argue with him. The town government would handle this matter. Such a large investment couldn't be stopped by a mere thug.
Seeing Jing Yongli about to leave, Xu Zheng was a bit surprised. He quickly stepped forward to stop him and offered him a cigarette. "Little Jing, don't go, let's chat."
"Chat about what? Aren't you running a sand quarry? I'm not stopping you."
"Let's talk about your development. How about this: I'll transfer the procedures for this sand quarry to you. You don't have to pay any money, just give me a development project to do. I'll contract it at market price and guarantee no shoddy work."
So that was his plan. Jing Yongli smiled. "Brother Zheng, the development is still in its infancy. We need government approval and project establishment first, then the design institute will draw up the blueprints, the consulting company will do the budget, and finally, there will be bidding. It would be good if all these things are clarified before the end of the year. I'm still clueless, so how can I promise you any projects?"
"This is a private investment, where is the need for bidding? It's all up to you. You're building a scenic park, just give me the landscaping project."
"This is still a long way off, we'll talk about it later."
After speaking, Jing Yongli went to help the young men from the design institute with their measuring tools.
Xu Zheng's face immediately darkened. He had spent four packs of cigarettes and four bottles of wine, costing several thousand yuan, to get the procedures for this yellow sand mining permit. He just wanted an excuse to force Jing Yongli to agree to participate in the development project.
To his surprise, he was shut out from the start. Jing Yongli's attitude clearly showed he was rejecting him.
"Brother Zheng, the well-drilling master is asking if we still need to drill?"
A subordinate came to ask. They never intended to actually run a sand quarry, nor did they expect to find sand here.
"Drill it. We have to put on a show, otherwise, he'll report me to the mayor. He won't agree now, but we'll come back when they actually start construction. I don't believe he won't give in."
Jing Yongli was on the nearby riverbank, so Xu Zheng had to play the part convincingly.
The well-drilling master took the money and did his job, naturally not cutting corners, and started working according to the procedure.
"Wow, Brother Zheng, there's really sand down here."
Less than half an hour after the well-drilling master started, a young man shouted, waking up Xu Zheng, who was sleeping in the air-conditioned car.
Xu Zheng opened the car door and ran over. "There's really sand? What's the quality like, and how thick is the soil layer?"
The well-drilling master grabbed a handful of mud and sand and said, "From what I can see, the yellow sand below is of very good quality, similar to the sand in the Da Xin River. The soil layer is only one and a half meters thick. If the sand layer is thick enough, we can use a sand pump to extract the yellow sand. Of course, we need to drill a few more spots to see how widespread this sand layer is."
"Based on your experience, is the sand layer underground sufficient for a sand quarry?"
"It should be. This is an old riverbed. As long as there is sand below, the distribution range cannot be limited to just this area. We'll know more after we drill a few more spots later."
"Then hurry up and drill. As long as it's confirmed that a sand quarry can be opened here, I'll give you a thousand yuan salary."
Xu Zheng became excited. This was too unexpected, too surprising. With such a large riverbank, if it was all yellow sand underneath, it would be hard not to get rich. He wouldn't need to beg Jing Yongli for projects anymore.
Jing Yongli also heard the young man's shout and curiously asked the surveying personnel, "Is there yellow sand under this riverbed? Didn't you detect it before?"
He Guang said from the side, "We did detect it. There is sand under this riverbank, and the sand layer is quite shallow. That's why we planned the rubber dam at the north end of the village, where there is no sand layer and it's suitable for construction."
"Mr. He, why didn't you say so earlier? Now it's bad, someone has gotten ahead of us. If his sand quarry opens, our project will be difficult to proceed."
Jing Yongli was somewhat annoyed. The water project required many supporting facilities along the banks. If Xu Zheng's sand quarry started, it would definitely affect construction.
He Guang scratched his head. "I only focused on the rubber dam and the landscape design along the banks. Who would have thought someone would come to dig for yellow sand? Mayor Peng should be able to resolve this, right?"
"Then I'll go find him."
Jing Yongli couldn't wait any longer. Once his sand quarry was established, more people would follow suit. This riverbank opposite was not Yang Li Village's territory. By then, the entire riverbed would be riddled with holes.
"Little Jing, where are you going?"
Xu Zheng actually stopped him.
"I'm going home. What's wrong?"
"I'm warning you, I'm going to open this sand quarry. Even if Yang Jian comes back, he won't be able to stop me. If you block my path to wealth, don't say I'm not showing mercy. I'll kill if necessary."
In the face of huge profits, Xu Zheng didn't care about Yang Jian's and Afeng's warnings at all. At worst, he would buy a few more firearms. If pushed too far, he would kill.
"What does your sand quarry have to do with me? I don't have the leisure to mind your business."
Jing Yongli left after speaking. He was a little scared, after all, he wasn't involved in the underworld. Xu Zheng's few words had made him uneasy.
After returning to the factory, he thought for a long time and decided to inform Yang Jian first.
"Brother, Mayor Peng inspected the Yaochi Garden project today and immediately approved full support for the project's progress, preparing to establish a command center to help us with land acquisition and transfer."
"Is that so? That's great. Tell the design institute to speed up the progress and issue the blueprints as soon as possible."
"Brother, those are not problems. Now there's an unexpected situation that might affect the project's implementation."
"What unexpected situation? Even the town government supports it, who can stop it?"
"It's Xu Zheng. He dug out yellow sand from the riverbank today and has already obtained the mining rights, preparing for large-scale extraction of yellow sand. This conflicts with our project."
"It's Xu Zheng again. He really doesn't learn his lesson. Haven't you reported this to Mayor Peng?"
"Not yet. Xu Zheng threatened me, saying that if I block his path to wealth, people might die. He also said that even if you come back, you won't be able to stop him from opening the sand quarry."
"Is that so? He's quite arrogant. I'd like to see how tough his bones are. As long as the government approves this project, no one can stop me from building Yaochi Garden."
"Then what should we do now? Should I go find the mayor?"
"No need. You cooperate with the town to handle the procedures first, and get the operating rights for the Xiao Sha River and the usage rights for the surrounding land. Even if we have to argue with him, we'll be in the right."
After a series of ambushes, Yang Jian's heart had become harder than before. Yaochi Garden was his obsession with Lu Yao. Anyone who dared to stop him from building Yaochi Garden would be dealt with, even if it meant defying heaven itself.