Chapter 658: A Splendid Exchange!

In the evening, at a rather famous restaurant in the county, most of the officials from the Suiyuan County Government had arrived.

Han Guangyao had always rarely attended such activities.

Influenced by Wang Xingjian, he had adhered to one principle since taking office: do not deliberately cultivate a personal circle, so as to avoid being labeled as forming cliques for private interests.

But this time, for Tang Ye, he was willing to make an exception.

Han Guangyao drank quite a bit of alcohol tonight, letting everyone witness the humorous and cheerful side of this "Iron-Faced Secretary."

Yet, from this detail, Gao Hong keenly sensed Han Guangyao's helplessness.

After Cheng Lin and Tang Ye left Suiyuan, the "left and right Protectors" by Han Guangyao's side were all gone; his control over the overall situation would inevitably be weakened hereafter.

The new female Deputy Secretary, Lin Jiaying, was a person of Municipal Party Committee Deputy Secretary Song Weiping. Gao Hong calculated to himself that perhaps he could use her to gradually weaken Han Guangyao's power.

For Gao Hong, today was both Tang Ye's farewell banquet and a turning point where he could finally escape his predicament.

Han Guangyao pulled Tang Ye's arm and draped an arm over his shoulder, saying in an intimate tone:

"Comrade Tang Ye, the changes you brought after arriving in Suiyuan are obvious to all. Actually, when the Municipal Organization Department first proposed that you participate in this exchange program, I was resistant in my heart; I really couldn't bear to see you go.

Losing you is too great a pity for the common people of Suiyuan.

But for you personally, this is an important opportunity. We must respect the arrangements of the higher-level departments, and I hope you can seize this rare and precious opportunity well."

Tang Ye nodded solemnly toward Han Guangyao: "Thank you for your encouragement, Secretary Han."

Han Guangyao smiled: "You are an Exchange Cadre; even if you go out, you are still a cadre of our Suiyuan."

Tang Ye responded with high spirits: "Don't worry, Secretary Han, I will never smear the reputation of Suiyuan's cadres!"

Subsequently, Lin Jiaying walked up to offer a toast: "It's a pity that we have to part after so little contact. However, although our time together was short, I could see your ability. I wish you great success in your new position."

"I'll take your kind words, Secretary Lin." Tang Ye clinked his glass lightly against hers.

Immediately after, Gao Hong walked over with a wine glass, a hypocritical smile hanging on his face, and said insincerely: "County Magistrate Tang, I toast you a cup, wishing you a bright future and that you fly higher and higher. Additionally, I hope everything goes smoothly for you, that you can safely and steadily endure these two years, and after that, it will be smooth sailing."

Tang Ye heard the thorns in his words and smiled faintly: "County Magistrate Gao, thank you for your reminder and 'admonishment'; I will certainly keep it in mind. After I leave, County Magistrate Gao will have much less trouble; you must be very happy, right?"

Gao Hong was slightly stunned, not expecting Tang Ye to point out the relationship between the two in a joking manner, and hurriedly covered up:

"How could it be called trouble? The contributions you made to the government system during your tenure as Executive Deputy County Magistrate are seen by everyone. However, please rest assured, after you leave, the government's work will definitely operate normally; whether it is the West District development or the Old City renovation, it will all be pushed forward in an orderly manner."

The implication could not be more obvious.

This world would keep spinning without anyone; Tang Ye's departure would have no impact on Suiyuan, and there would always be someone to seamlessly connect and fill the vacancy he left behind.

Tang Ye's mindset toward Gao Hong had long since changed quietly: from the initial hostility to later ignoring him, and now, only indifference remained.

He had once discussed the issue of Gao Hong with Du Chengfeng; that Gao Hong could still sit firmly on the fishing platform after a group of core cadres like Wang Xingjian and Nie Kai were investigated showed his capacity for forbearance.

But, what the government needs is not just clean cadres, but even more so, capable cadres.

Gao Hong had no significant political achievements during his tenure; he appeared to be "not letting a single leaf touch his body," but in reality, he was occupying the latrine without moving his bowels.

In fact, according to the intentions of the higher-ups, this type of cadre should have been dealt with; the reason for not moving him for now was simply because the "chess player" had other arrangements.

This is like a tactic in billiards.

Sometimes the ball at the pocket can be left for later, and the more troublesome balls should be dealt with first, because the ball at the pocket can be pocketed at any time, and instead, it will become a flaw that the opponent is anxious to remedy.

The dinner ended, and Tang Ye shook hands and said goodbye to everyone one by one.

……

The next morning, Tang Ye arrived at the County Party Committee Compound, preparing to move his things into the car, and Er Zi was already waiting at the office door.

"Why did you come over?" Tang Ye asked.

"County Magistrate Wan said you were leaving today and asked me to come over to help; if there is any work, just give your orders!" Er Zi replied.

Tang Ye had a good impression of Er Zi, and now that he had apprenticed under Wan Ming, he stopped being polite with this young man: "I already moved some things into the car yesterday; there are still a few boxes of books left."

"Alright, you rest in the office for a while, and you can come down after I finish moving them."

Er Zi was strong and sturdy, and before long, he had moved everything into the car.

Tang Ye thought to himself that Wan Ming had become more and more mature in his actions over these years; arranging for Er Zi to come and help was to let him leave with a high profile, so as not to appear too desolate.

Er Zi got into the police car and arranged for a colleague to come over to drive for Tang Ye.

The sedan drove out of the compound, and not far away, he suddenly saw a group of people, among whom was a familiar figure.

Tang Ye ordered: "Stop the car, pull over to the side of the road."

He got out of the car and walked toward the person in the lead: "Branch Secretary Guo, why are you here? Is there any urgent matter?"

Guo Shulin hurriedly waved his hands with a smile: "County Magistrate Tang, I heard from your Liaison Officer, Little Lin, that you were leaving Suiyuan today, so the villagers unanimously requested that we must come to see you off."

Tang Ye didn't need to guess to know that it was that kid Lin Heng who secretly organized it, but this also required the villagers to be willing to cooperate.

After he arrived in Suiyuan, although there was no clear division of labor, he had always focused on connecting with the work of Xiaoguo Village.

"Hey, Branch Secretary Guo, you are too polite, and it's a trouble for everyone to make a trip."

"What kind of trouble is this! You have done so many practical things for our Xiaoguo Village; now that you are leaving, we should come to see you off." As Guo Shulin spoke, he gave a wink to the person beside him.

That person immediately picked up a snake-skin bag and walked toward the car.

Guo Shulin explained: "Inside are some melons, fruits, vegetables, and free-range eggs; they aren't worth much, but they are a little token of the villagers' hearts."

Tang Ye only felt a sourness in his nose; he tried hard to control his emotions and patted Guo Shulin on the shoulder: "Branch Secretary Guo, although I am going to another province for exchange for the time being, I still have some trusted friends in Suiyuan. If Xiaoguo Village encounters any problems in the future, you must contact me; I will do my best to help solve them."

Guo Shulin smiled honestly: "We have long regarded you as family; if we encounter trouble, we certainly won't be polite with you."

Tang Ye got back into the car, rolled down the window, leaned out half his body, and waved goodbye to Guo Shulin.

Guo Shulin took firecrackers out of a black bag, lit the fuse, and the crackling sound of firecrackers rang out instantly.

This commotion immediately attracted the attention of those in the County Party Committee Compound.

"What's going on outside? So many people have come; they aren't here to petition, are they?"

"It's County Magistrate Tang leaving today; the villagers of Xiaoguo Village came specifically to see him off."

"Who is a good official, the common people know best in their hearts!"

The wind in March still carried a bit of bitterness, making the corners of people's eyes ache.

Tang Ye struggled against the wind, his eye sockets growing slightly hot.

He withdrew his waving arm, pulled back into the car, and gently pinched the tip of his nose.

A send-off like this could certainly be considered a glorious way to go and participate in the exchange!