Su Shuochi looked over at the sound of the voice. It was Zhang Zhigang, the man he had been waiting for, who was now glaring at him with a face full of resentment.

Su Shuochi shrugged and said, "I just wanted to call and ask why you hadn’t come back after so long."

Zhang Zhigang frowned impatiently. "The higher-ups didn’t approve your proposal."

In truth, he hadn’t called his superior to report anything at all. He looked down on people from the countryside and had no intention of taking the suggestion seriously.

Su Shuochi saw right through Zhang Zhigang’s lies. Of course he was angry, but he decided to give the man one more chance.

He raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure? Then call and ask again, right now, in front of me."

Zhang Zhigang snorted, then shot Su Shuochi a cold glare, the corner of his mouth curling into a sneer.

His attitude was foul. "Who do you think you are, ordering me around? Now you can get the hell out of here."

Su Shuochi’s entire demeanor changed. "Sorry, but I’m not leaving. You listen up. After I make a call, we’ll see who’s the one getting out."

Zhang Zhigang was stunned. He hadn’t expected Su Shuochi to say something like that, and for a moment, he was so angry he could only grit his teeth.

"You dare!" he snapped.

Su Shuochi was furious now. His voice, cold as ice, seemed to sound from directly above Zhang Zhigang’s head. "What wouldn’t I dare?"

"This isn’t a place you should be," Zhang Zhigang said weakly, intimidated by Su Shuochi’s imposing presence.

"I shouldn’t be here? I can’t be bothered to waste my breath on you. Get out of my way. You’ll be going home to plant sweet potatoes soon enough anyway. Oh, wait, it’s not the season for sweet potatoes."

With that, he picked up the desk phone, pressed the speakerphone button, and said, "Hello, this is Su Shuochi. There’s something I’d like to discuss with you..."

The person on the other end of the line immediately recognized his name and replied respectfully, "Comrade Su! I heard you were back. Do you have any instructions for us?"

When Zhang Zhigang heard the voice of Yunhe County’s top official coming from the phone, he was so shocked he leaped out of his chair.

His jaw dropped, and he stared blankly at Su Shuochi.

Su Shuochi chuckled into the phone. "Haha, I’m actually in the reception room of your Agriculture Bureau right now. It’s about an investment to develop my hometown, Shuanghe Village..."

The person on the other end was taken aback for a second, then quickly cut Su Shuochi off. "Comrade Su, you came in person? I’ll be right over. We can talk face-to-face."

Yunhe County’s top official had just received a call that morning from the old master of the Han family, telling him that Su Shuochi had returned from the Imperial City.

He had been wondering how to invite Su Shuochi for a visit, and now, to his surprise, the man was already in one of the county offices.

How could he not be enthusiastic!

Though not yet forty, he possessed astounding administrative skills and was known for being an incorruptible official.

No matter the position, he always managed to bring prosperity to the region, rising through the ranks on his merits to become the youngest top official in Yunhe County. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

Zhang Zhigang, drenched in a cold sweat, listened to the end of the call. Trembling, he asked, "Comrade... Comrade Su..."

"You’d better not speak to me. A moment ago, you said I wasn’t worthy," Su Shuochi said icily.

His eyes were dark and heavy, like a thick fog rolling in on a moonless night—profound, cold, and utterly intimidating.

"This... This..." Under Su Shuochi’s gaze, Zhang Zhigang couldn’t even form a complete sentence.

He was genuinely terrified. He’d never dreamed this man would know the county’s top official.

’After the way I just treated him, I’m definitely getting sent home to plant sweet potatoes!!!’

Just then, County Magistrate Li entered from outside, his face wreathed in smiles as he led a group of people.

He was still several steps away from Su Shuochi when he extended his hand, striding forward to grasp it firmly. "I was not aware you were coming from so far, Comrade Su. I apologize for the poor welcome."

"You’re too kind, County Magistrate Li. I’ve been here for two hours, waiting for Director Zhang to report to his superior." Su Shuochi’s words were a clear indictment of Zhang Zhigang.

Hearing this, County Magistrate Li immediately put on an even bigger smile and apologized, "Comrade Su, I am so sorry. We have been negligent."

"The negligence is no matter, as long as you can support me in doing something tangible for the people of my hometown."

County Magistrate Li beamed. "Something this wonderful? We will absolutely support it! On behalf of the people of Yunhe County, I welcome you home to lead our development, Comrade Su. We hope you can guide everyone toward prosperity, and we will cooperate with all our efforts."

"In that case, I’ll get right to it. I have a few proposals I’d like to discuss with you all."

"Comrade Su, shall we go have a meal together? We can talk while we eat," a secretary next to him asked enthusiastically.

"No, thank you. I have other things to prepare, and I’ve already been delayed for quite a while."

"Then please, have a seat and some tea. You can speak, and I will take notes," the secretary said, placing a cup of tea in front of Su Shuochi.

As the secretary served the tea, momentarily blocking Su Shuochi’s line of sight, County Magistrate Li shot Zhang Zhigang a look, his face ashen with fury.

When he heard Su Shuochi refuse the meal, his expression darkened even further.

"First, I want to reclaim a tract of wasteland in Shuanghe Village to cultivate medicinal herbs. Of course, other villages and towns can follow suit.

My wife and I will provide the seeds, and we will buy back the harvested herbs at a high price.

As for the specific details of reclaiming the land and planting in Shuanghe Village, I will negotiate that separately with the village chief.

Second, I want to build a large-scale electronics factory in Yunhe County. You can select the site, and I’ll have to trouble all of you here with the specific implementation.

For funding, I’ll have Song Zijie liaise with you. I’ll arrange for some technical personnel, and as for general labor, you can all discuss the recruitment..."

The moment Su Shuochi finished speaking, County Magistrate Li and the people from the construction bureau shot to their feet excitedly. "No problem! Not a problem at all."

"Thank you for your support, County Magistrate Li. I’ll be going now. If you need anything, you can find me in Shuanghe Village. I won’t be leaving for a while." With that, Su Shuochi stood up and left.

"It is you who is supporting us, Comrade Su! You are a true model for the younger generation. I believe you will undoubtedly lead the people of Yunhe County to prosperity. On behalf of them, I sincerely thank you once again."

County Magistrate Li continued to shower him with praise as he personally saw Su Shuochi out.

After seeing Su Shuochi off, County Magistrate Li turned his head and glared at Zhang Zhigang, snapping, "What is wrong with you? The older you get, the more foolish you become! How dare you provoke even someone like Comrade Su."

"Sir... Sir... Please, let me explain..." Zhang Zhigang’s heart lurched, and he spoke hastily.

"Explain what? Don’t you know what a fine mess you’ve made?" The director of the construction bureau cut him off.

Glaring at him as if he wanted to eat him alive, he demanded, "Zhang! Were you doing this on purpose? Do you have any idea how hard it is for our construction bureau to attract investment right now?"

Zhang Zhigang broke out in a cold sweat, panicking. "You... you, calm down... Here’s what actually happened..."

"Stop talking. Zhang Zhigang, go write your own resignation letter. It’ll be a more dignified way to leave."

"Please, just listen to my explanation..." Zhang Zhigang was frantic, but he knew he had to beg for mercy now.

"Enough. Stop making a fool of yourself."

Everyone looked at Zhang Zhigang with disgust.