Absolute power in officialdom

Chapter 192 Issues Regarding the Canteen and Hospitality Expenses of the Government Office

Hu Lijin introduced Wu Zhiyuan to the woman: "Director Jiang, this is the newly arrived Secretary Wu Zhiyuan."

The Director Jiang in front of me looked to be around forty years old. His face was covered with a thick layer of makeup, and his lipstick looked like pig's blood. He also had a strong perfume scent.

"Secretary Wu is so young?" Director Jiang asked in surprise.

"Yes, when I looked at the documents, I thought Secretary Wu was an old man over fifty years old," Hu Lijin chuckled, then introduced Director Jiang to Wu Zhiyuan, "Secretary Wu, this is Jiang Furong, the director of the town's family planning office."

Wu Zhiyuan smiled and nodded to Jiang Furong, wondering to himself if the woman under Zhang Ping's table was Jiang Furong.

Although Jiang Furong was dressed in a flamboyant manner, she was, after all, middle-aged.

Of course, it's also hard to say it wasn't her.

Some men have a particular fondness for middle-aged women.

Wu Zhiyuan and Hu Lijin continued walking forward.

"Secretary Wu, shouldn't you be married by now?" Hu Lijin suddenly asked.

That Hu Lijin, she really knows how to bring up the most sensitive topics!

"Not yet," Wu Zhiyuan replied briefly.

"Do you have a girlfriend yet?" Hu Lijin pressed for an answer.

This woman talks too much!

On the first meeting, he pried into his boss's private affairs.

But he still politely shook his head.

Hu Lijin was somewhat surprised: "Really? Secretary Wu is young and promising, and has a handsome appearance. He must have high standards."

However, there are quite a few excellent single young women in our town. If you take a liking to one, I can play matchmaker.

Wu Zhiyuan smiled but didn't reply.

The town government canteen is located in an annex building near the office building, which has two floors.

Hu Lijin explained, "Secretary Wu, there are several private rooms on the second floor of the canteen, used for official receptions. The first floor is the staff canteen."

"Director Hu, how much is the town's annual official hospitality expense?"

"Last year, expenses for hospitality, tobacco and alcohol, and gifts amounted to over a million yuan."

Wu Zhiyuan frowned: "So many?"

Hu Lijin smiled and said, "Secretary Wu, there were even more in previous years."

"Director Hu, could you please compile a list of expenses such as entertainment costs and chartered vehicle fees? The more detailed the better."

"Okay, Secretary Wu."

Upon entering the staff canteen on the first floor, staff members were queuing up for their meals.

"Secretary Wu, shall we go upstairs?" Hu Lijing suggested.

Wu Zhiyuan waved his hand. He didn't want special treatment, even though it would offend Zhang Ping. He was very averse to being treated differently.

"Director Hu, I'll eat on the first floor with everyone."

Hu Lijin didn't insist any further: "Okay, I'll listen to the secretary."

The staff canteen is a buffet, but the staff do not serve themselves; instead, the chefs serve the food.

At that moment, Zhang Ping arrived.

He was about to go upstairs when he suddenly noticed Wu Zhiyuan in line. He stopped and said, "Secretary Wu, why are you queuing here? Come on, let's go up to the second floor!"

Zhang Ping rebuked Hu Lijin: "Director Hu, didn't you explain things clearly to Secretary Wu?"

Hu Lijin said with a mournful face, "Mayor Zhang, Secretary Wu insists on eating on the first floor."

Not wanting to embarrass Zhang Ping, who was receiving special treatment, Wu Zhiyuan said with a smile, "Mayor Zhang, please go upstairs to eat. I'll try the food in the restaurant on the first floor."

Zhang Ping hesitated for a moment and said, "I also eat on the first floor. Actually, the food on the first and second floors is about the same, but there is no queue on the second floor and it is quieter."

Many people have realized that Wu Zhiyuan is the newly appointed head of the town's Party committee.

But this new leader is different from everyone else!

There was no official announcement at a town and village cadre meeting, no entourage, and they even gave up special treatment on the very first day.

The cadres ahead of him humbly offered to let Wu Zhiyuan cut in line, but he refused.

The cafeteria food was so-so: one meat dish, one stir-fry dish, one vegetable dish, and a seaweed and egg soup.

The meat dish is steamed pork with rice flour, the stir-fried dish is shredded pork with green peppers, and the vegetable dish is stir-fried cabbage.

It's far inferior to the food served in the provincial government offices.

The provincial government's buffet has eight dishes; you serve yourself, and new dishes are added every few days.

Moreover, they also frequently exchange ideas with canteens in other provinces, with chefs from here going to other provinces and chefs from other provinces coming to here, so that they can enjoy famous dishes from all over the country without leaving the premises.

Wu Zhiyuan and Zhang Ping sat down at a table by the window.

Hu Lijin also sat down.

The food was just average, after all, it was cooked in a large pot. The steamed pork with rice flour was a bit greasy, the stir-fried pork with green peppers had very little meat, and the cabbage was overcooked.

At this moment, a middle-aged man walked over carrying a tray, his face beaming with smiles: "Gentlemen, these are dishes prepared for official receptions upstairs. We cooked a little extra, please enjoy."

Wu Zhiyuan looked up and saw that the tray contained steamed sea bass, boiled shrimp, stir-fried beef, and a plate of stir-fried seasonal vegetables. The food was clearly not on the same level as the dishes in front of them.

Zhang Ping laughed and said, "Old Chen, you're pretty fast."

Secretary Wu, wanting to understand the people's needs, insisted on experiencing the atmosphere on the first floor, so I had no choice but to follow him down. "Now that the food is served, then..."

"Master Chen, right?" Wu Zhiyuan interrupted Zhang Ping. "Thank you for your kindness. Take these dishes back."

Next time, don't do that again. I'm just like everyone else; I eat what I need and do what I need, I don't get special treatment.

The canteen manager, who was called Old Chen, was taken aback. Holding the plate, he looked at Zhang Ping, somewhat at a loss.

Zhang Ping looked embarrassed: "Old Chen, just do as Secretary Wu said, take it back, take it back."

Secretary Wu is setting a good example by living a simple and frugal life; we should all learn from him.

"Yes, yes, Secretary Wu is right. I'll take it right away, I'll take it right away." Old Chen nodded and bowed, carrying the plate away.

The officials dining at the surrounding tables all saw this.

This new Party Secretary is indeed different.

However, they also knew that by doing this, Wu Zhiyuan would first offend Zhang Ping.

Zhang Ping picked up his chopsticks, took a bite of overcooked cabbage, and said casually, "Secretary Wu, you're new here, so you may not know much about the town."

Some customs have existed for a long time, and everyone has gotten used to them.

A sudden change might cause some people to have reservations, feeling that the new leader is unapproachable or too strict.

Wu Zhiyuan said slowly and deliberately, "Mayor Zhang, conventions are not necessarily correct."

Our Party advocates hard work and plain living, opposes extravagance and waste, and opposes the idea of ​​privilege.

It may seem like a small matter for leading cadres to eat special meals in the canteen, but in the eyes of the masses and ordinary cadres, it is seen as seeking special treatment and becoming detached from the people.

As for ideas, you can bring them up, but once the rules are set, they must be followed.

I believe that the vast majority of comrades understand and support this.

Zhang Pingqian chuckled twice: "That's right, that's right, Secretary Wu has a high vantage point and a far-sighted view."

Now that Secretary Wu has set the tone, we will definitely carry it out resolutely.

Wu Zhiyuan nodded: "In addition, official receptions should also be standardized, strictly in accordance with standards, and extravagance and waste should be eliminated."

Director Hu said that last year's entertainment expenses exceeded one million yuan, which is no small amount.

Xindian Town's finances are not abundant; this money should be used more effectively to improve people's livelihoods and develop the economy.

Zhang Ping explained, "Secretary Wu, whether compared horizontally with other townships or vertically with previous years, our current entertainment expenses are really not that high."

When leaders from the province, city, and county come to inspect and provide guidance, when neighboring townships come to learn and exchange ideas, and when the town holds meetings for town and village cadres, we can't all eat the same communal meals, can we?

Wu Zhiyuan didn't respond, but instead asked Hu Lijin, "Director Hu, what percentage of the more than one million yuan in entertainment expenses you mentioned last year was spent on hotels?"

Hu Lijin gave a vague answer: "There are no specific statistics, but the proportion is estimated to be quite high."

Wu Zhiyuan said in an unquestionable tone, "Director Hu, please do the statistics. I need the accurate figures."

Also, as mentioned before, entertainment expenses are categorized and divided by year.

By the way, under what circumstances are guests arranged to be in a private room on the second floor, and under what circumstances are they arranged to be in the restaurant? Is there a standard?

Hu Lijin shook her head with a wry smile: "There is no standard."

Wu Zhiyuan then asked, "Was the reception at the hotel arranged by the Party and government office? Was there proper control over the process?"

Hu Lijing shook her head: "No, it is usually arranged by the Party and government office, but in fact, town cadres can sign the orders."

For example, if a deputy mayor signs off on a deal, the town can't just deny it, can it?

Wu Zhiyuan nodded: "Then let's add a column to the statistics to show which cadres signed contracts over the past three years, and how much they signed?"

Zhang Ping's face turned somewhat unpleasant as he listened to Wu Zhiyuan's series of questions and demands. He ate a few mouthfuls of rice, leaving half in his bowl, then put down his chopsticks and wiped his mouth with a tissue.

"Secretary Wu, I have something to attend to. Please take your time eating. If you need anything, please let Director Hu arrange it."

"Mayor Zhang, you're busy." Wu Zhiyuan nodded.

Zhang Ping is gone.

Wu Zhiyuan knew very well that his "first three fires upon taking office" were about "special treatment" and entertainment expenses, and Zhang Ping was definitely unhappy about it.

But he came to the new store not to blend in and maintain a harmonious atmosphere, but to do something practical.

If we don't even dare to touch or are unwilling to touch obvious issues like canteen meals and hospitality expenses, how can we talk about tackling tough problems and solving the real challenges of breweries, industrial parks, and Qingshanxia?