146: Chapter 146 County Head's Meeting

After hanging up the phone, Yi Fei was so angry that he slammed his fountain pen onto the documents, splattering ink everywhere.

He completely failed to realize that someone capable of securing millions in funding directly from the provincial level could not possibly lack a powerful backer.

One could only say that the potential benefits were too dazzling.

On the other side, Li Dakang knew clearly that Yi Fei likely already held a prejudice against him over this matter.

However, he had always had a clear conscience.

Wanted the funds?

If he had the ability, he should go to the provincial level and fight for them himself.

Thinking of getting his hands on this special fund? It was nothing but wishful thinking.

If the other party really dared to play any tricks, he, Li Dakang, was not someone to be trifled with.

As he was pondering this, the phone on his desk suddenly rang again.

"Is this Secretary Li? This is Municipal Transportation Bureau Chief Liu Weidong." A warm voice came from the other end of the line.

Li Dakang was naturally no stranger to this Municipal Transportation Bureau Chief: "Hello, Chief Liu. What can I do for you?"

"It's like this, Secretary Li." Municipal Transportation Bureau Chief Liu Weidong said with a chuckle: "There are a few bosses of engineering companies in the city who have been wanting to meet you."

"When do you think it would be convenient for everyone to get together?"

Li Dakang knew full well that someone had set their sights on the lucrative "Village-to-Village Connectivity Project" road construction project about to launch in Guantian Township.

However, in his view, it made no difference which company did the work; the key was to ensure quality. In any case, he never interfered in such matters, let alone sought personal gain from them.

Moreover, there would be many more dealings with the Municipal Transportation Bureau in the future. Since Municipal Transportation Bureau Chief Liu Weidong had personally extended the invitation, he had to give him some face.

"Since Chief Liu has invited me, I will definitely arrive on time."

"That's great!" Municipal Transportation Bureau Chief Liu Weidong laughed heartily.

"How about this? It's too much trouble for you to make a special trip to the city. In two days, I happen to be going to Anjiang County to inspect transportation construction, so I'll bring them along to visit you then."

Just after hanging up the phone, before Li Dakang had a chance to take a sip of tea, the phone on his desk rang urgently again.

"Comrade Dakang, if it's convenient, come to my office right now."

On the other end of the line, the voice of County Magistrate Zeng Xuejun carried an unmistakable tone of command.

Li Dakang sighed softly and had no choice but to instruct his driver, Su Wu, to prepare the car.

The black Santana sped along the winding mountain road, and forty minutes later, it drove into the County Government compound.

Pushing open the solid wood door of the County Magistrates Office, he saw County Magistrate Zeng Xuejun standing by the window, holding a teacup.

Seeing Li Dakang enter, he immediately greeted him with a smile: "Comrade Dakang, sorry to make you come all this way."

"I heard you secured over ten million in special funds from the Provincial Department of Transportation?"

Li Dakang sat down on the guest sofa calmly and replied in a steady tone: "Yes, County Magistrate Zeng. These funds have already been transferred directly into the Guantian Township special fiscal account, specifically for the 'Village-to-Village Connectivity Project' road construction. The provincial government requires special funds for special use, with audits throughout the entire process."

Amidst the swirling steam of his teacup, County Magistrate Zeng Xuejun thought to himself: This Li Dakang, managing to secure such a large sum of money from the provincial level without a sound—it seems his network of connections at the provincial level is even deeper than I imagined.

Li Dakang had previously reported this project to County Magistrate Zeng Xuejun, but at the time, the County Magistrate had only responded with a lukewarm "That's a good idea."

A complex look flashed in County Magistrate Zeng Xuejun's eyes, but his smile immediately widened: "Comrade Dakang, you really have incredible connections! This ten million-plus really solves an urgent need."

The corners of Li Dakang's mouth lifted slightly, but a flash of vigilance crossed his eyes.

He picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and replied calmly: "County Magistrate Zeng, you are too kind; this is all just part of my duty."

After putting down the teacup, Li Dakang sat up straight, his tone firm: "Please rest assured, County Magistrate Zeng, I will personally oversee the use of these funds."

"From project approval to final acceptance, I will track and audit the entire process to ensure every penny is well spent."

County Magistrate Zeng Xuejun suddenly changed the subject, leaning back on the leather sofa as if casually: "What specific plans do you have, Comrade Dakang? All departments in the county will fully cooperate."

He paused and added, "After all, this is a great deed that will benefit the region."

Li Dakang's gaze fell on the map of Anjiang County hanging on the office wall. After a moment of contemplation, he said: "I have already contacted an expert team from the Provincial Transportation Planning and Design Institute, and they will be stationed in Guantian Township to conduct on-site investigations in two days."

"Once the feasibility report is out, I will report to the County Party Committee and the County Government immediately. At that time, we will need the full cooperation of all departments in the county."

After hearing this, County Magistrate Zeng Xuejun's smile stiffened for a moment, then relaxed again.

He stood up and paced to the window, his back to Li Dakang. His tone was gentle but hid a sharp edge: "Comrade Dakang, your ideas are very good. However..."

He turned around: "The county is indeed strapped for cash right now; livelihood projects like education and healthcare are all waiting for funding."

"Do you think it might be possible to..."

Li Dakang stood up before he could finish, his gaze piercing: "County Magistrate Zeng, you should be clear about the nature of these funds."

He walked to the county map and pointed firmly at the location of Guantian Township: "When the provincial government allocated them, they explicitly required that they be used for their specific purpose. Every penny must be used where it is most needed."

The smile on County Magistrate Zeng Xuejun's face gradually faded, and the atmosphere in the office instantly froze.