Chapter 145 Signing the Contract

After dinner, Ren Shiyou went to his study alone and took out a very old photograph to examine it.

It's a family photo, already yellowed, but it can't hide the smiles on everyone's faces.

Of the six people in the photo, two have passed away: Ren Shiyou's wife and his eldest son, Ren Guofan.

Looking at the smiling faces of his wife and eldest son, Ren Shiyou burst into tears and murmured, "Feng'er, it was my fault for not protecting Guofan. If I had gone to the battlefield that year, I would never have let him get hurt."

"It's my fault for not educating Guosheng properly, leading him astray. I won't have the face to face you after I'm gone..."

At that moment, Ren Shiyou released all the emotions in his heart through tears. After a long while, seeing that the photos were wet with his tears, he tidied up the photos and went downstairs to rest.

On the second floor, Gu Yiye was already fast asleep, holding Lin Shanshan.

The next day, Lin Shanshan got up before Gu Yiye could wake her.

Today I'm going to Changde Brigade, hoping Secretary Shi can persuade the villagers to agree to lease the land use rights to them.

After having breakfast, the two drove to Secretary Shi's house.

Secretary Shi had been waiting at home for them to come. He had spoken with the brigade cadres yesterday, and they all agreed. Later, he gathered the villagers together, explained the situation, and everyone was very willing.

In the 1970s, college students were highly sought after!

When Gu Yiye and Lin Shanshan arrived, Secretary Shi told them the villagers' only request: "They hope their children can attend this university."

Lin Shanshan thought for a moment and said, "Our school is a university of science and technology. Of course, anyone who wants to come to the school is welcome, but you must have graduated from high school."

Secretary Shi hesitated, saying, "There aren't many high school students in Changde Brigade."

Lin Shanshan said, "Of course, if you haven't attended high school but feel confident in your abilities, you can take the entrance exam. If you pass, you can enroll. For students from Changde Brigade, we waive tuition fees."

Secretary Shi smiled and said, "Good, that's a good idea."

Gu Yiye asked, "How long is the lease term, and how is the rent calculated?"

Secretary Shi said, “That wasteland, including Baima Lake, covers a total of 5,800 mu. You are establishing a school, which is a great thing for the country and the people. Our Changde Brigade is relatively wealthy and doesn't rely on this to make money. You have also voluntarily waived tuition fees for the students of Changde Brigade. How can we possibly charge you more rent? How about we charge you 200 yuan a year?”

5,800 mu (approximately 380 hectares) at 200 yuan per year is practically a free gift.

Lin Shanshan was very satisfied and asked, "Then what's the maximum number of years we can rent it for?"

Secretary Shi said, "The state stipulates a 70-year term. Let's sign a 70-year contract first. I believe that once the school is well-run, future secretaries will definitely renew the contract."

Seventy years is enough time for a school to build a great reputation. By then, even if they want to move away, they will probably be persuaded to stay.

Lin Shanshan said, "Okay, then let's pay the rent for 70 years all at once!"

Secretary Shi was surprised. He knew these two were wealthy, but he didn't expect them to be this wealthy. He asked incredulously, "14,000? You paid it all at once?"

Lin Shanshan nodded and explained, "With donations from kind-hearted people in Hong Kong, money is no object. Let's give it all at once. Bring the contract with you, and we'll go to the savings bank together to withdraw the money, and then you can deposit it."

When Secretary Shi heard about Hong Kong Island, he understood that Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan were developing better than the mainland. He readily picked up the contract, got into Gu Yiye's car, and went to the savings bank to complete the formalities.

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