Chapter 109: A Single Remark Stuns All

The silence in the conference room seemed to let one hear the sound of everyone's heartbeat.

Secretary Zhang Zhìdōng's deep eyes, like a searchlight, lingered over Lu Qingshan.

Jiangyuan County's Secretary Zhang Xincheng and County Mayor Liu Yuejin both had sweaty palms, feeling both exhilarated by Lu Qingshan's bold proposal and worried that he was too young, speaking too confidently, making it hard to wrap up.

Lu Qingshan faced that gaze that seemed to pierce the heart; his back was already damp and cool, yet his spine stood even straighter.

His industrial chain proposal was not a momentary brainwave, but the result of combining scattered observations from a past life, this life's unique perception of forest resources through Mountain Wild Heart, and several nights of sleepless contemplation in the city guesthouse.

"Good! Well said!"

Just as the atmosphere grew unbearably tense, Secretary Zhang Zhìdōng slammed the table, his loud voice shattering the silence.

The sternness on his face faded, replaced by an unmistakable admiration and excitement.

"Industrial chain! What an industrial chain! Comrade Qingshan, your idea has opened a brand‑new door for the development of our city's rural economy!"

He turned to the other leaders present: "Comrades, we have often said we must develop specialty agriculture according to local conditions, yet we usually stay at the elementary stage of what to plant or raise. Comrade Qingshan's proposal considers the whole process—from source to Terminal, from cultivation and breeding to processing, sales, and even brand building! This is the truly vital and competitive development model!"

Applause thundered, louder than any before.

Zhang Xincheng and Liu Yuejin let out long sighs, their faces breaking into relieved smiles, their gazes toward Lu Qingshan filled with pride and relief.

This kid really made Jiangyuan County's chief look good!

After the meeting, Secretary Zhang Zhìdōng deliberately kept Lu Qingshan, while the others, sensing the situation, left first, leaving only the two Jiangyuan County leaders to accompany him.

"Little Lu," Zhang Zhìdōng's address had unintentionally become more familiar; pointing to the nearby sofa, he said, "Sit, let's talk alone."

He personally poured Lu Qingshan a glass of water, his gaze thick with curiosity: "The things you just mentioned—deep processing of medicinal herbs, branded meat products, medicinal wine, herbal oral liquids... many of us veteran economic workers might not have thought so far ahead. You're so young and have lived in the mountain village all along; how did you come up with this? Have you read many books?"

Lu Qingshan took the cup with both hands; the slight coolness at his fingertips steadied his turbulent thoughts a bit.

He knew the leader was probing his background.

He weighed his words before speaking: "Secretary Zhang, I haven't read many books; I only finished high school. These ideas are also the result of idle pondering. I've been in the mountains for several years after going down to the countryside; poverty scared me, and I kept wondering how to make life a little better. Our place, surrounded by gold and silver mountains, has been impoverished generation after generation, and I am unwilling to accept that."

He paused, his gaze drifting to the window as if he could see Shanwan Village's barren land and the villagers' hopeful eyes: "Living in the mountains for a long time makes you familiar with the habits of mountain goods, medicinal herbs, and wild produce. When hunting tires you out or you get lost, you sit alone and your mind wanders, thinking how to sell these items at good prices, how to let the whole village benefit. Moreover, when Director Sun Ming and his team came down to guide us, we learned a lot, and I wondered if we could string these ideas together."

Those words were half truth, half fiction, explaining the source of his ideas without revealing his greatest secret.

Zhang Zhìdōng listened quietly, nodding slightly from time to time.

His broad knowledge naturally let him discern the sincerity in the words.

The restless drive in Lu Qingshan that refuses mediocrity, coupled with his deep love for the mountain village, cannot be faked.

"What a 'refusal to be content'!"

Zhang Zhìdōng praised, "Young people need a bit of daring and some ideas! Rest assured, the city will fully support your proposals!"

Beside them, Zhang Xincheng and Liu Yuejin were so excited they nearly stood, repeatedly signaling Lu Qingshan to state his position.

Zhang Xincheng spoke first: "Secretary Zhang, rest assured! Our Jiangyuan County Committee and County Government will fully cooperate with the city's decisions, at any cost, supporting Shanwan Village's project and Comrade Qingshan's work!"

Liu Yuejin followed suit: "Exactly! Whatever policies are needed, we will provide; whatever resources are needed, we will coordinate!"

Zhang Zhìdōng waved his hand, laughing: "You Jiangyuan County have really struck gold this time!" He turned to Lu Qingshan, his tone becoming solemn: "Comrade Qingshan, after preliminary study by the Municipal Party Committee Standing Committee, the city has decided to allocate an initial special fund of 500,000 yuan to support Shanwan Village's medicinal herb planting, livestock breeding base construction, and initial processing facilities. The Rural Credit Union will ensure continued later funding. Meanwhile, the Municipal Agriculture Bureau, Agricultural Research Institute, Animal Husbandry Bureau, and Forestry Bureau will dispatch experts to form a dedicated technical guidance team, stationed in Shanwan Village, to provide you with comprehensive technical support!"

Five hundred thousand!

A buzzing sound rang in Lu Qingshan's mind; he almost thought he misheard.

In an era where households with ten thousand yuan are rare, what does five hundred thousand mean?

It is a sum large enough to shake the entire Baishan City!

He opened his mouth, his throat a bit dry, and for a moment could not speak.

Zhang Xincheng and Liu Yuejin also inhaled sharply, five hundred thousand!

The city has really poured blood money this time!

The two exchanged glances, each seeing wild joy in the other's eyes.

However, what shocked Lu Qingshan even more lay ahead.

Zhang Zhìdōng looked at him, a hint of smile in his eyes: "This is only the first step. If Shanwan Village's model succeeds, we plan to promote it citywide. Therefore, the city has another bold idea—to appoint you as Baishan City's Rural Specialty Economic Development Consultant, reporting directly to the Municipal Party Committee, to devise strategies for the city's rural development. What do you think?"

"Consultant?"

Lu Qingshan was completely stunned, nearly dropping the cup in his hand: "Secretary Zhang, this... this is impossible! I'm just a farmer from a mountain village; how could I have the ability to be a consultant! The responsibility is too great, I can't bear it, I can't bear it!" He waved his hands repeatedly, his face full of startled, honored panic.

This wasn't modesty; he truly felt he couldn't shoulder such a lofty title.

Having been reborn, he only wanted to live a good life with his wife and children, and perhaps help his fellow villagers; when ever did he think of becoming the city's consultant?

Zhang Zhìdōng, however, laughed it off: "Comrade Little Lu, you are too modest. Heroes are judged by deeds, not origins! Your vision and thinking, in my view, surpass some of our formally trained cadres. This consultant role isn't just a title; it requires you to actually participate in the city's planning. Talent is rare; we cannot let a capable person like you be buried!"

The two Jiangyuan County leaders were both surprised and delighted; the Municipal Party Committee Secretary himself spoke, and the weight of the matter was immense!

They hurriedly added, saying Lu Qingshan is young and capable, and will certainly be up to the task.

Unable to decline, Lu Qingshan had to steel himself and agree, but his heart felt like it held a dozen rabbits, fluttering wildly.

At noon, Lu Qingshan, for the first time in his life, dined at the same table with the Municipal Party Committee Secretary, the mayor, and the heads of various bureaus.

The atmosphere at the table was lively and harmonious; the leaders repeatedly toasted him, inquiring about Shanwan Village, their words full of expectations.

Lu Qingshan lifted his wine glass, looking at these prominent figures he usually only heard about in newspapers and on the radio, feeling everything was like a dream, a strong sense of unreality.

After the meal, Jiangyuan County's Secretary Zhang Xincheng and County Mayor Liu Yuejin specifically sought out Lu Qingshan, again formally stating that the county would immediately set up a dedicated working group, led by a deputy county mayor, to fully guarantee the funding, policies, and manpower for Shanwan Village's project, ensuring its flawless execution.

In the afternoon, per the Municipal Party Committee Office's arrangement, Director Zhang Wannian personally accompanied Lu Qingshan to tour a large agricultural demonstration base on the city outskirts.

The base was vast and equipped with advanced facilities, cultivating a variety of exotic vegetables and fruits, and raising high-quality livestock imported from abroad.

Various glass greenhouses and automated irrigation systems opened Lu Qingshan's eyes wide.

He listened to the base manager's introduction while covertly activating the perception of Mountain Wild Heart.

Soon, he sensed something amiss.

For example, a plot of seemingly vigorous cash crop whose soil "mood" beneath its roots appeared somewhat fatigued and compacted, clearly the result of long-term excessive fertilizer use draining the land's vitality.

There was also a newly built rabbit breeding area; although the rabbits seemed lively, he perceived a faint, barely noticeable diseased aura lingering in the air.

Lu Qingshan silently recorded these findings in his mind, without exposing them on the spot.

These questions may be easy for experienced agricultural experts to spot, but for managers who only care about surface gloss they are easily overlooked.

He knew that his identity was now different, and every word and deed could trigger a chain reaction, so everything required three thoughts before acting.

In the evening, back at the guesthouse, Zhang Wan Nian politely informed Comrade Qingshan that city leaders hoped he could stay a few more days to help draft a more detailed long‑term development plan for Shanwan Village and to preliminarily outline a feasible scheme for promoting the Shanwan Village Model city‑wide.

Comrade Qingshan understood that this was the city's further test and recognition of him.

He did not decline, but simply said he wanted to call home to report his safety.

At the guesthouse front desk, he dialed the number from Wan Gou Zhen post office to the Shanwan Village Committee.

After a long wait, a slightly panting voice of Zhao Yongnian finally came through.

Comrade Qingshan briefly recounted the city meeting details and the good news, especially the half‑million special funds and the expert group.

On the other end, Zhao Yongnian's voice grew excited, changing pitch, repeatedly shouting "Great! Great!" Comrade Qingshan could even picture the old party secretary patting his thigh, grinning.

He specifically asked Zhao Yongnian to transfer the call to Lin Yue'e.

When he heard his wife's familiar yet slightly uneasy voice, Comrade Qingshan's heart softened instantly.

"Yue E, don't worry, everything is going smoothly. The city is very supportive… you and our daughter stay well at home; I'll be back in a few days."

He tried to make his voice sound relaxed and calm.

Lin Yue'e on the other end gave a "mm" and her voice was a bit choked, all the words turning into fragmented admonitions.

After hanging up, she covered her mouth, tears could no longer be held, and they fell in a rush.

In the village committee, villagers who heard the news erupted in thunderous cheers; the whole Shanwan Village boiled over!

Late at night, Comrade Qingshan stood alone by the guesthouse window, watching the specks of light of Baishan City outside, his heart surging.

From a destitute, despised "Lu Laizi" to now being appreciated by the municipal party secretary, about to hold huge funds, even becoming the city's economic advisor, all this change happened in just a few months.

Rebirth brings not only a chance to make up for regrets, but also a vast stage he never dared imagine in his previous life.

The responsibility on his shoulders, like the heavy night, presses him to the point of breathlessness.

Just as his thoughts swirled, the door suddenly was knocked rapidly with a "Dong— Dong— Dong—".

Comrade Qingshan felt a chill; at this late hour, who could it be?

He alertly walked to the door and asked in a deep voice, "Who's there?"

"Comrade Qingshan, it's me, Zhang Wan Nian!"

From outside came Zhang Wan Nian's slightly urgent voice from the Municipal Office, "Something's happened! You need to come with me right away!"

Something's happened?

Comrade Qingshan's heart sank sharply, an ominous premonition instantly enveloped him.