Chapter 1321: I Underestimated Tang Ye Before!

The next day.

The effects of the press conference were showing!

Public opinion online began to reverse...

"Plot Twist! Urban Village Survives, Welcomes One Billion in Investment!"

"Zhao Group Makes a Heavyweight Move in Yechuan County!"

"Tang Ye to Build a New Cultural Tourism City in Yechuan!"

"Old City Renovation Can Be Done This Way Too!"

"Chasing Political Achievements? Or Sincerely Benefiting the People?"

"Internet Celebrity County Magistrate Creates a Buzz Again!"

Tang Ye browsed the news item by item, secretly letting out a sigh of relief.

The reversal of public opinion was within his expectations, but the process was still very frustrating.

However, only by enduring humiliation and shouldering heavy burdens could he achieve the current result.

Several news reports dug up Tang Ye's past deeds in Dayu County.

Tang Ye was labeled with the title of "Internet Celebrity County Magistrate," which caught him somewhat by surprise.

In 2010, "Internet celebrity" was not a very good descriptor.

The landline rang. Tang Ye glanced at the number and quickly answered, "Dean Kong, hello."

Kong Xuedong smiled, "County Magistrate Tang, your execution is impressive. In just a few days, you've reversed the outside world's reputation of Yechuan. My previous hesitation seems a bit ridiculous now."

Tang Ye quickly said, "Dean Kong, if Yechuan County encountered such serious problems, I would also reconsider the cooperation if I were in your shoes. I am already very grateful that you gave me a few days. Whenever it is convenient, let's sit down and finalize the cooperation agreement. Please rest assured, we will definitely treat the cooperation with your school seriously."

Kong Xuedong laughed readily: "Then let's make it Friday, and we'll sign the agreement. Immediately after, we must submit the application materials to the province, striving to obtain the provincial support funds."

Tang Ye smiled, "Fine, I'll arrange it right away. See you on Friday!"

After hanging up on Kong Xuedong, a heavy stone in Tang Ye's heart landed.

Kong Xuedong's reaction was also within his calculations!

He had planned for a long time to implement the Agricultural Scientific Research Base.

Multiple regions in Xiyang were competing for this resource, and now it had finally settled.

Wenyang Municipal Government.

Mayor's office.

Tan Zonghe looked at the news regarding Yechuan County securing one billion in investment, his face gloomy and his mood at an all-time low.

Wenyang had always been leading in all aspects; with Yechuan taking this heavyweight project, it was bound to surpass Wenyang in the investment attraction sector this year and stand out alone.

He called his Liaison Officer over.

"Are these news reports true or false? Have you verified them?"

Liaison Officer Sun reported softly, "Mayor Tan, I have already asked friends in Yechuan County. The Zhao Group investment is true, and they plan to officially sign the Investment Agreement tomorrow. After the agreement takes effect, the first batch of approximately four hundred million in funds will be directly transferred to the government account, with the remaining funds arriving successively over three years."

Tan Zonghe slapped the desk in frustration: "The Zhao Group is this powerful? Why have I never heard of this enterprise?"

Sun explained, "The Zhao Group is a well-known enterprise in Shaan Province. When Tang Ye was on an exchange in Shaan Province, he successfully cooperated with the Zhao Group. This time, the Zhao Group is here for Tang Ye."

Tan Zonghe restrained his anger, "As expected of a Reserve Cadre key-cultivated by the Provincial Party Committee Organization Department, he still has some connections."

Sun was silent for a moment, then said softly, "Mayor Tan, there is one more piece of news to report to you."

Tan Zonghe glanced at him unhappily: "Speak if you have something to say, no need to stutter."

Sun gathered his courage, "Just received news, Huai University Agricultural College has confirmed it will place the Agricultural Scientific Research Base in Yechuan County."

Tan Zonghe snorted angrily, "This Kong Xuedong is truly a weather vane that sways with the wind."

After the Liaison Officer left the office, Tan Zonghe rubbed his throbbing temples.

In this secret struggle with Tang Ye, he had ultimately been one move behind.

He did not expect Tang Ye's reaction speed to be so fast!

He had underestimated Tang Ye before.

The strategic cooperation signing ceremony between the Zhao Group and Yechuan County was held grandly at the Xiyang Municipal Conference Center.

Municipal Party Secretary Gong Weimin attended in person; for an investment project of this scale, he had to be present to show his support.

At the ceremony, Gong Weimin delivered a speech:

"Welcome to the Zhao Group for coming to Xiyang to invest.

The scale of this investment has sparked heated discussion nationwide.

Everyone is paying attention to our cooperation this time.

I feel a heavy pressure.

Signing is just the starting point; the key is to implement and solidify the project.

The government must use the project to revitalize the urban economy, and the enterprise must achieve steady returns through the project.

The Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government will provide full support and introduce the best policies.

I believe that with the government and enterprise working together, we will surely create a national benchmark for cooperation.

Thank you all."

Amidst warm applause, Gong Weimin stepped down from the podium.

Immediately after, Mayor Jiang Jing signed the cooperation agreement with Zhao Hui on behalf of the Municipal Government.

Seeing this scene, Gong Weimin felt quite emotional.

Although Jiang Jing's arrival disrupted many of his own plans, in all fairness, since arriving in Xiyang, he had secured the new train station, resolutely pushed forward the Yechuan Eastward Strategy, and now landed a one-billion investment project.

It must be admitted that Jiang Jing's arrival injected a powerful impetus for development into this city.

As for Tang Ye, who stood outside the spotlight.

He was indeed a formidable vanguard general capable of winning battles.

It was just a pity that he was Jiang Jing's confidant and could not be used for his own purposes.

……

After the signing ceremony concluded, a celebratory banquet was held in the conference center's banquet hall.

"President Zhao, this is Deputy Secretary Meng of the Municipal Party Committee."

"This is Director Gao of the Municipal Organization Department."

"This is Deputy Minister Han of the Municipal Party Committee Propaganda Department. He was formerly the County Party Secretary of our Yechuan County."

The banquet was of a high standard, with multiple Municipal Party Committee Standing Committee Members in attendance, giving Zhao Hui plenty of face.

Han Zhengyi had been specially invited by Tang Ye; the current County Party Secretary, Ding Zhen, did not attend due to being "injured" and hospitalized.

……

After the celebration ended, the next day, Zhao Hui set off to return to Shaan Province.

Tang Ye saw Zhao Hui to his car and gripped his hand tightly: "President Zhao, thank you truly for your tremendous support this time."

Zhao Hui gripped back firmly: "County Magistrate Tang, you are too polite. When you have time, come back to Dayu County for a visit; the changes are huge. The common people of Dayu County all miss you."

Tang Ye smiled, "Thank you for your invitation; I will certainly go back to visit everyone when I have time."

After Zhao Hui got into the car, he dialed Zhao Guosheng's phone number.

"Dad, the mission is complete, and I am preparing to return to Shaan Province."

Zhao Guosheng nodded and said, "Next, you need to pay close attention to this project. The Group's Strategy Department has analyzed that Yechuan's future development potential is immense; once the national-level High-end Manufacturing Incubation Base lands in five years, it will completely change the landscape of this city."

Zhao Hui said, "Understood, I will not take this lightly."

Hanging up the phone with his father, Zhao Hui took a deep breath.

On the surface, Zhao Hui's investment in Yechuan this time was "generating power" for his friendship with County Magistrate Tang!

In reality, the fundamental reason was—

The Zhao Clan had taken note of Tang Ye's potential and was betting on his political future!