Chapter 18: A Skillful Trial and a Clever Resolution!

The Pinghu Town government grew tense from top to bottom, preparing to receive the inspection team arriving from the city on Wednesday.

Xia Haiqiao, leveraging a classmate at the city’s Investment Promotion Bureau, was able to obtain intelligence firsthand and naturally became the commander of the reception team.

All other departments had to follow his directives.

“This inspection team’s project involves tens of billions. Although the competition is fierce, we must make every preparation. Comrade Tang Ye, you oversee economic affairs and investment promotion, so you need to shoulder more responsibility. I just received word from the city bureau that we need to prepare promotional materials about investment attraction. We have some materials, but they’re outdated. I hope you can update them.”

At the coordination meeting, Xia Haiqiao directly assigned the task to Tang Ye.

Tang Ye furrowed his brow slightly, putting down his pen. “Is the timeline not a bit tight? The inspection team arrives tomorrow, and you’re only now telling me to update the investment materials. Isn’t this deliberately setting me up?”

A displeased expression flashed across Xia Haiqiao’s face. “The situation is indeed tight, but I just received the notice myself. Moreover, you’ve been here in Pinghu Town for a while—you should have prepared in advance. Grassroots work differs greatly from higher-level work; you must be proactive. You can’t simply do whatever you’re told; you need your own ideas. If it really can’t be done, then use the old materials, but the effect will definitely suffer, and the impression made on the inspection team will be greatly diminished.”

As Xia Haiqiao spoke, he watched Tang Ye’s expression carefully.

From his classmate, he learned that the inspection team’s visit to Pinghu was a last-minute decision. According to the city’s plan, their preference leaned toward Jinshui Town across the river.

Jinshui belongs to Chongjiang County and surpasses Pinghu Town in both economic status and permanent population.

In his view, the promotional materials were important but not crucial.

He merely wished to use this opportunity to irritate Tang Ye.

The others reacted differently.

Most watched with a sense of anticipation.

The Chinese have long excelled not in external expansion but in internal strife; throughout five thousand years of history, this pattern has repeated endlessly.

Tang Ye was not blind to Xia Haiqiao’s ulterior motives. To have a project worth tens of billions suddenly placed squarely on his shoulders—wasn’t this like forcing stale water down one’s own throat?

This man was cunning beyond the ordinary.

Suppressing the urge to curse, Tang Ye took a deep breath. “I have studied the investment promotion materials for Pinghu Town and made some revisions. I have a completed plan on my computer; why don’t I show it to everyone?”

Hearing Tang Ye say he had prepared something, Xia Haiqiao’s expression stiffened as he glanced toward Xu Yiping.

Xu Yiping removed his glasses and wiped the lenses with a green cloth. “Everyone, have a look.”

Chen Zhihua, sitting beside Xu Yiping, straightened up with interest.

Tang Ye fetched his laptop from the office and connected it to the conference room’s projector.

When Tang Ye opened Photoshop, he had already won.

The team members watched as Tang Ye skillfully operated the computer, a strange feeling rising within them.

Although grassroots governments now had computers, most people used them merely for entertainment—playing Spider Solitaire or chatting—unaware that computers could serve other functions.

Tang Ye was young, perhaps lacking extensive workplace experience.

But he belonged to a new generation of civil servants.

Their education was completely different from everyone else present.

To Tang Ye, a computer was not merely a display piece but a powerful tool to enhance work efficiency.

Though these leaders had received basic computer training, they were novices who only knew how to open documents or spreadsheets.

Using computers for work was more of a torment for them, and they even had a dedicated typist position.

Tang Ye’s advertising company had obtained the source files and made meticulous revisions—photos and text were completely transformed from what had been seen before.

“The brochure is exquisitely made, and the font is very elegant.”

“Tang Ye graduated from Qiongjin University with a master’s degree; he certainly has some skills.”

The brochure contained an introduction to Pinghu Town and its future development plans.

With beautiful copy and inspiring words, it opened everyone’s eyes.

“Is this still Pinghu?”

“At first glance, I thought it was West Lake in Hangzhou!”

“Of course, investment promotion has to be presented in the best light!”

At the last page of the brochure was the slogan: “Sincere Cooperation, Shared Development; Attracting Investment, Creating the Future Together.”

Chen Zhihua was the first to applaud, his face showing approval. “Comrade Tang Ye, you truly live up to being a young cadre sent down from the municipal committee. Your comprehensive ability is strong, and you act with foresight.

This brochure is not only meticulous but full of substance—far better than the old version. Get the advertising company to print more copies quickly; there’s still time. Next time, though, give us a heads-up earlier, so we can do an even better job.”

Xu Yiping adjusted his glasses, surprised at Tang Ye’s subtle skill.

Xia Haiqiao had intended to give him some trouble, but Tang Ye had skillfully thwarted it.

At the same time, Chen Zhihua’s praise stirred some resentment in Xu Yiping.

“The brochure has been well revised. Comrade Tang Ye, thank you for your hard work. Hand it over to the advertising company for printing immediately; it must be ready tonight.”

Xia Haiqiao’s punch landed in a soft pile of cotton—frustrating, but he was helpless.

“How are the drafts for tomorrow coming along?” Xu Yiping asked Xia Haiqiao.

Xia Haiqiao took out the prepared drafts and handed them to Xu Yiping. “Modified according to your instructions.”

Xu Yiping slipped the drafts into his notebook. “If there’s nothing else, the meeting is adjourned. Everyone, work hard today and make sure the reception tomorrow goes smoothly. We must leave a good impression on the higher-level leaders.”

Xu Yiping was somewhat displeased with Xia Haiqiao as well; receiving the inspection team properly was the top priority.

Internal strife at this moment was short-sighted.

Putting aside prejudices, Xu Yiping was very satisfied with Tang Ye’s brochure.

He had not expected this temporary cadre to be more than just a figurehead—that he could be valuable at a critical moment.

No other government in the surrounding towns could produce such a high-quality brochure.

Though hope was slim, it could still boost their impression with superiors and help future investment promotion.

By eleven at night, the government offices gradually darkened.

After the advertising company delivered the brochures and other promotional materials, Tang Ye checked everything before returning to the office.

He opened his laptop to continue organizing materials related to investment attraction.

A knock came at the door. Tang Ye glanced up to see Chen Zhihua.

“The brochures have arrived. Aren’t you leaving?”

Tang Ye smiled. “I still have some work to finish. I’ll leave once it’s done.”

Chen Zhihua looked at Tang Ye under the white light; the smile on his lips slowly faded into thoughtfulness, then into quiet resignation and nostalgia.

He suddenly remembered his own youthful vigor and laughed wryly before departing.

Tang Ye worked until three in the morning, stretched, and packed his laptop away.

The brochure was just the tip of the iceberg.

Opportunities always favor those who are prepared…