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Chapter 432 Has Xu Yunxi changed?
Liang Dongming put down his teacup, his tone softening considerably: "Zhiyuan, for every one thing I say, you have ten to say in return."
"Secretary Liang's criticism is correct. I'm young and sometimes talk too much. Please forgive me."
"Zhiyuan, it's not that I don't want you to do things. I'm just afraid you'll act recklessly."
The problem of the Shicao River was something that previous county magistrates tried to address, but ultimately failed to resolve.
"Secretary Liang, the fact that previous administrations failed to accomplish something is not necessarily a reason why we cannot accomplish it in this administration."
On the other hand, it is precisely because previous administrations failed to accomplish their goals that the people's expectations are even higher, and our responsibility as the current administration is even greater.
I sat in the petition office for half a day, and my biggest feeling was not how difficult the people were to deal with, but how disappointed they were.
They came to petition, not to cause trouble; they had no other choice.
If there were any other way, who would be willing to travel dozens of miles to beg for help?
Liang Dongming was silent for a few seconds, then said, "I know all of this."
But do you know why the previous administrations failed to get it done? Because there were too many vested interests involved.
For example, shutting down those polluting enterprises is equivalent to affecting the county's tax revenue.
These are things that cannot be accomplished simply by having determination.
Wu Zhiyuan pretended to be very sincere: "Secretary Liang, I am not here today to argue with you about whether or not this should be done, but to ask you for instructions on how to do it."
You are the county party secretary, the leader; you steer the boat, and I row. You tell me where to go, and I'll follow without hesitation.
Looking at Wu Zhiyuan, Liang Dongming couldn't tell whether he was sincere or not.
Wu Zhiyuan continued, "Secretary Liang, I dare not hide anything from you."
My thinking is very simple: if the matter of the lost Caohe River is not addressed, the people's hearts will be broken.
The people have lost heart; no one will believe anything we say anymore.
As the county party secretary, you know better than I what grassroots work fears most: losing public trust.
Secretary Liang, I have a preliminary idea, and I would appreciate your review.
"you say."
"I want to promote the remediation of the Shicao River in the name of the county party committee."
You are the team leader, and I will be the deputy team leader. I will be responsible for the specific tasks, and I will report major matters to you.
The rectification plan, schedule, and use of funds will all be reviewed and approved by you.
If you think it's feasible, I'll do it; if you think it's inappropriate, I'll change it immediately.
Liang Dongming asked, "You're appointing me as the head of this rectification task force?"
"Secretary Liang, the remediation of the Shicao River is a major undertaking, so of course we would appreciate your personal involvement."
Only with you as the team leader can we coordinate the efforts of all parties and truly deter polluting companies and illegal sand miners.
Liang Dongming picked up his teacup and slowly took a sip of tea.
He was making plans in his mind.
On the surface, the Shicao River remediation project appears to be an environmental protection project and a project that benefits the people, but in reality, it's a hot potato.
Which of those polluting companies along the coast doesn't have several layers of connections behind it?
Shutting down and rectifying means taking money from other people's pockets.
These people dare not say anything openly, but they will inevitably trip them up, pass notes, and use their connections to exert pressure behind the scenes.
What's more troublesome is that this matter involves a wide range of people, and those counties and districts in Jiangdong City upstream simply don't listen to Qingyan.
Some of the enterprises in the county pay tens of millions of yuan in taxes, and some provide employment for hundreds of people. If they are shut down in a blanket manner, what will happen if the workers protest?
If Liang Dongming were to become the group leader, it would be like putting himself in a very difficult position.
Success was due to Wu Zhiyuan's hard work on the front lines; failure was due to Liang Dongming's poor decision-making and ineffective coordination.
In the event of a mass incident or online public opinion crisis, if the higher authorities investigate and hold him accountable, he, as the team leader, will be the first to bear the brunt.
Liang Dongming put down his teacup and said slowly, "Zhiyuan, your idea is good, but you should be the team leader."
Wu Zhiyuan knew that Liang Dongming would not become the team leader, but he said this on purpose, as a way of retreating to advance.
When there are benefits, everyone scrambles to grab them; when there are troubles, everyone tries their best to push them away.
That's exactly the kind of person Liang Dongming is talking about.
Wu Zhiyuan feigned surprise: "Secretary Liang, you are the county party secretary, the top leader. It is perfectly legitimate for you to be the group leader, and your authority will be greater."
"If I were the deputy team leader, I'm afraid coordination would be difficult."
Liang Dongming waved his hand and said, "First of all, I am the county party secretary, in charge of the overall situation, the direction, and major issues."
While the management of the Shicao River is important, it is ultimately a specific task that should be primarily handled by the county government; this falls within your responsibilities.
If I always rush to the front and lead the team, what's the point of having a county government? What's the point of having you as the county head?
Wu Zhiyuan understood the unspoken message: Don't try to shift the responsibility onto me.
"Secondly, you just said that only if I am the group leader can I coordinate the efforts of all parties."
Zhiyuan, I don't like hearing that. You're the county magistrate, and your coordination skills are really that bad?
Is your word so ineffective? If you can't even get things done this easily, how are you going to do any work in the future?
Liang Dongming was putting Wu Zhiyuan in a difficult position. He was telling him that if he wanted to do something, he should do it himself and not expect him to be his shield.
"Thirdly, and most importantly, Zhiyuan, I'm giving you this team leader position to provide you with a platform and an opportunity."
You are young, energetic, and eager to make a name for yourself in Qingyan. I support you.
"If you successfully manage the Shicao River remediation project, it will be a shining example of your achievements during your tenure in Qingyan, a testament to your political accomplishments that no one can take away."
Liang Dongming spoke with sincerity, seemingly considering Wu Zhiyuan's best interests at all times.
Wu Zhiyuan sneered inwardly.
Liang Dongming's rhetoric is all the same old formula and routine.
On the surface, it's giving Wu Zhiyuan a chance, but in reality, it's about not wanting to take responsibility.
On the surface, it's about trusting Wu Zhiyuan, but in reality, it's about being afraid of taking on a hot potato.
On the surface, it's about delegating power; in reality, it's about shifting blame.
Success can also be attributed to Liang Dongming, because the county government worked under the strong leadership of the county party committee.
If he fails or something serious happens, he can absolve himself of responsibility because it was caused by Wu Zhi's reckless actions.
Wu Zhiyuan didn't expose it, nor could he.
"Secretary Liang, you've put it this way, it would be ungrateful of me to refuse," Wu Zhiyuan said readily. "Alright, I'll take the role of group leader. But there's one thing I need to clarify with you beforehand."
"you say."
"The remediation of the Shicao River involves shutting down businesses and cracking down on illegal sand mining, which will inevitably affect the interests of some people."
At that time, someone will definitely complain, try to use connections to put pressure on them, and may even hype it up online.
My stance is clear: as long as I, Wu Zhiyuan, remain in the position of county magistrate, there is no room for negotiation on this matter.
But I also need the support of the county committee, and the support of you, the class monitor.
Liang Dongming had no intention of cleaning up Wu Zhiyuan's mess, so he first pretended to be sincere and said, "Zhiyuan, don't worry, as long as you're on the right track, the county committee will be your support."
Then, he changed the subject: "You also need to pay attention to your methods and approaches. You can't act recklessly or use a one-size-fits-all approach."
In particular, the closure of businesses must be done in accordance with laws and regulations, and risk assessments and stability maintenance plans must be prepared in advance.
"If a mass incident occurs and affects the overall stability of the county, then no one can protect you."
This translates to: I'll verbally support you, but if something goes wrong, you'll have to bear the consequences yourself.
Wu Zhiyuan hadn't expected Liang Dongming to back him up.
He knew Liang Dongming all too well. This man only reaped the rewards, never planted the trees; he stood on the platform, never took the stage. He could get involved in good things, but he would never get involved in troublesome matters.
……
That evening, at his residence, Wu Zhiyuan unexpectedly received a phone call from Liu Qingqing.
Liu Qingqing rarely calls first.
Especially after that embarrassing incident, he and Liu Qingqing never contacted each other again.
This phone call was both a surprise and a delight for Wu Zhiyuan.
"Zhiyuan, how's work going lately?"
"Teacher Liu, thank you for your concern. Work is alright, but there are a lot of things to do, and they're quite varied. That's how it is at the grassroots level."
"It's good to have a lot of things to do; it means you, the county magistrate, are not idle."
"That's right, the province organized a cultural benefit program bringing performances to rural areas, and our theater is one of the main organizers. Qingyan County is one of the stops. I might be going to Qingyan next week."
"That's wonderful! I was just worried about the monotonous cultural life of the people. Your arrival is a timely help."
"You know, you just know how to say nice things." Liu Qingqing chuckled on the other end of the phone, her voice melodious and pleasant. "By the way, Zhiyuan, I was having dinner with Youwei the other day, and we were talking about you."
I told you that you are alone in Qingyan, under great work pressure, and you are young, and the political environment in Qingyan is complex.
He listened and said that the provincial department had recently deployed a special campaign to crack down on and rectify public security issues during the summer across the province, and that several key counties and cities would be selected for on-site supervision and research.
He's considering including Qingyan as well, partly for work purposes and partly to give you some support.
He knows you have a strong personality and is afraid you'll offend people. With him around, some people will always have to restrain themselves.
"Thank you, Teacher Liu; thank you, Governor Xu. You've both been so kind to me!"
Wu Zhiyuan was deeply grateful to Xu Youwei and Liu Qingqing.
In officialdom, without a powerful backer, one is like a child without parents.
Liang Dongming is very powerful in Qingyan. Why is that?
Just because he was Wu Bao's former secretary.
The last time Wu Bao came to Qingyan for research, it was to support him.
"Zhiyuan, why are you being so polite with us?"
Youwei often says that of all the secretaries he has worked with, you are the one most like him.
It's not his style, it's his personality; once he's made up his mind, nothing can change it. He's afraid you'll get hurt.
"Teacher Liu, please tell Governor Xu that I will be careful with my approach. I won't act recklessly, but I'm not afraid of trouble either."
"That's good. Youwei might go down before the end of the month. He doesn't like being surrounded by people during research trips; he wants to see something real."
"Teacher Liu, I understand."
"Zhiyuan, has Yunxi contacted you recently?"
"Teacher Liu, I've been very busy lately and haven't been able to reach out to Yunxi much. That's my fault."
Wu Zhiyuan suddenly realized that he hadn't contacted Xu Yunxi for quite some time, and Xu Yunxi hadn't contacted him for quite some time either.
When Xu Yunxi approached him, he didn't seem to notice much.
Tonight, when Liu Qingqing suddenly asked about it, Wu Zhiyuan felt a sense of loss.
It's very unusual that Xu Yunxi hasn't contacted him for a while.
Did she become disheartened and accept the affections of other suitors?
But he didn't reject her.
Liu Qingqing said softly, "Zhiyuan, Yunxi's feelings for you are genuine, you don't need to doubt that."
But Zhiyuan, you need to understand one thing. Even the deepest feelings can't withstand a long wait.
Even the hottest water will cool down if left for too long.
If one day Yunxi makes a different choice, don't blame her.
Wu Zhiyuan suddenly felt a sense of panic, like a child whose beloved toy had been snatched away by a friend.
"Teacher Liu, how is Yunxi doing lately?"
"Zhiyuan, you'll have to ask Yunxi if she's alright."
She's set aside her pride many times for you, but your responses have been too vague and too slow.
"Teacher Liu, I know I haven't done well enough. I just feel that some things take time."
"Zhiyuan, time is fair to everyone; it won't stop just to wait for anyone to figure things out."
Some relationships, once missed at that point, may truly be missed forever.
Yunxi has waited for you for so many years, from a naive young girl to now.
She's never short of excellent suitors; you know that better than I do.
She rejected everything for you; what did you give her besides an uncertain future?
After a pause, Liu Qingqing said, "Zhiyuan, I'm not blaming you. When it comes to matters of the heart, outsiders can't judge right or wrong."
I just want to remind you that if you truly care about her, don't make her wait too long.
If you can't let go of the past, then please give her a clean break, don't let her suffer back and forth between hope and despair.
"Teacher Liu, it was indeed my fault. I have always felt guilty towards Yunxi."
"Zhiyuan, there's no right or wrong when it comes to matters of the heart. I'm saying this tonight for your own good."
I heard from Yunxi that her university has an international exchange program where students can study at the Florence Academy of Fine Arts for a semester. She fully meets the application requirements.
She had been hesitant about signing up, afraid of missing out on something.
But she recently told me that she's already preparing her application materials. If all goes well, the application should be approved.
"Yunxi didn't tell you about something this important?"