In America, the transfer of public land was cheap but they would rank the land according to its quality with strict transfer conditions. The most common iron rule was that the person who bought the land must provide corresponding jobs.
In other words, the businessman or business owner who took the public land from the government must provide corresponding jobs to solve the unemployment problem, no matter if the new jobs were necessary to the business or not.
It was no doubt a great benefit to ordinary business owners to be able to get a large piece of public land with very few jobs. However, it was not that tempting to Zhang Lisheng.
He walked behind Thomas's computer and said while looking at the land that the bald young man drew on the screen, "Mr. Thomas, although Mutteslow is closer to New York City, the highway is just a branch. I'm afraid it can't meet my needs.
Moreover, the slaughterhouse that I'm opening is different from a normal factory. It's a self-help system for farmers. Although I'll only hire very few staff, but … "
"Protected by the New Agricultural Law? Looks like you're smarter than I thought, Mr. Lisheng. However, even though you understand the New Agricultural Law of America, you don't necessarily understand the new municipal planning of New York. Believe me, Mutteslow will be a better choice for you," Thomas hesitated and said meaningfully while staring at the computer without even turning his head.
As a contractual society, it was actually relatively easy for the government to deal with problems. For example, all of New York's public land information was posted directly on the internet. Any citizen could apply to buy it as long as they thought they had the ability to use it. The approval was not complicated as well. Basically, it would be approved after writing a reliable proposal.
The rights and obligations of the buyer when the public land was transferred were all formulaic. Everything must be stated clearly. As soon as the contract came into effect, the buyer might make a fortune because the land could be used as he wished, or he might be fined for breaking the contract.
Due to the strict law that guaranteed the sanctity of the contract, none of the businessmen in America dared to buy the land by scamming. Therefore, one could say that Zhang Lisheng could totally get the land even without the help of the New York government. All he needed to do was to spend a little more time and effort.
It was impossible for Thomas to give Zhang Lisheng any obvious benefits when they were signing the contract. Therefore, most of the favor was actually on the recommendation and the reminder at the end.
"Lisheng, Thomas is more experienced than us in using public land. I think it's better to listen to him," Howick said while looking at Zhang Lisheng while smiling.
Zhang Lisheng was stunned for a moment and nodded in realization. Soon after, he signed a New York public land transfer contract and obtained 50 hectares of deserted coastal saline-alkali land near Mutteslow at a price of less than 300 dollars per hectare.
"Mr. Lisheng, let me remind you by convention that you have a one-year buffer time to build the factory. Unless you encounter an earthquake, tsunami, or other irresistible natural disasters, you must start to pay the federal tax one year later today.
In addition, if you open a factory that is not protected by the New Farm Act, you will have to provide at least 15 jobs for the state.
Also, after your factory is operated, if you pollute the environment, leak federal taxes, or are found to be smuggling, the New York government has the right to take back the land.
Of course, when you operate according to the contract for 19 years, the transferred land will be completely privatized. In other words, at that time, you will have fulfilled your obligations to the New York City government, and the restrictions on the contract will be automatically nullified. "
"I understand, Mr. Thomas," Zhang Lisheng nodded and put the signed document into his backpack.
After everything was settled, Howick extended his hand and shook Thomas's hand. He passed a business card along the way and said without beating around the bush, "Thomas, since we're done, we won't stay in your office any longer.
I'll wait for your call on Saturday, we'll talk when we play cards. "
"Sure, Howick, see you then," Thomas did not ask him to stay, he opened his office door while smiling.
Howick did not say anything after getting out of the office. He began leading Zhang Lisheng around the corridor at lightning speed. Soon, they found a side door and left the New York City Hall.
Howick took a deep breath when they got out of the fence and arrived at the streets of New York. He said to Zhang Lisheng while smiling, "Are you satisfied with the result, Lisheng?
Don't worry, don't worry about the traffic in Mutteslow. You'll hear good news in a month at most. "
"I'm very satisfied, Mr. Howick.
Although I don't understand everything, it's my first time realizing that interpersonal communication is a big knowledge. Thank you for your help. "
"Compared to your help, what I did is insignificant.
It's lunchtime now, I should've treated you to lunch but I think you'll be celebrating with someone else in the afternoon, so it's better that I didn't ask.
This is my number, let's keep in touch. " Howick shoved a business card to Zhang Lisheng as he spoke. He turned around and walked away just like that after making a phone call.
Zhang Lisheng stood stunned on the streets of New York for a while. He took out his phone hesitantly and dialed a number that he had not contacted for close to two weeks.
The phone rang for a long time and was finally picked up. "Lisheng, is that you?"
"Yes, I just came out of the New York City Hall with Mr. Howick …"
"Did you get the land?"
"Yes, it's near Mutteslow, it's a saline-alkali land near the sea."
"We'll have to do some special reinforcement for the land near the sea but it's not a big problem. I believe Mr. Howick's introduction will definitely bring more benefits than disadvantages."
"That's right Tina, but it's hard to talk over the phone. Let's talk about it face to face. Are you free this afternoon?"
"I'm afraid not," Tina said softly on the other end of the phone, "Your biotech company has been registered and I've gotten the loan. I wanted to call you these few days but my dad's back in New York.
I've been pestering him to be your guarantor for the loan a while ago, he has a bad impression of you, so … I don't have time to talk.
I ran out with an excuse to touch up my makeup, I'm calling you back at the hallway.
Listen, Lisheng, I'm accompanying my dad to participate in the New Year's Spring Auction at Christie's Auction House. If you can come to the auction house before 12 o 'clock, we can meet secretly … "
"Wait for me then," Zhang Lisheng hung up the phone right away and ran to his SUV.
On the other end of the phone, Tina who was wearing a bright little gown was walking on the plush carpet in a plain but elegant hallway. She put her phone away into her handbag while having an irrepressible joy written all over her face.
At that moment, Sheila who had just touched up her makeup and dried her hands walked out of the bathroom hidden behind the statue in the hallway. She walked to her best friend while looking at her nails with her head down, "Tina, who called? Why did you come out of the bathroom …"
"Sheila, my dear Sheila, I won. Lisheng called me first," Tina clenched her handbag tightly while looking at her best friend who was a size bigger than before. She said softly while her fingers turned pale, "Not only that, he came to Christie's without hesitation when I told him that I'm accompanying my dad to join the spring auction at Christie's and could only meet him secretly."
"Oh baby, I think you've really gone crazy," Sheila sighed and said softly, "Look at you, you look like you're in love for the first time, what the hell …"
"Shut up, Sheila. I don't know what's going on with me but none of this matters now. What's important is that you have to help me think of a way to slip out from under my dad's eyes.
Oh yeah, tell him that you're depressed and that you want me to go to a weight loss class with you. Dad should agree to this reason. "
"Tina Douglin, are you really my best friend? Have you ever thought about how I feel when you say something like this?"
"Sheila, Lisheng saved your life in the Amazon …"
"It's exactly because he saved me that I shouldn't lie to him with you."
"Sheila, please …"
The two girls whispered to each other in the corridor of Christie's Auction House while Zhang Lisheng turned into King's Avenue according to the navigation device's instructions.
Countless galleries and auction houses on both sides of the street entered his sight. After driving slowly on the artistic street for a while, the young man was shocked to see Tina, who was wearing a red gown with her long fair legs exposed, standing in front of an art gallery while waving her hand at him desperately while shaking a picture book.
Zhang Lisheng was stunned for a moment and parked the car by the roadside slowly. He looked at Tina, who was pulling Sheila who had a helpless expression on her face, and walked quickly to the Explorer.
"Tina, why are you wearing this kind of clothes on the street?"
"It's the Douglin family's tradition to wear a gown to Christie's first spring auction," Tina explained immediately after opening the car door and sitting in the back seat. "I met Sheila at the auction house after I hung up with you on the phone just now.
With her help, I found an excuse to slip out. Drive now, Lisheng, we better leave this place now. "
Zhang Lisheng immediately started the car engine and turned into King's Avenue at the fork in front.
"Alright, we only have this now." Tina breathed a sigh of relief and said with a smile, "Send Sheila to the Miss Meow Fitness Club at 1 197th Street nearby and we'll go see your land."
"Oh, thanks for mentioning me Tina, otherwise, I wouldn't have forgotten that I'm still in the car.
Hello savior, do you remember who I am? "
"Of course I do, Sheila. Looks like your fitness is quite effective, you're much skinnier than the last time I saw you in the Amazon."
"Really? Thanks for the compliment, Lisheng, but can you stop mentioning the Amazon in front of me? It took me a while to forget about it."
"Okay," Zhang Lisheng smiled and stopped talking.
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