The Great Worm Lich

The transfer fee for American government public lands was cheap but it depended on the quality rank of the land. With the strict transfer condition, the iron law that was widely used was that the land buyer would need to provide relative job opportunities. In other words, the industrialists or business owners would have to provide relative job opportunities when they take away public lands from the government. It was to solve the unemployment issue, no matter the job opportunities were necessary for the business owners or not.

Not many people could obtain a big public land by providing little job opportunities. It was undoubtedly an advantage to the usual business owners but it was not attractive to Zhang Lisheng. He went to Thomas’ computer and said while looking at the labeled land on the bald young man’s screen, “Mr. Thomas, although Mutteslow’s closer to New York, the highway’s just a branch line. I’m afraid it can’t fit my requirement. Moreover, the slaughterhouse that I open is different from the usual factory. It’s a self-service business for farmers, although I’ll only hire little employees, it…”

“It’s under the Agriculture Improvement Act, it seems like you’re more meticulous than I expected Mr. Lisheng. However, you might understand the United States Agriculture Improvement Act but not the new New York town hall plan. Trust me, Mutteslow’s a better choice,” Thomas hesitated for a moment while saying with hidden meaning without looking up from the computer.

As a society of law run by contract, the American government was relatively simple when it came to solving a problem. For instance, all New York public lands’ information would be posted on the internet with full transparency while any citizen could apply for purchase as long as they could afford it. The approval was simple. It was basically a proposal that made sense would be approved.

The buyer’s rights and obligations would be stated in a formula in the contract when it came to the transfer of public lands. Therefore, everything would be stated clearly. When the contract came to effect, some buyers might make a big sum due to the smart utility as planned while some might be bankrupted because of the penalty coming from the violation of the contract.

Due to the strict law enforcement which guaranteed the contract’s sanctity, none of the business owners dared to carry out fraudulent purchases. Therefore, Zhang Lisheng could totally obtain the land without any help from the people working in the New York government. All that it would take way more time and some twists and turns. When the contract was signed, it was impossible for Thomas to give any obvious privileges on the condition to Zhang Lisheng. Therefore, most of the favor would be secretly in his recommendation and reminder.

“Lisheng, Thomas has much more experience than us when it comes to public land utility. I think we’ll just follow what he says,” Howick said to Zhang Lisheng while smiling and looking at him. Zhang Lisheng was stunned for a moment and nodded looking blank. Later on, he soon signed an agreement for New York public land transfer. He purchased the secluded and barren 50 hectares saline-alkali land close to Mutteslow at less than $300 per hectare.

“Mr. Lisheng, it’s my job to remind you that you have one year of buffering time to build the factory. Unless there are natural disasters that you can’t do anything about such as tsunami and earthquake, you must start paying federal tax one year later today. Also, if the factory you’re establishing isn’t under the Agriculture Improvement Act’s protection by then, you’ll need to provide at least 15 jobs for the New York state. Apart from that, as soon as your factory creates any environmental pollution, involves in federal tax cheating, smuggling and other activities during the business period, the New York government has the right to take back the land. Of course, the transferred land will be privatized completely 19 years after regular operations following the agreement. In other words, the limitations in this agreement will be automatically voided by then since you’ve done your part for the New York government.”

“I understand Mr. Thomas,” Zhang Lisheng nodded and put away the signed document in his backpack. Howick shook hand with Thomas since the deal was done and passed his name card conveniently. He said without beating around the bush, “Thomas, since the deal is closed, let’s not stay in your office. I’ll wait for your call next Saturday, we’ll talk more when we play.”

“Sure Howick, see you then,” Thomas did not make them stay, he opened his office door while smiling. Howick did not say a word as they left the office. He led Zhang Lisheng around the corridor quickly and left the New York town hall when he found a side door. Walking out of the fence to New York street, Howick was relieved and said to Zhang Lisheng while smiling, “Are you satisfied with the result, Lisheng?”

“Very much Mr. Howick. Although I don’t understand everything, you made me think that socializing is a big lesson for the first time. Thanks for your help.”

“My help is insignificant compared to yours. It’s lunchtime now, I wanted to give you a treat but I suppose you’re celebrating with someone else so it’s better that I don’t ask. This is my number, let’s keep in touch,” Howick shoved a name card to Zhang Lisheng and made a calling gesture. He turned around and left just like that.

Zhang Lisheng stood by New York street and was stunned for a moment. He hesitated and took out his phone, he called a number that he had not been contacting for close to two weeks. The phone rang for a long time and finally got picked up, “Lisheng, is that you?”

“Yes, I’ve just gotten out of New York town hall with Mr. Howick…”

“Did you get the land?”

“I got the one close to Mutteslow, it’s a saline-alkali land close to the ocean.”

“The land close to the ocean needs some special reinforcement but it’s just minor. I believe Mr. Howick’s recommendation will definitely have more good than harm.”

“That’s right Tina but it’s troublesome to talk on the phone, it’s better that we meet to talk about some stuff. Do you have time this afternoon?”

“I’m afraid not,” Tina lowered her voice on the phone, “I’ve registered your biological science company for you and gotten the loan. I wanted to call you these few days but my dad’s back in New York. He had a very bad impression on you because I made him give you the guaranteed loan earlier. So… I can’t speak to you any longer, I called you back on the corridor with the excuse of touching up my make-up. Listen Lisheng, I’m with my dad at Christie’s new year spring auction now. We could meet secretly if you could make it to the auction before 12…”

“Wait for me,” Zhang Lisheng hung up the phone right away and ran to his SUV. On the other side of the phone, Tina who dressed in bright-colored gown put away her phone into her handbag stepping on the carpet in an elegant corridor. She could not hide the joy on her face. Sheila who had just touched up her make-up and dried her hands walked out of the washroom hidden behind a sculpture along the corridor. She walked to her best friend while looking at her pretty nails with her hands down, “Tina, who called you that made you went out of the washroom…”

“Sheila, my dear Sheila, I win! Lisheng called me first,” Tina squeezed her handbag and her fingers turned pale while she said in excitement lowering her voice looking at her best friend who was a size bigger than before, “And I told him that we could secretly meet here at Christie’s auction with my dad, he’s coming here without thinking twice.”

“Oh babe, I think you’re too into him,” Sheila lowered her voice and said after heaving a sigh, “It’s so funny to see you having your head over the heels like a blooming flower…”

“Shut up Sheila, I’ve no idea what gotten into me but nothing matters now. The most important thing now is that you have to think of something that let me sneak away from my dad. Oh ya, let’s say that you’re depressed and asked me to go for slimming class with you. I think my dad would agree to that.”

“Tina Douglin, are you really my best friend? Have you ever thought of my feelings when you say such a thing?”

“Sheila, Lisheng saved you in the Amazon…”

“Because he saved me, the more reason I shouldn’t lie.”

“I’m begging you, Sheila…”

While the two girls were whispering to each other along Christie’s auction corridor, Zhang Lisheng had turned into King Avenue following the navigation. Countless galleries and auctions appeared in his eyes on both sides of the avenue. All of the sudden, the young man was surprised to see Tina in her red gown, revealing her long, fair legs waving at him aggressively with a booklet in front of a gallery as he drove slowly along the artsy avenue.

Zhang Lisheng went blank for a moment and pulled over slowly. He looked at Tina who dragged Sheila beside her who looked helpless walking towards the Adventurer quickly.

“Tina, why are you wearing such… such thing on the street?”

“Wearing a gown to Christie’s first spring auction is a Douglin ladies’ tradition,” Tina explained clumsily after closing the back seat door, “I bumped into Sheila after speaking to you on the phone. I got myself an excuse to sneak out with her help. Drive now Lisheng, it’s best that we leave this place right away.”

Zhang Lisheng started the car engine immediately and turned out of King Avenue at the ramp in front after hearing that.

“Okay, we’re completely safe now,” Tina was relieved and said while smiling, “Drop Sheila at Miss Purr gym at 197th Street nearby then we’ll go take a look at your land.”

“Oh, thanks for mentioning me, Tina. Otherwise, I would’ve forgotten that I’m still in the car. Hi savior, do you remember me?”

“Of course I do, Sheila. Seems like your work-out turns out well, you’ve lost much weight since I last saw you in the Amazon.”

“Really? Thanks for the compliment Lisheng but can you not mention Amazon in front of me? It took me a long time to forget about it.”

“Okay,” Zhang Lisheng smiled and stopped talking.