Chapter 304: Hosting the County Leaders, My New Weapon Will Astonish the Nation!

The charged atmosphere in the conference room gradually settled as the city leaders left. The air still lingered with that uplifting scent.

Zhang Zhidong, before departing, gave Lu Qingshan a firm handshake; his palm was warm and strong, and the trust and expectation in his eyes were almost overflowing: "Comrade Qingshan, for the follow‑up coordination work, who from the city side would be most convenient for you to contact?"

Mayor Sun added, "Right, we need a chief coordinator; that would be the most efficient."

Lu Qingshan did not hesitate: "My second sister, Lu Fang. She now oversees the operation of the Xinghan Specialty Market in Beijing, and is familiar with the products and the market; she is the most suitable to handle the coordination."

"Good!" Zhang Zhidong nodded, noting the name. "It's settled then."

After seeing off the city convoy, Lu Qingshan and his party prepared to set off. The black Tiger‑Head glided smoothly through the streets of Baishan City, while the scenery outside the window drifted backward. Lu Qingshan's gaze swept over the slightly dated buildings, but his thoughts had already flown back to Shanwan Village. The city's grand blueprint had been drawn, yet the true foundation lay on that black soil.

The convoy left the highway and headed toward the road to Jiangyuan County. Not far ahead at a fork, a police Jeep was parked quietly by the roadside, and beside it stood a tall man in uniform.

It was Chen Zhiguo. He seemed to have been waiting there for a while; when he saw the Tiger‑Head approaching, he waved.

The convoy slowed to a halt. Chen Zhiguo strode over, his face bearing a familiar, slightly solemn smile. He did not go to the vehicle ahead; instead, he directly opened the rear door of Lu Qingshan's Tiger‑Head.

"Old Chen, why did you come here in person?" Lu Qingshan asked, a bit surprised.

Chen Zhiguo dropped into the seat with a thud, then shut the heavy door, which thumped a muffled "bang." The cabin fell silent instantly, as if cut off from the outside. He waved to the police officers trailing him, "You go back to the bureau with the vehicle; I'll take the car with Comrade Qingshan."

The officer snapped a salute, started the Jeep, and soon vanished at the end of the road.

The interior was spacious, scented with genuine leather and a faint hint of wood; the leather seats absorbed most of the bumps, making the ride feel like walking on flat ground.

Chen Zhiguo surveyed the cabin, clicking his tongue twice, then reached out to touch the smooth peach‑wood trim. "Fine fellow, everyone says this car is superb; sitting in it feels different, like being on a boat—no sound at all." He then turned to Lu Qingshan, his expression becoming solemn, "I've heard about what's happening in the city. It's quite a stir."

"Secretary Zhang and County Chief Liu are already waiting in the office building of your Shanwan Food Factory."

Lu Qingshan understood immediately. The news traveled fast. The county's top leader and second‑in‑command waiting in person at the factory—this stance said it all.

"They're certainly earnest," Lu Qingshan said lightly, his gaze calm; beneath that calm swirled countless emotions from his past and present lives. Once upon a time, not even a county leader—let alone a tiny village cadre—could berate him as "Lu Lazi."

Chen Zhiguo smiled, his grin tinged with pride. "You're now the golden brand of our Jiangyuan County, the county's very own wealth god; how could they not care?" He lowered his voice, a hint of mystery and excitement in it, "Let me share an internal tip: the county meeting today has mentioned your Shanwan Village and you, Lu Qingshan, three times over. The finance bureau's Old Zhang joked with our secretary a couple of days ago, saying that future county financial reports will be split into two sections—one called the 'Xinghan System' and the other 'Other.' Think about how massive that share is!"

The car sped on, the surrounding scenery growing increasingly familiar. The birch forest along the road and the distant mountain ridges matched the images deep in his memory.

When the brand‑new two‑story building, its walls painted white, appeared in view, Shanwan Village was reached.

Staring at the office building glittering in the sun, Lu Qingshan's usually calm eyes finally surged like a tidal wave. His breath even paused for a moment. He remembered it all too clearly: this place, right here, had once been a wasteland overgrown with half‑person‑high mugwort. In his past life, he had been here, drunk to oblivion, fighting over a few words, rolling on the ground, his face and mouth smeared with black mud mixed with grass roots, looking as ragged as a stray dog.

Now, a office building symbolizing hope and the future rose from the ground. Sunlight struck the white walls, dazzling enough to make one squint, yet it also illuminated the shadow deep in Lu Qingshan's eyes, a shadow he called "Rebirth."

In front of the food factory's office building, a group of people indeed stood.

Leading the pair were Jiangyuan County's County Committee Secretary Zhang Xincheng and County Chief Liu Yuejin. Behind them stood Village Chief Zhao Yongnian and Production Team Leader Zhao Dazhi, standing a bit reserved yet unable to hide their excitement and pride, their backs straight as if being inspected.

The car door opened, and Lu Qingshan was the first to step out.

"Secretary Zhang, County Chief Liu, it's quite cold today; why did you both come in person?"

Zhang Xincheng hurried forward, paying no mind to the polite words, and clasped Lu Qingshan's hand tightly; the palm was warm, rough, and full of strength. "Comrade Qingshan, it's only natural, only natural! You've contributed so greatly to your hometown; we're here to welcome you—that's our duty!" His smile was sincere, the wrinkles at his eyes blooming like flowers, with no trace of bureaucratic flattery.

County Chief Liu Yuejin also laughed in agreement, giving Lu Qingshan's arm a hearty pat. "Indeed, the city just finished its meeting, and we got the news. This time, you've earned Jiangyuan County a huge face in front of the whole city!"

The few entered the office building, proceeding to the second‑floor conference room. The room was modest but bright, with a polished red‑wood rectangular table at its center. On the table sat a row of enamel tea urns stamped with "Shanwan Food Factory" in red, steaming gently, and the air was filled with the fresh scent of tea leaves.

Everyone took their seats as host and guests. After a brief exchange of everyday pleasantries, Zhang Xincheng impatiently got to the main point.

His gaze swept over Lu Qingshan, full of emotion and even a hint of respect. "Comrade Qingshan, on behalf of the County Committee, the county government, and the over‑three‑hundred‑thousand elders of Jiangyuan County, I solemnly thank you."

"You may not know, but because of several of your Xinghan Group factories, our county's employment rate this year is unique in the whole city! In previous years we were always at the bottom, but this year we jumped straight to first place! Just your factories solved the employment problem for nearly a thousand people from seven or eight surrounding villages! They gave many families stable income, allowed many youths not to have to leave home, staying to build their hometown; we remember this huge debt of gratitude in our hearts! This thank you is well‑deserved!"

Lu Qingshan lifted the tea urn; the liquid was warm. He blew on the floating tea leaves, and the steam hazed his eyes.

"Secretary Zhang, you're over‑praising," he said, his voice steady and sincere. "I myself came out of Shanwan Village; this is my home. Doing something for the family, helping the villagers live better lives, is simply what should be done."

He set down the tea urn and turned to Li Jianqiang beside him.

"Lao Li, go arrange dinner."

"We have honored guests today; have the canteen prepare a slaughtered pig, a few chickens, the most authentic pork dish, and also a small chicken stewed with mushrooms, so the leaders can taste the most genuine flavor of Shanwan Village!"

"Also," Lu Qingshan paused, his gaze sweeping over the expectant faces of Zhang Xincheng and Liu Yuejin, a razor‑sharp glint flashing in his eyes, "prepare one of each of the new products from our Dingxiang Food Factory and Yuanqi Beverage Factory, so the county leaders can sample our craftsmanship. These are the 'new weapons' we'll soon market nationwide, to go head‑to‑head with those big brands!"

When the words finished, Zhang Xincheng and Liu Yuejin's eyes lit up instantly, their bodies leaning forward involuntarily, faces filled with shock and anticipation. New weapons? Nationwide sales? What big move is this kid planning now?