Absolute power in officialdom

Chapter 337 The County People's Congress Standing Committee Director Who Dares to Speak the Tru

Yuan Jin's words, though seemingly earnest, were actually setting rules for Wu Zhiyuan. Every sentence emphasized the county committee, which is essentially him, and his leading and final decision-making power over government work.

How could Wu Zhiyuan not understand?

But Lin Xue's admonition to "keep a low profile and not be too sharp" still rings in our ears.

He humbly said, "Secretary Yuan's instructions are very correct. There are countless tasks in government work, and the county party committee is indeed needed to set the direction and manage the overall situation."

I need to report to you on major matters and important decisions, and I also ask for your guidance and oversight.

Yuan Jin nodded in satisfaction: "It's not really about providing guidance. From now on, we need to work together to do a good job in Qingyan County."

After leaving Yuan Jin's office, Wu Zhiyuan went straight to the office of Han Jie, the director of the county people's congress standing committee.

The county people's congress and the county party committee and county government share the same office area.

Han Jie is from Haihe County. He served as a township head, town party secretary, and deputy county head in Haihe County. Ten years ago, he was transferred to Qingyan County, where he served as a member of the Standing Committee of the County Party Committee and secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission. He was later promoted to deputy secretary of the County Party Committee. Three years ago, he was transferred to the position of chairman of the Standing Committee of the County People's Congress.

In Qingyan County, Han Jie is a senior figure with extensive connections and high prestige.

Wu Zhiyuan's current position is Deputy Secretary of the County Party Committee and candidate for County Mayor. There are still two key procedures before he can officially become the County Mayor:

First, the county people's congress standing committee needs to appoint him as deputy county head or acting county head;

Then, at the county people's congress to be held early next year, he will be elected as the county head.

The county magistrate election was a single-candidate election, and in theory it was just a formality, but Wu Zhiyuan dared not be careless in the slightest.

He was well aware of the complexity of the grassroots political landscape and clearly remembered the lesson of Ding Yiyi's near-failure in the election.

Visiting Han Jie was both a matter of procedural respect and a political gesture.

Han Jie was reading documents when Wu Zhiyuan knocked on the door a few times as a courtesy.

Han Jie looked up and saw that it was Wu Zhiyuan. He quickly stood up and said, "County Chief Wu, please sit down."

Wu Zhiyuan said modestly, "Director Han, please don't call me County Chief Wu. Just call me Zhiyuan or Xiao Wu."

I am still a candidate, and whether I can officially assume office depends on the trust of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress and all the representatives.

I'm here today for two reasons: first, to report my thoughts to you, and second, to express my respect, as the National People's Congress is both a power organ and a supervisory body.

The county government's future work will depend on the supervision, support, and assistance of the People's Congress.

I will certainly accept supervision, strictly perform my duties in accordance with the law, and strictly implement all legal procedures without fail.

Wu Zhiyuan's brief remarks impressed Han Jie.

Having been in politics for many years, what kind of young cadres haven't Han Jie seen?

Some young cadres are full of ambition from the moment they take office, and they can't wait to let the whole world know that they are going to become county magistrate;

Some were extremely cautious, afraid of saying or doing the wrong thing.

Young people like Wu Zhiyuan, who are both humble and low-key, and who can explain procedures clearly, are rare.

Han Jie waved his hand and laughed, "Zhiyuan, you're too kind. Procedures are procedures, but we old guys know what we're doing."

"Once the municipal party committee has made a decision, the people's congress will definitely cooperate. Come, come, sit down and let's talk."

Han Jie personally poured Wu Zhiyuan a cup of tea.

Wu Zhiyuan accepted the teacup with both hands, thanked him, and then said, "Speaking of which, Director Han and I are from the same hometown. I'm also from Haihe County, and my ancestral home is in Longqiao Town."

Han Jie's eyes lit up: "Zhiyuan is also from Haihe County? My hometown is Qinghe Town, which is only a dozen kilometers away from Longqiao Town."

When I worked in Haihe County, I often went to Longqiao Town.

Since they were both from the same hometown of Haihe, the two became closer.

After chatting for a while, Han Jie said meaningfully, "Zhiyuan, since we're from the same hometown, I won't stand on ceremony with you."

You just said you wanted to report your thoughts to the National People's Congress. Listening to that, I know you're a sensible person.

But simply understanding isn't enough; you also need a plan. What are your thoughts on Qingyan?

Wu Zhiyuan knew that Han Jie was testing him. After thinking for a moment, he said sincerely, "Director Han, to be honest, I'm new here and haven't figured out the situation yet."

I've read the Qingyan County Gazetteer and looked at some other materials, but what I've learned from books is ultimately superficial.

Next, I plan to go deep into the grassroots, visit all the townships and major departments, and get a clear understanding of the situation.

"You're a long-time resident of Qingyan County. I'd like to ask you, where are the bottlenecks in Qingyan County's development? And where is the way out?"

Han Jie was silent for a few seconds before slowly speaking: "Zhiyuan, since you asked so sincerely, I'll say a few words from the bottom of my heart."

I'm not afraid of offending people, since I'll be retiring after this term anyway. There are some things I've been keeping to myself for years.

The biggest problem in Qingyan County is not poverty or remoteness, but rather that it's holding a golden rice bowl while begging for food.

Wu Zhiyuan listened very attentively.

Han Jie walked to the map on the office wall and pointed to the location of Qingyan County: "Zhiyuan, look at the map. Qingyan is right next to the provincial capital Jiangzhou. It is the bridgehead connecting Longcheng with the provincial capital."

It takes less than an hour to drive from the county town to Jiangzhou city.

The nearest town is only 40 kilometers from Jiangzhou city.

Han Jie then changed the subject: "But, have we made use of such a good location? No!"

Over the years, apart from a few small resource-based enterprises, what decent industries have been attracted? None!

Have we absorbed the industrial spillover from the provincial capital? No!

Have we met the consumption needs of the provincial capital? No, we haven't!

Han Jie asked himself the question and answered it himself: "Why? Because my mind wasn't on development!"

He paused for a moment, then continued, "Zhiyuan, you may have heard that the leadership of Qingyan has been quite turbulent in recent years."

You know how the previous county magistrate got into trouble, even if I don't tell you.

But do you think it's just his problem?

The team is not united. The top leader is too domineering, and the second-in-command is not convinced. The two of them are fighting each other. Who has the mind to focus on development?

The end result was a lose-lose situation, with the common people suffering.

This statement is quite blunt, directly targeting Yuan Jin, the county party secretary.

At their first meeting, Han Jie criticized Yuan Jin. This showed that Han Jie's actions had caused dissatisfaction among many people, and also that Han Jie dared to speak out, unlike some leaders who would protect themselves and keep their grievances to themselves for fear of offending others.

Of course, as a NPC official who is about to retire, there is really nothing to worry about.

Han Jie continued, "When I said the top leader is too powerful, I didn't mean he should manage what he should manage, but rather that he oversteps his bounds."

He had to be involved in all matters concerning the government, including the division of responsibilities among the deputy county heads;

He has to make the final decision on projects, even those involving investments of several million.

They also have a firm grip on personnel matters.

And what was the result? He failed to manage the direction, the overall situation, and Party building that he was supposed to be in charge of.

The county party committee's standing committee meeting turned into a government office meeting;

The government's rightful autonomy is being eroded little by little.

"Zhiyuan, you are the county magistrate, and you are in charge of the government's work."

But in Qingyan, it's probably not so easy for you to actually take charge of government work.

Some things, you can't decide on your own; you have to go to the Standing Committee.

Some projects you can push forward, but someone can stop them with just a single sentence.

This is not an exaggeration; it's a fact learned from the lessons of the previous county magistrate.

Wu Zhiyuan said sincerely, "Director Han, thank you for telling me all this."

I understand that the situation in Qingyan is complex, and I will act cautiously, upholding the authority of the county party committee while fulfilling the government's responsibilities.

Han Jie waved his hand: "Being cautious is necessary, but we can't just be cautious."

You are the head of a county, holding a fiscal budget of one billion yuan and managing the livelihoods of millions of people.

When it's your decision to make a decision, you must dare to make that decision; when it's your responsibility to push forward a task, you must dare to push it forward.

We can't let fear of conflict make us hesitant and timid; otherwise, we'll end up accomplishing nothing.

He paused, his tone softening slightly: "Of course, Zhiyuan, I'm not asking you to confront Secretary Yuan head-on."

Trying to resist is futile; you can't win, and there's no need to.

I'm reminding you to fight for what you should fight for and to defend the boundaries you should defend.

How to maintain it? Through concrete results, through popular support, and through the support of the majority of cadres.

"Many people have a sense of right and wrong; they can clearly see who is truly dedicated to their work and who is just wasting their time."

Go down to the grassroots level to conduct research, get to know the cadres better, listen to their voices, and put to use those cadres who are willing and able to do things but have been marginalized for various reasons.

As long as you can unite a group of people and accomplish a few practical things, you will gradually be able to gain a foothold.

Wu Zhiyuan listened attentively, nodding occasionally.

Han Jie then said, "Let's talk about development strategy. As I just mentioned, Qingyan's advantage is its location."

"Those who live near mountains live off the mountains, those who live near water live off the water, and those who live near the provincial capital should eat the food of the provincial capital."

What does the provincial capital have? It has a population of several million, a huge consumer market, and ever-increasing industrial demand.

Can our Qingyan become the provincial capital's vegetable basket and back garden?

Can we accommodate the industrial relocation from the provincial capital? Can we provide supporting services for enterprises in the provincial capital?

"Also, there are so many research institutes and universities in the provincial capital. Could we introduce some scientific and technological achievements to Qingyan for transformation?"

With such a large demand for health and wellness services in the provincial capital, could we build a few decent health and wellness bases?

With so many universities in the provincial capital, could we allow some of them to build branch campuses in Qingyan, or even establish a university town?

These things are easier said than done.

What are the difficulties? The difficulties lie in whether we can broaden our thinking, whether policies can be coordinated, whether the business environment can keep up, and whether there are people truly committed to implementation.

Han Jie stood up, put his hands behind his back, and paced around the office: "Zhiyuan, what I just said is the long-term direction."

But right now, Qingyan's biggest problem isn't these high-level issues, but rather some of the most basic, even somewhat shady, matters.

He asked, "Zhiyuan, do you know the real situation regarding investment attraction in Qingyan County?"

Wu Zhiyuan shook his head, his attitude sincere: "Director Han, I just arrived and haven't had time to get to know you better yet."

Judging from the materials, the number of projects introduced in recent years is considerable, and the investment amount is also substantial.

Han Jie sneered: "Materials? If materials were reliable, pigs would fly!"

He said bluntly, "Zhiyuan, I'm telling you the truth."

Qingyan's investment promotion efforts in recent years have been nothing more than a numbers game, a self-deceiving farce.

There are tasks and assessments from above. Failure to complete them will result in being notified and summoned for talks, affecting the year-end evaluation.

The tasks are broken down layer by layer, and the townships can't complete them. What to do? Then they resort to falsification.

How to fake it? There are many methods. The most common is for townships to register shell companies themselves.

The higher authorities require the introduction of industrial projects. Okay, town and village officials, or relatives and friends, or villagers, register a certain industrial and trading company or a certain processing plant. Once the business license is obtained, it counts as a project.

Since no real investment or production is required, all that's needed is to fill in an investment amount of several million or tens of millions on the financial statements.

"Another option is to renovate the old project."

A project that was introduced the year before last went bankrupt last year. No problem, we'll just change the name, re-register a company, and start counting it as a new project this year.

A fishpond is called an aquaculture base this year, a recreational fishing center next year, and an ecological agricultural tourism park the year after. Three projects in three years, with innovation every year.

Even worse, some townships have included local grocery stores and small restaurants as investment projects.

As long as you have a business license, you can report it to higher authorities.

That's not even the worst part. At least the grocery stores and small restaurants are real, but some villages directly allow villagers to obtain fake business licenses, and some village secretaries have even obtained multiple licenses themselves.