Chapter 1255: Is There a Need for Such Grandstanding?

As the landmark building of the Eastward Strategy, the Gaozhi Building poured out Tang Ye's heart and blood.

Whenever he had free time, he would come to the construction site to supervise the quality of the work and keep a close eye on the progress.

Time rewinds to two weeks ago...

When Tang Ye was inspecting the construction site, he discovered that a batch of cement did not meet procurement standards; he smashed a mineral water bottle directly onto Tao Qiusheng's face, grabbed Tao Qiusheng by the arm, and shouted angrily, "Trading your descendants' conscience for money—aren't you afraid I'll smash your rice bowl!"

Tao Qiusheng was covered in water from the impact, looking utterly disheveled!

His arm had been pinched by Tang Ye until blood marks appeared, and even now, the bruises had not yet faded.

Since then, Tao Qiusheng knew that this County Magistrate, who appeared gentle and scholarly, could not tolerate even a grain of sand in his eyes.

He hurriedly had people replace the cement.

Tao Qiusheng suspected that someone inside was acting as Tang Ye's eyes and ears.

Otherwise, how could Tang Ye have known about such details!

Tao Qiusheng had underestimated Tang Ye.

He possessed a super-strong memory that was nearly photographic.

Although he had never been exposed to engineering-related work, he quickly learned the ropes through self-study.

The standards for cement, the specifications for steel bars, the grades of fireproof materials,

he had a list in his mind.

Moreover, Tang Ye wanted to deliberately embarrass Tao Qiusheng in front of everyone!

Only in this way could he make Tao Qiusheng feel awe and reverence!

And realize that he could not cut corners or play tricks on the quality of the project.

Tang Ye wore a hard hat and wandered around the construction site...

The workers were already accustomed to this scene.

Tao Qiusheng had been very uncomfortable with Tang Ye's frequent visits at first, but as time went on, he was won over by Tang Ye's persistence and keenness.

Tang Ye's frequent visits to the site were not to deliberately find trouble, but out of a sincere hope to ensure the quality of the project—this was the most important project during his tenure as County Magistrate, and it absolutely could not have any flaws.

To put it more directly, if quality issues appeared in this project later, it would affect his personal reputation at best, and ruin his personal political career at worst.

In the past, Tang Ye was a deputy, or an auxiliary role in the leadership team.

Now that he was the County Magistrate, he was the primary person responsible for major projects within the county.

He knew better than anyone that the greater the power, the heavier the responsibility he bore.

If he didn't demand strictness now, there would be endless trouble in the future!

"Manager Tao, the rectification suggestions you proposed regarding the problems two days ago were very on point. I inspected them today and didn't find any new issues. It's clear that you are doing things with heart," Tang Ye said to Tao Qiusheng with satisfaction.

"County Magistrate Tang, please rest assured. We have learned our lesson and will absolutely not cut corners," Tao Qiusheng replied respectfully.

Having been disciplined, Tao Qiusheng still felt a chill when facing Tang Ye...

However, even if he felt dissatisfied, he could only hold his nose and put on a smiling face.

Who told him that Tang Ye was the Government, the "father" of the client?

Tao Qiusheng glanced at his wristwatch and suggested, "It's getting late, it's time for a meal. County Magistrate Tang, why don't you stay and have a meal before leaving?"

Tang Ye thought for a moment and said, "Fine, but I have one requirement: I will eat whatever the workers eat! No special treatment."

Tao Qiusheng was slightly taken aback, thinking Tang Ye was just being polite, and smiled, "Fine, then we'll listen to you and have the work meal with the workers."

Tang Ye arrived at the canteen built from shipping containers.

There was a round table set up in the corner, and the canteen staff were serving dishes onto it.

This was hardly a work meal.

It was clearly a feast served in stainless steel bowls.

Tang Ye's expression sank instantly.

"Manager Tao, what is the meaning of this?"

Tao Qiusheng hurriedly explained, "It's about the same as the workers' food, just plated differently to look a bit more presentable."

"You can keep this table of food for yourself!"

Tang Ye kept a cold face and walked straight toward the window, standing behind the workers queuing for food.

Li Yongan followed closely behind, hurried over, took a tray, and queued up in an orderly fashion.

Li Yongan mused that Tao Qiusheng still didn't understand Tang Ye well enough.

Tang Ye was different from other leaders; he didn't care for the pleasures of the palate!

The workers were quite surprised to see Tang Ye standing at the back of the line and walked to the side, whispering to each other.

"I thought these government folks would be cooking their own private meals on the side; I didn't expect them to eat the work meal with us."

"County Magistrate Tang is a good person; he didn't use to eat at the construction site before."

"Regardless, County Magistrate Tang runs to our site often, and he's still very good to us. At least the canteen food is quite good; the boss doesn't dare to cut corners."

Tang Ye got a portion of food and found a spot to sit down among the workers, squeezing in where he could.

"This elder brother, what is your surname?"

"My surname is Qin."

"Brother Qin, hello. Is the work intensity too high now that you're rushing the progress?"

"County Magistrate Tang, we aren't afraid of being tired. As long as we can earn money, we can endure no matter how bitter or tiring it is."

"You still need to pay attention to balancing work and rest; your health is your capital!"

A fellow worker nearby laughed, "County Magistrate Tang, Old Qin's son is doing exceptionally well in his studies. He's in his third year of high school and is about to take the college entrance exam and go to university. Old Qin is working his life away to earn tuition for his son!"

Tang Ye looked at the proud smile on Lao Qin's dark, wrinkled face and sincerely offered his well-wishes, "Brother Qin, I believe your son will surely achieve a good result."

Seeing Tang Ye getting along so well with the workers, Tao Qiusheng could not help but shake his head to himself.

There were no reporters present today!

Was it necessary for County Magistrate Tang to put on such a show!

After finishing the meal, Tang Ye pulled Tao Qiusheng aside and urged him, "General Manager Tao, do you think I am a strange person, a County Magistrate who doesn't sit in the Government office but runs to the construction site every day?"

Tao Qiusheng hurriedly offered a fawning smile, "County Magistrate Tang, you are joking. It is mainly because our work was not done properly, causing you to worry."

Tang Ye said with a grave expression, "I am indeed somewhat uneasy. General Manager Tao, Gaozhi Building is a landmark project I am pushing forward in Yechuan, and I do not wish for any mishaps. In officialdom, people come and go, but buildings remain forever. I do not want, one day, for quality issues to arise and for me to be saddled with a bad reputation! To have the common people of Yechuan County poke at my spine and say that I, this County Magistrate, only knew how to do superficial work and was nothing but a reputation-seeking embroidered pillow."

Tao Qiusheng broke into a sweat listening to this, "County Magistrate Tang, I understand what you mean."

Tang Ye's tone softened, but he appeared exceptionally serious, "I have already given you one chance. If I discover any other problems, I will absolutely replace the contractor."

Tao Qiusheng gave a bitter smile, "County Magistrate Tang, the previous time we swapped the cement, that was also a helpless move. To put it bluntly, if we don't operate this project appropriately, we can't make money."

Tang Ye paused for a moment and said with a stern expression, "Saying you can't make money is nonsense. At most, you make a little less. I give you a promise: as long as you do things by the book, I will ensure your company can live very well. If you don't do things by the book, I will make it so you can't make a living in this industry in the future!"

Cold sweat poured down Tao Qiusheng's forehead, and he steeled his heart, "Fine, with your word, I will go all out; even if I lose money, I will build the building well."

After finishing his instructions to Tao Qiusheng, Tang Ye repeatedly urged Li Yongan to ensure construction safety.

Li Yongan patted his chest and guaranteed, "County Magistrate Tang, please rest assured, I will definitely complete this task you have entrusted to me with all my might."

Returning to the office.

Tang Ye received a call from Sun Hai.

"County Magistrate Tang, my car has already arrived at the Government entrance. I gave your name, but it didn't work!"