Chapter 866: It

The next morning, Shen Yuping took the initiative to find Tang Ye.

Tang Ye poured a cup of tea for Shen Yuping.

Shen Yuping took a sip of tea and said impatiently, "County Magistrate Tang, I attended a dinner party yesterday. A single meal, including drinks, cost several thousand yuan. It really makes one's heart ache!"

Tang Ye knew that although Shen Yuping was a woman, her personality was as fiery as a flame, and she rarely beat around the bush when speaking.

"Comrade Chen Qing also asked me to attend this dinner party yesterday, but I refused because I had other matters to handle."

An expression of incomprehension appeared in Shen Yuping's eyes: "I think Chen Qing is too obsessed with political achievements. When it comes to investment promotion, must we put on airs and pretend to be rich when we aren't?"

Tang Ye could still understand Chen Qing's behavior.

One must always show some pageantry when asking people to do things; otherwise, it is difficult to demonstrate sincerity.

Shen Yuping and Chen Qing were now partners in the government team, so there were often conflicts of interest between the two.

"Your reminder is very timely. Dayu County is a National-level Poverty-stricken County; we must be sure to control the scale of our reception standards. I will communicate with Secretary Ou later."

Tang Ye's words made Shen Yuping feel much more at ease.

After Shen Yuping left, Tang Ye dialed Ou Xiye's phone number.

"Secretary Ou, are you free now? There is a matter I would like to discuss with you in person."

"I am free. I'll wait for you in my office."

A moment later, Tang Ye walked into the County Party Secretary Office and placed a box of Hanzhou Green on the coffee table.

Ou Xiye said with a smile, "I just finished the tea you gave me last time, and I was just about to ask you for some!"

Tang Ye laughed, "I figured you were about finished with it."

Ou Xiye pointed to the sofa, and only after Tang Ye sat down did he ask softly, "What is the matter?"

Tang Ye said, "Yesterday, Comrade Shen Yuping attended a dinner party organized by Comrade Chen Qing. A meal cost several thousand, so Comrade Shen Yuping specifically reported this matter to me."

Ou Xiye nodded slightly and sighed softly, "I understand. Dayu County is a National-level Poverty-stricken County; cadres must lead by example. I will communicate with him later."

If this were in the past, it certainly would have been inappropriate for Tang Ye to bring this matter up to Ou Xiye.

But now, Tang Ye was the Deputy Secretary in charge of Party-mass work, and issues regarding cadre conduct fell within the scope of Party-mass work.

With Tang Ye mentioning it to Ou Xiye, it was estimated that Ou Xiye would give Chen Qing a proper reprimand.

However, he had underestimated the level of importance Ou Xiye placed on it!

After Tang Ye left, Ou Xiye dialed Chen Qing's phone number.

Seeing that Ou Xiye was looking for him, Chen Qing hurriedly put down the work at hand.

Seeing Ou Xiye's serious expression, Chen Qing's heart sank instantly.

"Secretary Ou, is there something the matter?"

"County Magistrate Chen, I just received a report saying that your entertainment expenses yesterday exceeded the limit. Is this true?"

Chen Qing was quite surprised.

Previously, when he was a Standing Committee Member of the County Party Committee, he had also organized receptions where costs were sometimes very high; although they could not be approved through standard reimbursement procedures, they could be resolved through other means.

"Secretary Ou, let me explain. The attendees at yesterday's reception included Comrade Xie Zhan, the Executive Vice Mayor, as well as the Chairman of Jinjun Group, Hai Bin..."

Ou Xiye interrupted Chen Qing and said in a deep voice, "I know you hosted them for the sake of investment promotion. But Dayu County is a National-level Poverty-stricken County; our banquet standards must be within our means. We absolutely must not put on airs and squander taxpayer money to act flashy."

Chen Qing was criticized until his face turned red and he was left speechless.

He had not expected Ou Xiye to scold him over such a small matter.

"Secretary Ou, how can there be a return without an investment? I admit that this banquet exceeded the standard, but that was because I wanted to secure the project. Jinjun Group plans to invest in a commercial complex in Dayu County and is even prepared to put up one hundred million to acquire the land." Chen Qing felt very aggrieved and felt he had to argue his case.

Ou Xiye sighed, "It seems you still haven't realized your mistake! When Comrade Tang Ye was promoting investment, did his banquet standards ever exceed the limit? When a boss as big as Qiao Wansen came to Dayu County, we served him local home-style dishes, and in the end, he invested one billion."

Chen Qing was left speechless by Ou Xiye's retort.

Damn it, comparing him to Tang Ye...

Never mind Yanzhou, even in the entire Shaan Province, who could compete with Tang Ye in political achievements?

This is just so damn unfair!

It is too hard to be Tang Ye's successor!

One will inevitably be compared to Tang Ye.

"Secretary Ou, I know I was wrong. Please rest assured, I will definitely control the reception standards in the future." Under pressure and with no other choice, Chen Qing could only take a step back.

Ou Xiye said, "The expenses incurred from yesterday's banquet will be deducted from your salary in installments. If there is a next time, it will be a formal reprimand!"

Chen Qing took a deep breath, "Very well. Even if you didn't ask, I would have paid for yesterday's reception out of my own pocket."

Ou Xiye nodded with satisfaction, "I hope you take this as a warning and truly repent. There is nothing else; you may go back to your work."

Leaving the County Party Secretary Office.

Chen Qing felt that with every breath, his lungs seemed to burn with sharp pain, and his head kept buzzing.

The joy brought by his promotion to Executive Deputy County Magistrate vanished at this moment.

In its place was a strong sense of grievance and frustration.

Chen Qing's monthly salary was not high, and that meal yesterday was roughly two months' worth of pay.

Losing it all at once was still quite painful!

More importantly, it was extremely insulting!

Chen Qing had even been thinking about the "three fires" of a new official taking office!

As it turned out, before he could even light a single fire, he was hit directly with a cudgel!

Chen Qing wished he could swallow the person who reported him alive!

Although Ou Xiye did not say who had made the report.

However, after a little pondering, he could lock it down: it was highly likely that Shen Yuping had done it!

Looking back at last night's dinner, Shen Yuping barely touched her chopsticks; she left after only a few bites.

So this was where she was waiting for him!

As expected!

Better to offend a petty person than to offend a woman!

……

Chen Qing returned to his office.

Qiao Lin walked in, holding the receipts and approval forms from last night's expenses.

Chen Qing took the receipts, his face dark, and tore the reimbursement vouchers into shreds.

Qiao Lin looked at Chen Qing in surprise, "County Magistrate Chen, what are you doing?"

Chen Qing said coldly, "I will pay for this meal out of my own pocket; there is no need to go through the approval process, the receipts are useless."

Qiao Lin was puzzled, "Why pay out of your own pocket! Your hosting yesterday was for official business, not a private banquet."

Chen Qing could no longer control his emotions and slammed the table in anger, "I was reported by someone. They said the reception standards were exceeded."

Qiao Lin quickly said, "Isn't exceeding reception standards a common occurrence? We can find a way to resolve it through other funds."

Chen Qing waved his hand impatiently, "Don't dwell on it. Secretary Ou explicitly demanded that it be deducted from my salary card!"

Qiao Lin looked at Chen Qing, whose face was black with rage, and still felt some sympathy in his heart.

An Executive Deputy County Magistrate reported for exceeding reception expenses!

Dragged over by the County Party Secretary and given a harsh scolding!

This is truly a bit too embarrassing!