Chapter 302: When the Second Sister Speaks, All the Leaders Swallow a Pill of Confidence!

The next morning, Baishan City Committee Building, the large conference room on the second floor.

The air was filled with a mixed scent of panel furniture and floor wax, interlaced with the crisp aroma of local green tea. Yet this elegance could not at all dilute the almost palpable pressure hanging in the air.

Sunlight streamed through the clean glass windows, casting bright spots on the mahogany‑colored long conference table.

Lu Qingshan, Lu Fang and Lu Qingjun sat side by side on one side of the table, feeling as if an invisible spotlight were fixed on them.

Opposite them was the true power core of Baishan City.

Committee Secretary Zhang Zhidong sat in the center, his expression solemn. Lu Qingshan's gaze swept over him; the secretary's eyes were as calm as a abyss, as if they could see through everything. To his left sat Mayor Sun Jianguo, a square‑faced official in his early fifties; he nudged the glasses on his nose, and the sharp eyes behind the lenses turned the documents in his hand page by page with meticulous precision.

Further to either side were the heads of the Business Bureau, Agriculture Bureau, Quality Supervision Bureau, Industry and Commerce Bureau… the top officials of each department sat upright and solemn. When these people sat, they spoke no words yet exuded a powerful aura that left one breathless. One of the Industry and Commerce Bureau chiefs, whom Lu Qingshan recalled hearing about in a past life as famously impartial and nicknamed "Huo Yan Wang," now wore a grave expression.

In front of each person lay a brand‑new notebook and a Hero brand fountain pen. The whole conference room was punctuated only by the occasional faint rustle of pages turning, so quiet it seemed one could hear the hum of blood flowing across the eardrum.

The spectacle alone could make the legs of any investor melt.

Lu Fang's palms were slick with sticky sweat; she furtively rubbed her Daqi Liang trousers, only to become wetter. Being observed by the power center of an entire city reminded her of the helplessness when she once ran herself ragged, said every flattering thing, only to be thwarted by a village accountant while trying to secure a homestead that should have been inherited from her late husband's father. And now…

Only Lu Qingshan, his back and waist straight as a spear rooted in the ground, wore a countenance as calm as water. Only he knew that to suppress the surging tide of turmoil within, his back molars were clenched ever so slightly. This composure was bought with two lifetimes of blood and tears. His steadiness, like the Stabilizing Needle of the Sea, steadied the wildly beating hearts of Lu Fang and Lu Qingjun.

Zhang Zhidong cleared his throat, the light cough echoing sharply in the silent conference room. His keen eyes swept the entire room.

"Comrades, today we hold this on‑site working meeting, and there is only one agenda item."

His voice was not loud, yet it carried an undeniable penetrating force that instantly seized everyone's attention.

"It is about how to fully support Xinghan Group, and here in Baishan, to make the 'Xinghan Premium' brand and its industry thoroughly grow and become strong!"

No pleasantries, no bureaucratic talk—straight to the point.

Zhang Zhidong's gaze turned to Mayor Sun beside him, and the two exchanged an unspoken look. "Last night, Comrade Jianguo and I already reached an understanding; our opinions are completely aligned."

Mayor Sun's eyes behind the lenses flashed. He nodded heavily, leaned slightly forward, and with his trademark booming voice took the floor. "Exactly! The Committee and municipal government's stance is crystal clear! This Xinghan Group plan is not a simple investment; it is a golden key that will reshape our industrial structure and bring prosperity to thousands of households in Baishan. How many forest‑farm workers and sent‑down youths are yearning for a way out? How many households like those at Hongqi Forest Farm are stuck without relief? This project is a timely rain!"

"Therefore, we have summoned all the bureau chiefs today to work on site and make decisions on the spot! Whatever Xinghan Group needs, we will provide! Land, policies, approvals—every department must cooperate unconditionally, green lights all the way! Anyone whose thinking is rigid or actions sluggish, who drags the reform and opening behind, and lets the chain slip, I will be the first to refuse!"

His words were decisive and resonant, striking the ground like a hammer.

When the words fell, the conference room fell into a death‑like silence. The bureau chiefs present tightened their expressions, even their breathing became deliberately light. The "Huo Yan Wang" Industry and Commerce Bureau chief, subconsciously slid the document titled "Regulations on the Scope of Individual Economic Operations" toward himself and tucked it under his notebook. A few other chiefs, who had still entertained thoughts of "procedures" and "regulations," now felt a chill down their spines, and fine beads of sweat began to seep uncontrollably from the corners of their foreheads.

Lu Fang and Lu Qingjun stared at each other in horror, each seeing near‑panic shock in the other's eyes! Lu Qingjun's hand, hidden under the table, had already clenched into a fist, the knuckles pale and white from over‑gripping, trembling slightly. He recalled his time at the Lu Tai salt field, bowing and pleading for extra labor insurance. And now, his own elder brother had a city mayor pounding the table for him! What level of treatment is this?! His heart hammered in his chest, and he felt his entire worldview being completely overturned!

They had expected support, but never imagined the magnitude and firmness of that support. This was no longer a partnership; Baishan City had treated the project as its top priority, a political mission to be carried out!

Zhang Zhidong raised his hand in a gesture, his gaze landing on Lu Qingshan with unabashed admiration.

"Next, Comrade Xinghan Group, please present your specific plan and explain it to us in detail. We will all listen, discuss together, and today we must draft a regulation."

Lu Qingshan gave a slight nod. He did not immediately let his second sister speak, but spoke first, his voice low yet clear to every ear: "We thank the Committee and municipal government for their trust and determination. Xinghan Group also issues a military order here, vowing never to disappoint the people of Baishan."

A simple sentence, neither servile nor arrogant, yet it struck the ground with authority.

Then he lifted the tea cup before him, the warm sensation spreading from his fingertips, dispelling the phantom of cold handcuffs deep in his memory. In a past life he had entered a similar place, only to face cold walls and harsh interrogation, the air thick with despair. In this life, he is a guest of honor who can decide a city's future, holding a warm fragrant tea. The contrast between heaven and earth forged his resolve like steel tempered by raging fire, becoming ever more indestructible.

He looked at Lu Fang and gave her an encouraging glance.

Lu Fang understood his meaning; this was an opportunity to showcase her, also a test. She inhaled deeply, forced the surging tumult into her chest, and began to speak.

"Leaders, I will first give a brief report from the sales side, that is, the market side."

"Currently, our Xinghan Specialty Market in Beijing has firmly established itself, securing a batch of highly quality Capital City client resources—ranging from ordinary citizens to high‑spending consumers, and even foreign guests. They have a strong demand and purchasing power for high‑quality specialties. Just last week, a senior official sent someone to our store, specifically requesting honey and wood ear mushrooms from Shanwan Village, saying they were to be used as a national gift for the visiting West German economic delegation. In other words, as long as we can produce 'Xinghan Premium', we are confident we can sell it at a price that satisfies everyone."

Her statement was concise and forceful, and the final sentence brimmed with Confidence, directly giving the leaders present a reassuring pill.

The product has no sales worries, and its high‑end market as a national gift is the cornerstone of the project's success. The atmosphere in the entire conference room instantly became more heated.