Chapter 35

Zhang Lao is a straightforward person. Although he also wanted to wait until he received thirty update requests before adding more content, he couldn't bring himself to do it. Without further ado, if there are update requests, he will add more content!

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Niu Gensheng, with a red face and heavy breathing, pointed at the娃娃鱼 (Chinese giant salamander), his face full of pride, as if he had caught a wild boar. "Town Mayor Su, I can't speak for other things, but this Chinese giant salamander is absolutely the best dish for drinking in a hundred-mile radius. Not only is it delicious and fresh, but it's also very safe. It's nothing like those fish sold outside, which have no fish flavor at all and are terribly unpalatable. When I went to the county market last time, I brought two Chinese giant salamanders, thinking I'd try my luck. Who would have thought that they were bought as soon as I got there, and at a high price. That person even said that as long as I came, he would buy as many as I could bring. Later, I found out that this Chinese giant salamander is sold at exorbitant prices in restaurants in the county, city, and even the province. Even if you have the Chinese giant salamander, many restaurants can't find it. If it weren't delicious, would those big bosses be so eager to buy it? Those restaurants wouldn't be able to sell it at such high prices. By the way, that boss even said he wanted to come and catch some, to see if he could get a batch at once. I told him it was impossible. This Chinese giant salamander isn't like ordinary grass carp or carp; you can't catch them in batches. Even if you could, there are very few people in the entire Heishan Town who can catch them like I do."

Niu Gensheng's words flowed out like a broken string. The more he talked about the Chinese giant salamander, the brighter his eyes shone. Listening to these words, Su Mu gradually felt more confident. If what Niu Gensheng said was true, this could be a big opportunity.

"Brother Niu, let's go to the place where you often catch fish after we finish eating. Tell me where there are Chinese giant salamanders and where there aren't," Su Mu said.

"No problem!" Niu Gensheng patted his chest. "Not only can I catch Chinese giant salamanders, but I can also help you hunt. I have all the tools."

The tools Niu Gensheng referred to were not hunting guns but homemade crossbows. These crossbows, though unassuming, were extremely powerful. They could pierce through a wild wolf, and their power was no less than that of a hunting gun.

"Come, let's drink!"

After the three of them were full and satisfied, Niu Gensheng led Su Mu and Xu Yan to wander around the mountains. He told them about the mountains, the rivers, and the fruit trees that produced the ingredients for Huoshan liquor... Niu Gensheng shared everything he knew and saw.

"Leader, if this mountain range could be developed into a scenic area, it would be fantastic. Look at this scenery; it's even better than what's advertised in the newspapers," Xu Yan said, breathing in the fresh air and feeling the faint fragrance in the air.

"Wow, I didn't expect our Chief Xu to be so knowledgeable about economics now," Su Mu joked.

"Leader, I was just talking off the top of my head. You're making fun of me," Xu Yan said, scratching his head.

"How can I be making fun of you! I'm serious!" Su Mu laughed and called out to Niu Gensheng to stop. The three of them sat on a large rock, looking at the beautiful scenery. Su Mu took a sip of water and began to outline his plan.

"Do you know? In the six months I've been here, I've gotten to know this place well. With Brother Niu's introduction today, I'm even more convinced. Heishan Town is poor, but it doesn't have to be poor forever. As long as we make good use of our resources, we can definitely become prosperous and well-off."

"Really?" Niu Gensheng asked, disbelieving. His family had lived here for generations, and Heishan Town had always been poor. How could it suddenly become a treasure trove in Su Mu's words? If it were true, why hadn't the officials seen it?

"Of course it's true, Brother Niu. You need to understand that Heishan Town is not a poor and desolate place. On the contrary, as Xu Yan said, the scenery here is beautiful. As long as we plan well, we can turn this place into a tourist attraction. The tourism industry is booming now. If we can develop it, the future is limitless.

Of course, tourism isn't the main point I want to talk about. I want to talk about the resources of Heishan Town, the Chinese giant salamander. If we can capitalize on the Chinese giant salamander, we can definitely become famous. On this basis, we can develop a comprehensive aquaculture zone, using the rivers and lakes in the mountains to raise fish, shrimp, and turtles.

Then, we can introduce advanced scientific and technological knowledge from outside to transform Heishan Town into a high-tech ecological science park. Once this is established, tourism can flourish. Think about it, with tourists coming, we can sell our local bamboo shoots, tea, and your homemade Huoshan liquor.

And as long as we have confidence and plan well, the bamboo shoots and Huoshan liquor can also become part of the high-tech ecological science park's industrial chain, growing and developing. If that happens, Heishan Town will become one of the richest towns in Qinglin City. Everyone will live a good life, better than city dwellers."

Under the sunlight, Su Mu spoke with enthusiasm, his face radiating an indescribable confidence. Even years later, when everything he said came true and Niu Gensheng became the richest man in Qinglin City, he could never forget this moment.

And now, all these words were spoken by Su Mu without much thought, without any structure, just saying whatever came to mind. But the more he talked, the more hopeful he felt, and even other ideas began to emerge. Su Mu had never felt so full of fighting spirit.

"Leader, I now realize that you are the right person to be the town mayor. If Yang Song had continued, he would never have thought of these things," Xu Yan said excitedly. "No question, from now on, I, Xu Yan, am your subordinate. Whatever you ask me to do, I will do it. As long as it helps Heishan Town develop, I'll do anything, even carry bricks and sand."

If Xu Yan had followed Su Mu before because of their compatible personalities, now he had truly changed his mind. He understood that Su Mu was a person with ideals. Working with him was fulfilling and honest, and it matched the values of his police uniform.

"Town Mayor Su, even though I don't fully understand what you said, I know it's for the good of Heishan Town. You can count on me. Whatever you ask me to do, I will do it. I may not have much, but I'm not short of strength!" Niu Gensheng patted his chest, his face flushed red.

"Brother Niu, don't tell anyone what I told you today. Wait until I go back and finish the plan," Su Mu said, his excitement gradually subsiding.

"Understood!" Niu Gensheng nodded, thinking Su Mu was afraid of being seen as a braggart if things didn't work out. Little did he know, Su Mu really hadn't thought it through; these ideas needed to be systematized.

"Let's go. While it's still light, I'll catch two Chinese giant salamanders for you. When we go back to the village, we'll take the prepared Huoshan liquor with us."

"Let's go!"

...

When Su Mu and Xu Yan returned to Heishan Town, it was already dark. Lin Chen came out of the town government building and saw Su Mu, exclaiming, "Mayor Su, you're finally back!"

"What's wrong? Is there something?" Su Mu let Xu Yan leave and headed towards the office.

"Yes, the county government office called this afternoon and said you need to be at the county government by 8 a.m. tomorrow. County Chief Zhao wants to hear your work report," Lin Chen said.

County Chief Zhao? Su Mu's steps slowed slightly. What does this mean? County Chief Zhao wants to see me? That doesn't make sense. A few days ago, I just visited him and even went to see Secretary Xie. Although Secretary Xie didn't see me, that shouldn't be a reason for County Chief Zhao to summon me.

During his six months at the county government office, Su Mu knew that County Chief Zhao Rui'an and County Party Secretary Xie Wen did not have a good relationship. In fact, in the entire system, it was rare for the top leader and the second-in-command to have a good relationship. As the county party secretary, Xie Wen undoubtedly had significant influence in Xingtang County and dominated the standing committee meetings.

County Chief Zhao Rui'an, who was parachuted in, had not been in Xingtang County for long, roughly the same time as Su Mu. After arriving, due to Xie Wen's strong influence, he was not powerful in Xingtang County. It was said that at first, he wanted to challenge Xie Wen, but for some reason, he disappeared and became obedient.

A parachuted county chief meeting a strong county party secretary, it's easy to guess that his days were not easy. But why did he want to see me?

Could it be because...

Su Mu stood by the window, lit a cigarette, and carefully considered all the possible reasons, a smile of relief appearing on his face.

"Whatever your intentions are, I will face them calmly. I want to see what County Chief Zhao's purpose is in seeing me."

Once he figured this out, Su Mu stopped overthinking and focused on gathering and organizing all the materials to develop a plan suitable for Heishan Town's development.

Other mayors might need to find professionals to do this, but Su Mu, a top economics graduate from Jiangnan University, had published several award-winning economic papers in college. With sufficient materials, he was well-versed in this task.

Su Mu spent the entire night working on the initial draft of the plan. At 7:58 a.m. the next day, he appeared in front of the county government office, plan in hand.