Absolute power in officialdom

Chapter 420 Using a big name as a shield

Liang Dongming decided to go to Jiangzhou.

He needs Wu Bao to come to Qingyan.

This is not an ordinary survey; it's about taking a stand, making a statement, and letting the cadres of Qingyan see clearly who truly calls the shots in Qingyan.

He needs to leverage his connections.

Wu Bao is the greatest force.

He is a member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee and Secretary of the Jiangzhou Municipal Party Committee. This position is of great importance even within the entire province.

The municipal party committee and government are located in the new government affairs district.

Liang Dongming is very familiar with this place.

But today, his identity has changed. He is no longer the servant who serves tea and water and opens doors for others, but the county party secretary in charge of a region.

Wu Bao was in his fifties, a time when someone of his rank should be in the prime of their life.

"Dongming, have a seat," Wu Bao said to his old subordinate.

Liang Dongming didn't sit down immediately. Instead, he refilled Wu Bao's cup with hot water before sitting down beside him.

This movement was performed naturally and smoothly; it was a habit he had developed over many years, and it was also something he did intentionally.

He wanted Wu Bao to know that no matter how high his official rank became, he would always be a loyal subordinate in Wu Bao's eyes.

Wu Bao picked up his water glass, took a sip, and looked at Liang Dongming: "Dongming, how's Qingyan doing? Is he adjusting well?"

As before, Liang Dongming sat down with one side of his buttocks, leaned forward, and placed his hands on his knees: "Thank you for your concern, Secretary. I've basically adapted."

Qingyan's foundation is weaker than expected, and it has more problems than anticipated.

But it's precisely in situations like these that one is truly tempered. I'm confident I can do a good job.

Wu Bao nodded: "Having confidence is a good thing. But confidence alone is not enough; you also need methods and skills."

Working at the grassroots level is not the same as being the director of the transportation bureau.

The Transportation Bureau is a department; it only needs to manage its own small area.

The county is divided into many sections, and all the relationships within it need to be straightened out.

Liang Dongming nodded in deep agreement: "Secretary is absolutely right. That's what I felt most deeply during my time in Qingyan."

Managing each individual aspect is easy, but overseeing each specific task is difficult. The relationships between various parties are intricately intertwined, and sometimes pushing forward a task is far more complex than anticipated.

Wu Bao understood the underlying meaning in his words and said calmly, "Tell me what specific difficulties you have."

Liang Dongming did not rush to talk about the difficulties, but first reported on several key tasks.

For example, the commencement of the logistics industrial park project, the establishment of the wildlife park project in Wuhe Town, the reconstruction and expansion project of the highway from Wuhe Town to Jiangzhou City, and efforts to secure the establishment of the new campus of the Provincial Vocational College in Wuhe Town.

Liang Dongming, a former secretary, speaks clearly and logically, and provides detailed data.

He was good at picking the peaches (a metaphor for reaping rewards), and these tasks were actually handled by Wu Zhiyuan.

However, he cleverly obscured the timeline, focusing instead on his decisive actions and vigorous promotion of these major projects after taking office.

To outsiders, the progress these projects have made is entirely due to his strategic planning.

As Wu Bao listened, he nodded, a look of approval on his face: "Not bad, Dongming. It seems you've quickly settled into your role, and your approach to economic development and project management is clear and effective."

Qingyan needs cadres like this who can break new ground and dare to tackle tough challenges.

Liang Dongming said modestly, "Secretary, please don't flatter me. All my skills are learned from working alongside you."

Having followed you for so many years, I've learned from you that my biggest takeaway is how to see things from a holistic perspective, how to grasp the key points, and how to take responsibility.

When I was working on projects at the Transportation Bureau, you taught me step by step how to coordinate with superiors and subordinates, how to secure resources, and how to overcome difficulties.

Now that I'm in the county, I'm just trying to apply what you taught me back then to this new battlefield.

These words were both flattering and sincere.

Wu Bao smiled with satisfaction: "Dongming, I'm glad you think that way."

The most important thing for a secretary is to learn to think critically and to see things from the leader's perspective. Looking back now, it seems you haven't wasted these years working for me.

"This is all thanks to your excellent guidance, Secretary." Liang Dongming subtly changed the subject, "However, Secretary, sometimes I feel like I can't use my strengths in Qingyan."

The team's thinking is not yet fully unified, and some comrades' understanding and implementation of certain tasks deviate from the overall approach of the county party committee.

This has led to some good decisions being implemented with less effort, and consequently, their effectiveness being diminished.

Wu Bao was slightly taken aback: "Oh? Tell me more, what kind of deviation?"

Liang Dongming knew that the time was right.

"Secretary, since I came to Qingyan, I have always kept your teachings in mind: to put development first and to maintain unity within the leadership team."

Therefore, in most work, I adhere to the principle of seeking common ground while reserving differences. As long as the direction is the same, any differences in opinion on specific paths can be discussed.

Wu Bao held his teacup but didn't reply. Liang Dongming continued, "But there's something I've thought about and feel I need to report to you."

The pedestrian street in Qingyan is a high-quality project that the county has invested a lot of effort in building, and it is the face of Qingyan.

Since its completion, it has been managed according to the standards of a strictly managed street, prohibiting the setting up of stalls and ensuring cleanliness and order.

However, recently, Wu Zhiyuan proposed to allow street vendors to set up stalls on pedestrian streets, saying that he wanted to combine regulation with guidance to increase the vibrancy of the city and solve people's livelihood issues.

This idea sounds good, but I worry that once it's loosened, it will be difficult to take it back.

The resurgence of filth and disorder, food safety hazards, and public security issues—each of these is a serious matter.

Wu Bao was silent for a moment before slowly speaking: "Comrade Zhiyuan is young, has ideas, and is energetic, which are his strengths."

However, sometimes, youthful impetuosity can lead to oversimplifying problems.

Urban management is not a dinner party; it cannot be done with just enthusiasm.

Creating a civilized city is one of the central tasks of the municipal party committee and government.

The entire city operates as a unified whole; no county or district can afford to lag behind.

Taking the opportunity, Liang Dongming said, "I would like to ask the Party Secretary to visit Qingyan for research when it is convenient for him, to give us his guidance and set the direction. One word from the Party Secretary is more effective than ten meetings we hold."

Wu Bao pondered for a moment and said, "Qingyan County was originally Longcheng City. I haven't been there since Longcheng was merged."

The municipal party committee has always paid close attention to the development of Qingyan. I will make time to visit there soon.

Take a look at the pedestrian street you mentioned, and also at the other key projects.

Don't overcomplicate things. Keep it simple. The key is to see the real situation and hear the real voices.

"Thank you for your concern, Secretary! I will definitely make the arrangements so that you can see the most authentic side of Qingyan, and I will also ensure that your instructions are implemented thoroughly!"

……

Wu Zhiyuan frowned as he looked at Wu Bao's research agenda.

Wu Bao came to conduct research, and Wu Zhiyuan accompanied him throughout the visit.

There is no problem with that.

The problem is that the first stop of the investigation was the pedestrian street, ostensibly to investigate the county's efforts in creating a civilized city.

The intention was self-evident: Liang Dongming wanted to use Wu Bao to overturn the Standing Committee's resolution and regain the initiative.

The Standing Committee's decision on combining traffic management and congestion control for pedestrian streets had only been passed a few days ago, and Liang Dongming was already bringing the Municipal Party Secretary to correct it.

This is not only a slap in the face to Wu Zhiyuan, but also a message to everyone: in Qingyan, the real boss is Liang Dongming.

Wu Bao has arrived.

Accompanying him on his research trip were Che Jinluo, Deputy Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee; Yao Jingui, Member of the Standing Committee of the Municipal Party Committee and Minister of Organization; and Yang Yuling, Member of the Standing Committee of the Municipal Party Committee and Minister of Publicity.

This high-level research visit reflects the municipal party committee's high regard for Qingyan after it was incorporated into Jiangzhou City.

As is customary, Wu Bao and his delegation first listened to a work report from Qingyan County.

Liang Dongming reported on behalf of the county party committee and the county government.

The recent major achievements of Qingyan County, such as the logistics industrial park project, the wildlife park project, and the highway project from Wuhe Town to Jiangzhou City, were all obtained under the correct leadership of the county party committee.

Wu Zhiyuan listened quietly, without arguing or showing any displeasure.

In this situation, arguing is clearly inappropriate and a sign of immaturity.

Justice resides in the hearts of the people.

The cadres and people of Qingyan County know that these projects are actually all thanks to Wu Zhiyuan.

After Liang Dongming finished his report, Wu Bao said, "Since Qingyan was incorporated into Jiangzhou, I have always wanted to come and see it."

After listening to the report today, my overall impression is that Qingyan's work is showing signs of improvement, and the leadership team is effective.

He paused, picked up his water glass, and took a sip.

"Comrade Dongming has not been in Qingyan for long, but he has quickly adapted to his role."

The projects I just reported—the logistics park, the wildlife park, the highway reconstruction and expansion, and the provincial vocational college we are currently vying for—are all good projects that lay a solid foundation and benefit the long term.

The fact that Comrade Dongming was able to get these tasks started and implemented in such a short time shows that he has a clear vision and the courage to take charge.

Qingyan needs cadres like this: experienced, visionary, and energetic, who can ensure that the municipal party committee's decisions and plans are implemented without fail...

Wu Bao said a lot, repeatedly affirming Liang Dongming's abilities and achievements, and publicly supporting and backing Liang Dongming.

He never mentioned Wu Zhiyuan's name from beginning to end.

This is a deliberate act of ignoring.

It wasn't an oversight, it was intentional.

Wu Bao is using this method to tell everyone that in Qingyan, he recognizes Liang Dongming.

As for the others, they were not within his sight.

This is the power politics of a leader.

If he wants to suppress someone, he doesn't need to criticize them to their face; he only needs to ignore them in this way to draw a clear line and set the tone.

Che Jinlu sat to Wu Bao's left, observing everything discreetly.

He knew more about Qingyan's situation than Wu Bao did.

He knew Wu Zhiyuan's actual role in these projects, and he also knew that Liang Dongming's report contained an element of "reaping the benefits."

But he wouldn't say it in this situation.

The first stop of the survey was the pedestrian street.

This was the highlight that Liang Dongming had meticulously planned.

He wanted Wu Bao to see for himself what would happen if this street were left unattended and vendors were allowed to flood in.

He instructed the urban management bureau to conduct a concentrated cleanup of the pedestrian street two days in advance, clearing out all vendors, washing the road surface three times, and even pulling out every single weed in the flower beds.

What he wanted Wu Bao to see was a clean, tidy, and orderly pedestrian street, and then to have Wu Bao personally say the words "must be strictly managed."

The granite pavement on the pedestrian street is clean and bright, the flower bed edges are spotless, and there are no street vendors.

As Wu Bao walked along the pedestrian street, he nodded in praise: "This street is nice, tasteful, and classy."

Liang Dongming quickly said, "Secretary, this street is the face of Qingyan, and we put a lot of effort into building it."

After its completion, we have managed it according to the standards of a strictly regulated street, absolutely prohibiting street vending and ensuring cleanliness and order.

Wu Bao turned his gaze to Wu Zhiyuan: "Comrade Zhiyuan, I heard that you have different ideas about the management of the pedestrian street?"

The question came suddenly, but Wu Zhiyuan remained calm and answered neither humbly nor arrogantly: "Secretary Wu, I do have some thoughts on the management of the pedestrian street."

My idea is that, under strict management, we can explore a model that combines guidance and control, allowing some street vendors to operate in a regulated manner in specific areas and at designated times.

This will not only solve the livelihood problems of some low-income groups, but also increase the vibrancy and economic activity of the pedestrian street.

Wu Bao casually asked, "Tell me your reasons."

Wu Zhiyuan calmly and methodically explained his three reasons: people's livelihood and employment, economic vitality, and urban governance. His arguments were clear, logical, and well-supported.

After listening, Wu Bao did not immediately express his opinion, but instead turned to Liang Dongming: "Comrade Dongming, what is your opinion?"

Liang Dongming had already made preparations.

He first affirmed that Wu Zhiyuan's starting point was correct, then changed the subject: "However, Secretary, Qingyan's situation is rather special."

The pedestrian street is a city landmark that the county has worked hard to create, with a large amount of investment.

If street vending is allowed prematurely, and management fails to keep up, problems such as a resurgence of filth and disorder, food safety incidents, and public security risks will all become serious issues.

Moreover, the merchants who initially moved into the pedestrian street did so because it was positioned as a strictly regulated street; allowing street vendors to set up stalls at the entrance would disrupt their legal business operations.

After listening, Wu Bao remained silent for a few seconds.

He stood in the middle of the pedestrian street, his hands behind his back, his gaze sweeping from one end of the street to the other.

Wu Bao finally spoke: "This street is well-built. It cost a lot of money and effort, and it's a highlight of Qingyan."

Such highlights are hard-won and should be cherished and maintained.

He looked at Wu Zhiyuan: "Comrade Zhiyuan, do you have any merit in what you said about people's livelihood and economic vitality? Yes, you do."

But you need to figure out whether the only way to solve people's livelihood issues and boost economic vitality is to let street vendors move to pedestrian streets.

Could we find some secondary roads and back alleys around the pedestrian street and designate specific areas to accommodate these vendors?

This solved their livelihood problem without affecting the image of the main street.

This isn't a one-size-fits-all approach; it's a differentiated approach.