Chapter 841

These two problems are actually one problem; the widening and hardening of all roads, even the construction of Yingbin Dadao and related projects, to a large extent determines the final outcome of investment promotion.

Regarding the hardening and widening of roads, even the installation of streetlights, I heard that you have already begun preliminary work at the Transportation Bureau and related units.

Especially in the townships under Lieshan Xian, for the hardening of main roads, the projects that need widening in the preliminary stage have already been reported.

This measure is good, and comrades have executed it well, but I also looked into it; the total cost comes to an investment of over two hundred million.

Moreover, we need to build a Yingbin Dadao; although I haven't seen its planning drawings, even if it's not cost‑effective it will be at least twenty million. May I ask where this money will come from?

Besides this sum, we also need money to build the expressway; according to the reported project situation, we need to invest at least two hundred million ourselves. Altogether we need roughly five hundred million in funds—where will it come from?

Furthermore, the investment promotion work can be said to be the top priority ahead; although Comrade Su Yang has achieved outstanding results in his previous posts, making him the natural choice, the Investment Promotion Office, upon its establishment, secured a branch factory project of a pharmaceutical plant and the reconstruction project of the entire industrial park.

This sounds ideal, but where will all the funds come from? Has this issue been considered?

Can our county's Finance Bureau come up with that much money? As far as I know, even the funds for paying salaries are what the Finance Department allocated just a few days ago; this money cannot be touched, as it is the livelihood guarantee for all cadres.

Moreover, you have already notified all cadres via notice to improve their benefits—where will that money come from?

What I'm saying is not aimed at Comrade Su Yang, nor is it to find fault with him; it's that when problems arise we must face them head‑on. If we don't raise them, everyone will just blindly pursue large‑scale infrastructure construction seeking development, but the result will be half‑finished, abandoned projects.

Especially with road construction, once a project is approved and a little money is given, someone rushes to contract the work; then various barriers go up, and work stops immediately, left aside. The ones who suffer are the common people of our county, because the roads they use to come and go have all been dug up.

Once those barriers are up, it often lasts one or two years; in that case, how is this paving the way for our investment promotion? It simply ruins our image for investment promotion.

Think about it, you seated few: when investors come and see that there isn't even a complete road, everywhere there are barriers and potholes, how can they feel reassured to invest here? Even if they are investing enterprises, when it comes time to sell their products, how will they get them out?

Lastly, we should avoid promising what we cannot deliver; for the expressway project, even if you can get it approved, the province will not give you that much money.

It is said that these pieces of news have already spread; if someone really believes them and invests on the premise of the expressway being built, and then the road ends up never being finished, or only completed ten or even twenty years later, how will our county government fulfill its promises? Credibility is slow to build but easy to destroy.

Of course, having said all this, I am not targeting anyone; I am entirely considering the interests of Lieshan Xian. Since I am not fully aware of the details, I personally suggest we shelve these projects for now and discuss them again at the standing committee meeting when spring comes next year.

These matters were originally beneficial policies for the country and the people, but if a good policy is not implemented properly, it becomes a mess and ultimately a burden on the common folk. Therefore I personally suggest we delay a bit and discuss it again after the Secretary takes office.

The final issue is that the position of County Party Committee Office Director has long been held concurrently by our County Magistrate Jiao, which is unsuitable; after all, one's energy is limited, and County Magistrate Jiao is currently a vice county magistrate with his own portfolio of responsibilities.

We cannot continue as before, having him act as a grand steward serving everyone; if that gets out, it will sound like we are bullying County Magistrate Jiao, which is not good. So I recommend that Ma Su, the Deputy Secretary of Ma Lian Shan Township, take the post.

In a moment at the standing committee meeting we should follow the procedure, go through the process. All right, today's meeting ends here; everyone may disperse.

Zhao Nanxing thus fully exerted the authority of the county government's top leader.

From beginning to end, he gave no one a chance to speak; after saying what he wanted, he directly announced the meeting's adjournment.

Although this is somewhat overbearing and unreasonable, the fact is he is the top leader; indeed his word is final, and others cannot find any fault with it.

As soon as he left, Jiang Tao followed suit and left as well.

Only Li Lingyu and Jiao Qiang, who had not yet reacted, remained, together with Su Yang, who had regained his understanding of Zhao Nanxing.

He originally knew this person was difficult to deal with; appearing amiable on the surface, but in reality he is especially power‑hungry at heart.

But his true killer move is to seize a loophole and strike a fatal blow; however, it has not yet been employed.

Just what he has shown so far is enough to make others feel fearful.

Of course, his so‑called suppression may work on others, but it has no effect on Su Yang; in Su Yang's view, it is rather childish.

There's nothing to be done; he has seen too many big shots, and for a mere county magistrate to put on airs and use authority to intimidate him in his presence, he really can't be bothered to take it to heart.

Jiao Qiang said: 'Even when County Magistrate Wen was in office, it was never like this; at the very least he would let others speak.'

'Even a division meeting that could have decisions made wasn't conducted so rigidly.'

'This is really unfortunate, to have such a leader.'

Su Yang said with a smile: 'Don't mind it; leaders always have some quirks, and what shows up openly is better than what is hidden in the dark.'

'Do you two have any opinions on the division of labor? Although this is the county magistrate's absolute authority, if you really have any ideas, we can think of a way.'

Li Lingyu said: 'County Magistrate Su, we have no objections to the division of labor; we will do whatever is assigned to us.'

'But why did he suddenly take away the Lie Shan Public Security Bureau and the Finance Bureau from your hands? In the previous county magistrate's division of labor, the Lie Shan Public Security Bureau was also under your responsibility.'

'Isn't this going too far?'

'Moreover, all the projects were initiated by you; now he suddenly calls a halt, and the common people will certainly not blame him, but will curse you behind your back.'

I really didn't expect that as soon as County Magistrate Zhao took office, he would use tactics on us.