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Chapter 1462: Chapter 1307: Keeping a Low Profile (Please Subscribe!)
Public Secret.
Isn’t a secret at all.
So.
Very soon.
On the third day after the villagers moved out.
The news spread like wildfire.
"Tang Qing is going to invest in building a private university in Qingyan City!" It instantly became the hot topic among the residents of Qingyan City. There were many rumors, some even claimed the university had already started construction.
Upon hearing this.
Some couldn’t help but laugh: "Construction started? What kind of joke is that?"
In response to this.
There were skeptics.
Such a big deal.
Must have a process at least. Not even the first stroke of a character is written and you’re already building? That’s impossible. According to past logic, there has to be a grand project initiation, followed by a long journey of approvals.
Perhaps.
If you’re lucky.
It might take two to three years to complete.
During these two to three years, depending on the progress of approval, the school’s construction may proceed.
Do you really think the Education Department is run by your family!
But.
The rumors grew wilder and wilder.
Someone even testified personally, claiming the location was set in the Development Zone, where the city had expropriated land a few days ago, allegedly for the construction of the university. And judging by that person’s animated expression, he seemed serious about it.
It made people start to believe.
Some went to join the excitement.
They discovered the construction site was indeed fenced off, but there was no sign of "XXX Project" on the doorplate, no construction company listed, nor was a project information board pinned up – nothing at all.
However.
According to the workers.
It’s definitely for building a university.
And there you have it.
The city residents are all eagerly waiting for the city to provide a clear explanation – whether to be happy or to debunk a rumor. In any case, for such a big deal, you should at least make a statement.
However.
The city has remained calm.
Without a word.
The city has its own concerns.
This matter.
Becomes a political achievement only if it’s completed successfully.
Your approval documents are still at the Qingyan City Education Bureau, haven’t even reached the Provincial Department, let alone the Ministry of Education. In the meantime, building is fine, but to loudly announce you’re definitely going to make it happen.
Isn’t that a bit too much?
Yes.
You have connections.
You can get it done.
But you can’t ignore the authority of the higher departments. Respect is mutual, and as an ’upper department’ itself, wouldn’t the Qingyan City Committee understand this principle?
Therefore.
Until the proposal has entered the Ministry of Education.
And has successfully completed most of the approval process.
The city.
Should not be too cocky.
Keep it low-key.
Low-key.
Spreading rumors and building are okay, but jumping out and shouting about it, not so much. It’s also because Tang Qing was too transparent with his connections this time, otherwise, if it was another place building a university, there wouldn’t be such trouble.
One could say.
It’s quick.
Which pleases the city.
But also puts them in a dilemma; yet, joy outweighs the shock in the end.
...
Resettlement Houses.
The hundred-plus people who moved.
Have no doubt about this matter. What other villagers hear are rumors, but what they heard was a formal notice from the city. Suddenly, their minds are a mixture of feelings, unsure of what to do next.
Tang Qing.
Such a wealthy person.
How vast is his wealth?
In reality, they don’t have much of a concept either.
As for the so-called richest man, the villagers don’t pay much attention, only knowing that the Tang Family is the richest in Qingyan City, even the richest in Huaxia, but, it’s all too far removed from their lives.
The only time they had an encounter.
Turned out to be.
A brief passing by. 𝚗ovp𝚞b.𝚌om
Thus.
The heads of the twenty-plus households gathered.
Discussing.
"I think we can’t let this matter rest. The city hoodwinked us before, all for our land. We should demand an explanation from the city, and they must increase our compensation," one of them shouted.
"It’s all in black and white, the contracts have been signed, what are you going to take and argue with? What’s your reason? You can’t just say, just because Tang Qing is rich, he should give us more compensation," someone else replied logically.
"But we could have gotten more," the former protested.
"How can you guarantee that Tang Qing will give you more? Just because he is rich? Be content, at least the rest of the village got nothing," the logical old man retorted sharply.
"But the value of their land will definitely increase."
Money, indeed, stirs people’s hearts.
...
For a moment.
The two began arguing with each other.
One side is greed.
The other is contentment.
They also represent the two camps within the room.
In the end, no conclusive arguments resulted from the debate.
"Anyway, I can’t bring myself to do such turncoat deeds. We didn’t shortchange them, and it’s not about building commercial housing, it’s about building a university, about education. If you’re not afraid of losing face, go ahead."
"When it blows up, just wait and see which side the people of Qingyan City will take. Also, let me remind you, going now is not about claiming legitimate rights but is a kind of extortion."
With those words left hanging.
The few households representing the content side left.
These families.
Mostly had fewer members, tended to be more honest, while the others, to a greater or lesser degree, had a restless family member who kept them from fully standing firm in one family position; the ones left behind just looked at each other.
Uncertain what to do.
Going now.
Really would be a kind of extortion.
And it would easily lead to widespread scorn.
"What should we do?"
"What else can we do? Do you dare to block the municipal committee’s door? You take the lead, and I’ll follow."
"I... I think we should take our time to think this through," the person said hesitantly. No one could predict the consequences, and once they exceeded expectations, they might be labeled ’instigators’.
He was good at making noise.
But taking risks?
Better to follow behind the crowd.
There’s safety in numbers.
But those at the front will be held accountable.
"What about the guy from the Zhao family?"
In such a situation, they figured that probably only the person who wanted a house yesterday would dare take the lead.
"Haven’t seen him, not at all today."
"Perhaps he went off to drink."
"Forget it, that guy’s just a fence sitter."
"..."
Towards midnight, none of them dared to take the lead. Indeed, the city had the upper hand, holding the moral high ground. Now, by obstructing, they would be impeding the people of Qingyan City from having a university.
Whether successful or not.
This hat.
Could truly prevent them from ever being able to hold their heads high again in Qingyan City.
In the end.
Upon seeing the facts and understanding the interests involved, the thought of causing trouble slowly faded. Alright, we are farmers by nature, why commit the unrighteous acts of businessmen and become the laughingstock of others.
...
The Qingyan City Committee kept a low profile.
But.
The media were quick to react. Of course, neither Tang Qing’s company nor Qingyan City had made a statement, so they dared not publish speculative news. Therefore, on the following day, people came knocking on the door seeking the truth.
Rong Ying’s call.
Reached Lin Jiaxue, seeking first-hand information.
To ask Tang Qing.
She really didn’t dare.
The prestige brought by money
Exists objectively.
"Tangtang, Rong Ying wants to know if the university thing is real," Lin Jiaxue asked. Tang Qing’s affairs were never trivial matters.
"Hehe, you tell her, yes, but say no more about it. Until the project is grounded, it’s not worth making a fuss about. It involves the approval of the ministries and commissions in Beijing and should be discussed with caution," Tang Qing said.
This remark by Tang Qing.
Was also a lesson for Lin Jiaxue.
In the future.
There will surely be many like Rong Ying, taking the wife’s approach. Lin Jiaxue may not know a lot, but she wouldn’t be completely ignorant. To prevent people from casually prying information from her,
In this regard.
She needs to have discernment.
Lin Jiaxue listened carefully.
She relayed the message back to Rong Ying, who, upon hearing Tang Qing was present, did not dare to ask further. Her call was just to confirm the matter; anything beyond that, Lin Jiaxue probably would not know in detail.
Asking too much.
Would annoy them.
This relationship.
Must not be fractured because of it.
Their chat spanned various topics for a while, and then Rong Ying hung up. Then, she excitedly rushed into the office of the editor-in-chief, Leng Mu, and happily said, "It’s confirmed, the news is real."
"Then why is it being kept so secretive?" Leng Mu wondered.
"I think it’s an approval issue; they don’t want to flaunt it too much." Rong Ying analyzed. She was from Beijing, her grandfather was an academician, and her parents were both professors. She knew a thing or two.
Leng Mu suddenly understood.
It probably was.
Shortly after.
When Sina published the confirmed news, other media outlets joined in, creating quite a buzz. After the president of Tianyan Group confirmed it, Qingyan City also merely confirmed part of the truth of the matter.
But regarding when the university would open and start enrolling students.
Both parties did not mention a word.
The media didn’t care either; the veracity and specific planning of the matter, as well as the fact that it was initiated by Tang Qing, were enough to attract attention. When will it start recruiting students? Probably in a year or two.
Till the next National College Entrance Examination.
Only six months away.
Unless Tang Qing has made some Tongtian-level connections.
Otherwise.
Don’t even think about it. Therefore, most media speculate that the earliest likely time would be mid-2009. Some even received vague news that admissions might begin next year.
As for those in the news business.
They know full well which issues are sensitive.
Such unconfirmed reports, even if confirmed, can’t just be casually published. Should their reports lead to the derailment of someone’s plans, and if Tang Qing gets unhappy, they won’t be happy either.
Tang Qing.
Is not just a wealthy individual.
