Me! A high-ranking official!

"Secretary, you mentioned in the meeting earlier... that we'll need a lot of workers after this planting base opens, so..." Zhu Yan hesitated for a moment, then asked hopefully, "Could I go in and help out? I'm still young, only in my early forties, the perfect age for working. Besides, I'm very good at farm work, definitely no worse than a man. Secretary, could you please put in a good word for me? I promise I'll be quick and efficient, and I won't let you down!"

Looking at Zhu Yan's longing eyes, he felt a pang of emotion. This was the most realistic situation in the countryside: women who stayed in the village had virtually no source of income except for taking care of the elderly and children.

He smiled and said, "Sister Zhu, as long as the base operates normally, it will definitely need a lot of workers who know how to do farm work. You are the women's director of our village, so it's a good thing for you to take the lead in the work. If you are willing, once the project is finalized, I will definitely recommend you to the other party as a foreman!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yan was so happy she almost cried. She nodded repeatedly in thanks, then asked somewhat shyly in a low voice, "Secretary... so tell me, how much do you think one can earn per month working at this base?"

He hesitated for a moment. The specific salary hadn't been discussed with the woman yet, but he knew how capital operated. He pondered for a moment and said, "The specific wage standard hasn't been determined yet, but since it's a long-term industrial worker position, it will definitely be higher than the county's minimum wage of 2280 yuan. I estimate it will be at least 3,000 yuan! And..."

He paused, then added firmly, "I will do my best to fight for everyone and get the company to pay our basic insurance premiums!"

"Over three thousand?! And you still have to pay insurance?!"

Zhu Yan gasped, almost jumping for joy. These days, even doing odd jobs or waiting tables in the county town, you'd only earn this much, and it wouldn't even include food or lodging. This was right at her doorstep! She could earn over three thousand without leaving the village. And if they really paid for insurance, it would be better than many of the small private business owners in town!

"Secretary! Thank you so much!" Zhu Yan was so excited she was almost incoherent, repeatedly saying, "Don't worry! I promise to fully support our work! From now on, whatever you assign me, whatever you need me to do, just say the word, and my family will do exactly what you say! I will do my best!"

He smiled and nodded: "Okay, big sister, don't rush these next few days, just wait for good news."

Zhu Yan went out happily, ready to share this wonderful news with several of her close female friends in the village.

The meeting room fell silent immediately.

Zhao Jianguo turned around and caught a glimpse of Luo Ming, the village chief who hadn't said much, with his notebook tucked under his arm, head down, and hurrying away.

"Director Luo," Zhao Jianguo suddenly spoke up.

Luo Ming froze, paused for a moment, glanced at Zhao Jianguo, stopped, and stood there awkwardly, not daring to turn around.

"Wait a moment." He walked to the conference table, staring intently at Luo Ming's back, and said in a deep voice, "Close the door, let's talk."

Luo Ming stopped as instructed, turned around and closed the conference room door tightly, then sat down somewhat awkwardly opposite Zhao Jianguo.

The atmosphere in the room instantly turned cold.

Zhao Jianguo didn't beat around the bush, staring at him directly with a sharp gaze: "Director Luo, after the meeting last night, did Luo Shuishan say anything to you privately?"

Luo Ming looked up in surprise, meeting Zhao Jianguo's gaze that seemed to see right through him. He hesitated for a moment, then guiltily looked away, keeping his head down and remaining silent.

Seeing his attitude, he understood completely. Without a doubt, that old fox Luo Shuishan was pulling strings behind the scenes.

He leaned forward slightly, his tone extremely authoritative: "Director Luo, you know right from wrong. This medicinal herb base is a matter of life and death for Luo Family Village. I don't want anyone interfering, and I especially don't want anyone making a mistake at this critical juncture!"

He slammed his hand on the table, his voice cold and hard: "If anyone dares to evade or hinder me on this matter, I, Zhao Jianguo, will not back down an inch! Anyone who dares to stop the villagers from getting rich, I have plenty of ways to make sure they can't stay in this village! If Luo Shuishan dares to make a mistake, I will definitely make sure he stays as village chief for good! So, Director Luo, I hope you can distinguish right from wrong and know what you can do and what you absolutely cannot do!"

Luo Ming's expression changed slightly. He obviously did not expect Zhao Jianguo to be so straightforward and forceful, even threatening to bring down the village chief right in front of him!

He hesitated for a moment, rubbed his thighs vigorously with both hands, shook his head, and still didn't say a word.

He took a deep breath, his tone softening slightly, but every word was piercing: "Director Luo, I know you still resent me to some extent because of Zhiyong's arrest, but I, Zhao Jianguo, have a clear conscience! Currently, you are still the village head. Perhaps once Zhiyong's case is officially adjudicated and there are official documents from above, you may be removed from your position. But until you are removed, as long as you remain in this position, you should consider the development of the village."

Upon hearing his son's name, Luo Ming's shoulders trembled slightly.

He decided to be frank: "Luo Shuishan is definitely using Zhiyong's matter to provoke you and incite you to oppose me, isn't he? But I believe that you, Luo Ming, are not someone who can't distinguish right from wrong. The things Luo Shuishan made you do were absolutely detrimental to the unity of the village and its long-term development. They were pushing you to the opposite side of all the villagers!"

Looking at Luo Ming's weathered face, he said earnestly, "Zhiyong is in jail, but if he reforms himself properly, he'll come out sooner or later. You told me yourself that you should take advantage of your remaining abilities to build up a fortune for Zhiyong so he can live a peaceful life when he gets out. But if you listen to Luo Shuishan's instigation and cut off the village's path to prosperity, everyone in the village will talk behind your back! You won't even be able to stand on your own two feet in Luo Family Village. How will you and your son survive on this land when Zhiyong gets out?"

Luo Ming was struck dumb, staring at Zhao Jianguo in astonishment, his lips trembling violently, a look of extreme struggle and fear flashing in his eyes.

Zhao Jianguo sighed and continued to press, "Director Luo, Luo Shuishan only sees you as a tool in his hands. I, Zhao Jianguo, don't consider myself a living saint, but my starting point is the common prosperity of the whole village. I'll say it again, I will definitely leave in two years at most. If Luo Shuishan cooperates well, the village will be rich in two years, and he will also have great political achievements and benefits. But now he is blinded by his own jealousy and his pitiful lust for power. He is purely opposing me for the sake of opposing me."

He finally issued an ultimatum: "Are you sure you want to go down this dark path with him? If you agree, then I'm telling you right now, if Luo Shuishan dares to tamper with this matter, I guarantee he won't last a month as village chief! I don't mind ruining his reputation in Luo Family Village! And you, Luo Ming, will completely lose your foothold in the village!"