Chapter 478

Su Yang said: "My personal opinion is that even if the donation is given out, it may not actually be put to use; what is the purpose for which you intend to use it?"

Forget it, I'll just say my opinion. Now all aspects of Xiushui Xiang are waiting for money, so I want to keep this sum in Xiushui Xiang. On one hand for performance rewards, on the other hand likely for other poverty alleviation projects. After all, adding up inside and outside it's a little over 200,000; even if the county allocates this amount to us, we'd probably have to go through various procedures, project applications, and approvals, right?

Fang Jingwen pondered for a moment, then said: "Doing it your way would actually be a violation. But since you've said that, I can bend the rules a bit to give you face. However, I can't decide alone; I'll need to mention it to Secretary Zhou and your County Magistrate Zhou so they both know about this matter."

Otherwise, if someone later catches us on a minor issue, this matter could be brought up. Then I'll go file a report with the Municipal Discipline Inspection Commission later. Your people in Xiushui Xiang have done a terrible job at work, but bribery and corruption you handle with great skill.

This time we actually removed Lu Kai and Cui Mingjiu; if we continued investigating these people, Xiushui Xiang would end up with no usable personnel; otherwise I would have already sent them all away.

Su Yang said: "The situation in Xiushui Xiang is indeed complicated. Once we thoroughly change the work atmosphere here and get everything back on track, we can settle accounts with these people one by one. I will also soon select some young cadres who are capable, willing, and able to get things done."

Fang Jingwen clicked her tongue, then said: "It seems your being the son-in-law of the Zhou family wasn't for nothing; you've quickly learned to form a small clique for yourself and pick out usable people. Back in Huatian Town you already gathered a large group and promoted some female cadres with decent looks—you really have a knack for this. Given time, once you reach a junior post, these people will become your strongest support."

Hearing Fang Jingwen lay things out so bluntly, Su Yang felt a bit embarrassed but had nothing to rebut.

Put nicely, it's about discovering talent, being responsible to the Cultivation Organization and to the Common People;

Put bluntly, it's really just for personal gain.

However, he didn't want to lose face in front of a woman's gossip, so he immediately spoke firmly: "Can't you say it less harshly? I'm serving the people. Let's ask our conscience: going down to work, if nobody below supports you, how can you work? One person fighting alone is just a brave fool; likely before you even find your footing, you'll be torn to shreds. If there's nothing else, I'll go get busy with work."

After saying that, Su Yang quickly hung up, not wanting Fang Jingwen to keep spouting nonsense here. In his memory, Fang Jingwen always wore a stern face, rarely smiled, and never joked around; seeing her usually gave people a chill, but with Su Yang she was completely different.

Afterwards, he called Zhou Ruohan again and explained the situation. Zhou Ruohan gave Su Yang her full, unreserved support; although some matters are ambiguous in the rules, they often depend on who is doing them.

If someone else did it, there might be problems, but when Su Yang does it, she feels there's no issue—because the motive and the ultimate goal are both entirely for the benefit of Xiushui Xiang.

As Old Zhou said, as long as it's for the people, for livelihood, and for economic development, we shouldn't worry about so much.

However, she ultimately said she would personally tell Secretary Zhou about this, believing Secretary Zhou would give support. Besides that, she also cared more about whether Su Yang would return home tonight.

Su Yang sincerely said: "Right now there's no one in charge of work in the township; everything is in disarray. I won't be able to go back for a week; I need to straighten out the township's work properly." Only then did Zhou Ruohan reluctantly hang up.

Su Yang had just finished a round of calls when Xie Siyang and Gao Peixia entered. Xie Siyang said with a grin: "Congratulations! Are you treating us to a meal today?"

"Congratulations, Director Su! Although Xiushui Xiang is a Messy Situation, I believe under Director Su's leadership we can completely change its former appearance, and our poverty alleviation work will proceed more smoothly." Gao Peixia also offered sincere congratulations beside him.

This personnel change exceeded her expectations; she had thought they might select the Township Party Committee Secretary from the current leadership team, but she never expected it to be Su Yang.

She also knew Su Yang's situation; doing this seemed against common sense, but considering Su Yang's background, she felt it made perfect sense.

Seeing the two rush in, Su Yang couldn't help but laugh: "When did you also learn to be so worldly from this crowd? Revolutionary work knows no rank; it's all about serving the people. Whether it's poverty alleviation work or taking charge of township affairs, isn't it all for the people? Besides, this matter hasn't been announced yet; there could be changes, so we should still keep a calm attitude."

"Besides, to me this isn't really a surprise; after all, you know the situation in Xiushui Xiang, which to me is a severe test. But I appreciate your intentions—let's go out to a restaurant tonight and have a good meal; order whatever you like."

Xie Siyang tilted his head and said: "That's what you said! Since coming to Xiushui Xiang I haven't eaten anything good; I want meat, I want game, and I'll pick the expensive dishes."

Gao Peixia also said: "This is a great opportunity for us to knock down the rich; today we must eat until our bellies are stuffed."

Su Yang said generously: "Want to eat? No problem, however you want. But if you really eat until your belly is huge, I can't take responsibility for that." After saying that, the three burst out laughing.

Because Cui Mingjiu, that "tumor," is gone, work in the township has proceeded very smoothly.

Early the next morning, those who had been absent from their posts all returned to work, busily cleaning alongside Li Xiangdong. The township government compound, which had been littered with trash, was completely renewed after a morning's work; besides Li Xiangdong, other members of the Xiushui Xiang team were also busy cleaning their respective areas.

Su Yang felt very pleased seeing this; as he had thought, these people aren't stupid either—they know Su Yang is certain to soon take office as Township Party Committee Secretary, and in the township his word is absolute.

If they still want to do well in the township, they must listen to Su Yang. Meanwhile, Li Xiangdong has become Su Yang's spokesperson; originally he was just a member of the Party Committee team with no presence, but now he's become the object of everyone's admiration.

Su Yang's main work had shifted from poverty alleviation to overseeing the township government's daily affairs. In just two or three days, the new atmosphere of Xiushui Xiang was evident to everyone; the staff who had abandoned their posts all returned to work, earnestly making up for what they had neglected. This made Su Yang feel relieved, thinking he could begin implementing related projects, convene everyone for a meeting to thoroughly advance the poverty alleviation efforts—when suddenly the situation changed dramatically.