60: Chapter 60 No Destruction, No Construction

Xiao Bei took a deep breath and gently placed the document back on the coffee table: "I am grateful for the organization's cultivation, but my seniority is still shallow, I'm afraid…"

"Eh!" Secretary Qi Zhengming interrupted him. "Young people must have a sense of responsibility! Mayor Qin also said that officials like you, who dare to tackle tough problems, should be used boldly."

Xiao Bei pondered for a moment, then looked at Secretary Qi Zhengming with a firm gaze: "Secretary Qi, since the organization trusts me, I will definitely go all out and live up to this heavy responsibility."

Secretary Qi Zhengming nodded with satisfaction, stood up, and paced to the window. With his back to Xiao Bei, he said: "Bishi Coal Mine has fallen, but the economy of Bishi Town cannot fall. Mayor Qin specifically emphasized at the Municipal Government meeting yesterday that we must find a new economic growth point as soon as possible."

He turned around and stared at Xiao Bei with burning eyes. "Do you know what Mayor Qin proposed?"

Xiao Bei sat up slightly: "Please, Party Secretary, enlighten me."

"Development Zone!" Secretary Qi Zhengming suddenly raised his voice, tapping his finger heavily on the windowsill. "Mayor Qin wants to establish a municipal-level Development Zone in Bishi Town, and you will be personally responsible for investment promotion!"

A flash of surprise crossed Xiao Bei's eyes.

Bishi Town was in a remote location with poor infrastructure and almost nothing but the coal mine; building a Development Zone here was no different from starting from scratch.

"This… is indeed a bold idea," Xiao Bei responded cautiously.

Secretary Qi Zhengming walked back to the sofa and sat down, lowering his voice: "Mayor Qin said we must take this opportunity to completely transform. We cannot continue down the old resource-dependent path; we must develop high-end manufacturing and green industries."

He leaned closer to Xiao Bei. "Do you know what this means?"

Xiao Bei did not answer immediately.

He remembered Qin Ruoxi's face, which was always expressionless, yet could wipe out local bullies like General Manager Xiang Wenqiang in the midst of conversation.

"It means Bishi Town will be reborn from the ashes," Xiao Bei finally said.

"Exactly!" Secretary Qi Zhengming slapped the table and stood up. "And Mayor Qin has already contacted several large enterprises—some in new energy batteries, some in intelligent manufacturing equipment—all of them are sunrise industries!"

He paced back and forth in the office excitedly. "Do you know what the most brilliant part is? Mayor Qin plans to build the Development Zone right on the abandoned mine site, saying this is called 'turning waste into treasure'!"

Xiao Bei nodded thoughtfully.

This plan was indeed clever—it simultaneously solved the governance problem of the abandoned mine and revitalized idle land. However, he knew clearly that the real challenge was just beginning.

"Secretary Qi, investment promotion is easy, but supporting policies, infrastructure, talent introduction, these…"

"That's why we need you!" Secretary Qi Zhengming turned around abruptly, his eyes gleaming. "Mayor Qin specifically requested you to be in charge of the Development Zone. She said…"

Secretary Qi Zhengming suddenly lowered his voice, imitating Qin Ruoxi's tone. "Although Comrade Xiao Bei is young, he has grassroots experience, understands economic laws, and what's more rare is that he dares to tackle tough problems."

Xiao Bei's heart trembled.

He hadn't expected Qin Ruoxi to value him so highly, but upon reflection, this was both an opportunity and a responsibility—the livelihoods of tens of thousands of people in Bishi Town were tied to this.

"I understand." Xiao Bei stood up, his gaze firm. "Please rest assured, organization. I will definitely cooperate with Mayor Qin to build the Development Zone well."

Secretary Qi Zhengming patted his shoulder with satisfaction: "Good! You have courage!"

He walked back to the desk and took a document from the drawer. "This is the preliminary plan personally drafted by Mayor Qin. Take a look at it first. The Municipal Party Committee will hold a special meeting next week, and you must prepare for the report."

Xiao Bei took the document and opened the first page. On it, in Qin Ruoxi's elegant handwriting, was the directive: "Drive development with innovation, seek breakthroughs with transformation, and create a new Bishi model."

After chatting for a while, Xiao Bei took his leave.

As he walked out of Secretary Qi Zhengming's office, Xiao Bei took a deep breath at the door, clutching the heavy Development Zone planning document in his hand.

Bzz, bzz, bzz~ At this moment, his phone suddenly vibrated.

The name flashing on the screen made Xiao Bei's fingers pause slightly—"Qin Ruoxi".

"Mayor Qin." He answered the phone, his voice steady.

"Little Xiao," Qin Ruoxi's uniquely cold voice came from the other end of the line, though the end of her sentence carried a hint of softness. "Have you received the 'gift' I gave you?"

Xiao Bei understood immediately. He smiled slightly, his eyes falling on Qin Ruoxi's handwritten note on the document: "I just received the planning document and am currently studying it."

"This gift is not light," Qin Ruoxi chuckled, and the rustling sound of paper turning came through the phone. "The entire future of Bishi Town is handed over to you."

In the distance, the sound of cicadas could be heard. Xiao Bei looked at the red flag fluttering at the entrance of the County Party Committee compound: "I will definitely go all out."

"I think Secretary Qi Zhengming should have made things very clear, right?" Qin Ruoxi suddenly changed the subject, her tone becoming a bit sharper. "The position of member of the County Party Committee Standing Committee is not just to add a burden to you, but also to back you up."

Xiao Bei walked down the steps, tree shadows casting mottled light spots on him: "Secretary Qi said… this was your intention."

The other end of the line was silent for a few seconds.

"Xiao Bei." Qin Ruoxi's voice suddenly lowered. "You handled the Bishi Coal Mine case beautifully, but what follows is the real hard battle."

She quickened her pace. "The Development Zone is not a pie drawn on paper; it needs to be implemented in reality. Those old foxes in the city are applauding on the surface, but I don't know how many pairs of eyes are waiting behind the scenes to see you make a fool of yourself."

An official vehicle drove past Xiao Bei, kicking up fine dust.

He narrowed his eyes: "I understand."

"You don't fully understand," Qin Ruoxi sighed, which was rare. "Although General Manager Xiang Wenqiang is in, his network of relationships is still there. Those interest groups that rely on the coal mine are most afraid that the Development Zone will actually get off the ground."

She paused. "So remember, if you have any difficulties, report directly to me at any time. Do not follow the regular procedures."

Xiao Bei stopped under a plane tree. The meaning behind this instruction made his heart tighten: "Is Mayor Qin worried that…"

"Worried that you are young and impetuous," Qin Ruoxi interrupted him, her tone returning to that of the decisive female mayor. "Remember, managing the economy is not like investigating a case. Having a sense of justice is not enough; you must know how to be circuitous."

She suddenly changed the subject. "Come see me at the Municipal Government next week. I want to hear your detailed plan."

"Alright, Mayor Qin, I will definitely prepare well," Xiao Bei replied, his fingers unconsciously rubbing the edge of the document.

"By the way." Qin Ruoxi seemed to be about to hang up the phone, but added, "Tomorrow, have the County Party Committee office assign you a car. In the early stages of the Development Zone, you will need to run to the site frequently; it's not convenient without a car."

Just as Xiao Bei was about to decline, a busy signal already came from the other end of the line.

He put down his phone and discovered that his palms were covered in a thin layer of sweat.

In the distance, the neon lights of the County Party Committee compound lit up one by one, outlining a solemn silhouette in the twilight.

He opened the last page of the planning document. Qin Ruoxi had written a line of small characters in red ink in the blank space: "Destroy before building; there is no construction without destruction."

The strokes were so sharp they almost tore through the paper…