Chapter 194
Everyone surrounded the building where Stephen and Adam were located.
“Give us an explanation!”
Their voices boomed in unison, so loud that the staff inside the building trembled with fear. They had never seen anything like that.
Stephen sneaked a glance through the window and felt a chill run down his spine.
“What are they trying to do?”
Adam held the latest report he just received and said, “They’re fishermen, hotel owners, staff, and townspeople who built the agritourism farm stays. You cut off their source of income, so they have come for an explanation.
Stephen’s eyes widened. “Just because of that? Isn’t it just a change in career?”
Adam, still looking at the report, continued, “Many of them took up massive loans. Once we focus on industrial development, they will not be able to repay their debts.”
Their debts were in the millions! Even if they worked a nine–to–five, earning three to five thousand a month, they could not repay their debt their whole life.
Besides, now that so many people were jobless, the factories would have no trouble hiring people. They would only offer lower wages!
Stephen frowned. “Isn’t it just a few hundred thousand dollars? Do they need to ambush us here?”
A few hundred thousand dollars was merely half a year’s pocket money to him. Was it necessary to cause such a big scene over what amounted to some spare change?
“If they want an explanation, we’ll give them one. Tell them to work at the factories. Those who can’t get a job right away can work as janitors to clean up the city. Aqua City is pretty much in need of this job. We’ll also bring in more factories and businesses, so everyone will eventually have a job.”
Adam hesitated. “Are you sure about that? Many of these people have been fishermen for generations. Forcing them to change careers just like that won’t be easy.”
Stephen said, “Times are changing. If they can’t adapt now, they’ll have to get used to it later. Besides, you know just as well as I do that with Aqua City’s current situation, the fishing and tourism industries are done for.
“Most importantly, those businesses will bring in money too slowly. It’s better to make the hard choice now than to drag out the pain. This is the best time for them to change paths!”
Seeing that Stephen had made up his mind, Adam could only go out and deliver the
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Chapter 194
message.
He faced the crowd, holding a loudspeaker, and announced, “Everyone, I understand your frustration, but now’s not the time to panic. Aqua City’s environment is not what it used to be. The water quality is ruined and unsuitable for fish farming. And with the loss of our natural beauty, tourists aren’t coming anymore either.
“Therefore, developing the industrial sector is our best choice! For now, you can work in the factories. If you’re in need of money, you can become a janitor and help clean up the city. Even if you can’t find a job now, don’t worry. We’ll be attracting more businesses and factories into the city. We guarantee that everyone will have work!”
The crowd listened attentively to Adam, but their expressions turned darker as his words
sank in.
“Is finding a job really the point here?”
“My family has been farming fish for three generations. How are we to switch careers now?”
“I still owe the bank 300 thousand dollars to expand my fish farm. You guys destroyed the environment, making it impossible for us to farm fish. Are you going to compensate me?”
“And the invasive species and factories you brought in caused us huge loss with our fish! Are you going to repay us for these losses?”
“It’s the same for us hotel owners! I owe the bank almost a million dollars now, and I can’t pay it back, even if I sell the building!”
“The townspeople responded to your advice and used our retirement fund to build the agriculture farm stays. And now, just when we’re getting started, you tell us it’s over? Pay up!”
Adam’s face paled.
Compensation? That was out of the question. If they were to compensate every household, Aqua City’s economy would be destroyed.
He decided to stall. If enough time passed, the people would shift their focus to something else.
“I understand your struggles.” Adam said with a smile, “Everyone, please give us some time. Once we calculate all the losses, we’ll compensate you, not a single penny less!”
Chapter 195
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