Me! A high-ranking official!

All things considered, the 40 million yuan only created a huge framework on the wasteland. Later, an audit revealed that at least another 30 million yuan would be needed to barely get things going and complete the landscaping, infrastructure, and recreational facilities.

However, the county was undertaking a major new town construction project at the time, resulting in a huge fiscal deficit. They were even struggling to pay salaries, so where would they find the money to fill this bottomless pit? The leaders at the time had a sudden inspiration and thought that if things didn't work out, they could force the project to pass inspection, open for business to recoup some money, and then continue construction. As a result, the inspection team didn't even dare to sign off on this shoddy, half-finished project and rejected it outright.

Since then, this place has been left completely abandoned, becoming the biggest festering sore in Linshui County.

However, although it is an unfinished building, because it occupies a large area and there are no cars inside, it has become a free park for nearby residents.

As he and Wang Pingping walked inside, they saw middle-aged women pushing strollers and strolling around, as well as old men cracking whips and practicing Tai Chi by the abandoned artificial lake. There were quite a few people there.

"Director, what's so great about this shabby place? There's not even a shady spot to rest in," Wang Pingping complained as she walked along the uneven cement road in her high heels.

"Just looking around." He didn't say much, his eyes scanning the surroundings.

He was comparing the actual scene before him with the design drawings of the "Classic of Mountains and Seas" that he had made on his computer the night before.

The abandoned pit could indeed be turned into the Thunder Swamp Amphibious Zone. The row of unfinished wooden buildings could be transformed into the Hundred Ape Mountain of Qingqiu without any need for reinforcement. And that rammed earth wall in the northwest corner, exposed to the wind and sun for two years, has a desolate wasteland feel that is practically tailor-made for the Kunlun Ruins of the Beast Zone.

He nodded to himself, finding no major discrepancies. The plan he devised last night to revitalize assets at extremely low cost would definitely work on these ruins!

The two wandered around inside for almost an hour and a half, and the time on their phones was already 5:10.

Knowing that Wang Pingping still had to rush to pick up her child from kindergarten, he stopped and said, "Alright, that's enough for today. You can go home and pick up your second child. You don't need to come back to the station to clock in."

"Thank you, Director Zhao! I'll be going now!" Wang Pingping felt like she had been granted a pardon and hurriedly ran towards the door in her high heels.

After Wang Pingping left, he didn't rush back. Instead, he walked around the entire perimeter of the Wuxia City along its dilapidated outer walls.

He carefully examined the surrounding transportation network and observed the distribution of nearby villages, memorizing all the surrounding amenities. When working within the system, one can never focus on isolated details, but must consider the overall picture.

By the time he strolled back to the Cultural and Tourism Bureau compound, it was already dusk.

Just as they reached the lobby on the first floor of the office building, they ran into Zhang Baocheng and Guo Nanguo, who were returning from outside.

Zhang Baocheng walked ahead, carrying a briefcase, his face somewhat gloomy, clearly having just experienced something unpleasant.

Upon seeing him, Zhang Baocheng stopped and looked him up and down with drooping eyelids. His tone was indifferent: "Jianguo, I saw the design proposal you came up with last night. The idea is good, and the drawings are quite beautiful."

At this point, Zhang Baocheng changed the subject, adding a touch of condescension: "However, young people tend to take too big a step when doing things, lacking a solid foundation and realistic considerations. They are prone to being overly ambitious. In the future, they need to train more at the grassroots level and learn more from the experienced comrades!"

After saying that, Zhang Baocheng didn't even give him a chance to explain. He snorted coldly, put his hands behind his back, and went upstairs.

He stood there, a hint of mockery flashing in his eyes, and remained silent.

Zhang Baocheng's sarcastic remarks had already given him a clue about the outcome. His efforts to win over the city had likely hit a wall. This was a classic case of someone who couldn't get things done and then turned around and criticized the plan to cover up their incompetence.

He turned his gaze to Guo Nanguo, who was a step behind.

Guo Nanguo winked at him, shook his head slightly, and said in a low voice, "Come to my office."

Following Guo Nanguo into the deputy director's office, as soon as the door closed, Guo Nanguo sighed heavily, walked to the sofa, and plopped down, his brows furrowed with exhaustion.

"Director Guo, is something not going well?" He poured a glass of warm water and handed it to him.

Guo Nanguo took the water cup to warm his hands, then gave a wry smile: "This afternoon, Secretary Zhou led a team to see the old secretary. He was very frank with us and advised us not to waste any more effort on this."

"Because of Xiaohuashan Mountain in Yong'an County?"

"Yes, but not entirely." Guo Nanguo took a sip of water, his tone somewhat heavy: "The project to relocate the municipal zoo was just discussed at the Standing Committee of the Municipal Party Committee the day before yesterday, and the decision has been basically made. It will be located in Yong'an County. The official document will probably be issued in the next couple of days."

Upon hearing this, he sighed inwardly.

As expected, it was still too late!

Within the system, once the municipal committee approves a resolution, it's practically a done deal. Let alone a county-level cultural and tourism bureau director, even a rising county party secretary like Zhou Qingyan would find it incredibly difficult to overturn a resolution already set by the standing committee.

"But the old Party Secretary is still kind-hearted..." Guo Nanguo forced a smile: "He was quite surprised when he saw the drawings you made. He said that the cadres in our Linshui County are quick-witted. He promised that if there is a suitable opportunity, he would mention our plan to the mayor and the Party Secretary again, but he also told us to be prepared that the chances are very slim."

He nodded silently. He knew very well that the phrase "I'll mention it again when I have the chance" was just a polite way for the old leader to comfort his subordinates. The old secretary wouldn't risk going against the Standing Committee's resolution for the sake of a county project.

"Director Guo, since the city has already made the decision, then we've done our best." He was quite open-minded; this was a high-stakes gamble, and losing was normal.

"Yes, man proposes, God disposes." Guo Nanguo rubbed his face, the gloom on his face suddenly dissipating, replaced by a relieved smile: "But Jianguo, our trip to the city wasn't a complete waste!"

"Oh?"

Guo Nanguo leaned forward, his eyes lighting up: "On the way back, Secretary Zhou specifically called us into her car and gave us verbal praise for this 'Classic of Mountains and Seas' project!"

"What were Secretary Zhou's exact words?"