186: Chapter 186 Road construction is such an important matter, I must personally take charge.

At the beginning, Zhou Jianwei did not think highly of Zhao Yang.

When Lin Xuecen first came to invest in building a logistics and warehousing center, he only wanted to secure some land transfer fees to alleviate the county's financial strain.

But after seeing that Zhao Yang had truly gotten the online shops up and running, and that the local people had received tangible benefits,

this made Zhou Jianwei re-evaluate Zhao Yang.

If every cadre were like Zhao Yang and accomplished just one thing each year, Cangyun County would have long since ceased to be what it is today.

He looked at Li Jingtang with a hint of displeasure in his eyes:

"County Magistrate Li, you don't do any work yourself, yet you won't let others do it? I personally think Zhao Yang has drive; our Cangyun County needs cadres like this."

Li Jingtang had originally thought Zhou Jianwei would support him, but he didn't expect him to side with the outsider.

He immediately flushed red. "County Magistrate Zhou, how am I not doing any work? Which aspect of agricultural production has been neglected?"

"County Magistrate Li, spring planting, summer management, autumn harvest—you only manage these three things year after year. In which year will Cangyun County ever escape poverty?"

Zhou Jianwei waved his hand impatiently. "Zhao Yang just wants to get things done; he isn't trying to steal your credit. Why are you so anxious!"

As for all of Zhao Yang's efforts, Zhou Jianwei was happy to see them succeed.

Half a month later, the Provincial Poverty Alleviation Office officially issued the document.

When the document, stamped with a large red official seal, was faxed to the Cangyun County Government office, the entire office building erupted in chaos.

250 million in national highway construction funds, 50 million in matching funds from Tongan City, plus 10 million in startup capital for the mushroom and wood ear cultivation base and ecological breeding project.

A full 310 million!

Since the establishment of Cangyun County, it had never received such a huge amount of support funding from higher authorities.

The news spread like wildfire to every corner of the County Committee and County Government.

The sound of footsteps in the hallways became noticeably more hurried, and cadres from various departments whispered to each other, their faces filled with excitement and disbelief.

When Secretary Wang Shoucheng received the call, he was making tea in his office.

His hand trembled, and the tea spilled over the rim of the cup.

"How much? 200 million?" His voice rose by an octave.

"Secretary Wang, it's 250 million in special funds for national highway construction, and the city is also providing 50 million in matching funds."

The voice of the Director of the Government Office on the other end of the line was trembling.

Wang Shoucheng was stunned for three seconds, then burst into laughter:

"Good! That's great! Cangyun County is going to turn things around this time!"

He hung up the phone, paced back and forth in his office with his hands behind his back, his mind already calculating rapidly.

County Magistrate Zhou Jianwei was equally excited. He took the document and read it over several times, his gaze finally falling on a line of text at the end of the document:

"Project funds are to be used exclusively for their designated purpose; misappropriation or diversion is strictly prohibited."

Zhou Jianwei frowned slightly, but quickly smoothed his brow.

Regardless, the money was in hand, and that was a huge piece of good news.

The County Committee Standing Committee held an emergency expanded meeting to discuss the division of labor for the projects.

The meeting room was filled with smoke, and the atmosphere was lively.

Several Standing Committee members had smiles on their faces; even the usually stern Secretary of the Commission for Discipline Inspection, Zhao Liqun, rarely smiled, but today he did.

"300 million, comrades!"

Wang Shoucheng sat in the main seat, hands supporting the table, his gaze sweeping over everyone present,

"This is the deep affection of the Provincial Committee and Provincial Government for our Cangyun County, and it is also the affirmation of our work by the Provincial Poverty Alleviation Office. Every cent of this money must be spent where it is most needed!"

Everyone nodded in succession.

Organization Department Head Liu Changqing sat on Wang Shoucheng's right, his eyes flickering.

He picked up his teacup, took a sip, leaned toward Wang Shoucheng, and lowered his voice:

"Secretary Wang, doesn't County Magistrate Zhao like to be busy? Why not hand this arduous task of road construction to him?"

Wang Shoucheng shot Liu Changqing a glance, his voice low but carrying a hint of displeasure:

"What the hell do you know! Road construction is such an important matter that I must take personal charge of it."

Liu Changqing was stunned, then immediately realized what was going on and hurriedly apologized with a smile:

"Yes, yes, yes, if Secretary Wang takes charge personally, it is the good fortune of Cangyun County. You are truly devoted to Cangyun County; you are a role model for me to learn from."

Wang Shoucheng spoke beautifully, but in his heart, he was calculating his own interests.

A project as large as road construction—from bidding to construction management to the allocation of project funds—is full of opportunities.

Even just the subcontracting of the project alone—who gets it and who doesn't—holds immense profit potential.

Wang Shoucheng withdrew his gaze, put a smile back on his face, and cleared his throat:

"Comrades, let us now discuss the division of labor for the projects. There are a total of four projects approved by the province. Road construction is the top priority; with the national highway and provincial highway, the total investment is 300 million. I will take charge of this myself."

He spoke lightly, as if he were merely shouldering a responsibility rather than grabbing a fat piece of meat.

No one objected, and no one dared to object.

County Magistrate Zhou Jianwei nodded. "For such important work, the Secretary taking charge personally reflects the sufficient importance our Cangyun County places on road construction."

Wang Shoucheng was using an open strategy; it was reasonable and justifiable, and others could not object.

"The mushroom and wood ear cultivation base and the ecological breeding project, totaling 10 million—who will be responsible for them?"

Wang Shoucheng's gaze swept over the crowd.

Zhou Jianwei took over the conversation: "Comrade Zhao Yang did the most solid preliminary research, and the plan was also compiled by him single-handedly. I suggest these two projects be handed over to Comrade Zhao Yang to handle."

Everyone's gaze turned in unison toward Zhao Yang, who was sitting at the end of the conference table.

Zhao Yang was the Vice County Magistrate in charge of industry; by rank, he shouldn't have been sitting in such a back position.

But he had the least seniority in the Standing Committee, so he consciously sat at the end during every meeting.

At this moment, he was holding his teacup, his expression calm, as if the matter under discussion had nothing to do with him.

Upon hearing Zhou Jianwei name him, Zhao Yang put down his teacup and spoke unhurriedly:

"County Magistrate Zhou, thank you for your trust. But I am the Vice County Magistrate in charge of industry; it is not appropriate for me to handle agricultural projects."

The meeting room was quiet for a moment.

Li Jingtang, who was attending the meeting, suddenly raised his head and looked at Zhao Yang in disbelief.

A project worth millions, huge profits—why wouldn't Zhao Yang do it?

Li Jingtang's heart was churning.

In all his years as a county leader, this was the first time he had ever seen someone push away meat that was already in their mouth.

This kid was either truly stupid or had other motives.

Zhou Jianwei frowned: "County Magistrate Zhao, you declared the project, and you are the most familiar with the situation; it is logical for you to handle it. As for the division of labor, that can be adjusted."

Zhao Yang smiled, his tone remaining calm:

"County Magistrate Zhou, there is a specialization in every field. It is more appropriate to hand agricultural projects to the leaders in the agricultural sector. If there are problems that need solving, I can help coordinate."

"However, I have a suggestion: the use of all funds should be supervised by Comrade Zhao Liqun, Secretary of the Commission for Discipline Inspection."

Project construction is labor-intensive and involves financial matters; Zhao Yang did not want to get involved.

Since he had put it that way, Zhou Jianwei could not insist further.

Wang Shoucheng glanced at Zhao Yang, a flash of imperceptible, complex emotion in his eyes, then made the final decision:

"Then that's settled. I will take charge of the road construction project, and I will hand over the mushroom, wood ear, and ecological breeding projects to Comrade Jingtang. Meeting adjourned!"

Everyone stood up and left one after another.

Li Jingtang followed Zhao Yang out of the meeting room and quickly caught up:

"County Magistrate Zhao, wait a moment."

Zhao Yang stopped and turned to look at him:

"County Magistrate Li, is something the matter?"