Chapter 789

Zhou Yanru was not polite either; the former county magistrate had earlier given him a list, and he knew all these people—most of them were truly capable cadres who had previously been suppressed.

He nominated the Education Bureau Chief, the Finance Bureau Chief, the Agriculture Bureau Chief, and two candidates for Vice County Magistrate.

The Education Bureau Chief nominated the former principal of No. 1 Middle School, Zhang Boxin; one of the Vice County Magistrate candidates he nominated was the County Government Office Director, Jiao Qiang.

The Finance Bureau Chief nominated the former lowest-ranking Deputy Chief of the Finance Bureau, Sun Kangyao.

The candidate for Agriculture Bureau Chief was a former Deputy Town Mayor of Chengguan Town.

There were also several vacancies for town mayors and township Party Committee secretaries.

More than half of these people Su Yang did not know, but there was nothing to be done; during this period he had come, all his thoughts and energy were devoted to his confrontation with Geng Miao.

After hearing this list of names, Su Yang first looked toward Hou Junlai: 'Hou Secretary, what do you think of these candidates?'

Hou Junlai said: 'The list that Secretary Zhou just mentioned we had already verified one by one in advance, and these people's abilities and records have no flaws; they are all talented but unrecognized individuals with ambition. Once they take up these positions, I believe the atmosphere in each bureau will inevitably undergo a fundamental change.'

Chen Bo also said: 'Yes, although I have just arrived, I also looked through the files of the Organization Department; these people have risen through the ranks step by step, and I believe they will certainly achieve results that satisfy the Cultivation Organization.'

"Oh, by the way, I also have a nomination for the Industry and Commerce Bureau Chief; I propose that Machaun Township Party Committee Deputy Secretary Liu Lei serve as the Industry and Commerce Bureau Chief. The specific situation of this comrade is known to Secretary Zhou and Secretary Hou; this is his personal resume and recent situation, County Magistrate Su, please take a look."

Su Yang thought to himself: 'After all, he's the Organization Department Head; just after arriving, someone has already come over to curry favor, but that's also normal. Anyone who is a cadre within the Cultivation Organization wouldn't want to have a closer relationship with the Organization Department Head?'

Moreover, according to his knowledge, in this short day, there have been quite a few cadres, both openly and secretly, seeking out Organization Department Head Chen Bo; but Chen Bo only recommended this one person, which surely means he has conducted a relevant investigation, or else this person originally knew Chen Bo.

But no matter what, he has no reason to reject or deny the above list. The team now needs unity, needs to be of one mind. The fact that these people previously did not mix with Geng Miao and his group actually suffices to show their nature is not bad; otherwise, they would have long been summoned by the Discipline Inspection Commission for tea.

Moreover, in Su Yang's view, in fact, basically these internally promoted people certainly have solid abilities; as long as their character is reliable, there won't be too many problems.

Even if there really were problems, he currently has no time or energy to waste on them, and he should also give these people a chance; otherwise, like those old diehards, they would keep holding onto personnel adjustment rights and not let go, seeking those who have a chance to move up, daily scratching their heads and unable to focus on work, constantly thinking about giving gifts and cultivating connections, causing all those who could be transferred to become overstaffed, thereby lowering work efficiency and harming both others and themselves.

When holding great power, one must know how to delegate authority.

'Alright, you don't need to show me; I trust you. You are the Organization Department Head, and in judging people, among those of us present, aside from Old Zhou, the others are probably not as good as you. Otherwise, let's vote on these personnel appointments by show of hands. Even if we are few, the procedures that must be followed within the system still need to be observed; otherwise, what's the difference from a makeshift crew?'

Chen Bo said: 'Then, as County Magistrate Su said, let's vote on these personnel matters just mentioned by show of hands; those in favor, please raise your hands.'

Before his words had even finished, everyone present, including him, had already raised their hands. As they raised their hands, several people involuntarily laughed; in their careers, this was probably the only time such a thing had happened.

In the future, whenever major personnel issues are involved—such as this time's adjustments of the Public Security Bureau Director, the Agriculture Bureau Chief, and the Finance Bureau Chief—the standing committee will inevitably engage in heated debate.

Su Yang said: 'Since everyone unanimously agrees, please have Department Head Chen expedite the procedures so these comrades can assume their new posts. Next we will discuss the second agenda item, which concerns the Twin Ditch Large Koji Winery.'

"Currently, an overseas Chinese investor is willing to take over the Twin Ditch Large Koji Winery; they arrived last night, and logically we should hold a welcome banquet for them, which is also customary for attracting investment."

"However, given our county's special situation, I personally suggest that starting today we cancel all receptions and prohibit all cadres from using public funds for eating and drinking under any pretext. Drinking alcohol is also prohibited during work hours; if there is a particularly important reception, it should be held in the canteen of the relevant unit."

"If drinking alcohol is indeed necessary, we should use the Twin Ditch Large Koji that has been stockpiled at the Twin Ditch Large Koji Winery. As for this point, does anyone have any objections?"

Upon hearing this, everyone's hearts skipped a beat—not because they were unwilling to support Su Yang's decision, but because the cadres now are accustomed to eating and drinking; even half of the grassroots civil servants not only eat but also take, and in the end all eating, drinking, and petty theft brought home are reimbursed with public funds. If this measure is implemented, wouldn't it cut off some of their sources of income? This would likely make the people below uncomfortable.

Chen Bo said: 'I firmly support County Magistrate Su's proposal. Using public funds for eating and drinking is inherently a huge waste, placing unnecessary pressure on our finances. Sometimes a reception is indeed necessary, but most of the time it is meaningless—just the relevant cadres finding an excuse to go out and gather, using public funds for eating and drinking.'

"If it were merely eating and drinking, that would be bad enough, but they also issue false, inflated invoices for the unit to reimburse. I estimate that just this expense alone would cost a county at least several million, even up to tens of millions, per year."

Zhou Yanru immediately said: 'What Department Head Chen said is correct; I also firmly support County Magistrate Su's proposal. This atmosphere of eating and drinking really needs to be curbed.'

"Given the current situation of Lieshan Xian, salaries are about to run out, and some units are still openly eating and drinking while issuing IOUs, thereby living off future budgets, leaving each successor with problems and deficits, ultimately resulting in a huge deficit."

"If we want to fill these deficits, where would the money come from? Nothing other than dipping into various poverty-relief funds and various relief projects. In short, it's still squeezing the Common People."

Hou Junlai said even more sternly: 'Given my job nature, I not only have to support County Magistrate Su, but also help him share the pressure. Starting today, the Discipline Inspection Commission will take the lead in self-restraint and issue documents to all units; if they discover issuing IOUs and using public funds for eating and drinking, they will be strictly punished according to the relevant regulations—those who should be talked to will be talked to, those who should be warned will be warned, those who should be disciplined will be disciplined.'