Absolute power in officialdom

Chapter 352 Being low-key doesn't mean being a pushover.

Before Wu Zhiyuan took office, Lin Xue advised him to be calm and low-key.

Because Lin Xue knew Wu Zhiyuan's personality traits.

Faced with the deeply entrenched network of interests in Qingyan County, the arrogant local bullies, the deeply entrenched formalism, and the helpless gazes of the people, Wu Zhiyuan found it difficult to remain low-key.

If being low-key means being a nice guy, a peacemaker, and turning a blind eye to all sorts of problems, then it's better not to be low-key at all.

Of course, Wu Zhiyuan also knew that his relentless criticism of Xia Lin and his complete subjugation of Liao Chenggong would inevitably offend people.

If being a county magistrate means being afraid of offending people, then you might as well retire at the archives bureau!

Wu Zhiyuan then turned to Ma Zhenshan and Fan Xiaoyong: "You are the main leaders of the town's Party committee and government. Have you been aware of the work style of the police station and the security situation in your jurisdiction? Have you inquired about it? Have you urged rectification?"

Ma Zhenshan and Fan Xiaoyong looked at each other, not daring to say anything.

Wu Zhiyuan said bluntly, "It seems you were aware of this too. Knowing it, yet ignoring it and letting the problem exist. What is this if not dereliction of duty?"

Ma Zhenshan quickly said, "County Chief Wu, we do indeed bear responsibility, and we will definitely rectify the situation upon returning..."

Wu Zhiyuan interrupted him: "Rectification? Another rectification? I've been listening to this for half the day in Xigou Village."

The problems of roads, drinking water, basic living allowances, dilapidated housing renovation, public security, and shell companies—which one can't be solved by rectification?

How long have the people waited for rectification? And what have they received in return?

Ma Zhenshan was speechless.

Wu Zhiyuan softened his tone slightly: "You need to understand one thing: what are we taking taxpayers' money for?"

It is to serve the people, to enable the people to live a good life, and to give the people a sense of security, happiness, and fulfillment!

It's not about making the numbers look good, it's not about generating revenue through fines, it's not about keeping my position!

He pointed to the villagers watching: "Look at these people, look into their eyes."

Their eyes held expectation, hope, disappointment, and distrust.

Why? Because we people haven't done enough, haven't done enough, and have even made mistakes!

We owe them so much!

Wu Zhiyuan continued, "Starting today, the work in Daling Town must change."

The problems of roads, drinking water, basic living allowances, renovation of dilapidated houses, public security, and shell companies are all being addressed one by one and implemented one by one.

I don't expect you to solve all the problems overnight, but I do ask you to show your attitude and take action, so that the people can see changes and see hope!

Wu Zhiyuan's gaze fell on Xia Lin: "Director Xia, can the social security problem in Xigou Village be fundamentally improved?"

If you can't do it, you can bring it up now. I suggest the county public security bureau replace you!

Xia Lin dared not utter a single word of refusal: "County Chief Wu, I guarantee I will do it! I will resolutely rectify the situation and resolutely complete the task!"

Wu Zhiyuan looked at Xia Lin, then glanced at Ma Zhenshan and Fan Xiaoyong, and finally his gaze fell on the villagers: "There is an old saying: Nothing is difficult in this world if you put your heart into it."

Today I'd like to add one more thing: in this world, many times, what we need to fear most is the word "earnestness".

Why is it that in many of our jobs, year after year, the problems and difficulties remain the same?

Are these problems truly unsolvable? Are these difficulties truly insurmountable? I think not!

Often, what's lacking is that serious attitude!

Is poor public security due to insufficient police force? Of course, insufficient police force is indeed a reason.

However, have they seriously analyzed the patterns of crime, mobilized the masses for joint prevention, and diligently conducted door-to-door visits?

Wu Zhiyuan looked at the villagers: "I said a lot today and criticized a lot of people."

But I believe that as long as we all take this seriously from top to bottom and focus on doing practical things for the people and solving their problems, the roads in Xigou Village will be repaired, there will be enough water, public security will improve, everyone's good products will be able to be sold, and life will definitely get better day by day.

This will take time, so please give us some time and keep an eye on us to see if we are truly working hard!

……

On the way back to the city, Liu Feng said with deep feeling, "County Chief Wu, I used to often go to the countryside for research with the main leaders of the county party committee and county government."

But all of that was just going through the motions: listening to reports, flipping through meeting minutes, checking pre-arranged points, and exchanging a few meaningless words with cadres and the masses.

Like today, ignoring reports and model examples, we plunged headlong into the most remote villages.

He sat down with the people, listened to their honest opinions and complaints, made decisions on the spot to solve problems, and reprimanded derelict officials in person.

To be honest, I haven't seen him in many years.

Wu Zhiyuan slowly said, "County Chief Liu, what can you see by just a quick visit?"

The pre-arranged sites and the crowds only say what the leaders want to hear, and even if they raise some questions, they are just scratching the surface.

Such research is a complete waste of time and is utterly meaningless.

What we see and hear today is the true face of some villages in Qingyan County.

Difficult roads, water shortages, weak industries, poor public security...

How can we talk about development if these problems aren't solved?

He paused, then looked at Liu Feng: "County Chief Liu, you are in charge of agriculture, forestry, water resources, poverty alleviation, and civil affairs. You should have the most experience with these matters."

Liu Feng sighed softly: "County Chief Wu, to be honest, I am deeply moved."

I have traveled to all the townships and more than half of the villages in Qingyan County.

The situation in Xigou Village is not an isolated case; in fact, it could be said that it's relatively good. Some villages are in much worse condition.

When I was the director of the Agriculture Bureau, I proposed to concentrate our efforts on building several key rural roads to open up the "last mile" of transporting mountain products to other areas.

It was also mentioned that resources should be integrated to create several distinctive agricultural product brands, establish cooperatives, and engage in deep processing.

Countless reports were written, countless proposals were submitted, but what was the final result?

They either disappear without a trace, or they are criticized for being unrealistic and having unrealistic ambitions.

The county's limited funds are all invested in places that can produce remarkable results, such as road construction, square building, lighting, and greening in the development zone.

The truly essential public welfare projects that require significant investment and have a slow return are rarely prioritized.

Wu Zhiyuan asked, "Why can't we get a number?"

Liu Feng said, "Because of performance evaluations. GDP growth rate, fixed asset investment, fiscal revenue, investment attraction agreements..."

These are all hard indicators, serving as the "command stick" for counties to assess townships and cities to assess counties.

Building a road in the mountains costs millions of dollars, and there may be no obvious economic return for several years.

The introduction of a single enterprise, even a mere invoicing company like a waste recycling company, can count as investment attraction in the year it settles in the city, boosting GDP and tax revenue.

The higher-ups demand numbers, so the lower-ups can only report numbers; it's a chain of deception.

Do you think those shell companies set up in Daling Town are doing this willingly? They are actually forced into it.

If targets are not met, the year-end assessment will be at the bottom, no chance of being recognized for awards or commendations, no hope of promotion, and there is even the possibility of being held accountable and reassigned.

Under such pressure, who dares to tell the truth? Who dares not to lie?

Wu Zhiyuan continued, "I have worked at the grassroots level, so I know what ordinary people care about most."

They don't care how many percentage points GDP grew, how many billions of yuan were attracted in investment, or what threshold fiscal revenue was surpassed.

What they care about is: when will the road in front of their house be repaired, when will the drinking water problem be solved, whether they can sell their chickens and ducks for a good price, whether they can sleep peacefully at night, whether they can afford medical treatment if they get sick, and whether it is convenient for their children to go to school.

These things may not make the headlines or appear in glamorous reports, but they represent the most tangible and direct feelings of ordinary people—they are truly projects that win the hearts and minds of the people!

Wu Zhiyuan sighed softly: "What are we doing in politics?"

On a grander scale, it is about serving the people;

On a smaller scale, it means being true to one's conscience.

If officials only focus on performance indicators from above, only think about how to make the data look good, only think about how to keep their positions and climb the ladder, while turning a blind eye and a deaf ear to the suffering of ordinary people, what difference is there between them and the bureaucrats of the old society?

Liu Feng nodded repeatedly, expressing his deep agreement.

Wu Zhiyuan continued, "County Chief Liu, you just said that it seems difficult to achieve results in agriculture, forestry, water resources, civil affairs, and poverty alleviation."

I don't see it that way. On the contrary, I believe that this kind of work is the most effective and will bring the most tangible changes to ordinary people.

What is achievement? The smiles on the faces of ordinary people are achievement, the positive reputation of ordinary people is achievement, and the fact that ordinary people's lives are getting better and better is achievement.

Such achievements are more meaningful, more substantial, and more likely to stand the test of history than cold, hard numbers.

County Chief Liu, you have worked in Qingyan County for many years, you are familiar with the rural situation and have feelings for the people.

Agriculture, forestry, water conservancy, civil affairs, and poverty alleviation are indeed tough, tiring, and meticulous tasks, unlike undertaking a large-scale project that is spectacular and attracts attention.

However, these tasks are closest to ordinary people and can directly benefit them the most.

Building a road can solve the problem of travel difficulties for hundreds of people in a village;

Digging a few wells can free the villagers from worrying about drinking water;

By setting up a cooperative, we can turn the local specialties from the mountains into real money and put it into the pockets of ordinary people.

If we do these things one by one, and persist year after year, little by little, we will accumulate achievements and build a great tower from grains of sand, and the face of Qingyan will undergo a fundamental change.

Liu Feng nodded solemnly: "County Chief Wu, I completely agree. These things are indeed worth doing, and should be done."

Wu Zhiyuan smiled and said, "So, County Chief Liu, I hope you will roll up your sleeves and work hard."

You've served as the director of the agricultural bureau and the secretary of a township government; you know more about rural issues than I do.

What are your thoughts on the agricultural industrialization in Qingyan?

Although I would say that as long as the direction is right and as long as it benefits the people, I will fully support it.

Liu Feng was someone who wanted to get things done and was capable of doing so, but before Wu Zhiyuan came, he was marginalized. If he hadn't been a well-known "workaholic" type of cadre, he would have been dismissed as deputy county head.

Upon hearing Wu Zhiyuan's words, he perked up: "County Chief Wu, since you trust me so much, I'll be frank."

Agriculture in Qingyan is both difficult and easy.

The difficulties lie in the poor infrastructure, weak foundation, inconvenient transportation, and fragmented land.

"It's easy to find products with a good ecological environment, many unique features, and little pollution, giving them a natural advantage in product quality..."

Liu Feng spoke eloquently, focusing on several key aspects: one village, one product; cooperatives plus farmers; building local specialty brands; developing deep processing of agricultural products; and integrating agriculture with tourism.

Wu Zhiyuan could tell that Liu Feng had a clear vision and had deep thoughts on the work related to agriculture, rural areas, and farmers.

He stated, "County Chief Liu, as long as it's for the benefit of the people of Qingyan and for the long-term development of Qingyan, then go ahead and do it."

If we encounter resistance, I will coordinate; if problems arise, as long as they are not matters of principle, I will take responsibility.

What we need is not a fleeting frenzy, but sustainable development, and tangible benefits for ordinary people.

……

That evening, at a mountain villa in Qingyan County, Liao Chenggong hosted a banquet for Yuan Jin and others.