Chapter 718: The Money for the Road is Secured!

"Teacher Hong, you should head back early today."

"Alright, Director Chen, please drive carefully on your way!"

Chen Dongan and Jiang Zhongwen had completely lost their appetite for leisure and let the two female teachers leave.

Jiang Zhongwen got into Chen Dongan's car and immediately said, "Director Chen, I feel like Tang Ye did that on purpose today!"

Chen Dongan sighed heavily: "Whether he did it on purpose or not, you need to understand clearly: what does it mean that Tang Ye was able to bring Secretary Ou over today?"

A flash of surprise crossed Jiang Zhongwen's eyes: "Are you saying that Secretary Ou tacitly approved of Tang Ye doing this?"

Chen Dongan knew that Jiang Zhongwen did not quite understand the current situation in Dayu County, so he explained patiently: "Although Tang Ye is an Exchange Cadre, he has achieved results one after another since arriving in Dayu—he secured a 200 million project through investment promotion and also pulled in 4 million in sponsorship for the Dayu Women's High School. If you were Secretary Ou, how would you view Tang Ye?"

A look of realization appeared in Jiang Zhongwen's eyes: "So that's how it is. According to you, we must pay this 500,000? Between the 3 million-plus for the Dayu Women's High School before and now this additional 500,000, why do I feel like I've become a total sucker?"

Chen Dongan waved his hand: "You aren't the one paying this time; make those two contractors bleed a little. Keep things stable for this period and don't stir up any trouble; I keep having a bad premonition."

Jiang Zhongwen quickly promised: "Don't worry, I will be careful with my boundaries." He paused, then suggested, "If you ask me, we might as well give Tang Ye a warning to dampen his spirit."

Chen Dongan looked at Jiang Zhongwen in shock, his tone turning serious instantly, with a commanding air: "Don't you dare get any ideas like that! Tang Ye is an inter-provincial Exchange Cadre; if something really goes wrong, it won't be a small matter. Do you think he didn't offend anyone when he handled the Coal Bureau matter before? The reason those people don't dare touch him is precisely because he has a special background."

Jiang Zhongwen gritted his teeth and cursed: "Damn it, even if we have to be fleeced, they shouldn't be targeting us!"

Chen Dongan was silent for a few seconds, then spoke slowly: "The expansion project for the County No. 1 Middle School originally had quite a bit of padding in it; taking some out now to fill the gap is only right."

"Fine, I'll listen to you." Jiang Zhongwen never had much of a mind of his own, so he could only obediently follow Chen Dongan's arrangements.

And it was precisely this trait that Chen Dongan had valued when he originally chose Jiang Zhongwen to be the Principal of the County No. 1 Middle School.

After returning to his residence, Jiang Zhongwen immediately dialed the number of one of the contractors he had played mahjong with that night.

"Bring 250,000 in cash to the school to find me tomorrow morning!"

The contractor was somewhat troubled and complained: "Principal Jiang, there is still a final payment that hasn't been settled!"

"This money isn't for me personally; it's for government business. If you want to successfully get the final payment, you have to follow the rules." Jiang Zhongwen said impatiently.

"O-okay, I will definitely deliver the money tomorrow morning." After hanging up the phone, the contractor couldn't help but curse: "Greedy bastard!"

At 9:30 the next morning, Jiang Zhongwen handed the 500,000 in cash he had scraped together to Chen Dongan.

Chen Dongan then carried the money and arrived at Tang Ye's office.

Tang Ye hadn't expected Chen Dongan to be able to raise the money so quickly; he was impressed by his execution, but also sighed inwardly.

Having been in that position for so many years, Chen Dongan had likely been corrupt quite a bit.

"Director Chen, I will have someone deposit this money into the finance account later; it will be used for its designated purpose."

"County Magistrate Tang, then I must trouble you to fulfill your promise from last night and be sure to explain the situation clearly to Secretary Ou."

Tang Ye nodded with a smile: "Don't worry, I already communicated with Secretary Ou last night. He was a bit suspicious before, but now that the money is here, he certainly won't think too much about it. By the way, I wonder how this money was raised?"

Chen Dongan quickly explained: "It was provided by two cooperative units; they have always had a good relationship with our department and are also willing to contribute to the county's affairs."

Tang Ye immediately promised: "Once the road is repaired, we must invite representatives from these two enterprises to the opening ceremony. We will arrange special publicity then to properly thank them for their charitable act."

Chen Dongan smiled and replied: "County Magistrate Tang is so thoughtful; I will definitely pass this on to those two enterprises later."

Yet inwardly, he sneered—those two enterprises were likely unwilling to attend at all; after all, this money was paid out in such a humiliating way.

After Chen Dongan left the office, Tang Ye immediately called for Ma Ran: "Notify Guo Wenhai and have him bring the finance staff over."

"Alright, I'll call Director Guo right now."

A moment later, Guo Wenhai led the finance staff and hurried over.

Tang Ye pointed at the money on the table and said: "This 500,000 is the cost for repairing the road in Shanyang Village; you take it and deposit it into the account first. If the subsequent funds are insufficient, you must find a way to make up for it; you must ensure the project proceeds smoothly."

Guo Wenhai was quite surprised to see that Tang Ye had really managed to get 500,000.

One had to know that there was only 500,000 to 600,000 left in the Finance Bureau's account originally; this money undoubtedly solved an urgent need.

"Don't worry, County Magistrate Tang, we will definitely use the funds for their designated purpose and will never misappropriate a single cent."

After Guo Wenhai left, Tang Ye got up, went downstairs, and walked straight to Ou Xiye's office, knocking gently on the door.

"County Magistrate Tang, come in!"

Ou Xiye took off his glasses and stood up to pour a cup of tea for Tang Ye.

Tang Ye took the teacup and reported with a smile: "Secretary Ou, I'm reporting to you that Chen Dongan already sent over the money for the Shanyang Village road repair this morning; I had Guo Wenhai and his team deposit it into the finance account."

Ou Xiye said coldly: "That Chen Dongan has always been one to take in but never give out!"

Tang Ye flattered him: "Secretary Ou, no matter how he disguises himself, he immediately reveals his true colors in front of you."

Ou Xiye paused, looked at Tang Ye, and said bluntly: "You have been in Dayu County for a while now, so you should have figured out the complex situation here. But don't worry, as long as you want to do real work here, I will definitely support you with all my might."

Tang Ye hadn't expected Ou Xiye's attitude to be so firm, and a surge of gratitude welled up in his heart: "Please rest assured, Secretary Ou, I will do my utmost to do my job well, not fail your trust, and strive to realize my own value."

Ou Xiye asked thoughtfully: "From a financial perspective, does the education system in Dayu County have quite a few problems?"

Seeing that Ou Xiye had brought this up himself, Tang Ye nodded slightly: "Looking at the data, the annual investment in education in Dayu County does indeed account for a large portion of fiscal expenditure, but where the money is used and whether it is effective is open to question."

Ou Xiye said softly: "I have actually communicated with County Magistrate Anbang about this issue many times, but he and I have never been in agreement, so the matter has just dragged on."

Tang Ye immediately understood what Ou Xiye meant and took the initiative to state his position: "Please rest assured, Secretary, I will start from the financial perspective and study how to push for improvements in the education system's problems."

These seemingly plain words actually allowed Tang Ye and Ou Xiye to reach a temporary alliance and set the direction for subsequent work.

After returning to his office, Tang Ye corrected several documents.

At this time, Ma Ran knocked gently and entered, reporting softly: "County Magistrate Tang, the Party Branch Secretary of Shanyang Village is here."

Tang Ye put down the pen in his hand and urged quickly: "Hurry and invite Party Branch Secretary Yang in!"

A moment later, Party Branch Secretary Yang walked in.

Accompanying him was Wu Chunming, a teacher from the village primary school.