The road construction wasn't a spur-of-the-moment decision by Qin Mu; it was the result of thorough investigation and research.
Currently, the county government led by Qin Mu is focusing on attracting investment, and good transportation is practically the most basic and essential requirement for securing investment.
If the roads are too poor, even transporting goods becomes a problem; how can they attract investment?
Therefore, improving transportation is the prerequisite for everything else!
Just as Qin Mu said earlier, even without money, the roads must be repaired!
After Chen Xin and Pan Wen left, Qin Mu found Lu Dong, the director of the Finance Bureau, and asked him about the county's available funds.
"County Chief Qin, the county only has a little over ten million yuan that can be moved. This is our only working capital. You see… if we use it, in case of an emergency, it might… cause trouble."
Lu Dong cautiously reminded him.
He was genuinely afraid that this county magistrate might recklessly squander all ten million yuan. If a natural disaster struck or some other unforeseen event occurred, the county government would be left with nothing.
"Comrade Lu Dong, you're talking too much."
Qin Mu glanced at him and said, "You're the Finance Bureau Chief. Just answer my questions. No need for unnecessary words. I know what I should and shouldn't do!"
This…
Lu Dong trembled, immediately shutting his mouth in fear.
Things are different now!
Before, when Secretary Yu Xuewen was in charge, Lu Dong could disregard County Magistrate Qin's words. But now, Secretary Liang came from the city and didn't have a very strong foundation. County Magistrate Qin's influence was naturally much greater than before, and he dared not offend him.
"Yes, yes, you're right!"
Lu Dong quickly replied, "Then what else do you need?"
"Go and get the financial expenditures for the last two months, I want to take a look."
Qin Mu said directly.
Huh?
Is he going to audit the accounts?
Lu Dong glanced at County Chief Qin, but without any hesitation, "Please wait a moment, I'll go get them right away!"
"Just call someone to bring them over."
Unexpectedly, Qin Mu gestured to the phone on the table, not intending to let the other party go get them in person at all.
What does this mean?
Afraid I'll falsify the accounts when I get back?
Lu Dong was a seasoned veteran; he saw through County Chief Qin's intention at a glance. Many finance bureaus keep two sets of accounts, commonly known as "yin-yang accounts"!
One set of real accounts, and one set to appease the leaders.
Making a phone call in person would definitely make it difficult to falsify.
"Okay!"
Lu Dong didn't hesitate, immediately stood up, dialed the Finance Bureau, briefly explained the situation, and hung up.
Qin Mu observed the man throughout; seemingly, there was nothing strange about him.
He was indeed wary of any falsification. He had always felt there was a significant problem with the county's financial expenditures. Huaining County's total economic output was indeed low, but the county hadn't had any major expenditures in recent years. So why was there no surplus money in the accounts?
Where did the money go?
That's why Qin Mu decided to check the accounts on the spot, just to have a clear understanding of the situation.
A dozen minutes later, a Finance Bureau staff member brought over nearly two months' worth of expenditure statements.
"County Chief Qin, please take a look. These are our expenditure statements for the past two months."
Lu Dong glanced at them and handed them over.
While Qin Mu reviewed them one by one, Lu Dong sat calmly to the side, patiently waiting, without the slightest impatience.
This bill was basically just for show, to appease an inspection. Even if there were problems, he didn't think County Chief Qin could find them.
He admitted that County Chief Qin was very capable, but even the most capable person couldn't possibly understand finance, could they?
Without ten years of experience in accounting, it would be impossible to find any problems with this bill.
A professional's work—you think this is a joke?
As Lu Dong had predicted, Qin Mu looked at these so-called expenditures and felt a headache coming on. He tried to understand the various technical terms, but ultimately failed.
The writing was so vague and unclear that Qin Mu couldn't make sense of it at all.
Just as he was about to give up, one expenditure at the very end caught Qin Mu's attention.
County government canteen expenditure!
The other expenditures were difficult to check, and he couldn't figure out their uses, but this expenditure was very conspicuous and clear.
"Comrade Lu Dong, does the county government canteen's monthly expenditure reach two million?"
Qin Mu suddenly spoke, asking coldly.
Uh…
This question made Lu Dong, who had been so calm just moments before, instantly lose his composure.
What's wrong with County Chief Qin? Why is he paying attention to the canteen? Isn't it supposed to be in the most inconspicuous corner?
Logically, it should be the easiest thing to overlook!
"County Chief, it is indeed a lot of expenditure."
Lu Dong organized his thoughts and said, "You know the situation with the canteen. Leaders and ordinary cadres all eat there. There are hundreds of people, three meals a day, plus the occasional visit from leaders that require hospitality. The cost of ingredients alone is a huge sum!"
"Add to that the canteen staff's salaries, benefits, etc., and that's a significant expense. These may seem insignificant, but if you really calculate and sum them up, it's actually quite substantial."
Is that so?
Qin Mu listened to Lu Dong's words, and they seemed to make a lot of sense. Was that really the case?
He did lack knowledge in this area. What Lu Dong said was basically correct. With so many county government staff and high expenses, especially since they were eating for free, the expenditure was inevitably high.
But he noticed that Lu Dong was sitting very upright while speaking, his hands clenched into fists.
From a behavioral perspective, this body language only indicates that the other person is somewhat nervous.
Nervous about what?
Nothing more than being nervous about being caught making a mistake!
For example, what if there's something wrong with this bill?
"Comrade Lu Dong is quite right."
Qin Mu nodded, seemingly agreeing.
Really?
He got away with it?
Hearing this, Lu Dong immediately breathed a sigh of relief and quickly said, "Thank you for your affirmation, County Chief. I just explained the actual situation. You're not familiar with this aspect, so I'll take responsibility for clarifying things for you!"
Fortunately!
County Chief Qin wasn't aware of this matter; otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to get away with it today.
"Very good, I need someone like you to clear my head."
Qin Mu nodded and said, "How about this, let's go to the cafeteria together. A firsthand look will help me better understand where this two million in monthly expenditures are going."
He stood up and started to leave.
Huh?
A visit to the cafeteria?
Lu Dong froze, sitting there motionless. He knew very well that some accounts couldn't withstand comparison, much less actual investigation.
Otherwise… there would be a huge blunder!
"Comrade Lu Dong, shall we go?"
Qin Mu reached the door and saw Lu Dong still sitting there, saying calmly, "I still need you, the Finance Bureau Chief, to clear my head!"