Chapter 843: First Round Clash

"County Magistrate Zhao, I have something to say."

Before Zhao Nanxing could finish, Su Yang rudely interrupted.

The people present were momentarily stunned; after all, Zhao Nanxing is the top leader and should be allowed to finish speaking, so Su Yang's temperament is rather reckless.

Zhao Nanxing's expression turned sour; in his view, this was Su Yang's challenge to his authority.

He said, "County Magistrate Su, you may raise questions, but I haven't finished speaking. What I meant just now is that this personnel matter should be postponed a bit; although it's urgent, it doesn't need to be resolved within a week or two. Frankly, whichever of the two people takes the position, their experience is relatively shallow."

"Furthermore, the Town Party Committee Secretary of Shuanggou Town is to be promoted into the County Party Standing Committee, and we are not the ones who can make the final decision; it must be reported to the Municipal Party Committee's Organization Department, where the municipal leadership will make the final call. Therefore, the candidate we submit must be outstanding in all respects; otherwise, if the proposal is rejected, it will disgrace the entire Lieshan County Party Committee and County Government."

Su Yang said, "County Magistrate Zhao, this is the County Party Standing Committee, and everyone has the right to speak. Especially on such an important personnel issue, it cannot become a one‑man show. Of course, we must fully consider your suggestion, postponing if necessary and conducting more assessments when needed."

"But regarding this personnel matter, we cannot delay any longer; Shuanggou Town is currently suffering significant impact. If the Town Party Committee Secretary remains vacant for a long time, it will be extremely detrimental to Shuanggou's development. Department Head Chen, do you have any alternate candidates on your side?"

Chen Bo said, "Our Organization Department has been cultivating a candidate: Deputy County Magistrate Li Lingyu. She has risen from grassroots town work, possesses extensive township experience, and has served as deputy county magistrate for a long period. If she were to concurrently serve as Shuanggou Town's Party Committee Secretary, she would be highly suitable in terms of perspective, strategic outlook, and her experience and abilities."

When she finished speaking, everyone present was shocked, especially Zhao Nanxing and his group; they instantly realized that this was the actual candidate to be reported. The two people mentioned earlier were merely a smokescreen, indicating they had underestimated Su Yang.

At this moment, Qi Guohui said, "I heard that County Magistrate Li was possibly involved in Geng Miao's case before; the fact that she can now return to a post shows the organization's special trust in her. Moreover, she is currently responsible for following up on investment promotion, which is a key focus of our upcoming work."

"Even if County Magistrate Li has the ability, she may still be spread too thin. If she now takes on the Shuanggou Town Party Committee Secretary role, essentially nothing will change in Shuanggou Town."

Su Yang said, "Is that so? If County Magistrate Li becomes Shuanggou Town's Party Committee Secretary, her primary focus will still be the follow‑up of investment promotion. As for Shuanggou Town, as long as there is a Party Committee Secretary to steer the overall direction, I believe that the comrades, with Zhang Lei as town mayor, will wholeheartedly carry out the work."

"Overall, we are only missing a leading figure; what that leader does is irrelevant, the crucial part is steering the ship. I think, as a standing committee, everyone expressing opinions is fine, but ultimately we still need to vote by a show of hands, right?"

Zhao Nanxing looked around at the nine County Party Standing Committee members present and said, "Exactly, regarding the personnel issue, we must ultimately decide by a show of hands. Does anyone have anything else to say? If not, let's proceed directly to a vote. Personally, I think we still don't know the county officials well enough. Comrade Li Lingyu is now handling the crucial follow‑up of investment promotion and may lack some economic experience. Therefore, I disagree."

When his words finished, both Qi Guohui and Jiang Tao showed a sly glint in their eyes. To them, it was like digging a pit and jumping in themselves. There were only a handful of people present; could they still be unaware of the situation?

Jiang Tao originally wanted to say a few more words, but thinking that he was on his side, he simply said, "I also firmly oppose."

Next, Qi Guohui said, "I also oppose."

After the three of them raised their hands in opposition, a brief pause ensued.

Zhao Nanxing turned directly to United Front Work Department Minister Yang Kang: "Minister Yang, what is your opinion?"

After a brief contemplation, Yang Kang also raised his hand and said, "I also oppose."

In an instant, four people had cast opposing votes, and if Bao Shuang, who came with them, also opposed, the recommendation of Li Lingyu would essentially be dead. That would be a huge blow to Su Yang and his group. Moreover, Zhao Nanxing's side believes that as long as Bao Shuang does not agree, a tie would result, which is no different from merely postponing.

Suddenly, everyone's gaze fixed on Bao Shuang.

Bao Shuang smiled at everyone and said, "Actually, we only arrived yesterday and really don't know the county officials, especially for such a critical position, so I think we should be cautious." As he spoke, he was about to raise his hand in opposition.

At that moment, Su Yang suddenly said, "Minister Bao, the nomination of County Magistrate Li was originally outside our recommendation scope, but Minister Lu suggested that a female deputy‑division‑level cadre from our county should take the post. The only qualified person in our county is Li."

After speaking, he leaned back and fell silent. He knew nothing about Bao Shuang personally, but he was well aware that none of those present would dare offend a soon‑to‑be Municipal Party Committee Organization Department Minister.

Sure enough, Bao Shuang halted her hand halfway up.

"County Magistrate Su, I haven't finished what I was saying; perhaps you misunderstood me? What I mean is that we only arrived yesterday and are not well‑acquainted with the current officials, so if I outright oppose, it would be irresponsible to my comrades, but if I outright agree, it might betray the organization. So I will abstain."

As expected, Bao Shuang chose to abstain at this critical moment. This deeply irritated Zhao Nanxing; originally he thought that even a tie would have no effect. But now Su Yang's plan has taken hold, because a tie allows the matter to be submitted directly to the Municipal Party Committee Organization Department, meaning the appointment can ultimately be approved, and the connection to Minister Lu has already been made explicit.

So he could only grit his teeth and say, "Comrades who agree, please raise your hands."

As soon as the words finished, Su Yang, Zhou Yanru, Chen Bo, and Hou Junlai simultaneously raised their hands.

Zhao Nanxing's complexion darkened further; he had intended to use this to suppress Su Yang, but inadvertently fell into his own trap.

But the standing committee had only just begun, and this was merely the first agenda item; he still had other matters to address.