Absolute power in officialdom

Chapter 346 The Arrogant Coal Boss

Ma Zhenshan looked nervous and nodded repeatedly: "County Chief Wu's criticism is correct. We didn't do our job well. I apologize, I apologize."

The town mayor and the police station chief lowered their heads and dared not utter a sound.

Wu Zhiyuan's expression grew even sterner: "Is a self-criticism useful? Who will bear the losses from the company's three-day production stoppage?"

Who will pay the wages of so many workers?

You think a simple apology is all it takes to get over this?

A warm feeling welled up in Tang Dajiang's heart.

He had worked in Qingyan for several years, and this was the first time he had ever seen county leaders scold the main leaders of the town's party committee and government, as well as the head of the police station, so badly that they couldn't lift their heads because of his case.

Wu Zhiyuan continued, "I'm putting this out there today!"

In Qingyan County, no matter who it is or who's backing them, if they dare to break the law, disrupt the business environment, or bully legitimate businesses, I, Wu Zhiyuan, will never tolerate it!

Liao Chenggong has arrived.

It did not exceed the time stipulated by Wu Zhiyuan, and was even twenty minutes early.

Liao Chenggong was in his fifties, with a heavy gold necklace around his neck and a huge jade ring on his hand, looking every bit the nouveau riche.

He is a coal mine owner in Qingyan County, and also owns a cement plant, a building materials plant, and a concrete plant.

"County Chief Wu, I'm so sorry to have kept you waiting!" Liao Chenggong walked quickly to Wu Zhiyuan, a smile plastered on his face. "An important client came from the provincial capital, and I just couldn't leave. So, as soon as I finished dealing with him, I rushed over here."

Wu Zhiyuan stated bluntly: "Today's meeting has only one purpose."

To resolve the dispute between Dajiang Cement and Shunfa Cement, the road needs to be repaired so that the companies can resume normal production.

"Mr. Liao, how do you suggest we resolve this?"

Liao Chenggong put on a very magnanimous appearance: "County Chief Wu, it's really nothing serious. It's just that the two houses are next to each other, and there's some dispute over the boundary."

On Shunfa's side, the workers impulsively dug up the road.

I admit it's my fault for not managing things properly. I'll have someone fill in the road later.

Tang Dajiang was taken aback, not expecting Liao Chenggong to agree so readily.

Wu Zhiyuan didn't reply, staring at Liao Chenggong: "That's all?"

Liao Chenggong smiled and said, "That's all. The road was dug up, so we can just fill it in."

We're all in business; harmony brings wealth, there's no need to make things so tense.

Wu Zhiyuan turned to Tang Dajiang: "President Tang, what do you think? Is this matter resolved like this?"

Tang Dajiang opened his mouth, but then stopped himself from speaking.

Wu Zhiyuan encouraged him, "Say whatever you want. I'm here today to solve this problem. Just say it, don't hold back."

Encouraged, Tang Dajiang boldly said, "County Chief Wu, since you asked me to speak, I will tell you the truth."

This isn't the first time this road has been dug up.

Last month, people from Shunfa blocked my factory gate for an entire day.

Further on, our factory's truck was stopped on the road, and the driver was beaten up.

Several thugs wearing Shunfa Factory uniforms came to the factory and caused trouble, damaging some equipment and causing losses of several hundred thousand yuan.

I've reported it to the police and contacted the town authorities, but it's all been in vain.

Each time, it's just mediation and negotiation, but in the end, nothing comes of it.

Then, after a while, it happened again. This isn't a dispute; they're trying to drive me away!

Liao Chenggong's expression changed drastically, and he said angrily, "Tang Dajiang, what do you mean by that? When did I force you?"

Competition is normal in business; don't make baseless accusations! The guilty party is accusing you first!

Tang Dajiang was not intimidated by Liao Chenggong's anger.

"County Chief Wu, I am not a native of Qingyan. I was invited here from another province a few years ago as part of an investment promotion effort."

Back then, Dajiang Cement wasn't called Dajiang Cement; it was called Daling Cement Plant, and it was a township enterprise.

When I arrived, the factory had been shut down for three years. The machines were rusting and being dismantled, the yard was overgrown with weeds, and the workers had all been laid off and gone home.

My supervisor at the time said to me, "Old Tang, see if you can take over this mess."

I said okay, I'll give it a try. I sold the factory in my hometown, and raised money from a few friends, investing a total of more than 30 million yuan to repair the equipment, recall the workers, and restart production.

The first two years were the hardest. The market didn't accept it, and we couldn't open up sales channels. I spent half the year running around doing marketing.

Things gradually improved, the quality gained a reputation, and the number of customers increased.

Last year, our annual output value reached over 80 million yuan, and we paid over 6 million yuan in taxes, making us one of the county's major taxpayers.

The factory currently has 237 workers, most of whom are former employees of the cement plant, as well as farmers from the surrounding villages.

I told them that as long as the factory was still operating, I would never owe them a single penny in wages. And I kept my word.

Wu Zhiyuan listened attentively, nodding occasionally.

Tang Dajiang continued, "But County Chief Wu, I can't hold on much longer."

I know that to run a business, especially one located in another city, you have to learn to be humble and patient.

In the first few years after I arrived, I tolerated it all, and I made sure to bribe those who needed to, not daring to offend anyone.

But in recent years, some people have become increasingly greedy and ruthless, trying to drive me to my death!

We do business honestly, we don't steal, we don't rob, we don't cheat, we pay taxes according to regulations, we don't delay wages, and we compete based on quality and price. What's wrong with that?

Liao Chenggong tried to interrupt several times, but Wu Zhiyuan stopped him each time.

Wu Zhiyuan turned to Ma Zhenshan: "Secretary Ma, are you aware of what General Manager Tang said?"

Ma Zhenshan stammered, "We are aware of some of the circumstances."

However, disputes between companies can sometimes be quite complex…

Wu Zhiyuan sneered: "Complex? Where is it complex? Is it the law that's complex, or human relationships?"

Is the complexity due to normal competition between companies, or is it due to someone abusing their power?

Ma Zhenshan was speechless when asked the question.

Wu Zhiyuan turned his gaze to the police station chief: "You speak. Have you reported the matters Mr. Tang mentioned to the police?"

The police station chief said helplessly, "It was reported. But..."

"But what?"

"However, some things are indeed difficult to define."

For example, when someone was stopped and assaulted, they weren't caught in the act at the time, and subsequent investigations didn't find any evidence.

Regarding the blocking of the door, both sides have their own versions of events, and we have mediated..."

Wu Zhiyuan interrupted him: "Okay, even if there's no evidence for what happened before."

What about today? This road has been dug up for three days, is there any evidence?

Does this constitute disrupting production and business operations? Does it constitute disturbing public order? What work has your police station done?

The police station chief lowered his head and dared not utter a sound.

Wu Zhiyuan looked around at everyone and said coldly, "I have said before that Qingyan County is going to create a good business environment and treat every company fairly."

In hindsight, that was said too soon.

With your methods, where is the business environment? Where is the fairness and justice?

Wu Zhiyuan's gaze then fell on Liao Chenggong: "President Liao, you just said you'd fill in the road later. Tell me, is that the end of it?"

Liao Chenggong was taken aback: "County Chief Wu, what do you mean?"

"What I mean is, this matter must be handled according to the law, resolved thoroughly, and there must be no next time!"

Wu Zhiyuan said solemnly, "First, restore the road that was dug up to its original state before tonight to ensure normal passage for Dajiang Cement Plant."

Secondly, the act of Shunfa Cement Plant digging up the road is suspected of being illegal.

The police station must investigate and prosecute in accordance with the law, imposing fines where necessary and detaining those who should be detained, without any leniency!

Third, the Party Committee and government of Daling Town should establish a dispute mediation mechanism for enterprises, identify the responsible persons, and intervene to handle disputes as soon as they occur.

There must be no more instances of shirking responsibility, passing the buck, or inaction!

Liao Chenggong's face was gloomy.

He never expected that Wu Zhiyuan, the newly arrived county magistrate, a greenhorn, would actually be serious!

The fines and detentions are all aimed at his company and him!

He had been working in Qingyan for decades and had been on friendly terms with several county leaders. When had he ever felt so aggrieved?

Liao Chenggong said bluntly, "County Chief Wu, I respect you as the new county chief, so I'll give you face and promise to fill in the road."

"You're going to open a case and investigate, you're going to detain people—are you trying to destroy me?"

Wu Zhiyuan said sternly, "President Liao, I'm not trying to frame you, I'm just acting in accordance with the law!"

You yourself just admitted that it was Shunfa's workers who dug up the road.

Since it's illegal, it should be handled according to the law. What's wrong with that?

Liao Chenggong sneered, "According to the law? County Chief Wu, you're from out of town and just arrived, so you might not know the situation in Qingyan."

I've lived in Qingyan for decades, and I've always acted in accordance with the law.

Even if this matter goes all the way to Secretary Yuan, I'll still say the same thing!

This wasn't an implication, but a direct statement: Yuan Jin is my backer. Before you mess with me, you'd better know your own limitations!

Liao Chenggong is too arrogant!

Over the years, what kind of people hasn't Wu Zhiyuan seen?

He knows his weakness is that he sometimes loses his composure.

Otherwise, Lin Xue wouldn't have specifically reminded him to be calm and low-key.

But in the face of the arrogant and domineering Liao Chenggong, being low-key meant weakness.

He smiled, a very frank smile: "President Liao, you're right. I'm new here and don't really know the situation in Qingyan. But there's one thing I'm very clear about."

Qingyan County belongs to the people, not to Liao Chenggong!

No matter how powerful your background is, or who you know, if you break the law, you should be punished by law!

This principle applies everywhere!

Liao Chenggong's face was very pale. His mouth moved as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he said nothing.

Wu Zhiyuan continued, "You said you wanted to go see Secretary Yuan? Sure, you can go anytime."

That's perfect, I also wanted to report today's events to Secretary Yuan.

See if, in his eyes, acting in accordance with the law is more important, or saving face for you, Liao Chenggong!

Liao Chenggong couldn't swallow this insult.

He had been running rampant in Qingyan for so many years, and he had never seen any county leader dare to speak to him like that.

Who doesn't address him politely as "General Manager Liao," and who doesn't greet him with a smile?

But this young county magistrate in front of him, not even thirty years old and barely grown up, actually dared to embarrass him in front of so many people.

Liao Chenggong left without saying a word, his face grim.

The group exchanged bewildered glances. Everyone knew that although Liao Chenggong hadn't confronted Wu Zhiyuan directly, he clearly didn't take Wu Zhiyuan seriously.

Tang Dajiang was deeply moved.

The newly appointed county head is willing to confront the most arrogant local tycoon for the sake of an out-of-town company.

He was also worried for Wu Zhiyuan.

Liao Chenggong wields considerable power, having connections in both the legitimate and criminal worlds. Is Wu Zhiyuan, who is so young, capable of holding his own?

Tang Dajiang said sincerely, "County Chief Wu, thank you. I will remember this matter today, no matter what the final outcome is."

"As long as you're in Qingyan, I, Tang Dajiang, will work hard for you every day!"

Wu Zhiyuan waved his hand: "President Tang, you're too kind. It's my duty to help companies solve their problems."

What I just said wasn't just polite talk; it was the truth.

For Qingyan to develop, it must have a first-class business environment.

No matter who it is, I will never tolerate anyone who dares to disrupt the business environment!

He turned to Ma Zhenshan: "Secretary Ma, your town should implement the points I just mentioned as soon as possible."

The road must be cleared by tonight. As for the police, they should file cases and conduct investigations as needed. I hope to see the results as soon as possible!

Wu Zhiyuan didn't say anything more and got into the car.

Shi Xianqiang cautiously probed, "County Chief Wu, Liao Chenggong has been operating in Qingyan County for many years and has connections with many leaders in the city and county. Shouldn't we reconsider this matter?"

Wu Zhiyuan said coldly, "What are you considering? How to save face for him, or how to let Tang Dajiang continue to be bullied?"