: The prophecy came true.

Back in his office, Ding Shangkun thought for a moment, then picked up the phone and called Lin Xiao.

After the call connected, he spoke in a leader's tone: "Lin Xiao, just letting you know that Secretary Wang from the Municipal Party Committee is coming to the township for research and will likely visit Songmao Village. Be prepared."

Lin Xiao was stunned and quite puzzled. Ding Shangkun was hoping something would happen to him, so why would he be so kind as to inform him to prepare in advance?

Upon closer reflection, Lin Xiao couldn't help but laugh. This was clearly a classic case of protesting too much!

In Ding Shangkun's view, the new secretary would never come to Songmao Village, because it was never an option for the township. The reason for calling to remind him was simply to trick him into staying in Songmao Village so that there would be no unstable factors.

"Okay, Director, I understand."

Lin Xiao calmly replied that since they wanted him to stay in the village, he might as well grant their wish.

However, they never expected that the new Party Secretary would actually come to Songmao Village!

Ding Shangkun, on the other end of the phone, gave a cold laugh after hanging up.

A little after 2 p.m., Wang Yuanze and his entourage arrived at Nangang Township. However, when they arrived at the township government gate, Wang Yuanze did not get out of the car. Instead, he instructed Yan Zhao and Kong Changgeng, the two main township leaders, to accompany him, while the rest of the staff returned to their posts.

Then, Wang Yuanze rolled up the car window and told the driver to keep going, while Huang Zaichuan rolled down the window and waved to Yan Zhao, indicating that he should get in his car.

"Secretary Huang, where is Secretary Wang going?" Yan Zhao asked impatiently before he had even fully sat down.

"They didn't say, they must have gone directly to the village. You've informed them all, haven't you?"

"Oh? We didn't know Secretary Wang would be coming to the village, so we only made some preparations in the township."

Seeing the cold look Huang Zaichuan gave him, Yan Zhao hurriedly picked up the phone and called Ding Shangkun, instructing him to immediately issue a notice saying that Secretary Wang was coming to inspect the village and that all villages must be prepared. He warned that if anyone dared to slack off, the township would punish them severely.

After hanging up the phone, Yan Zhao glanced at Huang Zaichuan again, wanting to say something, but the car suddenly started to lurch, so he could only grip the seat tightly.

In the other car, the township head, Kong Changgeng, frowned more and more as the road narrowed, because it seemed to lead to Songmao Village.

"County Chief Hong, is Secretary Wang going to Songmao Village?" Kong Changgeng couldn't help but ask Hong Feng beside him.

Hong Feng was still in low spirits. He said indifferently, "I don't know. You'll have to play it by ear later."

As the car drove further ahead, Kong Changgeng became increasingly convinced that they were heading to Songmao Village, and his brows gradually relaxed, because Lin Xiao, who had just been disciplined, was stationed there.

Young people are often impulsive. If Lin Xiao loses his temper and causes trouble, Yan Zhao might "get hurt" in front of the new secretary, which is exactly what Yan Zhao wants.

Despite being the second-in-command, he has always been suppressed by Yan Zhao, the top leader. If he can take this opportunity to move Yan Zhao to a different position, then his good days are probably just around the corner.

At this moment, the car in front stopped, and seeing Wang Yuanze get out of the car, everyone else got out of their cars as well.

"Which village does that lead to?"

Wang Yuanze stared at the small mountain path in front of him, which could barely be called a "path," and asked casually.

"Reporting to Secretary Wang, the road ahead is Songmao Village, but it's still under construction and not passable by vehicle."

Yan Zhao quickly stepped forward and replied, hoping to dissuade Wang Yuan from going to Songmao Village by saying that "this road is blocked".

"If the car can't get through, can we walk? Or is it that if the villagers can walk, we can't?"

Wang Yuanze said somewhat displeasedly, and then strode forward.

Sweat immediately beaded on Yan Zhao's forehead. He instinctively took a step back, took out his phone, and called Ding Shangkun again, covering his mouth and whispering:

"The Party Secretary is going to Songmao Village. You should inform the village immediately. Also, tell that kid not to talk nonsense, or he will be dealt with seriously."

It's still a bit of a walk from here into the village, about twenty minutes, which should be enough time to get things done.

Ding Shangkun, on the other end of the phone, was even more stunned in the distance. He never expected that his words would come true. Secretary Wang was actually going to Songmao Village, and Lin Xiao had just run into him.

After ending the call, Ding Shangkun took out his phone to dial a number, but he couldn't think of any phone numbers. He could only open his contacts and search for them. After scrolling through them, he found that there were only two numbers.

"Sorry, the number you dialed is currently busy."

I dialed twice, but the result was the same. I tried another number, but the result was the same.

Now he was really panicking. He dialed those two numbers again and again, but they were still busy.

"Damn it, what are these two good for? How dare they not answer my calls..."

Ding Shangkun couldn't help but swear, but even so, he still couldn't get through on the phone.

"This...this is going to be bad!"

The next second, an ominous premonition arose. He hesitated for a moment, then called Yan Zhao to explain the situation.

Yan Zhao, who was deliberately walking at the back, was so angry that he almost smashed his phone. He criticized Ding Shangkun and the others for failing at a crucial moment, and demanded that Ding Shangkun take remedial measures as soon as possible.

Before he could finish speaking, a voice called his name from ahead, and there was a hint of anger in the tone.

"Yan Zhao, Kong Changgeng, come here quickly!" Hong Feng shouted loudly.

Yan Zhao had no choice but to hang up the phone first, and then jogged over, with Kong Changgeng quickly following behind.

"When was the last time you visited Songmao Village? How many times a year do you come here?"

Wang Yuanze slowed his pace slightly as he asked the question, his expression becoming somewhat serious.

Yan Zhao's heart skipped a beat. He probably couldn't answer Wang Yuanze's question because he didn't remember when he last came here, but he knew it was at least a year or two ago.

He had no interest in coming to such a remote and impoverished place that was inaccessible by car and required a nearly half-hour walk. The key point was that Liu Jianguo, who could be described as "stubborn," was also clueless about social etiquette, so he found coming to this place, which he considered to be a desolate and unappealing place, even more so.

"Secretary Wang, I come here every few months, about two or three times a year. At the same time, we have been vigorously promoting the work of stationing cadres in villages, sending outstanding cadres to villages to publicize policies, help solve the difficulties of villagers, and lead the whole village out of poverty and into prosperity."

After saying these words, Yan Zhao breathed a sigh of relief. Although it was a hastily put-together speech, it seemed to be the style that most leaders liked.

However, Wang Yuanze showed no sign of satisfaction. With a thoughtful expression, he turned to Kong Changgeng and asked, "And you, Mayor Kong?"

Kong Changgeng appeared quite composed, and he took the time while Wang Yuanze was questioning Yan Zhao to organize his thoughts.

He first stated that he frequently visits villages and households, spending several days in the villages almost every month.

However, he also admitted that he visits Songmao Village relatively infrequently, only three or four times a year, but he will definitely increase his efforts in the future.

Wang Yuanze remained noncommittal and instead inquired about some specific details regarding Songmao Village. Kong Changgeng managed to give a passable answer, but cold sweat was breaking out on his back.

Despite racking his brains, Yan Zhao still spoke haltingly, which made him feel the cold, stern gaze of the municipal party secretary.

Wang Yuanze didn't ask any further questions, but quickened his pace again. When he arrived at the village entrance, he found a group of people gathered around, talking about something.

"All the village officials are here!"

Someone shouted from behind, and the crowd looked in the direction of the sound.

At this moment, a young man stepped forward from the crowd and said:

"Old Liu, it's Secretary Wang and his team!"