Chapter 140: Undercurrents Surge

  It has been a month since the last Standing Committee meeting.

  Lang Shifeng stormed into Ding Yuan's office with a belly full of anger.

  "Secretary Ding, this is unacceptable. At this rate of progress, we can't even mention adjusting the industrial structure this year. Yuhong County first proposed to conduct a thorough investigation and discussion, then held meetings to study it, then went to the provincial city to ask experts for evaluation, and after returning, they still need to repeatedly discuss and debate. Now it's been over a month, and they haven't even come up with a plan yet. I've been to Yuhong County several times, and they either say they've reported to the municipal government or that they're still studying it."

  Ding Yuan had known about this matter for a long time, and he understood why Huang Haitao was so quick to agree. On the surface, he had agreed, but when it came down to implementation, it wasn't necessarily going to be that easy. Ding Yuan really wanted to lose his temper and bring up the issue publicly at the Standing Committee meeting. Yu Hong County had responsibility, but the root of the problem lay with the municipal government, with Huang Haitao. However, Ding Yuan couldn't muster up the courage because what he was worried about was finally going to come true.

  The provincial party committee will make personnel adjustments in the second half of the year. Ding Yuan had heard this news during the Spring Festival. Personnel adjustments are normal, but what is most unfavorable to Ding Yuan is that Provincial Party Committee Deputy Secretary Xu Guangkun will be stepping down, likely to take up the post of Vice Director at the Provincial People's Congress. On one hand, it's due to age reasons; on the other hand, Xu Guangkun has been striving to get transferred to Beijing. Another possibility is that his backstage connections are not strong enough. Xu Guangkun is a powerful supporter of Ding Yuan. Ding Yuan has worked in Huaiyang City for 5 years without achieving much, and the provincial party committee had intended to make adjustments before. Thanks to Xu Guangkun's support, Ding Yuan was able to continue serving as the city party secretary. This time, when Ding Yuan went to the provincial capital, he basically confirmed this news. What's more crucial is that Sun Zhi-chao, the Executive Vice Governor, will take over Xu Guangkun's post as the Deputy Secretary in charge of organizational work at the Provincial Party Committee.

  Not long ago, Ding Yuan just knew that Sun Zhi-chao was more supportive of Huang Hai-tao. Why they had contact with each other, Ding Yuan wasn't very clear about. Ding Yuan once asked Xu Guang-kun about Sun Zhi-chao supporting Huang Hai-tao, and Xu Guang-kun didn't express any opposition, which means this news is true. In that case, Ding Yuan's position would be precarious, and it's possible he'll be adjusted by the end of the year.

  Ding Yuan is now filled with regret. Over the years in Huaiyang City, he has always had Xu Guangkun's support, but he didn't realize the subtlety of the situation and failed to make good use of this time to change the situation in Huaiyang City and promote its rapid economic development. He thought that maintaining stability was the best political achievement, but it turned out to be completely wrong. Ding Yuan never thought he could continue to advance in his official career because he didn't have a powerful backer. In today's situation, working hard is one aspect, but relationships are even more important. Until now, Ding Yuan realized that he had been very promising and could have made achievements in his work, taking advantage of his age, he could have been promoted. So when Xu Shaojie made a name for himself in Yudu District, Ding Yuan was eager to comprehensively promote himself in Huaiyang City, but he has already missed the best opportunity, unless a miracle happens.

  "Director Lang, what's your opinion?"

  "I suggest holding a secretary's office meeting to study this matter, urging Yuhong County to speed up its pace. Always being afraid of wolves in front and tigers behind, how can we do a good job?"

  "Alright, you go to Yuhong County for a trip, see what degree their work has reached, get materials on the progress of their work, we will hold a secretary office meeting to study it, and when necessary, hold a standing committee meeting to study it."

  Looking at Lang Shifus confident appearance, Ding Yuan felt that there was nothing remarkable about it. With an ordinary background, he had become the municipal party secretary, which was already quite good. As for himself, he was still the municipal party secretary and would continue to perform his duties and do a good job. Even if the provincial party committee made adjustments, he would not regret it. At least before leaving office, he could accomplish some things and leave behind a legacy for Huaiyang City's development.

  Huang Haitao is in a very good mood.

  News of possible adjustments to the provincial party committee, Huang Haitao is also very concerned about this. Such a big thing, Huang Haitao almost went all out to investigate the news, which affects his own career path. There's nothing more important than this matter. As expected, Huang Haitao recently just received the news that Xu Guangkun may step down, and Sun Zhi-chao will take over as the deputy secretary in charge of organizational work. Huang Haitao was overjoyed. As for the news that Chen Dengxiang might be appointed vice governor, it's not that important anymore. In order to get close to Sun Zhi-chao, Huang Haitao can be said to have spared no effort. When Sun Zhi-chao was still serving as the secretary-general of the provincial government, he began to establish connections. Fortunately, he chose correctly. The matter of adjusting the industrial structure in Huaiyang City must be suppressed now. This achievement cannot be let Ding Yuan take away. With Xu Guangkun stepping down, can Ding Yuan still think about dominating Huaiyang City? It's probably not that easy. He might have to leave Huaiyang City by the end of the year, or at least before the Spring Festival. Now, Huang Haitao thinks he should immediately go to the provincial capital to report his ideas to Sun Zhi-chao.

  Yu Huixiang entered Huang Haitao's office.

  "Xiao Yu, regarding the industrial structure adjustment in Yuhong County, I still hold that opinion. We must be steady and not rush into it. Take our time to thoroughly conduct the preliminary investigation and research, select the right projects. This is a major matter, we can't afford to make mistakes by being hasty and impulsive. History has proven this point time and again. Secretary Lang seems to be in a hurry, I'll find time to exchange views with him. Please convey my opinion to Yuhong County Party Committee and Government."

  "Alright, I'll go and do it right away."

  "Also, get ready, we're going to the provincial city this afternoon."

  I don't know what the reason is, but Yu Hong County's industrial structure adjustment has always been slow and has encountered all sorts of difficulties. Despite Lang Shifu's repeated urging, there has been no effect. Lang Shifu disagreed with Huang Haitao's views and exchanged opinions with Ding Yuan several times. Ding Yuan finally made up his mind to convene a secretary's office meeting to specifically study the Yu Hong County issue. The speed at which Yu Hong County is moving cannot be tolerated; more than a month has passed, almost two months have gone by, and still no plan has been put forward.

  The secretary's office meeting is still held in Ding Yuan's office.

  "Comrades, today's meeting is to specifically study the problem of industrial structure adjustment in Yuhong County. It has been almost two months since we started this topic, but Yuhong County still hasn't come up with a plan. This speed is too slow. So I think that today we are holding a secretary office meeting to unify our opinions and demand that Yuhong County accelerate its pace. Otherwise, we will consider it as the county's leadership team failing to thoroughly implement the spirit of the municipal party committee and consider making adjustments to their team."

  As soon as Ding Yuan finished speaking, Huang Haitao spoke up.

  "I am aware of the situation in Yu Hong County and have exchanged opinions with Secretary Lang several times, but I haven't had a chance to report back to Secretary Ding yet. The adjustment of industrial structure,"

  "When it comes to the future development direction of a county, Yu Hong County is very cautious and has conducted extensive research to select the most suitable development project. I think this responsible spirit is commendable. As for the time being a bit long, I think we can urge them to speed up their work pace. For such major events, we should give more time for consideration at the grassroots level, as it affects the entire situation. After all, all counties and cities are watching Yu Hong County, and they are also afraid of not doing a good job."

  The meeting had just begun and was already at an impasse, with Ding Yuan and Huang Haitao having completely different attitudes. In this situation, it all depended on Ding Yuan's attitude to reach a consensus. At this time, the other deputy posts were not suitable for expressing any opinions. Ding Yuan had already understood that recently, Huang Haitao had gone to the provincial city several times, and without saying anything, he knew what he was doing there. Time was running out, and Ding Yuan had to blaze a trail within the limited time.

  "What Mayor Huang said makes some sense, but we have already unified our views at the previous secretary's office meeting and standing committee meeting. I don't deny that doing anything has a process, but let's look at Huai'an City, which developed large vegetable greenhouses in a short period of time and achieved remarkable results. As long as we put the people first and think about their interests all the time, we can speed up our work pace. I have learned about some situations, such as Yu Hong County proposing a plan to develop its forestry industry based on its actual situation, which is worth considering. Having a good idea is key to implementation, and experts' opinions are worth learning from. Practice is the only way to gain true knowledge. No one will pave the way for you, no matter how much you talk or discuss, it's of little use. Therefore, I think that Yu Hong County's work has obvious shortcomings."

  The office was a bit dull for a while, and the secretary said something like this. In fact, Ding Yuan was indirectly criticizing Huang Haitao, which had never happened before. Huang Haitao's face turned slightly red, and he didn't speak for a moment.

  "I agree with Secretary Ding's opinion. After this period of work, I think Yu Hong County can accelerate its pace and comprehensively carry out the work of industrial structure adjustment. I have spent a lot of time in Yu Hong County and understand many situations. The Yu Hong County Party Committee and government should take the lead and work boldly."

  Lang Shifeng clearly supported Ding Yuan's point of view. As the municipal party committee vice secretary directly responsible for industrial structure adjustment work, his words carry weight.

  Next, Lu Changzheng expressed his views and supported Ding Yuan. At this point, opinions were basically clarified.

  "Secretary Ding, the secretary's office meeting made a decision, I have no opinion, but I have some thoughts and still want to say them out. Yuhong County has been very cautious in doing a good job and has reported to me many times, I agree with their opinions. Now that the secretary's office meeting has studied it, I suggest that we can ask Yuhong County to speed up its work pace, but we cannot propose specific time requirements, such as 10 days or half a month. This approach has great drawbacks. If Yuhong County's industrial structure adjustment fails, will our municipal party committee have to take responsibility? They may also make decisions that are not conducive to the work due to the urgency of time."

  Ding Yuan was extremely indignant and spoke for half a day, but Huang Haitao's one sentence still did not confirm the decision of the secretary's office meeting, without limiting time, what is the point of holding today's meeting, what effect does it have? Isn't the secretary's office meeting equivalent to child's play?

  "Mayor Huang, we held a secretary's office meeting today. The original intention was to ask Yu Hong County to come up with a specific timetable to see when they can start implementing specific work. As for when the overall work of industrial structure adjustment will be completed, it must follow the laws of development, and we cannot set a time limit. We will no longer discuss the issue of time requirements. Please let Comrade Lang Shifu represent the municipal party committee and have talks with the main leaders of Yu Hong County Party Committee and government. Within one month, come up with a plan; otherwise, the municipal party committee will take necessary organizational measures."

  Everyone left Ding Yuan's office with no smile on their face. The municipal party secretary and the mayor were a contradictory combination. If the two could unify their opinions, many tasks would be accomplished effortlessly, but if they couldn't, the city's development would be fraught with difficulties. Countless examples have proven this point. So, despite Ding Yuan's strict requirements, no one was optimistic about this matter.

  When Huang Haitao left the office, his face was expressionless and didn't show any anger. He seemed calm and composed, which made everyone feel uneasy instead. Did Huang Haitao have a plan in mind?

  Ding Yuan's heart sank, Huang Haitao must have known everything, it seemed like he had the upper hand. The more it was like this, the more Ding Yuan wouldn't back down. What's the big deal? It wasn't like he would be leaving Huaiyang City and stepping down as Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee for nothing. He might as well make a last-ditch effort before leaving. But Ding Yuan's heart ached, he wasn't alone, just looking at the current situation, what about Lu Changzheng? What about Lang Shifeng? The one he was most worried about was Xu Shaojie, if he left Huaiyang City, Xu Shaojie would be finished, unless he quickly transferred out of Huaiyang City and gave up his political future, finding some unit in the provincial capital to muddle along.

  After the secretary's office meeting, the situation in Huaiyang City became somewhat subtle. There are no walls that don't leak wind, and the opinions of the secretary's office meeting were known to everyone below in a short time. The fact that Ding Yuan and Huang Haitao had differing opinions also leaked out, and for a while, there was a flurry of discussion among those below, with the vast majority supporting Huang Haitao's opinion. Communist Party cadres can go up but not down, and superiors need to care about their subordinates. Is this approach somewhat excessive?

  Ding Yuan was furious, the discussion content of the secretary's office meeting was leaked out, but such things were impossible to investigate. Since some people wanted to leak the message, they had made sufficient preparations and didn't want to think about investigating it at all.

  Yu Hong County's pace has accelerated, and in three months, Yu Hong County finally came up with an industrial restructuring plan. Upon seeing this plan, not only Ding Yuan but also Xu Shaojie couldn't help but curse.

  Yu Hong County came up with a plan, which turned out to be developing vegetable greenhouses.

  This is a clear provocation, and it's dissatisfaction with the decision made by the Secretary Office Meeting. Xu Shaojie believes that the main leaders of Yuhong County Government do not have the guts to do so, only Huang Haitao dares to do so. Xu Shaojie does not understand why Huang Haitao has the courage to do so. As the mayor, openly confronting the Municipal Party Secretary will not yield good results, unless Huang Haitao has extraordinary support from above.

  Xu Shaojie suddenly thought of Ding Yuan's secretary, who always looked depressed and unhappy whenever he returned to the provincial city. Xu Shaojie's heart began to tremble with fear - could it be that Secretary Ding was about to lose his backing? Had Huang Haitao already found out about these things and openly challenged Secretary Ding? If so, then they were really in trouble.