Chapter 767

Zhou Yanru chuckled and said: "We've reached this point; there's no need for pleasantries. You and I both know the situation in the county. Before, when you walked through the County Party Committee and County Government building, many people looked at you strangely; now it's my turn."

But I don't think there's anything wrong with other people's glances. After all, few of those investigated by the District Discipline Inspection Commission come out unscathed, and even if they do, they have to get lost far away.

This time I was lucky to escape this ordeal. In front of you I don't want to hide anything; actually, my relationship with the former county magistrate has always been good. Over the years, everything concerning Geng Miao in the county, and all decisions made by the County Party Committee, I have leaked to him.

As for the things Geng Miao gave me, I have already handed them over to the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission through connections. That's why I escaped trouble this time; of course, it also helped that senior leaders spoke up for me everywhere.

Su Yang, while pouring tea for Zhou Yanru, said: "I told you, how could the former county magistrate possibly know so much? He understands everything that happens in our County Party Committee and County Government as easily as the palm of his hand."

Your little move is really covert; I've been here so long and still didn't notice. I actually thought you were in cahoots with them, and I worried I couldn't handle the county's upcoming work. Now, with you taking the lead, I think the work of the County Party Committee and County Government will go much smoother.

Although that's the case, his heart still stirred a bit—this is the Deputy Secretary of the County Party Committee. Before he didn't know, but after arriving and seeing everything, he realized that Zhou Yanru, Ye Xianggao, and Wen Qiren have always been in complete agreement. He had thought perhaps some members of the County Standing Committee might escape trouble, but he never imagined it would be Zhou Yanru.

Zhou Yanru gave a self‑deprecating laugh: "Can I still get work from the County Party Committee and County Government? You're really overestimating me—those people in the County Party Committee and County Government would love to kick me far away."

I came here with a request: I want you to speak a word for me. I still want to work in the county; my whole life has been spent here, and I don't want to go elsewhere. Anyway, given my age, I should retire in a few years—I just want to stand my final post.

Su Yang didn't immediately respond to that. Zhou Yanru's escape doesn't mean he has no problems; the Discipline Inspection Commission's work has its particularities, and it's not something Su Yang can just intervene in. Moreover, this matter was decided by the provincial authorities; he can't even settle his own affairs, so how could he face making promises to others?

He said with a smile: "I remember Secretary Zhou being a wine‑tasting expert! Even Secretary Ye and the others were saying that back then."

Upon hearing that, Zhou Yanru understood Su Yang's implication and said: "Ah, it's hard to be a cadre here; to keep up this persona, I've almost spent my meager salary on red wine."

All household expenses are handled by my wife; I've certainly heard my share of complaints. Speaking of which, those red wines we bought at home aren't finished yet—several bottles are really good. If you have some free time one day, I'll invite you over to taste them. The former county magistrate will come too.

Su Yang thought, 'You're trying to morally blackmail me, knowing I owe the former county magistrate a favor, so you've dragged him out too.' But Su Yang had risen from the grassroots through hard work; although he's still at the grassroots level now, he's been tempered by experience.

He said: 'How could I let you foot the bill? Another day I'll treat you and the former county magistrate to a meal. You decide the place—anywhere is fine—but I'll pay.'

In a word, I'll give you face and accept the meal, but you can forget about trying to morally blackmail me.

Zhou Yanru looked Su Yang up and down and said: "County Magistrate Su, you truly deserve being a cadre dispatched from the provincial authorities; I'm frankly inferior."

The reason I turned danger into safety this time is threefold: first, I myself indeed have no issues; second, the former county magistrate had people speak up and vouch for me; third, I earned merit by reporting and exposing wrongdoing.

Perhaps in the future some people will still gossip behind my back, but I have a clear conscience. Moreover, the situation in the county is currently relatively chaotic; Secretary Hou has been deeply involved in the Discipline Inspection Commission, and in other personnel matters there are hardly any reserves.

My previous work was always in charge of personnel, so I still understand these mid‑level cadres in the county. Even now, with the county bureau large‑scale and several town cadres vacant, I can still help you suggest suitable candidates.

Hearing that, Su Yang's eyes lit up; his biggest headache right now is the upcoming personnel adjustments.

This time so many positions are vacant; he indeed isn't familiar with the people in the county, and he lacks the time to investigate each one. Therefore he wants to fill those posts as quickly as possible to facilitate work.

What this Deputy Secretary Zhou says may not be trustworthy, because everyone has self‑interest; Zhou Yanru will certainly use this opportunity to stuff people in, the only question is how many. But he really has no better option at the moment.

Although the Municipal Party Committee leaders and the Provincial Discipline Inspection Commission's Secretary Yue have been telling him to straighten out the Twin Ditch Large Koji Winery mess, keep all cadres' daily work stable, let government function organs operate normally, and during this period also attract investment and quickly resolve Lieshan Xian's economic situation.

But there is also a potential problem: personnel issues. No one has explicitly told him to hurry up and deal with it.

But in fact, in his view, he is now presiding over the whole county's work; what needs to be solved must be solved, because he also needs capable, willing people to step up and carry the work.

Otherwise he'll end up a bare‑pole commander—what talk of serving the people? He might go out to speak and find no one listening. Of course he also has his own self‑interest; the positions of secretary and county magistrate will eventually be filled, and much faster than the usual process.

Once the secretary and county magistrate are in place, he will lose this initiative; later trying to arrange capable cadres to step up will likely be impossible.

Zhou Yanru also valued this point of Su Yang's, which is why he came over to discuss work with him. Moreover, with this Deputy Secretary present, even if the future County Party Committee Secretary or County Magistrate have opinions—or even question the rationality—of this emergency personnel arrangement, we can simply bring forward this Deputy Secretary to block them. After all, the Deputy Secretary also oversees personnel, and arranging personnel during this period is reasonable and lawful.

After that thought flashed through his mind, he said: "Good, since Secretary Zhou said that, we'll do as Secretary Zhou said. In the next day or two we'll get those excellent cadres in place. We can't keep blaming every mishap on all the cadres; sooner or later that will chill the comrades' hearts."

He was still speaking when his pocket phone rang.