The conference room in the county's luxurious three-story office building.
Secretary Chen, Lin Peisheng, and the others sat on one side, cigarettes dangling from their mouths. Through the swirling smoke, they looked at Duojie, who was smoking as well, and Wang Yan, seated at the very end as an observer.
"What is it, Duojie? You brought in a college student to reason with us for you?" Secretary Chen rested an elbow on the table, a cigarette hanging casually from his lips.
Naturally, Lin Peisheng did not mention that he did not smoke or care for the smell of cigarettes. He endured a room full of old chain-smokers while reclining comfortably in his chair, idly fiddling with a pen on the table. He looked as though he were waiting to see what tricks they could possibly come up with.
Before Duojie could speak, Wang Yan opened his mouth. "Leaders, regarding Feng Keqing's plan to open a mine in Bolamula, I've basically persuaded Deputy County Magistrate Duojie."
"Oh? Is that so, Duojie?" Secretary Chen laughed.
When Duojie nodded, Lin Peisheng said, "All right, that stubborn rock has finally been moved. Wang Yan, college student, how did you persuade Old Duojie?"
"I told him that an arm can't twist a thigh. Opening the mine will drive the development of the entire county, and the people will be able to live better lives too."
Lin Peisheng deeply agreed. "That's exactly it. Old Duojie is just too stubborn, always insisting that it will damage Bolamula's environment. The nation puts economic development at its center; everything has to make way for development. Besides, the mine will only be on Bolamula's outskirts."
"County Magistrate, Duojie is right too. The ecological environment still needs to be protected. Once a mine is opened there, it will be completely destroyed,