Chapter 1169: Recommending a Candidate for County Magistrate

Zhang Kaishan nodded and said, "Correct. Both of these companies were brought to Meng Hu Ling Township by Su Xinghui. The Hou Group was also brought to Pengjiawanzhen by him single-handedly. The boss of Hongtu Real Estate is the father of Su Xinghui's classmate, the Pengjiawanzhen Winery was revitalized by Su Xinghui single-handedly, and the revitalization of the machinery factory also has a great deal to do with Su Xinghui."

Gu Shanmin suddenly became interested: "Oh, if that's the case, then half of Shangjun County's current GDP has to do with Su Xinghui. Su Xinghui, tell me, what does the revitalization of the machinery factory have to do with you?"

Su Xinghui said: "I didn't do much. I just gave the county an idea, let the machinery factory undergo a small reform, replaced the leadership team according to the will of the machinery factory workers, and then gave the new factory director some ideas and helped him secure some orders."

Gu Shanmin laughed: "You call that not doing much?"

Su Xinghui gave a shy laugh.

Gu Shanmin said: "Comrade Kaishan, Su Xinghui, you handled this fundraising incident very well, and the provincial authorities are very satisfied. However, it may take some time to recover the illicit funds, and it won't be a short time, so you must persist for a while longer. Of course, there is also some good news."

Zhang Kaishan said: "What good news?"

Gu Shanmin said: "After Qu Cheng'an left Shangjun County, the more than 20 million yuan continued to be raised by Global International, plus the more than 5 million yuan returned to the Global International account by Mingren Trading Company, totaling about 30 million yuan in illicit funds, has been clearly identified as illegal fundraising. The facts are clear and the evidence is conclusive. You can return these funds to the victims first. You can process the paperwork today and bring this money back to Shangjun County."

Zhang Kaishan was overjoyed and said: "Thank you, Secretary Gu. This is truly wonderful."

This was indeed good news. For the sake of these tens of millions in fundraising money, Zhang Kaishan had been truly frantic. If Su Xinghui hadn't helped him borrow the money, he wouldn't have known what to do right now. Although the matter was temporarily resolved, he wouldn't have a moment of peace until the illicit funds were returned.

Being able to return these 30-plus million yuan in illicit funds first would relieve a lot of pressure for Zhang Kaishan. First of all, the approximately 10 million yuan in fundraising money still owed to the cadres and staff of the government organs could be refunded. In addition, the loans from several enterprises could be repaid. For the enterprises, this money was also their working capital, and if the debt lasted too long, it would also affect their operations.

Zhang Kaishan also knew that the case had not yet been closed. Gu Shanmin must have done some work behind the scenes to allow these funds to be returned first. Zhang Kaishan knew the work style of the public security, procuratorial, and judicial departments; without sufficient pressure, it would have been impossible for them to be so proactive in returning the illicit funds to the victims first.

Gu Shanmin smiled: "What is there to thank me for? You faced such tremendous pressure and resolved this matter so well. It is only right that our Provincial Party Committee supports you."

Zhang Kaishan said: "Then we have even more confidence in the county's work moving forward."

Gu Shanmin said: "By the way, due to health reasons, Comrade Tian Xiaopeng will likely not continue to serve as the County Magistrate of Shangjun County. Given that this is the critical moment for flood prevention and control, the position of Shangjun County Magistrate cannot remain vacant for long. Who do you think is suitable for this position?"

Zhang Kaishan couldn't help but exchange a glance with Su Xinghui. They knew this was special treatment from Gu Shanmin; Gu Shanmin would certainly agree with the candidate they recommended.

The position of Shangjun County Magistrate was indeed special. After this year, Shangjun County's GDP ranking would not only become the first in Yulin City but could even become the first in Hudong Province. By then, Shangjun County would become the province's number one economically strong county and would have symbolic significance in Hudong Province. Whoever served as this County Magistrate would surely have a bright future.

If this position weren't special, Gu Shanmin, as the Provincial Party Committee Secretary, wouldn't have specifically inquired about the choice of a county magistrate; that should have been a matter for the Yulin Municipal Party Committee Secretary to consider.

Gu Shanmin gave them the power to recommend a candidate for county magistrate, partly because he was very satisfied with their handling of this fundraising incident—a gesture of rewarding merit—and partly because he did not want a repeat of what happened with Tian Xiaopeng.

After Tian Xiaopeng became the Shangjun County Magistrate, because his stance differed from that of Zhang Kaishan, Su Xinghui, and others, he did quite a few things to hold them back, causing some internal friction. As a banner for Hudong Province, Shangjun County needed a leadership team united in construction. Therefore, Gu Shanmin personally inquired about this matter and let Zhang Kaishan recommend the candidate for county magistrate.

Zhang Kaishan pondered for a long time. He knew that Gu Shanmin giving him this recommendation power was a sign of support and trust. He absolutely could not let down this support and trust; he had to recommend a suitable candidate.

After a long while, Zhang Kaishan said: "Secretary Gu, I believe Comrade Chen Hongfu, the current Executive Deputy County Magistrate of Shangjun County, is quite suitable to be this County Magistrate. He once served as the Party Committee Secretary of Meng Hu Ling Township and contributed to the economic development of Meng Hu Ling Township. After serving as Deputy County Magistrate, his work has always been completed excellently. This comrade has strong Party spirit, adheres to principles, and is trustworthy in terms of personal integrity. Therefore, I recommend Comrade Chen Hongfu to serve as the Shangjun County Magistrate!"

Gu Shanmin nodded and said: "Very well, I will carefully consider the candidate you recommended. Now is the critical moment for flood prevention and control, and the position of County Magistrate cannot remain vacant for long. After you return, have a talk with Comrade Chen Hongfu, tell him to prepare, and the organization department in your city will soon go to your county to conduct an assessment."

Zhang Kaishan nodded solemnly.

The two left Gu Shanmin's office and went to Lu Zhenghong's office. Lu Zhenghong was talking to a subordinate, so they sat in Li Shanlin's office for a while.

Li Shanlin knew that Zhang Kaishan and Su Xinghui were now favorites of the provincial authorities, especially Su Xinghui, who was already the prospective son-in-law of Vice Governor Lu. Therefore, he had always been very polite to both of them.

Su Xinghui, of course, also chatted respectfully with Li Shanlin for a while, then heard the door to Lu Zhenghong's office open. Li Shanlin said: "Vice Governor Lu should be finished talking now. You may go in."

Li Shanlin brought the two into Lu Zhenghong's office. Lu Zhenghong smiled: "You've arrived? You've met with Secretary Gu, haven't you?"

The two nodded and said: "We just met with him."

Lu Zhenghong said: "Your handling of the fundraising incident this time was very effective. Secretary Gu is very happy. For such a big matter, you managed to avoid too many adverse effects; your contribution is great." ===== CHAPTER 1171 =====