Me! A high-ranking official!

Li Gan wiped the water droplets from his face and couldn't help but chuckle at Zhao Jianguo's lifeless appearance. Although the man was rough, he knew that Zhao Jianguo was exhausted today because he had saved the villagers from trouble.

"Alright! Brother Zhao, don't worry!" Li Gan patted his muscular chest and said with a grin, "Tomorrow I'll sit here at the village committee entrance with a steel pipe, I'll keep watch right here, I guarantee not a single fly will get into your office!"

He responded wearily, mentally reviewing tomorrow's schedule.

Tomorrow, the Hotan Medicinal Herbs Company will officially send two professional surveyors to conduct an on-site investigation and confirmation of the transfer intentions for the 500 mu of land in the west. This is the first step in the implementation of the entire project, and also the toughest nut to crack, so we absolutely cannot be careless.

Thinking of this, he forced himself to sit up in bed, took out his phone, and made calls to Zhu Yan, the village's women's director, and Luo Ming, the village director he had just won over.

"Hello, Sister Zhu? Yes, it's me. Please come early tomorrow morning... Um, the company people are coming to survey the land acquisition, you'll need to lead the team and cooperate." "Director Luo, you'll be with Zhu Yan tomorrow. I promised you before, if you handle this well, you'll be the team leaders at the base. You'd better make a strong showing in this first battle!"

On the other end of the phone, Zhu Yan and Luo Ming had been eagerly watching the company's progress. The team leader position and generous benefits promised by Zhao Jianguo were like a big piece of fat meat dangling in front of them. The two of them were extremely concerned about this matter. Upon hearing Zhao Jianguo's arrangements, they immediately agreed without hesitation on the phone, patting their chests to guarantee that they would definitely get it done.

After arranging all of this, he tossed his phone aside, tilted his head, and fell into a deep sleep.

……

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, the rooster crowed for the second time in the distance.

Zhu Yan and Luo Ming arrived at the village committee compound early, before the company staff arrived. The two of them were full of energy, and they found brooms and rags to help clean the village committee inside and out. Luo Ming was especially attentive, even washing the ashtray on Zhao Jianguo's office desk until it shone.

He came out after washing up, and seeing the two of them so energetic, he nodded in satisfaction.

"Sister Zhu, Director Luo, thank you for your hard work today." Zhao Jianguo called the two of them over and whispered, "I have to go to the county today to try and secure the special funds for road repairs for our village. You two will be in charge of keeping an eye on things in the village. When the company people arrive later, you two will take them to the west side to conduct door-to-door surveys."

His eyes darkened slightly, and he gave a special instruction: "Remember, if you encounter anyone who disagrees or tries to take the opportunity to drive up land prices, you can try to persuade them by talking about the big picture and policies. If you really can't persuade them and their attitude is firm, don't get into a conflict with them! Just write down their names and the plots of land. I want to see just how many people want to be holdouts at this critical juncture."

"Understood! Secretary Zhao, please go with peace of mind. We'll take care of things in the village!" Luo Ming and Zhu Yan nodded repeatedly.

After finishing his business in the village, he rode his electric scooter to the town, took the earliest minibus, and headed straight for the county seat.

Upon arriving at the county government compound, I easily found myself outside the office of Guo Huaixing, the director of the government office.

He knocked and entered. Guo Huaixing was reading the morning paper. Seeing that it was Zhao Jianguo, he immediately smiled and put down the newspaper: "Jianguo, you're such a busy man, how come you have time to go back to your parents' house today?"

"Director, I wouldn't have come here without a reason. I've come specifically to report some good news to you!" Zhao Jianguo sat down familiarly on the sofa and said sincerely, "The road repair funds that you and County Head Lian helped our Luojia Village secure, along with the tens of thousands of yuan allocated by the bureau, have been a huge help to us! I'm here today on behalf of the more than 700 villagers, young and old, to express our sincere gratitude to you, our former leader, for your great assistance!"

Upon hearing this, Guo Huaixing pointed at Zhao Jianguo and burst into laughter: "You little rascal, don't try to fool me! I already conveyed the deputy county head's instructions to the county finance bureau last night."

At this point, Guo Huaixing's smile faded slightly, and he sighed, "But Jianguo, you know the situation. Our county's finances are in a terrible predicament right now. It's like a leaky ladle full of holes. Although the higher-ups have given instructions, the Finance Bureau is still facing some difficulties."

Guo Huaixing looked at Zhao Jianguo with a warm, encouraging gaze and comforted him, "Don't worry, since County Chief Lian has given the order, the money will be allocated sooner or later. I've already told them to get it done as quickly as possible. I'll also keep an eye on it for you in the next few days. You're doing a great job down there, and the county leaders are watching. You must stay calm and keep up the good work!"

"With your words of comfort, Director, I feel completely at ease!" Zhao Jianguo stood up gratefully and extended an invitation at the opportune moment: "Director, if you're not busy tonight, how about I treat you to a couple of drinks at a quiet place?"

Guo Huaixing was about to reply with a smile.

"Buzzing..."

His phone suddenly vibrated violently in his pocket. When he took it out, the screen displayed the words "Li Gan".

He frowned slightly, pressed the hang-up button, and smiled apologetically at Guo Huaixing: "It's just a call from the village, no problem, Director, let's continue..."

However, before he could finish speaking, his phone started ringing incessantly again; it was Li Gan again!

Within the system, it's extremely taboo to answer these kinds of urgent calls in front of superiors. But Guo Huaixing, a veteran of the grassroots, understood the rules. Instead of getting angry, he waved his hand understandingly and said with a smile, "Don't hang up! The village down there is calling so urgently; it must be something urgent. You should answer the phone first!"

Guo Huaixing picked up his teacup, blew on it, and said kindly, "As for dinner or anything like that, we're not in a rush. In a couple of days, once this storm has passed, I'll find an opportunity to invite two leaders who can help you out for a chat. I'll give you a call then, and we'll have a proper get-together!"

Upon hearing this, he was immediately delighted. Guo Huaixing was clearly trying to make connections for him and expand his political network in the county!

"Thank you so much, former boss!" He bowed gratefully, then quickly walked out of the office with his phone and went to the end of the quiet corridor.

The moment he pressed the answer button, Li Gan's anxious, even frantic, shout came from the other end of the line: "Brother Zhao! Something terrible has happened! It's awful!"

His heart sank, and his eyes instantly turned cold and sharp: "Don't panic, what happened? Explain yourself!"