In the name of supernatural powers

Chapter 117 Taking Over the Grain Depot
That afternoon, the municipal grain depot called to negotiate and discuss merging the local grain depot into the border station.

Lu Zhao did not refuse, nor was it likely that he would refuse.

Although the border station now has farmland, it doesn't mean it's become a mountain bandit. Its staffing and personnel arrangements are still determined by higher authorities.

In the afternoon, the local grain depot delivered the files, and Lu Zhao met with Feng Zelin, the director of the local grain depot.

The middle-aged man was slightly overweight with a round face, a buzz cut with gray hair, and wore an old dark jacket.

After a brief conversation, Lu Zhao had a good first impression of Feng Zelin.

He was an honest and straightforward technical cadre who had a deep understanding of agricultural production.

From him, Lu Zhao and the others also learned about the general production situation in the Ant Ridge area. Every year during the flood season, water beasts would be brought, but the flooded land would also become more fertile.

The average yield of rice in the South China Sea West Road is 350 kilograms per mu, but they can achieve 400 kilograms.

The total yield of 130,000 mu of cultivated land is 52,000 tons, and about 40% of that, or 20,000 tons, can be harvested.

The federal government's purchase price for rice is fixed at 1000 yuan per ton, and selling all of it would bring in around 20 million yuan.

The South China Sea West Road has two harvests a year, which means an expenditure of 40 million.

"How much!? Forty million in funds!?"

Zhang Like's eyes widened, and all the cadres stood up, their eyes reddening.

Previously, their Ant Ridge border post received a grant of 20 million, but due to the federal rationing system, the internal price of many items was less than half the market price.

After deducting fixed expenses such as personnel salaries and logistical procurement, the actual usable funds are only five or six million, which is a pitiful amount for a battalion-level unit.

The 40 million yuan investment has grown tenfold!
Even after deducting ten million for personnel maintenance, equipment upkeep, logistics and other essential expenses, there would still be thirty million available.

"With 40 million in funding, there will be no more delays in paying salaries and subsidies from now on!"

"Not only is there no need for delay, we can even send it ahead of schedule."

"The equipment and facilities inside the station can also be upgraded, and the road to the outpost can be repaired. Every time I travel there by car, my butt hurts."

While all the cadres were celebrating with flushed faces, Lu Zhao, sitting in the main seat, remained expressionless.

He was pondering what Zhao De's purpose was in doing this.
The border post gained ten times the benefit, and the federal government saved on funding, so who lost out?
Fangshi lost a significant amount of agricultural income.

Next up is Deputy Mayor Wei Jiahong, and I just offended him and took a piece of meat from his mouth.

Zhao De is using one tiger to devour another, but how can I, a border station chief, fight him without using the power of the special task force?
The higher-ups will certainly not give him another chance to make an excuse.

Some things can be used once, but not a second time.

Lu Zhao's thoughts raced; those with mental superhuman abilities could process information dozens of times faster than ordinary people.

Countless pieces of information were arranged and combined in my mind, and a flash of inspiration leaped out.

He asked, "Who was in charge of your grain depot before?"

Feng Zelin replied, "He is the deputy mayor, in charge of all agricultural production and sales."

At the city level, a department is a division; at the county level, a bureau; and at the circuit level, a general director.

Upon hearing this, everyone present exchanged bewildered glances.

They all knew that Lu Zhao had just dealt with Mo Kun a few days ago, and that this deputy mayor had a connection with Mo Kun.

You can't hide your connections from your colleagues at work; if you could, you wouldn't be there to use connections.

If this deputy mayor interferes, will they still be able to take over smoothly?
-
July 17th.

In the morning, Lu Xiaotong begged Lin Zhiyan to take her to the border station again, and handed a box to Lu Zhao.

Inside was a triangular strawberry cake.

"Sister Lin took me out to eat last night, and I specially saved a piece for Uncle Zhao. It was so... so delicious!"

Lu Xiaotong emphasized the words to express her love for the cake.

In the past, Lu Zhao would always save the best food for her.

Lin Zhiyan reminded you, "I advise you not to eat so much. Eating leftovers can easily cause diarrhea. If you really want to eat, we can go to a restaurant."

"My life potential is highly developed, so there's nothing to worry about."

Lu Zhao picked up the plastic fork and took a bite. The first taste was a strong sweetness, which he didn't particularly like.

Cakes, an imported food, are considered a relatively high-end food nowadays. Although they are not prohibited items like beef, they are not something that can be eaten casually.

Lu Xiaotong, who was watching eagerly from the side, asked, "Is it delicious, Uncle Zhao?"

"tasty."

Seeing that Xiaotong was practically drooling, Lu Zhao couldn't help but smile knowingly and pushed the cake towards her.

"You can eat, I'm not hungry."

"Uncle Zhao is the best!"

Lu Xiaotong savored the cake in small bites, while Lu Zhao and Lin Zhiyan discussed the border garrison.

After hearing the news that the border post had been reorganized into a border garrison, Lin Zhiyan frowned slightly and asked in confusion:

"What's Zhao De up to? Why did he send you such a big piece of pie?"

The border garrison was essentially cutting into local resources to fill the federal budget deficit.

It could also curb local armed forces and create a antagonistic relationship between local and border garrison troops. However, this system was mainly used in two places: Bodong Circuit and Tubo Circuit.

As for Nankaido, no decree was issued to implement it, but since the local government wanted to promote it, the capital city couldn't refuse.

It's still a saving of money, and the reason why isn't important right now, as long as the procedures are compliant.

"Zhao De wants me to deal with Wei Jiahong. Didn't Wei Jiahong just report him not long ago?"

Lu Zhao shared his guess.

That's the only reason; otherwise, I can't understand why Zhao De would help me.

Lin Zhiyan said, "But even if you remove Wei Jiahong from his post, the punishment he deserves won't disappear. The current situation isn't that he's under investigation; the higher-ups have already clearly criticized him for dereliction of duty. In a while, the punishment will likely be issued." "If nothing unexpected happens, he'll be transferred to a low-level department next year, like the archives."

Lu Zhao shrugged and said, "Maybe Mayor Zhao just wanted to vent his anger."

"Perhaps, anyway, it won't do you any harm."

Lin Zhiyan crossed his legs and leaned back on the sofa, exuding his usual arrogance.

"The Wei family's power is no match for you, so feel free to take all the benefits. They're just a declining, third-rate family; with me here, they can't touch you in the slightest."

"Sister Lin is so cool!"

Lu Xiaotong immediately cheered from the sidelines, transforming into a professional praise party.

After spending the last few days with her, she had a full understanding of Lin Zhiyan's family background and had roughly figured out the relationship between Uncle Zhao and Lin Zhiyan.

As the saying goes, "A wise man submits to circumstances," and she hoped that her Uncle Zhao would become a wise man soon.

Lu Zhao then said, "The border post has become a border garrison. I want Zhang Like to take over after I leave next year, and I need your help."

He is not yet fully capable, and his personnel authority is limited to those within the border station and is restricted to clerks.

Lu Zhao had no personnel authority over officials of the deputy rank of Zhang Like.

Upon hearing this, Lin Zhiyan was stunned for a moment, then her beautiful eyes lit up.

She said, "Xiaotong, why don't you go out for a bit?"

"Oh."

Lu Xiaotong didn't ask why, and obediently got up and left the room.

Lu Zhao looked puzzled. He saw Lin Zhiyan with a smile on her lips, her long legs crossed and then shifted position, her delicate makeup now showing a hint of flirtation.

“Senior, although we have a cooperative relationship, it doesn’t mean I can give you whatever you want. Do you know what you’re saying? In principle, the Federation strictly prohibits the cultivation of local cliques.”

Throughout China's two-thousand-year history of entrepreneurship, successful teams cannot be separated from two words: fellow villagers and their communities.

The same applies to the Federation today; there is also a group of key figures gathered under the leadership of powerful individuals.

They may not necessarily hold high positions of power, but they are a further extension of the power of important figures.

When heading to a city, they pull people from the same township or county; when heading to a prefecture, they pull people from the same city; when heading along a road, they pull people from the same prefecture. That's what regional factions are all about.

Local cliques, factions, and factions are all intertwined, and generally speaking, they all revolve around a certain leader.

Lu Zhao had the idea of ​​cultivating his own power base, and to be honest, Lin Zhiyan agreed with him, which saved her the trouble of trying to persuade him.

But at the same time, Lin Zhiyan is very vengeful. She still remembers that day when Lu Zhao made sarcastic remarks about her 150,000 yuan dress.

One thing at a time. You can't expect her to do things if you don't make her happy?
Lin Zhiyan shook his head and said sarcastically, "I thought you could remain untainted by the mud, but I didn't expect you to be openly violating the rules as well."

Lu Zhao twitched the corner of his mouth and said, "What do you want me to do for you to help me?"

“It’s very simple.” Lin Zhiyan leaned forward slightly, looking at Lu Zhao’s cold and hard face, and said, “It’s a favor, and you have to beg me.”

"Say it, please help me, Chief Lin."

Before Lu Zhao could even speak, Lin Zhiyan couldn't suppress the smirk on his face.

She always thought that making Lu Zhao bow his head was something that made her very happy.

The more she got to know him, the stronger this thought became.

Lu Zhao's face stiffened.

"Senior, just tell me and I'll help you."

Lin Zhiyan's voice was soft and gentle, as if she were being coquettish, but in reality, she was full of mischief.

"..."

Three minutes later, Lin Zhiyan let Lu Xiaotong in.

The conversation was over. Lu Zhao was expressionless, while Lin Zhiyan looked refreshed.

What happened between the two was still unknown to Lu Xiaotong, but her face flushed slightly, as if she was making some bad guesses.

She sighed inwardly: Uncle Zhao has sacrificed too much for the Lu family's rise to prominence.

Before leaving, Lin Zhiyan said, "If you don't want any trouble, I can put in a good word for you. I believe Wei Jiahong will listen."

Lu Zhao shook his head: "No need."

Zhao De has already fought, so why should we be afraid of an old man who is only a second-level transcendent at the age of sixty?
-
At noon, Zhang Like brought information about Wei Jiahong, which was very comprehensive.

Wei Jiahong, position: Deputy Mayor of the city.

Family background: My grandfather was a military commander (who died 15 years ago), and my father was the mayor of Yulin County (who has retired).

She has a son and a daughter. Her son, Wei Shutong, is currently serving in the Chishui Army in Zhongnan Province, holding the rank of lieutenant colonel. Her daughter, Wei Lezhen, owns a rice company, one of the top ten outstanding enterprises in Fangshi…

I have long been in charge of the agricultural system in Fangshi, and have control over key departments such as agricultural machinery extension stations, agricultural technology extension centers, supply and marketing cooperatives, and artificial fertilizer companies.

Agricultural funds and subsidy projects almost always require his signature, township cadres generally rely on his instructions, and a faction of Wei Nongbang has formed.

As Lu Zhao read this, he could almost hear Zhao De's voice.

He asked, "Who gave you this information?"

Zhang Like replied, "Don't I have a friend who works in the household registration system? He's the one who gave me the information. That's how Lü Jinshan's brother was found out."

"has a problem."

"what is the problem?"

"It's too detailed; they're practically digging up the Wei family's ancestors for eighteen generations."

From the other party's family background to their interpersonal relationships, from their official position to their trusted confidants.

(End of this chapter)