Chapter 2 of 100

Chapter 2

19 min read4,814 words

### Chapter 2: Research in the Countryside

After the symposium ended, everyone remained silent. Zhao Bingzhi, however, looked very pleased. As he was leaving, he even smiled and patted Wang Jian's shoulder. Accompanied by Ren Pingyi and Liu Qingshan, he left Xianhe Township with Jiang Ming, Duan Huaimin, and others.

After seeing Zhao Bingzhi off, Ren Pingyi and Liu Qingshan stood at the township government gate and coldly glanced at Wang Jian. At that moment, Wang Jian was still excited and did not notice the expressions on the county party secretary and county magistrate's faces. He was very satisfied with his brave performance today, thinking that even the deputy provincial governor had acknowledged his views. What more could the city and county leaders say?

The township party secretary, Zhang Zeguang, noticed the unusual expressions on the county leaders' faces. He approached Ren Pingyi and whispered, "Secretary Ren, what do you think about today's incident...?"

"Hmph, Old Zhang, you have quite a few talented people under you. Speaking this and that in front of the deputy provincial governor, the future development of the county will be entrusted to you!"

Ren Pingyi's cold expression made Zhang Zeguang shudder. He was not part of Ren Pingyi's faction. He turned to look at Liu Qingshan, but Liu also gave him a cold stare. It seemed that both the top leaders of the county were highly consistent in their dissatisfaction with Zhang Zeguang. This was dangerous!

"This Wang Jian doesn't know his place!" Zhang Zeguang cursed Wang Jian in his heart, feeling betrayed.

"Zeguang, you need to reflect on this. A small staff member of the party and government office dares to report to the provincial leadership without authorization. I wonder how you lead your subordinates!" Although Liu Qingshan was dissatisfied with Zhang Zeguang, he did not want Ren Pingyi to use this to get rid of his people. As he left, he warned Zhang Zeguang.

Zhang Zeguang nodded repeatedly. As long as Liu Qingshan was still willing to talk to him, it meant he would not abandon him as a pawn, and his position would be safe.

Without eating, Ren Pingyi and Liu Qingshan returned to the county town in an awkward silence.

Li Jiarong stood elsewhere, watching Zhang Zeguang being criticized by the county leaders. He acted as if it had nothing to do with him, but in fact, he was secretly hoping that Zhang Zeguang would get into trouble. The township party secretary managed personnel, and Wang Jian's overstepping was a mistake on Zhang Zeguang's part. He was happy to see the drama unfold.

Zhang Zeguang turned and walked into the office building, and upon seeing Feng Guoqiang, he sternly ordered, "Call Xiao Wang to my office."

Feng Guoqiang's face turned dark. With Zhang Zeguang angry, he, as the director of the party and government office, was sure to be criticized. Who would have thought that asking Wang Jian to get water would lead to this? If he had known, he would never have assigned this task to him, even if he had twelve lives!

Wang Jian was still excitedly reflecting on his performance when he suddenly saw Feng Guoqiang with a dark face calling him. He immediately felt a sense of foreboding. He had already anticipated the possible consequences of his bold actions, but he still found it hard to believe that the township leaders would criticize him over this, especially since the provincial leaders were satisfied with him.

"Xiao Wang, who told you to speak out of turn in front of the provincial leaders? Was anyone instructing you? You must tell me the truth!" In Zhang Zeguang's office, Wang Jian stood in front of his desk, facing Zhang Zeguang's angry face, and helplessly endured the spittle flying at him.

Wang Jian had already prepared for the worst, and he remained calm. "No one instructed me. I spoke up on my own."

"Why didn't you report to me beforehand? Why did you spring this on me? Do you think getting recognition from the provincial leaders will make you a star? Let me tell you, Xiao Wang, you've only been working for a few months. What do you know? Deputy Governor Zhao is not related to you. Do you think a few words will get you a promotion? Let me tell you, our party abhors opportunists like you. Whether you are used or not is not up to Zhao Bingzhi but the county and township committees. You won't be staying in the party and government office anymore. Go to the village for poverty alleviation work and see what you can do!"

Zhang Zeguang's angry expression was terrifying. Wang Jian did not argue, and Feng Guoqiang gestured for him to leave.

"Secretary Zhang, I didn't expect this kid to be so bold..." As Wang Jian left, Feng Guoqiang tried to explain, but before he could finish, Zhang Zeguang angrily said, "You need to reflect on this. This is a serious political incident!"

"Yes." Feng Guoqiang, startled, dared not resist and nodded in agreement.

Amidst the colleagues' shocked whispers, Wang Jian moved out of the party and government office. Only then did the colleagues realize Wang Jian's bold move in the meeting room, and they secretly mocked him for his failure, saying he deserved it!

Du Xiaobei had always been kind to Wang Jian. After half a year of interaction, she had developed a liking for him, but Wang Jian had not shown any interest. His heart was still with Lin Feifei, his ex-girlfriend in the provincial city.

"Wang Jian, let's have dinner together tonight!" Du Xiaobei invited, wanting to comfort Wang Jian, who was packing his things to leave.

"Thank you, Xiaobei, but I'm not in the mood to eat. I need to think things through," Wang Jian said, feeling very down.

"Xiao Wang, this is your own doing. Trying to get close to the provincial leaders, isn't that like a toad lusting after a swan? You haven't even finished your probationary period, and you dare to do this. You're too bold!" Fang Zhiming, with an exaggerated tone and expression, gloated. He had never been friendly to Wang Jian and was currently basking in the glory of being promoted to deputy director of the party and government office.

"Fang Zhiming, if you have the guts, try speaking in front of the provincial leaders. I bet you won't say a word. Wang Jian dares to speak and act. Can you?" Although Wang Jian had not agreed to have dinner with her, Du Xiaobei did not mind and instead mocked Fang Zhiming on his behalf.

Fang Zhiming laughed but did not argue with Du Xiaobei. Wang Jian knew what kind of person he was and did not bother to respond. After packing his things, he left without a word.

The next day, Wang Jian went to the village to investigate the farmers' vegetable greenhouse cultivation. The entire township only had one village, Xinhewan, where people grew vegetable greenhouses, so he rode his bike there.

Wang Jian did not seek out the village party secretary. He was not interested in these formalities and preferred to go directly to the farmers. In Xinhewan, only five households had vegetable greenhouses, so he gathered three of them to ask about their situation.

"Old Lü, how is your vegetable production this year?" Wang Jian asked one of the farmers.

Old Lü, in his fifties, with a weathered face, smiled and showed his teeth. "It's pretty good, definitely better than growing grain!"

"What about you?" Wang Jian asked the others.

"It's good, but not great. Our vegetables can only be sold locally, and we can't transport them out. The scale is small, and our profits are much lower than those from large greenhouses in other places," a man in his thirties replied.

The man's words were followed by others. "We've visited other places. Their scale and technology are amazing. We can't compare. If the township could support us, it would be great!"

Wang Jian thought for a moment and said, "Do you think this is the case? Developing vegetable greenhouses requires capital because the investment is high. Second, it needs technology. Third, there must be a market. Fourth, the vegetables must be transportable. Are these four points correct?"

"Comrade Wang, you are absolutely right. We can only do small-scale operations. To develop and make big money, we need all four of these things," the man replied.

It seemed that this was the truth, but Wang Jian did not have the ability to help them. He could only say, "You need to be patient. People's lives will gradually improve, and the demand for vegetables will increase. For now, try to develop on your own. When the time is right, the township will support you!"

"We will follow Comrade Wang's advice. As long as the township supports us, we have confidence!"

Wang Jian nodded deeply. The people were the true creators and producers. Driven by the need to survive, they would work hard. The government just needed to guide them, but sometimes some people were unwilling to put in the effort. They were more concerned with how to enrich themselves.

Back in the township, Wang Jian lay in bed feeling heavy-hearted. Over the years, poverty alleviation efforts had focused on the funds rather than the methods. When poverty alleviation funds arrived, the township leaders were happy, but when it came to distributing the funds, they always delayed, reluctantly distributing them. Now, if he wanted Zhang Zeguang to agree to support the farmers with funds for greenhouse development, it would be like cutting his own flesh!

After a nap, he was still half-asleep when the phone rang. Wang Jian grabbed his phone and asked, "Who is it?"

"Wang Jian, it's me, Chen Yu. How are you?"

Wang Jian immediately sat up and exclaimed, "Chen Yu, why did you think of calling me?"

"Ha, how could I forget an old classmate! I heard you passed the civil service exam. I found your phone number through several people. How's life as a civil servant?"

"Pretty good, I guess. How about you? Still working at the company?"

"I quit and started my own business, a company doing foreign trade!" Chen Yu replied with a laugh.

"Started a company? You're doing well! I'll join you!"

"Come on, being a civil servant is great. When you have time, come visit me in the provincial city, and I'll give you a full-service tour!" Chen Yu invited enthusiastically.

"Sure, I'll visit the provincial city soon. If it doesn't work out, I might join you. Don't forget me!"

"Come and see for yourself. If you want to join, I'll welcome you with open arms!"

"We have a deal!" After the call, Wang Jian was very excited. Although he had set his sights on a political career, the value of life did not have to be realized through the civil service. Starting a business like Chen Yu was also a good option, at least economically.

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