Chapter 838

After the welcome banquet dispersed, everyone's faces clearly showed a sense of excitement.

It seemed as if everyone had victory in hand, and everyone was eager to show their strength at the Standing Committee meeting.

But Su Yang's face remained calm; he had just returned to his room when Hou Junlai came in.

"Goodness, you scared me—did Geng Miao get brought to justice? Otherwise I'd suspect he sent you to secretly harm me."

Su Yang made a joke, then brewed tea for Hou Junlai.

Hou Junlai said, "When do you still have the mood to joke? This County Magistrate Zhao is up to no good—aren't we getting a bit overzealous today? Originally you were to hand over all the county's work to him, which is a normal handover; just do that these few days."

"He came on strong, hiding a knife behind a soft exterior—really hard to watch. The key is I never expected these people, who theoretically should be strangers, to have already secretly banded together; this might be tricky."

"Although we are the proposed candidates, if they collectively reject us, that would undoubtedly be a blow to us. Even if County Magistrate Zhao isn't being excessive, it wouldn't matter—he's already the top leader. But look at these people; they show not a shred of respect for us old-timers."

"Also, regarding Yao Daya, I already know the Discipline Inspection Commission has some files on him. I'll compile all the materials; after this Standing Committee meeting, once we've stabilized the situation, we'll deal with him. But to be frank, this isn't about retaliation—it's simply that he indeed has problems, which we just hadn't followed up on before."

"This also shows a dereliction of duty on our Discipline Inspection Commission's part—of course, that's a tangent, because back then our Discipline Inspection Commission was merely a figurehead; just not having become Geng Miao's tool was already a blessing."

Su Yang said, "County Magistrate Zhao is already the top leader, so it's normal for him to take back all the county's work. But regarding tomorrow's personnel appointments, don't be too pessimistic. They appear united, yet aren't we of one mind as well? Moreover, we truly are considering the development of Lieshan Xian; this we can answer to our conscience and to the organization."

"As for Yao Daya, since your Discipline Inspection Commission already has a plan to act against him, better early than late—prepare the relevant materials tomorrow. If necessary, announce them at the meeting; take action when needed, and don't let these objective circumstances make you abandon principle. Otherwise, what's the difference from when Geng Miao and his crowd were in power?"

The two were talking when a knock came at the door.

Su Yang opened the door to find Zhou Yanru and Chen Bo.

"Secretary Zhou and Department Head Chen have also come, which others see and think we're plotting something. Previously we used this place to hold Standing Committee meetings, but now we'd be seen as a clique, accused of factionalism. We should still try to avoid that. Of course, by avoidance I mean not coming to my place; we can go to Secretary Zhou's office instead."

As Su Yang's words fell, everyone burst into laughter.

Zhou Yanru regarded Su Yang with renewed esteem; although Su Yang spoke jokingly, he believed it was also Su Yang's sincere sentiment. Why say that? Because previously Su Yang presided over the county's work, and any matter brought to him for a meeting was perfectly normal.

Now that Zhao Nanxing has taken office, Su Yang's status can only be that of a lower‑ranking Standing Committee vice‑county magistrate, while his deputy secretary position is firmly third in rank. Holding meetings at his place at least nominally shows respect for him; as for the actual situation, everyone knows the score.

Chen Bo said, "Fine then—going forward, Secretary Zhou, please bring out those fine teas you've hidden; if it's after work, also bring out the red wine you've stockpiled for us to sample. We keep holding meetings and serving Shuanggou liquor, which gives me a terrible headache—I really don't know how that liquor used to sell so well."

Zhou Yanru said, "That's natural—I spent plenty on wine to keep up my image back then, and I actually managed to find a few bottles; I'll contribute them next time. But let's get to the point: if tomorrow's Standing Committee meeting indeed takes place, the core will inevitably be the selection of the Shuanggou Town Party Committee secretary."

"I sense they're bent on getting their way, but the normal procedure requires the Organization Department to vet candidates, then after my approval as deputy secretary, a three‑person meeting with the County Party Committee secretary and the county magistrate, and finally the Standing Committee meeting. Even though we can't go by the book now, where do they get their confidence?"

Su Yang said, "Actually their thinking is simple: if this appointment fails to pass, then even if they win, the prestige we've painstakingly built will be completely crushed."

"Let me say this: I might have dragged you into trouble. Do you remember our newly arrived Political and Legal Affairs Commission Secretary Qi? When I went to the provincial capital on business, I happened to run into him; he was drinking with someone else, and we ended up having an unpleasant exchange—at the time he almost ordered the provincial capital's police to arrest me."

As he spoke, Su Yang recounted the events of that day in detail.

Hou Junlai said, "If Secretary Qi really is that sort of person, I doubt his appointment as Political and Legal Affairs Commission secretary would turn out any better."

Zhou Yanru said, "It doesn't matter; these people are all parachuted in, they're here only for our recent work achievements—whether or not they bear a grudge against you, they're targeting us."

"So let's first discuss tomorrow's agenda—one item is definitely the selection of the Shuanggou Town Party Committee secretary. We should initially recommend the Organization Department's executive vice minister, which is also Chen Bo's recommendation. We need to do the groundwork thoroughly and solidly, striving to get it through the Standing Committee meeting. That way we may not have an advantage in the meeting, but at least we won't be led by the nose."

At this point Su Yang said, "In principle we'll follow Chen Bo's recommendation, but if it's truly unworkable we must add a backup plan. The Shuanggou Town Party Committee secretary is a post held concurrently by a County Standing Committee member, so it's not something an ordinary Party Committee secretary can match."

"If we promote from among the current section‑level cadres, we'll face considerable resistance, especially in this situation. But if we directly appoint a division‑level cadre to hold the post concurrently, I think it might be somewhat better. Moreover, the final decision rests with the city, not with us."

Chen Bo nodded slightly and said, "County Magistrate Su makes sense; we need to prepare two options. The candidate you mentioned—is it Vice County Magistrate Li Lingyu?"