Chapter 1373: Dong Zhangan Takes a Stand!

After finishing his communication with Shi Guangrong, Dong Zhangan took a deep breath.

Afterward, he moved to the County Magistrate's office.

Seeing Dong Zhangan appear at the doorway, Ma Ran hurriedly stood up.

"Is County Magistrate Tang in?"

"He is. I will knock on the door for you right away!"

Ma Ran tapped lightly on the door and reported in a low voice: "County Magistrate, Secretary Dong is here!"

Tang Ye put down the approval document in his hand, "Quickly invite him in."

Dong Zhangan stepped into the room and spoke with a smile: "This Standing Committee meeting today was truly turbulent. Secretary Ding's expression was ugly to the extreme."

Tang Ye said candidly, "The core of the disagreement between Secretary Ding and me lies in our governing philosophy.

I believe that we should use data as a basis to objectively and impartially judge the capabilities of cadres.

But Secretary Ding still adheres to the old model, accustomed to relying on layer-by-layer recommendations to evaluate and appoint cadres.

I am not rejecting human relationships and worldly wisdom; I just feel that one cannot easily lose their bottom line."

Dong Zhangan nodded in agreement: "The list you drafted, with economic indicators as the core basis for evaluation, has convinced everyone. In the past, personnel adjustments would always be followed by a succession of reports and complaints; this time, such a situation will certainly not happen again."

Tang Ye smiled and said, "Thank you for being able to understand me."

Dong Zhangan waved his hand, his tone sincere: "Previously, my communication with you was insufficient, and my stance was wavering. Rest assured, from now on, on such critical issues, I will absolutely support you firmly."

Tang Ye's heart was as clear as a mirror; he understood that these words from Dong Zhangan were an active declaration of his attitude and a clear statement of his position.

In the county's leadership lineup, he was the second-in-command, and Dong Zhangan ranked third.

The two of them were actually potential rivals.

But, Dong Zhangan knew it clearly in his heart.

He was simply no match for Tang Ye.

The logic of joining if you cannot beat them was something Dong Zhangan could still figure out.

Dong Zhangan approved of Tang Ye's logic in using personnel.

Tang Ye had not been in Yechuan for long and had no deep-rooted interpersonal entanglements; his method of evaluating cadres through economic indicators and coordinating the adjustment of Section-level positions was fair and transparent.

As a cadre who came from the Organization Department, Dong Zhangan knew deeply that pushing through this set of new regulations required immense courage and insight.

Tang Ye's move established a scientific and reasonable model for cadre appointment.

Regarding the newly adjusted personnel on the list, the Organization Department completed a comprehensive assessment, and the Discipline Inspection Commission simultaneously carried out verification work.

Immediately following, the County Party Committee Standing Committee meeting was held as scheduled.

Everyone gathered to discuss the personnel adjustment list again.

Compared to the initially drafted plan, Tang Ye made appropriate concessions.

Officialdom maneuvering is like bargaining in a marketplace; there must be discussion and compromise.

Seeing that the stalemate and confrontation were meaningless, Ding Zhen no longer insisted on arguing.

In the final voting session, this revised personnel plan was passed by a unanimous vote.

After the meeting ended, Organization Department Minister Cheng Xin found Ding Zhen alone.

"Secretary Ding, I have tallied it up. Among the people you recommended for this cadre adjustment, only two successfully obtained their intended positions; the other five were all rejected and are not on the adjustment list."

Ding Zhen said helplessly, "Tang Ye uses economic indicators as the basis for adjusting positions, leaving one with nothing to say. It is mainly because Gao Guangquan had issues that put me in such a passive position."

Cheng Xin sighed, "Gao Guangquan actually has good ability. Having worked in Chenxin Town for so many years, even if he has no great achievements, he has put in the hard work."

Ding Zhen frowned, "It is a pity his character is flawed. Yesterday, old Yu found me and said that Gao Guangquan used every possible means to curry favor with him. Yu Jing also only saw Gao Guangquan's true face after the fact!"

Cheng Xin's expression was grave: "Cadres with poor character must absolutely not remain in key leadership positions."

Ding Zhen nodded, "When the opportunity is right, I will adjust him out. He is not suitable to be a first-in-command; let him go to the CPPCC or the People's Congress."

One week later, the adjustment list for the county's Section-level cadres was officially publicized.

Two weeks later, the official appointment and removal documents were issued.

Seeing that his name was not on the list, Gao Guangquan felt a complex mix of emotions in his heart.

Furthermore, these past few days, the private discussions of those around him made him feel completely uneasy!

Gao Guangquan called over his Liaison Officer, Xiao Zhang.

"Secretary Gao, were you looking for me?"

"Yes, I want to ask you something. You must tell me honestly; you are not allowed to hide anything."

"I will certainly answer truthfully."

"Is someone gossiping about me behind my back?"

Xiao Zhang nodded, "Yes. The outside world originally thought you were going to be adjusted to the County Party Committee Organization Department. As a result, because of the falsified economic indicators in the town, many people are spreading rumors that you are in big trouble!"

Gao Guangquan's face sank, "Absurd and ridiculous! If I were in trouble, would I still be able to sit here? I would have been taken away by the Discipline Inspection Commission for investigation long ago."

Xiao Zhang agreed, "Yes, Secretary Gao, that group of people is just talking nonsense."

Gao Guangquan suppressed the anger in his heart and continued to press: "What other rumors are there? Continue!"

Looking uneasy, he said: "There are also people saying that you previously intended to give gifts to the County Party Secretary to climb the social ladder, but you ended up knocking on the wrong door. Now that the real power in Yechuan is in the hands of the County Magistrate, if one wants to grease the wheels, one should find the right person."

Gao Guangquan tried hard to restrain his emotions, "A pack of lies! Who has seen me give gifts with their own eyes? It is clearly someone deliberately smearing me and maliciously framing me!"

Xiao Zhang sighed lightly: "There is also news claiming that you will soon be transferred to the People's Congress, and the position of Chenxin Town Party Committee Secretary is also about to change hands."

Hearing these words, Gao Guangquan's face turned dim, and he fell silent in an instant...

"Secretary Gao, are you alright?"

Gao Guangquan raised his hand to wave him off, his voice hoarse: "I am fine, you go out first."

There is no smoke without fire; every event has a cause.

The intertwining of various rumors filled Gao Guangquan with regret.

He was once the dedicated Liaison Officer for Yu Jing, and for these past few years, he had always treated Yu Jing with the utmost respect.

He had listened to Yu Jing's promises, believing he could securely land the position of Executive Deputy Minister of the Organization Department, which was why he had gone to such lengths to scheme.

In the end, it was all for nothing, and his beautiful dream fell through.

He was reduced to a sacrificial lamb in the factional struggle.

After work, he drove back to his home in the county seat.

Along the way, he was full of annoyance and his mood was low. Upon returning home, he locked himself in the study alone.

A moment later, his wife knocked on the door and entered, gently hugging him from behind.

"Honey, did something happen? I see you've been in a bad mood all this time."

Gao Guangquan nodded, "I'm sorry, I've let you down. In this round of personnel adjustments, I am not on the list."

His wife was silent for a few seconds, then said in a low voice, "Guangquan, I know you have already done your best."

Gao Guangquan gave a bitter smile, "I still have to let you take care of the child and the family alone; you are too tired. I cannot be considered a qualified husband."

His wife sighed and said, "Why didn't you send him a shopping card?"

Gao Guangquan laughed, "I know Tang Ye's character; he wouldn't accept it. He is young and promising with long-term goals; he won't let his principles be swayed by petty gains. If I had acted rashly, it would only have made him loathe me even more."

His wife nodded slightly and encouraged him, "Honey, from the standpoint of work, you might have been wrong. But from my standpoint, you were not wrong."

Gao Guangquan felt a warmth in his heart, "Thank you."

His wife smiled, "We are an old married couple, why be so polite?"

Gao Guangquan said, "I am speaking from the heart; everything I do is for you and for our son."

His wife leaned gently against his shoulder, "No matter what choice you make, I will support you unconditionally."