149: A golden cup or a silver cup is not as good as the people's word of mouth.

Zhao Yulin regretted it so much he nearly slapped himself; originally, he had stopped the Farm Woman just to let Chen Yuanhua hear more of the common people's dissatisfaction with County Head Lin Zifeng.

To his surprise, his scheming had instead helped County Head Lin Zifeng, allowing Chen Yuanhua to learn the truth.

When everyone gathered again in the evening, there were not a few who had heard the same remarks as Chen Yuanhua.

Therefore, many people looked at County Head Lin Zifeng with meaningful and playful gazes, including Cao Mingxiu and Jiang Shiyu.

Some were gloating in their hearts, while others were worried for County Head Lin Zifeng.

Feeling the gazes of the crowd, County Head Lin Zifeng was surprised, but he did not show it, maintaining a calm and composed expression.

In his heart, he was wondering where things had gone wrong; why were these people looking at him with such gazes?

Cao Mingxiu's eyes were filled with disappointment, while Jiang Shiyu's eyes were filled with pity.

The others' gazes varied—some were gloating, some were worried, and some were indifferent, as if the matter had nothing to do with them.

Yet, no matter how hard he racked his brain, he could not understand where the problem lay; this left him completely puzzled.

Chen Yuanhua had also noticed the various gazes of the crowd.

So, he whispered a few words to Zhao Yulin beside him; he did not want everyone to misunderstand County Head Lin Zifeng and prepared to vouch for him.

Such an outstanding young Cadre; if he knew the truth yet let him suffer misunderstanding and suspicion, he would feel guilty, even if it was just for one night.

Zhao Yulin was unwilling, but he had to follow Chen Yuanhua's instructions.

Zhao Yulin notified everyone not to rush onto the bus yet and to gather in the parking lot, saying that Secretary Chen wanted to speak.

Everyone arrived at the parking lot, and under the organization of a few people, they stood in a formation.

Accompanied by Cao Mingxiu and others, Chen Yuanhua came to the front of the formation.

He then said loudly: "I believe that after an afternoon of visiting and inspection, everyone has seen the large-scale greenhouse vegetable cultivation, combined with the successful experience of the vegetable trading market."

"The combination of these two projects has brought substantial economic benefits to the local masses."

"These two projects were both spearheaded by County Head Lin Zifeng of Yushu County when he was serving as Deputy Secretary."

"County Head Lin Zifeng has brought such changes to the people here, yet everyone should have heard, as I have, many vegetable farmers making negative comments about County Head Lin Zifeng."

"When asked what was wrong with County Magistrate Zifeng, they couldn't explain, and if pressed further, they would just walk away."

"This left me completely puzzled; Comrades, you must be just as confused as I am, right?"

Seeing many people nod subconsciously, Chen Yuanhua spoke again: "Just before returning, I encountered an old woman on the way, and in order to understand the truth of the matter, I deliberately told this old woman that I would punish County Head Lin Zifeng upon returning."

"The old woman immediately became anxious, begging me not to punish County Head Lin Zifeng, and then she revealed the truth."

"It turns out that these vegetable farmers all knew that leaders were coming to inspect, and they were afraid that the leaders would take a liking to their County Head and have him transferred away."

"So they deliberately didn't speak well of their County Head, fearing that their outstanding County Head would be snatched away! That is why they came up with such a method to try and cover up their County Head's excellence."

"It is just like having something good at home and fearing it might be snatched away by others, so one deliberately hides it; it is the same principle."

"This old woman even told me to give their County Head a raise, just don't transfer him away from Yushu County; preferably, transfer County Head Lin Zifeng to work in Miaoshan Town."

"So that County Magistrate Zifeng could continue to lead them to prosperity."

"I refused the old woman directly at the time; otherwise, our County Head Lin Zifeng would have become the Secretary of Miaoshan Town."

"That old woman didn't understand administrative ranks, but as the Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, I cannot let such an outstanding Comrade be demoted instead of promoted!"

Good-natured laughter erupted from the crowd, and led by Cao Mingxiu's applause, warm applause followed.

County Head Lin Zifeng's eyes felt a bit sore; he had not expected that the local people would support him so much, and even though it nearly led to him being wronged, he didn't take it to heart at all.

Because he knew that most of the vegetable farmers did not have a high level of education, especially the elderly, many of whom were illiterate.

They were just reluctant to see him leave Yushu County; they had no intention of harming him, just the wrong way of expressing it.

Otherwise, they wouldn't have revealed the truth as soon as they heard he was going to be punished.

After the applause ceased, Chen Yuanhua continued: "Comrades, the local people here gave me a vivid lesson this afternoon!"

"To sum it up, it is still that saying: 'Golden cup, silver cup, nothing beats the reputation among the common people.' As long as you do practical things for the common people in a down-to-earth manner, you will gain their support, and they will keep you in their hearts."

"Being able to make the common people reluctant to see you leave is the highest accolade for an official."

"I hope that after visiting and inspecting here, more Comrades like Lin Zifeng will emerge among you young Cadres."

The applause rang out again, and everyone looked at County Head Lin Zifeng with envy.

County Head Lin Zifeng himself had not expected that Chen Yuanhua would rate him so highly, and for a moment, he could not help but feel a bit moved.

Subsequently, everyone prepared to board the bus to return to the county seat.

Qin Xiao finally found an opportunity to come to the side of County Head Lin Zifeng and said apologetically in a low voice: "County Head, I am sorry. It was my work that was not up to standard, and I almost caused you to be unjustly accused. I apologize to you."

"Secretary Qin, you are being too serious. Am I not perfectly fine? Haven't I actually turned a misfortune into a blessing? What fault do you have?"

"Besides, can our government control the discourse of the common people? You must remember, do not try to guide the common people's discourse."

"If you do that, not only is it against regulations, but many things will also backfire."

"County Head, please rest assured, I have taken your words to heart."

Qin Xiao nodded quickly in agreement.

"Alright, go and attend to your business. I also need to board the bus and return to the county; there is still a lot of work to do!"

As County Head Lin Zifeng said this, he boarded the bus.

Qin Xiao and the other Cadres of Miaoshan Town watched as the motorcade drove out of the parking lot, and all of them could not help but breathe a sigh of relief.

On the bus at this moment, Zhang Zimo and Wang Chusheng were sitting together, talking in low voices.

"Zimo, when we were at the Party School, I felt that Zifeng was not simple. After visiting and inspecting here, it has further confirmed my thoughts."

"Zifeng has now received the favor of the Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee. Hearing Secretary Chen's speech just now, the Secretary and Mayor of Chunhua City look at Zifeng as if they are looking at a flower."

"Zifeng's future official career will be incomparably smooth! Who knows when he might become the leader of people like us."

Wang Chusheng said with an envious look.

Zhang Zimo nodded and said: "I agree with Brother Zhang's thoughts. Just the political achievements here in Miaoshan Town are completely impressive, yet this Miaoshan Town is only one of the alternative locations for the visit and inspection."

"What will Heping Town, which we are going to tomorrow, look like?"

"I finally understand now that Zifeng has no deep connections or background, yet at the age of only twenty-six, he has already become a county magistrate; he has truly earned it through hard work! One cannot help but admire him!"

On the bus, such whispers were endless.