Chapter 35: The Probe Worked!

Xu Jie and Zheng Yaodong signed a cooperation agreement, with Zheng Yaodong putting all his assets into Pinghu, which made Xu Jie quite proud.

That evening, he went to Houhe Village to secretly meet his old lover, Luo Xiaocui.

Though Luo Xiaocui’s features were ordinary and she stood under 1.6 meters tall, she had one advantage—her skin was exceptionally fair!

The saying “absence makes the heart grow fonder” held true; once inside, Xu Jie embraced Luo Xiaocui and caressed her for several minutes.

Recalling Xu Jie’s recent neglect, Luo Xiaocui suddenly pushed him away and complained, “You scoundrel, you haven’t come to see me in ages, have you?”

Xu Jie chuckled and, already prepared with an excuse, said, “Your husband is always by your side, never giving me an inch.”

Luo Xiaocui tidied her disheveled hair and gave Xu Jie a sharp glance. “I heard you have a new flame.”

Xu Jie looked at her sideways, feigning innocence. “What nonsense are you talking about?”

Luo Xiaocui, knowing their affair was merely casual, decided to confront the matter. “Isn’t it Gu Wenqin you fancy?”

Xu Jie glared at her and pinched her chin. “Don’t bring up things best left alone!”

Luo Xiaocui flicked his fingers away and smiled coquettishly. “I heard Gu Wenqin’s factory is doing well lately, always hiring, and the pay is high. If it weren’t for you, I’d definitely apply.”

Xu Jie sprang up from the bed. “Qinge is recruiting?”

Their plan had already sealed off Qinge’s channels with Zheng Yaodong’s help, and by their estimate, the factory should collapse within a month or two.

“Yeah, she’s pivoting to making milk bibs. The one I’m wearing now is their new product. Looks good on me, right? You kept saying how much fuller I looked when you came in.”

Xu Jie’s face turned ashen. He had been away on a business trip, intending to return and negotiate the acquisition with Gu Wenqin, but unexpectedly, she had successfully transformed her business?

Suddenly disinterested, Xu Jie dressed and headed out.

Luo Xiaocui hadn’t expected him to leave and, watching his figure disappear into the dark night, bit her lip and cursed, “You damn donkey Xu, you bastard! If you ever come looking for me again, I’ll break three of your legs!”

Under the cover of night, Xu Jie quietly approached the Qinge Garment Factory.

The factory building was brightly lit.

Xu Jie ground his teeth in frustration.

Every scheme had been calculated—he hadn’t expected Gu Wenqin to catch a breather.

...

Chen Zhihua returned from the county government and went straight to Tang Ye’s office.

Tang Ye studied Chen’s expression, guessing that his report to County Magistrate Du had gone smoothly.

Chen Zhihua took the teacup from Tang Ye and took a small sip, beaming. “County Magistrate Du highly praised my report on the nursing home. Your plan is outstanding!”

Tang Ye exhaled in relief, sharing the same hopes for the proposal. “It depends largely on your thorough understanding. Did County Magistrate Du mention any support?”

Chen nodded. “He called the heads of the county planning and finance bureaus in front of me, urging them to promptly implement the project. They expect to break ground next year.”

Tang Ye knew why Chen was so pleased—the nursing home as a county-level model project was a crucial breakthrough.

The land approval was in place, and the county had previously allocated funds, but those monies were redirected under murky circumstances involving Xu Yiping.

Back then, Chen had come to blows with Xu Yiping over the funds’ unclear usage.

Ultimately, Xu Yiping used Wang Ning’s position to threaten Chen, forcing him to swallow his pride and lose heart.

“Old Xu probably already knows about this. Be prepared,” Tang Ye warned.

Now allies, Chen and Tang spoke candidly. “He must feel guilty. Old Xu seems steady but lacks ambition. Under his leadership, Pinghu will only fall further behind other townships. We can’t stand idly by—we must seek change!”

Tang Ye thought to himself that Chen knew Xu Yiping well.

His apparent passivity was actually a waiting game.

For example, his deliberate goodwill at the party committee meeting might have been part of his plan.

Tang Ye regarded Chen as a pawn to counterbalance Xu Yiping.

Chen, for his part, recognized the disruptive potential in Tang Ye.

Tang wanted to test Chen’s capabilities.

If Chen couldn’t handle easy opportunities, there was no reason to invest much effort in him.

As it turned out, Chen possessed some ability but had been too idealistic before, which left him on the defensive against Xu Yiping.

Not long after Chen left, the office desk phone rang.

Tang answered, and a magnetic voice came through.

“This is Du Chengfeng.”

“County Magistrate Du, hello. May I ask what this is about?”

“Chen Zhihua’s submitted plan—did you prepare it?”

“I worked on it with Chen.”

Du Chengfeng’s direct call signaled his probe was successful.

He was pleased with Tang’s measured approach. Had Tang come forward directly with the plan, it might spark interest but also resentment for bypassing protocol.

Tang didn’t claim credit but chose to support Chen, giving the impression he was a rule-follower.

“Chen was vague in some areas. Time is tight, so I didn’t press him further. That’s why I’m calling—to clarify some points. Also, you’ve been in Tianling County a while now. From the county’s perspective, what issues do you see, and how should they be addressed?”

Tang hadn’t expected Du to elevate the conversation to county-level planning.

“I’m not well acquainted with Tianling’s situation yet, so I hesitate to speak out of turn.”

Du thought Tang was humble and encouraged him. “You studied under Director Jiang. I trust you have unique insights.”

Tang had been waiting for this prompt. If sincere, he would share more. If not, speaking too much could backfire and make him seem all talk.

“County Magistrate Du, I’ll offer some preliminary thoughts. Last year, Tianling’s state-owned enterprises had assets of 120 million yuan but debts of 380 million, contributing only a third to fiscal revenue. I estimate at least 200 million yuan would be needed to revitalize these firms, which exceeds the county’s current financial capacity.”

Hearing Tang’s precise figures, Du was immediately drawn in.

Tang had impressed him during the inspection tour.

To be a good official, one must not only be competent but also have capable aides.

Though Tang wouldn’t stay long in Tianling, Du saw him as a conduit for deep analysis of the county.

Tang continued, “For Tianling to develop, it must seek external support actively. It’s not about favors but demonstrating potential to higher authorities.

“Tianling needs clear planning, defined goals, and a grand vision to show that, if executed step by step, success is assured.”

Du’s frown eased.

Tang had spoken directly to his core concerns.

Why allocate funds to build roads in Pinghu?

Why approve making the Pinghu nursing home a county-level model project?

Because Tang’s planning and proposals were clear and convincing.

If Tianling submits reasonable, actionable plans to the city, the city will surely offer strong support!

With funding secured, political achievements will naturally follow.