Chapter 409: Is Tang Ye a Tool?

The reason Shen Mingcheng visited Du Chengfeng was also because a highly thorny matter had occurred in Tianling County.

The Dongfeng Machinery Factory was currently on the verge of bankruptcy.

Shen Mingcheng knew of Du Chengfeng's influence in Tianling and had no choice but to come and seek Du Chengfeng's support.

"Uncle-in-law, the Dongfeng Machinery Factory hasn't paid its workers for four months." Shen Mingcheng's face was full of helplessness. "I've been thinking, it would be better to list that piece of land for transfer; that way, the Dongfeng Machinery Factory employees could receive compensation. But there is strong opposition within the county, and the workers are making a huge scene, holding banners and blocking the entrance to the County Government every day. The glass at the County Petition Office is almost smashed."

Du Chengfeng pondered for a moment: "Comrade Zhengting mentioned this matter to me. I have already coordinated with Secretary Chengwu. There are nearly a thousand people in the Dongfeng Factory; if you sell everything including the factory buildings and equipment, these people might get a sum of compensation for now, but how will they live in the future? You must have a resettlement plan."

He changed the subject, his tone deepening slightly, "Additionally, the conditions you proposed are very difficult for the city to meet. You want a plot of land to rebuild the factory and also demand zero-cost land allocation; this can only be resolved by Tianling itself."

"I have been trying to find a way!" Shen Mingcheng's tone carried agitation. "The industrial land in the county is already stretched thin, and the plot of land the Dongfeng Factory wants was long ago allocated to the logistics park. Where could I possibly clear space?"

Du Chengfeng's brows furrowed into a 'chuan' shape: "If there is no better way for now, then push back the demolition and relocation matters for a while, and discuss it at length after the heat dies down."

Du Chengfeng's answer made Shen Mingcheng's heart turn cold.

The set of celadon tea ware on the coffee table, with its ice-crack patterns in the glaze, looked exactly like his current mood.

He had originally thought that by borrowing Du Chengfeng's influence, he could resolve the current predicament.

He had not expected that Du Chengfeng clearly did not want to wade into these muddy waters.

He couldn't help but feel stifled inside.

Shen Mingcheng smiled dejectedly: "I didn't expect that Uncle-in-law wouldn't have a better method either. It's getting late, so I shall take my leave."

Tang Ye watched Shen Mingcheng lose control of his emotions; he wasn't even pretending to hide his dissatisfaction with Du Chengfeng!

He thought to himself, it was truly unexpected that this Shen Mingcheng could be so stiff even when begging for help!

After Shen Mingcheng left, Du Chengfeng asked for Tang Ye's opinion.

"If it were you, how would you handle the Dongfeng Factory issue?"

Tang Ye answered calmly, "There are serious problems with the management and operation of the Dongfeng Factory; it has been living off its past glory. If it wants to develop, it must update its production lines. You have to give the enterprise a chance to save itself, rather than destroying its foundation and squeezing out the last bit of value from the Dongfeng Factory through demolition."

In recent years, the national economic situation has been on an upward trend. As long as you target products with a market, it is not difficult to make money by relying on the factory buildings, equipment, and employees. The key is whether there is the patience and courage to help the enterprise reform and upgrade.

Dad, does this count as me badmouthing Shen Mingcheng behind his back?"

Du Chengfeng laughed in spite of himself, then his expression turned serious.

"Shen Mingcheng, after all, did not come up from the grassroots level; his way of handling problems is still too simplistic. He hasn't put himself in the shoes of the common people or the local government to consider the issues."

Tang Ye understood what Du Chengfeng meant.

Tianling County was a stepping stone for Shen Mingcheng.

Therefore, when Shen Mingcheng handled problems, he valued short-term gains more.

He would calculate whether his efforts could add bright, shining data to his resume.

However, an excellent chief official, in the process of laying out local development plans, would focus on long-term planning.

Tianling County was built up by Du Chengfeng through hard work.

Shen Mingcheng scribbling messily on this map made Du Chengfeng feel pained and dissatisfied.

Tang Ye secretly thought that Shen Mingcheng's ambition was quite large.

At this critical moment of vying for the Hanxing Group, if the Dongfeng Factory issue wasn't resolved well, it would bring an opportunity to Suiyuan.

Tang Ye couldn't help but boldly imagine at this moment, if the Suiyuan Industrial Park could recruit this project from the Hanxing Group.

This game of chess would be completely brought to life.

Of course, the outside world was optimistic about Tianling County!

However, there is such a saying, isn't there!

——What is too hot is bound to die!

Chen Lan, sitting in the driver's seat, noticed Shen Mingcheng's heavy expression in the rearview mirror.

"Did the talk not go smoothly?"

"That uncle-in-law of yours is truly impervious to reason. I begged him to step in and help, but he kept giving me bureaucratic double-talk. Hmph, it's not like I absolutely must have his help."

Chen Lan smiled bitterly: "If it weren't for you, I truly wouldn't want to step into their house; their level and vision are too low."

Shen Mingcheng snorted coldly and sighed helplessly, "I'm being forced into this too! Half of the department cadres in Tianling County were promoted by him single-handedly. I, the County Party Secretary, am now like a marionette; I can't even make the call on such a broken enterprise as the Dongfeng Factory."

"Just endure it a little longer," Chen Lan slowed the car, her tone carrying comfort, "Once these two years are over, you'll be promoted to a Deputy Department-level Official. You'll be on equal footing with him. You're younger than him; you could even outlive him."

These words finally made Shen Mingcheng's complexion look much better.

He gazed at the deepening twilight outside the car window, and a glimmer of light slowly emerged in his eyes.

"It won't take that long. Once the Hanxing Group's new production line lands in Tianling, that will be solid political achievement. By then, that group of people in Tianling will know that I am the one who can bring change to Tianling."

"How is the Hanxing project coming along?" Chen Lan knew her husband valued this project highly.

Because Shen Mingcheng needed a heavyweight project to open the door to the Deputy Department-level.

"I've been around the province recently, and Provincial Governor Huang has clearly expressed his support to me." There was a bit more confidence in Shen Mingcheng's words.

Chen Lan stepped on the brake to wait for the red light and said softly, "How about asking Mom to call Big Uncle? Big Uncle has a comrade in the Provincial Development and Reform Commission; perhaps he could be of help."

Shen Mingcheng nodded slightly, a look of satisfaction appearing on his face, "That would be great."

He thought to himself, his wife's maiden family is finally of some use!

"By the way, I heard that Suiyuan County is also vying for this project!" Chen Lan asked in a low voice.

Shen Mingcheng sneered, as if he had heard a particularly absurd joke.

"A project of this level requires solid connections in the province. It relies on a solid network of connections in the province. I had people check Han Guangyao's cards. His biggest backer is nothing more than Acting Mayor Li Chaoyang. Li Chaoyang will reach retirement age next year and has no decent connections in the province. I probed for information when I had dinner with Tang Ye; Suiyuan County is just going through the motions. Han Guangyao is too overestimating his own strength. He doesn't even look at his own capabilities. He wants to take a bite of everything, not afraid of being choked to death!"

"I was just a little worried, that's all. If you have confidence, then that's great."

Chen Lan hurriedly used a smile to cover up her embarrassment.

In Shen Mingcheng's eyes, Han Guangyao was simply not worthy of being his opponent.

One could consider this confidence, or one could view it as arrogance.

Shen Mingcheng's expression in the car window glass was dark and uncertain.

In his heart, he actually felt a bit envious of Han Guangyao.

This time, the National Development and Reform Commission arranging for a Research Group to come to Suiyuan to understand the situation had caused Han Guangyao to greatly save face.

Even if the national-level project did not come through, the province would certainly give a consolation prize, providing supporting provincial-level policies and funding.

Tang Ye, this kid really has something!

What a pity! This tool is someone else's and cannot be used by himself!

If he had chosen Tianling back then, that would have been great...