82: Chapter 82 Fundraising for Education

Li Dakang's voice brooked no doubt: "Every village must be visited, and every classroom must be inspected thoroughly. Ensure the village committees cooperate fully. Whoever dares to slack off—"

He paused, his eyes sharp as a knife: "I will handle it personally!"

The phoenix trees outside the window swayed in the wind, their shadows flickering across his face, accentuating his determined expression.

"Second, once the inspection is complete, any school buildings that do not meet safety standards must be taken out of use immediately. The villages should find vacant buildings to serve as temporary teaching sites."

"Third, go find Township Head Mao later. Tell him that I said to have someone carefully calculate the funds required to renovate all these hazardous buildings. A detailed and reasonable plan must be formulated, and you must bring it to me for review first."

"This work is very important. I'm sorry for the trouble, but you need to go down there yourself. Report the preliminary inspection results to me within a week."

"Well, do you foresee any difficulties?"

After speaking, Li Dakang looked intently at Deputy Township Head Zhang Xiaoyan.

Deputy Township Head Zhang Xiaoyan had been rapidly recording the key points. From Li Dakang's firm words, she deeply felt his resolve and the imperative nature of this matter.

But after Li Dakang finished, Deputy Township Head Zhang Xiaoyan still looked hesitant, and said with concern: "Secretary, although we haven't had a specialist calculate it precisely yet, a rough estimate suggests that completely renovating all the school buildings in our township will require a significant amount of funds."

"Although the township's finances have improved compared to previous years, such a large expenditure..."

Li Dakang raised a hand to interrupt her: "I will handle the funding issue. You just focus on completing the inspection and the calculations."

His gaze was as firm as iron: "As long as our resolve remains steadfast, there will always be more solutions than difficulties."

Deputy Township Head Zhang Xiaoyan gazed at the young Township Party Committee Secretary before her.

Over the past six months, Li Dakang's official authority had grown daily. His effortless, commanding presence made everyone in the Township Government hold him in a measure of awe.

At this moment, he sat there like an unshakeable mountain.

"Understood, Secretary. I will go make the arrangements now."

Deputy Township Head Zhang Xiaoyan closed her notebook and rose with swift, efficient movements.

Li Dakang nodded and added: "Remember, this work concerns the safety of all the children in the township; it must be taken seriously. Report to me immediately if you encounter any difficulties."

Deputy Township Head Zhang Xiaoyan walked to the door, then suddenly turned back: "Secretary, thank you for valuing education."

"Those children... they truly need a better learning environment."

Li Dakang's expression softened for a fleeting moment: "This is my duty. Go on, time is of the essence."

After the door closed, Li Dakang stood up and walked to the window.

His thoughts drifted further afield: how was he to raise the massive sum of money needed to renovate the school buildings?

Apply for funds from superiors?

Mobilize donations from enterprises?

Or perhaps...

The provincial capital, Mingzhou.

The sun was shining brightly, and a gentle breeze was blowing.

A large silver-gray passenger jet, like a swift bird, came roaring in from the distant Fujian Province. It gradually lost altitude, finally touching down steadily on the wide, flat runway of Mingzhou Airport.

With a slight bump and the sound of brakes, the jet slowly taxied to its designated parking bay.

Before long, the aircraft door slowly opened.

The first to come into view were two tall, robust young men.

They were dressed in crisp black suits and wearing oversized sunglasses. Their expressions were stern and rigid, like two cold statues; it was clear at a glance that they were well-trained professional bodyguards.

Following closely behind them, an elderly man of about seventy appeared before the crowd.

The old man had graying hair and a kind face, his eyes revealing the wisdom and composure of one who had seen much of life.

Although time had etched deep lines on his face, his spirit remained high.

Beside the old man stood a young woman in her twenties, beautiful and graceful. Her white dress fluttered in the wind, making her appear as fresh and refined as a blooming lily.

The old man then stepped slowly out of the cabin, carefully supported by the young woman.

Following closely behind the old man and the young woman were several more young men dressed in identical black suits and sunglasses. Their attire was indistinguishable from the first two bodyguards, and their movements were perfectly synchronized, clearly marking them as part of the same team.

The appearance of such a group instantly drew curious gazes from the surrounding passengers.

Everyone looked on, secretly speculating about their identities, backgrounds, and the purpose of their visit.

The moment he stepped off the plane, the old man's body began to tremble involuntarily. Ripples appeared in his once-calm eyes, which gradually grew moist and blurred.

He took a deep breath and sighed with great emotion: "Over forty years! I have been away from this land for over forty years... and now, I have finally returned!"

Hearing the old man's words, the young woman beside him gently comforted him: "Grandpa, we should head out quickly. There are people waiting to welcome you outside."

"Haha, I haven't been back in many years, so I was overcome with emotion. Let's go."

With that, the young woman gently supported the old man as they walked out, with the bodyguards forming a protective circle around them.

The twilight outside the window gradually enveloped the Guantian Township Government compound, and the light in Li Dakang's office appeared exceptionally bright against the gathering dusk.

The ashtray on the desk was overflowing with cigarette butts, and wisps of smoke spiraled upward in the glow of the desk lamp, casting a shadow over Li Dakang's furrowed brow.