Chapter 1309: Chapter 1309: They’ve Arrived

“Oh, Uncle, you’ve brought so many people over; are you preparing to take care of your two younger brothers?” The person at the forefront called out in a mocking tone as soon as he entered: “Looks like, if we had come back a bit later, we would have found our father’s corpse, wouldn’t we?”

“To use force against your own brothers, Uncle, you’re really something.” Another person’s voice also carried a note of sarcasm.

Hearing what the few people in the front had said, Luo Ziling, Ouyang Feifei, and Yang Qingyin all immediately turned back.

Yang Xiaodong, Wang Zhenjun, and others standing on the side, also all stared unfriendly at those who had come in.

Their gazes were very imposing, even for women like Ouyang Feifei and Yang Qingyin.

Under their watch, the footsteps of those who entered all hesitated, clearly feeling the pressure.

Luo Liansheng, however, didn’t mind and chuckled, instructing Ouyang Feifei and Yang Qingyin: “Feifei, Miss Yang, why don’t you go outside for a walk? Ziling can stay here to accompany me.”

“Sure, Grandfather Luo, then we’ll go around the village,” Ouyang Feifei agreed first and gestured for the others to follow her out.

Her presidential demeanor was impressive, catching the Luo Family’s descendants off guard.

But just as the others were about to leave, another group of people entered from outside.

It turned out to be Wu Jianjun and Ding Zhongming.

The dispute between the two parties hadn’t started yet, nor had the matter been discussed, so it was quite unexpected for Wu Jianjun and Ding Zhongming to arrive, leaving Luo Ziling feeling somewhat regretful.

He had originally thought that during today’s discussion of the property issue with the other members of the Luo Family, they would act high-handed and overbearing, just like how Luo Liankai and Luo Lianguan’s sons had behaved upon their arrival.

If that had been the case, after a battle of wits, leading to a deadlock, the intervention of these officials could have made for a more amusing effect.

Well, anyhow, Luo Ziling just felt that this matter was not playing out like the novels describe, with a rhythmic show of swagger.

His side had the upper hand in terms of momentum from the start, and before the opponents even had a chance to struggle, even more authoritative figures made their appearance.

The other members of the Luo Family were utterly disadvantaged, making the affair rather dull.

However, both Luo Liansheng and Ouyang Feifei were hoping for such a situation to arise sooner.

Because they did not want things to get complicated, if the issue could be resolved smoothly without major disagreements, that would be best.

Creating discord would leave problems, which is disadvantageous from any perspective.

On the way, Ouyang Feifei had asked Luo Ziling whether to go to Orchid Pavilion first, which was really to meet up with Wu Jianjun and Ding Zhongming, bringing a bigger presence to the village. Right from the start, to have the other members of the Luo Family intimidated, and to make them obediently comply and resolve the matter simply, that would be the ideal outcome.

“Mr. Wu, Mayor Ding?” It was Luo Xujin, Luo Liankai’s eldest son, who first reacted, immediately greeting them, “I am Luo Xujin, holding a position with the Yuezhou Municipal Comprehensive Governance Committee.”

Luo Xujin held a deputy-level position within the Yuezhou Municipal Comprehensive Governance Committee, which is equivalent to a deputy director-level official.

He certainly recognized these two leading figures of Yuezhou, and seeing them appear at the Luo Family Old Mansion, he was quite astonished.

With them here, what did he have to fear?

However, to his surprise, after Wu Jianjun exchanged a few simple words with him, he immediately approached Luo Liansheng and reached out to him: “Mr. Luo, I didn’t expect the Luo Family’s old mansion to be so well-preserved; it’s very impressive.”

“It has been many years since I’ve been back, and the house has fallen into disrepair, what a pity,” Luo Liansheng sighed helplessly as he shook hands with Wu Jianjun.

“Give it some good care, and it will surely be revitalized,” after shaking hands firmly with Luo Liansheng, Wu Jianjun smiled and greeted Ouyang Feifei, “Miss Ouyang, I’m very glad to see you again.”

“Mr. Wu, hello!” Ouyang Feifei simply greeted back, shook hands lightly with Wu Jianjun, and didn’t say much more.

After shaking hands with Yang Qingyin and Luo Ziling, Wu Jianjun then went on to greet the other members of the Luo Family.

Ding Zhongming followed Wu Jianjun and greeted them in turn.

Luo Xujin immediately felt that something was amiss.

Because he could tell that these high-ranking officials of Yuezhou had come to back Luo Liansheng and his group.

The other members of the Luo Family, of course, also saw this, and no longer dared to be as loud as before.

Luo Xujin, who wished for a career in the civil service, knew full well how unfortunate the outcome would be if he stood against Wu Jianjun and Ding Zhongming. Therefore, he wisely kept his mouth shut, without expressing any more opinions.

Luo Liansheng invited Wu Jianjun and Ding Zhongming to sit down and talk.

Although Ouyang Feifei and Yang Qingyin, who were originally planning to leave the house, did not, they stood aside. But they let the other people go out first.

The accompanying staff of Wu Jianjun and Ding Zhongming, also very sensibly, stood aside and followed along as Yang Xiaodong and others left the room.

“The old mansion is increasingly dilapidated; I want to properly renovate it,” Luo Liansheng stated his intentions plainly before everyone, “I am willing to pay for my other two brothers’ shares of the property and offer additional compensation. The Luo Family Old Mansion has a history of several hundred years, and I hope to rejuvenate it. I especially hope it can become a symbol of the Luo Family, rather than just a dwelling.”

“That’s indeed a good idea,” Wu Jianjun immediately expressed his opinion, then turned to examine some of the derelict wooden walls and the somewhat disorderly fixtures, “From the outside, this house looks very imposing, but the interior is rundown, which is quite a pity. Such cultural relics that have survived up to now are indeed scarce, and they should be properly protected.”

Saying this, he turned to Ding Zhongming, “Mayor Ding, what are the policies for cultural heritage preservation in the city? You’re probably more familiar with them than I am.”

“To protect cultural heritage, often for relics or cultural preservation entities with retained value, the government may reclaim ownership, then restore and protect after repair. Alternatively, ownership can remain private, but the government invests in renovation. Which approach to use depends on the specific situation,” after briefly discussing the policies, Ding Zhongming continued, “But for old houses like the Luo Family Old Mansion with numerous property owners, dealing with it is a bit more cumbersome. It would be best for the property rights to be consolidated under one person, or for the government to purchase the property rights, and provide resettlement and compensation to the owners.”

Ding Zhongming’s words made Luo Xujin’s heart skip a beat; he fully understood the purpose behind Wu Jianjun and Ding Zhongming’s visit.