Reborn in 1977

Chapter 561: Killing Three Birds with One Stone

There are mountains beyond mountains, but no buildings beyond buildings.

Jiangnan University is located on several hills in the provincial capital. The main gate of the school is in the south. From the main gate, go straight and cross three small hills to reach the north gate.

Outside the north gate, there is a "Huanshan" (Ring Mountain) road that has existed for nearly a century, encircling the entire campus.

The road serves as a boundary. Inside the road is considered the urban area, while outside the road is the suburbs in an administrative sense.

In fact, if Jiangnan University weren't located here, the few small hills within the campus should also be part of the suburbs.

On the other side of the road is a lake with a total area of more than 500 hectares and an irregular shape. The lake water is clear and transparent, reflecting the night sky on clear nights, as if collecting the stars in the sky into the lake, twinkling with starlight, hence the name "Star Lake."

The western half of Star Lake is located directly north of Jiangda. The west bank is flat and without slopes, with no villages or factories, only a "small corner" extending into the lake. This small corner has an area of about four or five acres, high in the middle and low around, connected to the land by only a dozen meters, like a mini peninsula that seems both close and distant.

Chen Fan stood at the highest point of the peninsula, looking at the Jiangda campus not far away, "This is indeed close enough, it probably won't take 20 minutes to walk there."

Then he turned to look at Huang Tianzhi, "But there are no houses here?!"

This person is also a member of the Provincial Writers Association and works in the Provincial Urban Construction Committee as a deputy director.

Like Chen Fan, Huang Tianzhi started his career by writing "documentary literature," which is specifically about writing about commendable things in his work unit. An ordinary tap water pipe renovation project can be written by him as a human miracle comparable to the Red Flag Canal.

Although he can't write anything else, it's enough. With this pen, he has risen all the way, not only reaching the high level of his work unit but also successfully joining the Provincial Writers Association, a veritable winner in life.

The Urban Construction Committee has always been an important unit, even in later generations it is a department with real power. Nowadays, it has jurisdiction over important units such as the Housing Management Bureau, Construction Company, Planning Institute, Building Materials Company, etc., managing urban planning, housing allocation, land allocation, public construction, house building, house repair, and all other work related to civil engineering and housing benefits.

Chen Fan wants to buy a house, so finding this person is definitely the right choice.

Even though Huang Tianzhi is in charge of administrative work, within a system, a simple greeting is stronger than going to the Housing Management Bureau of the street office.

Huang Tianzhi is already in his 40s. Because of his good background and being a leader in such a key livelihood unit, the storms outside never reach him, so he appears somewhat young, almost like someone in his 30s.

If it were in a production team, this age would be more in line with the appearance characteristics of people in their 50s and 60s in later generations, the kind of peasant brothers. One is more than ten years younger, and the other is more than ten years older. If people of the same age stand together, some people would believe they are two generations.

Huang Tianzhi flicked the ash from his cigarette, laughed, and said, "You want to buy a house, and the conditions are that it is close to Jiangnan University or the Writers Association, preferably with a detached house, a good view, and not many people around. Then I can only bring you here.

Other places have houses that are either too far from Jiangda or the work unit, almost to the countryside, or they are very old houses, with houses next to houses and walls squeezed against walls, no open space in front and no courtyard in the back, and you can hear the neighbors talking.

And there's no toilet, you can only go to the public toilet to use the outhouse, and some places don't have running water, you can only use water from water trucks. Do you want that kind of house?"

Chen Fan suddenly thought of those old urban residential areas he had seen when he first came to the provincial capital and immediately shook his head repeatedly, "No, no."

Huang Tianzhi laughed, "So, I won't take you to see those houses."

Then he raised his hand and pointed around, "Look here, you just said yourself that it takes less than 20 minutes to walk from here to the north gate of Jiangda. You drive, and you'll be there with a step on the accelerator. On the contrary, the roads inside the campus are longer.

Besides, the environment here is one of the best natural landscapes in the entire provincial capital. In some people's eyes, there isn't even one of the best. Isn't it very in line with your requirements for a good view?"

Hearing this, Chen Fan unconsciously nodded slightly.

It really is.

Decades later, all the residents around the entire Star Lake who could be demolished were demolished, leaving only a very few old villas and dormitories where it was unknown who lived, and then the area around the lake was transformed into a lakeside park belt. The environmental conditions are as good as they can be.

Even this "peninsula" at his feet is a popular spot for internet celebrities to check in.

Especially when migratory birds fly in every winter, it is simply the best observation point.

So, if he buys it in advance, it will be "private scenery"?

Thinking of this, Chen Fan's heart moved, and he turned to look at Huang Tianzhi, "Brother Huang, how much area can I buy in this place?"

He was thinking that it would be best to buy the entire peninsula and seal off the entrance, making it an independent park.

In the future planning of the provincial capital, relying on the human resources of Jiangnan University, high-tech industries will be developed around Star Lake. The east and north sides will be dominated by high-end manufacturing, while the west side will be the "headquarters area." Therefore, it has almost become the new city center, with all kinds of supporting facilities.

Living in this place, the detachment here is more than just taking tranquility in a noisy area. It is estimated that at that time, he will also be speculated about by the world along with the residents of those old villas, and he will be the biggest one.

Just as Chen Fan was imagining endlessly, he saw Huang Tianzhi shaking his head, "You? Don't even think about buying a square meter!"

What does that mean?

Chen Fan blinked at him, "Can't buy it?"

"Of course not."

Huang Tianzhi smiled and said, "Individuals can buy old houses, but buy land? Impossible!"

Chen Fan immediately put his hands on his hips and said unhappily, "Brother Huang, did you bring me here just to take a look?"

What's the point of bringing me here to look if I can't buy it?

Huang Tianzhi laughed, "Don't worry, brother. Individuals can't buy it, but units can apply!"

Chen Fan's eyes widened, "Do you mean, in the name of the Writers Association?"

Huang Tianzhi nodded, then shook his head, "The Writers Association looks high-level, but if you really count the number of people, there are actually not many. What I mean is, you can find Lao He and use the name of the Writers Association to take the lead, jointly with the Jiangnan Literature and Art Publishing House, and your correspondence center, to apply to the province for a piece of land in the name of three units to build a collective dormitory building."

He took out two cigarettes, handed one to Chen Fan, put the other in his mouth, held the lighter Chen Fan handed over and lit it, exhaled a puff of smoke, and continued, "If you say you want to apply for land in the urban area, it's mostly hopeless. Many units are squeezed into tube buildings, and some employees are even assigned to old residential areas. Their housing conditions are far worse than those in the cultural system. To be fair, if you follow the principle, you definitely won't be able to compete with them."

Then he pointed around, "This kind of 'fringe area' that is next to the urban area but not considered the urban area is different. There is all kinds of land. If you want to build a factory, there is a large flat land. If you want to build a dormitory, there is a place with mountains and rivers. If you apply to the province, the province will definitely approve it and even praise you for being sensible."

Chen Fan was a little confused, "Why haven't any units applied for land here?"

Huang Tianzhi snorted twice and sighed, "Brother, you don't know. Except for those factories that burn blast furnaces every day, which unit wants to keep the dormitory too far away from the unit? They have been staring at the open space near their unit, but it has been almost 30 years since the founding of the country. Where else is there a place in the urban area for them to build buildings."

Then he pointed around, "Actually, if you look at this place, it's not too far away. Especially since it is close to Jiangda, it takes 20 minutes to take a bus from here to the Writers Association, and half an hour by bicycle.

I guess that in another year or two, some units should not be able to wait any longer and move to this kind of place around the urban area. When the dormitory building is built, some families with poor housing conditions should be very happy to move here."

"No, Brother Huang?"

Chen Fan frowned, "I just want to buy a small courtyard for peace and quiet, how did it become building public housing? Besides, building public housing is not a matter of hundreds or thousands of dollars. Building a dormitory building casually will cost tens of thousands of dollars, right?"

Huang Tianzhi squinted his eyes and smiled slightly, finally revealing his fox tail, "Brother Chen, your pattern is too small."

He flicked the ash from his cigarette and chuckled, "Public housing and private housing, as long as it is distributed to you, isn't it your house? Even if you change units one day, as long as you are not transferred to another place, it will not affect your ownership of this house."

He saw that Chen Fan was somewhat disapproving, so he said, "If you really don't want to live in public housing, it's simple, I'll teach you a way."

Then he turned around and drew a circle, "This piece of land that protrudes out, plus a few acres on the shore, will give you ten acres of land, or twenty acres. When you turn around, you will build a wall around this piece of land. On the shore, you will build a tube building. Build one or two more buildings. This is useful. As for what it is used for, I will tell you later."

"Alright, let's plan this area under our feet properly, maybe build an employee activity center or something, you know, something along those lines.

When the time comes, you can allocate a small piece of land and build a few of those courtyards you wanted. Once they're built..."

Huang Tianzhi clapped his hands and smiled at Chen Fan, "Hey, guess what?"

Chen Fan's eyes darted slightly, "More houses?"

Hearing this, Huang Tianzhi grinned and laughed, "Of course! These days, which organization isn't short on housing? Although we can't compare to big cities like Beijing and Shanghai, we're still a major port in the country, and the housing problem has never really been alleviated.

Especially this year, more and more educated youth are returning to the city. It's not uncommon for seven or eight people to be crammed under one roof. If there's a chance to move to a bigger house, even if it's a bit further away, people would definitely take it.

And look at you guys, you've built new houses and still have extras! When the time comes, other units in your cultural system will definitely be envious."

As he spoke, he gestured, as if plotting some conspiracy, "Then you can go with the flow and sell some of the extra houses for a price. You can slip in there and buy a 'no one wants' big courtyard. You'll be helping the organization solve a problem, who can say anything?!"

Chen Fan looked at him, gently bit his lip, and couldn't help but grin, "Brother Huang, you're something else!"

Huang Tianzhi proudly raised his head, "Standard procedure, nothing to mention."

...

Writers' Association, He Qingsheng's office.

After listening to Chen Fan's words, He Qingsheng snorted and sneered twice, glancing at him sideways, "I told you you're not suited for the system."

Chen Fan's face immediately fell, "I didn't want to join! You were the one who insisted on pulling me in!"

He Qingsheng's expression stiffened slightly, but a smile crept onto his face the next second, and he said gently, "What I mean is, this time you've been sold out and you're still helping them count the money!"

Chen Fan was slightly stunned, "What do you mean?"

He Qingsheng grabbed a Yunyan cigarette from the desk, a "specially made Grade A, superior filter tip," took one out and threw it to him, smiling, "This time, Huang Tianzhi is killing three birds with one stone."

He struck a match to light his cigarette, then handed the burning match to Chen Fan, explaining, "First, all the units are applying for land to build dormitories, but as Huang Tianzhi said, apart from public land that can't be used for other purposes, where else can they get land approved?

The Urban Construction Committee has also repeatedly suggested that units consider building dormitories in the suburbs, but no one is willing."

He Qingsheng chuckled, "Which leader of any unit would dare to agree? Although they're leaders, the more they are, the more they have to consider the welfare of their employees. Other units are in the city, and you're driving people to the suburbs. Aren't you afraid of being scolded by the employees when you return to the unit?"

Hearing this, Chen Fan couldn't help but lick his lips and whispered, "Isn't that a bit much?"

He Qingsheng shook his head, "Whether it's a bit much or not, let's not talk about that for now, but as long as we agree to build a dormitory area 'outside the city,' it's like opening a floodgate. Then the Urban Construction Committee will have enough reason to make other units also consider the suburbs."

He held up a finger, a sneer on his lips, "As long as there's one, just one unit that follows suit, this floodgate will be torn open and widened. You should understand what will happen after that, right?"

Chen Fan bit the cigarette butt and nodded slightly, "Once there's a precedent, it can become the norm."

He Qingsheng leaned forward, his elbows resting on the desk, and said to Chen Fan, "Let me tell you about the second bird, which is aimed at the money our unit just put in its pocket!"

Chen Fan's eyes darted slightly, "The tuition fees received by the correspondence center?!"

He Qingsheng smiled and nodded, sighing, "An income of 200,000 yuan, distributing 36,000 yuan to the 12 regions below, plus the cost of textbooks and classroom rental for face-to-face teaching, shouldn't amount to more than 14,000 yuan. The labor is readily available, and at most, they'll be given a subsidy of 10 yuan per month, which will only cost 3,000 yuan for dozens of people.

Calculating, the total cost is less than 55,000 yuan, with a net income of more than 140,000 yuan. Even if a portion has to be handed over to the province and the competent authority, your correspondence center can at least keep 100,000 yuan in hand. Who wouldn't be envious of such a large sum of money?!"

Chen Fan chuckled dryly, "After all this, is Brother Huang lining up work for the construction company?"

"More than that."

He Qingsheng looked at him and smiled, "Didn't he also suggest that you build two more buildings? If you don't use them all, you can give them to other units. Do you think he can't take advantage of that?"

Chen Fan smiled, "Of course he can. No matter which unit wants a house, they can't bypass the housing management bureau. He's also with the Urban Construction Committee. Whether it's a unit or an individual, they can all get some benefits."

He Qingsheng laughed, "See, that's the third bird he shot."

Chen Fan wiped his face, feeling a little depressed.

Well, he just wanted to find a house to hide away and get some peace, but he was killed three birds with one stone?

He took a puff of his cigarette gloomily, then looked up at He Qingsheng, "Then... this can't be done?"

But He Qingsheng smiled slightly and shook his head, "No, it can be done."

He looked at Chen Fan and laughed, "He has his calculations, but that doesn't mean we'll suffer. And we don't have to do what he says!"

Then he leaned back and rested on the back of his chair, and said softly, "To be honest, I'm also having a headache about how to make good use of this 100,000+ yuan, otherwise a large part of it will definitely be taken away by the higher authorities.

Originally, I hadn't thought about how to use this money, but now it seems that applying for land to build houses is a very good choice."

Chen Fan was a little hesitant, "Is a hundred thousand yuan enough to build a dormitory building?"

He Qingsheng, "It's enough. For example, a two-bedroom apartment of 50 square meters with a toilet and kitchen costs about 3,500 to 4,000 yuan to build. It's even cheaper to build a corridor-style building.

If we finalize this project before the higher authorities withdraw funds, we can build 36 to 40 apartments just for suites.

If we include the publishing house, they also have more than 100,000 yuan, which together is more than 80 apartments. We can build 10 four-story unit buildings with two households on each floor."

Speaking of this, He Qingsheng leaned back, his face full of complacency, "No matter when, houses are resources. Having 80 apartments in hand is a great benefit, whether it's for allocating new houses to those in the unit who don't have houses, or for old employees to exchange houses."

Chen Fan gasped, "Sell them for a price? We're not doing that?"

What's he been busy with? Just to get a small two-bedroom apartment of 50 square meters from the unit?

He Qingsheng chuckled, "Exchange them, why wouldn't we exchange them. But we must give priority to our own people. Only when there are extras can we take them out and give them to others. Besides, the old houses vacated by the old employees are also our resources. Who says we have to use new houses to exchange? Aren't old houses houses?!"

Chen Fan silently gave a thumbs up, "High, really high."

He put the cigarette butt into the ashtray and said seriously, "Then is there still my small courtyard?"

He Qingsheng smiled, "You want to live in a detached house? That's easy. Just build a few more detached houses as residences for senior cadres of the Writers' Association. If you like living in your own house, we'll give you one."

Chen Fan's face immediately filled with a happy smile, "Will there be any trouble?"

He Qingsheng's expression changed slightly, with a hint of strangeness in his eyes, as if he was holding back a laugh, "There is indeed a little trouble."

Chen Fan blinked, "What trouble?"

He Qingsheng coughed twice, "In the future, people will definitely praise you for being selfless, and then secretly scold you for being stupid!"

He saw that Chen Fan didn't seem to understand, and couldn't help but chuckle, "Instead of living in free public housing, you have to pay for the house yourself, spending thousands of yuan more for nothing. Who's stupid if you're not?"

Now, no one would have thought that there would be housing reform more than ten years later, gradually replacing welfare housing with commercial housing.

Nowadays, everyone is lying down and enjoying the benefits of housing allocation, living in houses allocated by the unit without spending a penny. Why would they spend their own money to buy a house?

Only those who don't have a proper job, or whose unit's benefits are not good, and whose family's housing conditions are poor, would buy a house with their own money in hardship.!

When this project is built, Chen Fan still has to spend money to buy it when the unit clearly doesn't lack houses. What is he if not a fool?

Chen Fan understood the logic and silently grabbed the Yunyan cigarettes on the table and put them in his pocket, stood up and said, "First Yunyan, second Guizhou, third Zhonghua, next time get some expensive cigarettes to try."

After saying that, he stood up, waved his hand, and walked out lightly.