Honestly, Jiang Songshan had never encountered a cadre like Qin Mu before.
One second he was performing almost perfectly, the next he'd made a huge blunder.
"Comrade Qin Mu, please be serious. You need to be more diligent in your work."
Jiang Songshan gave a stern rebuke, saying, "The provincial department's poverty alleviation funds seem substantial each year, but you should be aware of the situation in Jiangnan. Huaining isn't the only impoverished area; other cities also have many impoverished counties!"
"Jiangzhou alone has two impoverished counties. Do you think the provincial department's funds are unlimited? Do you think I can just talk my way out of things and get the money allocated?"
Well…
It seems you can't joke around like that!
Qin Mu obediently accepted the criticism. After Vice Director Jiang finished, he said, "Sir, what I said earlier was indeed a bit frivolous, but actually… I do have some ideas. When Yu Xuewen was there, he was working on a yellow peach plantation, and I'd like to restart that project…"
What?
A yellow peach plantation?
Upon hearing this, Jiang Songshan frowned and said seriously, "County Chief Qin, I remember this project was used by Yu Xuewen to fraudulently obtain subsidies, right? He even tried to get funding from the provincial department, hoping for provincial support, but it was directly rejected!"
"What, now that you've achieved a little success, you want to follow in his footsteps? I advise you to be cautious and not make a foolish mistake!"
Jiang Songshan harbored deep resentment towards Yu Xuewen, the former Party Secretary of Huaining County, so he almost instinctively rejected anything Yu Xuewen left behind. Hearing Qin Mu mention this, he became somewhat displeased.
Qin Mu sensed this as well.
He even suspected that Yu Xuewen had left some kind of shadow on Jiang Songshan, causing him to become particularly agitated whenever Yu Xuewen or anything related to him was mentioned.
There's definitely a story behind this!
But Qin Mu didn't have time to think about that now. He quickly prepared his explanation; if he didn't clarify things soon, the goodwill he had just built up with Deputy Director Jiang would probably vanish instantly.
"Deputy Director Jiang, please don't rush, let me finish."
Qin Mu quickly said, "Yu Xuewen's yellow peach plantation was indeed a scheme to fraudulently obtain subsidies. This matter has already been investigated and dealt with; there are no issues whatsoever."
"My proposal to cultivate yellow peaches this time is based on careful research. We have many small peaks like Dawang Mountain in Huaining, all belonging to the same mountain range, but not all places are suitable for tea cultivation. On the contrary, there are several places that are very suitable for yellow peach cultivation!"
"I've already contacted the technicians at the county agricultural bureau about this, and they indicated that those peaks are suitable for fruit cultivation, with yellow peaches being the most suitable. That's why I had this idea!"
"Furthermore, those peaks have wild peaches that locals often eat, and people regularly pick and sell them. I plan to use existing varieties to explore technical integration, to see if we can graft them to create a different taste, differentiate ourselves, and develop our own unique characteristics, which will make it easier for us to sell them."
Oh?
You did your homework so thoroughly?
Jiang Songshan, who had just been furious and enraged, now felt somewhat embarrassed.
Judging from Qin Mu's words, it seemed that the preliminary research and technical work had been completed thoroughly, and there was no fraud or attempt to obtain subsidies.
He had been overly sensitive!
"Deputy Director Jiang, did you and Yu Xuewen... have a lot of unpleasant experiences?"
Seeing Jiang Songshan's expression soften, Qin Mu asked cautiously.
"Hmph, that guy is a wicked villain."
Jiang Songshan's face was full of disgust when he mentioned Yu Xuewen. "Back when I came to Huaining for work inspection, he brought a young girl to my room in the middle of the night. He even installed a listening device, trying to gather evidence of my illegal activities to blackmail me."
"He came to Huaining twice, using the same vicious methods to try and drag me down. If I hadn't been overly vigilant, I'd probably be in jail by now."
Sure enough!
Qin Mu's guess was right! There's a deep-seated problem between Deputy Director Jiang and Yu Xuewen. Yu Xuewen's methods are somewhat insidious; offering young girls in the middle of the night—even a man could easily fall for that.
In that light, Deputy Director Jiang's character is trustworthy. Despite Yu Xuewen's repeated tests, he maintained his principles—a model of leadership.
"Deputy Director Jiang, please rest assured, Yu Xuewen and I are not on the same side," Qin Mu solemnly stated.
"Regarding the yellow peach plantation project, I will provide detailed materials. I will personally go to the provincial capital to discuss it with you. If you are concerned, you can have the provincial department's technical experts come to inspect it. I will fully cooperate, as long as you agree to allocate funds to help us with the yellow peach planting!"
That makes sense!
Anyway, there will be a plan; if all else fails, we can have the provincial department's technicians come to inspect.
"Okay, it's settled then."
Jiang Songshan nodded slightly and said, "Prepare all the materials as soon as possible. I'll arrange for someone to handle it. If there are any problems, the provincial poverty alleviation funds won't be disbursed."
"No problem!"
Qin Mu readily agreed. The other party seemed strict and demanding, but it was still following normal procedures. Since Qin Mu had made preparations beforehand, he naturally wouldn't cause any trouble.
After saying this, Jiang Songshan, accompanied by Qin Mu, walked down the mountain, preparing to return to the county town.
Before leaving, Qin Mu asked Tian Weiwei, who was standing beside him, a question.
"Why did Ya Nan tell me you were sick and resting at home? But you don't seem sick at all?"
Qin Mu asked in a low voice, puzzled.
This…
"I just felt that since we're back in the county town… I didn't want to disturb you and Ya Nan's time together."
Tian Weiwei felt embarrassed and lowered her head, explaining.
Upon hearing this, Qin Mu understood. Tian Weiwei felt they had been too unrestrained in the provincial capital and wanted to maintain some distance back in the county.
After all, she and Ya Nan were still best friends. She could use Qin Mu's ignorance as an excuse before, but now that the truth was out, Tian Weiwei felt a little embarrassed.
"As long as you're alright," she said.
Qin Mu hesitated for a moment, then said, "Be careful walking in the mountains!"
Then he got into the car and returned to the county with Jiang Songshan and the others.
Qin Mu wanted to invite Jiang Songshan to stay for lunch so they could continue their travels in the afternoon, but Jiang Songshan politely declined, seemingly having to go elsewhere for work inspections.
"I won't have lunch; I have other work to do," Qin Mu said.
Jiang Songshan waved his hand slightly and said, "Before you leave, I have something to remind you: heroes often find themselves unable to resist the charms of a beautiful woman. Sometimes, you have to make choices; don't be too greedy."
After saying this, he patted Qin Mu on the shoulder, got into the car, and drove away.
Qin Mu felt a pang of confusion upon hearing this. What was Deputy Director Jiang implying?
Is he implying something about him and Tian Weiwei?
But he and Tian Weiwei hadn't shown anything, had they?
Was this person's insight so sharp?