Chapter 607

After hanging up the phone, his mood could not settle for a long time. This time he went carrying hope, also bearing responsibility, and moreover someone was waiting for his safe return.

Two hours later, he arrived in Jinzhou. Because today was Sunday, he casually found a guesthouse and rested early.

The next day early in the morning he went to the Jinzhou Municipal Party Committee Organization Department to report.

Because he arrived really a bit early, he waited for over half an hour before seeing the Executive Vice Minister of the Jinzhou Organization Department.

"Are you Su Yang? Originally today the Minister himself was supposed to talk with you, but because he had to go to the Municipal Party Committee, I am the one talking with you."

"I have heard of your great name before; I never imagined that one day you would also be able to work in our Jinzhou."

"Some places in our Jinzhou are really out of line, so we need a cadre like you who is upright, fearless of danger, with vigor and courage to straighten things out."

"However, the situation in Lieshan Xian below is very serious; you must be fully prepared mentally."

"Before you came, Vice Governor Huang specially called me and instructed me on this matter, so I will speak frankly."

"The leadership team of Lieshan Xian is basically rotten: either they are colluding with the corrupt, or they are mediocre and ineffective, or they are prudent self-preservers. In short, no one dares to stand up against Geng Miao and his group, so their power keeps growing, not only can they dominate the whole Lieshan Xian, but they have also reached into our Municipal Party Committee Organization Department, even the Provincial Party Committee Organization Department."

"For our Organization Department, this is practically a disgrace, but because of his connections and networks in all aspects, even our Organization Department often cannot veto the people he nominates."

"Because deputy division-level leaders who can enter the standing committee usually have to attend the Municipal Party Committee Standing Committee meeting, so I won't elaborate on some points; those who should understand will understand."

"Here, my requirements are just three points: first, protect yourself well; second, protect yourself well; third, still protect yourself well."

"This vice minister, although Su Yang had never met him before, upon hearing him mention Uncle Huang, there was a very clear signal: this leader should have hooked up with Uncle Huang's line."

"Holding onto the thigh of the Executive Vice Governor with the identity of the Executive Vice Minister of the Municipal Party Committee Organization Department is quite a skill; under normal circumstances, even the head of the Municipal Party Committee Organization Department would struggle."

"According to the importance the Provincial Party Committee Organization Department attaches to this, theoretically it should be the Organization Department Head talking with him, but the head is absent, which also indicates some issues. However, he currently has no mind to consider these."

"He could also hear from this vice minister's words that there was some trust and respect for his ability and courage, but not much."

"Otherwise he wouldn't just emphasize protecting himself; after all, the situation in Lieshan Xian is extremely severe, and this leader seems to be hinting that he just needs to protect himself, basically having little confidence in him eradicating this tumor."

"Thank you, leader; I will keep your teachings in mind, put my own safety first, but I will also combine the local situation to fulfill my work and mission."

"The vice minister could also see what Su Yang was thinking, and he said: 'You are a very capable cadre; I have looked over your resume, and you indeed have a hand in economic work. But your main task this time is not to develop the economy, but to turn around the situation in Lieshan Xian and put it on the right track.'"

"Moreover, to be frank, township-level cadres have great limitations; they see only concrete things right before their eyes, whereas once you enter the County Party Committee Standing Committee, it will become much more complex."

"This is a huge leap; generally speaking, under normal circumstances, comrades who first enter the standing committee usually transition through positions such as secretary-general or united front department head, and then move into the core power positions."

"This time you not only directly entered the core circle, but you are also the sole outsider that everyone is watching. How great the pressure, how strong the resistance—I need not say; you can figure it out by thinking."

"Finally, let me add one point: currently the entire public security system is unusable, and Geng Miao has a gun in his hand."

"Because your time is tight and the task is heavy, I won't keep you here for a meal; I will send you directly to Lieshan Xian."

"Su Yang said: 'Thank you, leader, and also for personally seeing me off to take up my post.'"

"Generally speaking, a vice county magistrate normally would be considered well off if a vice minister saw him off; an executive vice minister usually sees off deputy secretaries, executive vice county magistrates, and other cadres with relatively heavier authority."

"Of course, some county magistrates and secretaries in economically underdeveloped, non-prominent places might also be sent off by Organization Department vice ministers. Of course, this also depends on the behind-the-scenes connections; some county magistrates and secretaries, upon taking office, are even personally seen off by the mayor and the Organization Department head."

"On the way rushing to Lieshan Xian, the executive vice minister did not speak again, and his attitude toward him was also markedly cold, completely unlike how he had been in the office just before. This made Su Yang feel a bit strange; besides the two of them, there was only a driver in the car."

"Could it be that Geng Miao has not only won over those leaders, but also the driver, the secretary, and some staff in important positions?"

"After thinking it over carefully, this possibility cannot be ruled out."

"If that were truly the case, then Geng Miao could not be described as a tumor; he would have to be described as terrifyingly formidable."

"This is also not his fault; the Provincial Party Committee Organization Department had just decided on his appointment when someone was waiting for him on his flight."

"At 3:30 in the afternoon, their car drove into the compound of the Lieshan Xian County Party Committee and County Government."

"The four leadership teams in the county had already lined up in front of the building, waiting."

"As soon as the car came to a stop, a man with a combed-back hairstyle and gold-rimmed glasses stepped forward to greet them."

"The vice minister sitting in the car said to Su Yang: 'This is the County Party Secretary of Lieshan Xian, Ye Xianggao.'"

"Saying that, he opened the car door and got out first."

"Ye Xianggao hurriedly went up, clasped the vice minister's hand with both hands, and said: 'Welcome, Minister Lu, to our Lieshan Xian. On behalf of all the cadres of the County Party Committee, County Government, County People's Congress, and County Political Consultative Conference, I welcome Minister Lu.'"

"Minister Lu laughed and said: 'Secretary Ye, you are too polite; this is just my normal work. I came today to send you a cadre.'"

"While speaking, Su Yang also got out of the car."

"Minister Lu pointed at Su Yang and said: 'This comrade is the incoming vice county magistrate, Su Yang.'"

"While speaking, Su Yang reached out to shake Ye Xianggao's hand, but at that moment Ye Xianggao pointed his hand toward the person behind him and said: 'Everyone, welcome Minister Lu and County Magistrate Su.'"

"Then he said to Su Yang: 'I had heard that County Magistrate Su is very young; seeing you today truly opens my eyes. I heard that County Magistrate Su is adept at economic work, can turn waste into treasure, can turn a village chicken into a golden phoenix, and can turn a dirt hill into a scenic area.'"

"The leadership team of our Lieshan Xian County Party Committee and County Government, with the addition of a vigorous and energetic cadre like County Magistrate Su, I believe we can make the county's development reach a new level. Everyone, welcome Minister Lu and County Magistrate Su."

"Saying that, he led the applause, and others followed, but it was quite obvious that their applause was perfunctory."

"Su Yang could also see from their eyes that kind of contempt and aloofness."

"Especially, Ye Xianggao had just consciously avoided his handshake gesture, which actually already explained many problems."

"In this setting, he also cannot afford to think about so many problems; what ought to be dealt with must be dealt with, what ought to be proper must be proper. Those improper things, however, would not happen at this moment."