147: Chapter 147 The County Magistrate Arrives

In early April, Changyuan County still felt chilly, but the crops in the fields had already sprouted green.

Secretary Wei Kuan's motorcade entered the territory of Hukuang Township at 9:30 in the morning, consisting of two black sedans, one Coaster bus, and the county television station's interview vehicle following in the front and back—it was such a grand procession that it looked as if the entire County Government was being relocated.

Xu Weidong knew this was no ordinary inspection tour when he received the notice.

He had arranged the route in advance: the first stop was to visit Hukuang Township's characteristic agricultural product base, the second was to hold a discussion meeting at the Township Government, lunch would be at the Township Government canteen, and they would return in the afternoon.

When Wang Jianguo submitted the plan, he circled the words "eat at the canteen" and gave an instruction: "Make the dishes light, and don't do anything flashy."

When Secretary Wei Kuan's car pulled up at the entrance of the Township Government, Xu Weidong was already waiting there with the team members.

Township Head Jiang Tiansheng stood to the right of Xu Weidong, wearing a dark jacket, his hair combed meticulously, and a proper smile on his face.

Deputy Party Secretary Hu Ming stood to the left of Xu Weidong, his expression much more reserved than usual, revealing nothing.

Behind them stood Committee Member Gao Jin, Secretary Zhou Song, Committee Member Chen Ruo, Zhou Lan, Deputy Township Head Gong Zizhen, Luan Ping, and several heads of stations, lined up in two rows with respectful postures, as if welcoming some important inspection.

When Secretary Wei Kuan stepped out of the car, Xu Weidong walked up and extended his hand, his smile perfectly balanced. "Secretary Wei, welcome to Hukuang Township to provide guidance on our work."

Secretary Wei Kuan shook his hand and patted his shoulder, the gesture intimate, as if treating a younger member of his own family.

Everyone present saw this detail, including Township Head Jiang Tiansheng, Deputy Party Secretary Hu Ming, and the publicity officer who was snapping photos with a camera.

Secretary Wei Kuan was the Magistrate, a figure whose word was law in Changyuan County; the intimate interaction he had with Xu Weidong sent a signal clearer than any official document.

"Comrade Weidong, Hukuang Township has done a good job in its work this year, and the county has been paying close attention. Today, I brought the comrades from the agricultural sector to take a look and learn from your experience."

Secretary Wei Kuan's voice was not loud, but it was full of vigor, and everyone present heard it clearly.

Xu Weidong stepped aside to lead the way and said with a smile, "Secretary Wei, you flatter us. Hukuang Township has a thin foundation and poor infrastructure; there is still a large gap compared to our brother townships."

"Your visit today is perfect for taking our pulse and pointing out problems so we can make rectifications."

The group boarded the Coaster bus and headed toward the characteristic agricultural product base.

In the bus, Secretary Wei Kuan sat in the first row with Xu Weidong accompanying him; the Deputy Magistrate and the Director of the Agriculture Bureau sat behind them, while Township Head Jiang Tiansheng sat in the third row, next to the Director of the County Government Office.

Outside the window were the fields of Hukuang Township, the April crops lush and green, stretching as far as the eye could see.

"Comrade Weidong, which characteristic industries has Hukuang Township focused on?"

Secretary Wei Kuan turned his head, his tone casual, as if making small talk.

Xu Weidong clearly and logically recounted the situation he had prepared, his speaking pace neither fast nor slow, with every word hitting the mark.

"Hukuang Township has three main characteristic agricultural products. The first is the hanfu apple, with a total planting area of 3,200 mu in the township, mainly concentrated in Hukuang Village, Shiqiao Village, and Liushugou Village."

"The characteristics of this variety are its cold resistance, storability, and good taste, making it very competitive in the market."

"The second is the hazelnut, with a total planting area of 1,800 mu in the township, mainly concentrated in Kaoshantun and Laohugou. The third is the Cashmere Goat, with a total inventory of over 6,000 in the township, mainly concentrated in several mountainous villages, and the quality of the cashmere is among the best in the county."

"This year, we have put effort into brand building; Hukuang apples have already been trademarked, and we are currently applying for green food certification."

Secretary Wei Kuan listened and nodded from time to time, his gaze passing through the window to look at the continuous apple orchards outside, when he suddenly asked, "What are the advantages of this hanfu apple compared to the varieties promoted by our county?"

Xu Weidong knew the Magistrate was testing him and answered calmly, "The advantage of the hanfu apple lies in its late maturity, about half a month later than the Red Fuji, which just happens to avoid the peak marketing period."

"Last year, we signed orders with the county's fruit company, and the sales problems for fruit farmers were basically solved. This year's goal is to open up markets outside the province and let Hukuang apples reach further."

Secretary Wei Kuan smiled, turned his head to look at the Deputy Magistrate and the Director of the Agriculture Bureau, and said, "Did you hear that? The comrades in Hukuang Township do their work meticulously and have strong market awareness."

"Your Agriculture Bureau should summarize this well and promote Hukuang Township's experience throughout the county."

The Deputy Magistrate nodded quickly, and the Director of the Agriculture Bureau scribbled down notes in his notebook.

Township Head Jiang Tiansheng sat in the back, the smile on his face unchanged, but his eyes darkened for a moment.

Secretary Wei Kuan's words were ostensibly praising the work of Hukuang Township, but in reality, he was backing Xu Weidong.

The four words "promote throughout the county," coming from the Magistrate's mouth, carried significant weight.

The vehicle stopped beside the apple orchard, the group got out, and they walked along the furrows into the orchard.

Xu Weidong introduced as they walked, from fruit tree varieties to cultivation techniques, from fertilization management to pest control, speaking with great expertise.

Secretary Wei Kuan listened very carefully and asked a few questions from time to time, all of which were professional, showing that he had done his homework.

After leaving the apple orchard, they went to the hazelnut forest and the Cashmere Goat farm.

The hazelnut forest was on the hillside, and the road was difficult to walk on.

Secretary Wei Kuan's leather shoes stepped on the gravel road, and a layer of dust settled on them, but he didn't mind, following Xu Weidong halfway up the slope to stand at a high vantage point to overlook the entire hazelnut forest.

"This hazelnut forest is a project of returning farmland to forest; the government subsidized the sapling costs, and the common people manage and protect it themselves."

"It started bearing fruit last year, and this year it has entered the peak fruiting period; the yield will double compared to last year."

Xu Weidong pointed to the continuous hazelnut forest at the foot of the hill, his tone carrying a sense of resolute confidence.

Secretary Wei Kuan looked at the lush green hazelnut forest, nodded with satisfaction, turned to the Director of the Agriculture Bureau, and said, "Hukuang Township is a typical example of follow-up industrial development after returning farmland to forest."

"After you go back, organize their practices and report them to me."

The Director of the Agriculture Bureau repeatedly agreed; since the boss insisted on praising it, what could he do? Just go along with it!

The Cashmere Goat farm was in Laohugou, some distance from the Township Government. By the time the motorcade drove there, it was almost eleven o'clock.

The farm was not big, but it was managed very strictly; the sheep sheds were clean, and the feed was stacked neatly.

The owner was a man in his forties who, seeing the Magistrate arrive, was so nervous that he stuttered when speaking.

Xu Weidong smoothed things over for him and introduced the situation of the farm, from inventory to slaughter volume, from cashmere prices to sales channels, with detailed data and clear logic.

After listening, Secretary Wei Kuan patted Xu Weidong's shoulder, his tone carrying clear appreciation. "Comrade Weidong, you've been in Hukuang Township for less than a year, yet you've grasped the situation so thoroughly and grasped the work so solidly; it's not easy."

Xu Weidong smiled and said modestly, "This is all the result of the joint efforts of Township Head Jiang and the team members; I couldn't have done so much alone."

This was well said, and when Township Head Jiang Tiansheng heard it, the smile on his face finally became a bit more natural.

He took over the conversation, his voice not loud, but every word spoken clearly.

"Since Xu Weidong arrived, the work in Hukuang Township has indeed reached a new level. I have been in Hukuang Township for so many years, and I feel this most deeply."

"Xu Weidong is young, energetic, and has good ideas, and we cooperate very well."

Secretary Wei Kuan glanced at Township Head Jiang Tiansheng, his gaze carrying an indescribable meaning.

He did not respond and turned to get into the car.

Township Head Jiang Tiansheng stood where he was, his smile stiffening for a moment before quickly returning to normal, and he followed him into the car.

Returning to the Township Government, the discussion meeting began.

The conference room was packed; the leaders from the county sat on one side, the township team members sat on the other, and in the middle was a long table with mineral water, notebooks, and several printed report materials.

Xu Weidong first reported on the overall work of Hukuang Township, from economic development to improving people's livelihoods, from grassroots party building to social governance, steady and solid, with no faults to be found.

Township Head Jiang Tiansheng supplemented some specific work of the government, his voice not loud, and he spoke very properly.

After listening, Secretary Wei Kuan picked up his teacup, took a sip, set it down, and his gaze swept over everyone present.

His expression changed from the affability he had in the fields to the seriousness of a formal occasion; this switch was very natural, as if practiced countless times.

"Comrades, coming to Hukuang Township today, seeing a few spots and hearing the reports, my general feeling is that the work in Hukuang Township has improved, has highlights, and has potential."

"Comrade Weidong has been in Hukuang Township for less than a year, and being able to grasp the work to this extent is not easy."

"What does this show? It shows that the County Party Committee's decision to place Comrade Weidong in Hukuang Township was correct."

Secretary Wei Kuan paused, his gaze resting on Township Head Jiang Tiansheng's face for a moment before shifting away, his tone suddenly sinking.

"However, I have recently heard some rumors that the leadership team of Hukuang Township is not united and that there is conflict between the Secretary and the Township Head. After hearing this, I am very unhappy."