Me! A high-ranking official!

"Pah! What kind of thing is a complete outsider who hasn't even grown his first beard!" Luo Shuishan spat disdainfully. "Qiangzi, remember this: these capitalists who run big companies only care about money! Zhao Jianguo negotiated 550 yuan per mu for them, but I insisted I could get it down to below 500. Saving 50 yuan per mu, that's 25,000 yuan for 500 mu! What if they expand to several thousand mu later? Even a fool can do that!"

Luo Shuishan flicked his cigarette ash triumphantly: "I made it perfectly clear to them today that in Luo Family Village, unless I, Luo Shuishan, give my approval, Zhao Jianguo won't be able to rent a single plot of land! Just watch, in less than three days, that boss will definitely kick Zhao Jianguo out and come back to beg me for a favor!"

"That's right! Uncle, you're something else in our village!" another cousin gave a thumbs up. "So, what's our next step?"

"What to do? Proceed as planned!" A glint of ruthlessness flashed in Luo Shuishan's eyes. "When Zhao Jianguo really starts acquiring the land, the four of you must stick to the price of 1,000 yuan per mu! Not a penny less! As long as you're in the middle, his 500 mu won't be connected into a single plot. When he's in a mess and can't save face in front of the whole village, I'll step in and turn the tide! Then, the credit will be mine, and I'll decide how the road construction funds are used!"

"Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!" Several men laughed obsequiously, as if they could already see Zhao Jianguo slinking out of Luo Family Village in a sorry state.

Luo Shuishan closed his eyes, took a deep drag on his cigarette, and imagined himself regaining control of the village and enjoying immense prestige in front of the town leaders after Zhao Jianguo was driven away. He couldn't help but let the corners of his mouth turn up in a wild smile.

In the afternoon, Zhao Jianguo worked on several reports in his office. After organizing the relevant materials, he rode his motorcycle to the town government.

Upon arriving in town, he went directly to the office of Deputy Director Wang of the town's Party and Government Office, familiar with the area.

As soon as Deputy Director Wang saw Zhao Jianguo enter, he immediately put down the newspaper he was holding and greeted him with a smile, "Oh, Jianguo's here! Please have a seat!"

After Zhao Jianguo sat down, he said with a smile, "Director Wang, I came here today specifically to report to you about the streetlights. If it weren't for your help in connecting me with the company, how would I have found such a reliable one? They not only did a great job, but they also agreed to advance the funds to start construction. They really solved my urgent problem!"

Deputy Director Wang felt relieved and waved his hand, saying, "You're too kind. It's all for the sake of work and serving the people!"

He continued, "I have officially submitted the application for funding for the street light construction to Section Chief Li of the Agricultural Section of the County Finance Bureau. Section Chief Li has indicated that as long as it is discussed and approved at the meeting, the funds should arrive within a month, and there will be absolutely no delay in the payment to the construction company."

Upon hearing this, Deputy Director Wang nodded repeatedly with satisfaction, a hint of admiration in his eyes: "Brother, I have absolute confidence in your efficiency and coordination skills!"

"It's all thanks to you, brother, for laying a solid foundation for me beforehand," Zhao Jianguo said, then changed the subject, taking a thick document from his briefcase and handing it over: "But brother, I have another important matter to report to you today, and I need your boss's approval."

Deputy Director Wang was taken aback, then smiled and took the materials: "Oh? There's more good news? Let me see."

He read on, initially just skimming through the manuscript, but as he read, his previously squinted eyes suddenly widened, his expression shifting from relaxed to surprised, and finally even showing a hint of disbelief.

"A traditional Chinese medicinal herb cultivation base? An initial investment...five million? And they even promised to donate hundreds of thousands for road repairs?" Deputy Director Wang looked up at him as if he were an alien: "Jianguo, this document...is it correct?"

Such cooperative terms are unheard of at the grassroots level. When ordinary enterprises transfer land, they try to get the rent down to the lowest possible level, and even want to ask the government for subsidies. But this company is different. Not only does it offer a high rent, but it also spends money to build roads before even starting construction. This is not a business trip; it's a targeted poverty alleviation effort!

Deputy Director Wang's heart began to pound wildly. Just who was this Zhao Jianguo? After a moment's hesitation, he tentatively asked, "Brother, as far as I know, you've only been stationed in Luojia Village for less than a month, right?"

Zhao Jianguo smiled modestly: "Exactly twenty days."

"Twenty days..." Deputy Director Wang's eyes gleamed even more intensely: "In just twenty days, you solved the village's long-standing problem of streetlights and even secured such an astonishing investment. My friend, your capabilities are truly remarkable!"

Zhao Jianguo knew perfectly well that the other party was speculating about his family background, so he laughed it off and said, "Brother, what are you talking about? What kind of influence do I have? It was purely a lucky coincidence. I happened to have an acquaintance who introduced me, and the business environment in our town is good, so the boss was willing to invest this money. If it weren't for the foundation laid by the town leaders, I wouldn't have been able to persuade them no matter how hard I tried."

Deputy Director Wang didn't believe a single word of those nice official words. No background? How could investors throw five million into a poor mountain village like a money-spending machine if there was no background?

But he still smiled broadly: "That's because you have great personal charm, brother! Other village secretaries who go down to the village can at most help sell a couple of pounds of local eggs, but you've really gone all out."

Zhao Jianguo said at the right time, "Director Wang, the project has been initially agreed upon, but the land transfer needs to be reported and filed with the town. I am not very familiar with the specific administrative procedures in our town. This project is time-sensitive and has a heavy workload. I will have to trouble Director Wang to take care of things and run errands for us."

Deputy Director Wang slapped his thigh and readily agreed, "Don't worry, brother! This is all within my duties. Our town has such a large investment project; it's a matter of pride for the entire town. I guarantee it will have a smooth run and be finalized for you as soon as possible!"

After saying that, Deputy Director Wang pondered for a moment, as if he had thought of something, and lowered his voice to say, "Well then, brother, the Party Secretary happens to be in his office today. This is such an important matter, I need to take you directly to meet with the Party Secretary and report it now."

Zhao Jianguo nodded in agreement and followed Deputy Director Wang out of the office.

Upon arriving at the town party secretary's office, Deputy Director Wang asked Zhao Jianguo to wait a moment while he knocked and went in first. About three minutes later, Deputy Director Wang pushed open the door, waving with a broad smile, "Jianguo, come in, the secretary wants to see you."

Zhao Jianguo straightened his collar and walked into the room. Behind the desk sat a middle-aged man wearing a neat white shirt, slightly overweight, and exuding a steady and dignified air.

"Secretary, this is Comrade Zhao Jianguo, the elite soldier sent down from our county," Deputy Director Wang introduced.

Zhao Jianguo greeted him politely: "Hello, Secretary Wang. I should have come to visit you earlier, but I've been busy with village matters and it's been delayed until now. I apologize for the delay."