Chapter 138: The Gradually Emerging Conflict

  Zhang Shao Cai's Zhangshi Construction Group is like a barometer of politics. When he first arrived in Huaiyang City, everything was very smooth, almost too smooth. Zhang Shao Cai seized the opportunity to expand his power and took on many construction projects, making a lot of money and increasing his influence. However, over the past two years, the group's development has slowed down, and they have not received as many projects as before. Nevertheless, in Huaiyang City, Zhangshi Construction Group is still the best.

  Among the changes, Zhang Shaocai was clear that when Ding Yuan first arrived in Huaiyang City, his reputation was very good. Relying on Ding Yuan's connections, Zhang Shaocai seized the opportunity to develop vigorously and laid a solid foundation. At that time, Zhang Shaocai was indeed sailing with the wind at his back. Later, after the group company had established a certain foundation, Zhang Shaocai realized that he couldn't just rely on Ding Yuan, so he also paid attention to maintaining good relations with Huang Haitao. However, wanting to shake off Ding Yuan's influence wasn't an easy task. In the business world, losing the support of officialdom was unimaginable, especially for a construction company. Later, as Huang Haitao gradually gained strength, Zhang Shaocai felt the impact. Another construction company in Huaiyang City, Jinxing Company, suddenly rose to prominence. It wasn't until much later that Zhang Shaocai realized that the mastermind behind Jinxing Company was Huang Siwei, Huang Haitao's youngest son. Not only that, but Jinxing Company's development path was a replica of the alliance between officials and businessmen. It was said that many officials had invested in the company, making it the most fearsome kind of enterprise, able to control the situation and effortlessly obtain numerous government projects.

  Now, Zhang Shao Cai is sparing no effort to maintain the company, relying on his thick connections and competing with Jin Jian Company. After Xu Shao Jie became the deputy director of the municipal party committee office, Zhang Shao Cai has been very low-key. He understands that Xu Shao Jie has just started out and cannot be drawn into the internal affairs of the company, otherwise, the situation would easily escalate into a direct confrontation between Xu Shao Jie and Huang Si Jun. Therefore, Zhang Shao Cai has never mentioned anything about the company's affairs.

  Zhang Shaocai understood the changes in the official situation, so he often made side attacks and told Xu Shaojie some of his own insights. Xu Shaojie was very smart and understood with just a hint. Xu Shaojie didn't ask about company matters, Zhang Shaocai was delighted. If Xu Shaojie was eager to use his advantages to help the company, that would be what made Zhang Shaocai anxious.

  Ding Yuan finally got the materials drafted by the Policy Research Office on adjusting the industrial structure of Huaiyang City. Since Ding Yuan proposed this idea, the Policy Research Office has been drafting materials according to his thoughts, combining the achievements of Huainan City. The process was not easy. Ding Yuan had already anticipated the difficulties that would be encountered, so he intensified consultations with Lu Changzheng and Lang Shifu. Both of them fully agreed with Ding Yuan's proposal. Huainan City has achieved success, and the next step is to select a county or city in Huaiyang City to comprehensively adjust its industrial structure. The next task is to discuss with Huang Haitao the adjustment of the industrial structure, which is a decision made by the municipal party committee and implemented by the government. If Huang Haitao raises too many opinions, it will still be difficult to pass at the Standing Committee meeting.

  Before Huang Haitao entered Ding Yuan's office, he still shook hands with Xu Shaojie and encouraged Xu Shaojie to work hard, as if nothing had happened. Yu Huixiang was still in Xu Shaojie's office, chatting idly, both being very polite to each other.

  "Lao Huang, regarding the issue of industrial structure adjustment in Huaiyang City, we have discussed it many times before. Now, Huaian City has taken the lead and started a large-scale vegetable greenhouse project, changing the traditional pattern of mainly planting grains. I think this is a very good and successful model. Therefore, the Municipal Party Committee's Policy Research Office has drafted an opinion on continuing to promote industrial structure adjustment throughout Huaiyang City, following Huaian City's model. The initial draft was sent over a few days ago, and I'd like to exchange opinions with you."

  "Oh, the industrial structure adjustment is a big thing. I'm still thinking about it and haven't had time to carefully consider it. Although Huai'an City's vegetable greenhouse has been successful, it can't be said that it can be promoted throughout the city. Industrial structure adjustment is a comprehensive and systematic project, including industrial structure adjustment and agricultural structure adjustment. So, Huai'an City is also in the process of exploration and hasn't fully succeeded yet. For each county and city under Huaiyang City, what is suitable for development and what is not, all require us to spend effort researching and discussing. I personally think that the current timing is not mature enough. When Huai'an City has found a good path, we can promote it on a large scale in Huaiyang City."

  Ding Yuan suppressed his anger, Huang Haitao's attitude was very clear, he wanted to drag things out. Both of them knew that adjusting the industrial structure and making Huaiyang City rich as soon as possible was the general trend, but which leader completed this task made a difference. Ding Yuan had been in Huaiyang City for 5 years, if he didn't think about making changes and doing something big, the result would be leaving Huaiyang City in disappointment. The transformation of Huaian City couldn't cover up the slow pace of reform in the whole Huaiyang City. Now, as long as another county or city started to adjust, it could prove that Huaiyang City had entered a new stage of substantial work from experimentation and exploration. Huang Haitao agreed with the general guideline of adjusting the industrial structure but disagreed with immediate implementation, which was undoubtedly an attempt to delay, seemingly cautious on the surface but actually unwilling to see any substantial changes in Huaiyang City under Ding Yuan's leadership.

  "Lao Huang, I don't think so. Comrade Xiaoping has already made incisive remarks on the issues of reform and opening up and development. Although Huaiyang City may not be fully ripe at present, adjusting the industrial structure is a general trend. As the main responsible persons for Huaiyang City, we bear the heavy responsibility entrusted by the provincial party committee and government to develop Huaiyang City. If we hesitate in our work, we may miss opportunities for development. At present, Huaian City has already made successful explorations. So my intention is to immediately arrange for the adjustment of industrial structure in Huaiyang City. Of course, in specific work, we can first implement it in one or two counties and cities, requiring them to take steps forward in accordance with local conditions."

  The office fell silent for a moment, and Huang Haitao obviously did not expect Ding Yuan's attitude. According to the usual practice, Ding Yuan would express his opinions in principle, then discuss and revise them again, and finally confirm the opinions, which might be a matter of several months later. But today, Ding Yuan's attitude was different.

  "Secretary Ding, I agree with the adjustment of industrial structure, which is a major trend. However, I think it should be done prudently and only after we have made sufficient preparations can we fully launch the work of adjusting the industrial structure in Huaiyang City."

  "Lao Huang, your opinion represents a direction and understanding. For a long time, when we carried out our work, we have been striving for stability and were afraid of encountering various problems. This has its advantages, as it can maintain the stability of the situation, but there are also shortcomings - our development pace is too slow and cannot keep up with the rhythm. Now that we have stabilized for many years, we should take a step forward. The overall principle of Huaiyang City's 'big stability, small adjustments' remains unchanged, but in local areas, there must be some changes. Lao Huang, my opinion is to convene a secretary's office meeting to study the work approach for adjusting Huaiyang City's industrial structure, clarify our opinions and then hold a standing committee meeting to pass it. Of course, we will first implement this in one or two counties and cities, while other areas do a good job of investigation and research. Lao Huang, I hope everyone can unify their understanding - Huaiyang City must develop, this is the requirement of the provincial party committee and government, and even more so, it is the responsibility given to us by the times."

  It seems that Huang Haitao can no longer say anything else, nor can he find any excuses. It appears that through this industrial restructuring plan, it is an unstoppable thing.

  "Now that Secretary Ding has made up his mind, I agree with him. I suggest we start by selecting a county or city to implement it first. How about we choose Yuhong County?"

  Ding Yuan did not expect Huang Haitao to agree so quickly, he was a bit unprepared, so when Huang Haitao mentioned Yu Hong County, Ding Yuan didn't think much and nodded in agreement.

  Xu Shaojie saw Huang Haitao come out, his face didn't have any expression.

  The secretary's office quickly passed the method of adjusting the industrial structure of Huaiyang City, and next is to hold a standing committee meeting. Xu Shaojie was not qualified to attend the secretary's office meeting, but he had to attend the standing committee meeting.

  During this period, Xu Shaojie and Liao Hongyun's secretary-general had more contact with each other because they involved unifying opinions. Before the secretary office meeting and the standing committee meeting, all work had to be done well to avoid major differences in principle on the standing committee meeting. Therefore, Xu Shaojie and Liao Hongyun worked according to Secretary Ding Yuan's requirements. Xu Shaojie organized Secretary Ding Yuan's opinions and handed them over to Liao Hongyun. Liao Hongyun discussed with some of the municipal party committee members and fed back the opinions to Xu Shaojie. After Xu Shaojie sorted it out, he handed it over to Secretary Ding Yuan. This work started in a hurry after Ding Yuan and Huang Haitao unified their opinions.

  Liao Hongyun has always been very concerned about Xu Shaojie, due to the relationship with Secretary Ding Yuan, Liao Hongyun regards Xu Shaojie as one of the most trusted cadres in the unit. Many things are discussed with Xu Shaojie, and Xu Shaojie also respects Liao Hongyun, rarely expressing his opinions, and many things do not need him to consider for the time being.

  The Standing Committee meeting went smoothly, with no dissenting opinions. The working method for adjusting the industrial structure of Huaiyang City was unanimously adopted, including Huang Haitao and Zhu Zongxiang, who did not raise any objections. When determining the first county to implement, Huang Haitao proposed Yuhong County. Since Ding Yuan had no objection, the others would not oppose it either. The meeting also decided that Mayor Huang Haitao would be in charge of the overall work of adjusting the industrial structure, and Municipal Party Committee Deputy Secretary Lang Shifu would take care of the specific work.

  Xu Shaojie was delighted for Secretary Ding Yuan, finally taking a solid step forward, which is a good sign. No matter what, as long as there's progress, it's a good phenomenon. In fact, Xu Shaojie wasn't aware that once Secretary Ding Yuan made up his mind, no one could stop him from making decisions, this was the needle hidden in the cotton.

  The municipal party committee and government held separate meetings to convey and implement the municipal party committee's work ideas and opinions on adjusting the industrial structure, causing a stir in Huaiyang City. The vegetable greenhouses in Huaian City were particularly mentioned, and Zhao Deling and Xu Yunfei made typical speeches at different meetings.

  Everything seems to be going smoothly, the next step is the specific action of Yuhong County, and the attention of the whole city is focused on Yuhong County. The implication is self-evident, if Yuhong County also achieves great success like Huai'an City, then it goes without saying that all counties and cities will follow suit. If Yuhong County encounters setbacks, then everyone will have to weigh their options carefully and think about how to proceed in the future.

  Ding Yuan returned to the provincial capital again. This time, Xu Shaojie found that Secretary Ding's face was even more severe. He didn't know why this situation had arisen, but he still felt a little uneasy in his heart. As for Secretary Ding's activities in the provincial capital, Xu Shaojie wasn't clear about them. However, Huaiyang City is now at a critical stage. The goal has been set, and the key is to implement it. Huang Haitao is responsible for the work of adjusting the industrial structure. Xu Shaojie was somewhat puzzled as to why Secretary Ding didn't take personal charge of grasping the adjustment of the industrial structure. This is related to the future development of Huaiyang City. In any case, having a firm grasp on things makes one feel more at ease. Moreover, arrangements and adjustments can be made at any time.

  Several meetings were attended by Xu Shaojie, and Ding Yuan emphasized at the meeting that the adjustment of industrial structure is an important task for Huaiyang City in the near future, even the main task. All levels of party committees and governments must put it on the agenda, have a real plan, and implement it. It cannot be achieved by holding meetings to achieve meetings, or by using spirit to achieve spirit. However, Huang Haitao's statement at the meeting was somewhat different. Huang Haitao also emphasized the importance of the work, but his focus was on Yuhong County, requiring Yuhong County to grasp the implementation of the work well, without emphasizing that other counties and cities should start taking action immediately.

  Chen Mubiao and Xu Shaojie's contact has increased, recently Chen Mubiao and Li Ming's relationship has become closer, even the work division has felt some changes. He Xuxiong and Chen Dazhi have suddenly made more demands, compared to the beginning, there are some subtle changes, for example, issues like agricultural development and investment funds need to be reported before making decisions. The county held a standing committee meeting, with some adjustments in the division of labor, the deputy secretary in charge of organizational work assisted Chen Mubiao's work, which is quite ridiculous, as the deputy secretary in charge of organizational work ranks above Chen Mubiao. If there are matters that require decision-making, it's unclear who should be listened to. On the surface, Chen Mubiao is responsible for the county's agricultural work and bears responsibility, but what the actual situation is, is hard to say.

  Xu Shaojie quickly understood that Huang Haitao had made his move. If Chen Mubiao could find his way back and draw a clear line with Li Ming, and then with himself, he would be able to extricate himself from this situation soon. In the current confrontation, it was obviously impossible to please both sides, so he had to choose one side. Moreover, there was also Chen Dengxiang's change of attitude. Xu Shaojie couldn't think of a good solution and could only instruct Chen Mubiao not to sign his name easily, or even not to sign at all. For agricultural matters, whoever made the statement would be the one to sign, or it could be signed after collective research by the county committee. At other times, he should push back, unless it was a decision he had made himself, and he must avoid being scapegoated.

  Ding Yuan and Lu Changzheng's contact has increased significantly, so Xu Shaojie and Qian Dazhi have spent more time together. Qian Dazhi still maintains his usual eight-sided appearance, but only when he is with Xu Shaojie does he appear serious. Qian Dazhi is still capable, and through this period of observation, he doesn't look favorably on the situation in Huaiyang City. The ice that freezes to three feet didn't form overnight; wanting to change the situation in Huaiyang City isn't something that can be done in a day or two. From the perspective of cadres, there is a widespread existence of seeking stability and fearing rapid progress, not thinking about making progress. If some main leaders cannot be adjusted, it will be difficult for a turning point to appear.