An acre was equivalent to about 4,000 square meters, so 200 acres would be 800,000 square meters. At first glance, this sounded like a big number, but after careful calculation, it was actually less than one square kilometer. In the vast desert, such a small oasis was as insignificant as a coin in the square.
If it was close to a large oasis, it might still have a lot of value. However, if it was too far away from a large oasis, then the high development cost and dangerous living environment would make it worthless.
Two hours after ending the call with the senior bureaucrat of the Department of Defense, Zhang Lisheng drove into such a small oasis that was judged by the federal government to have no development value.
The jeep knocked down a cluster of short shrubs, and the heavy tires with strong traction ran over the green grass as it came to the source of all the miracles of life in the desert. It stopped in front of a small river that was less than two meters wide from north to south but ran through the entire oasis from east to west.
The young man opened the door and jumped out of the car.
The breeze was cool, and the water vapor was moist. He stretched his body comfortably. When he was about to speak, he suddenly saw 30 to 40 people who were busy building special prefab houses by the river ditch.
Some of them were measuring the water quality and studying the growth of the riverside plants.
Among the silhouettes that either had nothing to do or were in a daze, a rather old Caucasian man wearing a dusty blue canvas denim overalls and a wide-brimmed cowboy hat rushed over. Speaking incoherently, he reprimanded him in an extremely agitated manner, "Oh my God! Do you know what you've done?!
Those short shrubs are the last barrier that protects this oasis from the sandstorm, but you actually broke more than ten of them just like that! I've hesitated for three days, but I still can't bear to carry out destructive research on them. Y-You … "
"I've fulfilled your wish, haven't I, Old Sir?" Zhang Lisheng spread out his hand and interrupted the old man's words. Pointing at the scattered short trees in the distance, he said, "Look, the sap flowing out of those broken shrubs is still fresh, and it still maintains its basic activity. It's not too late for you to collect them and use them as experimental materials."
Upon hearing this, the old man's expression became even more furious. However, he ignored the fact that he could no longer yell at the young man. Instead, he hurriedly shouted at the few assistants and students around him, "Daming, start the generator.
Emily, take the freezer.
Donaldson, prepare the collecting utensils … "He strode towards the broken tree in the distance.
Looking at the old man's back that was running away, Zhang Lisheng shrugged at his dumbstruck agent by the side and said, "Good afternoon, Charlie. Is this the geology expert that you found for the farm?
Judging from the friendly 'academic dialogue' that I had with him just now, he doesn't have a good temper. "
"Boss, Professor Carnegie is the best candidate we can find at the moment," Charlie snapped back to reality and said with a wry smile. "The environmental and geological experts who specialize in soil and water conservation are very hot right now. We don't have many choices."
"You misunderstand me, Charlie.
As a biologist, I admire this kind of scientist who focuses on academic research and seems to be unreasonable. You've done well. " Zhang Lisheng smiled at Charlie and shifted his gaze to the LS legal officer beside him. "Edward, it's great to see you.
Two hours ago, I received a call from a director named Philips Edwards from the Logistics and Security Bureau of the Department of Defense requesting a meeting. I've made an appointment with him at the lobby of the Ocean Empire Building at 9 o 'clock tomorrow morning. I hope that you can accompany me at that time. "
"Yes, boss," Edward said respectfully. "I'll be prepared so that no matter what unreasonable request he makes, it will not be able to stand on the legal level."
The young man nodded with a smile and no longer talked about business. Looking around at the vibrant environment that was different from the desert, he chatted, "Speaking of which, this is my first time coming to this oasis. The environment is really good. I can't tell that it's desertifying at all."
"I also had the same feeling when I first came to this oasis, boss," Edward said regretfully. "Unfortunately, the water output of the river that the oasis relies on is indeed declining.
The federal environmental assessment predicts that this oasis has existed for at least a thousand years and has already entered a 'declining period.' It's estimated that if the ecology remains unchanged, it can still exist for another 70 to 100 years. Once the water consumption increases, the environment will deteriorate rapidly. "
The instant his friend's words left his mouth, Charlie saw Zhang Lisheng frowning slightly, so he quickly explained from another angle. "Of course, we can improve the quality of the vegetation by digging deep wells artificially and establish a more perfect ecological cycle system to reverse optimize the environment here.
As long as we're willing to spend money at all costs, any miracle can happen, boss. "
"You're right. Anyway, the last thing we'll lack in the future is money." Zhang Lisheng's frown eased and he nodded. Looking down at the river ditch that was as still as stagnant water under his feet, a hint of curiosity suddenly rose in his heart as he muttered to himself, "Why has this small river existed for so long, but it's going to dry up now …" Then, he opened his arms and touched the water surface.
Suddenly, on the originally calm surface of the river, there were ripples that seemed to have been blown by a strong wind, silently undulating.
More than ten seconds later, the young man's expression suddenly changed as his eyes became brighter and brighter. After a long silence, he asked in a low voice, "Charlie, I remember you said that the company has invested a total of 20 million dollars in this oasis, so how much did you spend to buy it from the federal government?"
"Boss, most of the 20 million dollars of investment has been used to build farmhouses, farm machinery, and order advanced automatic irrigation systems. The land price is only 370,000 dollars, which is equivalent to the total value of all the wood in this oasis."
"In other words, if there's no such trees, the value of the land alone is not worth much?"
"Yes, boss. The oasis we bought is the closest to New Washington A. According to the new federal charter amendment, it belongs to the Washington state government.
The Washington Public Land Use Law, on the other hand, stipulates that federal citizens or companies can apply for the purchase of all the land in the state that is marked as unable to be reasonably used by the government by paying in advance at a guaranteed minimum value of 10 cents per acre.
After the application is issued, the state government must make an announcement within 15 days. Within a month after the announcement is issued, if there are other purchasers who are willing to compete, the government will hold a public auction to determine the ownership of the land within a week.
If there's no competition, the land will belong to the applicant after a month.
For this reason, excluding the value of the land attachments, which is the wood, the reasonable land price of this oasis is about 800 to 1,200 dollars, "Edward answered in a very professional tone on behalf of Charlie.
"10 cents per acre? Isn't this too cheap? Edward, are you kidding me? How is this possible?" Zhang Lisheng exclaimed in shock.
"In fact, this price is already on the high side, boss. 10 cents per acre means 1,000 dollars per square kilometer. The public sale price of a desert area that is also marked as unusable by the government in Louisiana or Nevada did not exceed 100 dollars during the peaceful era more than ten years ago.
To the government, a wasteland that is left idle for 100 years will not bring even one cent of profit. If it's sold at a low price, no matter what kind of private development is carried out, it would mean endless tax revenue and jobs.
The worst result would only be that it continues to be left idle. Even so, the government still cashes out a sum of public funds with the 'waste'. Not only that, the purchaser would also have to pay the land tax to the government every year, so why not? "
"You're right, Edward. Looks like I still haven't really learned your American-style pragmatic way of thinking until now." The young man opened his mouth but realized that he could not refute at all. Shrugging, he said, "Well, is the land tax that you said that must be paid to the government every year expensive?"
"It's very cheap, boss. The laws in each state are different. If it continues to be left uncultivated, the highest tax will only be 1% of the purchase price of the land. If it's successfully developed, there will be various tax deduction mechanisms."
"Oh, in that case, it looks like we're in luck." Zhang Lisheng smiled excitedly and lowered his voice. "Charlie, after we go back, apply to the Washington state government to buy all the public land around this oasis. Buy as much as you can."
"All? Boss?" Even though Charlie had already guessed his thoughts from the various questions raised by the young man, he still asked, "About 350 kilometers northwest of this oasis is the New New York City. A part of the desert that extends out belongs to New York State, and the southeast …"
"Alright, Charlie. Don't bother about those small amounts of money. No matter which state it belongs to, just buy all the land around it that can be bought." Zhang Lisheng's expression tightened as he interrupted the agent's words and said solemnly.
"I understand, boss." Even though Charlie did not know the intention of the black-haired young man in front of him, when he heard his resolute tone, he immediately replied obediently and respectfully.
Zhang Lisheng nodded silently and stood by the river without saying anything. It was only until a few minutes later, when the old man, who had finished collecting the broken branches and leaves, walked towards him with a gloomy expression, that the young man finally took the initiative to extend his hand with a smile. "Good afternoon, Professor Carnegie. I'm Zhang Lisheng."
"Professor, Mr. Zhang is the founder of the LS Group and the owner of this oasis." Afraid that the old man would continue to contradict his boss and the god he believed in, Charlie hurriedly added.
"I know who he is, Mr. Charlie." Carnegie glanced at Charlie and reached out his muddy palm to shake the young man's and said bluntly, "A geologist who studies soil and water conservation must also be a qualified biologist. As long as you're a federal biologist, you'll know who Zhang Lisheng is.
But to be honest, Doctor, your attitude towards science is not proportional to your academic achievements. "
"Oh, Professor, in order to come to meet you as soon as possible, I've been driving in the desert for two consecutive hours. I've almost developed sand blindness. When I saw the oasis, I fainted and immediately barged in. I'm really sorry about those small shrubs."
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