Chapter 723
Developing Scenic Areas
As we all know, developing tourist attractions is not a business that just anyone can handle.
Investing in tourism development, especially in natural landscapes, is like a bottomless pit; no matter how much real money you pour in, it's never enough!
Let me put it this way: as long as you have money to invest, no matter how much or how little, there's no upper limit, you can afford to take over an entire scenic area.
When Zhang Kai was a child, he often went to play on the hill behind the village. He knew that the hill was very large.
Even if you want it to take shape and meet the basic requirements of a tourist attraction, the initial investment will be at least several hundred million yuan. If you add the later investment, it will be at least one billion yuan!
If the investment fails or something, then those 1 billion yuan will be completely lost! Even if Xu Bo'an's amazing Akhal-Teke horse were sold for double the price, it still wouldn't be enough.
Moreover, the risks in this industry are extremely high. These days, it's not uncommon to see unfinished projects investing in tourist attractions, and none of them are less than 100 million yuan.
Therefore, only very wealthy tycoons dare to invest in the tourism industry; they must have a net worth of at least several billion to dare to start!
There aren't many wealthy people with this kind of financial strength, even in Jiangcheng, the provincial capital, such wealth is considered very impressive.
Zhang Kai is currently just a small business owner with a net worth of tens of millions. He also has a lot of paper wealth circulating through various channels, including loans and inter-company loans. Let alone people with a net worth of billions, even people with a net worth of just over 100 million are beyond his reach.
Therefore, when Xu Bo'an said he wanted to develop the mountain, Zhang Kai was once again deeply shocked.
Previously, Zhang Kai had seen Qu Feifan treat Xu Bo'an with great respect, and he felt that Xu Bo'an was no ordinary person. This time, at the horse exhibition in Herui City, Zhang Kai once again witnessed Xu Bo'an's amazing abilities. You have to know that this is a foreign land hundreds of miles away. Xu Bo'an still has such a strong network of connections. Zhang Kai really felt that Xu Bo'an was someone he could not reach.
Unexpectedly, he now heard that Xu Bo'an wanted to develop the mountain into a tourist area. This means that the Brother Xu he just recognized is at least a billionaire. How could Zhang Kai not be shocked by such explosive information?
In daily life, people often feel jealous of those who are slightly better than themselves. However, when faced with someone who is far superior to them, strangely enough, people do not feel jealous at all, but only look up to and admire them.
Zhang Kai now looks up to and worships Xu Bo'an. In his mind, Xu Bo'an is someone he can't even come close to, or even a god-like figure. This is because Zhang Kai finds that every time he comes into contact with Xu Bo'an, he can feel Xu Bo'an's power, and this feeling of power is different from that of others.
When talking about other wealthy people, people often say that they are rich with a net worth of so much, which is a general standard of measurement.
However, Xu Bo'an's powerful expansion is completely unfathomable, as if he has endless potential waiting to be discovered. He is a typical example of someone who becomes stronger when faced with stronger opponents, and there is no end to his potential. This kind of person is the most powerful existence.
Zhang Kai was so shocked by how powerful this Brother Xu must be that he couldn't speak. His lips parted involuntarily, his eyes widened, and he just stared blankly at Xu Bo'an.
Seeing Zhang Kai's expression, Xu Bo'an said, "Zhang Kai, what's wrong with you? Why do you get so agitated as soon as I speak?"
Upon hearing Xu Bo'an's words, Zhang Kai snapped out of his daze and truthfully replied, "No...no, Brother Xu, it's just that your strength has shocked me too much. At the horse trade fair, your strength already greatly impressed me, and I didn't expect the organizers to give you so much face. Now you're saying you want to develop such a large mountain behind our village. How audacious must you be to have such an idea! I feel like I've tried my best to think of you as powerful, but you're even stronger than I imagined!"
"Hehe, you're overthinking it. I just happened to know their boss. As for developing the mountain, I haven't really thought that far ahead. I'll take it one step at a time. There are ways for the rich to make money and ways for the poor to make money."
For Xu Bo'an, who possesses the golden finger of the bonsai world, his current situation is equivalent to having an inexhaustible money tree, and he won't care how much money he spends.
However, it is understandable that Zhang Kai, an ordinary person, would react so strongly.
"Brother, you're too modest. Developing tourist attractions is something not just anyone can do, no matter how poor you are! I only regret that I don't have that kind of ability, otherwise I really want to follow you and try my hand at such a big business!"
Upon hearing Zhang Kai's flattering words, Xu Bo'an simply smiled, offering neither humility nor further explanation.
The car sped along, and eventually, Zhang Kai and Xu Bo'an both drifted off to sleep. The driver only woke them up when the car reached the entrance to Zhang Kai's hometown village.
Xu Bo'an got out of the car and politely tried to persuade Zhang Kai to stay. Zhang Kai was still thinking about the Akhal-Teke horse that he had been carefully tending to. The transport truck would be arriving soon, and he dared not delay. He had to go back in advance to make preparations. So, after saying goodbye to Xu Bo'an, Zhang Kai left.
Because this mountain had not been extensively developed, cars could not enter the mountain, so Xu Bo'an walked alone along the mountain path into the mountain.
Xu Bo'an spent the night in the mountains.
Contracting a mountain is not as simple as just signing a contract between the contractor and the contractor. It also requires the individual to go to the relevant departments to complete many procedures, such as obtaining a forest tenure certificate, logging permit, filing and archiving, etc.
Furthermore, Xu Bo'an's desire to develop the tourism industry requires going through many procedures with relevant departments.
The next day, Xu Bo'an got up early, intending to use the day to complete the formalities. After getting dressed and tidying himself up, he left the mountain, got in his car, and went from one unit to another to complete the procedures. He spent the entire morning visiting only two departments. At this rate, a whole day was simply not enough!
Xu Bo'an had already mentally prepared himself to stay in Jiangcheng for another day, and with this in mind, he was no longer in a hurry.
It was lunchtime, and Xu Bo'an, who wasn't short of money, booked a room at a nearby five-star hotel. He planned to have lunch and rest for a while before continuing his business in the afternoon.
The five-star hotel has first-class service. Xu Bo'an went to the hotel front desk and soon booked a high-standard presidential suite. The guests of the presidential suite of the five-star hotel are the most distinguished guests in the hotel. Therefore, the dining options are very diverse. They can choose room service, private chef service, or even private customized meals.
Xu Bo'an chose to go directly to the restaurant for a meal. After taking his room key, he was led by a staff member to the VIP restaurant. When he arrived, a waiter pulled out a chair. Just as Xu Bo'an was about to sit down, a voice suddenly rang out, "Mr. Xu?" Upon hearing the voice, Xu Bo'an looked up and saw that the person standing not far to his right was none other than Mr. Zhong Hou of the Zhong family, the richest family in Jiangcheng.
Upon seeing that it was Xu Bo'an, Zhong Hou's face was filled with excitement. He extended both hands to shake hands with Xu Bo'an and said, "Mr. Xu, it really is you! I never expected to meet you here. We are truly destined to meet!"
Indeed, the hotel Xu Bo'an is staying at today is owned by the Zhong family and is the most upscale five-star hotel in Jiangcheng City. Zhong Hou is usually busy with his own work and rarely comes here. Today, he is hosting a banquet for some prominent figures from all walks of life in Jiangcheng City at his own hotel, so he chose this location for convenience.
Xu Bo'an was quite surprised to see Zhong Hou here. After shaking hands with Zhong Hou, he said very politely, "Mr. Zhong, what a coincidence! Are you dining here too?"
Zhong Hou said, "Yes, Mr. Xu, I'm hosting some distinguished guests here today. What about you?"
Xu Bo'an said, "I have some things to take care of in Jiangcheng, so I booked a room here for convenience."
Zhong Hou said, "Oh? Mr. Xu, what is it you need to do? If it's not something private, could you tell me and see if I can help?"
Xu Bo'an's business wasn't a secret, so he said directly, "I've contracted a hill in the suburbs of Jiangcheng to develop it into a tourist area. I need to go through a lot of procedures. I originally thought it would only take a day to complete, but there are too many procedures and they're too complicated to finish in a short time, so I'm staying here."
Even Zhong Hou, the richest man in Jiangcheng, was quite surprised after Xu Bo'an said these words.
The reason I got to know Xu Bo'an was because he saved Old Qu from Kyoto last time. I thought he was a professional doctor, but later I found out that he was a leader of Dongjiang Construction Group.
Why is he developing the mountain again? Even Zhong Hou, the richest man in Jiangcheng, finds Xu Bo'an somewhat unpredictable. Zhong Hou also knows that developing a mountain into a tourist attraction is no small expense.
Zhong Hou's initial assessment is that Xu Bo'an is also someone who is not short of money. However, for Zhong Hou, the richest man in Jiangcheng, he has already achieved financial freedom. Therefore, his criteria for judging a person are not based solely on their financial resources. Instead, he values a person's abilities more.
Putting everything else aside, Xu Bo'an's act of saving Old Qu last time was the greatest help he could give Zhong Hou.
Otherwise, as the person responsible for receiving Elder Qu, if Elder Qu were to encounter any mishap on his own turf, even though his family's previous generation had been sworn brothers with Elder Qu, he would still be held accountable.
There's no telling what kind of trouble might come his way, which could significantly impact his family's business. Therefore, Zhong Hou felt extremely grateful to Xu Bo'an.
Zhong Hou said, "Oh, I see! You haven't eaten yet, have you? If you don't mind, why don't you come eat with me later!"
Xu Bo'an said, "You're hosting a banquet for guests, it wouldn't be appropriate for me to go. I'll just eat by myself!"
Zhong Hou said, "What's inappropriate about that? In my heart, you are my most honored guest. Last time I was in a hurry and didn't have time to invite you. Now that we've met by chance this time, how could I not invite you? Let's go together!"
Seeing Zhong Hou's enthusiastic invitation, Xu Bo'an stopped being coy. Zhong Hou was the richest man in Dongjiang City. Someone as powerful as him who could get Zhong Hou to treat him to a meal must be quite extraordinary. If he went, Xu Bo'an could expand his network of contacts.
Thinking of this, Xu Bo'an said, "Alright, then I won't stand on ceremony, let's go together!"
Zhong Hou was very happy to hear Xu Bo'an agree, and the other person followed him toward the private room where Zhong Hou was.
Just as the two arrived at the door of the private room, Zhong Hou's phone suddenly rang. Zhong Hou escorted Xu Bo'an to the door, let Xu Bo'an go in first, said something to Xu Bo'an, and then went to answer the phone.
After Xu Bo'an entered the private room, he found that there were already many people sitting inside. Xu Bo'an casually found an empty seat that was not the main seat and sat down. The people present were all elites from all walks of life in Jiangcheng City invited by Zhong Hou. Most of them were familiar with each other. Even if they had never met before, they had seen each other. In any case, there was no unfamiliar face.
When everyone saw Xu Bo'an, a stranger, enter, they were all very curious, especially after seeing his simple clothes. Some people even looked down on Xu Bo'an and their eyes were full of disdain.
Some people even wondered if this person had entered the wrong private room, but today was the home turf of Jiangcheng's richest man, Zhong Hou. These people were all very shrewd, and even if they had any thoughts in their hearts, they could not express them in this kind of occasion. If they caused unnecessary trouble, their future would be ruined, and they did not want that to happen.
Xu Bo'an, with his keen senses, naturally felt the disdainful looks people were giving him.
With Xu Bo'an's current capabilities, he is not afraid of Zhong Hou's wealth at all, let alone those people present who are not even as good as Zhong Hou. Xu Bo'an would not take them seriously at all.
Xu Bo'an originally intended to greet them politely after entering, but seeing the disdainful looks most of them gave him, he instantly became too lazy to pay them any attention. Since they looked down on him, he was even less inclined to bother with them.
The atmosphere inside the private room was extremely quiet. Just then, someone knocked on the door. Xu Bo'an happened to be sitting in the seat closest to the door, so he got up to open it.
Xu Bo'an then saw a face he disliked appear in his field of vision; it was none other than his college classmate, Yao Junchi.
This is the person who used underhanded tactics to steal Xu Bo'an's spot for postgraduate admission back then.
(End of this chapter)