Chapter 430

After saying that, Cui Mingjiu again said to Su Yang, "Director Su, it's truly a blessing for the common people of our Xiushui Township that you could come here!"

"I've heard about the situation in Huatian Town; originally they weren't much stronger than our Xiushui Township, but a place with coal mines has been left in ruins, and I hear the local common people are about to curse."

"Even their town government can barely keep the pot boiling; I heard they still owe tens of thousands to a restaurant, but it was you, Town Mayor Su, who turned the situation around, giving them a decent enterprise, and looking at this trend, they are likely to surpass Chengguan Town and become the leading economic town of our Jincheng County."

"But those leaders in the county are really bastards; you finally achieved some results, and they just find someone to take the credit—i. e., you're broad‑minded; if it were me, I couldn't swallow this."

"Although his words sound like he's standing up for Su Yang, anyone can tell he's actually saying Su Yang was removed from office, exposing Su Yang's wound, and taking revenge for Su Yang's attitude just now."

"But Su Yang is no ordinary person; he not only didn't let this provocation throw him off balance or let his emotions show on his face, but instead asked lightly, 'If this were you, Township Chief Cui, how would you handle it? Would you directly take people to the County Party Committee and County Government to seek justice?'"

"Although this is my first time coming to our Xiushui Township, I believe Township Chief Cui can handle this matter, and I also believe the villagers of Xiushui Township are very obedient to Township Chief Cui's calls."

"I dare say that among all townships, Township Chief Cui's influence in our Xiushui area is literally 'one call, a hundred responses'; other township chiefs simply cannot achieve that."

"And perhaps Township Chief Cui doesn't know yet, but in our Chengxian official circles you have a particularly loud nickname: 'Party Committee Secretary Killer'."

"I've heard that in Xiushui Township, no one has ever managed to serve a full term as Party Committee Secretary; over the years it's been a revolving door, with who knows how many changes, which on the other hand highlights Township Chief Cui's tough style and solid mass base."

"If we put that energy into Xiushui Township's economic development, I dare not say the economy would multiply many times over, but ranking among the top three in the county should still be possible."

"Su Yang's words left everyone stunned; he gave Township Chief Cui no face at all—just now Cui Mingjiu had merely mocked Su Yang for being removed as township head."

"As a result, Su Yang turned the tables and listed all of Cui Mingjiu's so‑called 'evidence' one by one; this is truly the first time such a thing has happened on Xiushui Township's turf."

"The township cadres of Xiushui would surely not dare say such things; Party Committee Secretary Lu Kai has always kept his tail between his legs, and leaders coming from the county generally wouldn't speak so sharply."

"And the ordinary government staff who come down to handle affairs merely go through the motions on the surface; someone like Su Yang who directly strikes at the vital point is truly unprecedented."

"That fair‑skinned boss lady's gaze toward Su Yang changed instantly, thinking in her heart, 'What kind of director is this brave?' Don't you fear you won't be able to leave Xiushui Township?"

"Gao Peixia and Xie Siyang's eyes revealed admiration; this leader truly dares to act and speak, and it seems we've followed the right person—those who fear getting involved in petty, ineffectual matters never know whether they'll succeed or fail, and at critical moments they wouldn't dare even to fart in front of people."

"Cui Mingjiu's face turned green then white, even his finger joints cracked from clenching; if it were an ordinary county government staffer, or even a vice county magistrate, he would not give them face at this moment."

"But what kind of person is Su Yang? He doesn't need to say it himself; he knows it well. This person could even get the executive vice county magistrate involved; the Discipline Inspection Commission and Public Security Bureau working together couldn't settle Su Yang, and he even clashed head‑on with Deputy Director of the Public Security Bureau, Residual Warmth."

"He doesn't know what the outcome would be of confronting such a person head‑on, but his height of about 1.8 meters would certainly collapse on the spot."

"Not to mention that the county magistrate and the deputy county party secretary are his backers; otherwise…"

"So he swallowed his anger for now, planning to find a chance to regain face later; at the moment there aren't many people around who would let him lose face completely."

"He forced down his inner anger and said, 'I'm ashamed; hearing Township Mayor Su say that, I really do have many flaws, and I will correct them from now on—previously no one pointed them out, and I myself lacked a clear self‑awareness.'"

"With Director Su's words, I need to carry out criticism and self‑criticism."

"Director Su, do you think we should gather the township Party Committee members for a small‑scale discussion, or just have a chat among the few of us? Also, let Secretary Lu Kai come over and count him in."

"From his tone he didn't treat Lu Kai as a secretary at all—at most a township staffer—and if he's unhappy, Lu Kai might not even be allowed to attend such a meeting."

"This time we came because we are regular residents of Xiushui Township, so please Secretary Lu and the team's comrades come over; let's meet and get to know each other."

"Su Yang directly said, 'Originally I wanted to meet Lu Kai alone, but seeing Township Chief Cui's overbearing attitude, which exceeds my expectations, it's better to meet together first.'"

"Afterward we'll meet Lu Kai alone for a chat; if he can still be salvaged, it's necessary to mobilize all resources to promote him."

"If this person has no hope left, then forget it."

"Soon, the group arrived at a slightly larger office, and Cui Mingjiu called in the other township Party Committee members."

"Cui Mingjiu pointed at the flustered man who had just rushed in and said, 'This is our Secretary Lu.'"

"Lu Kai hurried forward to greet Su Yang, saying, 'Director Su, hello; I had to step out briefly on an errand and arrived late.'"

"Su Yang smiled and said, 'No problem, we haven't been here long.'"

"But he was puzzled in his heart; they had been notified that they would arrive this morning, and normally township leaders would wait, leaving only if something truly major happened."

"This Party Committee Secretary who appears to have no real power actually went out early this morning; there seems to be something unusual about it."

"Logically, someone like Cui Mingjiu—lacking organization, discipline, and not putting leaders in his sight—skipping work and staying out of leaders' view is not hard to understand."

"But Lu Kai really shouldn't have done that, since he was directly notified."

"However, in this setting Su Yang didn't press for details; he said to Cui Mingjiu, 'Well then, let's just get started.'"

"Cui Mingjiu took out a pack of Hua Zi cigarettes from his pocket, handed one to everyone, and then said, 'This is Director Su from the county Poverty Alleviation Office; this time the county's poverty‑alleviation work has its first stop arranged in our Xiushui Township, showing the county's emphasis on our work, so I demand that everyone fully cooperate with Director Su's work.'"

"Next, let's give a warm round of applause to welcome Director Su to say a few words."

"Clap clap clap clap clap clap…"

"The crowd began to clap perfunctorily."

"It continued for two or three minutes before Cui Mingjiu waved his hand and the crowd stopped."

"Su Yang smiled slightly and said, 'I'm not yet familiar with the situation in our Xiushui Township, and I don't have anything to say; how about we first ask Secretary Lu Kai to say a couple of sentences?'"