65: Chapter 65 Changing Attitude

Xiao Bei's expression remained unchanged: "That is enough, thank you, Secretary Li."

Pushing open the heavy solid wood door, County Head Xiahou Yang was standing in front of the window with his back to them, making a phone call.

He had a tall stature and broad shoulders; even through his suit, one could feel that air of natural authority that commanded respect without anger.

"...This matter is settled just like this; there is no room for negotiation!"

County Head Xiahou Yang hung up the phone and turned around slowly.

This was the first time Secretary He Mingxuan had seen the true face of this County Magistrate Xia—he was around fifty, with a square face and a broad forehead. Beneath two thick eyebrows lay a pair of eyes as sharp as an eagle's; when he looked at someone, it felt as though he could pierce through the surface.

"Comrade Xiao Bei, is it? Sit."

County Head Xiahou Yang pointed to the chair opposite him, though he remained standing himself. "Vice County Magistrate Wang said you have an important project to report?"

Xiao Bei handed over the report without being servile or overbearing: "County Magistrate Xia, this is the plan for the Development Zone at the abandoned mine in the east of Bishi Town. I would like you to take a look."

County Head Xiahou Yang flipped through it casually and then closed the file: "Get straight to the point. What benefits will the county treasury get? How much money needs to be invested?"

"The initial investment is about 80 million, with land remediation accounting for 60%."

Xiao Bei had been well prepared: "But after three years, it will start generating tax revenue, and the entire investment can be recouped within five years. After that, it can contribute at least 20 million to the county treasury annually."

County Head Xiahou Yang sneered: "Empty talk! Do you know how many key projects in the county are waiting for funding this year?"

He yanked open a drawer, pulled out a stack of documents, and slammed them onto the table. "Education equalization reforms alone require 120 million! Health system upgrades require 80 million! Where is the spare money to let you build some Development Zone?"

The air in the office instantly froze.

Secretary He Mingxuan saw that Xiao Bei's knuckles had turned slightly white, but his voice remained steady: "County Magistrate Xia, it is precisely because the county treasury is tight that we need to cultivate new economic growth points. This project can introduce social capital; the county only needs to provide 20% in matching funds."

"20% is still 16 million!"

County Head Xiahou Yang slapped the table. "The matter of Bishi Coal Mine hasn't been thoroughly resolved yet, and you want to pull new tricks? It's a good thing for young people to have ideas, but you must keep your feet on the ground!"

Xiao Bei took a deep breath, his fingers tapping lightly on the table as if weighing something.

A moment later, he raised his head and looked directly at County Head Xiahou Yang: "County Magistrate Xia, actually, this project... is the idea of Mayor Qin."

As soon as the words fell, County Head Xiahou Yang's sharp gaze suddenly stalled, and the air in the entire office seemed to freeze for an instant.

"Mayor Qin?" His voice was deep, his brows slightly furrowed. "You mean... Mayor Qin Ruoxi?"

Xiao Bei nodded: "Yes, this is what Mayor Qin told me personally. She hopes we can explore a path of transformation for resource-exhausted towns. This Development Zone plan for the abandoned mine is based precisely on her instructions."

County Head Xiahou Yang was silent for a few seconds, then suddenly turned and walked to the window, with his back to them.

Secretary He Mingxuan noticed that his shoulders were slightly tense, and his fingers were unconsciously rubbing against the window frame.

"Why didn't you say so earlier?" County Head Xiahou Yang's voice suddenly softened a lot, even carrying a faint hint of a smile.

Xiao Bei's tone was calm: "Mayor Qin only suggested a direction; the specific plan was done by our town itself. I didn't want the county to feel that we were using the leadership to pressure people."

County Head Xiahou Yang turned around. The sternness on his face had disappeared, replaced by an almost cordial expression.

He walked back to the desk and picked up the report again, this time flipping through it with extra care.

"Hmm... the concept of this green circular economy park is indeed very forward-looking."

He nodded, his tone completely different from a moment ago. "Secretary Xiao, the work in your town is quite solid!"

Secretary He Mingxuan and Xiao Bei exchanged a glance, both seeing a glimmer of understanding in each other's eyes.

County Head Xiahou Yang continued flipping through the report and suddenly looked up at Secretary He Mingxuan: "And this is...?"

"My liaison, Secretary He Mingxuan, the main writer of the report," Xiao Bei introduced.

"Not bad for a young man!" County Head Xiahou Yang nodded with a smile. "Clear thinking, solid data—a real talent!"

Secretary He Mingxuan bowed slightly: "Thank you, County Magistrate Xia."

County Head Xiahou Yang closed the document, folded his hands on the table, and said in a solemn tone: "Since this project is one that Mayor Qin is concerned about, the County Government will definitely support it fully! The matching funds from the treasury are not an issue; I will coordinate it personally."

He pressed the intercom button on the desk: "Secretary Li, adjust next week's County Magistrate's executive meeting; prioritize the discussion of the Bishi Town Development Zone project!"

After hanging up, he looked at Xiao Bei again: "Comrade Xiao Bei, if you have anything else you need support from the county for, don't hesitate to bring it up!"

Xiao Bei pondered for a moment: "The biggest difficulty at present is the funding gap for land remediation. If we could secure provincial special funds..."

"Leave that to me!" County Head Xiahou Yang waved his hand broadly. "I'm familiar with Director Liu from the provincial Department of Finance. I'll go make a trip there personally later!"

He turned to Secretary He Mingxuan again: "Little He, refine this report a bit more. Highlight the transformation ideas indicated by Mayor Qin. When the time comes, I'll take it with me to report to the province!"

Secretary He Mingxuan nodded immediately: "Very well, County Magistrate Xia. I will revise it tonight."

County Head Xiahou Yang smiled with satisfaction, even getting up personally to see them to the door.

Upon parting, he patted Xiao Bei's shoulder, his tone meaningful: "Secretary Xiao, in the future, when there are important projects like this, remember to give me a heads-up in advance! Only when our county and town are of one mind can we get things done well. Don't you agree?"

Xiao Bei responded with a smile: "County Magistrate Xia is right; it was my oversight."

As they walked out of the County Government building, Secretary He Mingxuan finally couldn't help but ask in a low voice: "Secretary Xiao, did Mayor Qin really...?"

Xiao Bei glanced at him, the corners of his mouth slightly raised: "Initiating this economic Development Zone was indeed proposed by Mayor Qin, but as for the specific project..."

He paused, "Sometimes, leveraging external strength appropriately is also one of the methods of work."

Secretary He Mingxuan nodded thoughtfully.

Back in the car, Xiao Bei's phone suddenly rang.

He glanced at the caller ID, his expression changed slightly, and he quickly picked up: "Hello, Mayor Qin!"

From the other end of the line came Mayor Qin Ruoxi's clear and dignified voice: "Xiao Bei, I've heard about the Development Zone matter. You all are moving quite fast."

Xiao Bei straightened his posture: "Mayor Qin, you are too kind; we are just pushing the work forward according to your instructions."

"The city will hold a 'Green Economic Industry Investment Promotion Conference' next month."

Mayor Qin Ruoxi went straight to the point: "I have used some connections to specifically invite a few enterprises in the fields of environmental technology and intelligent manufacturing. Three of them are particularly suitable for your Development Zone."

Secretary He Mingxuan noticed that Xiao Bei's fingers tightened unconsciously, his knuckles turning slightly white.

"That's wonderful!" Xiao Bei's voice remained steady. "May I ask which enterprises those are?"