…

Zhao Ping pulled her sister into a small room and locked herself in it.

"Sister, are your brother-in-law's family treating you badly?"

Zhao Lan had just heard the conversation between the mother and daughter and asked worriedly.

"No, I just said that to Mom on purpose because I was afraid they would push their luck again."

Zhao Ping took out 100 yuan in change from her pocket and put it into her sister's hand.

"Hide this money somewhere safe. Xiaolan, you must continue studying and don't listen to your parents. Your brother-in-law's three younger sisters are all very good at studying. They know a lot of things, and the clothes and things they use are things we have never seen before. Only by studying hard can you get out of this family, understand?"

"I understand, sister. I will listen to you." Zhao Lan took the money and said with a firm look in her eyes.

"Okay, if you need anything, just call me."

Zhao Ping was instructing her younger sister, the only one in the family she cared about.

...

After seeing off the young couple, the Huang family was having a brainstorming session in the main hall.

Huang Zhan had come to Huan City from the capital a few days ago to take up his post. Huang Shao also came from the south to attend the wedding. At this moment, he was half leaning on the sofa, pressing his temples.

"Second brother, tell us your thoughts first."

Huang Zhan gently held his eyes and said:

"I've gotten a general understanding of the local situation over the past few days. Huancheng was built around coal. The city is very small, with only two roads, but there are many mining areas surrounding it. Miners' wages are much higher than those of workers in other units in the city, but because the roads are long and inconvenient, people from the mining areas only come to the city to purchase goods during festivals."

"That's true. I work at the mine. If Wenjuan hadn't bought me a motorcycle, I wouldn't be able to go back and forth every day. My colleagues often ask me to buy things for them." Huang's father agreed.

"The mining area has schools, hospitals and large stores that can meet people's basic living needs. But it doesn't mean they don't want to accept new things. I made my first pot of gold by reselling in the mine. Does your second uncle want to provide them with more convenient ways to come to the city and attract them to consume in the city?" Xu Mengyao asked speculatively.

"Yes, if you want to get rich, build roads first."

"I agree with building roads, but it requires a lot of financial and human resources. Brother, how much money can your government allocate to build a few roads?"

Huang Zhan frowned. "Although Huanshi relies on coal for survival, the city's only textile factory went bankrupt last year, laying off thousands of people. The government really doesn't have much money to allocate."

"I have an idea, Uncle, listen to it." Xu Mengyao smiled slightly.

"There are many coal dealers around the city, and trucks are coming in and out of the mines every day. Their profits are high, and the overloaded trucks have trouble moving on the bumpy roads. I think we should organize a meeting among these coal bosses and collect a fixed monthly fee for road maintenance. After all, a better road is more convenient for them."

"This is also a solution, but the maintenance fee is definitely limited. It may not be so easy to get those people to pay for it out of their pockets." Huang Zhan thought.

"My family is willing to take the lead in this matter. Let my brother be the first to sign the agreement. If there is not enough money, the government can sell land. Huanshi is in great need of expansion, and my second uncle can mark out all the wasteland and auction it off. Only businessmen who have paid the road maintenance fee can participate in the bidding, and I guarantee they will all rush to sign." Xu Mengyao said with a smirk.

Huang Shao also laughed, "You are just trying to grab the fat sheep."

"This is just a touch at best. They should thank the government for giving them the opportunity to bid for the land!" Xu Mengyao continued to suggest,

"Also, those illegal coal mines that don't have the proper paperwork will need to be strictly investigated and fined. Lack of safety awareness is unacceptable. We'll use the proceeds to repair the most populous mining areas within 20 kilometers of the city, preferably roads that connect several mines. Then, we'll arrange for more buses to run back and forth every day, and people will naturally flock to the city."

"Well, I'll hold a meeting to discuss this matter when I get back. It will take a lot of people to build such a long road. At least it can provide some ways to make a living for those laid-off dual-income families." Huang Zhan responded.

"I think there are still too few self-employed people around the city. They set up stalls here and there, and people have to go a long way to buy vegetables. Second brother, you should ask the Industrial and Commercial Bureau to pay more attention and plan out a few areas. They can set up snack streets like those in big cities, build more vegetable markets, and rent stalls to those laid-off people. The hotel is too shabby. I can buy a few pieces of land and invest here." Huang Shao said in detail.

"And me, Uncle, when the time comes, please save some nearby wasteland and sell it to my family! We can build a commercial street, preferably a large shopping mall to stimulate consumption. There are many people living in the mines but few houses, so I will develop a few residential areas to help them solve their housing problem."

Xu Mengyao immediately fought for it in a high-sounding manner, and her shamelessness made Huang Shao laugh.

"How long will all this be built? I don't even know how long it will take to build the roads. Your ambition is even greater than mine."

Xu Mengyao was not modest at all and said confidently:

"Just wait. Huanshi's development has to be gradual. Besides, I'll be developing overseas for the next few years, and I'll transfer all my funds there when I return. Once I've earned a few more years of foreign money, I'll come back and invest in the domestic market."

Second Uncle, for now, my parents and eldest brother are there, so it won't be a problem. Fourth Uncle, you should also make some money elsewhere before investing in Huancheng's construction."

"Okay, we uncle and nephew will work hard on our own. But tell Fourth Uncle, what are you planning to do with all this money abroad?"

Xu Mengyao smiled mysteriously, "Secrecy is key to success, while disclosure leads to failure. I can't tell you right now. When I succeed, I might call you and ask you to invest."

Huang Shao narrowed his eyes and looked at her carefully.

"Okay, then Fourth Uncle will wait for your call."

The meeting lasted until almost 1:00 p.m.

Huang's mother repeatedly urged everyone to eat, and only then did they end the discussion.

At the dinner table, Xu Mengyao suggested to Huang's mother:

"Mom, haven't you always wanted to buy land? Why don't you register a real estate company? Then we can build buildings and shopping malls whenever we want."

Huang's mother smiled and said, "You are talking nonsense again, kid. The small western-style building built on the wasteland we bought was hired by your fourth uncle. He also built a shopping mall. I don't have that ability."

Huang Shao took over the conversation, "Sister-in-law, don't worry about the manpower. I will also invest in the real estate company that Wenjuan mentioned, and I will find professional employees for you when the time comes. In addition, you can ask Wenjuan's uncle to register a construction company as well. When the time comes, you can directly recruit workers in Huanshi and do the work according to the requirements."

"This..." Huang's mother did not participate in the meeting and was a little confused about the situation for a moment.

Huang's father winked at her and said, "Your daughter can't hurt you. Fourth brother is trying to get your younger brother to come here."

"Okay, I'll go talk to him later." Huang's mother agreed.

After the company was registered, Huang Shao told his mother before leaving:

"Sister-in-law, you can do it without worry. I will send someone over as soon as possible."