Chapter 491: Final Result

"The operational situation of an enterprise is their own internal affair. If we let another enterprise pay for the mistakes of the Dafeng Factory, once a precedent is set, the consequences will be truly unimaginable."

As soon as Tian Guofu spoke, he was met with collective opposition. His method simply refreshed everyone's worldview; wasn't this just nonsense?

"Alright, everyone, Comrade Guofu's words are not without reason, but the method is open to discussion."

"Just as everyone has said, the operational losses of the Dafeng Factory are indeed their own business, but as a local Handong enterprise, we should still provide support where we can."

"Then how exactly should we support them? To what extent? This is the question we should be considering."

"Can we re-plan a piece of industrial land for them, or provide security for the relevant workers? This is the focus of our consideration this time."

"Comrade Chen Yanshi is standing from the perspective of the workers, and his starting point is not wrong. Secretary Tian is also concerned about local enterprises, but everything boils down to economic and livelihood issues."

"I have just listened to the opinions of Comrade Tongwei, Comrade Yuliang, and Provincial Governor Liu. We might as well find a middle ground."

"The Dafeng Factory must still be demolished, but we must also listen to the wishes of the worker comrades. I suggest that the Jingzhou City Government and the Dafeng Factory workers jointly establish a new Dafeng Factory."

"We will contribute land as shares, and the worker comrades will contribute shares just as they did before. What does everyone think?"

When it came down to it, Sha Ruijin's method was still to give the Dafeng Factory a new foundation, just in the form of equity participation.

"Secretary Sha, I think it is feasible. This not only avoids conflict but also allows the common people to remember the kindness of our government."

"Yes, Secretary Sha's idea is truly the best of both worlds."

"Yes, indeed."

Provincial Governor Liu also sighed slightly. He did not support it, but now that he was about to retire, he did not want to make things too ugly with Sha Ruijin, so he simply remained silent.

Although Qi Tongwei and Gao Yuliang were also opposed in their hearts, they both remained silent out of consideration for their relationship with Chen Yanshi.

Moreover, it was just a piece of land; most of the Standing Committee members would not have any objections. The one who felt uncomfortable was Li Dakang.

Almost every piece of land in Jingzhou had a plan; where was he supposed to find a piece of idle industrial land?

"Secretary Sha, most of the land in Guangming District is already planned. I'm afraid it will be very difficult to find a new plot; we can only look in the suburbs."

Li Dakang finally gritted his teeth and said it. It wasn't that he didn't want to give Sha Ruijin face, but that he had already signed an agreement with the Oriental Group.

The scope involved in the Guangming Peak Project was too vast; otherwise, the investment amount would not have reached over 28 billion.

Li Dakang was not stupid. He would rather offend Sha Ruijin than make an enemy of the Oriental Group. Given that his old leader's power was such that he still called Zhang Ping'an "Big Brother," he did not believe that Sha Ruijin's background could be greater than Zhang Ping'an's.

Sha Ruijin was slightly taken aback. He hadn't expected that even after he had stepped back, Li Dakang would still dare to push back, but he quickly recovered.

"Comrade Dakang, you are very good. We must still prioritize the development of Jingzhou. No matter where it is, as long as we can provide a new site for the Dafeng Factory, that is fine."

"Thank you for your understanding, Secretary Sha."

"Alright, since no one objects, let's settle it this way. Comrade Dakang, you must do a good job with the aftermath."

"Rest assured, Secretary Sha, I will certainly not let you down."

Afterwards, the Standing Committee meeting adjourned. Sha Ruijin, who had been as pleasant as a spring breeze, saw his face darken after returning to his office.

It was his first time presiding over a Provincial Standing Committee meeting, and nearly half the people had opposed him. Even this result had been forced through by him; how could he accept this?

Not long after, there was a knock on the office door.

"Secretary Sha, Secretary Tian is here."

"Mm, come in." Sha Ruijin composed his emotions and put a smile back on his face.

"Secretary Sha."

"Mm, sit."

"Secretary Sha, I'll be blunt. After today's Standing Committee meeting, I can see that this 'Handa University Clique' in Handong really does exist."

"Oh? The Handa University Clique?"

"Yes, the Handa University Clique headed by Gao Yuliang."

"Tell me, what do you think of Gao Yuliang?"

"I don't like this professor."

"Like or dislike is not the standard. Talk about the facts."

("Fine, he doesn't even look me in the eye.")

"Alright then. Gao Yuliang was once a professor at Handa University. Now, Qi Tongwei, Chen Yang, Chen Hai, and Hou Liangping are all his students. It can be said that the main heads of the current Handong Political and Law Department are all his people."

"Oh right, and Chen Hai's current wife, Lu Yike."

"Let's not talk about Lu Yike; tell me about the others."

Others might not know Lu Yike's background, but several of Sha Ruijin's foster fathers were from the military, so he naturally knew it clearly.

"Fine, let's talk about Qi Tongwei. He was transferred to Sijiucheng immediately after graduating from Handa University, and later went to the local level. He is only forty-eight now, and he is already a Vice Governor."

"At this age, he is not necessarily the first, but his ranking is definitely near the top. Of course, one cannot deny that his political achievements are indeed bright enough, but his attitude toward Chen Lao is a bit unfathomable."

"And I heard that Qi Tongwei's godfather is a big shot. His transfer to Sijiucheng was his godfather's doing."

"Then there is Hou Liangping, who rose entirely by relying on the Liang Family. Chen Hai can be considered the only relatively pragmatic one."

"And what about Li Dakang?"

"Li Dakang is an expert at managing the economy, but I've heard that his style of work is exactly the same as the former Provincial Party Secretary Zhao Lichun. Two words: overbearing."

"When Li Dakang was Mayor, the Mayor was the top leader; when he was Municipal Party Secretary, the Municipal Party Secretary was the top leader."

"Hahaha, Secretary Tian, the way you put it makes me appreciate Li Dakang even more."

Now that Zhao Lichun had retired, Li Dakang was in a state of isolation and helplessness, and he was also a very competitive candidate for Provincial Governor. His work style was quite similar to his own, so he might be a target worth winning over.

Time passed in their discussion. In the evening, Sha Ruijin brought gifts to visit Chen Yanshi and his wife.

"Uncle Chen, Auntie Wang, I've come to see you."

"Little Jin is here. Come in and sit. Chen Hai, Yike, hurry and greet him."

"Secretary Sha." (x2)

"Mm, we are all family. Why call me Secretary? Just call me brother."

Chen Hai felt slightly awkward. He could count the number of times he had met this "brother" on one hand. He didn't know where his father's enthusiasm came from, but he couldn't bring himself to say it, and Sha Ruijin's words just now were clearly directed at his wife, Lu Yike.

"Secretary Sha, you are too kind. There are still children at home, and I am sure you and my parents have many things to discuss, so Chen Hai and I will head back now." Lu Yike was not about to indulge Sha Ruijin.

"Mm, that is fine. Give my regards to your parents."

"Very well, Secretary Sha."

Once the two had walked far away, Chen Yanshi spoke slowly:

"These two children."

Chen Yanshi's original intention had been for Chen Hai to get closer to Sha Ruijin, but who would have thought that his daughter-in-law would take Chen Hai and leave directly.

"Uncle Chen, they are still young, whereas we, we are all old."

"Little Jin, Uncle Chen is old, but you are still in the prime of your life."

"Hahaha, Uncle Chen, besides coming to see you and Auntie Wang today, I also happen to want to tell you about the results of this afternoon's discussion."

"Oh? Go ahead."

"It is like this..."

Sha Ruijin not only stated the results, but he also told Chen Yanshi the opinions of every person involved in the process.