Chapter 161: First Meeting County Magistrate Jia

Saturday morning, Chen Yang took the small truck of the Old Hundreds Agricultural Products Trading Company to Coiled Dragon Town in Clearwater County.

The small truck was fully loaded with textbooks donated to impoverished rural children and various stationery.

Upon arriving in Coiled Dragon Town, from afar he saw Town Party Committee Secretary Zhou Zhengyang leading a welcoming team to greet him at the town government gate.

Chen Yang had the driver Zheng Yun stay in the truck on standby, while he got out to greet Zhou Zhengyang.

"Chairman Chen, thank you for reserving the vegetable greenhouse pilot quota for our Coiled Dragon Town!" Zhou Zhengyang beamed, his enthusiasm overflowing as he firmly shook Chen Yang's hand, his excitement seeming ready to burst forth.

In order to secure this vegetable greenhouse pilot project, Zhou Zhengyang had racked his brains. He ran around the county, begging and pleading, even pulling out all stops—softening and hard‑pressing, throwing tantrums—but the county leaders were stone‑hearted, refusing to give him any face.

Yet Chen Yang merely tossed off a casual remark, and all the previous difficulties were instantly resolved.

Chen Yang smiled and said, "Secretary Zhou, you've helped a lot lately. If I didn't show some appreciation, I'd feel embarrassed to return to Coiled Dragon Town in the future."

Zhou Zhengyang waved his hand modestly: "Chairman Chen, you flatter me. What I can do are just small things; on the contrary, you've helped the town a great deal recently. If we can shake off the poverty label, you'll be the town's greatest contributor."

To ensure the vegetable greenhouse pilot project proceeds smoothly, Chen Yang solemnly reminded Zhou Zhengyang: "Secretary Zhou, I've actually invested nine million yuan in the town this time—you need to keep an eye on it. Don't let this money go down the drain."

Zhou Zhengyang patted his chest and said, "Chairman Chen, rest assured—whoever dares to cut corners, I, Zhou Zhengyang, will be the first not to let them off."

Chen Yang felt a little relieved thanks to his guarantee. After all, corruption throughout Clearwater County was rampant. In his previous life, Lin Wei, when she served as County Party Committee Secretary, had arrested a large batch of corrupt officials, including the leadership team of Coiled Dragon Town.

"Secretary Zhou, keep up the good work. My meat‑processing limited company may later need to build a large‑scale breeding farm. If the vegetable greenhouse pilot proves successful, we could consider locating the farm here for investment."

Zhou Zhengyang instantly broke into a grin so wide his mouth could hardly close. "Chairman Chen, you are truly a great benefactor to our Coiled Dragon Town!"

Chen Yang replied politely, "Secretary Zhou, you overpraise me—I'm also a native of Coiled Dragon Town, so doing something for my hometown is only natural."

Zhou Zhengyang sighed, "Actually, not few big bosses have left Coiled Dragon Town, but you're the only one who's really come back to invest."

"Don't worry—once the economy improves, they'll all return to lend a hand." Chen Yang comforted Zhou Zhengyang with that sentence. He knew Coiled Dragon Town had indeed produced many talents; in his previous life, the richest person of Clearwater County was from Coiled Dragon Town. But those people invested in non‑agricultural ventures, and now they are just starting their careers, so it's understandable they don't return to support rural revitalization.

Zhou Zhengyang is a down‑to‑earth person; he values only present facts. And the fact is that Chen Yang has consistently supported his work, contributing both money and effort to Coiled Dragon Town's development.

He will keep this favor firmly in his heart.

After chatting for half an hour, several black official cars came from the county seat direction. The lead vehicle was familiar to Chen Yang—it was the special car of Qingshui City Deputy Mayor Xu Li. The vehicles following Xu Li's car were likely the leaders assigned to accompany her from Clearwater County.

Zhou Zhengyang dared not be negligent; he quickly waved to signal the welcoming squad, already prepared nearby, to spring into action. Soon the sound of drums and gongs—"dong dong qiang qiang"—rang through the clouds, extraordinarily lively.

At the same time, Zhou Zhengyang led the members of the town government leadership team forward briskly, faces lit with enthusiastic smiles, ready to welcome the leaders who had come from afar.

Chen Yang hadn't originally planned to go over and join the fun, but after Xu Li got out of her car, she immediately glanced in his direction. Helpless, he could only run over to her.

"Hello, Mayor Xu, welcome to Coiled Dragon Town to support our work."

"Chen Yang, today you're the star—why are you hiding so far away?" Xu Li was a bit displeased with Chen Yang's excessive modesty. It was clearly a great opportunity to promote the Old Hundreds Agricultural Products Trading Company. This guy puts in money and effort, yet refuses to seek fame.

Chen Yang laughed and said to Xu Li, "Mayor Xu, you're overestimating me. In front of you senior leaders, what qualification do I have to be the star?"

Xu Li gave Chen Yang a sideways glance, then pointed to the black‑clad middle‑aged man beside her and introduced him: "This is County Magistrate Jia, responsible for Clearwater County's agricultural and rural work. If you encounter any problems in your investments later, you can ask him for help."

Chen Yang hurriedly shook hands with Deputy County Magistrate Jia.

This Deputy County Magistrate Jia Zikang is no ordinary figure—he later became the Clearwater County Party Committee Secretary. Yet he is a major corrupt official; after being investigated, over a hundred million yuan in cash and valuable jewelry watches were found in his home. Such a person must be guarded against, but one cannot afford to offend him.

"Chairman Chen, welcome back to Clearwater County to invest." Jia Zikang enthusiastically shook Chen Yang's hand. He had also done his homework beforehand, knowing that Chen Yang is not only the son‑in‑law of the Qingshui City Police Chief but also a rising entrepreneur in Qingshui City. Such resources, he must firmly grasp.

After the introductions, Xu Li returned to today's topic: "Chen Yang, my main purpose for coming today is still the upcoming groundbreaking of the vegetable greenhouse pilot project. Are you interested in going to see it?"

Chen Yang felt this performance opportunity should be given to Zhou Zhengyang, so he quickly shook his head: "Mayor Xu, County Magistrate Jia, I don't really understand vegetable greenhouses; let Secretary Zhou accompany you. I'll just handle the investment and acceptance."

Xu Li knew Chen Yang was busy with his charitable activity caring for impoverished students at rural primary schools, so she didn't press him. Still, she couldn't resist teasing: "You're so indifferent—aren't you afraid your investment will be lost completely?"

Chen Yang replied, "I have faith in Secretary Zhou's and the Coiled Dragon Town residents' determination to shake off poverty and become prosperous. They will surely devote themselves wholeheartedly to this project."

Xu Li gave a slight nod, then turned her gaze to Zhou Zhengyang, who stood ready at the side, and asked gently: "Comrade Zhou Zhengyang, does your town's leadership team have sufficient confidence to complete this project satisfactorily?"

Hearing this, Zhou Zhengyang straightened his posture without hesitation, his face full of resolve, and immediately gave a firm guarantee to Mayor Xu and County Magistrate Jia: "Please rest assured, Mayor Xu and County Magistrate Jia! All members of Coiled Dragon Town's leadership team have made thorough preparations; we will certainly devote ourselves fully, sparing no effort to see the vegetable greenhouse pilot project through. No matter how great the difficulties and challenges, we will exhaust every means to overcome them, steadfastly follow the planned schedule to advance the project, and ensure it is completed to high quality and high standards, never betraying the trust and expectations of our superiors."

Xu Li was very pleased with Zhou Zhengyang's attitude; she immediately had Lin Wei stay behind to accompany Chen Yang, while she herself took County Magistrate Jia and Zhou Zhengyang to the site for an on‑spot inspection of the vegetable greenhouse pilot project.