100: Chapter 100 Extremely High Budget

Team Leader Zhang Yining stepped back vigilantly: "No thank you, I've already called a car."

The man smiled: "It's not easy to catch a taxi in this area. You're from the county, right? You look unfamiliar."

"I'm here to visit relatives."

Team Leader Zhang Yining gripped the pepper spray inside her bag.

"Oh? Whose relatives?"

The man pressed, his tone becoming aggressive.

Just then, a taxi drove up from the distance, and Team Leader Zhang Yining hurriedly waved it down. Once the taxi stopped, she quickly got in and urged the driver to hurry.

Through the rear window, she saw the black sedan follow for a stretch before finally turning onto another road. Team Leader Zhang Yining let out a long sigh of relief.

Back in the county, Team Leader Zhang Yining went straight to Xiao Bei's residence. It was a two-bedroom apartment in the government residential complex that had just been arranged for him—simple, but secure.

"Any findings?" Xiao Bei asked as he poured her a glass of water.

After checking that there were no listening devices, Team Leader Zhang Yining reported her findings one by one, specifically emphasizing the long-term relationship between County Magistrate Xuan Lingyu and Secretary Ma Wendong, as well as the business of Jindun Security in Qingshan Township.

"That explains it," Xiao Bei mused. "County Magistrate Xuan Lingyu was promoted single-handedly by Secretary Ma Wendong, and the two have a very close relationship. It's highly likely that the winning bidders secured their projects through this connection as well."

"There's something even more explosive." Team Leader Zhang Yining opened the recording on her phone and played the conversation with the old teacher.

After listening, Xiao Bei frowned: "This confirms our suspicions. There is indeed something problematic about County Magistrate Xuan Lingyu's promotion, and it involves Secretary Ma Wendong."

"The problem is, how do we prove it? These are just hearsay; there's no substantive evidence."

Xiao Bei walked to the window and looked at the County Government building in the night: "Start with Jindun Security. Since they have business in Qingshan Township, there must be traces in their accounts."

"By the way, I was followed on the way back," Team Leader Zhang Yining suddenly said.

Xiao Bei turned around sharply: "What happened?"

Team Leader Zhang Yining described the black sedan and the man wearing sunglasses. Xiao Bei's expression turned grave: "We're being watched. From now on, all investigations must be conducted with extra caution."

"I suspect County Magistrate Xuan Lingyu has already guessed that we are investigating her background," Team Leader Zhang Yining said, biting her lip. "The man today asked whose relative I was; it was clearly a probe."

Xiao Bei pondered for a moment: "Go to work as usual tomorrow, and act as if you were frightened by County Magistrate Xuan Lingyu."

"There is one more thing," Team Leader Zhang Yining hesitated. "County Magistrate Xuan Lingyu's father. If we can find him, we might be able to get more inside information."

Xiao Bei nodded: "Leave that to me."

The two discussed a few more details before parting ways in a hurry. As Team Leader Zhang Yining was about to leave, she suddenly paused.

"However, County Magistrate Xiao, you've also been promoted quite quickly."

After saying this, Team Leader Zhang Yining playfully stuck out her tongue and made a move to run. Xiao Bei simultaneously made a gesture as if to playfully hit her, thinking to himself that this little girl was quite mischievous.

After seeing Team Leader Zhang Yining off, Xiao Bei stood at the window, gazing in the direction of the County Government, a flash of worry in his eyes. Every step from here on out had to be taken with greater caution.

At exactly 3:00 PM, when Xiao Bei stepped into the third-floor conference room of the County Government, the oval conference table was already full. Secretary Ma Wendong sat upright in the main seat, flipping through documents, and didn't even lift his head when he heard the door open. County Magistrate Xuan Lingyu sat in the first seat to his right, whispering with the Director of the Finance Bureau. Seeing Xiao Bei enter, a flicker of disdain crossed her eyes.

"County Magistrate Xiao is here, let's begin." Secretary Ma Wendong closed his folder, his voice unhurried.

Xiao Bei walked to his seat—the third seat to the left of Secretary Ma Wendong—and sat down, calmly scanning the room. In addition to several deputy county magistrates and heads of relevant departments, there were a few unfamiliar faces, likely representatives of the winning bidders.

"Today we are discussing the educational land planning and supporting construction for the Development Zone." Secretary Ma Wendong got straight to the point. "First, let's have the Education Bureau report their plan."

Director Du Jijun of the Education Bureau was a middle-aged man in his fifties with a slightly balding head. As he stood up, he habitually rubbed his hands:

"In accordance with the spirit of the instructions from the County Party Committee and County Government regarding educational supporting construction in the Development Zone, we propose to allocate 50 mu of land in Zone B of the Development Zone to build a nine-year integrated school, including primary and junior high school departments, with an estimated capacity of 5,000 students."

Xiao Bei noticed that Director Du Jijun kept his eyes on Secretary Ma Wendong while reporting, as if seeking approval. Secretary Ma Wendong merely nodded slightly, his fingers tapping lightly on the tabletop.

"The total project investment budget is 320 million yuan," Director Du Jijun continued. "This includes the construction of infrastructure such as teaching buildings, laboratory buildings, a gymnasium, a standardized playground, music and art functional rooms, and a cafeteria, as well as the procurement of supporting items like teaching equipment, information technology equipment, and school uniforms."

Xiao Bei frowned slightly. This number was significantly higher than the construction standards for similar schools. He opened the file in front of him and quickly browsed the budget details, discovering that the single item of "high-quality balanced equipment facilities" amounted to 50 million yuan.

"Is there a problem, County Magistrate Xiao?" Secretary Ma Wendong spoke suddenly, his voice carrying an unquestionable authority.

Everyone's gaze turned to Xiao Bei. The air in the conference room seemed to freeze for a moment.

"I just feel the budget is a bit on the high side." Xiao Bei put down the file, his tone calm. "According to the standards of the Provincial Education Department, the construction cost for similar schools is generally around 80 million yuan."

County Magistrate Xuan Lingyu chuckled: "County Magistrate Xiao may not understand the actual situation in our Jinhe County. We are building a demonstration school, not an ordinary school."

"Even for a demonstration school, 320 million is beyond the norm." Xiao Bei replied neither servilely nor overbearingly. "Especially for the 'high-quality balanced equipment facilities' item, what is the basis for the 50 million?"

Director Zhou Dawei of the Finance Bureau interjected: "This has been professionally assessed and includes high-standard configurations such as smart blackboards, laboratory equipment, and specialized music and art classrooms."

"Is there a detailed list?" Xiao Bei pressed.

Secretary Ma Wendong tapped the table: "These detailed issues can be discussed after the meeting. Time is limited; let's determine the general direction first."

Xiao Bei knew this was Secretary Ma Wendong's usual tactic—using the "general direction" to cover up specific problems. But he could not back down now:

"Secretary Ma, education funds are a matter of public livelihood; I believe every single cent should be spent transparently."

The atmosphere in the conference room suddenly grew tense. Several deputy directors lowered their heads, pretending to organize documents; the corporate representatives exchanged glances; County Magistrate Xuan Lingyu's lips pressed into a straight line.

Secretary Ma Wendong stared at Xiao Bei for a few seconds, then suddenly smiled: "County Magistrate Xiao is right. Director Du, provide the detailed list to County Magistrate Xiao for his review after the meeting."

He turned to the others: "However, time waits for no one. The Development Zone construction is a key municipal project, and educational support must keep up. I suggest we finalize the plan today and begin bidding for the remaining companies next week."

This was not a suggestion, but an order. Xiao Bei knew clearly that the so-called "bidding" was nothing more than going through the motions, and the winning companies had likely been predetermined long ago...