After breaking up with my boyfriend, I made a fortune and rose rapidly in my career.

The next morning, a new report by Xiaochen appeared in the social section of the Yunzhou Daily.

The title is eye-catching: "Jinshuiwan Project: A New Approach to Ancient Village Protection and New City Development".

The article recounts the history of the three ancient villages in the planning area, saying that the command center plans to spend a lot of money to renovate them and turn them into cultural landmarks of Yunzhou New City.

The accompanying photos were taken by Lin Xiaoxiao; the ancient ancestral hall, the smooth stone-paved road, and the mottled old window frames all exude a sense of history.

The report quickly spread among officials in Yunzhou.

Just a couple of days ago, everyone was discussing money and conduct issues, but this report immediately changed many people's views on the Jinshuiwan project.

Now, the project is linked to cultural heritage preservation and innovative protection.

In Zhou Wenyuan's office, the head of the municipal propaganda department held a newspaper and carefully reported to Zhou Wenyuan: "Secretary Zhou, this article has a very fresh perspective, and the social response has been very good. The provincial leader in charge of culture and tourism just called to praise our city's idea."

Zhou Wenyuan adjusted his glasses, looking at the unfamiliar name Xiaochen on the newspaper, his face expressionless.

Zhou Wenyuan didn't say anything, but simply waved his hand, indicating that the propaganda minister could leave.

He knew that this must have been Chen Pingfang's doing.

First, use a mass incident to get the money, then use a positive report to set the tone for the project.

This young man, step by step, made Zhou Wenyuan feel somewhat troubled.

However, Zhou Wenyuan was not in a hurry.

Public opinion is just talk; the regulations in the documents are what really matter. He has already figured out his next step.

……

At 10:00 a.m., the Jinshuiwan Project Command held its first plenary meeting.

Commander-in-Chief Xiao Yuhan also arrived. Chen Pingfang sat next to her, and opposite them was Zhao Gang, the deputy director of the National Development and Reform Commission.

At the start of the meeting, Chen Ping first reported on the availability of funds. The atmosphere in the meeting room was good, and everyone felt that the project was finally on the right track.

"...Next, please let Zhao Gang, the deputy chief commander of the National Development and Reform Commission, talk about the work related to project planning and approval." Chen Pingfang handed over the conversation.

Zhao Gang cleared his throat, his face still beaming. He looked at Xiao Yuhan, who was in the main seat.

"Mayor Xiao, colleagues, it's good that the funding issue has been resolved. However, when we at the National Development and Reform Commission were compiling documents, we discovered a major problem that could potentially bring the project to a complete halt."

His voice wasn't loud, but the moment those words left his lips, the entire conference room fell silent.

Zhao Gang slowly opened his briefcase, took out a blueprint from a brown paper bag, and carefully unfolded it on the conference table.

The blueprints were yellowed badly, and the edges were frayed. They were drawn with red and blue pencil lines and stamped with a blue seal of the Yunzhou Urban and Rural Planning Bureau that had long been out of use, dated 2005.

"This is the drinking water source protection plan map set by the city in 2005." Zhao Gang pushed up his glasses and pointed to a red area on the map. "According to this plan, the core area of ​​the Jinshuiwan project is right within the red line of the water source protection area drawn back then."

Zhao Gang paused for a moment, then picked up the rectification notice next to him.

"According to the Environmental Protection Law and the municipal government order from that year, large-scale development is not allowed in water source protection areas. Although this plan has not been implemented much, there is no document stating that it has been invalidated. So according to the rules, it still counts now."

Zhao Gang's voice echoed in the quiet conference room, each word clearly enunciated.

"Therefore, on behalf of the National Development and Reform Commission, I formally recommend that the Jinshuiwan project be immediately and completely halted, and that a third-party organization be commissioned to conduct a new environmental impact assessment. At the same time, the command center must come up with a new site selection plan, or drastically revise the plan to bypass this protected area."

As soon as he finished speaking, a collective gasp filled the conference room.

The environmental impact assessment needs to be redone, and the site needs to be reselected. This whole process will take at least a year. For a provincial pilot project, this kind of hassle will basically ruin it.

The document is genuine, and the regulations are genuine. Even if this blueprint has been neglected for almost twenty years, it remains valid as long as Zhao Gang retrieves it from the archives.

Anyone who dares to oppose it is not taking environmental protection seriously and is playing with the drinking water safety of Yunzhou citizens.

No one can bear this responsibility.

All eyes turned to Xiao Yuhan.

Xiao Yuhan frowned. Looking at the yellowed blueprint, she realized for the first time how difficult the situation was. She could argue with Zhou Wenyuan in a meeting, but she couldn't go against the red lines of environmental protection.

Seeing Xiao Yuhan's unpleasant expression, Zhao Gang's smile deepened. He intended to use this method to block everyone's path.

Just as the atmosphere in the meeting room froze, Chen Ping spoke.

He stood up, and his expression became serious.

"Director Zhao, thank goodness you reminded me in time."

When Chen Ping spoke, everyone was stunned, including Zhao Gang.

Chen Ping turned to Xiao Yuhan and said sincerely, "Mayor Xiao, Director Zhao is right. Environmental protection is the bottom line, and there can be no ambiguity."

Chen Ping took a deep breath, his voice steady.

"I suggest that the command center immediately respond to the National Development and Reform Commission's opinion, and all construction units should completely suspend work and remain on standby."

"At the same time, I have applied to lead the establishment of a special task force to work with the National Development and Reform Commission and the environmental protection department to re-examine the planning issues. We must clarify the problems, follow the proper procedures, and leave no hidden dangers for the project."

No one could find fault with Chen Ping's words.

Zhao Gang's smile froze.

Chen Ping didn't refute at all, accepting everything directly, which shut down all the words Zhao Gang had prepared, leaving him feeling indescribably awkward.

Xiao Yuhan glanced at Chen Pingfang, somewhat surprised, but she immediately understood. Xiao Yuhan nodded and said in a deep voice, "Comrade Pingfang's attitude is correct. You can never be too serious about environmental protection. Let's do it your way."

The mayor personally made the decision, and that was the end of it.

The meeting ended abruptly.

As Zhao Gang tidied up the precious blueprint, something felt off. He walked out of the small building and immediately took out his phone to call Zhou Wenyuan.

"Secretary, it's all taken care of. Chen Pingfang has already announced the complete halt of the project in front of Mayor Xiao."

On the other end of the phone, Zhou Wenyuan gave a faint "hmm," his tone devoid of emotion.

The command center office, which had been bustling just moments before, suddenly fell silent. Several staff members sighed, all feeling that the project was now completely doomed.

Chen Ping returned to his office, closed the door, and appeared no different from usual.

He picked up the phone on the table and dialed Guo Xiaojun's number.

"Xiaojun, it's me."

"Lay it flat? What happened? I heard your project was suspended?" Guo Xiaojun's voice was urgent.

"It's nothing." Chen Pingfang's tone was very calm. "You need to do something for me right now. Use your connections in the province to go to the provincial archives."

"Investigate what?"