Chapter 66 A Series of Events

  "Secretary Xu, there's some bad news."

  "What's the bad news?"

  "It was those hooligans I taught a lesson to, they were taken to the police station and released this morning. When I sent Secretary Sun to the police station, I found out about this matter. I asked the brothers at the police station, and they said that these people were tax collectors, hired by the education department. Their actions were wrong, but not intentional on the part of their superiors, so it was only possible to criticize and educate them."

  "So, the police station didn't listen to my opinion."

  "Secretary Xu, these few rascals are very close to Secretary Liu's nephew. It's not surprising that something like this happened. I think there must be Secretary Liu's intention behind this."

  "Yang Chen, tell me honestly, haven't I gone a bit too far?"

  "Secretary Xu, I think you're not being excessive at all. This should have been done a long time ago. I haven't been in Yudu District for long, but there are many things that I don't like to see. My temper is not very good to begin with, and I don't know how much I've restrained myself. Following you these days, I feel so much more at ease."

  "Yang Chen, I've remembered your words. From now on, there may be many things that require you to take the lead. Is that okay?"

  "Secretary Xu, I used to be a soldier, military orders are like mountains, obeying orders and being loyal to the country is my duty. The situation has changed now, but my faith hasn't. It's just that in the past, I didn't see or meet good leaders in Yudu District. Now that you're here, I've made up my mind to follow you."

  On December 20th, the day before the winter break, Liu Zhihua presided over a meeting of the leadership team.

  Liu Zhihua summarized the work of the whole year, focusing on tax collection. He emphasized that taxes must be paid in full, which affects the district's fiscal revenue and the salaries of many cadres and staff members. He pointed out that the current tax collection work is becoming increasingly difficult, with some places having farmers who are more and more cunning due to a few bad elements, causing many households to not pay taxes, making it impossible for cadres and staff members to complete their tasks. When it comes time to pay taxes, they can only make up for it by paying out of pocket, but the salaries of cadres and staff members are not high either. For this reason, cadres and staff members must think of ways to collect taxes, and in this process, some problems have arisen. We need to learn from these lessons and look at things from multiple angles to avoid such problems. When problems arise, we should not be too harsh, but for those who refuse to pay taxes without any reason, we must crack down severely and never tolerate it. Finally, Liu Zhihua pointed out that the members of the district committee and government office have not participated in the specific tax collection process, and as leaders, they should understand the difficulties of their subordinates and support their work more.

  Liu Zhihua finally talked about the issue of commendation, and what he said shocked everyone. Because during the process of collecting taxes in Yulin Township, something happened that affected the image of the district committee and government, so whether to commend Yulin Township or not is still being considered by the district committee and government.

  Liu Zhihua spoke, Xu Shaojie's face was expressionless.

  A series of events made Xu Shaojie realize that Liu Zhihua would not back down, and from now on, there might be a real collision between him and Liu Zhihua. Why this situation occurred, Xu Shaojie wasn't too clear, but Liu Zhihua's actions were a signal, a sign of preparing to launch an attack. The head of the education station was dismissed, three thugs were sent from the police station, and today they specifically mentioned the issue of tax collection. Even a fool could hear who it was referring to, especially the cancellation of the commendation for Yulin Township, which was no longer just criticism, but a menacing statement. The implication was very clear: I, Liu Zhihua, am the district secretary, and in Yudu District, I have the final say. Any actions that go against this principle, I, Liu Zhihua, will not tolerate. Although Liu Zhihua didn't use foul language, his words with hidden meanings seemed even more damaging.

  On his way back to Huaiyang City, Xu Shaojie kept thinking about this matter. Liu Zhihua's change was too sudden, there must be a reason for it.

  During the twelfth lunar month, many station directors went to the district government office to report on their work. Some people even went directly to the leaders' bedrooms. Of course, those who lived in Yudu District's Jietou Town found it very convenient and the directors below them must have gone directly to their homes. Xu Shaojie's office and bedroom were extremely quiet, with not a single station director coming to visit. This situation was unprecedented in Yudu District. The deputy secretary in charge of organizational work was the district's third-in-command, and no one believed such a situation would occur. When news got out, outsiders had two views: either this deputy secretary was incompetent and nobody looked up to him, or he was unable to handle relationships with subordinates; or this deputy secretary was independent and the members of the district committee and government office collectively shunned him.

  Xu Shaojie clearly understood the reason for this situation, which was better, so Xu Shaojie could make up his mind and take action without hesitation, and he would not have any worries in his heart. But Xu Shaojie's inner self was very uncomfortable, people all want to experience the benefits brought by power, these benefits, first and foremost, are about gaining dignity, during holidays, there are subordinates who come to visit, it's not about getting how many gifts, the key is that everyone knows there is a leader like you, everyone respects you, now Xu Shaojie can't feel any of this.

  After returning home, he saw Zhang Xiaoyu, and Xu Shaojie temporarily forgot everything, enjoying Zhang Xiaoyu's service. In the midst of intimacy, Xu Shaojie didn't think about anything else. He asked Zhang Xiaoyu, who had no plans to return home for the New Year, nor go anywhere else, just staying in Huaiyang City. Her daughter would start school on the 16th of the first month, and it was inconvenient to run around. Xu Shaojie knew that Zhang Xiaoyu's hometown was very poor, deep in the mountains, and it was not convenient to return. Moreover, Zhang Xiaoyu's current situation was not mature enough, and she didn't know what to do after returning. Xu Shaojie acquiesced in Zhang Xiaoyu's choice.

  Zhang Shaocai knew that Xu Shaojie had returned home.

  "Shao Jie, when are you going back to the provincial city?"

  "Big brother, I plan on going back with you."

  "Alright, I still have a few days off. You've been working hard in the district, so take this opportunity to rest well in the city. I estimate that we'll head back on the 26th of the twelfth lunar month and we can travel together then. By the way, there's something you might not know: the leadership team in Huai'an City has been adjusted. It's already spread throughout the city that Secretary Lv Dahua of the Municipal Party Committee has been promoted to Vice Mayor of Huaiyang Municipal Government, while Mayor Zhao Deling has taken over as Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee, and Deputy Secretary Xu Yunfei has become the new Mayor. Many people are aware of this."

  "Big brother, when did you hear about it?"

  "I've heard about it for several days, I said Shaojie, you should care about these things. I've only heard that the old yellow cow who only knows how to lower its head and pull a cart, without looking up at the road, is not promising. Now you are the deputy secretary of the district committee, these adjustments have something to do with you, and why haven't I seen anyone visiting you? You're in charge of personnel, this situation is abnormal."

  "Big brother, I know, I haven't been in Yudu District for a long time and I'm not very familiar with the people below."

  "Shao Jie, you know I'm a blunt person and my words may not be pleasant to hear. If it's really like that, then you need to be careful. I've had experience with this before. When the city leaders made adjustments, we all went to visit them in advance to build relationships. Without support from above, my business would be hard to sustain. It's probably the same in official circles - everyone cares about the hat on their head. You're just starting out, and if you don't have credibility, you'll end up losing out."

  Zhang Shaocai did not stay for long and left after talking with Xu Shaojie for a while.

  Xu Shaojie vaguely knew some of the reasons, Liu Zhihua's attitude change might have something to do with the adjustment of Huai'an City's main leadership. Xu Shaojie began to analyze each leader who was adjusted. Liu Dahuai left Huai'an City and became the vice mayor of Huaiyang Municipal Government. He couldn't have much contact with Liu Zhihua, otherwise, Liu Zhihua's attitude would have been different long ago. Moreover, according to Liu Dahuai's position, he wouldn't care too much about someone like Liu Zhihua. Next, let's talk about Zhao Deliang. Zhao Deliang used to be the mayor, focusing on economic work. Although he had some contact with Liu Zhihua, his focus should be on municipal units, especially some key departments, and then the two district committees and governments in the suburbs. Xu Shaojie once thought that there was a relationship between Hualin Township Party Secretary Zhao Deli and Zhao Deliang because their names differed by only one character. Later, Zhao Deli said they had no relationship; otherwise, things wouldn't be like this now. Finally, let's talk about Xu Yunfei. Xu Yunfei used to be the executive vice secretary of the municipal party committee and director of the municipal people's congress, in charge of organizational work, with more contact with lower-level officials. It should be said that the possibility of Liu Zhihua and Xu Yunfei getting close is much greater. The leader in charge of personnel must have some confidants and cannot compete with the secretary of the municipal party committee or the mayor for people, so district secretaries and district heads are the focus.

  Xu Shaojie suddenly felt a sense of openness, no wonder Liu Zhihua's attitude had changed suddenly. It turned out that the identity of the person behind him had changed and his background had become more powerful. Liu Zhihua was from a rural cadre background, capable but also formed a domineering and unscrupulous mindset due to various reasons, plus some traditional ideas, taking many things for granted.

  Xu Shaojie felt his own underestimation and information blockade, so he knew that in Yudu District, working hard was not enough. Such a major change had occurred above, and Liu Zhihua must have known about it long ago. After the matter was settled, his attitude suddenly changed. Xu Shaojie knew that from now on, he must strengthen these aspects of action and always be prepared.

  Xu Shaojie had to pay New Year's greetings to Liao Hongyun, the Standing Committee member and Secretary General of the Municipal Party Committee. Xu Shaojie had sufficient reason for this: Liao Hongyun was his direct superior, and it was he who had sent Xu Shaojie to Huai'an City; if Xu didn't go, it would be hard to explain. As for inquiring about Liao's whereabouts, naturally Zhang Shaocai went to do it. Zhang Shaocai was of course delighted that Xu Shaojie had such an understanding, and soon found out.

  Xu Shaojie entered Liao Hongyun's home with a hint of tension.

  Liao Hongyun always had a smile on his face, looking at Xu Shaojie. Xu Shaojie briefed the situation of his work in Yudu District according to his own ideas, repeatedly emphasizing that he was sent by the municipal party committee office. If there were any shortcomings, he asked Secretary Liao to criticize him. If he did not do well, it would be a loss of face for the municipal party committee office and Secretary Liao.

  Liao Hongyun burst out laughing and emphasized that Xu Shaojie did a good job below, adhering to principles and boldly carrying out work, he was very satisfied. In the future, we must continue to adhere to it, think of what work ideas, as long as they are correct, go ahead without hesitation. The municipal party committee office is Xu Shaojie's backing, but in the future, we still need to pay attention to the problem of work attitude and have fewer direct confrontations with those thugs. After all, he is a leading cadre, it's okay to be angry, try not to use force as much as possible.

  Xu Shaojie listened very carefully to Liao Hongyun's words, without missing a single word.

  Leaving Liao Hongyun's home, Xu Shaojie felt confident. Liao Hongyun had conveyed a clear message that he was doing well in Yudu District and should boldly persist in his efforts, with someone supporting him from behind. Liao Hongyun's words also represented Ding Yuan's intentions. With Liao Hongyun's words and Ding Yuan's supportive attitude, Xu Shaojie would not be overly worried about the changes in the main leadership of Huai'an City.

  Xu Shaojie was at home for the first time in a long while, and Zhang Xiaoyu was so excited that she could hardly contain herself. Every night, after putting her daughter to bed, Zhang Xiaoyu would go upstairs to keep Xu Shaojie company, only coming down again the next morning. She tried every way to cook delicious food for him, as Chinese New Year was approaching and there were many vendors selling vegetables and meat on the streets. Although Zhang Xiaoyu's salary was not high, she and her daughter did not have large expenses, and they didn't need to worry about water and electricity bills at home, as they used liquefied gas for cooking. It took Zhang Xiaoyu several days to get used to using liquefied gas, but it was very convenient, and there was no difference in cooking small dishes compared to the countryside. Zhang Xiaoyu knew that Xu Shaojie loved eating small dishes, so she prepared many of them and bought a lot of small pots.

  Xu Shaojie knew that Zhang Xiaoyu was going to spend the New Year here, but he had no way of accompanying her and had to return to the provincial city for the New Year. So in the following days, Xu Shaojie tried his best not to go out and accompanied Zhang Xiaoyu instead. Zhang Xiaoyu's daughter had gradually become familiar with the surrounding environment. This was a residential area, where many children played outside. The little girl occasionally went out to play with everyone. She had a good temper and some adults around her also liked her.

  On the evening of the 25th day of the twelfth lunar month, Zhang Xiaoyu curled up in Xu Shaojie's arms and couldn't help but shed tears. Tomorrow, Xu Shaojie would be leaving for the provincial city and wouldn't return for many days. The Spring Festival was approaching, and as an orphaned mother, she felt especially lonely. However, this was also something that couldn't be helped. Xu Shaojie knew what Zhang Xiaoyu was thinking and could only hold her tightly in his arms.

  During the Spring Festival, Xu Shaojie was very busy. As soon as he arrived in the provincial capital, he rushed back to the small county town with Xu Yijie and Xu Lan to pay respects to his father. They stayed in the county town for a day, sweeping and cleaning the house. On the 28th of the twelfth lunar month, they returned to the provincial capital. Xu Shaojie immediately went to visit Ding Yuanshuai, the secretary of the party committee, to pay New Year's greetings. This was Xu Shaojie's most important task. At the same time, he did not forget to visit Sun Zhiqiang's home. Sun Zhiqiang was very surprised and moved, and they had a hearty drink together.

  In the first month of the lunar year, Xu Yijie and Liu Xiaomei returned home to pay New Year's greetings. Their son, Xu Pingfan, who was almost one year old, followed his grandmother Han Qing'e. However, Xu Pingfan was too young for the long journey and couldn't bear it. Xu Yijie and Liu Xiaomei also had to return quickly, as they wanted to celebrate their son's first birthday.

  In the first month of the lunar year, Xu Shaojie was relatively leisurely and didn't have many specific tasks. According to the requirements of the Huai'an municipal government, he should report for work on the eighth day of the first month. However, in rural areas, it was basically impossible to start work so early. People were still celebrating the New Year and visiting each other's homes. If you went to someone's home, it would be considered a visit rather than work. Therefore, the actual start date for work in the district was after the fifteenth day of the first month.