Chapter 16: A Pillow Appears Just When I

Monday, 8:00 AM.

Tang Ye and a middle-aged man stepped into the Government Compound one after the other.

"Town Mayor Chen, good morning!" Tang Ye said with a face full of smiles, taking the initiative to greet him.

This Chen Zhihua was the Town Mayor of Pinghu Town, the nominal second-in-command, but his actual power had been hollowed out; usually, no one in the compound would take the initiative to talk to him.

He was stunned for a moment, then a smile piled up on his face as he replied, "Little Tang, morning!"

Tang Ye glanced at the black plastic bag Chen Zhihua was carrying and asked curiously, "Town Mayor Chen, what kind of good treasure do you have in that bag?"

"Heh, the fish were biting really well yesterday, I caught a boatload! My home fish pond is so full there's no room left, so I brought a few to the canteen to add a couple of dishes for everyone at lunch."

Tang Ye pulled open the plastic bag to take a look; a lively bighead carp was thrashing its tail, and he couldn't help but praise, "Whoa, such a big fish! Fish head soup, braised fish body—everyone is in for a treat!"

Chen Zhihua laughed, "That's quite a good menu you've planned!"

Tang Ye had a clear understanding of the situation regarding the Party Group Leadership of Pinghu Town. The Party Committee Secretary, Xu Yiping, had worked his way up step by step from a Party Branch Secretary. The Party Group members were divided into two camps: one part was Xu Yiping's die-hard loyalists, and the other part had been cultivated by the previous Party Committee Secretary, though they had been suppressed by Xu Yiping for many years and had long since lost their edge.

Chen Zhihua belonged to the "remnant forces" left behind by the predecessor. He was four years younger than Xu Yiping and, theoretically, should have had more drive, but every day after work he loved to ride his old-fashioned bicycle, dragging his fishing gear to find places to fish. The common folk all felt he was neglecting his proper duties and had even labeled him the "Fishing Town Mayor."

In officialdom, one is often not the master of one's own fate. Sometimes, retreating to advance is also a strategy; just like Jiang Taigong, didn't he also love fishing before he met the Marquis of the West?

At 3:00 PM, the leadership meeting was convened.

Tang Ye finished reporting on the work situation.

The Deputy Town Mayor in charge of civil affairs, Xia Haiqiao, suddenly launched an attack!

"Comrade Tang Ye, you've been in Pinghu Town for a while now. Everyone is quite happy that you could come and holds high expectations for you. You've put forward quite a few suggestions, and Secretary Xu and the other comrades have all strongly supported them. But those things you mentioned all require time to verify. Our common folk are hoping to see real, immediate changes. Last year, when I was in charge of economic work, I brought several projects to Pinghu with a total investment of twenty million. You are an official sent down from the Municipal Party Committee; with your abilities, you can surely do even better than I did!"

Xu Yiping set down the fountain pen in his hand and looked at Tang Ye with a smile: "Comrade Haiqiao's words express the heartfelt wishes of our common folk. Although your time as a Seconded Official is not long, you must leave something valuable for Pinghu Town."

The Executive Deputy Town Mayor, Wang Kaicheng, while rolling the prayer beads in his hand, chimed in: "The year before last, a Seconded Official in the neighboring town took down the ancient city project not long after arriving. You come from the city and surely have plenty of resources; don't keep them hidden away."

This group of people was ostensibly discussing matters with Tang Ye in a friendly manner, but in reality, they were trying every possible way to squeeze him, wanting to force him to voluntarily sign a military-style pledge.

To be in a position is to fulfill its duties; now it was time to test Tang Ye's strength.

If you are put in charge of economic work, can you bring in investment? If you can't, isn't that just occupying the latrine without doing the business?

This total investment of twenty million was equivalent to a declaration of war issued to Tang Ye by Xia Haiqiao.

Tang Ye responded calmly: "There is an investment promotion meeting in the city next month. I have been busy preparing materials recently, striving to secure suitable projects at the meeting. However, the most urgent matter right now is to focus energy on the upgrading and transformation of existing enterprises. After all, investment promotion takes a lot of time from initiation to landing, and transforming existing enterprises yields results faster."

Xia Haiqiao sneered: "Upgrading? Transformation? I heard Qinge is almost bankrupt because of your meddling!"

Xu Yiping touched his teacup and took the opportunity to start applying pressure to Tang Ye: "Little Tang, since you are in charge of investment promotion, you still need to set a goal. Let everyone discuss and decide what amount is appropriate!"

Xia Haiqiao hurriedly echoed: "At the very least, it shouldn't be less than last year."

Wang Kaicheng stroked his chin and suggested: "How about we set it at forty million first? Comrade Tang Ye, do you have the confidence?"

These three people coordinated with such tacit understanding, delivering a beautiful combination of blows.

The Party Group meeting looked like a verbal sparring match, but in reality, it was a battle of wits and courage.

Tang Ye was just about to open his mouth to respond.

A look of displeasure appeared on Chen Zhihua's face: "Forty million? That's too much! Comrade Tang Ye has only just arrived in Pinghu Town and is not yet familiar with the situation in the town. With such a high target, among everyone here, who can pat their chest and guarantee they can complete it?"

Tang Ye hadn't expected Chen Zhihua to publicly stand up to support him. Could it be because he had spoken a few extra words to him this morning?

Chen Zhihua was a lone wolf in Pinghu Town, and Tang Ye, having just arrived, was also being squeezed out and isolated; perhaps this made Chen Zhihua empathize and feel a sense of sympathy.

Xu Yiping also glanced at Chen Zhihua in surprise, not expecting this usually quiet deputy to actually stand up for Tang Ye.

"Although forty million is a daunting task, there is only motivation where there is pressure. Comrade Tang Ye, just go into battle light; if you really can't complete it, it doesn't matter. At worst, we'll arrange a more suitable position for you."

Xu Yiping's words sounded understated, as if he were thinking of Tang Ye everywhere, but in reality, they carried a hint of "killing the heart."

Don't you want to achieve results? First, bring in forty million in investment projects, otherwise, just stay put and behave.

Chen Zhihua usually had an indifferent, desire-nothing attitude at work, but today, seeing a group of people bullying a young man in his twenties, for some reason, a surge of sympathy and anger welled up in his heart.

"Hmph!" Chen Zhihua sneered, stood up abruptly, tucked his notebook under his arm, and left the meeting room directly.

Xu Yiping looked at Chen Zhihua's back, a flash of anger in his eyes.

After failing to be elected Party Committee Secretary back then, Chen Zhihua's temperament changed drastically, and his attitude became one of seeking no merit but only avoiding mistakes. Stuck with such a deputy, if one wanted to discipline him, it was hard to find a handle. However, there were also benefits: he caused little trouble, knew his place, and was willing to be a puppet, so Xu Yiping couldn't be bothered to spend the effort to replace him; after all, replacing him with a new opponent whose depth was unknown would be even more troublesome.

What kind of wrong medicine did this "Fishing Brother" take today?

In everyone's eyes, Tang Ye was now in a dilemma!

"Fine, then let's set the investment promotion target at forty million as everyone suggested." Tang Ye did not hesitate and chose to face the challenge head-on!

Xia Haiqiao glanced at Xu Yiping, feeling secretly pleased; he had finally completed the task Xu Yiping had entrusted to him.

This kid was still too green and had fallen for the provocation! Back then, in order to bring in twenty million in investment, he had almost run his legs off and in the end, only managed to secure it by relying on personal connections.

An investment of forty million at the township level was an insurmountable chasm, especially for a weak township like Pinghu Town with a poor foundation and a bad business environment; it was simply an impossible mission.

After the meeting ended, Xia Haiqiao came to Xu Yiping's office, looking triumphant: "Tang Ye is still too young, too idealistic, and too impulsive. He's boasted about forty million; I'd like to see how he cleans up this mess."

Xu Yiping handed over a pack of cigarettes: "Young people, they all have a bit of drive; they'll be sensible after stumbling a few times. We all went through that; time will make him understand that results aren't achieved by shouting with one's mouth."

Xia Haiqiao smiled and took the cigarette: "In Pinghu Town, it's definitely you who has the final say. Don't worry, it won't be long before he regrets coming to Pinghu Town for his secondment. I have plenty of ways to deal with this greenhorn."

"Mind your boundaries, stop while you're ahead... after all, he was sent down from the Municipal Party Committee."

"In Pinghu, everyone from top to bottom listens to you, Secretary Xu; even if he were a dragon, he'd have to coil up here."

Xu Yiping showed no expression on the surface, but he was very pleased inside.

At this moment, the landline rang. Xu Yiping walked over to answer the phone. After hanging up, he excitedly said to Xia Haiqiao: "Next Wednesday, the Municipal Investment Promotion Bureau will send an inspection team to our town. This inspection team is no ordinary one; the city has a plan to select a township around Pinghu to build a Provincial Scenic Resort Area."

This Provincial Scenic Resort Area had an investment as high as two billion, and many townships were fighting for this project. Pinghu Town didn't have much of an advantage to begin with, and although the hope was slim, there was at least some prospect.

Xia Haiqiao said in surprise: "I mentioned it casually when I was having dinner with a classmate from the Investment Promotion Bureau last week; I didn't expect him to actually take it seriously!"

……

At the same time, Tang Ye's phone also rang. He tapped it to look; it was a message from his Master's Supervisor, Jiang Jinpeng: "Little Tang, I'm going to Hanzhou next Wednesday to participate in research activities and will go to Pinghu then; you should prepare in advance."

Tang Ye was startled; could it be that Jiang Jinpeng's trip was related to the research for the Provincial Scenic Resort Area project?

This wasn't just someone handing over a pillow when one was sleepy; it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

He had to plan ahead; he must take precautions!