Reborn as Zhao Ruilong of Handong, I will defy fate.

Chapter 238 The economic base determines the superstructure!

Didi didi~

The horn blared throughout the area.

The intersection was congested with vehicles, pedestrians, and bicycles, making it impossible to move.

Sitting in the Audi, Gao Yuliang looked out the window with a furrowed brow.

"Was there a car accident at the intersection? Why is the traffic so bad?"

"I'll go down and take a look!"

Secretary Chen Qingquan, who was sitting in the passenger seat, quickly got out of the car to inquire.

Soon.

Chen Qingquan jogged back.

"The highway toll station ahead is closed, so many vehicles are turning back to take the national highway. Combined with the morning rush hour, this has caused a large-scale traffic jam at the intersection."

"Why is it closed? It was fine when we came yesterday. Is it because there's too much traffic on the highway and it's temporarily closed?"

"No, I saw in the announcement that the highway is being widened and the overpasses along the route are being demolished from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. It's possible that the road hasn't been cleared yet, so it's not open to the public yet."

Gao Yuliang nodded slightly.

Back when the economy of Handong was not very good, Zhao Lichun, the secretary, overcame all opposition and raised funds through loans to build the expressway from Jingzhou through Lüzhou to Tianhai.

Moreover, Secretary Zhao was convinced that the highway would inevitably see huge traffic volumes in the future, so he insisted on completing the land acquisition and relocation in one go, reserving conditions for widening the highway from four to eight lanes.

At that time, the project was highly controversial and controversial. Many people were not optimistic about the highway, believing that even if they tightened their belts to build it, they would still lose money, and the annual toll revenue would not be enough to repay the loan.

however……

After the highway opened, driven by the international metropolis of Tianhai, it quickly became an economic artery, and the economies of cities and counties along the route took off rapidly.

This highway, which was once considered a serious waste, is now criticized for having too few lanes and too many vehicles, resulting in frequent traffic jams.

Fortunately, the upgrade and renovation project is under construction almost day and night.

"Since the highway is temporarily closed, let's take the national highway instead!"

After Gao Yuliang finished speaking, he closed his eyes to rest.

I tossed and turned all night and didn't fall asleep until very late.

Now that I've had a full breakfast, I'm actually feeling a bit sleepy sitting in the car.

I closed my eyes and fell asleep without even realizing it.

Then a series of deafening thumping sounds came.

The Audi sedan was observed to be slowly inching forward.

The toll station on the national highway not far ahead has had its roof and steel frame removed.

At this very moment, an excavator is using a hydraulic breaker to smash the concrete island platform of the toll station.

With two fewer lanes available, traffic congestion and slow-moving conditions are inevitable.

Soon.

The Audi sedan slowly drove through the tollbooth.

Seeing that there was no one inside the toll booth, the toll gate was raised high.

Gao Yuliang was somewhat puzzled.

Soon we saw a huge white sign with black lettering.

Announcement Regarding the Early Removal of the Jingzhou East Toll Station on National Highway 312

Because the Audi was moving slowly forward, Gao Yuliang did not see the details clearly.

The reasons for the early closure of the station seem to have been explained in several ways.

It roughly means that the highway is being upgraded and expanded, and the high-speed railway is under construction.

The transportation of large quantities of engineering equipment and construction materials has led to a significant increase in traffic volume along the route.

To ensure smooth traffic flow and facilitate travel for residents along the route, Keiju City paid off its bank loan ahead of schedule and decided to remove the toll station.

"This measure that benefits and makes things convenient for the people is really great!"

“The national highways and expressways already have a lot of traffic, and now there is a lot of construction work, which will definitely affect travel.”

"Removing this national highway toll station will not only save tolls for the public, but also greatly improve traffic efficiency and ensure smooth construction. Jingzhou's approach is something that Luzhou should learn from!"

Upon hearing what Gao Yuliang, the secretary, said, Chen Qingquan, who was in the passenger seat, immediately turned around and said:

"This measure is indeed quite good. If people don't go on the highway and the toll station continues to charge, it will definitely lead to widespread congestion."

"Moreover, in the past, due to economic and technological constraints, there were few roads and the road conditions were poor. After the implementation of the policy of 'building roads with loans and repaying loans with tolls,' road construction developed rapidly."

"Nowadays, there are enough roads, but there are also many toll stations. In addition to highways and national roads, many provincial roads and even county roads have toll stations. It is no exaggeration to describe them as being full of checkpoints."

"Removing all these toll booths, big and small, would certainly be a great convenience for ordinary people and very beneficial to economic development. However, there are still many problems to be solved beforehand!"

"First and foremost, the toll booths have been demolished, and with no tolls collected, how will we repay the bank loans? Even if the loans are paid off, where will the annual maintenance and upkeep costs come from?"

At this point, Chen Qingquan pointed to the back of the car, where the national highway toll station was being demolished.

“A toll station like this would cost several million to build, including civil engineering, steel frame, roof, weighbridge, electromechanical equipment, and supporting office space.”

"To ensure uninterrupted 24-hour service, with eight toll lanes in both directions and staffed in three shifts, at least 24 toll collectors are needed."

"Considering staff rotation and the necessary technical personnel, plus the station manager, deputy station manager, accountant, cashier, cook, commuter bus driver, etc., a station needs to be staffed with seventy or eighty people."

“This national highway has a large daily traffic volume. Cars pay five yuan each, and trucks pay between ten and thirty yuan each. After deducting the operating costs of the toll stations, the annual revenue is at least twenty to thirty million yuan.”

"Therefore, once toll stations are dismantled on a large scale, it will not only mean a significant reduction in fiscal revenue, but also require the relocation of a large number of toll station employees. In addition, the subsequent road maintenance and upkeep must also be considered."

After listening, Gao Yuliang smiled slightly.

"In the end, it all boils down to one word: money!"

"With sufficient financial resources, we can dismantle the toll booths and benefit the people."

"On the contrary, the only option is to let them continue to exist, charging fees to repay loans and for maintenance."

"So, as things stand, our Lüzhou doesn't have enough financial resources to follow Jingzhou's example and demolish the national highway toll booths!"

Chen Qingquan smiled helplessly.

Upper decision decided by the economic background.

If people had money, who would want these toll booths standing on national and provincial highways, like money-devouring beasts, constantly siphoning off the wealth of the people and creating congestion?

However, Gao Yuliang, as the leader, wanted to emulate Jingzhou City.

As his secretary and an absolute confidant, Chen Qingquan naturally had to find ways to please him.

"Actually, our Luzhou has limited financial resources, and we don't necessarily have to do what Jingzhou did, repaying the loan in advance and then demolishing the toll station."

"We might as well suspend toll collection for one or two years, citing the need to ensure the construction of major projects and alleviate road congestion during construction."

"Or we could implement off-peak toll collection, for example, during morning and evening rush hours, we could open the toll gates to allow vehicles to pass for free, and continue to charge tolls at other times."

Chen Qingquan knew that as a secretary, he could not make decisions for his superiors.

You can offer your opinions on what your leader wants to do, but the decision-making power must be handed over to your leader.

really.

After thinking for a moment, Gao Yuliang smiled and said:

"I think we don't need to charge during off-peak hours."

"Wouldn't it make traffic even worse if everyone rushed to travel at the same time to save on tolls?"

"The first proposal is better. It has both legitimate reasons and practical needs. The key is that the one or two years of free passage can be used to repay the loan through government subsidies, which won't cost much."

As they spoke, the Audi sedan, gradually moving away from the tollbooth, began to pick up speed.

Looking through the car window at the opposite side.

One car after another sped by, many of them dump trucks and large semi-trailer trucks.

Although private cars do not appear frequently, they do appear one after another, in an endless stream.

Gao Yuliang couldn't help but recall that he had previously discussed highway tolls with Zhao Ruilong.

They were poor before, and they wanted to develop the economy as quickly as possible.

The practice of taking out loans to build roads and charging tolls to repay debts arose as a result.

however……

The policy is a good policy, and it has indeed greatly promoted highway construction across the country.

But the result is that many places have turned toll booths into cash cows.

Not to mention highways, there are also toll stations set up at provincial borders between provinces.

Toll stations of all sizes have been built on national highways, provincial highways, and even some county roads.

In addition, car owners have to pay multiple fees every year, such as road maintenance fees and highway transport management fees.

With so many different schemes, so many toll booths, and so much money constantly being collected...

How much of it is actually used to repay highway construction loans and for routine maintenance?

How much money do the numerous toll booths and their employees spend each year?

Gao Yuliang knew all too well that the situation was extremely complicated, and it could be said that it had long been a murky mess.

In addition, numerous highway construction projects have bred a great deal of corruption.

Therefore, in his early years, Gao Yuliang promoted Yi Xuexi to be the director of the Transportation Bureau of Lüzhou City.

Under his strong crackdown, the corrupt atmosphere has changed, and shoddy construction projects have decreased.

However, the phenomenon of numerous toll booths, high toll fees for ordinary people, and slow driving speeds remains unchanged.

Therefore, during their discussion after drinking, the two...

Zhao Ruilong once proposed that China should introduce clear regulations on highway tolls, specifying what standards highways must meet to be eligible for tolls, as well as the toll standards and timeframes.

In addition, a fuel tax should be introduced. Raising the tax will lead to a certain increase in oil prices, but at the same time, there will be financial resources to abolish tolls on secondary highways and eliminate a large number of miscellaneous fees.

Thus.

With lower car ownership costs for ordinary people, the demand for automobiles will be stronger.

Moreover, those who want to save money can take the free national and provincial highways, while those who have plenty of money and are in a hurry can spend money to take the expressway.

Road traffic efficiency can be greatly improved, saving people's time and reducing pollution emissions.

During peak travel periods such as holidays, highway tolls can be waived for a limited time to avoid congestion.

The money saved on toll fees can actually be recouped from other sources.

Many people will inevitably take advantage of the free holidays to plan long-distance road trips.

Eating, lodging, gas, tickets, etc., aren't they all forms of consumption?

With a more robust consumer economy, why worry about insufficient tax revenue?

however……

Gao Yuliang felt that Zhao Ruilong's suggestion was good, but unfortunately he was only in charge of Luzhou and his economic strength was not strong enough.

Therefore, even if we wanted to adopt and implement it, we are powerless to do so now.

We absolutely have to make money!

"Without money, you can't do many things, and you can't implement many ideas!"

Gao Yuliang adjusted his glasses.

The thought of money suddenly brought to mind the Huang family of Luzhou, who had recently been uprooted.

The criminal gang led by Huang Wusheng and backed by Huang Wucheng had been entrenched in Luzhou City for many years, engaging in various legitimate and illegitimate businesses, and had made a fortune.

If I want to make a name for myself in Lüzhou, how can I do without sufficient funds?

Thinking of this, Gao Yuliang called out softly.

"Xiao Chen."

"Yes, Secretary Gao, please go ahead."

Chen Qingquan quickly turned his head.

"When you have time, go and see Qi Tongwei. The cases of Huang Wusheng and others must be closed and handed over to the procuratorate as soon as possible."

"Also, have someone put in a good word with the prosecutor's office and the court. This kind of heinous criminal gang must be tried severely and swiftly!"

"Disciplinary and supervisory departments must supervise the entire process, especially the large amount of proceeds of crime. There must be no omissions. What should be seized should be seized as soon as possible, and what should be frozen should be frozen as soon as possible!"

Even after giving the instructions, Gao Yuliang still felt it wasn't enough.

They're always looking for ways to make more money.

Looking out the car window into the distance.

On a fertile field, a large number of construction vehicles were working with a roar to level the roadbed.

That's the construction site for the first phase of the future Yanhu High-Speed ​​Railway.

Where will this high-speed rail line ultimately lead?

Tianhai City!

It is an international metropolis that many people jokingly refer to as the "Magic City".

That place is the economic and financial center of the Dragon Kingdom, and the forefront of its opening up to the outside world.

What Luzhou lacks, Tianhai certainly doesn't lack.

In recent years, Handong has developed rapidly, especially the cities and counties near Tianhai City, whose GDP has maintained high growth year after year.

The core reason for this is to attract a large amount of capital and technology through the international metropolis of Tianhai.

Thinking of this, Gao Yuliang recalled that after discussing work with Zhao Shuji yesterday, he had chatted with Zhao Ruilong for a while.

According to Zhao Lichun, Zhao Ruilong went to Tianhai on a business trip for several projects, including domestically produced large aircraft and semiconductor chips.

I glanced at my wrist to check the time.

It's not even eight o'clock yet. Zhao Ruilong should already be up, but he hasn't gone to the meeting yet. We can call and chat for a bit.

Without hesitation, Gao Yuliang took out his phone and quickly dialed Zhao Ruilong's number.

As soon as the call connected, a dull, buzzing sound could be heard.

"Hey Ruilong, where are you? Why is it so noisy?"

As Zhao Ruilong waved goodbye to the large jet cargo plane, he responded loudly:

"I am at Tianjin Tianhai Dongpu International Airport."

"The MP3 players that Huilong Electronics exports are shipped to the United States from here by cargo charter planes."

"Isn't this the first time our company has exported electronic products? So I came to deliver them in person."

The cargo plane slowly taxied away, and the noise from the four large turbofan engines gradually subsided.

"Not bad, you're even exporting to the US. But there aren't enough to meet the demand domestically, and you actually have goods to export?"

"In order to expand into the international market as soon as possible, I set up two newly opened production lines specifically for export."

"Okay, so how much are you exporting this time? And what's the price?"

"The first batch only exported 150,000 units, priced at over 600 US dollars!"

"Over six hundred? At an exchange rate of 8.27, isn't that equivalent to more than five thousand yuan in China?"

"Pretty much. After all, it's exported to the US, so there are a lot of costs involved, which is why the price is set higher. But it's hard to say whether we can sell them all."

"Don't worry, it will definitely be a hot seller. It's an advanced electronic product that's in high demand in China. Do you think it won't sell in the US? We're all human, and our tastes are pretty much the same."

Zhao Ruilong gave Zhang Shuhan a hand gesture.

They chatted as they walked towards the shuttle bus, and after getting inside, he continued:

"By the way, my dad called me last night and said he had a very good talk with you."

"He doesn't intend to concern himself with who replaces Huang Wucheng as the second-in-command of Luzhou, but you'd better come up with an opinion as soon as possible."

Gao Yuliang smiled and said, "I've already decided on the candidate, but to be on the safe side, I'd like to conduct another preliminary investigation."

"However, compared to personnel arrangements, I have something more urgent to discuss and would like to hear your opinion."

Zhao Ruilong raised an eyebrow.

Teacher Gao, eager to make progress.

I invested in so many big projects for you and helped you eliminate the Huang family of Luzhou.

What could be more urgent than making arrangements for the second-in-command in Luzhou?

"Just tell me, I'll help if I can!"

As he spoke, Zhao Ruilong took the chilled mineral water handed to him by his secretary, Qin Shuang.

I gulped down a few mouthfuls, and the heat all over my body was instantly dispelled.

“Our Luzhou has been expanding too much lately, and I have many ideas that I’m eager to implement.”

"But the city's finances are tight right now, and I'd like you to help me come up with a plan on how to get a large sum of money as soon as possible."

"As long as it's legal and compliant, a higher interest rate is fine. As for the amount... of course, the more the better. What do you think?"

Zhao Ruilong was stunned.

He couldn't help but think to himself.

Gao Yuliang, Gao Yuliang.

Are you going to go crazy killing people just to get ahead?