Absolute power in officialdom

Chapter 284 The Old Fox of Officialdom

"Sit down, Tanzhi," Geng Dongqing gestured for Cheng Tanzhi to sit down.

"Secretary Geng, Wu Zhiyuan, Lang Wenping and Ding Yiyi have formed an iron triangle."

Especially Wu Zhiyuan, who openly contradicted you at the Standing Committee meeting, stirred up trouble, and misled public opinion; he is Ding Yiyi's crony.

Cheng Tanzhi paused to observe Geng Dongqing's reaction.

"Tanzhi, you still support me at crucial moments." Geng Dongqing didn't delve deeper into Cheng Tanzhi's topic. "By the way, is there anything to report?"

"Secretary Geng, I'd like to report my thoughts to you. I'd like to share my views on Ding Yiyi, which may not be entirely accurate."

Ding Yiyi used to work in the Discipline Inspection Commission and later in the Propaganda Department. He was engaged in Party affairs work and had nothing to do with economic work.

Qingshan County has a weak foundation, many contradictions, and great development pressure. Especially in tough areas such as attracting investment, project construction, and fiscal revenue, sometimes it is really difficult to overcome them by relying solely on principles and hard work without some flexibility and down-to-earth methods.

In the long run, Ding Yiyi becoming county head will be detrimental to the county's development and will also create unnecessary obstacles for your leadership of the county.

Geng Dongqing didn't speak, but just quietly drank his tea.

Cheng Tanzhi continued, "Secretary Geng, I owe my success today entirely to your support."

A fine horse is common, but a discerning eye is rare, and you are my discerning eye.

My greatest wish is to contribute more to the development of Qingshan County and shoulder more responsibilities under your leadership.

With the People's Congress meeting just around the corner next month, the county magistrate election is the main event.

Logically speaking, since the municipal party committee has selected Ding Yiyi as a candidate, we must resolutely support him and ensure the success of the election; this is a matter of political discipline.

He then changed the subject: "However, the election law also gives representatives the space to exercise their democratic rights in accordance with the law."

In an equal-number election, there is only one candidate, and the representatives are legally entitled to vote in favor, vote against, or elect someone else.

Choosing someone else reflects the will of the representatives and is a manifestation of democracy.

If, and I mean if, the delegates, based on their understanding of the actual situation in Qingshan County, had other considerations regarding the candidate for county head that were more in line with the county's conditions and more conducive to its future development, and expressed this will in accordance with the law, regulations, and reasonableness during the election.

So, can this election result be seen as a reflection of public opinion, a normal outcome of the representatives exercising their democratic rights?

Cheng Tanzhi spoke almost bluntly, and anyone who wasn't too stupid would understand what he meant: to become the county magistrate by selecting someone else.

Geng Dongqing was certainly not stupid, and said calmly, "Tanzhi, what you said is in accordance with the provisions of the election law, that's right."

However, the organization's intentions must be implemented.

Ding Yiyi was the only candidate recommended by the municipal party committee, which was the organization's intention.

Ensuring her successful election is an inescapable political responsibility of our county party committee.

If there are problems with the election, the representatives' will may be reflected, but the organization's intentions may not be realized. Who should bear the responsibility for this?

How are we supposed to explain ourselves when the municipal party committee investigates?

Would the higher-ups believe that the representatives spontaneously chose other people?

How will they view the Qingshan County Party Committee's control? How will they view the unity of our leadership team?

Cheng Tanzhi was prepared and quickly said, "Secretary Geng, you're right. The organization's intentions are paramount, and I always keep that in mind."

What I mean is, what we should be doing is not manipulating elections, that would be absolutely illegal and against the rules.

I mean, if the representatives spontaneously choose someone else, isn't that a manifestation of their rights?

I have to say a few words. They keep talking about the organization's intentions, but are those intentions really a true reflection of public opinion?

For example, in a county magistrate election, the only candidate designated by the organization has no achievements, no ability, no reputation, and a lot of negative rumors.

However, there was a member of the county party committee leadership team who was not a candidate, but whose qualifications and abilities were fully capable of serving as county head, yet the organization did not list him as a candidate.

Tell me, will the delegates vote for this incompetent and immoral designated candidate, or for the virtuous and capable non-candidate?

This creates a paradox: if the delegates carry out the organization's intentions, then obviously the votes they cast do not represent their true intentions.

However, if the representatives choose someone else, it would not only be a matter of responsibility to the people of this county, but also an exercise of their sacred right as representatives, yet it would go against the organization's intentions.

Geng Dongqing said seriously, "Tanzhi, the situation you described—where the designated candidate is incompetent and immoral, while the non-candidate is virtuous and capable—is just a hypothetical situation."

How do we define someone as both virtuous and capable? What are the standards? Who makes the judgment?

Are the representatives' judgments necessarily more comprehensive and accurate than the organization's overall assessment?

If every locality changes its organizational intentions by selecting someone else simply because of differing opinions on candidates, then what about organizational principles and discipline in cadre appointment?

"What about the authority of superiors? Wouldn't that lead to chaos?"

Cheng Tanzhi was not giving up and changed his story: "Ding Yiyi has only been in the county for a short time, and many representatives do not know her well. They only see that she is a female cadre who came from the city and previously worked in the Discipline Inspection Commission and the Propaganda Department, so she is not very familiar with economic work."

I worked in Qingshan for several years, traveling to various townships and interacting with many grassroots representatives. They were obviously more familiar with me and knew that I had some ideas and achievements in promoting the economy and pursuing projects.

If the representatives make choices that are more in line with the actual development of Qingshan County when voting,

I was thinking, even if the final result differs from the initial list of candidates...

However, as long as the process is open, fair, and just, and represents the true will of the representatives,

I believe that after verifying the situation, the higher authorities will likely understand, and may even see it as a reflection of the healthy development of democratic politics in Qingshan County.

Geng Dongqing sneered inwardly. Cheng Tanzhi's explanation might fool laymen, but to seasoned officials, it was nothing more than self-deception.

However, he did not point it out directly, because Cheng Tanzhi's ambition suited him perfectly.

He needs someone to charge into battle, to disrupt Ding Yiyi's plans, and perhaps even to create a surprising outcome.

As for risks, as long as the operation is discreet enough and the methods are skillful enough, they may not be impossible to control within an acceptable range.

Even if something goes wrong in the end, it will be Cheng Tanzhi's personal behavior. Geng Dongqing did not allow Cheng Tanzhi to engage in any non-organizational activities.

"Tanzhi, your idea has its reasons."

We should respect the representatives' exercise of their democratic rights in accordance with the law.

It is also our responsibility to help the delegates gain a more comprehensive understanding of the cadres.

However, there are two things that must be emphasized:

First, bribery in any form is absolutely prohibited. Not a single penny can be given, and not a single vote can be bought. That's a red line; touching it means certain death.

Once discovered, not only will you lose your position as county head, but you'll also lose your position as deputy secretary of the county party committee. You'll go to jail, and I'll be implicated as well.

Second, we must not form cliques or engage in unorganized activities.

The election results should reflect the collective will of the delegates and be a consensus spontaneously formed by the delegates based on their sense of responsibility for the development of Qingshan County and their understanding of the cadres.

The process of forming this consensus must withstand any scrutiny and examination. Do you understand what I mean?

"Understood! Completely understood!" Cheng Tanzhi understood immediately.

Geng Dongqing tacitly approved his operation, but demanded that he do a good job of appearances, be discreet enough, and package the possible outcome of choosing someone else as the representatives' spontaneous will, rather than the product of behind-the-scenes manipulation.

"Tanzhi, it's a good thing that you have this enthusiasm and are considering the development of Qingshan County."

When we do our work, we must pay attention to the methods and the degree of intensity.

As the deputy secretary of the county party committee, it is your duty to visit the grassroots more often and listen to the opinions and suggestions of the representatives. This is also an important way to understand public opinion and improve our work.

During the meetings, it is perfectly reasonable to give the representatives a comprehensive and objective introduction to the development ideas and achievements of our county party committee and government, as well as to introduce your efforts and contributions in your respective areas of responsibility, so that everyone can have a deeper understanding of each member of our leadership team.

However, I remind you again, do not engage in any unorganized activities, do not make any requests, do not organize any connections, and absolutely do not have any material exchanges…”

"Secretary Geng, don't worry! I, Cheng Tanzhi, am a Party cadre, and I understand this basic political discipline and rules."

My idea is simple: to go to the grassroots level more often, communicate more with the representatives, listen to their voices, and understand their views on the county's development.

I believe that as long as we are truly dedicated to our work and selfless in serving the public, the delegates will naturally see and remember it.

Every vote they ultimately cast, regardless of who they choose, should be based on a rational judgment that is responsible to Qingshan County and beneficial to its development.

After Cheng Tanzhi left, Geng Dongqing downloaded the surveillance video of his conversation with Cheng Tanzhi.

He installed hidden cameras in his office, firstly to prevent being framed by malicious people and to protect himself, and secondly so that he could watch the playback when he sometimes had in-depth conversations with female subordinates while working overtime in the office.

Cheng Tanzhi is now single-mindedly focused on becoming the county magistrate. If he is successfully elected, the higher-ups will turn a blind eye, which would be a good thing for Geng Dongqing.

However, if the higher authorities investigate further, Geng Dongqing can prove his innocence; the surveillance video is the best proof.

Because he had clearly reminded Cheng Tanzhi from beginning to end not to engage in any underhanded tactics.