"No, don't worry. The results won't come out that quickly. It should be around noon.
But rest assured, I heard from your third uncle that in addition to a thousand yuan red packet for each household for the watermelons you promised to buy, you also agreed to let everyone invest and join your greenhouse vegetable business.
On this point alone, they will definitely invest in you," Liu Chunsheng said confidently.
However, Liu Yifeng was afraid that Liu Xincheng might play dirty tricks behind his back and get the villagers to invest in him.
After interacting with him for a while, he had come to understand Liu Xincheng's character.
This man couldn't stand to see others do well. He could only be weaker than him, not stronger. Otherwise, his mind would be full of schemes.
This time, he saw that not only had he made money growing vegetables, but his watermelons had also sold so well.
And due to taste issues, many of his watermelons were sold at a low price, resulting in a significant loss.
Now, seeing that he wanted to open a rural guesthouse, he would naturally try his best to stop him.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have interfered when he learned that he was going to rent land in the village.
While Liu Yifeng was waiting for the results, something else happened at the site where the greenhouses were being built.
It turned out that he had started construction without obtaining approval.
Therefore, someone had reported him, and now people from the urban management bureau had come to stop him.
Upon learning of this, Liu Yifeng immediately went to the construction site.
Seeing seven or eight people in uniform, he quickly went over and offered them cigarettes, saying, "I'm really sorry, gentlemen, for troubling you to make a trip in this heat.
You should come to my house for some watermelon later to cool off."
The urban management bureau officers did not take the cigarettes. Instead, they said with a cold expression, "You are building greenhouses here without approval from higher authorities, which is a violation.
From now on, all of you stop working. Get the permits, and then resume construction.
Otherwise, you will be dealt with according to the law!"
Liu Yifeng nodded repeatedly, "You are right. It's my fault for being ignorant of the law and not knowing that building greenhouses requires approval.
I will go and get the permits now and resume construction after approval."
To be honest, he really didn't know that building this required approval from above. He thought it was like building his own house, where he could build it whenever he wanted.
However, his greenhouses had only started construction yesterday, so how did the urban management officers arrive today?
Who was playing tricks behind his back? Liu Yifeng couldn't help but think of Liu Xincheng's face.
In the entire village, only he harbored animosity towards him.
But even if he was the one who reported it, there was nothing Liu Yifeng could do about it, because he was indeed operating in violation of the regulations.
Therefore, the urgent task was to get the approval with the materials, otherwise, the greenhouses couldn't be built.
As for how long the approval would take, he couldn't say for sure, since he had no connections.
"It's good that you understand. We've said what we needed to say. You should hurry up and get the procedures done!" the leader said, and then began to leave with his subordinates.
Liu Yifeng quickly said, "Gentlemen, I know you cannot smoke while on duty. It was my mistake to offer you cigarettes earlier.
But as ordinary citizens, seeing you work so hard, is it considered bribery for me to invite you to eat watermelons grown by our family to cool off?" In the future, his affairs would inevitably involve frequent interactions with the urban management bureau.
Therefore, building good relationships was essential.
But he couldn't let them think that they were accepting bribes, so he could only use watermelons as an excuse to have them go to his house first, which would allow him to ask questions.
The crowd exchanged glances, unsure how to respond.
Many people in their profession assumed that they had great benefits and often received red packets.
But they didn't know that the regulations on this were very strict. Once discovered, not only would the received red packets be confiscated, but they would also be suspended and investigated.
Generally, people would not dare to take such a risk.
After all, their official positions were more important than accepting bribes.
However, eating a piece of watermelon was fine, as it was a kind gesture from the citizens, and they had driven a long way and were indeed a bit thirsty.
So, led by Liu Yifeng, they went to his house. As for the workers who were building, they could only go back and wait for news to resume work.
During this time, Liu Yifeng told them to take on other jobs if they had any, as they couldn't just sit at home waiting for his notification.
This was because he himself didn't know how long the approval would take.
Upon arriving at Liu Yifeng's house, Liu Yifeng invited everyone to sit in the living room.
Then, he retrieved the watermelons that had been chilled in the well overnight and cut a large piece for each person.
Watermelons chilled in well water tasted better than those chilled by ice.
Moreover, Liu Yifeng's watermelons were already several times tastier than those from outside.
The urban management officers praised them highly after tasting them, and a large piece of watermelon was quickly finished.
Liu Yifeng wanted to cut them more, but they refused.
As law enforcement officers, they couldn't take too much advantage of ordinary citizens. Tasting one piece was enough.
However, to be honest, they really wanted more.
They had never eaten such delicious watermelons in their lives, so they asked Liu Yifeng, "Are you selling these watermelons? We want to buy some to take back for our families to try."
Liu Yifeng immediately replied, "If you want to eat them, just take them. These are grown at home and are not worth much."
"That won't do. We cannot take even a needle or thread from the people. We've already eaten a large piece of watermelon for free, and now you want us to take more? If this were photographed and posted online, our official hats would be lost."
"We appreciate your kindness, but please give us a price. We want to buy them to eat, so we can feel at ease," another person added.
Liu Chunsheng said, "Gentlemen, who would dare to spread such rumors? Everyone knows you are the most responsible urban management officers of this generation. As ordinary citizens, it is only right for us to offer you some watermelons to eat." Liu Chunsheng had also learned about the greenhouse matter.
He naturally knew the purpose of his son calling them to his house.
The leader greatly appreciated the words of this father and son and felt much better. "It's rare to hear people say that our work is hard. Everyone thinks we have a very easy job.
Little do they know that we are out in the sun and wind every day, and dealing with uncooperative people is particularly tiring.
It's already very good that you can think of us. Why would we eat your watermelons for free!"
"Since that's the case, we can't insist.
Since you want to buy them, then it will be fifty cents per jin!" This price was similar to the market price outside. Liu Yifeng certainly wouldn't sell them at the wholesale price he offered Su Wanru.
Upon hearing this price, the men felt they had gotten a good deal.
After all, watermelons bought outside were also fifty cents per jin, but their taste was far inferior to these.
As his father went to get the watermelons, Liu Yifeng used the excuse of taking the leading staff member to the restroom to finally find an opportunity for a private conversation.
He urgently asked, "Comrade, there's something I don't know if it's convenient for you to tell me.
My greenhouses only started construction yesterday, and not many people know about it. May I ask how you knew about it?"
"We received an anonymous tip, so we came to investigate.
However, as you said yourself, not many people know about it. So the person who reported you must be one of those few people.
As for who it is, I don't know," the leading enforcement officer guessed.
Liu Yifeng nodded, "Thank you for the reminder. It's my fault for not understanding the relevant laws, which caused you all to have to make this trip today. I feel very bad about it.
This is a small token of my appreciation. Please take it back and treat the brothers to some drinks tonight, and apologize on my behalf." Liu Yifeng said as he slipped two thousand yuan into the man's pocket.
The enforcement officers were recording the entire process, so when he first offered cigarettes, no one dared to accept them.
They didn't even dare to take their watermelons for free!
But it was different now. Going to the restroom was a personal break time and was not being recorded.
Throughout the entire process, it was only Liu Yifeng and the leading enforcement officer.
Seeing this, the other party symbolically tried to return it.
But Liu Yifeng stopped him, "This is a personal gesture from my heart. If comrades are unwilling to accept it, I will be very upset.
As workers serving the people, can you bear to see us, the people, feel upset?"
"I like people who can talk. Then I won't be polite.
Since you are so sensible, I can't take your benefits for nothing.
The approval process for people like you is usually very strict and difficult to obtain.
But don't worry, with me here, I will put in a good word for you with my superiors. Then I will arrange a meeting, and you can handle things properly, and it will be approved in about a week at the fastest." the leader guaranteed.
Liu Yifeng also knew that project approvals like this required going through layers of screening, similar to Tang Monk's pilgrimage, which required ninety-nine eighty-one tribulations.
Although the approval process didn't have eighty-one tribulations, it was extremely complicated. For people without strong backing,
projects submitted would often be shelved and approved last.
Some could take half a year, or even a year.
Now, with his guarantee, although it might cost some money to grease the wheels, it would at least allow him to start construction half a year earlier.
With half a year's time, his greenhouses would have been built, and perhaps the vegetables would have matured and a considerable amount would have been sold.
And this is how society is today. No matter what you do, you need connections.
Those without back doors will never receive fair treatment.
It's like looking for a job. Even if you have the ability, you still can't compete with someone who has connections.
This has become a norm. Although Liu Yifeng disdains such behavior, he has to face reality.
"Then thank you. I'll treat you to a good drink another day when you're off work and ask for your advice on these matters."
"That's easy. We'll exchange contact information in a moment. Tell me your name and the project you're applying for, and I'll put in a word with the higher-ups."
"Okay, thank you for your trouble." Liu Yifeng nodded.
After the leading enforcement officer came out of the restroom, he exchanged phone numbers with Liu Yifeng and then returned to the living room as if nothing had happened.
In the living room, each enforcement officer bought a large watermelon. They didn't expect their watermelons to be so sweet and so large.
They had never seen such watermelons in their lives and insisted on buying one to take back for their families to try.
Originally, a watermelon that could sell for four hundred yuan was finally sold for less than thirty yuan.
After filling the trunk, the enforcement officers paid and drove away.
Throughout the entire process, the leading enforcement officer did not say much to Liu Yifeng.
What needed to be said had been said. Some things were not suitable to be said openly, so they could only be communicated privately, otherwise, he would not have let Liu Yifeng exchange contact information with him.
After watching the enforcement officers leave, Liu Chunsheng looked worried. "Didn't the greenhouses only start construction yesterday? Why were they reported and stopped today?"
"Dad, someone must be envious of us making money, so they're causing trouble.
Last night, I also promised everyone that I would welcome anyone who was willing to invest.
So it's definitely not the villagers who want to invest in our greenhouses."
"Then who wouldn't want to invest in us?" Liu Chunsheng asked.
Liu Yifeng narrowed his eyes. "If I'm not mistaken, this must have something to do with Liu Xincheng."
"Why him again? Didn't he also prevent you from renting that piece of land in the village last night?
Now he's reporting you for illegal construction. What exactly does he want?" Liu Chunsheng said angrily.
"He's probably envious of our recent earnings and that it's blocking his financial path!" Liu Yifeng replied.