Absolute power in officialdom

Chapter 408, First Encounter

Liang Dongming's "three-point agreement" was ostensibly to coordinate the relationship between the county party committee and the county government, but in reality, it was a way to seize power.

But he overstepped his bounds, and some of his demands lacked any policy basis.

Wu Zhiyuan said unhurriedly, "Secretary Liang, I'd like to share a few personal thoughts."

First, matters involving "major issues, important personnel appointments and removals, and large sums of money" should be decided collectively; this is the principle.

However, there is no mandatory provision that any "major issues" must be submitted to the Standing Committee of the County Party Committee for research and decision.

In our county, the major issues submitted to the Standing Committee of the County Party Committee for review currently fall into eleven categories, including important matters to be reported to the Municipal People's Government, matters involving the transfer of state-owned assets worth more than 5000 million yuan; the establishment of county-owned state-owned enterprises; and the annual county-level key project construction plan.

Some "major issues" need to be submitted to the Standing Committee of the County People's Congress for review, such as the county's annual plan for national economic and social development, medium- and long-term plans, and annual government work reports.

For other major issues, the county government can collectively study and decide.

Second, regarding the weekly work reports submitted by key units and the daily progress reports submitted by key projects.

This requirement is necessary from the perspective of the county party committee's overall work.

However, I have a concern: the Development and Reform Commission, the Finance Department, the Housing and Urban-Rural Development Department, and the Investment Promotion Department all have a lot of business to handle.

Spending a lot of time filling out forms and submitting materials every day may affect the normal operation of work.

My suggestion is, could we do this: daily progress will proceed according to the existing scheduling mechanism of the government system, while key milestones and major breakthroughs will be reported to you in real time?

This ensures your right to know about key tasks without adding unnecessary burden to the department.

Of course, I'll follow Secretary Liang's instructions on the specifics of how to proceed.

Third, regarding the personnel adjustments, the county party committee will oversee the process and conduct research strictly according to procedures, which I fully agree with.

My suggestion is that, in terms of specific operations, could we further improve the deliberation and nomination mechanisms?

According to the "Regulations on the Appointment of Cadres" and relevant organizational procedures, the county government party group bears important responsibility when recommending relevant cadre candidates to the county party committee.

In particular, the heads of government departments are highly skilled in their work, and the county government has a better understanding of the situation.

Could it be done like this: When it comes to adjusting the candidates for deputy positions in government departments, the county government party group should first conduct thorough deliberations based on work needs and the performance of cadres, propose preliminary candidates, and then submit them to the county party committee according to the prescribed procedures.

This approach not only reflects the leadership and oversight role of the county party committee, but also allows the government party group to exercise its right to know and make suggestions regarding cadre recommendations.

Of course, the final decision rests with the Standing Committee of the County Party Committee.

Liang Dongming rejected Wu Zhiyuan's three suggestions one by one:

"Zhiyuan, regarding the first point, you said that the county government could decide on matters involving 'major issues, important personnel appointments, and large sums of money.' My answer is—no!"

Any matter falling under the "major issues" category must be reported to the county party committee first!

I am familiar with the documents you just cited, such as the eleven major categories and the requirement to report to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress.

But I must tell you that matters reported to the Standing Committee of the People's Congress must first be studied by the Standing Committee of the County Party Committee before being submitted to the People's Congress according to procedures.

This is a political rule. This door cannot be opened.

Secondly, you said that reporting major projects daily would increase the burden on departments.

My answer is that even if there is a burden, it should be repaid.

Zhiyuan, have you ever calculated how many stages a project involves from its inception to completion?

Planning, land use, environmental impact assessment, construction permits, fund allocation, quality supervision, safety supervision...

Any problem in any link of the chain will be a major issue.

If we don't keep an eye on things every day, who will be responsible if problems arise? Will you be responsible?

Liang Dongming tapped his knuckles on the table, his tone growing increasingly harsh: "I understand that the department has a heavy workload. But you need to figure out, is the department's workload more important, or is the project's safety more important?"

Is the hassle of filling out forms more important, or is the safety of people's lives and property more important? You need to make that decision clearly.

Wu Zhiyuan didn't reply, but simply nodded slightly.

"As for the third point, you mentioned the 'Regulations on the Appointment of Cadres,' which states that the government's Party group has the right to make recommendations. I accept all of that."

But have you ever wondered why the organization would hand over personnel authority to the Party Committee?

Because when selecting and appointing people, we're not choosing skilled professionals, we're choosing leaders!

Having strong professional skills means you can become a bureau chief? Or a town mayor? Zhiyuan, you're too naive!

When it comes to leadership, the most important qualities are political integrity, organizational awareness, and a sense of the big picture.

"No matter how strong someone's professional skills are, if they are politically unreliable, have a weak sense of organization, and lack a sense of the big picture, can such a person be used?"

After listening, Wu Zhiyuan neither argued nor explained, but simply nodded calmly.

"I've taken Secretary Liang's words to heart. I'll go back and think about them some more, and make sure I implement your requirements thoroughly."

Liang Dongming was somewhat surprised. He thought Wu Zhiyuan would continue to argue, or at least offer a few more explanations. He didn't expect the other party to accept the challenge so casually.

Liang Dongming's tone softened a bit: "Zhiyuan, it's good that you understand. I'm not trying to make things difficult for you, nor do I distrust you."

I am the Party Secretary of Qingyan County, and I am fully responsible for the work of the entire county.

Some things must be firmly in your grasp to feel at ease.

You're the county head now; you'll understand when you become the party secretary.

Wu Zhiyuan said this, but in his heart he was thinking, "Submitting everything to the Standing Committee of the County Party Committee is not Liang Dongming's private affair!"

Whether he can control the county party committee standing committee remains to be seen!

The Standing Committee of the Qingyan County Party Committee consists of eleven members. When Yuan Jin was in charge, he relied on meticulous management to control most of the leadership team.

Liang Dongming was new to the area and knew nothing about the situation in Qingyan. How many of the dozen or so people on the Standing Committee could he mobilize?

Liang Dongming then asked, "Zhiyuan, you've been in Qingyan for over half a year now. What do you think is Qingyan's biggest problem?"

"Secretary Liang, Qingyan's problems are multifaceted. If I had to pick the biggest one, I would say it's a people problem."

"The problem lies with people?"

"Yes. The morale and execution of the cadre team, as well as the sense of identity and belonging of Qingyan people living elsewhere to their hometown."

There is significant room for improvement in both of these areas.

Liang Dongming laughed: "Zhiyuan, your answer is too vague."

People are the core of the problem; this statement holds true everywhere and in any county.

My question is—what exactly is Qingyan's problem?

Before Wu Zhiyuan could answer, he continued, "Let me tell you what Qingyan's problem is? It's slowness! Slow decision-making, slow execution, and slow results."

In Qingyan, it takes half a year for a project to go from signing to implementation, even though it takes three months or less in other counties.

A single document goes through four or five hands before reaching the department head. How can development proceed at this pace?

Wu Zhiyuan did not refute, but simply nodded: "Secretary Liang's assessment is very accurate. Efficiency is indeed a bottleneck for Qingyan."

Since I took over the government work, I have also been promoting process optimization, for example...

"Process optimization?" Liang Dongming interrupted him. "Zhiyuan, don't give me those platitudes."

What is process optimization? It's about patching things up.

What Qingyan needs isn't patching things up, it needs a complete overhaul.

After a pause, Liang Dongming asked, "What's the progress of the road reconstruction and expansion project from Wuhe Town to Jiangzhou City? How much matching funding has the county provided?"

Wu Zhiyuan said, "The total investment in the project is 320 million yuan, with the province providing 150 million yuan, the city providing 80 million yuan, and the county providing 90 million yuan."

The design is now complete, and 70% of the land acquisition and demolition work has been finished. Construction is expected to begin next month.

After this road is completed, the travel time from Wuhe Town to Jiangzhou City will be shortened to half an hour, which is of great significance to the development of Wuhe Town and even the entire Qingyan District.

Liang Dongming stared at Wu Zhiyuan and asked, "Where will the county's matching funds of 90 million come from?"

"The province allocated 50 million yuan in special transportation subsidies, and the county's fiscal budget allocated 40 million yuan."

"Zhiyuan, I know about the county's finances. Last year's fiscal revenue was less than 400 million yuan. Guaranteeing salaries, ensuring operations, and protecting people's livelihoods—all of these require money. Where are you going to squeeze out 40 million yuan to build this road?"

"Secretary Liang, this money will be paid in two installments, 20 million this year and 20 million next year."

This year's 20 million yuan came partly from adjustments made to the reserve fund and partly from reductions in departmental operating expenses.

Liang Dongming's face darkened: "Using departmental public funds to repair roads?"

Zhiyuan, have you thought about how those departments, which have been downsized, will be able to carry out their work?

Some departments are already short of operating funds. If you cut them again, they won't even be able to reimburse the fuel costs for cadres going to the countryside. Who will be in the mood to work then?

"I understand Secretary Liang's concerns. But the highway is the lifeline of Qingyan's development."

The sooner this road is completed, the sooner logistics costs can be reduced, allowing projects like the logistics industrial park, the wildlife park, and the provincial vocational college to truly take root. This is a long-term, strategic plan.

"Long-term account?" Liang Dongming sneered. "Zhiyuan, that's not how you calculate accounts."

If you spend all the money in front of you, who will take care of the long-term things?

I think this road needs to be reassessed. Let's halt the land acquisition and demolition efforts until the funding is secured.

Wu Zhiyuan's heart sank.

Once land acquisition and demolition stop, not only will the initial investment be wasted, but the confidence of the construction unit will also be damaged, making it much more difficult to restart.

More importantly, if this road cannot be opened to traffic on schedule, the locational advantages of Wuhe Town will be greatly diminished, the new campus of the Provincial Vocational College will be out of the question, and the wildlife park project will also be greatly affected.

"Secretary Liang, the land acquisition and demolition are 70% complete. If we stop now, all the initial investment will be wasted."

Furthermore, Fu Tingting, the dean of the provincial vocational college, clearly stated that transportation conditions are one of the important factors to consider when selecting a site.

If this road cannot be opened to traffic on schedule, the possibility of the Provincial Vocational College settling in Qingyan will be greatly reduced.

Liang Dongming's expression changed slightly. He clearly didn't have a complete grasp of the situation regarding the Provincial Vocational College.

"Tell me more about the Provincial Vocational College first."

Wu Zhiyuan gave a brief report on his contact with Fu Tingting and Jiang Haipeng, as well as the progress of the site selection for the new campus of the Provincial Vocational College.

He deliberately highlighted Fu Tingting's emphasis on traffic conditions and Jiang Haipeng's reminders regarding procedures.

After listening, Liang Dongming remained silent for a moment, then tapped his fingers lightly on the table.

Wu Zhiyuan could sense that he was weighing the pros and cons.

"Zhiyuan, if we can introduce the new campus of the Provincial Vocational College, it will greatly benefit the development of Qingyan County, especially Wuhe Town. But I have three points to make."

First, the county party committee should take the lead in this matter; the county government should not push it forward unilaterally.

Second, don't contact Fu Tingting separately for now. I'll have the county party committee office prepare a formal communication plan so that we can connect on behalf of the county party committee.

Third, regarding the highway project, land acquisition and demolition can continue, but fund allocation must be strictly controlled, and major matters must be reviewed and approved by the Standing Committee of the County Party Committee.

All three opinions are aimed at consolidating power.

Liang Dongming wants to reap the benefits from the provincial vocational college issue, and even take away all the previous work achievements of the county government.

However, he did not refute it on the spot. It is reasonable from an organizational principle for the county party secretary to have the leading role in major matters.

"Secretary Liang, I have noted down these three points."

Regarding the connection with the Provincial Vocational College, I asked the government office to compile all the preliminary materials and hand them over to the county party committee office.

I will strictly control the funding for the highway, as you have suggested.

Liang Dongming nodded, a look of satisfaction on his face.

"There's one more thing. This morning at the dinner table, I mentioned the list of local notables and the New Year's gathering."

You said the main purpose was to build relationships, and that you wouldn't discuss projects or investments.

Zhiyuan, I went back and thought about it again, and your approach is still a bit too soft.

"What does Secretary Liang mean?"

"What I mean is, feelings are important, but projects are even more important."

We spent money and effort, and all we got was a meal and a chance to catch up? What is this if not a waste?

Wu Zhiyuan calmly said, "Secretary Liang, my consideration is that these people have been away from home for many years and have very complicated feelings about their hometown."

If you start by talking about projects and investments, it's easy for them to feel that the county is taking advantage of them, which can backfire.

First, we need to connect with them emotionally, letting them feel the sincerity and changes in their hometown, so that subsequent work can be carried out more easily.

This is similar to dating; you can't propose on the first date.