Chapter 117: Inspection (3)

  "What did Shaojie and Li Ming talk about?"

  "Secretary Ding, I've had a lot of talks with County Head Li. He's realized his own inadequacies and has been doing a lot of self-reflection lately. He feels that he really can't handle the job anymore and is filled with remorse."

  "Heh heh, Shao Jie, are you helping Li Ming speak well of himself? What do you think is lacking about Li Ming?"

  "Secretary Ding, I'm speaking from the heart. To talk about County Mayor Li's shortcomings, it's not really a shortcoming. Mayor Li probably hasn't experienced many setbacks, so he approaches everything with a positive attitude and handles things in a straightforward manner, never taking a step beyond what's required. As a result, he sometimes lacks flexibility and doesn't think more deeply when dealing with or facing issues."

  "What exactly is going on?"

  "For example, in terms of planning and strategy, the situation in Huaiyang City is special. County Mayor Li should consider that some things cannot be done openly and aboveboard, and some tactics must be employed. As the secretary of the municipal party committee, when Secretary Ding cannot handle something himself or say something out loud, the secretary should consider taking care of it himself to help complete the task. The secretary can represent the municipal party committee in many cases, but sometimes he can also represent himself. It depends on the outcome of the matter. If the outcome is not good, the secretary should take the blame."

  "Haha, Shaojie, it sounds like a conspiracy theory to me."

  "Secretary Ding, I have always thought that when handling things, we should use open and honest methods as the main approach and secretive methods as supplementary. However, if the other party is a scoundrel or a rascal, these methods will not be effective."

  "Shao Jie, are you lecturing me?"

  "Secretary Ding, I don't dare to, I just say whatever comes to mind, in front of you, there's not a bit of reserve, I must have said something wrong, please criticize and correct me, I'll humbly accept it."

  "Haha, Shao Jie, what you said is not wrong. Why did I criticize you? Three people walking together must have one who can teach me. Nobody is all-powerful and everyone has shortcomings. Okay, now I ask you, in terms of maintaining team unity, keeping local stability and promoting economic development, can you coordinate and unify?"

  Xu Shaojie knew that Secretary Ding Yuan had asked the crucial question, this was not a trivial matter. The people around the leader, especially those trusted by the leader, have an extraordinary impact on them. Therefore, Xu Shaojie spoke very cautiously.

  "Secretary Ding, I know a story. Let me tell you and listen: On a stormy night, a man was driving a car and passed by a bus station where he met three people anxiously waiting for the bus. One was an old man who was critically ill and needed to go to the hospital immediately. Another was a doctor who had saved the driver's life before, and the driver had always dreamed of repaying him. The third was a woman, the driver's dream lover, whom he had always wanted to marry, but if he missed this chance, there might not be another opportunity. However, the car could only seat one more person. What should the driver choose?"

  Ding Yuan obviously came with interest, carefully considering it, and asked Ma Yaping what to do. Ma Yaping also couldn't think of who should sit in the car, and smiled without answering.

  The correct answer is that the driver hands over the key to the doctor, lets the doctor take the old man to the hospital, and stays behind to wait for the public bus with his dream lover.

  "Shao Jie, wait a minute, I'm thinking...I somewhat understand what you mean."

  Ding Yuan fell into deep thought, and Ma Ya Ping gave Xu Shaojie a thumbs up.

  "Shao Jie, you mean they can be reconciled with each other, right?"

  "Secretary Ding, I think that many things are like driving a car - as long as you change positions and perspectives, make the right decisions, you can achieve the best results. However, Secretary Ding, time is too tight, I haven't thought of a good solution yet. Open and honest methods won't work, you've been doing this for years, maybe we need to use some underhanded tactics."

  "Haha, Shao Jie, okay, I'll give you a few days to think about it carefully. By the time the investigation is over, you must give me the best answer."

  Xu Shaojie didn't say a word, this was his duty, no matter how difficult it got, he had to see it through.

  The more Xu Shaojie investigated, the colder he felt. The counties and cities under Huaiyang City were basically going through the motions, with no one thinking about expanding or improving. Some enterprises were on the verge of collapse, while others were scattered and disorganized. No one was trying to make improvements because there were no policies from above to support them. The only way to sustain themselves was through bank loans. The financial situation was not good, and farmers' lives were not very satisfactory. Working as migrant workers had become the main source of income. All counties and cities relied mainly on agriculture, with industry playing a secondary role. Of course, this was related to the larger environment.

  Xu Shaojie felt a sense of urgency, this situation must be changed, otherwise, Huaiyang City will not change in many years. No wonder Secretary Ding Yuan and Mayor Huang Haitao had such a big conflict, perhaps this was the question that Secretary Ding Yuan gave him.

  Xu Shaojie's income is not bad, each county and city has two packs of Zhonghua cigarettes, as if it's a convention. Ma Yapeng's cigarettes are given separately to the working staff of the county and city. The leaders of the county and city are embarrassed to give cigarettes to Secretary Ding Yuan, so Xu Shaojie takes care of it. If Secretary Ding Yuan doesn't want them, then Xu Shaojie gets them cheaply.

  They finally arrived at Huai'an City. The situation in Huai'an City made Secretary Ding's eyes light up.

  The municipal party committee and government are vigorously developing large-scale vegetable greenhouses. Throughout the entire Spring Festival period, they didn't take a break. Building large greenhouses is a process that requires technical guidance. The farmers in Huaguang Village, Yudu District have become experts, and all districts and towns in the city come to Huaguang Village to learn from their experience. Seeing the changes in Huaguang Village, no one can help but feel envious.

  The changes in Huaguan Village were unexpected by Xu Shaojie. Many farmers started to build new houses, and the cement factory had trucks transporting cement to the village every day. The leaders of the district and town who came to visit and learn from Huaguan Village knew about this. Building houses is something that can't be faked, and farmers wouldn't randomly build houses if they didn't have the money. Secretary Ding Yuan's enthusiasm was high, and he went to Huaguan Village again to see the changes, which made him very excited.

  Xu Shaojie knew that his proposal was fully adopted by the Huai'an Municipal Committee and Government. Zhang Shiqiu took office as Secretary of the District Committee, Huang Guangming took office as Head of the District, Han Guowei took office as Deputy Secretary in charge of organization, Yi Xianglin took charge of politics and law, Ma Gong took office as Deputy Secretary in charge of economic work, mainly working at the cement plant. Zhao Deli took office as a member of the District Committee and Vice Mayor, concurrently serving as the factory director of the cement plant. Dong Guihua took office as a member of the Organization Department of the District Committee. Liu Mu took office as a member of the District Committee and Vice Mayor, concurrently serving as Secretary of the Party Committee of Yulin Township. Sun Jianbo was transferred to the Political and Legal Committee and took office as Director of the Office, which is also considered a good arrangement.

  When Xu Shaojie saw everyone again, they all had smiles on their faces and felt proud of the development of Yudu District. Zhao Deli, Dong Guihua, and Liu Mu had already agreed to go to Xu Shaojie's home, but it was because Xu Shaojie followed Secretary Ding to the county for inspection. They knew that being promoted was just Xu Shaojie's opinion, which was a great kindness, and they wanted to thank him in every way. Yang Chen's attitude towards Xu Shaojie changed after seeing him, he told Xu Shaojie that when Xu Shaojie went to the county to take office in the future, he would bring him along, Song Tao also expressed this intention.

  Ding Yuan highly praised Huai'an City's move, saying that Huai'an City seized the opportunity and took a step forward. Xu Shaojie immediately thought of it, there is an article to be done here, the leaders of Huai'an City have broad vision and grasped the opportunity. Such leaders will definitely bring good experience when they go to other counties and cities to take on major leadership roles. Xu Shaojie believes that Secretary Ding Yuan must have such thoughts.

  When having dinner in Huaian City, Secretary Ding Yuan's mood was very good, and he proactively toasted with Zhao Deling, Xu Yunfei and others. This time, Xu Shaojie's situation was very miserable, Secretary Ding Yuan couldn't drink much, so he had to stand up and leave, including Ma Yaping, they returned to the city, no need to drive, also had to go up, to replace Secretary Ding Yuan for drinking. Xu Shaojie and Ma Yaping both drank very miserably, if it wasn't for Secretary Ding Yuan's rescue, the two would have been live-streamed on the spot.

  At 7 o'clock in the evening, Xu Shaojie returned home with a large package of cigarettes. Xu Shaojie didn't have much time, after taking a bath, he had to go to Secretary Ding Yuan's house immediately. Secretary Ding Yuan did not specify a time, only saying that Xu Shaojie should come over after washing up.

  Xu Shaojie was still taking a bath when Zhao Deli, Dong Guihua and Liu Mu arrived at his home. Xu Shaojie quickly finished his bath and went downstairs. The three of them were still carrying cured meat, cigarettes and white wine, but each of them took out an envelope and firmly handed it to Xu Shaojie. They were very clever, each handing it to Xu Shaojie separately, making it impossible for him to refuse.

  Liu Mu told Xu Shaojie that 10 greenhouses had been sold, and the farmers were almost ecstatic. Zhang Xiaoyu's father-in-law bought two large vegetable greenhouses in one breath, as if he had picked up a golden treasure. Liu Mu handed over 6,000 yuan to Xu Shaojie, saying that this was the money from selling the 10 greenhouses. Liu Mu felt a bit embarrassed, saying that the villagers of Huaguan Village were mainly building houses and still had some difficulties, so the prices were not high. Xu Shaojie repeatedly said that it was enough, and the price was already high.

  Three people knew that Xu Shaojie had something, and they quickly got up to bid farewell. Xu Shaojie opened the envelope, which was filled with 2000 yuan in cash. Xu Shaojie felt a bit of a headache, as he really didn't know how to deal with such money. Zhang Xiaoyu was already helping to put away the cured meat, and there was still some left at home from last year that hadn't been eaten yet. Xu Shaojie had brought some to the provincial city, but there was still plenty left at home. Xu Shaojie told Zhang Xiaoyu that she should eat more meat at home, especially her daughter, who was at an age where she needed nutrition to grow. As for himself, he didn't have much time to eat at home, and Zhang Xiaoyu nodded in agreement.

  When Xu Shaojie was about to leave, Zhang Shaocai and Yan Yuhuan arrived. Xu Shaojie didn't have time to greet them and hastily told them that he had to go to Secretary Ding's house. He said there were cigarettes in the room and his big brother could take some himself. Zhang Shaocai smiled and went into the room, knowing that the cigarettes Xu Shaojie brought back must be good ones.

  "Shao Jie, have you thought it through?"

  "Secretary Ding, I feel that the main problem is still in personnel management. Taking Huai'an City and other counties as examples, the situation is clearly different. This requires the main leaders to have courage and vision, dare to take action. In fact, Secretary Ding, you already knew this."

  "Nothing much, tell me your plan."

  "Isn't it about adjusting cadres? The people's congress and CPPCC will be held soon, the time is a bit rushed. I think, as long as we can get Secretary Lu Changzheng's support, we can gradually adjust personnel."

  "Uh-huh, tell me about your specific ideas."

  "Secretary Lu's secretary is getting on in years, this time he can be adjusted out, next time when we reassign a secretary, I'll take care of it. This matter will be taken care of by me. A secretary can influence the leader's thoughts, I guarantee that Secretary Lu's secretary fully supports Secretary Ding's ideas."

  "Haha, you're a sly one, Xiao Jie! You really are full of sinister plots!"

  "Hey, Secretary Ding, I don't have your high level of thinking, but if we simplify the problem, it's not that complicated. As long as we can achieve our goal, I'm willing to try. The secretary has had some influence on Secretary Lu, so if you talk to him, it will definitely be effective."

  "Alright, don't be modest. To achieve a goal, to some extent, using tactics is allowed. I'm not a rigid or dogmatic person, but the selection of a secretary is crucial and this matter cannot have any mistakes."

  "Secretary Ding, I've already thought it through, and it's Director Qian Dazhi of the Personnel Department."

  "Oh, Qian Kechang, I know him, he has a good relationship with you and some ability. Good for you, Shaojie, this is just nepotism."

  "Haha, Secretary Ding, don't hide enemies outside and don't avoid relatives inside. My relationship with Director Qian is fine, but I think Director Qian will definitely do a good job on this matter."

  "Alright, I know. After it's done, tell me and I'll mention it to Secretary Liao, as this is his responsibility."

  It wasn't long before Xu Shaojie returned home, Zhang Shaocai and Yan Yuhuan had not left yet. After chatting for a while, Zhang Shaocai took 5 Chinese cigarettes and left with Yan Yuhuan.

  At night, it was still the same. Xu Shaojie had been away for more than half a month and naturally wouldn't let Zhang Xiaoyu off when he got back home. Zhang Xiaoyu had already taken a bath and after putting their daughter to bed, she went straight upstairs. That night, Xu Shaojie was very wild, perhaps due to the effects of alcohol, and he seemed extremely excited.

  Zhang Xiaoyu's emotions were very contradictory. Having been with Xu Shaojie for so long, it was impossible to not have feelings for him. Xu Shaojie's care and concern were evident in his actions, always thinking of ways to take care of Zhang Xiaoyu. In the group company, Zhang Xiaoyu held a good position, but back in her hometown, her status had completely changed. All of this was because of Xu Shaojie. However, Zhang Xiaoyu knew that she could never marry Xu Shaojie due to their age difference and social status. Therefore, Zhang Xiaoyu cherished the time spent with Xu Shaojie even more. Xu Shaojie and Tang Wanjun would eventually get married, and when that happened, Zhang Xiaoyu would have to leave Xu Shaojie.

  Zhang Xiaoyu's thoughts were something Xu Shaojie had never considered.