135: Chapter 135 The Battle for the Dark Gang

Early the next morning, Xiao Bei took Team Leader Zhang Yining straight to Qingshan Township.

After the car drove out of the county town, the road gradually became rugged and uneven.

Two hours later, they arrived at Qingshan Village.

The scene before him shocked Xiao Bei: dilapidated mud houses were sparsely scattered on the hillside, villagers working in the fields were dressed plainly, and several children were chasing and playing on the muddy road, wearing worn-out cloth shoes...

This was simply not from the same world as the legendary wealthy Jinhe County, and even Lishan County, which the County Government planned to subsidize, was better than this!

"County Magistrate Xiao, welcome, welcome!"

Secretary Wang Dehai walked up and enthusiastically shook Xiao Bei's hand, "Shall we go sit at the village committee office first?"

The village committee office was a low, one-story building with slogans from over a decade ago painted on the walls.

Inside the room were a few peeling wooden tables and chairs, and an old-fashioned television was the only electrical appliance.

"The conditions are simple, please forgive us."

Secretary Wang Dehai poured a cup of tea for Xiao Bei; the tea leaves were coarse, but the aroma was pungent, "This is wild tea produced on our mountain, you can't drink this in the city."

Xiao Bei took a sip, and the tea's fragrance was refreshing: "Good tea! If this were packaged, it would definitely sell for a good price."

"Who's to say it isn't." Secretary Wang Dehai sighed, "The year before last, Deputy County Magistrate Liu brought a boss here, saying he wanted to invest in building a tea factory, collected a five-thousand-yuan deposit from the villagers, and then disappeared."

Xiao Bei and Team Leader Zhang Yining exchanged a look. This was clearly another one of Liu Fuzhi's bad debts.

"Take me to see the rice paddies." Xiao Bei changed the subject.

The rice paddies were located in a mountain basin, with golden rice ears swaying in the wind, like a golden ocean.

Secretary Wang Dehai bent down to pluck an ear of rice, rubbed out a few grains, and handed them to Xiao Bei: "Taste it, real organic rice, no pesticides or chemical fertilizers used."

The rice grains were crystal clear and plump; chewing them, a sweet and fragrant taste immediately filled his mouth.

"With such good rice, how can it not be sold?" Xiao Bei was puzzled.

"The transportation cost is too high." Secretary Wang Dehai explained, "It takes two hours from the village to the county town, and the road is difficult to travel. When merchants come to collect, they suppress the price severely, only giving two and a half yuan per jin, which isn't even enough to cover the cost."

On the way back, Xiao Bei remained silent. It wasn't until the car drove into the county town that he spoke: "Team Leader Zhang Yining, go back and immediately create a plan for the launch ceremony, as soon as possible."

"Yes, leader." Team Leader Zhang Yining recorded quickly in her notebook, "Regarding the budget..."

"Prepare according to the highest specifications." Xiao Bei said decisively, "I want to invite Mayor Qin, Secretary Ma, and County Magistrate Lin to attend and build up the momentum."

That night, while Xiao Bei was reviewing the plan submitted by Team Leader Zhang Yining in his office, his phone rang. It was a message from Su Yun:

[I heard you went to Qingshan Township today? County Magistrate Lin just contacted me, saying she wants to invite our station to assist with your poverty alleviation live broadcast.]

Xiao Bei stared at the phone screen, his brows furrowed. County Magistrate Lin Ruohan's actions were faster than he had anticipated, and she had once again accurately found the connection through Su Yun. What on earth was she planning?

He dialed Su Yun's phone: "What exactly did she say?"

"It's just a normal work arrangement." Su Yun said in a relaxed tone, "She said she appreciates your innovative ideas and hopes the media will fully cooperate. What's wrong?"

"Nothing." Xiao Bei did not mention his doubts, "How are things going on your end?"

"The equipment and personnel are all in place, just waiting for you to confirm the time." Su Yun paused, "By the way, there is something very strange... County Magistrate Lin specifically asked about Mingyuan Trading."

Xiao Bei's heart tightened: "What did she ask?"

"She just asked if our station has any business dealings with Mingyuan, and also asked if I knew who the current controlling shareholder of Mingyuan is." Su Yun asked suspiciously, "Why do you think she cares about this?"

After hanging up the phone, Xiao Bei stood by the window, looking at the lights in County Magistrate Lin Ruohan's office in the County Government building. Mingyuan Trading was the enterprise of the former corrupt official Zhang Mingyuan, and County Magistrate Lin Ruohan was the lead investigator of the Zhang Mingyuan case when she worked at the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection. Now that she was suddenly showing interest in Mingyuan, could this company be related to the poverty alleviation funds of Jinhe County again?

Team Leader Zhang Yining knocked and entered: "Leader, the plan has been revised. Would you like to take another look?"

Xiao Bei took the revised plan handed over by Team Leader Zhang Yining, his fingertips gently stroking the pages. The office light illuminated the paper, and the dense annotations on it showed Team Leader Zhang Yining's dedication.

"The logistics section is well supplemented." Xiao Bei pointed to a newly added page in the plan, "Is there any news from the Transportation Bureau?"

Just as Team Leader Zhang Yining was about to answer, Xiao Bei's phone vibrated. The name "Director Zhao of the Transportation Bureau" appeared on the screen.

"Speak of the devil."

Xiao Bei pressed the answer button, while signaling Team Leader Zhang Yining to record the key points.

"County Magistrate Xiao! Good news!" Director Zhao's voice was filled with excitement, "I have negotiated with several courier companies, and they are willing to set up temporary collection points in Qingshan Township, with shipping fees calculated at a 30% discount during the live broadcast!"

Xiao Bei's eyes lit up: "That's great, which companies specifically?"

"Nifeng, Jingxi, and Suotong Yida have all agreed. Especially Jingxi, their county person in charge said that Mayor Qin personally made the call..."

The pen in Xiao Bei's hand paused slightly. Mayor Qin?

After hanging up the phone, Xiao Bei immediately dialed Qin Ruoxi's private number. A lazy female voice came from the other end of the line: "What, are you calling to thank me now that the logistics problem is solved?"

"Mayor Qin, how did you know I needed to coordinate with logistics companies?" Xiao Bei asked cautiously.

There was a slight sound of porcelain clinking from the other end of the phone; Qin Ruoxi seemed to be drinking tea: "Secretary Ma Wendong told me. He said your live broadcast plan was only missing the logistics piece."

She chuckled, "What, did I help in the wrong way?"

"No, no, thank you very much." Xiao Bei said quickly.

"There are no small matters in poverty alleviation." Qin Ruoxi's tone suddenly became serious, "By the way, I also solved the packaging problem for you. That 'Green Packaging' company in the city will send people to Qingshan Township tomorrow to provide the first batch of five thousand customized packaging boxes for free."

Xiao Bei raised an eyebrow in surprise: "This... isn't that too expensive?"

"It's a voluntary corporate social responsibility project, the county doesn't have to pay a penny, and if the live broadcast goes well, it's also a form of promotion for them." Qin Ruoxi said nonchalantly, "You just focus on doing the live broadcast well, as for the rest... I'll handle it."

Hanging up the phone, Xiao Bei let out a long sigh of relief.

"Leader, have the packaging and logistics both been solved?" Team Leader Zhang Yining asked in a low voice.

Xiao Bei nodded: "The Green Packaging company will go to Qingshan Township tomorrow, you arrange for someone to coordinate with them."

He looked at his watch, "Contact Su Yun now and ask if she can take the live broadcast team to Qingshan Township for a rehearsal this afternoon."

After Team Leader Zhang Yining dialed the phone, Su Yun readily agreed.

One hour later, Xiao Bei's official car, carrying the five-person live broadcast team from the TV station, drove towards Qingshan Township...