Daily Intelligence System: Financial Independence

As the sunset dyed the sky a magnificent orange-red.

The Mercedes G-Class exited the highway at the Dongjiao toll station and drove onto the connecting road to Ping County.

Around seven in the evening, the familiar yet slightly changed outline of the county town appeared before their eyes.

"President Jiang, are we going straight home?"

As the car drove into the county town, Jia Guolin asked.

Jiang Tao moved his gaze from the chat page on his phone and looked at Jia Guolin, saying:

"Head to the Baiyulan Hotel, I’ve arranged to have dinner with someone there, and you’ll join us later."

"It’s just some familiar folks from the village, no outsiders."

"Alright, President Jiang."

Jia Guolin nodded in agreement and continued driving. He had been to the Baiyulan Hotel once and knew the way.

On the other side.

In the spacious open-air parking lot in front of the Baiyulan Hotel.

Beside a black Passat and a white Lavida.

Jiang Xingguo, Jiang Wenhai, Jiang Sanping, and Qiao Erlili were looking at the splendid Baiyulan Hotel not far away, their thoughts lingering unsteadily.

They were all village officials from Jiang Family Manor.

Jiang Xingguo was the secretary and director of Jiang Family Manor, overseeing all village affairs.

Jiang Wenhai was the village’s security director, in charge of industry, safety production, old village renovation, traffic (including roads), petitions, social stability, land management, and housing construction.

Jiang Sanping was the village accountant, responsible for all village income and expenditure.

Qiao Erlili was the women’s federation director and also served as the Youth League branch secretary.

She managed family planning, civil affairs, the disabled association, healthcare, education, left-behind women and children, publicity, and radio and television, responsible for village logistics and living environment.

Of course, although these village officials seemed to have many responsibilities, most were nominal without much actual work throughout the year.

Jiang Family Manor was just an ordinary small village in Ping County, lacking industrial and economic foundations.

Most villagers made their living through farming and working outside.

"I never thought Old Jiang would have the chance to dine at Baiyulan Hotel in his lifetime."

Smoking a cigarette, Jiang Wenhai said softly.

Jiang Sanping echoed, "Yeah, my two months’ salary isn’t even enough for a meal here. This place isn’t for folks like us."

"I really didn’t expect Jiang Wen’s second son to suddenly become so successful. I remember he still had a lot of debt when building a house last year."

As Qiao Erlili spoke, she recalled Jiang Tao driving home that Mercedes GLS during the New Year, the first luxury car in the village.

"What do you mean ’Jiang Wen’s second son’? We should address him as President Jiang when we see him from now on!"

Jiang Xingguo looked at Qiao Erlili, reminding her seriously.

"Right, right! We should call him President Jiang from now on!"

"He’s truly deserving of being called President Jiang, with such achievement!"

"Oh, I understand. We’re just chatting privately among ourselves. I wouldn’t call him that to his face."

Jiang Wenhai, Jiang Sanping, and Qiao Erlili nodded compliantly upon hearing Jiang Xingguo’s words.

This time, Jiang Tao asked Jiang Xingguo to recruit people in the village for him, and several village officials had sent people to Jiang Xingguo.

"There he comes! Look, isn’t that President Jiang’s car?"

Jiang Wenhai suddenly pointed at a black Mercedes G-Class with a Beijing license plate, a joyous expression on his face.

"Yes, it’s President Jiang! Get ready to welcome him!"

Jiang Xingguo recognized Jiang Tao’s license plate and confirmed his arrival immediately.

The car came to a steady stop before Jiang Xingguo and the others.

Jiang Tao opened the door and stepped out with a smile, moving forward to greet them:

"Brother Xingguo, uncles, I’m sorry for the delay. There was some traffic on the way, sorry to keep you waiting!"

Jiang Xingguo and the others saw Jiang Tao step out of the luxury car, noting his extraordinary presence now.

In their eyes flashed complex emotions: excitement and sentiment.

There was a deep-seated admiration akin to reverence.

"Oh my! President Jiang, the road must have been tiring! No worries at all! We’ve just arrived ourselves!"

Jiang Xingguo quickly stubbed out his cigarette, stepped forward briskly, and shook Jiang Tao’s hand tightly.

He had never been this enthusiastic even when hosting county leaders inspecting the village.

"President Jiang is a busy man now, taking time to come back and treat us to dinner is a great honor!"

"Indeed, indeed! It’s just a small wait! Totally understandable!"

"President Jiang’s car is truly grand! Must be worth millions, right? President Jiang has truly accomplished great things!"

Jiang Wenhai, Qiao Erlili, and the others kept praising and flattering Jiang Tao.

Their gazes drifted frequently to the shimmering car body under the light,

and to the iconic Baiyulan Hotel in Ping County standing before them.

Both the Mercedes and the Baiyulan Hotel were things beyond their usual reach.

A casual meal at the Baiyulan Hotel could easily cost five to seven thousand, equal to more than two months of their salary.

They couldn’t believe that in their lifetime, they could step into this place as guests.

And what made all of this happen was this young man standing before them, whom they had watched grow up, once perhaps thinking of him as a bit "unsettled".

This enormous contrast filled them not only with excitement but also endless amazement and admiration.

Listening to the village officials’ praises, full of envy and flattery,

Jiang Tao maintained a polite smile, though his mind was crystal clear.