Chapter 141: Ding Yuan's Decisiveness

  "Lao Xue, I'm at Huaiyang Hotel, it's very important."

  Xu Shaojie hung up the phone and immediately rushed to the Huaiyang Hotel. His heart was racing badly. Recently, Chen Mubiao's emotions had been somewhat abnormal, often sighing on the phone. This time there were important words, Xu Shaojie guessed that it might be related to Ding Yuanshuai.

  After entering the room, Xu Shaojie found that Chen Mubiao's face was very stern.

  "Old Xu, I won't beat around the bush. There are some things that Dad wants me to tell you. Don't be impatient, listen carefully until I finish speaking. This matter is very important, and I've also thought it over carefully before deciding to say everything."

  "Brother Chen, I'm in no hurry."

  "You should know that in the official circle, everyone needs to have a backer. The rule of thumb is to lean on a big tree to enjoy the cool breeze, although nobody will say it out loud, but everyone acknowledges it. The so-called grass-root struggle stories are just empty words, they don't work in reality. There's no such thing as a self-made person in the official circle, even small plants need to absorb nutrients to grow slowly.

  Ding Yuan Secretary is from an ordinary family background, later he followed Xu Guangkun Secretary and got his recognition, then became the secretary of Huaiyang Municipal Party Committee. Over the years, Xu Secretary has been very supportive of Ding Yuan's work, so Ding Yuan was able to work in Huaiyang for many years.

  Now, Xu Secretary is about to retire and go to work at the Provincial People's Congress, so things are going to change. My dad knows the intricacies of the situation and warned me repeatedly not to get involved in the conflicts in Huaiyang. My dad thinks highly of you and believes you have abilities, if you're willing to go work in the provincial city, my dad is willing to help."

  "Brother Chen, you mean Uncle Chen will get promoted."

  "Dad is likely to take the post of vice governor, so he still wants to help you. There's another possibility that he might be appointed as the deputy secretary in charge of organizational work, which would make him the executive vice governor Sun Zhi-chao. Do you know who Governor Sun favors? He favors Mayor Huang Hai-tao, so you should understand what changes are about to happen in Huaiyang City."

  "Brother Chen, what are you going to do?"

  "I haven't thought it through, anyway I won't be leaving Sha Lun County anytime soon. Even if I come down, I'll have to stick it out for at least a year or two. Besides, if Dad goes up there, Mayor Huang won't do anything to me. I'll just work diligently, tune out external distractions, and not care about what's happening in Huai Yang City, as long as I stick to my own views."

  "Brother Chen, I really owe you an apology."

  "Old Xu, what are you talking about? The mountain doesn't move but water does. We're still young and have plenty of opportunities."

  Xu Shaojie can't say anything, this is a self-consoling and self-deceptive language. Being young is an advantage, but in the officialdom, age is not the most important thing, the background of opportunities is decisive. Judging from the current situation, Chen Mubiao's choice to follow him may not be correct.

  "Didn't Uncle Chen have any other opinions?"

  "There are mainly two opinions, one is what I just said, if you're willing to go to the provincial city for work, I'll let Dad know and he will definitely help you out. The other meaning is to respect your choice, if you decide to stay in Huaiyang City for now, then you must work hard without hesitation."

  Xu Shaojie suddenly understood something.

  "Brother Chen, please tell Uncle Chen that I appreciate his kindness, but I have decided to stay in Huaiyang City for the time being. Secretary Ding is my benefactor, and I won't leave him unless he leaves Huaiyang City."

  When leaving the hotel, Xu Shaojie's mood was heavy. All the mysteries had been revealed. Why did Ding Yuan Secretary always seem somewhat depressed whenever he returned to the provincial city? In official circles, having no background or losing one's backing is a terrible thing, especially at critical moments when doing things. Ding Yuan Secretary's luck wasn't very good. Just as he was about to make a big move, Vice-Secretary Xu Guangkun retired to the second line. Xu Shaojie could have chosen to go work by Chen Dengxiang's side and stay in Huaiyang City. After Ding Yuan left, the result would certainly be miserable. There were contradictions between him and Huang Haitao, and with Zhu Zongxiang, it was even more impossible to reconcile. But at such a critical moment, Xu Shaojie wouldn't leave, abandoning his post and losing everyone's trust. Although it was a good choice, Xu Shaojie wouldn't allow himself to do so. He wouldn't extinguish his conscience.

  Yu Hong County's plan has touched Ding Yuan's bottom line, this is a naked provocation. Ding Yuan understands that the leaders of Yu Hong County do not have such courage, this is a provocation initiated by Huang Haitao. Perhaps, if Ding Yuan compromises this time, it may ease his relationship with Huang Haitao and allow him to live comfortably in Huaiyang City, leaving with dignity. It seems that this is both Huang Haitao's provocation and his probe.

  Ding Yuan would not compromise, had long wanted to start, at worst roll up the bedding and leave. What Ding Yuan regretted was that he could not move Huang Haitao, although he knew it was Huang Haitao behind the scenes, who was the mastermind, yet he could not shake him.

  Ding Yuan suddenly convened a secretary's office meeting, holding Yu Hong County's plan.

  "After three months of research, the Yu Hong County Party Committee and Government finally came up with a plan, which is quite an achievement. I carefully studied this plan, learning from Huai'an City to develop large-scale greenhouse vegetables. Yu Hong County has shown us all a way forward for development in our city. Developing large-scale greenhouse vegetables, everyone comes together, of course, without considering sales channels, without worrying about vegetable oversupply, without considering the interests of ordinary people. As long as we take action, as long as we adjust our industrial structure, our task is complete. We are just doing our job, and we have not failed to live up to the trust placed in us by the higher-level Party Committee. This is my greatest takeaway from Yu Hong County's three months of work."

  No one spoke, including Huang Haitao and Ding Yuan, everyone understood what they meant.

  "I don't know what everyone thinks, but in just over three months, more than a quarter of a year's time, they came up with such a plan. I don't know what the leaders of Yuhong County Party Committee and Government are doing all day long. The ideas on the plan are all from Huai'an City. If that's the case, do we still need them? Can't Huai'an City just directly lead Yuhong County?"

  It seemed that Huang Haitao had sensed Ding Yuan's intention and was about to speak, but Ding Yuan didn't look at him and didn't give Huang Haitao a chance to speak.

  "I've thought about it, last time's book"

  "Let's review the meeting, Comrade Lang Shifu also conveyed the opinions of the secretary's office meeting, but it seems that Yu Hong County didn't listen. We need to be serious and implement our decisions, otherwise, our work will be difficult to carry out in the future. Today, we hold a secretary's office meeting to specifically study the team problem of Yu Hong County. The main responsibility for this matter lies with Comrade Ma Youhao, Secretary of the Yu Hong County Party Committee. One incompetent person can bring down an entire army. I propose to remove Comrade Ma Youhao from his position as county party secretary and transfer him to work at the municipal party committee. Let's appoint Mayor Xu Yunfei of Huai'an City as the new Secretary of the Yu Hong County Party Committee. Please express your opinions."

  Huang Haitao finally found an opportunity to speak.

  "Secretary Ding, I think the plan put forward by Yuhong County is also based on local reality. Huai'an City has successfully developed large-scale vegetable greenhouses. Yuhong County can learn from Huai'an City's experience. However, it's not quite proper for the county party secretary to adjust the plan."

  "Well, Mayor Huang has expressed his opinion, now let's hear from other comrades."

  Lu Changzheng thought for a moment and expressed his opinion.

  "I support the adjustment of the Yu Hong County team, following the principle of overall stability and minor adjustments. The main leaders will be changed, but it will not affect the overall work of Yu Hong County. I agree that Xu Yunfei will take office as the Secretary of the Yu Hong County Party Committee."

  Lang Shifu also expressed his support.

  At this point, whether Zhu Zongxiang expresses his attitude or not has little significance. In accordance with the principle of minority obeying majority, Ding Yuan's proposal has been passed. Moreover, Lu Changzheng is in charge of organizational work and his opinion is very important. The municipal party secretary and the deputy secretary in charge of personnel have unified their opinions, and the matter has basically been decided.

  "Alright, the secretary's office meeting has passed the decision to adjust the main leaders of Yuhong County. The standing committee meeting will be convened immediately to pass the decision of the secretary's office meeting."

  The municipal party committee office immediately notified all members of the standing committee, and half an hour later, they attended the meeting. Many members did not know what the agenda was, but some members guessed that it might be related to Yuhong County.

  Ding Yuan presided over the Standing Committee meeting, and Lu Changzheng reported on the decision to adjust the main leadership of Yuhong County made by the Secretary's Office Meeting. The matter was rushed, and almost no one expressed their opinions. Huang Haitao would not express his opinion at the Standing Committee meeting. He knew that the Secretary's Office Meeting had agreed, and opposing it now would mean a complete falling out with Ding Yuan, which was unnecessary for the time being. Moreover, Vice-Secretary Xu Guangkun was still in office, and directly confronting Ding Yuan at this time would have unpredictable consequences. For the time being, letting Ding Yuan make adjustments didn't matter; as long as Ding Yuan left Huaiyang City, everything would be easy to discuss.

  Due to a plan, the county party secretary was adjusted, and none of the cadres in Huaiyang City had expected that this matter would cause such a great shock. In the past, everyone was used to being slow and steady, but unexpectedly, the municipal party committee took real action this time. Some people had thought that the municipal party committee was just trying to intimidate others, but now that it involves official positions, no one will underestimate this matter, and no one will dare to take risks. At least in Huaiyang City, all units directly under the municipality feel tense.

  Xu Yunfei did not expect that he would suddenly take office as the Secretary of Yuhong County, and it was Vice Secretary Lu Changzheng who personally sent him to take office. This is simply a windfall, and having such an opportunity after taking office as mayor for a short time is the best thing that could happen. Ma Youhao, on the other hand, was filled with grievances, going to the municipal party committee to take office as deputy secretary-general. These grievances had no place to be vented, nor could they be vented. What made Ma Youhao most angry was that he had become a laughing stock in Huaiyang City.

  "Shao Jie, this time the main leader of Yu Hong County has been adjusted, what's your take on it?"

  "Director Ding, I think we should make some adjustments."

  "I'm not here to listen to your statement, I want to know what you think."

  "Secretary Ding, I really think so. You should have done this a long time ago. As the main leader, if you don't do things or wear colored glasses, you should adjust. By doing so, the cadres below will know that the municipal party committee's decision is serious and needs to be executed without compromise. The municipal party committee has gained credibility, and work can be carried out smoothly."

  "Haha, your reasons are not sufficient, they're all just clichés. I wouldn't have thought you'd say something like that. What's your real thinking? Just speak it out."

  "Secretary Ding, I'm telling you the truth, don't get angry."

  "Hurry up and say it."

  "You are the Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee, no matter what others think. Now that you are the Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee, whatever you say is the highest instruction in Huaiyang City. No matter who the other person is or what their background is, as long as they don't follow your instructions to handle things, they will have to accept punishment. From this perspective, your decision is absolutely correct."

  "Shao Jie, have you found out something?"

  "Secretary Ding, I indeed know some things now, Chen Mubao and I have talked, Uncle Chen told me some things."

  "Haha, Shaojie, I thought you didn't know, now that you do, you should make a choice, you need to have a plan in mind, don't you think? You shouldn't need me to teach you about official matters."

  "Secretary Ding, I have made my choice, this is a decision I made myself."

  Ding Yuan looked at Xu Shaojie and didn't speak for a long time before bursting into loud laughter.

  Next, Ding Yuan went to Yuhong County several times to inspect the work. The plan for developing the forestry and fruit industry in Yuhong County was quickly finalized. Moreover, there were subtle changes in the leadership of the industrial structure adjustment work. Huang Haitao was the main person in charge, but he rarely asked about it. Ding Yuan cared more often, and many times Lang Shifeng directly reported to Ding Yuan or gave direct instructions. In all these matters, Huang Haitao did not express any opinions.

  Xu Shaojie was clear, Huang Haitao was very clever. At this time, Huang Haitao would not say anything and would not show up. After all, Ding Yuan was still the municipal party secretary, and Huang Haitao must have thought that Ding Yuan's time in Huaiyang City would not be long. He could endure for a while and wait for the right moment to settle accounts.

  Implicitly, Xu Shaojie also thought about his own future. If Secretary Ding left Huaiyang City, he had to consider not only himself but also his elder brother Zhang Shaocai. Xu Shaojie was unwilling to admit defeat easily, but he also had to face reality. Without the protection of Secretary Ding, he was no match for Huang Haitao and Zhu Zongxiang.