Chapter 545: Became a hot commodity

Of course, in this kind of setting, he couldn't ask.

Mayor Gao ate his shredded potatoes silently, probably also guessing what had happened. Moreover, matters that could reach the ears of provincial leaders were no small things, and he even began to filter through which city might have what kind of problems.

However, he didn't expect Vice Governor Huang not to hide this matter. He said indifferently, "A local government actually being held hostage by an enterprise—this kind of thing sounds infuriating. I truly mourn their misfortune and am angry at their lack of struggle."

Only then did Mayor Gao ask in a low voice, "Vice Governor Huang, has something happened somewhere? Now that the whole province is vigorously developing the economy, most places have just started attracting investment. It stands to reason that the enterprises brought in have just taken root and developed; it's impossible for them to counter-control the government. Furthermore, the province issued documents long ago, repeatedly emphasizing that while creating a good business environment, we must also achieve equality and mutual benefit. Don't engage in bullying clauses for enterprises, and don't abandon the bottom line just to introduce enterprises."

Vice Governor Huang said, "Normally, that's how it is. 90% of the places in our province have just introduced enterprises, and some places have done a very poor job in investment attraction."

"In such a large place, there isn't a single enterprise of any scale. Every year they use it as a pretext to go out and attract investment, and every year they go out to eat and drink on public funds. Either they engage in a few so-called signed projects, and then people turn around and leave after a circle; it's purely to complete the task."

"But there are exceptions, for example. Lieshan County has a winery. In the early years of state-owned enterprise reform, that winery was on the verge of bankruptcy, but later, after someone took it over, it grew bigger and stronger through a series of commercial means."

"Later, this winery became the main source of fiscal revenue for Lieshan County. As a result, as they grew bigger, the person in charge of the enterprise not only didn't think about repaying the government and making more contributions to the government, but instead used this to counter-control the government, to seek greater commercial interests, and didn't take the interests of the common people to heart."

"What's even more hateful is that most of the cadres are in cahoots with them. I heard that some people were suppressed by them and reported them online repeatedly, but after reporting, it was all left unsettled. I haven't been here long, but I actually received such reports. At first, I didn't pay attention, but the matter has only gotten bigger."

At this time, Mayor Gao said, "Then the province should have a way, right? We can't just let a local enterprise run wild."

Vice Governor Huang shook his head: "For a local enterprise to reach this point, the network of relationships behind it must be complex and intertwined. They aren't even afraid knowing that reports will go to the province; one can imagine how much energy they have behind them."

"And now the provincial finances are also difficult, or to put it bluntly, in a deficit state. Once this enterprise's support is gone, the entire Lieshan County economy will be paralyzed, and many people will lose their jobs, causing employment panic. This matter is very troublesome and very annoying. To solve this kind of thing, it must be solved from the root. Relying entirely on policy support and financial support from above cannot solve the problem. Alright, let's not talk about this, let's eat."

Hearing the words "Lieshan County" and "winery," Su Yang's heart jumped violently. If Vice Governor Huang hadn't mentioned it today, he might not have remembered it.

Thinking back to those years, this matter caused quite a stir. That so-called person in charge of the enterprise was as arrogant as could be. To what extent was he arrogant? It is no exaggeration to say that in the entire county, he was the number one leader. The County Party Secretary and the County Magistrate both had to listen to him, and even who would serve as the Secretary and Magistrate required his consent. If there was no consent and support from him, even if they went, they couldn't stay in office.

And what was even more shocking was that when others invited the County Magistrate out to dinner, they had to call the secretary first and then make an appointment to queue up.

As for whether the County Magistrate or Secretary would give them the face? That depended on their luck. But with this person in charge of the enterprise, when he was in a bad mood, he would directly have his subordinates call the Secretary and Magistrate to tell them to come over, and specify what time and where to eat.

When he was in a good mood, he would stand directly across the street from the county government office building and shout the names of the County Party Secretary and County Magistrate at the top of his lungs, such as "So-and-so, come down for dinner."

After this completely exploded in his previous life, it became news; otherwise, he wouldn't remember it so clearly. Of course, if someone said now that such an outrageous thing would happen, most people probably wouldn't believe it. A local enterprise boss daring to treat the local parents' officials like this? I'm afraid they wouldn't even dare to dream of it. Admittedly, there are many things even more outrageous than this; he could sit here and talk for three days and two nights.

After the meal, Vice Governor Huang actually took a few black flour buns before getting in the car to return. Mayor Gao followed and left in his car.

From the meal to the end, they didn't specifically talk about Su Yang's work, but for those who weren't qualified to sit at the table, this was enough. In the system, the fact that a leader shook hands with someone for a few seconds longer than others would be singled out for analysis, let alone being called to eat alone under the eyes of so many people. What a great honor this was.

Once Vice Governor Huang left, the remaining officials at all levels also left in a flurry, with only the County Standing Committee members staying for a while. They held a short meeting regarding the two key projects currently in Xiushui Township.

It was nothing more than repeatedly emphasizing that these two projects should proceed smoothly, that all cadres should focus all their energy on these two projects, and Zhou Hongtao announced on the spot that the county could allocate a separate support fund for Xiushui Township, to be used for various aspects such as people's livelihood and education in the township government.

Xiushui Township, which had always been unloved by its uncle and grandmother, had received the leader's care for the first time. Su Yang didn't have much feeling about it, because Vice Governor Huang had just eaten this kind of oil-less food and said he would allocate funds to improve their situation here.

Although there were only the three of them just now, the walls have ears. It was not strange for these words to reach Zhou Hongtao's ears. Then Zhou Hongtao's subsequent care seemed so reasonable and logical.

After the meeting ended, Zhou Ruohan originally wanted to say a few words to Su Yang alone, but due to her status, she went straight to the car. What she didn't expect was that Fang Jingwen actually stayed behind in the name of the Poverty Alleviation Office Director, saying she wanted to give Su Yang and the others some guidance on their work.

This made Zhou Ruohan furious. You know what the situation is with this Poverty Alleviation Office, don't you? With so many places in the county, you aren't necessarily that attentive, yet you are so concerned about Xiushui Township.

What on earth are you planning? But the other person's reason was very sufficient, and she couldn't find a reason to refute it, nor could she stop the other person from staying here to guide the work. She could only give Su Yang a clear warning look through the car window before letting the driver start the car and leave. ===== CHAPTER 546 =====