After Hong Xing's death, the landscape of the city's underworld seemed unchanged, with no single new power emerging to dominate.
The only shift was that Zhou Tao's company gained full control over the sand mining operations along the Daxin River, deterring local troublemakers from interfering with the sandfields.
Dong Sheng Group's businesses also remained undisturbed. The ready-mix concrete plant successfully rescinded Hong Xing's twenty percent shareholding, which wasn't officially registered with the authorities anyway, so the Hong family didn't contest it.
Baoguo's casino, after being attacked, never reopened. He and Brother Mao kept a low profile, rarely appearing on the streets.
The most significant changes were in Xinqiao Town. After Xu Zheng was crippled, Wu Wangchun's influence rapidly grew. He not only reopened the casino but also monopolized Xinqiao's infrastructure development, though he didn't extend his reach into Yangli Village.
Construction in Yangli Village was proceeding at full steam.
The rebuilt template factory's plant was completed on the twenty-fifth of the twelfth lunar month, with equipment installed and a large amount of raw materials acquired. Production was set to begin after the Spring Festival.
The rubber dam project on the river had completed the diversion gate and concrete pouring for the dam body. After the new year, the installation of the rubber dam would allow for water storage to regulate the flow of the Xiaosha River. This would not only serve the water recreational facilities at Yaochi Garden but also play a crucial role in the irrigation of the entire Xiaosha River basin.
River clearing, embankment reinforcement, and the construction of the viewing platform lagged behind, primarily due to the sheer volume of work, but the main structures were expected to be finished before the rainy season next year.
Equipment installation and related supporting facilities were scheduled for completion by the end of next year.
The Yaochi Hotel and Lijian Company's office buildings had completed the project approval and land use change permit processes, with construction expected to commence after the Spring Festival.
At the Yangli Village Committee.
Yang Huailin, who had taken on the role of village party secretary, was holding a village representative meeting to summarize the year's work and outline plans for next year's planting and breeding.
Yang Shuanglin, Jing Yongli, and Jiang Bin suddenly knocked and entered.
"Brother Shuanglin, is something wrong?"
Yang Huailin was a bit surprised; they hadn't been invited to this meeting.
Jing Yongli stepped forward, "Secretary Yang, as the Chinese New Year is approaching, to thank the village and all the representatives for their continued support of Lijian Company, we've decided to take this opportunity to express our appreciation."
Yang Huailin was somewhat taken aback, "Yongli, your factory suffered a fire in the latter half of this year, causing the template factory to halt operations for reconstruction and incurring heavy losses. You've also invested heavily in building Yaochi Garden. Your funds must be tight. Perhaps we can forgo the appreciation gifts this year."
"It's alright. No matter how tight our funds are, we've planned for this expense. We originally intended to buy everyone some rice, flour, cooking oil, pork, and lamb, but it seemed too troublesome, so we're giving cash directly. Each representative will receive one thousand yuan. Please tally it up."
"One thousand yuan? That's too much! There are over fifty people here."
"It's fine, whatever the number."
"Alright, I'll thank you all on behalf of everyone. Thank you, Director Jiang, and thank you, Brother Shuanglin."
Yang Huailin stood up and shook hands with the three men.
"We also have to thank Er Jian. He's the one funding this, isn't he?"
"Yes, without Er Jian, there would be no Lijian Company. The changes in Yangli Village today are all thanks to Er Jian."
"Er Jian is a good kid. We should jointly apply to have his wanted notice rescinded and let him return to lead us to prosperity."
The village representatives were immediately abuzz. They all guessed that Yang Jian had made a fortune elsewhere and had invested heavily in his hometown's development. Under his leadership, Yangli Village had begun to embark on the path to wealth.
Yang Shuanglin waved his hand, "My dear villagers, thank you for your understanding of my son Er Jian. You've watched this child grow up since he was little. He's always been kind-hearted and honest. I don't know how he strayed onto the wrong path, and I feel guilty. But even so, he has never done anything to harm or bully any villager, have you all agree?"
"Brother Shuanglin, you're right. Er Jian is kind-hearted and hasn't done anything wicked. On the contrary, he has protected the safety of Yangli Village. At least those thugs haven't come to trouble the village."
"Yes, Er Jian is a good kid. Opening a casino isn't a major crime. Where isn't there a casino nowadays? It's a willing buyer and a willing seller. Why should the police arrest him?"
The villagers all spoke up for Yang Jian, their faces showing genuine sincerity.
Yang Shuanglin's voice choked slightly, "Thank you all for your understanding. We didn't come here for any other reason today, besides expressing our appreciation. We also want to ask for your favor. If Er Jian is ever caught in the future, please don't discriminate against him, and certainly don't kick him when he's down.
He's still young, give him a chance to correct his mistakes. He's my only son, and I'm counting on him to get married, have children, and carry on the Yang family lineage."
"Never, never. Anyone who speaks ill of Er Jian, I won't let them get away with it."
"If Er Jian comes back, I'll introduce my niece to him. She'll definitely make sure he doesn't end up single."
"Dream on! Your niece works at our factory, doesn't she? You want her to be the boss's wife directly? My wife's niece is a university student, and she's beautiful. She's the one who deserves Er Jian."
The villagers erupted in laughter and banter. They truly had no room for discrimination against Yang Jian; they admired him immensely. You couldn't find anyone like him, such a big boss, in the entire Xinqiao Town.
As for kicking him when he's down, that was even less likely. He had brought about visible changes to the village, and almost everyone had benefited from him.
Besides, they wouldn't dare to kick him when he's down. Yang Jian was ruthless. Many of them had personally witnessed Shen Hua being shot dead, and no one would believe it wasn't related to Yang Jian.
At least after that incident, Yangli Village had become peaceful. Even the large-scale project of Yaochi Garden was left undisturbed by local ruffians.
Jing Yongli knew that their visit had achieved its intended effect. What he wanted was the villagers' endorsement of Yang Jian. Otherwise, it would be difficult for him to clear his name in the future, especially since his past in Dongjiang couldn't be hidden forever.
"Everyone, speaking frankly, according to my brother Jian's instructions, given that the halt in production at the template factory has affected the employees' income, Lijian Company has also decided to give each employee of the template factory a thousand yuan as a New Year bonus. We will resume work on the eighth day of the new year."
Jing Yongli added fuel to the fire, immediately exciting the representatives. Most of them worked in the factory, and the company's gesture was very popular.
"Great! President Jing, please thank Er Jian on our behalf."
"Yes, and thank you, President Jing, and Director Jiang, for rebuilding the new factory so quickly. We will work hard and join forces to make Lijian Company bigger and stronger."
Jing Yongli waved his hand, "Thank you all for your support. There's one more thing: the company will also allocate a portion of its funds to provide慰问 (comfort/support) to all the elderly living alone, orphans, and villagers with disabilities, with each receiving two thousand yuan.
Also, any villager aged sixty or above will receive a thousand yuan New Year bonus. These two sums will be registered and distributed by the village committee."