Chapter 845: Calling a Halt to Su Yang's Projects

After he finished speaking, everyone present fell into a brief silence; it seemed even Qi Guohui, Jiang Tao, and Yang Kang hadn't known about this beforehand—at least they hadn't met specially over it or communicated. But since Zhao Nanxing raised it, they will surely give it their full support.

Jiang Tao spoke first: "I've also heard about these projects; I had planned to raise them at today's meeting, but since County Magistrate Zhao brought them up, I'll follow his lead. Spending money to spruce up the facade for successful investment promotion is fine in itself, but we also need to consider the timing and location."

Some places can indeed support this facade; they have deep pockets and ample finances. Even if our own finances are lacking, the city can still offer support, and even if the investment promotion yields poor results, we can still foot the bill for their actions.

But what kind of place are we? We're a poor area harassed by hooligans for years, and the common people can barely afford food.

Under such conditions, we also try to forge ahead like others, but the outcome is obvious: the government ends up with a huge pile of bad debt, and the innocent common people foot the bill. Is that reasonable? Obviously not; we shouldn't plunge ourselves into a pit just for the sake of certain economic development.

I heard that County Magistrate Su also ran investment promotion in the townships and achieved decent results—undoubted and impressive at the township level. But please, County Magistrate Su, don't forget that a township is a township, and a county district is a county district.

How big is a township, how many people does it have? Just one or two enterprises can revitalize it. How big must a county district be? Do they think bringing in a single pharmaceutical factory will drive our economic development? Just because they reached a verbal agreement with a pharmaceutical factory, do they dare to take such a big step?

Moreover, as far as I know, the pharmaceutical factory with which we have a verbal agreement is called Harvard Pharmaceutical Factory, a local enterprise. If we truly attracted it through our own strength, or if our cadres went door-to-door to recruit it, that would also be acceptable.

But in fact, according to my understanding, it was brought in through family connections just to serve as a facade. I won't elaborate on the details, as I believe everyone already knows.

Therefore, we should stop what needs to be stopped and cut what needs to be cut. Development is fine, but more importantly we must first assess our capabilities—can we actually pull off something this big? Confidence can be good, but overconfidence turns into arrogance, which breeds bad outcomes. So I fully support County Magistrate Zhao's proposal.

Next, Qi Guohui spoke at length with anguish, essentially questioning Su Yang. When it came to Yang Kang, he simply said, 'I agree.'

This time, as Bao Shuang was about to speak, Chen Bo and the others saw Su Yang still unmoved and were about to defend themselves. However, Su Yang unexpectedly said, 'Since County Magistrate Zhao put it that way, I also find it very reasonable. These projects require huge funds, and our county's finances cannot support them; delaying them is also appropriate.'

Having said that, even if Chen Bo and the others wanted to oppose, it would be meaningless. Zhao Nanxing exclaimed delightedly, 'We're in the Standing Committee; we still need to take a vote by show of hands.'

No sooner had his words fallen than Bao Shuang said, 'I agree with County Magistrate Zhao's proposal.'

Indeed, five people had already agreed, so even if Su Yang's few opponents objected, they couldn't stir up any waves. Of course, Su Yang still followed procedure and raised his hand to abstain, and Chen Bo and the others did the same.

After the meeting adjourned, Zhao Nanxing, shedding his earlier frenzy and helpless rage, strode back to his office. Although he had been caught in a personnel loophole by Su Yang, in the major projects overseen by Su Yang, he had them all under control—an absolute triumph for a newly arrived county magistrate.

After returning to his office, Su Yang received a call from Chen Bo: 'County Magistrate Su, their earlier opposition was merely to prove who really calls the shots in our county now—even if we four join forces, it's not impossible to contend. These policy powers have already been announced publicly; even the township common people know, and some places have already posted their road plans.'

'Suddenly halting this will likely invite curses. Moreover, this will indeed affect investment promotion; although the pharmaceutical factory matter isn't a big problem, future talks with other enterprises will become much harder.'

Su Yang said: 'Now, if they are determined to oppose us in the Standing Committee, we really have no choice. Rather than waste words with them, we might as well go along with their wishes. At least from this Standing Committee meeting we have basically figured out the aims of Zhao Nanxing and his few allies, and we also gained something—at least we dealt them a heavy blow in recommending County Magistrate Li.'

Moreover, County Magistrate Li's entry into the Standing Committee while also serving as Town Party Committee Secretary of Shuanggou Town is practically a foregone conclusion; once he joins the Standing Committee, we will also have five people. Then many matters will still have room for maneuver, because today I can see they are not necessarily a monolithic bloc.

Among those five people, Bao Shuang may not always side with them. Especially at the outset, when there were no vested interests yet, I estimate that at some critical moments he might abstain. The most important thing is what you said: these matters have already been communicated downwards, the Transportation Bureau has been busy day and night for many days, the notices have been issued, and all related preliminary work has been completed.

'You suddenly called a halt—what do you think the township common people below will think? I have actually worked in the townships myself; the rural common people are very simple and kind. Whoever gives them a little benefit, they will remember it clearly and be grateful for generations.'

'But if we harm them, when they rise up in anger, they will be quite formidable. Anyway, our county government has been surrounded before—not just once or twice—so even if it happens again, you need not worry.'

But if we harm them and they get angry, that would also be quite formidable. Anyway, our County Government has been besieged before—this isn't the first or second time—so if it gets besieged again, you don't need to worry.