133: Chapter 133 Reporting Beyond One's Level

1. Establish a county-township-village three-tier agricultural product Livestreaming E-commerce center...

2. Cultivate local influencers and farmer streamers...

3. Open up the last mile of logistics...

Xiao Bei was writing intently, not even hearing Team Leader Zhang Yining knocking on the door.

It wasn't until she sent a text message that he came back to his senses.

"Leader, Secretary Ma is asking if you have time this afternoon?"

Xiao Bei checked the time, saved the document, and quickly printed out a copy of the proposal.

The paper still carried the residual warmth of the printer; he carefully placed it into a folder and double-checked the wording.

"Tell Secretary Ma that I'll be right over."

On his way there, Xiao Bei's heart rate quickened involuntarily.

Whether Secretary Ma Wendong's sudden summons would be a blessing or a curse was unknown.

Secretary Ma Wendong's secretary was already waiting at the door: "County Magistrate Xiao, the Party Secretary is waiting for you."

Pushing the door open, Secretary Ma Wendong was standing by the window drinking tea, his rounded back facing the door.

Hearing the movement, he turned around, a signature amiable smile on his face:

"Xiao Bei, you've come at just the right time. Try this Pu'er I just brewed."

"Thank you, Party Secretary."

Xiao Bei took the teacup; the tea soup was red, thick, and bright, with an intoxicating aroma.

Secretary Ma Wendong gestured for him to sit: "I heard you were quite bold when holding the meeting with the departments under your purview. Even those old foxes in the Finance Bureau were cowed by you."

Xiao Bei smiled modestly: "I was just following the rules."

"Rules..."

Secretary Ma Wendong repeated the word meaningfully, his small eyes squinting into slits.

"Do you know why County Magistrate Lin Ruohan suddenly went to the city?"

Xiao Bei's heart tightened, but he remained calm on the surface: "I'm not quite sure. I also just received the notice about the meeting being rescheduled."

"Oh?"

Secretary Ma Wendong blew on the tea leaves. "I thought Mayor Qin Ruoxi would have told you."

The teacup in Xiao Bei's hand trembled slightly.

Secretary Ma Wendong was testing the depth of his relationship with Mayor Qin Ruoxi.

"Mayor Qin Ruoxi hasn't been in contact with me recently."

Xiao Bei answered cautiously, then immediately changed the subject: "Party Secretary, I actually have a new idea for poverty alleviation that I'd like to report to you."

Secretary Ma Wendong raised an eyebrow and set down the teacup: "Let's hear it."

Xiao Bei opened the folder and handed over the proposal: "The traditional poverty alleviation model has limited effectiveness. I want to try Livestreaming E-commerce to directly help farmers increase their income."

"Livestreaming?"

Secretary Ma Wendong became interested and took the document to read it carefully.

The only sound in the office was the rustling of paper.

Xiao Bei observed the changes in Secretary Ma Wendong's expression, from initial doubt to a gradually smoothing brow, and finally, the sharp glint that flashed in his eyes.

"Wonderful!"

Secretary Ma Wendong suddenly slapped the desk: "Xiao Bei, you truly are someone brought up by Mayor Qin Ruoxi; your thinking is so broad!"

Just as Xiao Bei was about to be modest, Secretary Ma Wendong had already stood up and was pacing the office excitedly: "This livestreaming center can be placed in the County Cultural Square. We can hold a launch ceremony, and I can even personally go on air to sell products!"

"The Party Secretary stepping in would definitely have a great effect." Xiao Bei chimed in at the right moment.

Secretary Ma Wendong suddenly stopped and looked at Xiao Bei meaningfully: "Do you know why I support you?"

Xiao Bei shook his head.

"Because I can see that you are someone who genuinely wants to get things done."

Secretary Ma Wendong patted his shoulder: "Unlike some people who only know how to engage in political infighting all day."

It went without saying who those "some people" referred to.

"Thank you for your trust, Party Secretary."

Xiao Bei said sincerely: "I will definitely get this done well."

Secretary Ma Wendong sat back in his chair, lowering his voice: "But Xiao Bei, regarding the poverty alleviation funds... you must be especially careful."

Xiao Bei immediately understood: "Every expenditure will be open and transparent, subject to supervision."

"That's not what I mean."

Secretary Ma Wendong waved his hand: "I mean, the fact that County Magistrate Lin Ruohan suddenly handed the poverty alleviation work over to you—her motives are impure."

Xiao Bei's heart rate accelerated: "Please enlighten me, Party Secretary."

Secretary Ma Wendong leaned in closer, a faint smell of tobacco drifting over:

"The provincial level is about to send an Inspection Team down, focusing on the poverty alleviation sector. What is County Magistrate Lin Ruohan's intention by dumping this hot potato on you right now?"

A layer of cold sweat broke out on Xiao Bei's back.

So that was it...

"Then, Party Secretary, what do you mean..."

"What I mean is,"

Secretary Ma Wendong said meaningfully, "Since you have that connection with Mayor Qin Ruoxi, you should use it when it's time to use it."

Xiao Bei had a sudden realization.

Secretary Ma Wendong was hinting that he should use Mayor Qin Ruoxi to check County Magistrate Lin Ruohan.

"I understand."

Xiao Bei nodded: "By the way, Party Secretary, the people from the Poverty Alleviation Office were transferred to Lishan County by Deputy County Magistrate Liu. This matter..."

"That old Liu!"

Secretary Ma Wendong frowned: "I will make a call to have them return. But Xiao Bei, you need to be mentally prepared; this poverty alleviation business is a tough nut to crack."

"With the Party Secretary's support, I have confidence!"

Secretary Ma Wendong smiled with satisfaction: "Keep up the good work. If you need any resources, just tell me directly."

He paused: "By the way, next time you see Mayor Qin Ruoxi, remember to put in a good word for me..."

Leaving the Party Secretary's office, Xiao Bei let out a long breath.

Since County Magistrate Xuan Lingyu was arrested, Secretary Ma Wendong's attitude had become much more proactive than he had expected, but the hints in his words also gave him a fright.

This poverty alleviation work was no longer just a livelihood project; it had become a battlefield for political maneuvering.

Returning to his office, Xiao Bei immediately set about refining the proposal.

He dialed Su Yun's number: "Hello, do you know any reliable livestreaming teams?"

"Acting so quickly?"

Su Yun's voice was full of surprise: "Our station has ready-made equipment and personnel; we can cooperate."

"That's great!"

Xiao Bei quickly took notes: "I need a detailed list of equipment and a budget."

After hanging up, Xiao Bei contacted several township heads to understand the local specialty agricultural products.

Just as he was busy, the office door was knocked.

"Come in."

Team Leader Zhang Yining pushed the door open, her expression grave: "Leader, I just received news that County Magistrate Lin Ruohan has returned from the city and went straight to Deputy County Magistrate Liu's office."

The pen in Xiao Bei's hand paused: "How long have they been talking?"

"Almost an hour, and they still haven't come out."

Team Leader Zhang Yining lowered her voice: "Little Li from the Secretariat said he heard them arguing quite fiercely inside."

Xiao Bei was thoughtful.

What could County Magistrate Lin Ruohan and Liu Fuzhi possibly have to talk about? And they were arguing? This didn't make sense.

"Keep an eye on it, and let me know immediately if there is any news."

Just as Team Leader Zhang Yining was about to leave, she turned back: "By the way, can the people from the Poverty Alleviation Office really come back tomorrow? What about Deputy County Magistrate Liu..."

"Secretary Ma has already agreed to coordinate."

Xiao Bei rubbed his temples: "By the way, help me schedule a meeting with Director Zhou of the Education Bureau. Tell her I want to discuss the school supermarket issue in detail."

After Team Leader Zhang Yining left, Xiao Bei stood by the window, looking at the darkening sky.

In the County Government courtyard, County Magistrate Lin Ruohan's official car was still parked there, and the lights in Liu Fuzhi's office were still on.

In this undercurrent-filled political game, he had to be cautious at every step.

The poverty alleviation livestreaming plan was the key to his breakthrough, but whether it could be implemented smoothly would depend on the contest between the various forces.

His phone vibrated; it was a text message from Mayor Qin Ruoxi: [Come to the city tomorrow morning; there is an important matter to discuss.]