Chapter 332: Tackling the Problem (Part 1)

Chapter 332: Tackling the Problem (Part 1)

Hou Weidong had made up his mind to secure the agricultural research project, holding fast to his goal with unwavering determination. He had initially planned to have Zhou Yongtai deliver the dried pheasants, but once the twenty-eight birds were prepared, he decided to make the delivery himself. Driving his pickup truck, he personally transported the pheasants to the Municipal Science and Technology Commission.

The Commission’s leadership consisted of one director and four deputy directors, with a secondary leadership team of seven members. Hou Weidong distributed the pheasants carefully: four for Director Yin Ming, and two for each of the others. He had specifically reserved two pheasants for the pretty young woman he had noticed earlier. During their meal, he had sensed an unusual closeness between Yin Ming and her.

Upon arriving, Hou Weidong located the Director of the Commission’s Office, and the gifts were discreetly handled with efficiency. Just as Yin Ming was preparing to report on his work, a familiar voice echoed from the stairwell.

“Director Yin, please return. Tonight’s arrangements are settled. We shall not miss the appointment.”

It was Zhao Lin, the former Deputy Secretary of the Yiyang County Party Committee. Hou Weidong, having served as Deputy Director of the Yiyang County Party Committee Office, recognized the voice instantly. Sure enough, as he stepped onto the landing, he saw Zhao Lin shaking hands with Yin Ming in farewell. Standing behind Zhao Lin with a faint smile was Ren Lindu, holding a black briefcase. Beside Ren Lindu stood a thin man wearing glasses, who bore a striking resemblance to Zhou Yongtai—likely the Director of the Wu Hai County Science and Technology Commission.

Ren Lindu appeared much more composed than in the past. Upon seeing Hou Weidong, he smiled, winked, and nodded in greeting. Hou Weidong understood the constraints of Ren Lindu’s position; while serving close to leadership offered many advantages, it also meant sacrificing a degree of personal freedom. Having experienced this himself, Hou Weidong merely exchanged a glance with him.

Zhao Lin had brought the Director of the Wu Hai County Science and Technology Commission to the Municipal Commission specifically to pursue the agricultural technology base project. Although Wu Hai County and Yiyang County were of similar administrative rank, Wu Hai’s development had lagged significantly in recent years due to its less advantageous geographical location and a series of leadership missteps.

After assuming the role of Party Secretary in Yiyang, Zhao Lin had proposed a “Surpass” strategy. While the slogan was easy to utter, implementation proved exceedingly difficult. Social development followed its own objective laws; once behind, it was hard to catch up. Compounding the issue, the Wu Hai County Economic and Technological Development Zone had been abolished by the provincial government due to insufficient preliminary efforts and irregular operations. Without this engine of growth, Wu Hai’s development suffered severely. Investment attraction had become extremely difficult, and since Zhao Lin took office, not a single enterprise above the designated scale had been recruited.

Therefore, when the County Science and Technology Commission Director reported that the Municipal Commission had an agricultural research base project, Zhao Lin decided to take personal charge. He brought Ren Lindu, Deputy Director of the Commission Office, and Director Du of the Science and Technology Commission to lobby for the project.

Upon seeing Hou Weidong, Zhao Lin immediately understood his intentions.

As an assistant and close friend of Zhu Yan, and having always been Hou Weidong’s superior, Zhao Lin remained calm and magnanimous. “It is your hometown, so you should not compete for this project. Consider it a contribution to your home.”

Hou Weidong held Zhao Lin in high respect. Under normal circumstances, he would have complied with Zhao Lin’s suggestion. However, this project had already been reported to County Mayor Yang Senlin and was not a matter he could decide unilaterally. Moreover, he was eager to secure the project to achieve some results within the Science and Technology Commission. He replied honestly, “Secretary Zhao, Mayor Yang attaches great importance to this project. I cannot make the final decision on this matter.”

Zhao Lin did not press the issue further. Instead, he spoke kindly, “The Wu Hai County Development Zone has been re-approved and is currently being prepared. Xiao Hou, you did excellent work at the New Management Committee. Are you interested in returning to your hometown to take charge of the Development Zone?”

After transferring to Wu Hai, Zhao Lin had worked hard to get the Economic and Technological Development Zone re-approved. He had introduced the development process of the Yiyang New Management Committee several times at the Standing Committee meetings, praising Director Hou Weidong. Hearing that Hou Weidong had been transferred to the Science and Technology Commission, Zhao Lin seized the opportunity to bring it up.

Hou Weidong felt a momentary hesitation at Zhao Lin’s words, but he quickly rejected the suggestion. Zhu Yan was now the Deputy Secretary of the Maoyun Prefecture Party Committee. Following Zhu Yan would undoubtedly accelerate his career development, whereas following Zhao Lin would merely mean repeating the past. He responded vaguely, “A transfer to the prefecture level requires serious consideration and discussion with my family.”

Yin Ming stood by, smiling but silent. He was in a difficult position. The Party Secretary of Wu Hai County had personally come to lobby, and County Mayor Chen of Linjin County had called to say he would visit as well.

The Municipal Science and Technology Commission had never been treated with such high regard, and Yin Ming felt quite pleased about it.

After seeing Zhao Lin off, Yin Ming said to Hou Weidong, “It seems Secretary Zhao of Wu Hai values you highly. Actually, going to the Wu Hai Development Zone to lead the work would be quite good, better than being the Director of the Science and Technology Commission.” By now, he viewed Hou Weidong with new eyes. Hou Weidong maintained excellent relationships with powerful figures like Su Mingjun, Huang Zidi, and Zhao Lin. This young man’s future was undoubtedly bright. Yin Ming’s tone became much warmer, and he largely dropped the airs of a Municipal Commission Director.

Hou Weidong smiled but did not answer directly. Following Yin Ming into his office, he said, “Director Yin, I came today to report on the preliminary opinions regarding the Yiyang County project.”

After listening to the report, Yin Ming said, “Since the Yiyang County Party Committee and Government attach such importance to this work, the Municipal Science and Technology Commission will certainly consider it seriously.” Although he said this, Yin Ming thought to himself, “If Yiyang County truly valued this, why hasn’t any county leadership come? I believe Wu Hai County is the one that truly cares.”

Leaving the Municipal Science and Technology Commission, Hou Weidong thought to himself, “With Secretary Zhao Lin personally involved, this project looks uncertain.” It was already afternoon when he returned to the Yiyang County Government. He went straight to the third floor to find County Mayor Yang Senlin.

Under normal circumstances, reporting work to the County Mayor required notification through the Government Office staff. However, Hou Weidong’s status was different. He greeted the Government Office secretary, learned that Yang Senlin was in his office, and went directly to knock on the door.

The door was opened by Liu Kun, Director of the Government Office. Seeing it was Hou Weidong, his expression remained flat. “Director Hou, County Mayor Yang is busy.”

“I have urgent matters to report to County Mayor Yang,” Hou Weidong said.

Liu Kun’s expression did not change. “County Mayor Yang is discussing matters with an important guest. Please wait in the Government Office. However, I suggest you come tomorrow; he likely won’t have time today.” In Yiyang, Liu Kun was among those who knew Hou Weidong best. He did not want Hou Weidong to have too much contact with Yang Senlin, much like a tiger guarding its territory with natural vigilance.

Hou Weidong turned back to the Science and Technology Commission office. Thinking of Liu Kun’s solemn face, he muttered, “It is easy to meet the King of Hell, but hard to deal with the little ghosts. Just because he is the Director of the Government Office, there is no need to put on such a hypocritical facade.”

By five o’clock, Hou Weidong decided not to knock again. He called Yang Senlin directly on his mobile phone and briefly reported the situation he had learned at the Municipal Science and Technology Commission.

Yang Senlin also attached great importance to the agricultural research base project. As a major agricultural county, establishing such a base would greatly benefit the county’s agricultural development. Furthermore, the project involved construction investment of over twenty million yuan, with annual research funding thereafter. Several counties in Shazhou were desperate for funds, like people lacking water in a desert; it was hard to refuse a bottle of mineral water, even if it was merely purified tap water in a bottle.

Hearing that Secretary Zhao Lin had personally come to lobby for the project, Yang Senlin said, “Bring the relevant materials to my office immediately. I will review them.”

During this visit to deliver pheasants to the Municipal Science and Technology Commission, Hou Weidong had given a carton of Jiaozi cigarettes to the Director of the Commission’s Office, which had significantly improved their relationship. Hou Weidong had received a detailed dossier on the agricultural research base. Back in Yiyang, he immediately made several copies of the materials, gathered the relevant documents, and had Director Xiao Ning label the file folder “Relevant Materials for the Agricultural Research Base Project.” The dossier now looked professional and complete.

Hou Weidong carried the file folder to the third floor. Deputy County Mayor Gao was just leaving his office. Seeing Hou Weidong, he asked, “How is the project progressing?”

“I just visited the Municipal Science and Technology Commission. Several counties are currently competing for this project.”

As Deputy County Mayor Gao and Hou Weidong entered, Liu Kun, Director of the Government Office, was standing before Yang Senlin’s desk, reporting on matters concerning the New Management Committee. He poured tea for Gao and Hou Weidong, sat aside with his notebook, and listened attentively without taking notes.

After reviewing the materials, Yang Senlin said to Deputy County Mayor Gao, “Old Gao, you are the divisional leader in charge. Since we have the project, you must proactively coordinate with the Science and Technology Commission. You cannot just command from your office. Relying solely on the Science and Technology Commission’s strength will not secure such a large project.” His tone carried a hint of criticism.

As the saying goes, a higher rank suppresses the lower. Both Yang Senlin and Deputy County Mayor Gao had been transferred down from Shazhou. In the city, their positions had been roughly equal. Now, with Yang Senlin as County Mayor and Gao as Deputy County Mayor, they were in a leader-subordinate relationship. Criticized by Yang Senlin, Gao could only listen.

Having been criticized by Yang Senlin, Deputy County Mayor Gao harbored a slight grievance against Hou Weidong. Hou Weidong had returned from the Shazhou Municipal Science and Technology Commission without reporting to Gao first, instead going directly to report to Yang Senlin. This was a typical case of skipping levels in reporting, a practice taboo in the Lingxi officialdom, although common.

“I will go to the Municipal Science and Technology Commission tomorrow to discuss specifics with Director Yin Ming,” Deputy County Mayor Gao said. He then asked, “The Standing Committee has not yet studied this project. How should I state our position regarding the land issue?”

Yang Senlin thought for a moment and said, “Tomorrow morning, you, Hou Weidong, and I will go to the Municipal Science and Technology Commission together. This project is like a hot bun; if we are even slightly slow, others will snatch it. Secretary Ma will not be back for some time, so we cannot wait.”

Ma Youcai had served as an administrative head for many years. After becoming Party Secretary, he still habitually used government-style methods, managing affairs in minute detail. The County Party Committee often encroached upon the County Government’s authority. Yang Senlin was impatient and not one to yield easily. He had long been dissatisfied with Ma Youcai’s approach but had to endure it due to his weak influence in Yiyang. This time, he wanted to use the base project to make his voice heard.