Absolute power in officialdom

Chapter 206 The Beautiful Female College Student Studying Art

A worker standing nearby chimed in, "Secretary Wu, you're a town leader and a county leader, you be the judge for us!"

Our brewery was so successful back then! It was profitable, the benefits were great, and so many people in the county wanted to work there!

And now? They've practically driven us to the brink of collapse!

Take procurement for example. For the same beer bottles and caps, what is the purchase price for other factories and what is the purchase price for our factory?

At least 20-30% more! Where did that price difference go? It all went into some people's pockets!

The head of the purchasing department is Director Wang's brother-in-law. He doesn't know anything about purchasing; he used to be a tractor driver!

And now? I bought a house in the city and a car!

Wu Zhiyuan listened attentively.

Although he did not verify what the two masters said, most of it should be true.

This is a common problem among state-owned enterprises. It's not just breweries; many state-owned enterprises are like this.

Other workers gathered around.

These workers are in dire straits, many are semi-laid off and receiving only basic living expenses.

Everyone chimed in, venting their frustrations.

"We're having trouble even getting food now, but Director Wang is still spending money like water. He has an Audi, a personal driver, and a single meal in the county town costs as much as a year's salary for us!"

"Several factory leaders and middle-level cadres indulged in all sorts of vices, including eating, drinking, gambling, and whoring."

They squander the hard-earned money of the workers, claiming it's for business negotiations and sales, but in reality they're just going to gamble, go to saunas, and visit prostitutes!

These expenses were all listed as office supplies, catering, and meeting expenses, and then reimbursed by the factory!

"They form cliques and practice nepotism!"

Those who hold slightly lucrative positions in the factory are either their relatives or their confidants.

Good and capable people like Factory Director Zhang have been sidelined and relegated to managing women's affairs!

"Gift-giving and bribery are commonplace! If you want to climb the ranks, you have to give them gifts;"

If you want to be transferred to a lucrative department, you have to give them gifts;

Those who want to contract factory projects or supply materials must give gifts!

They've turned a perfectly good factory into their own private vegetable garden, where they can pick and take whatever they want!

"Their extended family members, running trading companies, packaging plants, and transportation teams, all live off the blood of breweries!"

The factory gets its woven bags, cardboard boxes, labels, and even coal and labor protection supplies from a company owned by their relatives, ensuring high quality at low prices!

This isn't running a business; it's taking state assets and all the factory workers' belongings and moving them into their own homes!

The workers were furious; it seemed they had long suffered under the factory leadership!

The first experienced worker to speak said, "Ultimately, it's because Wang Defa and Zhou Jianming have powerful backers."

Wang Defa's brother, Wang Dejun, is the deputy county head, and Zhou Jianming is the brother-in-law of Chen Junqiang, the deputy secretary of the town's Party committee.

Chen Junqiang's sister is the wife of Liang Chao, a member of the county party committee standing committee and secretary of the political and legal affairs committee.

Wu Zhiyuan listened quietly without interrupting, only nodding occasionally or looking at the workers who were speaking with encouraging eyes.

After everyone had finished speaking, he said, "I heard and remembered everything you said."

To be honest, I am heartbroken and shocked!

What is the root cause of the decline of a once-glorious company to its current state?

The problem lies within the leadership team—corruption, inaction, and malfeasance!

He glanced at everyone and continued, "I'm not here today to go through the motions or to listen to reports."

What I want to see is the most authentic situation; what I want to hear is the most authentic voice.

Some of the issues you just raised I've heard about before, while others are new to me.

But no matter what the problem is, if it harms national interests, corporate interests, or employee interests, the town's Party committee will definitely take action, and will see it through to the end!

Someone clapped, and then thunderous applause erupted.

Wu Zhiyuan continued, "Please believe that the town party committee attaches great importance to the issue of the brewery and will conduct a thorough investigation and verification."

If the situation is true, no matter who is involved or what their background is, they must be dealt with seriously in accordance with discipline and law!

Those who deserve punishment will be punished, those who deserve reassignment will be reassigned, and those who deserve legal accountability will be held accountable without exception!

We must not only pull out the radish, but also bring out the mud, completely eradicating the soil that breeds decay!

"At the same time," Wu Zhiyuan changed the subject, looking at Zhang Junhua and the workers around him, "the key to getting the brewery out of its predicament is still to rely on ourselves, on a leadership team that is capable, impartial, business-savvy, and good at management!"

Thanks to the sense of ownership and hard work of all the experienced workers and colleagues present here.

Corrupt officials must be eliminated, but the factory's production cannot stop, and morale cannot be shaken!

He raised his voice: "I can now give everyone a preliminary stance:"

First, regarding the issues concerning the leadership team and internal management raised by everyone, the town's discipline inspection commission will immediately intervene and conduct a preliminary investigation.

Second, the town's Party committee should conduct a special study on the reform and development of the brewery as soon as possible.

As Comrade Zhang Junhua suggested, we can boldly explore and actively discuss any ideas that are feasible and beneficial to the factory's survival and the lives of its employees, such as seeking strategic cooperation or transformation and development.

Third, before the problems are clarified and a new development strategy is defined, the factory's production and operations must be kept basically stable, and ways must be found to ensure the basic livelihoods of employees.

Wu Zhiyuan concluded by saying, "Everyone can remember what I said today, and you can also keep an eye on me."

I, Wu Zhiyuan, hereby declare: I will not leave Xindian Town until I have sorted out the problems at the brewery and given everyone an explanation!

Please trust the organization and trust ourselves. As long as we are united in purpose and action, there is always hope for Qingshan Brewery!

The workers burst into enthusiastic applause again.

The first worker to speak said loudly, "Secretary Wu, we believe in you! As long as you truly stand up for us workers, we will listen to you!"

We know who to contact when it comes to reporting issues!

"Yes, we'll listen to Secretary Wu!"

"We'll wait for the town's investigation results!"

The workers echoed in agreement.

Before leaving, Wu Zhiyuan whispered to Zhang Junhua, "During this time, please keep a close eye on the factory's situation, stabilize production, and reassure the employees."

If there are any new developments, feel free to contact me or Secretary Wu Changchun at any time. Remember, you are not fighting alone.

Zhang Junhua felt a heavy sense of trust and responsibility, and nodded vigorously: "Secretary Wu, don't worry, I know what to do."

come back to the office.

Wu Zhiyuan then called Wu Changchun over.

"The situation at the brewery in Changchun is more complicated and more serious than we expected."

It's not just about poor management and internal strife; it could very well involve systemic corruption.

In fact, the root cause of most problems in state-owned enterprises lies in corruption at the leadership level.

There will certainly be resistance to the investigation, but now that we have identified the problem, we cannot turn a blind eye to it, nor can we back down just because there may be resistance.

Changchun, you are the secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission. The town's Discipline Inspection Commission must take the initiative to intervene in this matter and shoulder its responsibility!

Wu Changchun sat up straight: "Secretary Wu, please give the order. How should we investigate? Where should we start?"

"At the moment, it is not advisable to make a big fuss, lest we alert the enemy."

We began by investigating and verifying the issues raised by the workers regarding their work style and management, and conducted a preliminary investigation.

The key areas are as follows: First, in the procurement process, compare prices with market prices during the same period to investigate issues such as high-priced procurement and the transfer of benefits;

Second, investigate financial reimbursements to determine whether there were any issues of falsely listing expenses, misappropriating funds, or squandering public funds.

Third, related-party transactions: investigate the business dealings between enterprises owned by relatives of leaders and breweries, and whether there is any improper transfer of benefits;

Fourth, asset disposal: investigate whether there were any violations or misappropriation of state-owned assets...

Of course, I also know that relying solely on the town's discipline inspection commission is probably not enough to completely move this stubborn rock, and may even put us in a passive position.

We must seek the strong support of the county discipline inspection commission for this matter.

I plan to personally visit Comrade Lang Wenping, a member of the Standing Committee of the County Party Committee and Secretary of the County Commission for Discipline Inspection, to discuss this matter and request the County Commission for Discipline Inspection to intervene and even directly lead an investigation.

……

Xu Yunxi has arrived.

She arrived on Saturday morning.

Twenty-year-old Xu Yunxi wore a light apricot-colored loose-fitting thin knit sweater and indigo skinny jeans, looking simple, casual, and full of youthful energy.

"Brother Zhiyuan, where am I sleeping tonight?" Xu Yunxi walked around Wu Zhiyuan's dormitory.

"The dormitory conditions are basic, let me send you to a hotel."

"Brother Zhiyuan, I'm a scaredy-cat, I don't dare to stay in a hotel alone."

Xu Yunxi smiled slyly, "I recently saw a few news reports. One was about a drunkard who knocked on the door at night and scared the female tenant."

One incident involved a male hotel employee who used a room key to open the door to a women's room. "I'll stay in your dormitory."

If Xu Yunxi really wanted to stay in the dormitory, Wu Zhiyuan wasn't worried about what others would say.

Because everyone in the town government knows that he is currently single.

Xu Yunxi is also a single girl.

Wu Zhiyuan smiled and said, "That's fine too."

Xu Yunxi leaned closer to Wu Zhiyuan and whispered, "Brother Zhiyuan, I brought my sketching kit. Can you keep your promise tonight?"