134: Chapter 134 Choosing a Path to Survival

Xiao Bei stared at the text message, lost in thought. Was Mayor Qin Ruoxi's sudden summons related to County Magistrate Lin Ruohan's trip to the city today? And what schemes were hidden behind Secretary Ma Wendong's unusual enthusiasm for the Livestreaming E-commerce plan?

He turned back to his computer to continue refining the proposal. No matter how the situation changed, doing his job well was never a mistake. This poverty alleviation plan was both a practical deed for the people and a shield for his own protection in the political vortex.

Outside the window, the last ray of sunset disappeared below the horizon. The lights of the County Government building turned on one by one, like pieces on a chessboard becoming clearer. Xiao Bei knew that the real battle had just begun.

The next morning, Xiao Bei arrived at the Municipal Government half an hour early. Mayor Qin Ruoxi's secretary was already waiting at the door and led him directly to the Mayor's office.

"You're here early."

Mayor Qin Ruoxi looked up from a stack of documents and motioned for Xiao Bei to sit. She was wearing a dark green shirt paired with a high-waisted, tight-fitting skirt. Her long, slightly wavy hair was tossed casually behind her back. Although she looked slightly weary, her gaze was as sharp as an eagle's.

Xiao Bei presented the poverty alleviation proposal he had prepared overnight with both hands: "Mayor Qin Ruoxi, this is my preliminary concept for the Livestreaming E-commerce assistance to farmers plan."

Mayor Qin Ruoxi took the document but did not open it immediately. Instead, she stared at Xiao Bei and asked: "I heard that County Magistrate Lin Ruohan and Deputy County Magistrate Liu Fuzhi had an argument yesterday?"

"Yes."

Xiao Bei nodded. "It is said to be about poverty alleviation funds. After returning from the city, County Magistrate Lin Ruohan went straight to Deputy County Magistrate Liu Fuzhi's office and talked for nearly an hour."

"Do you know who she met in the city?"

Mayor Qin Ruoxi tapped her fingers lightly on the desk.

Xiao Bei shook his head: "I'm not sure. However..."

He hesitated for a moment. "Secretary Ma Wendong seems very concerned about this. Yesterday, he specifically asked me if you had revealed any news."

Mayor Qin Ruoxi sneered: "That old fox, Secretary Ma Wendong."

She finally opened Xiao Bei's proposal and began to browse through it quickly.

For a while, the only sound in the office was the rustling of paper. Xiao Bei noticed that Mayor Qin Ruoxi's brow gradually smoothed out, and she even nodded slightly at the end.

"Not bad, very creative."

Mayor Qin Ruoxi closed the file. "Livestreaming E-commerce can indeed bypass intermediaries and directly help farmers increase their income. However..."

She looked at Xiao Bei meaningfully. "Do you know why County Magistrate Lin Ruohan agreed to let you be in charge of poverty alleviation?"

Xiao Bei's heart tightened: "Are you saying...?"

"The Provincial Inspection Team will arrive next week."

Mayor Qin Ruoxi lowered her voice. "They are focusing on the use of poverty alleviation funds. Deputy County Magistrate Liu Fuzhi has done many shady things in this regard over the years. County Magistrate Lin Ruohan is trying to use your hands to lift the lid."

A layer of cold sweat broke out on Xiao Bei's back: "Then this plan of mine..."

"It's perfect!"

Mayor Qin Ruoxi suddenly raised her voice. "By doing Livestreaming E-commerce to help farmers, you not only achieve political results but also avoid the minefield of fund auditing. As for Deputy County Magistrate Liu Fuzhi's messy accounts..."

She smiled meaningfully. "Investigate what needs to be investigated and report what needs to be reported, but you must grasp the sense of proportion."

Xiao Bei immediately understood: "I understand. However, the staff at the Poverty Alleviation Office have all been transferred away by Deputy County Magistrate Liu Fuzhi, so it is difficult to carry out the work."

"That's simple."

Mayor Qin Ruoxi picked up the phone. "I will give Secretary Ma Wendong a nudge and have him transfer the people back to you."

Before dialing, she added, "Remember, report any movement to me immediately. I want to know every move County Magistrate Lin Ruohan makes."

After the call ended, Mayor Qin Ruoxi personally saw Xiao Bei to the door: "Go ahead and do it. If you have any difficulties, come to me anytime."

She patted Xiao Bei on the shoulder. "By the way, remember to invite me to the launch ceremony."

On the way back to Jinhe County, Xiao Bei pondered Mayor Qin Ruoxi's words repeatedly. The news of the Provincial Inspection Team's imminent arrival explained why County Magistrate Lin Ruohan was so eager to adjust the division of labor, but her true intention remained a mystery. Was she genuinely trying to investigate the poverty alleviation fund issue, or was there another motive?

As soon as he returned to the office, Team Leader Zhang Yining hurried in: "Leader, the staff from the Poverty Alleviation Office are back! Deputy County Magistrate Liu Fuzhi called personally just now and told them to cooperate fully with your work."

Xiao Bei raised an eyebrow: "So fast?"

"There is something even stranger."

Team Leader Zhang Yining lowered her voice. "County Magistrate Lin Ruohan just had her secretary send over a document, saying it was a suggestion for your poverty alleviation work."

She handed over a sealed file bag.

Xiao Bei opened the file bag. Inside were several research reports on Livestreaming E-commerce and a brief handwritten note: [It is suggested to start with a pilot in Qingshan Township; the local organic rice is of excellent quality but sells poorly. If you need assistance, you can contact Su Yun from the county TV station. — County Magistrate Lin Ruohan]

Xiao Bei stared at the note, lost in thought. He had bypassed County Magistrate Lin Ruohan to report directly to the Party Secretary; how did she know he was going to do Livestreaming E-commerce? And why did she support his Livestreaming E-commerce plan? She even contacted the TV station ahead of time? This completely contradicted Mayor Qin Ruoxi's warning.

"Leader?"

Team Leader Zhang Yining reminded him softly, "The Party Secretaries of the various towns are already waiting for you in the conference room."

Xiao Bei put away the documents: "Let's go, let's go to the meeting first."

The conference room was full of the heads of the various towns. Xiao Bei noticed that Secretary Wang Dehai of Qingshan Township was sitting in the corner, whispering to someone else. This old Party Secretary in his fifties had dark skin and calloused hands; one could tell at a glance that he was someone who spent years in the fields.

"Everyone."

Xiao Bei got straight to the point. "The county has decided to innovate our poverty alleviation methods and pilot a Livestreaming E-commerce assistance project. I invited everyone here today, firstly, to understand the situation of special agricultural products in each township, and secondly, to determine the first batch of pilot villages."

Director Zhou Dawei of the Finance Bureau interjected: "County Magistrate Xiao, Livestreaming E-commerce requires equipment and professional personnel. This funding..."

"The county doesn't need to spend money."

Xiao Bei interrupted him. "The county TV station has ready-made equipment and teams. We will cooperate for mutual benefit."

There was a lot of discussion in the conference room. Most town Party Secretaries expressed support, but some looked doubtful.

"County Magistrate Xiao."

Secretary Wang Dehai of Qingshan Township suddenly stood up, his voice loud.

"Our Qingshan rice is the best in the county, but the transportation can't keep up. Last year, half of it was piled up in the warehouse and couldn't be sold. Can your Livestreaming E-commerce solve practical problems?"

Xiao Bei smiled slightly: "Secretary Wang Dehai asked a good question. Livestreaming E-commerce is just a sales channel; we also need to open up logistics and supply chains."

He looked at the Director of the Transportation Bureau who was present. "The county can coordinate with logistics companies to set up a distribution point in Qingshan Township."

The meeting lasted for two hours, and finally, Qingshan Township and Hongtu Town were determined as the first batch of pilots. After the meeting, Xiao Bei called out to Secretary Wang Dehai:

"Secretary Wang Dehai, I want to go to Qingshan Township to see for myself tomorrow. Is that convenient?"

Secretary Wang Dehai readily agreed: "You are welcome anytime! I will have the village prepare some new rice. You will know why I dare to guarantee it once you taste it."

The night grew deeper, and Jinhe County gradually fell into a deep sleep. But beneath this tranquility, a battle between justice and interests had just begun.