Chapter 779: All Sing Praises for Su Yang

When Su Yang returned to Lieshan Xian, it was already past 8 p. m.

Because tonight the newly appointed officials had a welcome banquet, the only two remaining County Standing Committee Members and some Section Chief Level cadres were treating Deputy Minister Lu and Chen Bo to a meal. Yet in the vast Lieshan Xian, the total number of people who could sit at the table was less than two tables.

In such a setting, Lu Zhi Xin, the Deputy Minister of the Organization Department, originally intended to pep everyone up, give them some motivational talk, and set a clear direction for their future work.

But seeing that these people lacked any enthusiasm for work, only the lucky feeling of having survived a disaster, he had to say:

"Comrades, I originally didn't want to attend today's welcome banquet. Why? First, it is a needless expense for our government's finances; second, at this critical moment, I simply don't have the mood for it."

"But I still came in the end, and the real reason is that I want to discuss work style with everyone. I won't elaborate on the events before our eyes; I ask you all to remember to focus your thoughts on work and produce results."

"In daily work, don't think of just getting by day by day; being placed in this position means you should make the contributions expected of it. Do not do anything that isn't yours to do; do not take money that isn't yours to take. I hope that when superiors look for you, they come to our Organization Department, not the Discipline Inspection Commission."

These words made the already lukewarm atmosphere even colder. Even Zhou Yanru and Hou Junlai didn't know how to respond; they both thought of Su Yang. As long as Su Yang is present, the gathering will never fall silent.

At this moment, the newly appointed head of the Organization Department, Chen Bo, warmed up the crowd, saying: "Deputy Minister Lu is right; we must solemnly learn from past mistakes, but what's done is done, and we should now face the future. I believe that under County Magistrate Su's leadership, Lieshan Xian will certainly reverse the previous negative influences and bring the work of the County Party Committee and County Government back onto the right track."

"Especially, County Magistrate Su has been outstanding in economic development; every town he has worked in has achieved a qualitative leap. Whether it is tapping local resources to develop scenic areas, building roads in backward towns, or leveraging local crop advantages to set up factories, the results have been dazzling. Though it's only been a little over half a year, those towns have already undergone earth‑shaking changes. These are concrete facts laid before us."

Zhou Yanru and Hou Junlai exchanged a glance, thinking what was going on. They had originally believed that only the two of them would unequivocally support Su Yang, since they had witnessed Su Yang's strength in this political storm. But what about this newly appointed head of the Organization Department?

He aligned himself with Su Yang so effortlessly? Moreover, the head of the Organization Department ranks far above a County Standing Committee Member or Vice County Magistrate. Yet after crawling through Within the System for so long, they thought to themselves while verbally echoing, "Yes, yes, Minister Chen is far‑sighted; I believe that with County Magistrate Su's guidance, our county will undergo a dramatic transformation in the work ahead."

The one who spoke was Deputy Secretary Zhou Yanru.

Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary Hou Junlai added, "County Magistrate Su's resolve and ability are evident to all. Take the Geng Miao incident, for example; he is the only member of our County Standing Committee who boldly pointed out the serious problems at Twin Ditch Large Koji Winery, stressing that our government team must make a decisive break, not be fooled by this false prosperity, and ensure that we break the old to build the new so that our county's economic development returns to a healthy state."

"But some people refused to be grateful and even colluded to suppress County Magistrate Su; fortunately, Su withstood the pressure. Moreover, during this period, Su never forgot to actively attract investment; the agricultural market we are about to open is a company that Su brought in."

"When this company arrived, it was right in the eye of the storm, and its owner almost fell victim to the gang of Geng Miao's criminal‑type group. Had County Magistrate Su not intervened wholeheartedly and rushed to the scene immediately, the outcome would have been unimaginable."

"Honestly, as a native‑born cadre, I am very grateful that the Organization sent us such an outstanding official. Of course, we also raise both hands to welcome Minister Chen to work in Lieshan Xian."

These remarks ignited the atmosphere, and the others began to praise as well. Since the only two remaining County Standing Committee Members and the newly arrived members all said so, how could they dare not go along?

Lu Zhi Xin felt very gratified upon hearing this. From the Organization Department's perspective in evaluating cadres, the main criteria are, first, work history; second, concrete achievements; third, local reputation and prestige.

Work history is a hard metric; achievements often contain a lot of fluff, such as those who, thanks to connections or networks, simply pick the low‑hanging fruit—those count as achievements, but they weren't actually done by the person themselves.

The only thing that cannot be faked is reputation. The many praises for Su Yang here constitute that reputation. Reputation comes from cadres within the Organization and the Common People at the grassroots, and he believes that if the cadres say so, the Common People of Lieshan Xian must feel the same. He also feels he hasn't misjudged anyone; a young cadre with ability, background, resolve and means is truly needed.

He then said, "Alright, alright, but no matter what work he does or what results he achieves, it all depends on the support of the people and our cadres."

"Therefore, in the work ahead, I hope you can unite and lift Lieshan Xian's affairs. Oh, by the way, I just looked again and it seems few people came today—are there only a handful of Division-level cadres? I recall you have a Vice County Magistrate, Comrade Li Lingyu; why didn't she show up this evening?"

Suddenly hearing the Executive Vice Minister of the Municipal Party Committee's Organization Department mention Li Lingyu, everyone was puzzled. But Hou Junlai thought for a moment and said frankly, "Deputy Minister Lu, County Magistrate Li had a sudden family matter this evening, so she specifically asked me to request leave for you."

Lu Zhi Xin nodded at the words and then asked, "Does County Magistrate Su know about this?"

That remark left everyone present bewildered—what exactly does Deputy Minister Lu mean?