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The long-awaited Central Daily News reporter delegation has finally arrived in Tonggang County.

The team of reporters from the Central News Agency, led by Meng Pingping, consisted of six people.

The local delegation was led by Governor Feng and consisted of six people.

Zhou Zhonghai finally met Lao Meng, but his name sounded a bit effeminate, which made Zhou Zhonghai think he was a woman after seeing the list.

Meng Pingping is very low-key. She used to be a political commissar in the army. She is highly educated and thoughtful, unlike Committee Member Pu, whose happiness or unhappiness is always written on her face.

After the two sides met on the first day, Meng Pingping's secretary, He Chengliang, directly suggested that they should avoid formalism and instead go deep into the grassroots, returning to Beijing in three days.

He Chengliang was very active; they decided on which commune and village to visit the next day.

Whether you're the governor or a minister, if you're busy, then go ahead and do your work; if you're just following along, then follow along, but don't offer any opinions.

Zhou Zhonghai was furious. Such a good opportunity, of course he should go to Dashui Village, but he had no say in it.

Governor Feng, his secretary, Zhou Zhonghai, Xu Zhengtai, Zhao Jintao, and Gu Quan followed behind the central delegation like servants, not daring to utter a single word.

The group of 11 people randomly visited several communes. The beautiful and talented female reporter from the daily newspaper enthusiastically went to the fields to talk to the old farmers, while the group stayed at a distance to rest in the shade under a big tree.

"Dear leaders, I'm sorry, this is the message conveyed by the central government. We are just leading the team and cannot interfere with their interviews. Actually, we are just accompanying them," He Chengliang explained.

"Very good. Interviews must be truthful and reliable; we can't exaggerate anymore."

Zhou Zhonghai was quite calm. This year's grain deliveries were more than double those of last year, and that was the source of his confidence.

"Are those watermelons over there?" Meng Pingping asked, pointing into the distance.

"Yes, these are watermelons grown by farmers. I'll go pick a few."

Xu Zhengtai immediately understood, and the central leaders drank it.

Soon, Zhao Jintao and Gu Quan went to help and picked three large watermelons.

A fist opened, bright red, making your mouth water just looking at it.

As Zhou Zhonghai divided the watermelon, he asked, "Secretary Xu, how much is it per pound?"

"What?" Xu Zhengtai didn't react.

"How much did you pay per pound?" Zhou Zhonghai asked loudly.

"I...Minister, I...didn't pay for those watermelons."

When officials go to the countryside, do they have to pay for a few watermelons?

Zhou Zhonghai's expression changed, and he snatched the watermelon from Xu Zhengtai's hand, saying, "Why won't you pay? Do you know how watermelons are grown? They grow from tiny seedlings, weeding, turning the soil, and when they bloom, you have to squat on the ground to manually spread the pollen."

"When they got a little bigger, we sprayed pesticides, irrigated them, and finally the melons ripened and were worth some money. And you ate them without paying a single penny? Go pay up now. Three melons, five yuan."

Zhou Zhonghai was furious. He hated officials who exploited farmers. A few days ago, he was digging potatoes in Dashui Village. He was sweating profusely, and a whole basket only earned him eight cents.

"Zhou Zhonghai, you're making a mountain out of a molehill. You're making a fool of yourself in front of the central leaders," Governor Feng whispered a reminder.

Zhou Zhonghai looked at the unfathomable old Meng, who was eating watermelon with gusto and gazing into the distance, seemingly unaware of their argument.

"If there weren't leaders around, I wouldn't just yell at him, I'd also kick Old Xu a few times and play nonsense. Look at my shoulders, the skin's all sunburned off. I dig potatoes all day and don't even earn two or three yuan."

Zhou Zhonghai wanted to check Governor Feng's shoulder, but Governor Feng frowned and said, "Alright, enough crying. Go back to your office and continue crying."

"Yes, hehe."

"Governor Feng, the watermelon is sweet and juicy. It's a pity that Beijing doesn't have watermelons this good," He Chengliang exclaimed.

"That's right. The new variety from our provincial agricultural university is big and sweet, with a yield of over 3,000 jin per mu. At five cents per jin, that's over a hundred yuan. Plus, it can be grown on dry land, which is much more profitable than growing corn."

Feng Shiguang was unfamiliar with agriculture, so Zhou Zhonghai chimed in.

"Minister Zhou, you've put in a lot of effort."

"That's right. Some communes are suitable for growing potatoes, while others are suitable for growing watermelons. Just like children, some like reading, while others like sports. Only by teaching according to their aptitude can they develop better."

Zhou Zhonghai was full of confidence. He had conducted surveys of each commune and determined that the crops grown were absolutely the most suitable for that commune.

"It's not easy to get such a good variety," He Chengliang said.

"Stop talking. I owe the research institute a mountain of debt. I need to wait for the old farmer to sell the watermelons and settle the seed money so I can pay off my debts."

Feng Shiguang rolled his eyes at Zhou Zhonghai. Is being in debt something to be proud of? He just blurts everything out.

Zhou Zhonghai didn't care. If you don't give me money, am I not allowed to complain to the central leaders?

Xu Zhengtai paid for the watermelon, but the old farmer refused to accept it and insisted on giving it to him. Xu Zhengtai had no choice but to accept it and was given another large watermelon.

"Don't cut this watermelon yet. Give it to the pretty reporter and the guy who's working on the machine later," Zhou Zhonghai instructed.

"yes!"

After finishing the watermelon, Meng Pingping didn't say much. Governor Feng couldn't help but step forward and ask, "Committee Member Meng, if you have any opinions about our county, you must speak up so that we can make corrections."

Meng Pingping smiled and said, "Governor Feng, please rest assured. I am just the leader of the delegation and have no objections. Whether the agricultural reform in Tonggang County will be successful depends on the reporter's on-site investigation."

"Yes, yes, thank you for your hard work."

Feng Shiguang thought to himself, Meng Pingping is also a committee member, but he is a vice-committee member. He has no say, so naturally he won't say anything bad.

Three uneventful days passed. Meng Pingping made no comment, and the reporter just laughed it off, saying that whether Tonggang County did a good job or not, they would see in the daily newspaper.

This made Feng Shiguang very anxious, as this was his only chance to be transferred to the central government. If he remained in the position of provincial governor, he would have to step down to the second line next year.

The day before the central delegation returned to Beijing, Feng Shiguang and Zhou Zhonghai discussed that they should at least treat them to a meal at the provincial state-run restaurant, as there were some things they could find out after drinking.

Zhou Zhonghai understood and agreed with Feng Shiguang's feelings. However, the Central Delegation was very firm, eating and drinking at the guesthouse and refusing to accept corruption.

"Zhonghai, go ahead. It's okay if you refuse. You're only representing the Ministry of Agriculture," Feng Shiguang encouraged.

Yes, you, the provincial governor, care about your reputation, but I, the Minister of Agriculture, don't.

Zhou Zhonghai hesitated for a moment and said, "Okay, I'll go. But I'm straightforward, so if I say something wrong, you can't blame me."

"He's a leader from Beijing, can't you be a little more humble? When I take up my post in Beijing, won't we be on the same page? If you have any problems in the future, won't I be able to tolerate you?"

"Yes, but I've never been one to humble myself."

Zhou Zhonghai could only involuntarily lower his posture in front of Commander Pu. It was a kind of silent suppression. Even though Commander Pu was very kind to him, Zhou Zhonghai still looked humble.

As for others, he'd start cursing if they disagreed after just a few words.

During his earnest admonitions, Feng Shiguang received a phone call from He Chengliang.

"What? The toilet's clogged?"

"Should we send Zhou Zhonghai to unclog the toilet? Or should I send a professional? Should we go with him?"

What kind of leader is this, making the Minister of Agriculture clean toilets?

Feng Shiguang angrily hung up the phone, but Zhou Zhonghai stood up with a smile and said, "Governor Feng, this looks promising, I'm going."