Chapter 242: Inspection (Part 2)
Secretary Zhou Changquan of the Shazhou Municipal Party Committee was preparing to visit Yiyang County for an inspection. The entire county mobilized immediately. On October 3rd, the Standing Committee of the County Party Committee convened a special meeting to study and finalize the reception plan.
There were three key areas for Comrade Zhou Changquan’s inspection.
First, he would examine the transportation infrastructure of Yiyang County. Over the past two years, Yiyang had stood out among its peers, largely due to the transportation construction boom that began in 1994. By taking the lead in establishing a relatively complete transportation network, Yiyang had successfully attracted industrial investment from Shazhou. Projects such as the beer factory had chosen to settle in Yiyang, with convenient transportation being a decisive factor.
Zhu Yan spoke in detail, outlining the plan: "According to the inspection route discussed with Standing Committee Member Huang, the main leaders of the four major leadership groups in Yiyang will gather at Shawanzi to welcome Secretary Zhou. I will then join Secretary Zhou’s car, providing commentary on the construction progress of the Sha-Yi Highway and other key roads along the way. When we reach the entrance of the Lingxi Expressway, Secretary Zhou will step out to inspect the Yiyang section of the expressway entrance. The general manager of the Shazhou Investment Company will be responsible for briefing him on the situation. Director Liu, please take extra care with the layout and display boards at the expressway entrance."
Liu, the Minister of the Propaganda Department and a member of the Standing Committee, replied, "I will draft a detailed plan first and submit it to Secretary Zhu for review."
Zhu Yan nodded and continued, "Once the motorcade enters Shawanzi, we are on Yiyang’s territory. The Transportation Bureau must ensure the roads are thoroughly cleaned. There should be no piles of garbage or loose soil. Damaged road shoulders and drainage ditches must be repaired within seven days. Road markings must be repainted to ensure they are clear and neat. Secretary Zhao and County Mayor Zeng must lead inspection teams to verify this before the 9th."
The second priority was to listen to the report on the South City New District.
Zhu Yan personally selected the presenters: County Mayor Gao and Zhang Yajun from the Construction Committee would be responsible for the briefing.
The third item was an inspection of the Tiejiangshan Cement Plant in Shangqinglin.
"The reception work for the Tiejiangshan Cement Plant will be handled by Standing Committee Member Ji, the Planning Commission, and Qinglin Town. You must thoroughly explain the demolition progress, the status of construction, and the expected revenue of the cement plant."
"After returning from the Tiejiangshan Cement Plant in Shangqinglin, we will hold a work report meeting in the conference room on the sixth floor of the County Party Committee building. I will deliver the main report. Judging by the focus of Secretary Zhou’s inspection, he seems inclined to locate more industrial enterprises in Yiyang. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for us. If Comrade Zhou recognizes Yiyang’s status as a major industrial county, relevant supporting policies can be introduced, and key industries can settle here."
Zhu Yan emphasized his point with a heavier tone: "Opportunity favors the prepared. Yiyang is facing a crucial developmental moment. As officials serving here, we must seize this chance for Yiyang. Do not think I am speaking too harshly. If we miss this opportunity, we could delay Yiyang’s development by several years. We would be guilty of a grave sin against the people of Yiyang."
"Starting tomorrow, a city-wide cleanup will commence. In addition to increasing the efforts of the sanitation department, all county-level departments will be assigned specific areas to manage. On October 8th, I will lead a team to inspect the cleanliness of the urban area. If any section fails to meet the standards, the head of that department will come to my office to explain the reasons."
As the Standing Committee meeting was coming to a close, Zhu Yan turned around and smiled at County Mayor Ma Youcai. "Over the past three years, the urban area of Yiyang has expanded rapidly, and with the bankruptcy of some county-owned enterprises, social contradictions have become quite sharp. The number of frequent petitioners is significant. To ensure the safety and smoothness of this inspection, Comrade Youcai will be responsible for maintaining stability across the county. With Comrade Youcai commanding from the center, we can all rest assured."
After years of maneuvering, Zhu Yan had successfully moved the uncooperative Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission into the People’s Congress. He had also found a way to bring Ji Haiyang, the Director of the Party Committee Office, into the Standing Committee. With the strong support of Executive Deputy Secretary Zhao Lin, Ma Youcai had become increasingly isolated within the Standing Committee. Hearing Zhu Yan’s arrangement, Ma Youcai felt a surge of hidden resentment. Zhu Yan eats the meat and doesn’t even let me drink the soup. It’s not that simple.
However, he agreed readily: "Since Secretary Zhu has appointed me, I will take this responsibility without hesitation. Given the numerous prominent petitioning issues in Yiyang, I suggest implementing a system where leading cadres take responsibility for specific cases. The compensation dispute regarding the Hongqi Reservoir has been particularly intense recently, with over a hundred people gathering at the government building. I will take charge of this case. If any issues arise regarding the Hongqi Reservoir petitions, I alone will be held accountable."
"The relocation disputes in the South City District will be handled by Secretary Zhao."
"The mass petitioning case regarding the bankruptcy of the Lock Factory will be handled by Deputy County Mayor Gao."
"The disturbance caused by the family of Yang Weige from the Native Produce Company will be handled by Secretary Cai Heng."
Ma Youcai’s arrangements were reasonable, and no one raised objections.
Zhu Yan concluded with a final summary: "Comrade Zhou’s inspection is a major event. We must maintain a posture of 'tight internally, relaxed externally.' On one hand, we must prepare seriously, ensuring that the materials for each inspection point are detailed and accurate, and that the urban area is clean and tidy. On the other hand, we must avoid creating unnecessary commotion. We must keep things tight internally but relaxed externally, and pay close attention to confidentiality."
Hou Weidong had been attending the meeting as a non-voting delegate. He thought to himself, Secretary Zhou Changquan visiting Yiyang for an inspection is a normal occurrence. Why is it being treated like a welcome ceremony for a central leader? After a period of adjustment, Hou Weidong had developed trust in Zhu Yan’s administrative capabilities. Since Zhu Yan was making such a grand effort, there was likely a sound reason behind it. Therefore, he carefully noted Zhu Yan’s arrangements.
After the meeting dispersed, Ji Haiyang invited Hou Weidong to his office.
"The Tiejiangshan Cement Plant is your old base of operations. How are things going? No problems, I hope?"
Hou Weidong quickly responded with humility: "Standing Committee Member Ji, I only worked in Shangqinglin for a period of time and became familiar with the faces there. I wouldn’t dare call it my 'old base.'"
Ji Haiyang took a deep drag from his cigarette and said, "No need for modesty. Last time I accompanied Zhang Mushan to Shangqinglin, many villagers didn’t know Su Ming, but they were all warm and friendly with you. That speaks volumes. Secretary Zhu is very particular when choosing a secretary. When he selected you, a deputy town mayor who had previously 'jumped ship,' even I had reservations. But now, it proves that Secretary Zhu has a unique eye for talent."
This was high praise from the Director of the Party Committee Office and a member of the Standing Committee for his subordinate. Hou Weidong could certainly hear the compliment. He chuckled twice but did not offer further explanation.
"As the date of Secretary Zhou’s inspection approaches, there will undoubtedly be more tasks. If Secretary Zhu has no major arrangements for us today, let’s take some time to visit Tiejiangshan. We need to clearly instruct the Qinglin Town Party Committee and the cement plant managers, so we don’t end up scrambling at the last minute."
Since becoming Zhu Yan’s secretary, Hou Weidong had never left Zhu Yan’s side without permission, let alone go up the mountain with Ji Haiyang. He hesitated, saying, "Secretary Zhu has a busy schedule this afternoon. I’m afraid I can’t leave."
Ji Haiyang smiled and said, "I will report to Secretary Zhu. Let Ren Xiaowei temporarily accompany Secretary Zhu this afternoon."
Ji Haiyang immediately went to Zhu Yan’s office to report. Zhu Yan was in a good mood. Upon hearing the request, he waved his hand and laughed, "I am not a three-year-old child, nor am I a Qing Dynasty prince. Just because I don’t have a secretary, does that mean I can’t work? You two go ahead. Arrange the Tiejiangshan Cement Plant inspection point properly. There can be no carelessness, and absolutely no mistakes."
With Zhu Yan’s approval, Hou Weidong called Su Ming, the Secretary of the Qinglin Town Party Committee, and asked him to meet at Tiejiangshan.
After hanging up, Hou Weidong followed Ji Haiyang downstairs. Ji Haiyang still drove his Santana. Although it looked somewhat worn on the outside, because Ji Haiyang was the head of the County Party Committee Office, the car had undergone major repairs several times. Almost all the internal parts had been replaced. It was like old wine in a new bottle, in no way inferior to a new car. In terms of audio equipment, due to Ji Haiyang’s special preferences, the configuration was even higher.
Once in the car, Ji Haiyang sat in the back seat. Without waiting for instructions, the driver turned on the stereo.
"Look at the evening stars, how bright they shine, sparkling with crystal light. A gentle breeze blows over the sea, and the green waves ripple." It was still that same song, Santaluqia, singing softly in the car.
Hou Weidong had heard this song many times. He thought to himself, Ji Haiyang is also a person of temperament. Perhaps there is a story hidden within this song.
At this moment, Ji Haiyang had his eyes half-closed, leaning back against the seat, seemingly intoxicated by the music.
He had worked in the office for many years and rarely participated in outdoor activities. Compared to Hou Weidong, his complexion was slightly pale, and his expression was calm, lacking the aggressive aura of a powerful leader. At this moment, his slender fingers tapped a rhythmic beat on the seat cushion. If his hair were two inches longer, he would look more like a musician or a painter than a deputy county-level government official.
As they entered the mountain road to Shangqinglin, familiar scenery greeted them. Due to the heavy traffic of trucks, which often needed to water their brakes when going downhill, the uphill road appeared wet and slick. Only after passing the Yinggang Quarry did the road gradually become dry.
"How many years did you work on the mountain?"
"I went up the mountain right after graduating in 1993 and truly came down in 1995. Since then, I have often run errands on the mountain. Counting it all up, it has been about four years."
Looking at the large trucks approaching through the car window, Ji Haiyang nodded.
Although Ji Haiyang ranked last among the Standing Committee members, he was Zhu Yan’s chief steward, and his words carried significant weight. Therefore, when Su Ming received Hou Weidong’s call, he did not dare to delay. He called Town Mayor Liu Kun and they hurried toward Tiejiangshan. They had just parked in front of the temporary factory building when they saw Ji Haiyang’s Santana pulling up.
Gao Yingbing, the temporary manager of the cement plant, also rushed over.
After Ji Haiyang explained their purpose, Gao Yingbing glanced at Su Ming and Liu Kun and said, "Standing Committee Member Ji, the overall construction of the cement plant is proceeding smoothly. However, three families keep causing disturbances at the factory. Secretary Su of the town attaches great importance to this and personally held a coordination meeting. But in the past few days, one family has been blocking the factory gate. They have an elderly woman in her eighties who simply brings a chair to the door. She is so frail that even the wind could knock her over. How dare we touch her? If she were to die at the factory gate, who knows what kind of trouble would arise."
Ji Haiyang feared any disputes or delays during Secretary Zhou’s inspection. He asked Su Ming, "The cement plant is a key project for the county. What is going on here?"