Chapter 1107: Do Challenging Things!

This was the first time Han Zhengyi had private contact with Tang Ye.

Because of their work, the two top leaders often had intersections, and Han Zhengyi discovered that Tang Ye was two different people in life and at work.

After the meal, Jiang Min knew Han Zhengyi and Tang Ye had things to discuss, so she stayed outside in a small pavilion with Du Xi.

Jiang Min ordered a fruit juice for Du Xi, while she drank coffee herself.

Han Zhengyi took a sip of tea and brought up the issue of the candidate for Executive Deputy County Magistrate.

"Regarding the Executive Deputy County Magistrate, I have two candidates in mind.

One is Comrade Dong Zhangan, who previously served as Town Mayor and Party Committee Secretary of Qianping Town; he has his own unique insights in grasping the economy, is conscientious and hardworking, and is also smart and steady.

The other is Comrade Zhao Kaiyuan, who is a Standing Committee Deputy County Mayor; his ability is quite strong, he is relatively flexible, and his emotional intelligence is quite high."

Tang Ye understood Han Zhengyi's meaning; his idea was still to promote from among the existing cadres, as this was conducive to the stability of the leadership team.

Tang Ye pondered for a moment, then smiled and said, "Secretary Han, I have no opinion on who should be the Executive Deputy County Magistrate."

Han Zhengyi was satisfied with Tang Ye's stance.

"I once read an article on an online forum analyzing why Putin was chosen by Yeltsin as his successor.

Yeltsin considered many candidates—some with strong abilities, some with strong backgrounds, some moderates, and some iron-fisted ones.

But he ultimately settled on Putin as his successor for one reason: he was loyal.

Yeltsin's reforms had failed at the time, and if he stepped down, he might well be liquidated.

At a time like this, no matter what kind of leader you are, you won't be thinking about the future of the country or the rise and fall of the people; the first thing you think about is how to save your own life and the lives of your family. On this point, Putin was the best candidate.

The local official who had promoted him back then was later driven from power, and it was Putin who risked his political life to protect him by every possible means and send him away safely.

A person who has such a heart to repay kindness—this is what Yeltsin valued."

Tang Ye thought to himself that Han Zhengyi had revealed a bit of selfishness; he was testing him.

At the same time, he had also indicated his attitude: he wanted to promote Zhao Kaiyuan to serve as Executive Deputy County Magistrate.

There was a serious divergence in the personnel management philosophies of Han Zhengyi and Tang Ye.

If it were Tang Ye, he would definitely lean more toward a cadre's ability.

Han Zhengyi bore responsibility for the many problems that had appeared in Yechuan County.

However, one does not seek to govern if one is not in that position.

Personnel promotion was not Tang Ye's primary work.

Tang Ye did not want to waste his energy on internal strife.

He said calmly, "Secretary Han, what you say makes sense; I have no opinion and will listen to you."

Han Zhengyi was satisfied with his answer. "Next, there will be changes in the County Government; what are your thoughts?"

Tang Ye nodded and said, "Comrade Li Yongan performed excellently during the Safety Production Rectification Action; I recommend him to enter the Standing Committee."

Han Zhengyi sighed with emotion, "Comrade Li Yongan certainly has the level; I wasn't familiar enough with him before. I will have the Organization Department conduct a comprehensive assessment of him and will fully respect your opinion."

Tang Ye subsequently recommended Chen Zhihe to Han Zhengyi to serve as Deputy County Magistrate.

Han Zhengyi knew that Tang Ye would definitely cultivate his own confidants.

Since Tang Ye had not crossed him on the Executive Deputy County Magistrate position, he still had to give Tang Ye some benefits.

Officialdom games are about the reasonable distribution of interests, never a life-or-death struggle.

The two exchanged words, discussing the overall situation of the leadership team clearly.

Although Tang Ye was very young, he had the support of Jiang Jing.

After arriving in Yechuan County and through the Safety Production Rectification Action, he had gradually grasped the right to speak in the Government.

Han Zhengyi had no choice but to show goodwill.

That is how officialdom is: the kind are bullied by others, and only the strong can survive.

This is also the origin of why many cadres must take strong measures after taking office—the "three fires" of a new official.

Tang Ye also took the opportunity to clarify his own ideas for developing Yechuan County to Han Zhengyi.

"Secretary Han, Yechuan County's current economy ranks second to last in the entire city, which cannot reflect our true strength."

Han Zhengyi smiled. "That speaks to my heart. Everyone says you are the 'King of Ideas'; what good thoughts do you have?"

Tang Ye said, "My ideas initially include three aspects:

First, we must carry out a county-wide administrative capacity rectification action to strengthen the professional abilities of government staff at all levels, change the lazy administrative style, and simplify bloated processes;

Second, we must carry out a business environment rectification action. According to my understanding, Yechuan County has phenomena of arbitrary charges and fines; in the long run, it is difficult for enterprises to survive, so to revitalize the economy, we must comprehensively transform the business environment.

Third, we must build an economic growth highland and a Strategic Eastward Expansion, developing the land in the eastern suburbs.

To promote the above plans, I cannot do without your support."

Han Zhengyi was very interested in the last point and raised his own concerns: "Strategic Eastward Expansion has a prerequisite, which requires occupying large tracts of fertile, cultivated land; I fear the difficulty will not be small."

Tang Ye said with full confidence, "Doing challenging things is what makes them meaningful."

Han Zhengyi nodded slightly. "If the land issue can be solved, I will give my full support."

Tang Ye had Jiang Jing as his backer.

Jiang Jing's network of resources was at the provincial level.

Changing land attributes requires approval from the province!

Han Zhengyi believed that Tang Ye was definitely not just talking on paper.

Han Zhengyi envied the vitality in Tang Ye and saw the shadow of his own youth.

He did not know when it started, but he had become what he was now: steady and cautious, not making big mistakes, but also not blindly attempting things with high difficulty.

This is what is called "seeking no merit, but seeking no blame."

Han Zhengyi suddenly understood why the city had parachuted Tang Ye in to be his deputy.

Indeed, Tang Ye possessed many abilities that he himself lacked.

Originally, he had the same thought as many others.

Tang Ye was here to go through the motions, to get some gold-plating on his resume, but now it seemed that was not the case.

Tang Ye was a firefighter, not here to lie flat.

In Tang Ye's view, although Yechuan County was at the bottom of the rankings, it was still much better than a National-level Poverty-stricken County like Dayu County.

……

After the meal, both families returned home, having enjoyed themselves to the fullest.

Back at their residence, Jiang Min said to Han Zhengyi, "I didn't expect Tang Ye to be so young! Back then, even Zhou Songtao couldn't keep the monsters and demons of Yechuan County in check; can Tang Ye really do it?"

Han Zhengyi glanced at Jiang Min dismissively, "Don't meddle in men's affairs. Tang Ye is not simple; his background is deeper than Zhou Songtao's. Although he is younger than Zhou Songtao, his personality is more steady and seasoned."

Jiang Min knew Han Zhengyi's personality and curled her lip, saying, "I couldn't be bothered to care about your messy work affairs!"

Having said that, Jiang Min ran to the room, dug out an album, found a photo from fifteen years ago, and placed it in front of Han Zhengyi.

"Look at this, I gave my youth to you. I was so beautiful back then, but now I've become an old woman."

Han Zhengyi knew his wife had been provoked by Du Xi.

He didn't know whether to laugh or cry!

"Everyone grows old.

Men will all become old men, and women will all become old women.

Why bother struggling against birth, aging, sickness, and death?"