Chapter 357: Who Is the New Alpha!

Du Chengfeng looked at Tang Ye with deep eyes and was the first to break the silence: "How much do you currently understand about the current situation in Suiyuan County?"

Tang Ye responded honestly, his tone sincere: "I know nothing at the moment."

Upon hearing this, Du Chengfeng's expression turned serious in an instant: "That won't do. To be completely in the dark about the situation is like a blind man walking; you can't even see the road beneath your feet. The most urgent thing for you right now is to pinpoint the root of the problems and clarify your own role. Only then can you quickly open up the situation once you arrive in Suiyuan County."

Tang Ye nodded thoughtfully: "I intend to start with the Industrial Park project."

A flash of appreciation crossed Du Chengfeng's eyes, yet he shook his head: "The Suiyuan County Industrial Park is indeed the crux of the problem, but you haven't touched the essence yet."

Tang Ye fell into a brief silence, then suddenly realized: "Dad, do you mean the key still lies in studying the 'people'?"

Du Chengfeng tapped the table lightly, affirming Tang Ye's insight: "Any problem, when traced to its source, is a problem of people. You must have heard of the 'Suiyuan Gang', right?"

"I have heard a little. But after the previous rectification, hasn't the Suiyuan Gang already suffered a heavy blow?" Tang Ye asked tentatively.

Du Chengfeng shook his head slowly and began to recount the past.

"When Xiao Jingyu was the County Party Secretary in Suiyuan County, he acted with vigor and was extremely pioneering.

At that time, the whole country was promoting industrial park development. He seized the opportunity and used the strength of the entire county to build the first industrial park in Hanzhou, and he personally led his team everywhere to attract investment. Unfortunately, most of what they attracted were heavily polluting enterprises that had been phased out by first-tier cities. These enterprises found a 'way to survive' in Suiyuan, but they also brought serious environmental pollution to the local area.

Xiao Jingyu knew in his heart that relying on polluting enterprises was not a long-term solution. He wanted to use these enterprises to boost the economy first, and once the industrial level, fiscal revenue, and infrastructure had improved, he would then transition to developing other industries.

But in the process of attracting investment, he was too permissive. As long as a project could be brought in, he would not investigate whether the methods were proper or if there was corruption.

It was also during that period that a group of cadres who abandoned their bottom lines for the sake of political achievements emerged; this is what later became the feared 'Suiyuan Gang'."

Tang Ye listened quietly, gaining a deeper understanding of Xiao Jingyu's methods.

To be able to reach the position of Hanzhou Mayor, he was certainly no ordinary person.

"Cracking down on the Suiyuan Gang is a task the province handed to Secretary Zhou. It should be reaching the finishing stage now, right?" Tang Ye asked.

Du Chengfeng paused meaningfully for a moment: "That's right, and how to finish it is the mission you shoulder."

Tang Ye's heart jolted, and he suddenly realized that his opportunity to go to Suiyuan as a Deputy County Magistrate was not simply because of his exam scores.

He was more like a carefully placed chess piece, arranged into this game.

Even if it were someone else, as long as they stepped into Suiyuan County, the mission they shouldered would be the same.

"Are you saying that the previous actions in Suiyuan County didn't involve any Bureau-Level Cadres?" Tang Ye keenly captured the key information.

"Secretary Zhou has his concerns. The resistance from above is too great; the results achieved so far are the best situation he could fight for. Think carefully again, what exactly is your mission?" Du Chengfeng guided him patiently.

Tang Ye pondered for a moment, a light flashing in his eyes: "If a pack of wolves loses its alpha, they will fight among themselves for the position of leader, and the situation will inevitably spiral out of control. At this time, the best method is not blind suppression, but to quickly support a new alpha to regain control of the situation."

Du Chengfeng's eyes were full of admiration: "Most people only think of suppression, but you thought of cultivating a new force. Your consideration of the problem is indeed very profound."

Tang Ye immediately followed up: "Then will this new 'alpha' be Han Guangyao, Gao Hong, or Cheng Lin?"

"Whoever can command respect is qualified. These three each have their own advantages, but it's also possible a 'dark horse' will emerge."

Du Chengfeng's cryptic answer made Tang Ye's heart jump.

"The outcome is not yet decided; you and I are both dark horses" — this sentence suddenly flashed through Tang Ye's mind.

Could it be that his father-in-law's words were hinting that he should seize the opportunity to bring the power of the Suiyuan Gang under his own control?

For the Suiyuan Gang to develop so rapidly, there must have been someone in the province supporting them in the shadows.

Although Xiao Jingyu had gone to the province and Wang Xingjian was under investigation, the foundation of Suiyuan was still there, and remnants of the power remained.

The key was that Xiao Jingyu was very smart and had always adopted the method of "cutting flesh to feed the hawk," protecting the core forces of Suiyuan.

"Li Chaoyang has been promoted to Acting Mayor, and at the same time, the province has transferred a Full-time Deputy Secretary from Runzhou. You should know what that means, right?"

Tang Ye understood instantly; the new Party Committee Deputy Secretary was the backbone sent over by the province to gather up the Suiyuan Gang.

"After you enter Suiyuan, your work must be cautious, but you must also understand your responsibilities," Du Chengfeng instructed with a grave tone.

Tang Ye nodded again.

Afterward, Du Chengfeng and Tang Ye engaged in an in-depth, long talk. He laid out the intricate and tangled interests and the treacherous power structure of the Hanzhou officialdom to Tang Ye without reservation.

Those seemingly complex interpersonal relationships, under Du Chengfeng's clear and analytical explanation, were like thick fog gradually dispersing; Tang Ye felt as if everything before him had suddenly become clear.

"Don't worry, the harder the bone to chew, the more I want to try," Tang Ye said with a firm gaze, his words revealing a spirit of not admitting defeat.

Looking at the young man before him, Du Chengfeng couldn't help but reveal a gratified smile.

From the bottom of his heart, he appreciated Tang Ye's composure; no matter what kind of situation he faced, he could always maintain a calm and indifferent demeanor.

"The problem of the Industrial Park is certainly important, but you must have a more long-term plan. Secretary Zhou's intention is that he values your ability and talent in attracting investment and hopes you can inject new vitality into Suiyuan County," Du Chengfeng said with a serious expression, instructing him earnestly.

Tang Ye withdrew his smile and nodded solemnly in promise: "Since I am an official of a region, I should naturally bring benefits to the people. I will certainly not let you and Secretary Zhou down."

After Tang Ye walked out of the study, Du Xi couldn't wait to pull him into the room.

She took out a few brand-new jackets and carefully measured them against Tang Ye: "Mom specially went to the mall to pick these out for you a few days ago. As the saying goes, clothes make the man; besides formal occasions, jackets are most suitable for daily wear."

In officialdom, there is a lot of emphasis on how one dresses.

For example, among a group of leaders, one can identify who the biggest leader is at a single glance.

It is mainly that the supporting roles must have their own self-awareness; their clothes will downplay their own sense of presence.

They all look like jackets, but the occasions for which each jacket is used are different.

The jackets Tang Ye used to wear were "secretary jackets," which he could no longer wear once he reached the county level.

Tang Ye pulled Du Xi into his arms, kissed her lightly on the forehead, and joked with a smile: "Remember to pass this kiss on to Ms. Xiao Qin!"

Du Xi was amused and couldn't help but laugh, lightly patting Tang Ye's chest: "You're glib, you have no sense of decorum!"