Special Forces Medic-Chapter 774 - 741 Yao Zheng’s Development Project

"My business partner plans to focus on the restaurant industry as the main collaboration."

"I've long heard of 'Rhine' founded by the Xia Family, and there are also some good restaurants within it. It must be thanks to this lady." Qi Sheng glanced more at Dan Qing, who lowered her head again. "May I ask which cuisine this lady is skilled in?"

"Western cuisine! French cuisine!"

"Oh, good, good! I may have the chance to design your restaurant."

"Qi Sheng, you're drifting off topic again." Yao Zheng brought the topic back to the construction drawings. "I know nothing about blueprints, so just briefly explain to President Xia how you avoid the drainage problem."

"First, I'd like Miss Xia to answer my previous question."

"What question?"

"Why are you so interested in the underground drainage? How does it affect you?"

"Does this question have anything to do with today's discussion?" The instinctive confrontation had already created a tense atmosphere at the start of the meeting.

"It's naturally related, that's why I'm asking. Why don't you answer first, and then I'll explain."

Facing Qi Sheng's aggressive questioning, Xia Xue smirked a little. This man has no etiquette, and after coming to this conclusion, she decided not to contend with him, since it would only degrade herself.

"If I want to invest here, regardless of the industry, the first thing to guarantee is safety and the safety of personnel. The northern area is located in a central slum, and once the rainy season comes, it will form a lot of water accumulation. I visited the slum area yesterday, and it is indeed serious. So before I invest in construction, isn't it necessary to know the solution to this problem?"

"That's the reason!" Qi Sheng nodded. "The northern area's underground water channels have always been a big issue. From your perspective, there's nothing wrong, and solving this is actually quite easy."

"Oh? I'd love to hear Mr. Qi's opinion."

"There are many places in the northern area to invest in; you don't necessarily have to choose a financially lacking poor area, right?" As soon as Qi Sheng said this, it drew a sneer from Dan Qing. "District Chief Yao and I have been discussing a plan to reorganize city construction. We plan to turn the current central area into an ecologically friendly commercial zone."

"Ecologically friendly commercial zone?" Xia Xue looked at Qi Sheng, puzzled.

"Yes, it's about connecting the Commercial Street with the central lake. This way, it can address the slow drainage issue you just mentioned, and you can also find investment projects on the Commercial Street. The water accumulation problem won't occur on the Commercial Street since the area is elevated."

"Ha, quite an impressive suggestion." A rare disdain appeared on Xia Xue's beautiful face. "So under this grand vision, how will you solve the issue for those living in the slum?"

"Municipal planning, of course, means they'll have to move!"

"This is already the northernmost part of Yanjing; moving them further means they'll have to leave Yanjing."

"That depends on where they want to go; we can't really intervene, can we?"

"Mr. Qi is indeed a businessman. I wonder if District Chief Yao shares this view?" Xia Xue didn't want to face him any longer, so she turned to Yao Zheng.

"I think this method is good, but what worries me is the residents and the costs of relocation. We can't just drive people out, right? However, if we don't take action in the northern area, it will be difficult to develop. President Xia has seen a lot in the past few days: the phenomenon of extreme wealth disparity is severe, and investors are hesitant to commit because of the drainage system problems that have been long-stalled. That's why Qi Sheng and I discussed whether an overall reconstruction might be better."

"I see, District Chief Yao had this planned from the start." Xia Xue looked forward, a bit angered, and deliberately fell into silence.

"This is one of my ideas, and of course, I am also hoping to hear suggestions from others. After your inspection, President Xia, do you have any better advice?"

"The northern area is a yet-to-be-developed region; there are plenty of investment opportunities. To solve poverty, shouldn't the employment rate be addressed first?" Xia Xue leaned back on the sofa and picked up a magazine on the table. "While considering how to modify the northern area, has District Chief Yao investigated its unemployment rate and population growth issues, or how businesses are shrinking?"

"This..."

"Miss Xia, we're business people; there's no need to get involved in all the political planning. I believe District Chief Yao has his own considerations." Qi Sheng interjected, seemingly desperate to avoid being forgotten in the corner. Though Xia Xue no longer faced him directly, she treated him as if he was transparent.

"I am a businesswoman, but I often hear my father discuss national policies. For any region to develop well, it's not about big construction projects or a single project that can make it prosper. If the people's livelihood issues are not solved, how will the labor problems be solved? If you drive everyone away, who will help you guard and work? Will Mr. Qi dig the soil himself?"

"Miss Xia, I think you misunderstood. The ecological environment is just an idea we're considering; we're still far from realizing it. As for the methods of driving people out, that stems from your own perception. Neither District Chief Yao nor I have thought that way."

"Ah, then I misunderstood what Mr. Qi said earlier. When you said let them move and go wherever they want, it puzzled me. I apologize!" Xia Xue exaggeratedly feigned suspicion, leaving Qi Sheng with nothing to say.

"It's my failure to communicate clearly that caused your misunderstanding." Taking the chance to retreat, he salvaged some face.

"Granted the feasibility of District Chief Yao's project, how much investment is required for such reform? Considering the economic strength of the northern area, it seems quite difficult to achieve."

"That's why I came to you, isn't it?" District Chief Yao seemed to have been waiting for Xia Xue to ask this question, sighing deeply as he spoke. "The idea can truly be implemented, but we lack the funding sources. I want to revamp the northern area's drainage system thoroughly, but..."

"Hengfei Group has always been in partnership with the government. Why doesn't District Chief Yao seek their aid? I'm sure they would have no objections; after all, it's for the northern area, and you're also looking out for its wellbeing."

"How should I say this?" Yao Zheng sighed again, his breath harsh on the ears. "To be honest, recently Hengfei Group has also been embroiled in lawsuits. Not long ago, President Yan's husband was shot dead on the street by Dragon Soul's people over a certain case. Later on, someone revealed that when Hengfei Group's building was constructed, improper means obtained the land, and even in economic taxation, some irregularities were found. The president has flown to Italy, and the matter remains unresolved."

"District Chief Yao, are you hoping for me to take over your project plan and offer sponsorship?" Xia Xue boiled it down: Yao Zheng wanted people in business circles to fund his project; whether it could come to fruition was another matter. The goal of pocketing money was too obvious.

"I'm hoping to get help from the business community. President Xia knows many people; if you could introduce a few, I would be extremely grateful."

"My idea was to establish a healthcare facility on the original site at the north compound, first solving the healthcare problem in the slum, but it seems Yao Zheng's plan is even more creative." Xia Xue also sighed like Yao Zheng, not sure if this sigh was due to disappointment or something else. Yao Zheng found himself suddenly unable to continue the conversation.

"Miss Xia is truly a kind-hearted person." Qi Sheng, who had been silent, clapped his hands, which was considered praise for Xia Xue. "But I have a very practical question I'd like to ask."

"Oh? Please go ahead, Mr. Qi."

"Building a healthcare facility is good, but since it's supposed to solve the healthcare issue for the poor, will these individuals pay to see a doctor?"

"Pay? What do you mean?" Xia Xue couldn't help but frown. At the end of her patience with Qi Sheng's repeated provocations, she had maintained her composure thus far.

"If your healthcare facility is for profit, I bet not a single person will come for treatment, because they can't afford it. Few in the northern area are willing to spend money on treatment; they'd rather use it to buy food and essentials." Qi Sheng shook his head as he spoke, as if ridiculing Xia Xue's naivety. "If it's non-profit, the outcome would be different; I dare say your hospital will be packed every day. But how will you pay your staff's wages, and where will you get the free medication and equipment? No matter how wealthy your Xia Family is, or even how wealthy your fiancé is, how long can you sustain it — a month, a year, or a lifetime?" After speaking, Qi Sheng laughed heartily, showing no regard. "Miss Xia, I like your kindness, but your ideas are really too naive."

"Mr. Qi, I think you're being too extreme. Healthcare facilities don't need to be solely profit or non-profit. Although there is a difference between private and public characteristics, the purpose is the same. There is only one hospital in the northern area, and precisely because there's only one, its charges far exceed national regulations. I'm sure District Chief Yao won't be unaware of this, right?"

Xia Xue's confrontation was gradually emerging due to Qi Sheng's disdain. Dan Qing placed a hand over hers and spoke in an extremely slow tone. "Building more healthcare facilities is a testament to the development trend in the northern area. In many foreign countries, where there are more medical facilities, first to solve the problem of medical assistance for the poor, then resolve employment rate issues. It seems District Chief Yao's idea is more creative than mine." Xia Xue sighed, imitating Yao Zheng. It was as if she was deliberately mocking, rendering Qi Sheng speechless.

"That's what President Xia meant." Yao Zheng quickly picked up on Dan Qing's words, trying to appease the situation. "If possible, I'd love to hear the opinions of more business people. President Xia, knowing many people, if you could introduce a few, I would be very grateful."

(I would like to invite you to vote for this chapter if you enjoyed it. Your support is my biggest motivation.)

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