Chapter 18: A Small Trial of Skill, Cleverly Resolved!

The Pinghu Town Government grew tense from top to bottom, making preparations to welcome the inspection delegation arriving from the city on Wednesday.

Relying on the fact that he had a classmate at the Municipal Investment Promotion Bureau who could provide information at the first opportunity, Xia Haiqiao logically became the commander of the reception team.

All other departments had to follow his lead.

"The project for this inspection delegation involves several billion; although our competitors are quite strong, we must be fully prepared. Comrade Tang Ye, you are in charge of economic work, so you should take on more responsibility regarding investment promotion. I just learned from the City Bureau that we need to prepare promotional materials for investment. We originally had promotional materials, but the version is too old; I hope you can update them."

Xia Haiqiao directly "assigned a task" to Tang Ye at the coordination meeting.

Tang Ye frowned slightly and put down his fountain pen, "Isn't the time a bit rushed?"

The inspection team arrives tomorrow, and you tell me to update the investment materials now—isn't this deliberately playing dirty?

A look of displeasure appeared on Xia Haiqiao's face, "The situation is a bit tight, but I also just received the notice. Besides, you have been in our Pinghu Town for a while and should have been prepared long ago. Grassroots work is very different from working in higher-level departments; you must have subjective initiative. You cannot just do whatever others tell you to do; you must have your own ideas. If it really doesn't work, then use the original promotional materials, but the effect will certainly be poor, and the inspection delegation's impression will be greatly diminished."

Xia Haiqiao observed Tang Ye's expression while he spoke.

He had learned from his classmate that this inspection delegation's visit to Pinghu for research was a spur-of-the-moment decision; according to the city's plans, they were more inclined toward Jinshui Town on the opposite shore.

Jinshui Town belongs to Chongjiang County, and its economic situation and permanent population are far superior to those of Pinghu Town.

In his view, promotional materials were important, but not particularly so.

He just hoped to use this opportunity to disgust Tang Ye.

The others reacted differently.

Most people carried the mood of watching a good show.

What the people of Huaguo are best at is not outward expansion; most of the time, they focus their energy on internal strife. Looking at five thousand years of history, it is like this generation after generation, and examples abound.

How could Tang Ye not see Xia Haiqiao's ulterior motives? The success or failure of a multi-billion project was suddenly falling on his own shoulders?

Isn't this forcibly shoving swill into his own mouth?

This guy is not just ordinarily insidious and cunning.

Tang Ye suppressed the urge to curse and took a deep breath, "I have previously studied the investment promotion materials for Pinghu Town and made some revisions. I have a completed plan on my computer; let's show it to everyone!"

When Xia Haiqiao heard that Tang Ye was prepared, his expression stiffened for a moment, and he swept his gaze toward Xu Yiping.

Xu Yiping took off his glasses and wiped the glass with a green lens cloth, "Let everyone take a look."

Chen Zhihua, sitting next to Xu Yiping, straightened his back and became interested.

Tang Ye retrieved his laptop from his office and connected it to the conference room's projector.

When Tang Ye clicked on Photoshop, he had already won.

The team members watched Tang Ye skillfully operate the computer, and strange emotions welled up in their hearts.

Although grassroots governments now had computers, everyone usually used them as tools for leisure, commonly playing Solitaire or using chat tools; they had no idea that computers had other uses.

Tang Ye is a young man, and his workplace experience might not be very rich.

But he is a new generation of civil servant.

The education he received is completely different from everyone present.

In Tang Ye's view, a computer is not just for show; it is a good helper that can improve work efficiency.

Although these leaders had all received basic training in computer office work, they were all beginners who only knew how to open documents or spreadsheets.

Using a computer for work was actually a torture for them, and they even specially set up a position for a typist.

Tang Ye had obtained the source files from an advertising company that worked with the Government and made meticulous revisions; the photos and text were completely different from what had been seen before.

"The brochure is made very beautifully, and the fonts used are particularly grand."

"Tang Ye is a graduate student from Qiongjin University; he still has some substance."

The brochure contained an introduction to Pinghu Town as well as future development plans.

Paired with beautiful copy and inspiring words, it opened the eyes of these people.

"Is this still talking about Pinghu?"

"At first glance, I thought it was the West Lake in Hang City!"

"You have to pick the good things to say when promoting investment!"

The brochure was turned to the last page—"Treating with sincerity, seeking development together; attracting investment, creating the future together."

Chen Zhihua was the first to applaud, a look of approval appearing on his face, "Comrade Tang Ye, you are worthy of being a young cadre sent down from the Municipal Party Committee; your comprehensive ability is strong, and you have foresight in doing things."

"The brochure is not only very refined but also has depth; it is much better than the previous old version. Hurry and have the advertising company print more; there is still time. Next time, we must communicate in advance, otherwise, we could do things even more beautifully."

Xu Yiping adjusted his glasses frame, not expecting Tang Ye to hide his talent so cleverly.

Xia Haiqiao had originally intended to give him some trouble, but he did not expect Tang Ye to pull the rug out from under him and resolve it beautifully.

At the same time, Chen Zhihua's stance made Xu Yiping feel antipathy.

"The brochure has been revised well; Comrade Tang Ye has worked hard. Hand it over to the advertising company for printing later; it must be ready by tonight."

The punch Xia Haiqiao threw landed in a pile of soft cotton; he was so angry his teeth itched, yet he was helpless.

"How is the draft for tomorrow coming along?" Xu Yiping looked toward Xia Haiqiao.

Xia Haiqiao took out the pre-prepared draft and handed it to Xu Yiping, "It has been revised according to your instructions."

Xu Yiping tucked the draft into his notebook, "If there is nothing else, let's adjourn the meeting. Everyone work hard today; we must do a good job with tomorrow's reception and strive to leave a good impression in front of the leaders of the higher-level departments."

Xu Yiping was also somewhat dissatisfied with Xia Haiqiao; receiving the inspection delegation well was the top priority.

Engaging in internal strife at this time showed a lack of the big picture.

Setting aside his prejudices, Xu Yiping was very satisfied with Tang Ye's brochure.

He did not expect that this Seconded Official was not a silver-tipped spearhead, and could be of some value at a critical moment.

There is definitely no other government in the surrounding townships that could produce such a high-level brochure.

Although the hope was slim, it could increase the impression score in front of higher-level leaders, which would be beneficial for future investment promotion.

At eleven o'clock at night, the lights in the Government offices were extinguished one after another.

Tang Ye waited for the advertising company to deliver the brochures and other promotional materials, and after finishing the inventory, he returned to his office, opened his laptop, and began to organize materials related to investment promotion.

The door was knocked, and Tang Ye took a look; it was Chen Zhihua.

"The art books have all arrived, aren't you getting off work?"

Tang Ye smiled and said, "I still have a few things on hand; I'll head out once I'm done."

Chen Zhihua looked at Tang Ye under the white light; the smile at the corners of his mouth slowly vanished, turning into deep thought, and finally settling into dejection and nostalgia!

He suddenly remembered his own high-spirited self from back then, gave a self-deprecating laugh, and then left.

Tang Ye worked overtime until three in the morning, stretched, and put his laptop into his bag.

The art books were merely the tip of the iceberg.

Opportunity is always reserved for those who are prepared...