Chapter 1000: with translation of chapter title

Former County Magistrate seemed to have anticipated Su Yang's question; he took a bite of scallion tofu and calmly said, "Having a good official like you, who works earnestly for the Common People and puts their interests first, is enough."

"Our policies are good now, the benefits are good, but the policies that actually reach the Common People are few."

"To put it more bluntly, those on low-income assistance are actually wealthy, and the support funds for breeding and planting all go to relatives of officials connected with the local agricultural bureau."

"The Common People who truly rely on breeding and planting for their livelihood cannot obtain even a single cent of benefits."

"As long as officials are sufficiently upright and can uphold fairness, they are already qualified."

"Even if it may not bring a radical development, at least it can safeguard people's livelihood."

"But to truly achieve a radical change, we need a person with resolve and capability; after decades, Lieshan Xian finally looks forward to a good official who can lead us to such transformation."

"Of course, a good official is one aspect, and having local resources is another. Without any resources, even a clever housewife cannot cook a meal without rice."

Su Yang took over the conversation and said, "Indeed, speaking of resources, Lieshan Xian really has no outstanding resources. Previously, because everything was shrouded by Geng Miao and his group, I couldn't find the time to inventory what we call resources."

"But recently I heard a piece of news: in Guantan Gou Zhen, there is also a Sha River."

"That Sha River had water several years ago, benefitted the people on both banks, and thus supported Guantan Gou Zhen's development."

"However, in recent years, after the Sha River dried up, some people began to entertain thoughts of destroying resources and looting wealth."

"Some even assert, with certainty, that this is what their ancestors left them, passed down through generations, and they can extract it however they wish."

"Of course, some reasoning the Common People cannot grasp is hard to explain; they cling to rigid logic, yet certain tasks should be led by the township."

"What I did not expect is that the township leaders are also leading the illegal extraction, which is a serious dereliction of duty."

"If others don't understand, do they not understand? It might have been excusable seven or eight years ago, but the new environmental protection law was enacted two years ago; we must protect the natural ecosystem and cannot sacrifice it for development."

"Moreover, this was a preemptive measure for attracting investment, and the Sha River looting will cause severe soil erosion."

"This is a serious act of environmental destruction; sometimes I can attribute it to the Common People's weak legal awareness and lack of environmental consciousness."

"But officials of the Town Government should not act this way, and this matter has not been just a year or two; not only the local leaders know, I think some county leaders should also know."

"Then why does no one step forward to stop it? If everyone behaves like this, who will protect the natural environment resources?"

"Of course, I also considered that the Common People need food and clothing, so I deliberately developed planting and breeding industries in our county. Though the current scale is not especially large, it is only a primary scale and cannot benefit the entire county's Common People."

"But at least the Common People of Shuanggou Town will taste the benefits; once the industry matures, we can promote it county‑wide."

"I have also thought about it; Harvard Pharmaceuticals has more than one plant, and the medicinal material resources they need are more than these. My next step is to negotiate with their headquarters to secure all medicinal‑plant cultivation."

"As for the breeding industry, need not say more; I have already tasked people to negotiate with relevant dairy companies to strive for a milk plant to be built by mid‑year, creating a complete industry chain."

"Thus, the milk plant's scale is something we can expand ourselves; the needed breeding workers and various other jobs will increase, and these positions require little education—just a bit of diligence."

"So after all this, the Sha River looting, in my view, need not continue; the Common People's interests can be compensated from elsewhere."

"Some things we can do, but some things must be firmly avoided, especially those expressly prohibited by the state."

"It may be excusable that the Common People don't understand, but what about our government officials? They know the law yet break it."

"Moreover, some may think that as long as enough people participate and everyone shares the benefits, it can continue indefinitely, even if the city cannot shake it."

"That notion seems unproblematic, but they overlook that in any organization or profit‑distribution scheme, someone always pulls the strings behind the scenes; someone must lead."

"Finally, I want to add that the larger the interest group, the more it seems that others dare not touch it, because no one dares to offend so many people."

"But I also want to put it this way: I'm fearless, the notorious court assassin is on my back; it's not just a day or two, I don't mind doing it again."

Former County Magistrate still wore a smile and said, "Yes, yes, others simply dare not touch this; even if they know, they probably pretend not to."

"But you are different; you have background, seniority, means; even if you truly overturn this, uproot everyone on the profit chain, for you it merely means no promotion for three to five years, as the organization won't allow your advancement."

"But it will never change your original dedication to the Common People's interests, which I greatly admire."

"But I also wonder another issue: if many people truly take part, their behind‑the‑scenes connections are Complex Relationships; even with your extraordinary means, if they unite, it may still trouble you."

"Moreover, whether it's the Municipal Party Committee or the Provincial Party Committee, from their perspective they hope the local government team stays united, not immediately tearing each other's stage down."

"Furthermore, are incidents from Lieshan Xian any fewer? Even if you and I share the same view and intend to uproot this so‑called sand‑mining group, city and provincial leaders will inevitably have reservations."

"Especially in the city, Secretary Zhao just took office and this happened; where can a Municipal Party Committee Secretary's face be placed?"

"Finally, as you said, this is called illegal extraction, but in fact there is no explicit legal provision defining it as illegal."

"Because this is Guantan Gou Zhen's collective property, my own local sand mining shouldn't be illegal, right?"

"You know our place has no natural resources, just a bit of sand in the river; if the Common People still cannot rely on it, how will they survive?"

"Thus, ultimately, the Common People's interests must be balanced, the legal scale must be upheld, and a good balance between sentiment and law is needed. Your official reputation is excellent; the Common People in our county all give you a thumbs‑up, some even express gratitude."

"I imagine when you leave office, these simple Common People will surely send you various blessings, ensuring you return with honor."

"This honor, for you, is far more important than the results of attracting investment, right?"