Absolute power in officialdom

Chapter 319 New Year's Eve

Geng Dongqing on the other end of the phone breathed a sigh of relief: "It's good that the county head can consider issues from the perspective of the overall situation."

Ding Yiyi changed the subject: "However, the Qinghe River embankment reinforcement project must be suspended immediately for a comprehensive inspection."

Work must not resume until the problems are thoroughly investigated and rectified.

If serious quality problems, shoddy workmanship, or even illegal activities are found, they must be dealt with seriously in accordance with laws and regulations. Rework must be carried out where necessary, penalties must be imposed where appropriate, and those responsible must be held accountable. There will be absolutely no leniency.

Ding Yiyi made concessions on some issues, and Geng Dongqing breathed a sigh of relief.

This principled female county head seemed to understand the nuances and balance of officialdom, and didn't immediately break off relations.

As the county party secretary, he also did not want the Qinghe embankment reinforcement project to be a shoddy project.

He had warned Bi Yuan more than once before.

However, Bi Yuanli, blinded by greed, continued to do as he pleased.

Geng Dongqing and Bi Yuan have a deep-rooted connection of interests.

Bi Yuan made a lot of money, and he benefited from it.

But the prerequisite is that Bi Yuan cannot get into trouble.

If something happens, it's easy to implicate him.

Geng Dongqing was quite frightened when the Wanshan Bridge collapsed last time.

In short, he can help Bi Yuan get more projects, bigger projects, and more money, but he absolutely does not want to see one shoddy project after another.

Geng Dongqing stated: "Quality and safety are the bottom line. Work that should be stopped must be stopped, and work that needs to be reworked must be reworked."

There is no room for negotiation on this point. Biyuan Company must unconditionally cooperate with the county's investigation and rectification requirements.

Geng Dongqing dared not openly oppose Ding Yiyi on matters of principle, otherwise he would bear inescapable leadership responsibility should something really go wrong in the future.

However, he added, "However, in the process of handling this, we must also pay attention to the methods and approaches. We must not only investigate the problem thoroughly, but also avoid causing excessive impact on the normal production and operation of the enterprise."

I believe that, under the leadership of the county party committee, the county government will definitely be able to handle this matter well.

On the bus back to the county.

Ding Yi sat in the car, looking somewhat forlorn.

"Zhiyuan, sometimes I feel like it's so hard to do something real, to correct some obvious mistakes?"

Wu Zhiyuan deeply agreed with Ding Yiyi's sentiments: "Yes, County Chief Ding is like the Qinghe River embankment."

Bi Yuan and his Biyuan Group, along with the potential protective umbrella behind them, are deeply entrenched and interconnected.

We know perfectly well that there are many problems here, possibly even systemic corruption and dereliction of duty, but if we really take action, it will have far-reaching consequences.

As you've seen, Secretary Geng's attitude is that while an investigation is necessary, the methods and approaches must be carefully considered to avoid excessive impact.

The balance in this is extremely difficult to strike.

Ding Yi nodded: "It's not that I don't understand compromise, nor do I insist on doing things recklessly."

There are rules in officialdom, and one must be strategic and discreet in doing things.

If we start off with a big fuss, call in the media, and expose the whole thing, it might feel good, but it could escalate the conflict and damage Qingshan's image.

However, compromise does not mean abandoning principles, and being strategic does not mean being indecisive.

The Qinghe River embankment is related to the lives and property of hundreds of thousands of people. This is the bottom line, the red line, and there is no room for negotiation. I believe Secretary Geng would not want to see this as a shoddy project.

Wu Zhiyuan chimed in, "It's already quite an achievement that we were able to order Biyuan to halt all construction work on the spot today, and that Secretary Geng explicitly supported the investigation and rectification over the phone."

Ding Yiyi continued, reflecting on the situation: "Sometimes when I think about it, it's quite ironic."

This is clearly a matter where right and wrong are obvious, and it should be dealt with swiftly and decisively.

However, in practice, one must weigh the pros and cons, consider the impact, and even rely on the leader's attitude to push it forward.

It seems that achieving the maximum possible rectification of the problems is already a victory.

Wu Zhiyuan also lamented, "In officialdom, it's sometimes really difficult to get things done."

We must consider relationships with those above, below, left, and right; balance the interests of all parties; and deal with all kinds of resistance and interference.

Just like playing chess, you have to think three or even five steps ahead before making a move.

Impulsiveness and recklessness rarely solve problems and may even make things worse.

Ding Yiyi gave a soft "hmm," then said firmly, "No matter how difficult it is, we must stick to our bottom line."

The Qinghe River dike must become a truly solid lifeline, not a time bomb buried beside the people of Qingshan.

As the car drove into the county town, several primary school students, carrying their schoolbags, ran across the road, their laughter ringing out.

Looking at the innocent and carefree child, Ding Yiyi suddenly asked, "Zhiyuan, do you know what I'm most afraid of?"

Wu Zhiyuan was slightly taken aback: "What?"

"What I fear most is not fighting with Geng Dongqing, nor is it Bi Yuan's underhanded tactics."

What I fear most is that next year during the flood season, when the Qinghe River rises, these children's parents won't be able to wait for their children to come home from school.

……

In order to persuade Wei Guochun to invest in Qingshanxia Scenic Area again, Wu Zhiyuan kept in touch with Wei Guochun while preparing the "three-piece set".

Wei Guochun meant that he has always had a deep affection for Qingshan Gorge, and if the time is right, he will consider coming back to investigate.

Wei Guochun welcomed Wu Zhiyuan's suggestion that Ding Yiyi personally go to Jiangsu and Zhejiang for investigation.

However, he tactfully indicated that with the Spring Festival approaching and company affairs becoming increasingly complicated, he would invite Ding Yiyi and Wu Zhiyuan to visit Jiangsu and Zhejiang when spring arrives.

……

The Spring Festival is approaching.

Wu Zhiyuan's feelings about celebrating the Lunar New Year have changed from longing for it as a child to resistance to it now.

When I was a child, the New Year was something to look forward to; it was a time of joy, with dragon lanterns, firecrackers, and pockets stuffed with candy and melon seeds.

But now, the Lunar New Year is more like a sweet yet agonizing "exam".

The test wasn't about work performance, but rather about answering "personal questions."

He could foresee his parents casually mentioning at the New Year's Eve dinner table, "Whose child is two years younger than you, and already old enough to run errands?"

He does understand his parents' hearts.

The greatest wish of elders is nothing more than for their children to get married, establish themselves, and live a stable life.

On the morning of Lunar New Year's Eve, Wu Zhiyuan drove back to his parents' aquaculture farm.

In previous years, I spent the Spring Festival in my hometown.

But this year, we're spending the Lunar New Year on an island in the middle of a fishing ground.

Not only Wu Zhiyuan's family, but also Han Tingting's father, Han Genfa, were present.

The decision to spend the Lunar New Year on the island in the middle of the lake was mainly Wu Zhiyuan's idea, based on two considerations.

First, it's peaceful. Wu Zhiyuan is currently the executive deputy county head of Qingshan County.

Although this is my hometown, Haihe County, poverty in the city goes unnoticed, while wealth in the mountains attracts distant relatives.

Once a person gains power and influence, they suddenly find themselves surrounded by many relatives. Even those who weren't originally relatives become relatives.

Wu Zhiyuan did not want to be bothered by the social interactions between people he was not familiar with.

Secondly, Han Genfa is now all alone.

My spouse passed away early, and my only daughter also unfortunately passed away from illness. I spend the New Year alone, feeling utterly lonely.

The car was parked by the lake, where the father, Wu Dagui, had been waiting for a long time.

Seeing that Wu Zhiyuan had returned alone, Wu Dagui said with some disappointment, "Zhiyuan, when are you going to bring a girl back?"

Wu Zhiyuan smiled and said, "Dad, I'm only 29 for Chinese New Year."

Just as Wu Zhiyuan had predicted, Wu Dagui said, "Is twenty-nine still young? Your childhood friend Xiaolong is the same age as you, and his son is already in elementary school."

Wu Zhiyuan remained silent.

"Zhiyuan, are you still worried about Tingting?"

"Dad, after lunch, I want to go with my sister Kexin to visit Tingting's grave."

"Oh, what a pity about Tingting! If she hadn't gotten sick, she might have had a child with you."

Perhaps feeling the conversation was too oppressive, Wu Dagui changed the subject: "Zhiyuan, did you know Kexin is dating someone?"

After graduating from university, Wu Kexin pursued a master's degree and turned 26 during the Spring Festival. She then worked for a state-owned enterprise in Jiangzhou.

The man she was dating was a civil servant in a provincial government department, and his family was well-off.

"Yes, Dad, Kexin told me."

"Zhiyuan, don't wait until Kexin is married before you're even married."

Wu Zhiyuan smiled but said nothing.

When the boat reached the island in the middle of the lake, Wu Zhiyuan immediately spotted Han Genfa standing on the shore.

Han Genfa looked noticeably older.

Wu Zhiyuan's heart felt as if it had been clenched tightly by something.

"Uncle Han." Wu Zhiyuan quickly stepped forward.

"Zhiyuan, you're only back now that it's New Year's Eve?" Han Genfa greeted Wu Zhiyuan with a beaming smile, just like always.

However, he now has significantly more wrinkles.

The aroma of food wafted from the kitchen.

Hearing the noise, Zhang Huilan, the mother, came out of the kitchen, holding a spatula in her hand.

"Zhiyuan, you're finally back!" Zhang Huilan was overjoyed to see her son.

Wu Kexin, who was helping her mother in the kitchen, also came out of the prefabricated house.

She said playfully, "County Magistrate Wu is back!"

"You're so glib! Watch out or I'll flick your nose!" Wu Zhiyuan laughed.

On the kitchen stove, there were many semi-finished dishes: chopped cured meat, washed green vegetables, and seasoned minced meat.

Wu Dagui and Han Genfa chatted about the breeding farm.

Wu Zhiyuan could sense that his father and Han Genfa were deliberately avoiding certain topics, such as his marriage and Tingting.

After the meal, Wu Zhiyuan took Wu Kexin to visit Han Tingting's grave.

"Brother, when Tingting left, Uncle Han was in deep pain and became completely listless."

Tingting and I grew up together. She's such a wonderful person...

"Alas, beauty is often envied by heaven."

"Brother, I often wonder, if Tingting hadn't gotten sick, would you two be married? Would you have had a baby?"

Wu Zhiyuan smiled bitterly to himself.

Even if Han Tingting hadn't gotten sick, he might not have married her.

Matters of the heart are hard to explain.

At Han Tingting's grave, Wu Zhiyuan burned paper money and other offerings in accordance with traditional customs.

"Tingting, Kexin and I have come to see you." Wu Zhiyuan looked at the grave, Han Tingting's voice and appearance were still vivid in his mind, as if he were talking to her face to face. "Uncle Han celebrated the New Year with us. Take care over there, don't worry."

The burning paper money danced in the wind.

Tears welled up in Wu Kexin's eyes: "Tingting, I have a boyfriend. I wanted to tell you first."

If you were here, you would definitely give me some advice. You have the best eye for talent.

On the way back, Wu Kexin suddenly asked, "Brother, are you still hung up on Tingting?"

Wu Zhiyuan was silent for a while, then said quietly, "Some people can never let go of anything in their entire lives."

But just because you can't let go doesn't mean you can't move forward.