This city simulation game can affect reality.

Chapter 138 Initial Contact

"Mr. Chen, as you've arranged, all the preliminary investigations and draft contracts are ready. Should we talk to each client privately, or should we gather everyone together for a unified meeting?"

In the resort's office, Lao Zhou found Chen Jun early in the morning.

The operation of the agritainment business has now stabilized, and there is no longer any urgent need to invest a lot of manpower.

The other projects are also operating relatively smoothly. From a strategic perspective, this is probably the best time to start negotiations on the villagers' land.

Otherwise, once the subsequent affairs get busy, things might have to be delayed until next year.

A day's delay means an increase in variables.

"Our initiative to talk to people now, when they are not fully prepared, is itself a kind of surprise attack. If we talk separately, the news will definitely spread by word of mouth among the villagers."

"Once the first few companies to negotiate know our terms, the later companies will have time to carefully consider and coordinate with each other."

"Once they have enough time to think, the advantage of surprise disappears."

Chen Jun analyzed carefully.

Although the main purpose this time is to successfully renew the existing lease on the farmhouse, this step is of great importance and Shita must make full preparations.

If you try to improvise at the negotiating table, you'll lose the initiative.

"Understood. Shall I arrange a time for a group meeting with them?" Old Zhou asked.

"We need to get everyone here as soon as possible, today." Chen Jun said decisively. "If there are objective reasons why they can't come, we shouldn't force them. We can't wait for everyone. We need to reach an agreement with most of those who are present first, establish a fait accompli and set the tone. This will put pressure on those who are absent."

Chen Jun is prepared to go all out in this negotiation.

However, according to Lao Zhou's previous visits, the villagers were not keen to renew their contracts.

Therefore, before they become the mainstream opinion, we must use benefits to overwhelm more people.

Otherwise, if only a portion of people renew their leases in the end, those who were hesitant might completely change their minds.

Not to mention that this would make the existing land fragmented and scattered, it would also be bad for the entire plan going forward.

If we can't even gain an overwhelming advantage in the first battle, what will the villagers in the other villages think?

The morale and confidence of their own side will also be severely damaged.

What's even more problematic is that if individual plots of land are reclaimed and repurposed, it's like "one bad apple spoiling the whole bunch," undoubtedly having a significant impact on the overall tourism experience of the region.

Old Zhou agreed wholeheartedly and immediately prepared to get started. Chen Jun gave him a final instruction: "Remember, you must be polite and courteous. Our goal is to make friends and work together for mutual development."

......

Around 10 a.m., the two buses that were responsible for picking up and dropping off the villagers returned to the resort.

Due to the location of the land, these villagers all come from Zhongmen Village, which is adjacent to the agritainment business.

Chen Jun prepared special snacks and hot tea in the conference room in advance and warmly welcomed everyone.

"One family had an accident two years ago, and now only an elderly person receiving minimum living allowance lives alone. They have difficulty walking and can't come. Another family went to work in the city, and the person in charge is currently out of state and won't be able to come back for a while."

During the break, Lao Zhou whispered to Chen Jun the details: "The representatives of the other seventeen households have all arrived."

Chen Jun nodded.

The attendance rate has exceeded 90%, which is quite impressive.

"Dear fellow villagers, I did not give you sufficient notice beforehand and invited you all at the last minute. Please forgive me if there is any inadequacy in our hospitality."

"I've invited everyone here today for no other reason than to offer you some perks and discuss potential collaborations."

"As you have all heard, Hita has officially taken over all of Yunhai's business, and the land contracts you all have now been transferred to Hita's name."

Chen Jun looked at everyone and formally stated his position.

Whispers quickly arose from below, and a moment later, a middle-aged woman who appeared simply dressed but had shrewd eyes stood up:

"Boss, let's be frank. We don't plan to rent out our land after the lease expires. My husband learned some techniques in the city last year and is thinking of coming back to grow Anoectochilus roxburghii ourselves, because the price is good there."

Right from the start, a voice made Chen Jun's heart sink.

This situation is even more troublesome than those who ask for exorbitant sums.

However, he showed no sign of it on his face and could only remain listening.

After the woman made the first move, three more households expressed similar wishes.

The remaining representatives mostly remained silent or continued to whisper among themselves, clearly waiting for Chen Jun to offer specific terms before making any decisions.

After the few who had clearly expressed their objections had finished speaking, Chen Jun felt more confident. He raised his hand and gestured for the standing villagers to sit down.

"I fully respect the plans and choices of each family. However, since I have invited you all here today, I would like to ask you to give Shita a chance to hear about the new conditions we have prepared for our common development."

"If everyone is still not satisfied after listening, or has their own ideas, we will discuss it further. We will never force anyone to comply."

Since it was Chen Jun's home turf, and his attitude was impeccable, the four villagers who clearly did not want to renew their leases did not say anything more, which was considered as tacitly accepting the procedure.

"Okay, then I won't beat around the bush."

"First of all, for the next lease renewal, we promise to increase the rent by 10% per acre based on the market valuation, in accordance with the original ratio."

Chen Jun's opening remarks were always a bombshell.

This immediately caused a stir among the villagers below, their faces filled with astonishment.

They knew better than anyone that land rents around Longding Mountain had been rising year after year.

Chen Jun's statement refers to a 10% markup on the market price, not a 10% markup on the original contract.

If this rate of increase continues, many families could potentially receive double the rent they paid before.

"So, that means my family can get almost 8,000 yuan more per year from those three and a half mu of dry land?"

Most of these villagers have only a secondary school education or below, but they react very quickly when it comes to money.

Eight thousand yuan is definitely not a small amount for many rural families.

This is equivalent to the net savings of a strong laborer who works odd jobs outside the home for half a year.

Chen Jun smiled and nodded, his gaze seemingly casually sweeping over the few villagers who had originally refused to rent to him.

Their hesitation was already evident in their flickering eyes.

"Moreover, considering the rental fees that everyone signed with Yunhai before, they were indeed lower than the market rates that were later developed."

"We will issue a one-time supplementary subsidy based on the size of the plot and the expected remaining value."

Before everyone could digest the information, Chen Jun dropped a second bombshell.

This means that while ensuring high future returns, villagers can receive a substantial sum of unexpected funds in a short period of time.

Judging from Chen Jun's words, it's clear that this number is definitely not low.

"What else is there to say? Boss Chen is a straightforward man; our family will sign the contract!"

"Our family signed too."

"Me too!"

At this moment, at least ten of the seventeen representatives present expressed their willingness to renew their leases, fearing that they would miss out on the benefits if they delayed.

However, some calm and collected individuals fell into deep thought.

Years of life experience have taught them that while it's not impossible for a windfall to happen, it's highly unlikely to fall into their laps.

"but..."

Sure enough, just as everyone was getting excited, Chen Jun suddenly changed the subject.

"Sita's sincerity naturally comes with conditions."

This sudden change in tone was like a bucket of cold water, silencing the noisy conference room considerably, and everyone's gaze fell upon Chen Jun.