Absolute power in officialdom

Chapter 335 Lin Xue's Conversation

Shen Chenlin paused, then said firmly, "My opinion is very clear: I support nominating Comrade Wu Zhiyuan as a candidate for county magistrate of Qingyan County."

Qingyan County needs fresh blood, a leader who can bring new ideas and a fresh perspective. I believe Wu Zhiyuan is very suitable.

Lin Xue felt a weight lifted off her shoulders.

Her gaze fell on Wen Changcheng: "Mayor Changcheng, the comrades just now have given some very good opinions."

From a developmental perspective, Secretary Han Ying and Secretary Chen Lin affirmed Comrade Wu Zhiyuan's abilities and potential;

From a prudent perspective, you and Minister Aiguo emphasized Comrade Hou Jinfeng's strengths and experience.

These opinions demonstrate a high degree of responsibility for the development of Qingyan County, and I found them very inspiring.

She took a sip of tea and said unhurriedly, "The situation in Qingyan County is indeed complicated. It has a weak industrial base, a small foundation, a large population, and many historical problems."

A county like this needs a county head who can both stabilize the situation and open up new possibilities.

Comrade Hou Jinfeng's ability to remain calm and composed is one of his strengths.

Comrade Wu Zhiyuan's ability to open up new possibilities is his strength.

The choice between these two options requires careful consideration.

My idea is to give Comrade Wu Zhiyuan a chance.

Let him try out in Qingyan County; if he does well, he can continue.

If we don't do a good job, it's not too late to make adjustments.

After all, a 29-year-old county magistrate is a first in our Longcheng.

Letting him go and try his luck also sends a signal to young cadres—as long as they have the ability and achievements, the organization will provide them with a platform.

Wen Changcheng knew that it would be difficult to change the fact that Wu Zhiyuan had been nominated as the county magistrate of Qingyan, so he might as well go along with it and get Lin Xue's support for his other nominees.

He was well-versed in the art of compromise and exchange, and said with a calm smile, "Since Secretary Lin, Secretary Chen Lin and Secretary Han all believe that Comrade Wu Zhiyuan can shoulder this important task, then I will obey the organization's decision."

We hope that Comrade Wu Zhiyuan will adapt to his role in Qingyan as soon as possible and live up to the trust of the organization and the expectations of the cadres and people of Qingyan County.

Wen Changcheng changed the subject: "Old Zheng, the director of the Municipal Education Bureau, retired last month when he reached the retirement age, and the position of director is vacant."

The Education Bureau is crucial to the overall education plan of the city, and it needs a comrade who is familiar with the situation, experienced, and capable of steadily advancing the work to take the helm.

Comrade Hou Jinfeng has worked in the county for many years, overseeing education, culture, and health, and is familiar with the situation of grassroots education. He is a solid and steady worker.

I propose that Comrade Hou Jinfeng succeed as Director of the Municipal Education Bureau.

Lin Xue knew perfectly well that Wen Changcheng would inevitably reclaim the crucial position of county magistrate of Qingyan County elsewhere.

The director of the municipal education bureau is also an important position at the division level. Hou Jinfeng was promoted and given important responsibilities in the past.

But since Wen Changcheng compromised and agreed to nominate Wu Zhiyuan as a candidate for county magistrate of Qingyan County, she also compromised in a timely manner and agreed to Wen Changcheng's proposal.

Lin Xue nodded: "Comrade Hou Jinfeng is familiar with education work, so it is appropriate for him to go to the Education Bureau."

The organization department can conduct investigations and recommendations according to established procedures.

With the top two leaders in charge agreeing, the other three leaders couldn't voice any objections.

However, Wen Changcheng went a step further: "Since everyone agrees, let Comrade Hou Jinfeng go to the Municipal Education Bureau. It would be a recognition of his many years of hard work."

From this perspective, Qingyan County has lost a deputy secretary of the county party committee.

I propose that Comrade Wang Chengtang, Deputy Director of the Municipal Government Office, be transferred to the position of Deputy Secretary of the Qingyan County Party Committee.

Comrade Cheng Tang is young and promising, with a high level of policy theory and strong coordination ability. He also accumulated rich experience in comprehensive coordination in the Municipal Government Office.

His trip to Qingyan will allow him to assist Comrade Wu Zhiyuan and also play a positive role in the county party committee leadership.

Wang Chengtang previously served as the head of the First Secretariat Section of the Municipal Government Office, and was Wen Changcheng's secretary. Last year, he was promoted to deputy director of the Municipal Government Office. He is a trusted confidant and capable assistant cultivated by Wen Changcheng.

Placing him in the position of deputy secretary of the Qingyan County Party Committee, to put it nicely, is to assist him; in reality, it's a check and balance.

Lin Xue was well aware of Wen Changcheng's little scheme.

Wen Changcheng's move was both to place his own people in Qingyan County and to check Wu Zhiyuan.

That's how politics is; every important personnel arrangement is a game of negotiation and compromise.

She has already achieved her main goal by placing Wu Zhiyuan in the position of county magistrate candidate.

To ensure the proposal passes the Standing Committee smoothly, making concessions in some minor positions is a necessary price to pay.

Lin Xue agreed to Wen Changcheng's proposal.

A seemingly calm but actually turbulent meeting of the five-member municipal party committee group concluded amidst subtle struggles and tacit compromises.

Lin Xue did not lose, nor did Wen Changcheng; both of them achieved their main objectives.

The five-person group meeting did not have the final decision-making power, but it set the tone for the subsequent municipal party committee standing committee meeting.

Generally speaking, personnel appointments and removals decided by the five-person group meeting are usually approved by the Standing Committee.

As expected, the next meeting of the Municipal Party Committee Standing Committee successfully approved a series of personnel appointments.

This includes Wu Zhiyuan being appointed as the deputy secretary of the Qingyan County Party Committee and nominated as a candidate for county head.

Lin Xue spoke with Wu Zhiyuan.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, she got straight to the point: "Zhiyuan, you should already know about the Standing Committee's resolution."

The organization has decided that you will serve as the Deputy Secretary of the Qingyan County Party Committee and be nominated as a candidate for County Mayor.

This is the organization's trust in you, and also a heavy responsibility.

I'm here today in my capacity as the Party Secretary of the Municipal Committee, and also as your elder sister, to give you a few requests and a few reminders.

Wu Zhiyuan and Lin Xue have a special personal relationship.

Wu Zhiyuan respectfully said, "Please give your instructions, Secretary Lin."

Lin Xue asked, "Zhiyuan, how much do you know about the situation in Qingyan County?"

Wu Zhiyuan pondered for a moment and said, "I know a little, but not in depth."

Qingyan County has the largest population and is closest to the provincial capital among the counties and districts of Longcheng City, but its development in recent years has not been ideal, and its total economic output is only higher than that of Qingshan County, a national-level poverty-stricken county. And also…”

He hesitated for a moment, carefully considering how to choose his words.

Lin Xue spoke for him: "Also, the former county head is in jail, and the county party secretary, Yuan Jin, is very powerful, leading to significant internal conflicts within the leadership team. Right?"

Wu Zhiyuan nodded.

Lin Xue picked up her teacup, blew on it gently, and said slowly, "Zhiyuan, this is the first thing I want to tell you today."

You need to have a clear understanding of the political environment in Qingyan County.

The former county head lost in a fierce struggle with Yuan Jin, the county party secretary, and was eventually taken away by the municipal discipline inspection commission.

Although he himself did have problems and deserved his fate, this struggle itself fully exposed the lack of unity among the top party and government leaders in Qingyan County and the deplorable political environment.

She paused for a moment, then continued, "Yuan Jin is capable; otherwise, she wouldn't have been able to become the county party secretary."

He used to be the director of the municipal finance bureau, and was promoted by Ai Kun. After Ai Kun's incident, he became close to Wen Changcheng.

He was assertive and power-hungry. In Qingyan County, he exercised the authority of the "top leader" to the extreme, deeply interfering in the work of the county government. He would inquire about and meddle in many specific matters, even in areas under the jurisdiction of deputy government officials.

The previous county head, under such strong interference and obstruction, found it difficult to carry out his work, and the conflicts escalated. Ultimately, he himself failed to uphold his principles, and the county head seized upon his misconduct, allowing someone to report him, leading to his downfall.

Wu Zhiyuan listened quietly, his face calm, but his heart was in turmoil.

Discord between the top two leaders is a major taboo in local governance, yet it is also almost a common problem.

Given Yuan Jin's domineering and power-grabbing personality, it was inevitable that he and Yuan Jin would have conflicts.

Lin Xue continued, "Let's talk about Wang Chengtang. He started as Wen Changcheng's secretary, was promoted to deputy director of the municipal government office last year, and is now serving as deputy secretary."

Ostensibly, it's to assist you, but you should know what it really means.

Yuan Jin and Wang Chengtang, one a secretary and the other a deputy secretary, one a connection to Wen Changcheng and the other a confidant of Wen Changcheng.

"How can you, a county magistrate, have an easy time caught in the middle?"

She looked at Wu Zhiyuan and asked, "Zhiyuan, tell me the truth, are you under pressure?"

Wu Zhiyuan was silent for a few seconds, then nodded: "There is pressure. But pressure can also be a driving force."

Lin Xue smiled and said, "That's a pretty strong statement. But let me tell you, being strong isn't enough; you also need methods, wisdom, and the ability to strike a balance."

Wu Zhiyuan listened attentively and took notes in his notebook, which showed his respect for Lin Xue.

"Zhiyuan, after you go there, how to handle your relationship with Secretary Yuan Jin will be the first and biggest test you face."

We must not compromise or abandon principles, turning the county government into an appendage of the county party committee;

However, one should not be overly assertive or confrontational, lest it lead to a split within the team and a standstill in work. Finding this balance is very difficult.

Yuan Jin is the Party Secretary and the head of the county Party committee leadership team. You should respect him, report to him as required, and seek his instructions when necessary.

But respect does not mean backing down. When it comes to government matters, you should make the decisions that are your responsibility, and you should not allow them to interfere in everything.

We also need to be careful about what we say to Wang Chengtang.

He is the deputy secretary, in charge of Party affairs and mass work; he has no jurisdiction over government matters.

But if he insists on taking action, you can't force him; you have to guide him to do what he should be concerned with.

Ultimately, it all boils down to two words: balance.

It is necessary to maintain the unity of the team while also safeguarding the boundaries of the government.

You need to figure out this art of balancing slowly.

Remember, your primary task is to develop the economy and improve people's livelihoods; everything must revolve around this central goal.

Wu Zhiyuan nodded solemnly: "Secretary Lin, I will maintain a proper balance, strive for unity in development, and establish prestige through hard work."

Lin Xue continued, "Secondly, regarding development strategy."

Qingyan County enjoys a superior geographical location, adjacent to the provincial capital Jiangzhou, with convenient transportation, and serves as a bridgehead for Longcheng City to connect with the provincial capital.

Logically speaking, with such a locational advantage, development should not lag behind.

However, in recent years, the economic and social development of Qingyan County has been lukewarm. Apart from a few resource-based industries, there are no decent enterprises or industrial clusters, which has wasted great opportunities.

While there are certainly reasons related to basic conditions and historical burdens, a significant factor is also the lack of unity and internal friction within the leadership team, which prevented them from truly focusing their energy on development.

Furthermore, Yuan Jin's development strategy is flawed.

He always thinks about carrying out those empty political achievements and image projects, resulting in a terrible business environment that cannot be effectively addressed.

As a result, they failed to attract large projects and also failed to retain small projects.

After you go down there, you need to calm down, do thorough research, understand the situation, and find your proper place.

The experience of Qingshan County can be learned from, but it cannot be copied verbatim.

Qingshan County is a mountainous county, and its resources are located in the mountains; Qingyan County is a suburban county, and its advantage lies in its location.

You need to focus on this locational advantage, not just follow Yuan Jin's ideas.

But then again, you are the county head, and you are in charge of the government's work, but major issues must be discussed at the Standing Committee meeting and approved by the Party Secretary.

How do you transform your ideas into a consensus within the team and gain the Party Secretary's approval? This requires communication, persuasion, and strategy. Figure that out yourself.

Wu Zhiyuan nodded thoughtfully.

Lin Xue's gaze turned serious: "Thirdly, regarding yourself."