Chapter 94: Striving for Funding

"Reporter Ye, did you really lose a twin sister?" Jie Lianbing asked, her eyes wide open.

Ye Fengling smiled and said, "Yes, I have a sixth sense that you might be my long-lost sister."

"How could that be?" Jie Lianbing exclaimed, not daring to think along those lines. After so many years, if she found her long-lost relative in a blink, it would be hard to accept emotionally!

Ye Fengling said, "My sixth sense is sometimes very accurate. I had this feeling the first time I saw you, but I didn't dare to believe it, so I didn't mention it. But now, seeing you again, I couldn't help but say it. If you don't mind, let's be sisters!"

"Be sisters?" Jie Lianbing felt another wave of surprise. Ye Fengling was a big city person, how could she become sisters with a girl from the countryside? But seeing how sincere Ye Fengling was, she had nothing to say. She couldn't refuse such a kind gesture!

"Reporter Ye, is this appropriate?" Jie Lianbing asked timidly.

"Why not? Look how much we resemble each other; it's a natural bond to be sisters. Let's make it official, you are my sister, and I am your younger sister!" Ye Fengling said happily.

Unexpectedly, Ye Fengling was so approachable, and Jie Lianbing was also very pleased. Having such a sister would be a great honor.

"I wonder if Wang Jian will agree to this!" Jie Lianbing muttered.

Ye Fengling laughed and said, "Sister, you're already listening to Wang Jian so quickly. Aren't you two still not married?"

Jie Lianbing blushed and said, "I just want to get his opinion."

"Ha ha, I agree!" Wang Jian walked in from outside, sat down on a chair, and laughed.

"Wang Jian, when did you come in? Did you hear our conversation?" Jie Lianbing turned and asked.

Wang Jian smiled and said, "No, I just heard you talking."

Ye Fengling laughed happily and said, "Wang Jian, we've officially become sisters. You have to be good to my sister from now on!"

"Ha ha, no problem, I'll be good to her for life!" Wang Jian looked at Jie Lianbing tenderly.

Although they hadn't formally recognized each other as family, Ye Fengling felt very excited and said, "Wang Jian, sister, why don't I take you both to the capital for a trip?"

After Ye Fengling said this, Jie Lianbing looked at Wang Jian. Wang Jian also wanted to go to the capital with Ye Fengling, but the road construction project wasn't resolved yet. If he went to Beijing for a trip, the villagers would think he was using a work trip as an excuse for a vacation.

"Reporter Ye, the road construction project isn't resolved yet. I'm afraid I can't leave. Can we go after this is settled?" Wang Jian suggested.

Wang Jian was talking about a serious matter, and Ye Fengling said, "You're right. The key issue is the conflict between Zhang Chengyi and Guo Yongchen. Although it's difficult, there is still a chance. Why don't I go with you to the provincial transportation department to gather some information before making a decision?"

Wang Jian thought for a moment and said, "That would be a lot of trouble for you, Reporter Ye!"

Ye Fengling smiled and said, "What trouble? We're family!"

Wang Jian laughed and said, "Right, right, we're family, all three of us!"

Wang Jian's words made Jie Lianbing feel a bit puzzled, but she didn't think it was wrong. She and Ye Fengling had become sisters, so they were family, right?

The next day, Wang Jian and Ye Fengling went to the provincial transportation department to find Hu Zuoyun. Hao Li saw them first and said, "Fengling, Township Chief Wang, you two are here?"

Wang Jian smiled, and Ye Fengling said, "Sister Li, Township Chief Wang is now Secretary Wang!"

"Promoted, ha ha! Sorry, Secretary Wang!" Hao Li smiled at Wang Jian and shook his hand.

Wang Jian smiled and said, "No problem, whether it's Secretary or Township Chief, we're the same in front of provincial leaders!"

"Ha ha!"

After the three of them finished laughing, Hao Li led Wang Jian and Ye Fengling to Hu Zuoyun. Hu Zuoyun was in his office listening to a report when he saw Ye Fengling and Wang Jian come in and hurriedly stood up to greet them.

"Reporter Ye, you're here!" Hu Zuoyun greeted Ye Fengling. He wasn't very familiar with Wang Jian and, as a department head, he still maintained a certain distance from a township official, so he didn't greet Wang Jian.

"Director Hu, hello!" Wang Jian greeted Hu Zuoyun.

"Good, good, please sit down." Hu Zuoyun said formally and sat down.

After Ye Fengling and Wang Jian sat down, they looked at each other. Wang Jian then looked at Hu Zuoyun and said, "Director Hu, I'm here to check on the funding for our township's road construction. I heard it hasn't been approved yet. We are very short of this money and have already made all the preparations!"

Hu Zuoyun smiled and said, "I reported this to the provincial government a long time ago, but it hasn't been approved yet. I don't know any more than you do!"

"Director Hu, do you mean the approval is with Governor Zhang?" Ye Fengling asked from the side.

Hu Zuoyun thought for a moment and said, "It should be, right!"

It seemed that Hu Zuoyun couldn't make the decision now. The issue was stuck with Zhang Chengyi. Could he take Wang Jian to see Zhang Chengyi?

"Director Hu, do you know why Governor Zhang hasn't approved the funding?" Ye Fengling asked again.

Hu Zuoyun looked at Ye Fengling and said, "How would I know? We can't speculate on what the leaders are doing!"

Ye Fengling understood his meaning but needed his help to see Zhang Chengyi. She said, "Director Hu, can you take us to see Governor Zhang?"

"That's not possible. Seeing Governor Zhang requires an appointment, and I don't know when we can see him. Besides, I've already seen him once, and it wouldn't be good to push him again!" Hu Zuoyun waved his hands, not wanting to anger Zhang Chengyi and create more trouble.

Wang Jian saw the situation and said, "Director Hu, this project has taken a lot of effort. We are eagerly waiting for it! We hope to achieve poverty alleviation through this road construction. You can't let us down!"

Hu Zuoyun said, "I also hope to get the funding for you. Minister Zhao has already spoken, and I will do my best. Don't worry, the funding will be approved soon!"

Wang Jian understood that Hu Zuoyun's words were just comforting. Mentioning Zhao Bingzhi was both a favor and a way to avoid responsibility, making Wang Jian understand his dilemma. If Hu Zuoyun didn't take him to see Zhang Chengyi, it would be very difficult for Wang Jian, a small township secretary, to see Zhang Chengyi.

Ye Fengling felt that Hu Zuoyun lacked responsibility and had only risen to his position by following orders. He wouldn't take the risk to take them to see Zhang Chengyi. It seemed they would leave empty-handed today.

"Director Hu, how about this: we write a request for immediate funding and ask you to submit it to the provincial government to expedite the process. Then we'll think of other ways. What do you think?" Ye Fengling decided to think of other ways and wanted Hu Zuoyun to submit their request, believing he would do this.

Hu Zuoyun thought for a moment and said, "That's possible. I'll forward your request to the provincial government's office, and we'll follow the procedure!"

Hu Zuoyun clearly didn't want to submit it directly to Zhang Chengyi but wanted it to go through the provincial government's office. This would take months, and by then, everything would be delayed. However, Ye Fengling had little hope of getting the funding through Hu Zuoyun, but she couldn't let him off so easily. At least they needed some progress today!

Wang Jian saw that this was the best they could do. If this didn't work, they would have to wait at home, which would disappoint the people below. Ren Pingyi and Liu Qingshan would have their doubts, and those who opposed him would say he was inexperienced and unreliable!

"Thank you, Director Hu!" Wang Jian stood up to express his gratitude and prepare to leave.

Hu Zuoyun felt a bit guilty and came out to shake Wang Jian's hand, saying, "Sorry, our transportation department has also made great efforts. You'll just have to wait a bit longer!"

Wang Jian said, "We understand. We will never forget Director Hu's help. Once the road is built, we will send you a big banner!"

This made Hu Zuoyun even more embarrassed, and he waved his hands, saying, "Little Wang, no banners, please! This is what we should do. I will do my best to get the funding for you. You can also try to see Minister Zhao. One million is a lot for your township, but it's not much for the provincial budget."

This was a hint for Wang Jian. Wang Jian thanked him repeatedly, saying, "Thank you, Director Hu. I will try to see Minister Zhao again. I will do my best to get the funding for the people below."

Seeing Wang Jian's determination, Hu Zuoyun was moved and said, "Little Wang, you are very rare. You are so dedicated to the people. In the future, if the transportation department has any projects, I will prioritize you!"

"Thank you, Director Hu!" Wang Jian tightly shook Hu Zuoyun's hand.

Ye Fengling, watching this, was also moved. Wang Jian's dedication to the people was admirable, and she should help him. Zhang Chengyi's narrow-mindedness in holding back the funding because of his conflict with Guo Yongchen was unacceptable. As a governor, he should consider the whole province and not hinder the work of the people below, dampening their enthusiasm!

Although they didn't get the funding, they did get some support from Hu Zuoyun, which comforted Wang Jian. Now, he needed to think about how to approach Zhao Bingzhi. Although it seemed he had some connection with Zhao Bingzhi, he knew the reality. Zhao Bingzhi wasn't easy to see. What should he do next?

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**Note:** The last part of the original text seems to be a list of titles or names, possibly from other stories or series. It has been omitted in the translation as it does not fit the context of the narrative.