170: Chapter 170 The White Guards Who Find Fault

In the County Magistrate's office, County Mayor Bai Weijun had his secretary notify the heads of various departments and bureaus to report their work in order.

The first to enter was the Director of the Development and Reform Commission, who handed over a thick stack of materials and spoke for twenty minutes.

County Mayor Bai Weijun listened, occasionally asking a few indifferent questions.

The second was the Director of the Finance Bureau, who reported a string of numbers. County Mayor Bai Weijun pressed for details on a few key data points, causing sweat to bead on the Director's forehead.

The third was the Director of the Transportation Bureau, who reported on the progress of this year's road upgrade and renovation project. County Mayor Bai Weijun nodded without saying much else.

One after another, by the time it was the turn of the County Youth League Committee Secretary, it was almost time to get off work.

When Mu Ruxue knocked and entered, she was wearing a light blue jacket, her hair tied in a ponytail, looking clean and sharp.

She sat down opposite County Mayor Bai Weijun, placed her report materials on the table, and was just about to speak.

County Mayor Bai Weijun waved his hand and said, "Comrade Ruxue, no need to be nervous, let's just chat casually."

Mu Ruxue was taken aback for a moment, closed the materials, and looked at County Mayor Bai Weijun.

County Mayor Bai Weijun's smile was very gentle, completely different from the business-like attitude he had just shown to the Director of the Development and Reform Commission and the Director of the Finance Bureau; it was as if he had become a different person.

"County Magistrate Bai, do you have any instructions?"

"Instructions? Not quite."

County Mayor Bai Weijun leaned back in his chair, picked up his teacup for a sip, his tone as casual as if they were chatting about daily life.

"I chatted with Comrade Weidong in Hukuang Township for a long time, and he mentioned you. He said you are diligent and capable, and that you are doing an excellent job in the Youth League Committee."

"He also said it hasn't been easy for you here all by yourself."

Mu Ruxue's face flushed slightly, and she lowered her head without speaking.

County Mayor Bai Weijun stood up, walked to the filing cabinet, opened a drawer, took out an exquisite paper bag, and placed it in front of Mu Ruxue.

The paper bag was printed with the logo of an international luxury brand; one look told you it wasn't cheap.

"This is what Comrade Weidong asked me to bring for you."

"He said he saw this set of cosmetics when he went to the provincial capital to run projects, thought it would suit you, so he bought it and asked me to bring it to you when I came back."

Mu Ruxue's face turned even redder, as red as a ripe apple.

She took the paper bag, her fingers trembling slightly, her voice as soft as a mosquito's hum.

"Thank you, County Magistrate Bai."

"Why thank me? Go thank Comrade Weidong."

County Mayor Bai Weijun smiled and sat back in his chair, his tone carrying the care of an older brother for his younger brother's wife.

"Comrade Ruxue, my family and Comrade Weidong's family are old family friends; our relationship has been good since the previous generation."

"Before I came to Changyuan County, his father spoke with my father, asking us to look after each other."

"If you have any issues here, come directly to me; don't be a stranger."

Mu Ruxue looked up at County Mayor Bai Weijun and said, "County Magistrate Bai, thank you. Brother Weidong... he also mentions you often."

County Mayor Bai Weijun laughed heartily, his laughter echoing in the office, filled with genuine amusement.

"Brother Weidong? Calling him so affectionately."

"Alright, I'll have to criticize Comrade Weidong later; he shouldn't be so busy with work all day that he neglects you."

Mu Ruxue's face was so red it was almost bleeding; she stood up and bowed, her voice tinged with a trace of panic.

"County Magistrate Bai, if there's nothing else, I'll head back first... I have a meeting at the Youth League Committee."

"Alright, go ahead. Remember to use the cosmetics; don't be reluctant to use them."

Mu Ruxue clutched the paper bag and walked out quickly.

The moment the door closed, the smile on County Mayor Bai Weijun's face faded slightly. He picked up the list on the table and glanced at the next name: Director Ye Mingzhu.

His brows furrowed slightly, and he took another sip from his teacup.

When Director Ye Mingzhu entered, she was wearing a proper professional suit, her hair tied in a bun at the back of her head, and her makeup was exquisite. She exuded the capability and composure unique to a mature woman.

She sat down opposite County Mayor Bai Weijun, her back straight, looking at him with a calm gaze, neither humble nor pushy.

"County Magistrate Bai, you asked for me."

County Mayor Bai Weijun leaned back in his chair and looked her up and down, his gaze devoid of any warmth.

He didn't offer her a seat, nor did he pour her tea; he just looked at her, as if examining a worthless report.

"Director Ye, I have read the Education Bureau's work report for the first half of the year."

Director Ye Mingzhu nodded, waiting for him to continue.

County Mayor Bai Weijun opened the folder on the table, tapped a few lines of text with his finger, and said in an indifferent tone, "The preschool education enrollment rate is third from the bottom in the entire city. The compulsory education retention rate has dropped by 0.5 percentage points compared to last year."

"The gross enrollment rate for high school is below the city average."

"Director Ye, you haven't been in the Education Bureau for a short time. Don't you feel ashamed when you look at these figures yourself?"

Director Ye Mingzhu's expression flickered, but she quickly regained her composure.

She took a deep breath, her voice remaining steady as she said, "County Magistrate Bai, the low preschool education enrollment rate is mainly due to the lagging construction of kindergartens in remote townships."

"The decline in the compulsory education retention rate is related to a few dropout cases last year, and we are already working on persuading them to return to school."

"The problem with the high school gross enrollment rate is a historical legacy..."

"Historical legacy?"

County Mayor Bai Weijun interrupted her. His voice wasn't loud, but every word carried an unquestionable severity.

"Director Ye, you are in the position of Director of the Education Bureau not to talk to me about historical legacies, but to solve problems."

"You've been here for so long, yet the problems haven't been solved and the data hasn't improved. How are you serving as Director?"

Director Ye Mingzhu's fingers tightened around the notebook on her lap. She looked at County Mayor Bai Weijun, suppressed anger in her eyes, but she knew she couldn't lash out.

She took a deep breath, pushed down that flare of anger, and said in a calm voice, "County Magistrate Bai, your criticism is correct. I will definitely reflect seriously and come up with a rectification plan."

County Mayor Bai Weijun glanced at her, said nothing more, lowered his head to flip through files, his tone returning to that business-like coldness.

"Alright, go back to work. Submit the rectification plan to my office before next Monday."

Director Ye Mingzhu stood up, turned around, and walked out.

The moment the door closed, her expression sank completely, turning as livid as a cold stone.

She walked quickly down the corridor, entered the elevator, leaned against the elevator wall, closed her eyes, and her chest heaved violently.

Just before getting off work, County Mayor Bai Weijun walked out of his office.

He didn't take the elevator but walked down the stairs to the third floor and knocked on Secretary Wei Kuan's door.

Secretary Wei Kuan was packing up to get off work. Seeing County Mayor Bai Weijun enter, he was taken aback for a moment, put down his briefcase, and pointed to the chair opposite him.

"County Magistrate Bai, is something up?"

County Mayor Bai Weijun sat down opposite him and, without beating around the bush, got straight to the point: "Secretary Wei, I have an idea regarding a personnel adjustment that I would like to discuss with you."

Secretary Wei Kuan leaned back in his chair, looking at him, waiting for him to continue.

County Mayor Bai Weijun said steadily, "Director Ye Mingzhu has been working in the Education Bureau for quite some time. She has the capability, but her grassroots work experience is a bit shallow."

"I suggest letting her go down to gain some experience, to work in a township for a term; it will be beneficial for her future growth."

Secretary Wei Kuan's fingers tightened slightly; he understood what County Mayor Bai Weijun meant.

"Which township does County Magistrate Bai want her to go to?"

County Mayor Bai Weijun looked at him, the corners of his mouth curling up slightly. That smile was very faint, carrying an unquestionable certainty.

"The Party Committee Secretary of Shangouzi Township is about to retire. I think Director Ye Mingzhu is quite suitable. Although Shangouzi Township is remote, it is exactly the right place for grassroots training."

"Director Ye Mingzhu is young and driven; if she goes there, she will surely be able to achieve some results."

Secretary Wei Kuan's brows furrowed. Shangouzi Township—that was the most remote and backward place in the entire county.

Transportation was inconvenient, clan concepts were strong, and the patriarchal mindset was rampant. Sending a female comrade like Director Ye Mingzhu to be the township Party Committee Secretary wasn't training; it was practically exile.

He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but upon meeting County Mayor Bai Weijun's calm eyes, he swallowed his words back.

"County Magistrate Bai, you know the conditions in Shangouzi Township. Should we reconsider? Perhaps choose a township with better conditions, like Pingchuan Town or Liuhe Town..."

"Secretary Wei."

County Mayor Bai Weijun interrupted him, his tone still calm, but it held something indescribable, as if implying something.

"This is not my personal intention."

Secretary Wei Kuan's fingers tightened abruptly; he understood.

Someone from above had given the nod!

He was silent for a few seconds, then picked up his teacup and took another sip.

He put down his teacup, nodded, his voice as calm as if he were discussing something unrelated to himself.

"Alright, let's do it according to County Magistrate Bai's wishes. We will discuss it at the Standing Committee meeting tomorrow."

County Mayor Bai Weijun stood up and said with a smile, "Thank you for your support, Secretary Wei. I won't disturb you any further; get some rest early."

Secretary Wei Kuan sat in his chair, looking at the closed door for a long time.

Then he picked up the phone on his desk and dialed a number.

"Old Zhou, add an agenda item to tomorrow's Standing Committee meeting."

"The candidate for Party Committee Secretary of Shangouzi Township—have the Organization Department come up with a proposal."

"Yes, prioritize recommending Director Ye Mingzhu."