Confession of Rebirth

At two o'clock in the afternoon, under the thunderous applause of the students of University A, Mr. Li Shaozhou appeared in the auditorium on time.

This well-known entrepreneur who was born in City A, grew up in City A, and smuggled to Hong Kong Island after the reform and opening up in the 70s, and founded the Shaozhou Group from scratch, is now in his seventies.

He is short in stature and looks less than 1.7 meters.Full of hair, full of glory.The smile is very kind.Standing on the podium, the first sentence I said was: "I am very happy to be able to stand here today and communicate with so many outstanding young people. You are not only the students of University A, but also the pillars of the country. The hope of the nation. If you study hard today and work hard tomorrow, this country will become more and more prosperous and prosperous.”

There was continuous applause from the audience.Mr. Li paused slightly.This is not the first time that Mr. Li has been invited to a university to give a speech to students.But it was the first time Mr. Li came to give a speech to the students of University A as a native of City A.This change of identity made him a little emotional.

Recently, Mr. Li has also heard about the #老照里的故事#, which is particularly popular on the Internet, and how to renovate the old city.He even took a look at Weibo on the secretary's tablet on the way here.Those old photos that are yellowish and lingering really brought back his memories, and those timeless but full of local customs, Mr. Li also misses them very much.

He even thought about going to the old town to take a look after the speech.Look at those old buildings with mottled walls, but still lively Confucius Temple and lotus pond, try those old restaurants that are in the downtown area but are still cheap, and even those old neighbors whose memory has been blurred .At this moment, there is a particularly close nostalgia in it.

Mr. Li's eyes were amazingly bright when he mentioned the emotion.He looked at the students in the audience, and said with emotion: "...to this day, we like to say a word, that is social responsibility."

"Young people must have a sense of social responsibility, because a strong country will be strong if you are young, and the hope of building a country lies in you. Adults must also have a sense of social responsibility, because these people are the mainstay of the country and the support of the country. Entrepreneurs must also have A sense of social responsibility, because the achievement of an enterprise is inseparable from the help and support of the whole society and the country. One person cannot accomplish anything. Therefore, after a successful enterprise, you must also know how to repay the society and those who support you People who trust you..."

Gu Chen felt relieved when he heard Mr. Li's words.Knowing what they want to pursue, it is estimated that there is a clue.Gu Chen subconsciously glanced at Professor Xing who was sitting in the front row—unfortunately, Gu Chen could only see the back of the head when he passed through the crowded heads.

Zhou Xiaoting sat next to Gu Chen, seeing Gu Chen in a good mood, she also smiled slightly.

"Actually, I think the old town is quite humane." Zhou Xiaoting said quietly.

"What?" Gu Chen was so focused on Mr. Li's speech that he didn't pay attention to what Zhou Xiaoting said for a while, so he couldn't help asking.

"It's nothing." Zhou Xiaoting smiled and said in a low voice: "I know that you and Professor Xing have been working on the development of the old western city and want to extend the scope of the new business district to the western city. But there is a lack of support from developers. If this Once, if you can really persuade Mr. Li to participate in the investment and development of Xicheng District, you will have a good chance of convincing the Urban Construction Bureau."

After all, compared to developing a relatively desolate Dongcheng District, the two things of being able to attract foreign investment and win public support are obviously more in the hands of those leaders.Especially when Gu Chen made the paper solicitation activity and the development of the old urban area a topic of people's livelihood that was hotly discussed on the Internet.It is said that this matter has attracted the attention of the above.

"Actually, if you can win the support of more foreign businessmen, then we don't have to choose between two planning plans. Can't you develop your West District, and Dazhou Group and other developers develop Dongcheng District. This will not only have the best of both worlds, but also stimulate investment, consumption, and GDP. Isn’t it great?” Zhou Xiaoting said naively.Strive to find a balance between these two planning options.

Gu Chen shook his head and smiled lightly.If only things were really as simple as Zhou Xiaoting thought.It's a pity that no matter whether it's the Western faction or the Dongcheng faction represented by Zhou's father and son, everyone understands that what they are striving for is not just a division.Instead, after the scope of the new business district is divided, the government's strong support and financial tilt will follow.

Such as the construction of infrastructure, the division of subway lines and the planning of land along the line, financial support, tax relief, and various preferential policies.Including financial subsidies when attracting investment.We must know that the country's financial resources are also limited. If it is tilted to the West District, it is impossible to radiate to the East District.

For the supporters and developers of the Dongcheng faction, what attracts them the most is not even the financial incentives themselves, but the land generated by the newly built business district that can radiate hundreds of miles after the policy is tilted. premium value added.This will directly determine the status of the developers who own these lands in the entire Chinese real estate industry in the next few decades.

This is the core of the contradiction between the Western faction and the Eastern faction.

Wealth is moving!

Gu Chen sighed lightly.I also know what a hateful thing I am doing.But he has no choice but to seek his own government in his position.Besides, it was Zhou's father and son who made the first move.

After the speech, Gu Chen received a WeChat message from Professor Xing, asking him to report to the principal's office.

When Gu Chen came from the auditorium to the principal's office, it happened that Mr. Li had just finished drinking a cup of tea.Professor Xing briefly introduced Gu Chen's identity. Hearing that Gu Chen was the initiator of the essay contest that was raging online, Mr. Li couldn't help feeling a little bit emotional: "Sure enough, a hero is born out of a boy."

Professor Xing invited with a smile: "Gu Chen organized a microfilm contest on the Internet to promote the old city. All colleges and universities and people from the community are very active in signing up. Our School of Economics and Management of University A also followed suit and organized a " "Roundtable Gourmet Talk". It is to use free time to go to those old restaurants in the old western city, while eating, chatting about anecdotes and historical gossip. I wonder if Mr. Li is interested in being a guest?"

"Oh?" When Li Shaozhou just got off the plane, he still wanted to go to his old place on a whim.Revisit the nostalgia.At this moment, I received an invitation from Professor Xing. It was as if someone would give me a pillow when I wanted to fall asleep.The proposal hit the mark.

"I used to live in Hou'ermao Hutong in Xicheng District. When I came back a few years ago, I heard that the Hutong and the surrounding streets were demolished. I passed by once, but I couldn't recognize it. Just remember In front of Hou'ermao Alley is the lotus pond, and there is a stewed meat shop nearby, which is very delicious. I don't know if it's here anymore." Mr. Li said, shaking his head with a sad face: "It was all three or 40 years ago. It’s an old store. I’m afraid it’s long gone.”

Gu Chen's heart moved, and he couldn't help asking: "You mean Master Li's stewed meat shop?"

Mr. Li looked at Gu Chen: "You also know?"

"This shop is still there." Gu Chen said: "I have a classmate whose grandparents live on Yangwei Street. Last time I visited his house, he invited me to eat the stewed pork from Master Li's house. Listen His grandparents said the smell hadn't changed in more than 30 years."

"Really?" Mr. Li was inexplicably surprised: "You tasted it yourself, how did it taste?"

"The taste is alright." Gu Chen said, "I've only eaten that one time."

Gu Chen said honestly, "It's a bit boring."

Mr. Li suddenly smiled: "You don't know. When we were young, the country's conditions were not as good as they are now. It's a good day to eat meat once a month. Of course, the more meaty and greasy the better. When buying meat, you have to pick the ones that are a little fatter. It’s not like now, the little girl is clamoring to lose weight every day. Some of them refuse to eat.”

"Well! My student is too!" Professor Xing nodded, feeling the same way: "At a young age, he insists on health preservation every day. The key is that he doesn't eat it himself, and he doesn't allow me to eat it. He said that he has high blood lipids and high blood pressure. , staring at me eating green vegetables every day."

Professor Xing shook his head while talking.

Mr. Li echoed with a smile: "My little granddaughter too. She stares at me every day and refuses to eat meat. She doesn't even let me eat another bite of braised pork."

"You also like braised pork?" Professor Xing was particularly pleasantly surprised: "I know that there is a restaurant in city A that makes really authentic braised pork. I have a chance to treat you to it."

"It's better to hit the sun than choose the day." Mr. Li's eyes lit up: "Why don't we go today?"

As soon as the words fell, Mr. Li thought of the stewed meat shop that Gu Chen mentioned just now.I want to relive the taste in my memory again.Immediately I was a little confused.

In the end, homesickness overcame appetite, and Mr. Li said with a smile: "I'd better go to the old restaurant in Xicheng District to try it, and see if the old taste has not changed."

Mr. Li said so, of course the school will arrange the next itinerary.

Gu Chen then informed the seniors who were filming the documentary and other members of the production team to gather at the door.He also made a special call to Zhao Shu: "Mr. Li is going to participate in the recording of "Round Table Gourmet Talk" tonight. Would you like to help the leader and act as our driver?"

"Okay!" Graduation was approaching, although Zhao Shu was busy with final review and preparing for the public examination.But most of the time, he still had nothing to do. When he heard Gu Chen's invitation, he immediately said, "It's absolutely fine."

"Then you wait for me at the school gate." Gu Chen said, "I'll take your car."

After hanging up the phone, Gu Chen went to Professor Xing's office again and took Professor Xing's document bag with him.

When gathering at the school gate, Professor Xing intentionally asked Gu Chen to ride in the same car with them.However, Professor Xing, Professor Yan, Mr. Li and Mr. Li's assistant were already sitting in the car.Gu Chen considered that Mr. Li was old, and if he felt uncomfortable along the way, his assistant would definitely know.Therefore, Gu Chen didn't want Mr. Li to be separated from his assistant, so he said, "I'll just take Senior Zhao Shu's car. His home is on Yangwei Street, and he is very familiar with that area. We are going to take a small road, first Go over there and set up a shooting location."

Mr. Li heard the words and asked curiously: "That student Zhao, is that the one you said invited you to eat braised pork?"

Gu Chen nodded: "Senior Zhao is my roommate. His grandparents have always lived in that area. Before that, it was in Qingluo Alley. Later that area was demolished together with the monkey hat alley. Grandpa and Grandma Zhao are not used to living in tall buildings. , and then moved to Sheep’s Tail Street.”

Mr. Li's heart skipped a beat: "Qingluo Alley is right next to Hou'ermao Alley! His grandfather's surname is Zhao? I don't know what his name is, maybe I still know him."

Gu Chen didn't know what Zhao Shu's grandfather's name was, so he called Zhao Shu over to ask.Zhao Shu said, "My grandfather's name is Zhao Jingsheng."

Mr. Li came to a sudden: "It's him! I remembered! It is indeed an old neighbor. Your grandfather bullied me a lot when he was young."

Zhao Shu smiled, a little cautiously.I don't know what to say.

Gu Chen said: "When you said that, I suddenly remembered that the day I went to Grandpa Zhao's house for dinner. Grandpa Zhao also told us that he swam in the lotus pond with you when he was young."

"It's true that such a thing happened!" Mr. Li was a little excited immediately, following Gu Chen's words, the past of his youth was like a spring bubbling suddenly, filling his internal organs in an instant.

"Little classmate, I want to visit your grandfather at your house. I don't know if it's suitable." Mr. Li said to Zhao Shu with a smile.

Zhao Shu was a little surprised, but he quickly came back to his senses: "Of course it's okay."

After a pause, Zhao Shu said again: "Actually, it's not just my grandfather, there are many old neighbors living in Yangwei Street. They have lived there for decades. Before Gu Chen was doing essay competitions, I was still in the neighborhood I searched a lot of old photos at home and posted them."

"I've seen it." Mr. Li nodded: "I've seen them all. I was particularly impressed by those photos. Especially the Confucius Temple and the Lotus Pond, those are the places we often visited when we were young."

The more Mr. Li talked, the more excited he became.At the moment, I don't even want to sit in the car prepared by the school.He said that he had to sit in the same car with Zhao Shu and Gu Chen, and he also said that sitting with the two of them had something in common.

Mr. Li's affection for the old city is getting richer and richer, and Professor Xing is of course happy to see it.Hearing this, he immediately said: "Then let Zhao Shu and Gu Chen take this car with you."

Upon hearing this, Mr. Li readily agreed.