: Dire straits

The people who come to the forefront do not fight with officials are deeply entrenched in fear of officials. Whether it is villagers or workers, they are frightened by the momentum of Wugang, and the anger that has just aroused has subsided. In addition, the storm is getting heavier and wet and cold, and they all have the intention to retreat.

While waiting for the foreman, Xia Xiang saw that Wu Gang had to temporarily maintain the situation, and he nodded secretly.

Seeing that Xia Xiang would not shelter from the wind and rain, Chao Weigang wanted to hold an umbrella for him, so he waved his hand and said, "The little wind and light rain are not hindering, and it cannot be the climate." He looked at Kang Shaoye intentionally or unintentionally, "You put an umbrella for Secretary Kang. He is older, he is not as strong as our young people and can withstand the wind and rain."

How could Kang Shaoye not hear something in Xia Xiang's words? He was so angry that he was 38 years old that he was 10 years older than Xia Xiang, and older than Jin Hongxin and Chao Weigang. Although he always thought that he was young and did not accept his old age, he felt that Xia Xiang's words were particularly harsh, as if he was ridiculing him as an old man, he would respectfully call him a person 10 years younger than him. When he called him leader, he felt particularly uncomfortable. He thought that Xia Xiang would not be proud of him. Today's matters were not so easy to solve. If you get angry, you would not burn you to death, and you would also end your future!

When I sit in your seat, you will have no place to cry! Don’t you think you are young? You broke your legs at a young age and stayed in a wheelchair for the rest of your life, making you feel in pain!

Although he thought fiercely in his heart, when Chao Weigang came over with an umbrella, he still did not refuse. He smiled and reached out to take the umbrella and said, "I will do it myself... Just as District Mayor Xia said, I am old and impatient with the cold. I am not as young as you, haha."

Xia Xiang thought to himself, OK, Kang Shaoye is also quite patient and a heroic figure, so he should not be underestimated.

The construction site manager Hua San Shao bent over with his head, jogging all the way to Xia Xiang, nodding and saying, "District Director Xia, I was comforting the workers just now, I'm late..." He said, handing over a cigarette, "Does the leader smoke? I've heard of the leader's name for a long time and have always admired you very much. It's my honor to be able to talk to you today."

What Mr. Hua San said the truth. He was well-known for Xia Xiang's name. He knew that Xia Xiang had a prestige among the workers and was always very curious about the young district mayor of Xia Ma District. Although the villagers made him stand out today, he still expressed his admiration in time when he saw Xia Xiang.

Xia Xiang didn't listen to his flattery and asked bluntly: "How many workers are there in total? At critical moments, can you make them obedient?"

When Hua San Shao heard this, he knew that Xia Xiang was very pragmatic in doing things. He asked the point in one sentence, then put away his smile and said seriously: "The 123 workers, most of them are my fellow villagers, and a small number are technical workers from the south. They all followed me for a long time and were okay in normal times. When they started to make trouble at critical moments, they were all young people with strong spirits. I guess my words were not useful."

Now is not the time to speak loudly, and the third young master told the truth honestly.

It was similar to Xia Xiang's expectations. He had seen workers out of control in his previous life, and it was really difficult to control. Once a person was angry and lost his mind, it would be difficult to end as long as he took action. In addition, there were people with ulterior motives hiding inside, so he would definitely add fuel to the chaos, so he must keep things in front of losing control, otherwise a bloody incident could occur.

Among the villagers, there are elderly people and children. As long as they take action, it is a vicious incident, no matter whether they hurt the elderly or the weak or the young.

Xia Xiang looked up at the roof of Lu Laojue, turned around and looked at Xiamahe not far away. He couldn't help but smile helplessly. He wanted to light the fire while the river was water. Now it was wind and rainy again, and it was really hard to get worse than ever before.

Suddenly, a sirens sounded, and everyone looked back and saw that it was a fire truck coming.

As soon as the fire truck arrived, Wu Gang had to set up the scene immediately, separate the crowd, and set up air cushions, which temporarily alleviated the crisis.

Xia Xiang looked at Kang Shaoye who was silent on the side, and knew in his heart that Kang Shaoye was just watching the fun. He would not be in charge and would not take the initiative to solve the problem. He had already expressed his position of standing by with his umbrella by himself. In addition, it was enough for Secretary Kang to hold an umbrella and visit the scene in person. It was enough for others to do dangerous things.

Xia Xiang made up his mind in an instant. He was the district mayor. Who would come forward if he didn't come forward? Who would he take responsibility if he didn't take responsibility? Thinking of the time in the Central Grand Hall, facing thousands of students and facing Cheng Xixu's public doubts, he quoted a famous saying from Lin Zexu: "If you benefit the country from life and death, how can you avoid it because of misfortune and good fortune." Although he was a little idealistic, a little passionate and impulsive, and in the eyes of worldly people, Xia Xiang was a little unsmooth and irrational enough, but Xia Xiang was Xia Xiang, facing difficulties or taking the initiative. Deep in his heart, he never lost all his passion and desire to serve the country and the people. Even if he was humiliated, misunderstood, and hurt, he would do whatever he could!

"I'll go negotiate with Lu Laozi, Hongxin, Weigang, you are responsible for protecting the safety of Secretary Kang and General Chen, and also tell Wu Gangde that no matter what method he uses, he will definitely control the situation." He looked firm, as if he had made up his greatest determination, "Han San, you also try your best to control the emotions of the workers, and do not cause bloodshed, do you understand?"

"I understand." Hua San rarely saw Xia Xiang's expression unrestrained expression, and he was also a little impulsive. After many years, he had never seen an official with passion and enthusiasm again. The leading cadres of all sizes he had met were either full of mind or old. When he encountered danger, he would not say that he would personally rush to the front line, but he would not get out of the car, or he would try his best to shirk responsibility and let others take it.

Only Xia Xiang, the young and energetic district chief, did not hesitate to rush to the most dangerous place. Who wouldn't know that Lu Laojue was not only filled with gasoline, but also a large bucket was placed beside him, filled with gasoline. Once ignited, it would inevitably cause an explosion.

District Mayor Xia went to negotiate alone without hesitation, and was the most responsible and responsible cadre of the H3rd Young Master in his life.

Jin Hongxin and Chao Weigang were anxious: "No, the leader cannot go up, it's too dangerous."

The two were sincerely worried about Xia Xiang's safety, because they heard that Lu Laojue was very stubborn. He was so old that he had a frightening temper. He was like a stubborn donkey, and he didn't listen to anyone's words when he started to attack. Not to mention anything else, just because he was covered in gasoline in the wind and rain, and shivered on the roof of the building so cold that he refused to come down, which proved his donkey's temper.

Kang Shaoye also knew that he had to act, so he pretended to be concerned and said, "Just send a representative up. District Mayor Xia is the head of District One, so he can't take the risk."

"As a leading cadre, I only know how to set an example and don't know what it means to try and try to do it!" Xia Xiang said coldly and said to Jin Hongxin and Chao Weigang seriously, "Immediately prepare a cotton coat. The wind and rain are heavy on the roof. The old man is old and can't stand it if he holds it for a while. He can no longer delay it, so he should be quick."

Jin Hongxin had no choice but to wave his hand to Chao Weigang powerlessly. Chao Weigang gritted his teeth and ran to the workers to find a set of cotton coats, handed them to Xia Xiang, begging, "Leader, let me accompany you to take care of you."

"I'll go!" Jin Hongxin also made a statement in time.

"I'll go." Chen Jinming was not willing to be outdone. After all, Xia Xiang is the district mayor, and he has to take responsibility for any mistakes. At the same time, he was moved by Xia Xiang's firm expression. He hasn't seen a cadre with a sincere heart that is brave enough to take responsibility.

"I'll go!" said Hua San Shao without any doubt, "It's full of scaffolding. I'm familiar with how to go. I'll lead the way for District Mayor Xia."

Xia Xiang waved his hand: "You are all below, and the situation below is even more critical. I can just go up alone. Lu Laojue is a stubborn person. Seeing that there are too many people, he might do stupid things... Don't fight anymore, go to work immediately."

Jin Hongxin and Chao Weigang both looked at Kang Shaoye with a slight complaint, thinking that after a deputy secretary came, he would not do anything, and he would have to ask us to serve you specifically. I'm sorry, I won't be with you!

Xia Xiang didn't have time to pay attention to Jin Hongxin and Chao Weigang's attitude towards Kang Shaoye. He picked up the cotton coat and quickly entered the building. The building under construction was full of tools. Although the stairs were cast and molded, there were no handrails. It was still dangerous when going upstairs. At the same time, there were no clean brackets on the top of his head, and he would meet if he was not careful.

Fortunately, Xia Xiang himself has also stayed on the construction site and worked as a technician. He is familiar with the tricks inside and has touched the rooftops all the way.

There is only one layer of concrete poured on the roof of the seven or eight-story Fire Tree Building. Although there are scaffoldings around it, unlike the normally-capped roof, there are messy steel bars and iron wires everywhere, which can easily trip. Moreover, looking around, there is no daughter's wall or barrier rod on the roof, which seems more dangerous.

People with acrophobia are more afraid of the unfinished roof.

The key is that it was still storm and the wind was not small, and the rain was increasing. As soon as Xia Xiang arrived on the roof, he felt cold all over his body. With his young body and firepower, he felt very cold, let alone Lu Laozi who was covered in gasoline?

Old Lu, who was gray-haired and wore a gray single dress, was not tall, neither fat nor thin, had strong hands, was soaked, and didn't know if it was oil or water. A 20-liter gasoline barrel was placed beside him. There was at least half of the gasoline barrel in the transparent gasoline barrel. God knows how he carried it to the rooftop.

As soon as Xia Xiang appeared, Lu Laojue immediately found someone going upstairs. He quickly turned around, put his hand on the lighter, and said word by word: "Who are you? Take another step and I will fire."

There was no hoarseness or a crazy expression. Although he was trembling with cold, he stood straight and refused to bend his waist. Xia Xiang knew that he was an extremely difficult person to deal with, and he was very stubborn, had his own opinions, and would not compromise easily.

"Uncle Lu, I'm Xia Xiang. I'm here just to talk to you. Why do you have to fight to the death?" Xia Xiang did not reveal his identity. He was afraid that Old Ruo would resist. He said with a kind look, "I'm not afraid of death anymore. What else can't be overcome? What else can't be discussed?"

Maybe it was Xia Xiang's clear eyes and gentle attitude that touched Lu Laojue, or maybe Xia Xiang's words touched his heart. His hands lowered a little, but he still grabbed the lighter tightly and asked again: "Who are you? Who are you talking to?"

"I am Xia Xiang, an ordinary young man. I won't talk to either side. I just want to know the truth and chat with Uncle Lu... It's so cold, so I'll give you a cotton coat to put on it. No matter what difficulties or difficulties are there, you can't freeze your body. If your body collapses, it will be useless even if you have money, right?"

Xia Xiang does not call the condescending "old man" in officialdom, but calls him "Uncle Lu affectionately", which makes him easily break through his psychological defense line and make him unable to be wary.

Lu Laojue was indeed very cold. After all, he was a decades old man. When he saw the cotton coat in Xia Xiang's hand, he couldn't help but be moved. After thinking about it, he said, "Then throw the cotton coat over."

Xia Xiang threw the cotton coat over, so he simply sat on a template, crossed his legs, and said in a homely manner: "Uncle Lu is old this year? I think you are a few years younger than my dad. My dad is 55 years old this year."

Lu Laojue was stunned for a moment, and first put on a cotton coat, then said, "I am 53 years old and I have a son who is about the same age as you, but my son..." His eyes turned red and tears fell down, "If he was as vibrant as you, I, I, I, would not fight for his life. He was almost ill..."

Xia Xiang sighed slightly. There is always a tragic story behind every pitiful person. There are too many misfortunes in life that will be added to a family. He can basically guess the truth about Lu Laojue's self-immolation today.

"What disease does Xiao Lu have?" Knowing that he shouldn't have asked, Xia Xiang couldn't help asking, "I know the doctors from the Second Hospital, and maybe I can help."

Lu Laojue shook his head: "I can't help anymore, it's useless. He has uremia. The doctor said it takes 300,000 yuan to cure it. I smashed the old bones and sold them all, not worth 300,000 yuan..."

Xia Xiang became a little more determined in his guess and asked again: "Jinshu Group owes you Xiaodou Village money?"

"I owe it too much, and I still owe more than 4 million yuan. On average, each person has more than 5,000 yuan. The village party secretary told me that as long as I can come forward to collect the debt from Jinshu Group, he will make the decision to deduct several hundred yuan from each person and raise 300,000 yuan to treat my son." As he said that, Old Stubborn was crying and cried, "No businessman is a businessman. The Jinshu Group can afford to build the tallest building in the city, but it owes more than 4 million yuan in our village. More than 4 million yuan is just a hair for them. A little bit of it is my son's life-saving money, something that has no conscience, I will repay it as an old man if I owe the money. I have to drive us away. I, I, anyway, my son dies, and I have no hope. At worst, I can die on the roof of their building. See if their tallest building can live in peace!"

The wind became stronger and the rain became heavier, but Xia Xiang's heart sank little by little.

He didn't believe that Jinshu Group owed Xiaodou Village money because he knew the operating procedures at that time, Jinshu Group did not deal with Xiaodou Village directly. Jinshu Group was one of the first companies to settle in Xiama District, and Gao Hai was responsible for that time.

If it weren't for Gao Hai intercepting the land acquisition funds of Jinshu Group and embezzling his pockets, or if the village party secretary of Xiaodou Village had tampered with it and took part of the funds for himself, Xia Xiang was in a very heavy mood. No matter what the situation was, the villagers were actually the ones who had never received the most benefits in land acquisition and demolition.

Not to mention that the land acquisition funds are deducted from them at all levels, they often delay for a year and a half, and they are not paid for a year or a half. What is the purpose? The purpose is to allow the funds to be kept in the bank for a period of time and can earn interest spreads from them. It is quite good to earn interest spreads only, but the unscrupulous one acre of land transfer is 40,000 yuan, but the difference of 20,000 yuan in the middle is divided by an interest gang. The most hateful thing is that even the last 20,000 yuan cannot reach the villagers, and they are intercepted by fees or deposits under various clever names. It is far away and difficult to truly get the money into your hands.

The experience of Lu Laojue is just a microcosm of the tragic world in countless demolition processes.

Xia Xiang stood up, walked to the distance, and said, "Uncle Lu, please sit down first, I'll find a phone number and ask about the specific situation..." He was worried that the phone would produce electric sparks and would inadvertently ignite Lu's stubborn gasoline.

Xia Xiang walked far enough to stop and took out the phone and called Gao Hai: "Uncle Gao, do you still remember when you led the municipal government to demolish Xiaodou Village in Xiama District, Jinshu Group invested in the purchase of Xiaodou Village land. How much is the transfer fee per acre?"

"Xiaodou Village?" Gao Hai was taking a nap and was woken up by Xia Xiang accidentally. He was a little confused. He was a little puzzled in his heart that Xia Xiang was very polite, but why did he speak a little coldly today? However, he didn't think much about it, and thought about it for a moment, saying, "Xiaodou Village is a good location, and the land transfer price is quite high, which is more than 500,000 acres per acre. At that time, Jinshu Group purchased about 100 acres, totaling more than 50 million."

Xia Xiang heard Gao Hai's voice was a little confused, and then realized that he might be on lunch break and hurriedly said, "I forgot that Uncle Gao was on lunch break, I'm sorry to bother you."

Gao Hai heard something wrong in Xia Xiang's voice, and he didn't bother to be polite with Xia Xiang: "What's wrong with Xiao Xia, what's wrong?"

Xia Xiang said that the villagers of Xiaodou Village came to Huoshu Building to cause trouble, and specifically emphasized: "The land acquisition money was deducted, and the amount was not small..." He also intended to test Gao Hai. As the leader, Gao Hai was in charge of the deputy mayor at the time, and Gao Hai had great power, and it was easy to embezzle it from it.

One end of the phone was silent for a moment, and Xia Xiang knew that Gao Hai's hands and feet were not clean. Although he had been expected, he was still a little disappointed. Although he could understand that Gao Hai was not the same as him, he was not short of money and had enough ways to make money. As the deputy mayor of the Standing Committee, Gao Hai was very difficult to live on his salary alone, and he would definitely have some gray income. But in Xia Xiang's opinion, it was normal to take some money at all, but some money could not be affected at all.
Chapter completed!