94: Chapter 94 Pre-departure Instructions

"Hello, Secretary Xiao."

Team Leader Zhang Yining stepped forward and extended her hand. "I have long heard of your reputation."

Her voice was crisp and decisive, her handshake firm, and she looked directly at Xiao Bei without a hint of nervousness. Xiao Bei noticed she was wearing a low-key mechanical watch on her wrist; the dial was engraved with some kind of precise scale, not looking like an ordinary accessory.

"Hello, Secretary Zhang."

Xiao Bei nodded. "I look forward to your guidance in the future."

Qin Ruoxi gestured for the two to sit down: "Although Yining is young, she has handled many complex situations. Last year, regarding that mass incident in the city, the emergency plan she helped formulate received commendation from the province."

Xiao Bei looked at Team Leader Zhang Yining in surprise: "You participated in that? That plan was indeed excellent."

Team Leader Zhang Yining smiled slightly, a flash of keen insight passing through her eyes behind her glasses: "It was the result of teamwork. However, I have conducted a preliminary investigation into the situation in Jinhe County and found it to be even more complex than we anticipated."

She took a tablet out of her briefcase, her fingers sliding quickly across it to pull up a detailed file: "This is a background analysis of the current leadership team members in Jinhe County, including their factional relationships, work styles, and potential weaknesses."

Xiao Bei took the tablet. On the screen was an intricate network diagram, with detailed notes marked at every node.

He scrolled through it, and the more he read, the more alarmed he became—this document not only included public information but also many internal details, even recording the living habits of certain leaders and the schools their children attended.

"This information…" Xiao Bei looked hesitantly at Mayor Qin.

"Yining has special information channels," Qin Ruoxi said meaningfully. "Her father is Old Zhang from the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection."

Xiao Bei suddenly realized. The daughter of the Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection—no wonder she could obtain this sensitive information. Mayor Qin had truly sent him a "secret weapon."

Team Leader Zhang Yining pushed up her glasses: "Secretary Xiao, you need not have any concerns. This information is for your reference only and will not be leaked. My father does not know that I have provided this to you."

"Yining is very talented in data analysis," Qin Ruoxi added. "She was specially approved for an early internship not because of her father—and no one knows about her father anyway—but because she can quickly find the key points amidst complex information. With her helping you sort through the muddy waters of Jinhe County, it will be much easier."

Xiao Bei nodded solemnly: "Thank you for the arrangement, Mayor Qin, and thank you, Secretary Zhang."

"Just call me Yining," Team Leader Zhang Yining said, putting away the tablet. "I have already prepared the transfer procedures and can set off with you at any time."

Qin Ruoxi stood up and walked to the window, turning her back to them: "Xiao Bei, the situation in Jinhe County is more complex than you imagine. Secretary Ma Wendong has operated there for eight years, climbing all the way from Deputy County Magistrate to County Party Committee Party Secretary. The entire Jinhe County has been forged into an impenetrable block by him. Every time the Provincial Audit Office goes to check the accounts, they find nothing, and instead, the head of the audit team gets transferred after returning... Perhaps he really is just working diligently, but it's hard to say..."

Xiao Bei frowned: "That powerful?"

"What's even trickier is County Magistrate Xuan Lingyu." Qin Ruoxi turned around, her expression grave. "On the surface, she and Secretary Ma Wendong are at odds, but I always feel they are working in tacit cooperation. County Magistrate Xuan Lingyu's background is very confusing; she seems to have connections with everyone, yet also seems not very close to anyone. Especially her husband, who is very low-key and impossible to find information about. There is even a saying in Canglan City... that the best team in the entire city is in Jinhe County..."

Team Leader Zhang Yining suddenly interjected: "I found out that County Magistrate Xuan Lingyu has a habit—she really likes to go to a tea house in the suburbs of the county."

Xiao Bei was thoughtful: "A tea house..."

"Also," Qin Ruoxi walked back to her desk and lowered her voice, "Jinhe County is recently applying for a provincial-level Economic Development Zone, with a total investment exceeding two billion. I suspect there is a problem with this project, but the surface paperwork is flawless. After you go, you can use this as an entry point."

Xiao Bei nodded: "Understood."

"Remember," Qin Ruoxi looked directly into Xiao Bei's eyes, "in Jinhe County, apart from Yining, do not easily trust anyone. Including those middle-level cadres who show you favor."

Qin Ruoxi thought for a moment and added: "Of course, having you go to take office isn't for the purpose of internal fighting, but to uphold justice and maintain society on the premise of accomplishing things!"

"I will remember that, Mayor Qin, please rest assured! I know what to do!"

After giving instructions, Qin Ruoxi asked Team Leader Zhang Yining to leave first, leaving Xiao Bei alone.

"This girl is not simple." Qin Ruoxi closed the door, her voice even lower. "During her university years, she assisted the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection in cracking two corruption cases and also participated in some work of the Central Inspection Team. On the surface, she is your secretary, but in reality... she has a special mission."

Xiao Bei was shocked: "She is..."

"Don't ask too much." Qin Ruoxi waved her hand. "You only need to know that she is on our side. Her identity as a young graduate girl is not easy to attract other people's attention. At critical moments, she can help you contact forces in the province or even higher levels."

Xiao Bei took a deep breath, feeling that the burden on his shoulders had grown a bit heavier.

Leaving the Municipal Government building, Team Leader Zhang Yining was already waiting by the car. She opened the back door, her movements as skilled as a veteran secretary: "Secretary Xiao, are you going back to Bishi Town now to pack your luggage?"

"Yes." Xiao Bei sat in the car. "We will set off for Jinhe County early tomorrow morning."

On the way back, Team Leader Zhang Yining sat in the passenger seat, keeping her head down and working on documents on her tablet.

Xiao Bei observed the mysterious young girl through the rearview mirror—when her brows furrowed slightly, a nearly invisible fine line would appear on her forehead; her action of pushing up her glasses was always a gentle nudge with her middle finger; every fifteen minutes, she would subconsciously glance at the watch on her wrist.

These details convinced Xiao Bei that Team Leader Zhang Yining was by no means just a simple secretary.

"Secretary Xiao," Team Leader Zhang Yining suddenly turned her head, "I just received news that they have already prepared a place for you in Jinhe County—the old dormitory building behind the County Government, the westernmost room on the third floor."

Xiao Bei raised an eyebrow: "Such well-informed news?"

Team Leader Zhang Yining's lips curled slightly: "Secretary Ma's secretary is my senior, we... keep in touch."

Xiao Bei understood; this was another inside line. He suddenly felt a bit more confident about the upcoming trip to Jinhe County.

Returning to Bishi Town, Xiao Bei began to pack up his office. Secretary He Mingxuan was helping organize documents with red eyes; this secretary who had followed him for two years was clearly reluctant to see him leave.

"Secretary He Mingxuan." Xiao Bei patted his shoulder. "When I am not here, you must assist the new Party Secretary to do a good job in Bishi Town. Especially the second phase of the Development Zone project; you must keep a close eye on it."

Secretary He Mingxuan nodded vigorously: "Please rest assured, I will do my utmost."

In the evening, Xiao Bei received a call from Su Yun.

"I heard you are leaving tomorrow?" Su Yun's voice came through the phone, carrying a hint of imperceptible trembling...