Chapter 87

Chapter 43: The Villager's Tactics

Xue Xue went to the countryside this time not only to accompany Li Yi and others for their investigation but also to conduct research and find ways to help the entire county escape poverty.

The issue of the reservoir funds had little impact on her. She had just transferred to Lianshui not long ago, and she had always acted with integrity, neither taking nor accepting bribes, so no one could say anything about her.

However, such a major incident occurring in her jurisdiction still made her feel embarrassed. After all, she was now the county magistrate. Those who were unaware would only mention her name, Xue Xue, when they gossiped, saying how the Lianshui County she governed was like this or that.

What was even more frustrating was that no matter where she went, people always asked for money. This was true for the various bureaus and departments, as well as the townships. As soon as they saw her, they would complain and诉苦, then ask for projects and approvals.

Who could blame her for being the county magistrate? It was truly a difficult position to be in!

Those who accompanied her on this trip included Lu Yougui from the Agriculture Bureau, Xie Limin from the Water Resources Bureau, Fei Xiangyang from the Forestry Bureau, and other heads of relevant departments.

To save costs and to maintain a good image of the government among the people, Xue Xue required that the number of vehicles be kept to a minimum, and each vehicle must be fully occupied. Thus, the group squeezed into three cars and headed for Fenglin Town.

Li Yi and Ou Yang Jinxuan sat in Xue Xue's car. Since the other three were women, Li Yi sat in the front passenger seat. Xue Xue, her secretary Xiao Han, and Ou Yang Jinxuan squeezed into the back seat.

The rural roads were bumpy and difficult to navigate. The Santana sedan had poor off-road capabilities, and driving on such a rough road felt like a dancer performing their most skilled jumps.

The driver was an old official in his fifties. The county government office director had racked his brains to welcome Xue Xue. It was easy to find a female secretary, but a female driver was a challenge.

Since Lianshui County had never had a female leader who required a dedicated car, there were no female drivers. After much consideration, they brought out Old Wu, who was about to retire. Old Wu didn't mind, and when he was introduced to Xue Xue, she had no objections. Thus, Old Wu, who had been sitting on the sidelines and drinking tea while waiting to retire, was once again put to use, much to the envy of the other drivers in the small car fleet.

Old Wu drove steadily. As he drove, he chatted, "County Magistrate Xue, hold on tight! I've been driving this road for ten years, and it's been the same all along. After ten years, it's still the same, just with deeper mud pits."

Xue Xue only hummed in response. She gritted her teeth and didn't dare to speak, fearing that she might bite her tongue if she opened her mouth.

Li Yi, however, was unfazed by the bumps and laughed, "For such a road, we should have brought a Grand Cherokee."

Xue Xue didn't understand cars but didn't want to ask. Old Wu laughed, "I've only seen a Grand Cherokee when accompanying leaders to the provincial capital. There are a few small Jeeps 2500 in the city, but our county doesn't have such good cars."

Li Yi said, "Why don't the township officials organize the villagers to repair the road? They could at least fill it with coal slag and rocks, which would be better than this pile of mud!"

Old Wu replied, "The road wasn't this bad before. It might be because of the construction of the reservoir, with too many large trucks running on it, which has damaged it."

Li Yi looked at him and nodded, "The old comrade is experienced! You've hit the nail on the head."

Xue Xue, sitting in the back, frowned. The reservoir project was supposed to be a good thing for the people, but now it had become a mess, turning into a harmful and unfinished project.

Occasionally, pedestrians and chickens and dogs wandered on the road, and the car drove very slowly. Suddenly, two figures darted out in front of the car, blocking the way. If it weren't for Old Wu's timely braking, they would have been hit.

Old Wu pulled the handbrake, got out of the car, and shouted at the two people, "Are you trying to die? Don't you want to live? If you don't want to live, don't drag me down with you! Get out of the way!"

The two people ignored his scolding and just stared at the car.

Xue Xue finally managed to speak, "What's going on? Tell Old Wu not to scare them." She was about to get out of the car.

Li Yi called out, "County Magistrate Xue, don't get out of the car yet. I'll go check."

Secretary Xiao Han, sitting next to her, also got out of the car.

Li Yi got out and saw two women in their forties standing in front of the car. He asked, "What's the matter, ladies? Why are you blocking the car?"

The two women didn't speak but just stared. When Xiao Han got out of the car, one of them, wearing a floral blouse, asked, "Are you the county magistrate?"

Xiao Han said, "I am the county magistrate..." Before she could finish, the woman in the floral blouse shouted, "I've heard the county magistrate is a fox spirit, and indeed, she's a charming little vixen!" The two women then rushed at Xiao Han from both sides, their hands clawing at her.

Xiao Han couldn't react in time. She felt a burning pain on her face, and blood trickled down her pale cheeks. Then, her chest was grabbed and roughly pulled, causing her excruciating pain.

Li Yi was shocked. Although he had suspected that the situation was not good, he didn't expect them to act so quickly, giving no chance to breathe. Li Yi angrily shouted, "What are you doing!" He pushed the two women away and pointed at them, "This is a crime! You'll end up in jail!"

At this moment, the other two cars also stopped. The heads of various departments, sensing something was wrong, quickly got out and ran over.

Xue Xue and Ou Yang Jinxuan also got out of the car.

Xiao Han just held her face and cried, her chest exposed where her cotton coat had been torn open. Xue Xue was truly shocked and frightened. If Li Yi hadn't stopped her, she, the county magistrate, would have been the one to suffer and be humiliated, which would have become a major news story and a laughingstock in Lianshui County.

Xue Xue asked, "Xiao Han, are you okay?"

Xiao Han sobbed, "My face feels like it's on fire. It hurts so much. Am I disfigured?"

Li Yi called out, "Hold these two women. They hit Secretary Xiao Han." The bureau chiefs, upon hearing this, couldn't stand it. They cursed and rushed over to restrain the two women.

Li Yi, hearing Xiao Han's words, came over and said, "Let me see."

Xiao Han released her hands, and Li Yi, after a quick look, gritted his teeth and said, "These crazy women! Their nails were soaked in chili water, and they still had chili powder on them. When they scratched, it caused extra pain, but it's not serious. We should go to the health center to clean it up."

Xue Xue, upon hearing this, turned pale with fear and was extremely angry. It was clear that this was a premeditated and planned attack, specifically targeting her, Xue Xue. She immediately ordered, "Notify the Public Security Bureau! Have Shi Guozhu come here immediately!"