Chapter 98

Chapter 54: Planning

The atmosphere in the venue became much more lively, and some people began to whisper to each other. Some were inquiring about who Ma Xiaoli was, while others were quietly discussing the reservoir issue.

Although Xue Xue was anxious, she had no choice. After all, who made Wu Qingyuan the Secretary, the top leader in charge of the overall situation? He was the Party Secretary leading the government's comprehensive work!

Wu Qingyuan was very satisfied with this effect. The rhythm of the Standing Committee meeting was a touchstone to test a secretary's control ability, and it was also a battlefield for various political forces. It was a silent struggle, no less dangerous than real combat. A slight mistake could lead to a disastrous end.

He couldn't hide his satisfaction: "A woman, a child, wants to challenge me, wants to seize power? No way! As long as I, Wu Qingyuan, am here, the sky over Lian Shui will not change!"

When the discussion was at its peak, Wu Qingyuan cleared his throat again. This clear throat became his signal. As soon as the signal came, all the Standing Committee members immediately understood and stopped talking, sitting up straight. They looked at the county Party Secretary with an authoritative demeanor.

"Comrades, we have never been stingy with rewards and promotions for those who have made contributions! Of course, for those who have made mistakes, we will also impose strict punishments! There is also a good thing. The Municipal Party Committee plans to add a vice-county magistrate to our county and asks us to submit three candidates. What are everyone's thoughts? Let's discuss it."

This one statement stirred up a thousand waves! It seemed that Secretary Ma's support for Wu Qingyuan was not just lip service but a real, heavy bomb! The temptation of a vice-county magistrate position was significant enough to make the heads of various departments in Lian Shui County fight to the bitter end.

The Standing Committee members, especially Shi Guozhu, who had a pair of lively eyes, loudly proposed: "I nominate Xie Limin from the Water Conservancy Bureau! Old Xie has been the director of the Water Conservancy Bureau for seven years, a seasoned veteran! He has made great contributions to the reservoir project. Who else deserves this vice-county magistrate position? I won't be convinced if anyone else gets it!"

Wu Qingyuan smiled faintly and said, "Does anyone else have any opinions? Please share them."

The Standing Committee members took out their cigarettes, looked at Xue Xue, and then put them back on the table.

Xue Xue waved her hand and said, "If you want to smoke, go ahead. I don't mind."

In the past, whenever she saw a Standing Committee member smoking, she would smile and remind them, "There are ladies present, please pay attention to your gentlemanly manners." Today, to gain support, she didn't even mind the secondhand smoke.

A few old smokers smiled apologetically and lit up, puffing away.

"I nominate Lu Yougui, the director of the Agriculture Bureau. If we talk about seniority, which other department head in Lian Shui County can match Director Lu? He has worked hard step by step, coming from the countryside! No one else deserves it more!" This was said by the Party Secretary of the Mass Organizations, Qi Dongshan, a tall and thin man wearing a long windbreaker, looking very much like a party worker.

"I oppose!" The Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary, Cao Congyang, had a dark face, was very lean, and was short and stocky, like a wooden Buddha statue. When he sat quietly, no one would notice him, but as soon as he spoke, everyone had to pay attention.

Wu Qingyuan showed a hint of displeasure and said, "Secretary Cao, this is the time for democratic proposals. If you have a candidate, you can also propose them. Let's discuss it. There's no need to rush to negate others' candidates!"

Cao Congyang said expressionlessly, "I have no candidate. But I disagree with Xie Limin! He is involved in the reservoir issue. Before the truth is revealed, he should not be promoted."

Wu Qingyuan angrily tapped the table with his finger and said sternly, "Of course, different opinions can be expressed. However, I want to remind everyone not to engage in personal attacks or make unfounded criticisms of candidates! This is not directed at anyone but a reminder to all present to follow the rules!"

Cao Congyang, criticized indirectly by Wu Qingyuan, still showed no emotion and insisted, "I will reserve my opinion!"

Wu Qingyuan took out a document and slammed it on the table, emphasizing, "The provincial government's inspection team has already reached a conclusion about the reservoir issue! This morning, on my way to the Standing Committee meeting, Director Shao handed me the results. The facts prove that there is no problem with the reservoir funds, and there is no problem with our Lian Shui County officials! This matter is now concluded and does not need further discussion!"

Li Yi and Xue Xue quickly exchanged a glance, both seeing anger in each other's eyes.

They didn't expect that Wu Qingyuan had made such thorough preparations. Everything was within his calculations!

Not only Li Yi and Xue Xue felt this way; the other Standing Committee members also showed surprise on their faces!

If the conclusion was already determined, why didn't he say it earlier in the Standing Committee meeting? Why did he wait until he had played with everyone enough before revealing it to show his greatness and wisdom as the county Party Secretary?

Before Li Yi could recover, Wu Qingyuan said with a smile, "The inspection team's Director Li is here today. Why don't we ask him to read the conclusion on the spot?"

This was a slap in the face for Li Yi. Wu Qingyuan's loyal supporters looked at Li Yi with ridicule, as if they had known all along that he was just a supporting role, a clown.

Xue Xue felt a deep sense of powerlessness. She had thought that by presenting the investigation results in the Standing Committee meeting and having the members vote, she had at least a fifty percent chance of winning. But she didn't expect to lose so thoroughly.

Wu Qingyuan's shrewdness had stifled their voices before they could even be heard.

At this moment, Xue Xue deeply realized that she was still a newcomer in the political arena, far from mature.

Li Yi stood up, walked to the table, picked up the so-called conclusion, and retreated to his seat, reading it carefully before saying with a serious expression, "Secretary Wu, are you sure this conclusion was given to you by Director Shao?"

"Of course! This is the conclusion given to me by your Director Shao!" Wu Qingyuan replied with a smile, a smile that seemed like a cat's pity for a mouse.

Yes, he was now standing before Li Yi as a victor, looking down on this young, inexperienced man.

He even felt a bit of regret, as Li Yi's performance had surprised him and earned his admiration. He had thought that mentioning Secretary Ma would be a sure hit, but this young man had defused it with just a few words.

It was a stroke of genius, which he couldn't help but admire. Unfortunately, he wasn't one of his people! Wu Qingyuan's admiration for talent flashed briefly before he returned to reality.

"Then, Secretary Wu, do you accept this conclusion?" Li Yi's tone was slow, each word heavy, as if his tongue was dragging a thousand-pound hammer.

Wu Qingyuan was elated, seeing the other side's helplessness, he felt life was so beautiful.

So, he put on a low-key demeanor and said with a smile, "I have always supported the work of the inspection team and deeply appreciate your rigorous and serious work attitude. Naturally, I accept the conclusion you have worked hard to reach. I believe this conclusion is factual, a scientific conclusion based on thorough investigation and on-site research. Here, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all members of the inspection team on behalf of the Lian Shui County Party Committee and Government! You have restored a clear sky to Lian Shui and cleared the names of our officials!"

Wu Qingyuan became more and more excited, his words becoming more and more passionate.

Although Li Yi despised his character, he had to admire his political skills and eloquence.

"Then, I will start reading it?" Li Yi stood up with a heavy face, holding the document and looking at Wu Qingyuan.

"Please, Director Li, thank you for your trouble." Wu Qingyuan was overjoyed; this was a complete victory in his political career, a battle worth writing about in bold ink.

He even blamed Cao Congyang a bit. If it weren't for his troublemaking, he would have played this cat-and-mouse game longer, not revealing the bomb until the last moment. The feeling of playing with his opponent in the palm of his hand was truly delightful.

Li Yi's voice, filled with sorrow and helplessness, echoed in the meeting room.

"Inspection Report: According to the arrangements of the Provincial Party Committee and Government, the Provincial Government's Water Conservancy Inspection Office conducted an inspection of the use of special funds and the progress of the Xishan Reservoir project in Lian Shui County. The following is the report: 1. The implementation of the reservoir land compensation. The Provincial Government's inspection team required the Lian Shui County Civil Affairs Bureau and Water Conservancy Bureau to submit a list of beneficiaries. A total of 10,970 beneficiaries were reviewed, including 856 special cases.

... According to specific investigations, only 20% of the randomly selected thousand people received compensation, and the average compensation received was only one-third of the full amount..."

"What?" Wu Qingyuan, who had been listening with a satisfied and serious expression, suddenly felt something was wrong. One-third? What about the other two-thirds? That's not right. What Shao Guoping told him on the phone was not like this!

Wu Qingyuan took a deep breath!

This report was delivered early by a female inspector, who said it was on Director Shao's instructions.

At the time, he was rushing to the Standing Committee meeting and didn't read it carefully, even thanking the female staff member for Shao Guoping's timely help.

He hadn't expected to be bitten by a bird after a lifetime of hunting eagles! Now, thinking about it, the female inspector seemed suspicious. How convenient that she delivered it on his way to the Standing Committee meeting?

Wu Qingyuan's hand, holding the teacup, trembled heavily. How laughable, to fall into a carefully designed trap! He had thought these two were easy to handle, a woman and a young man, what did they know about intrigue or political tactics? But one wrong move, and the whole game was lost, a ship capsized in a shallow ditch!

Looking at the others' expressions, Xue Xue was surprised but also delighted and excited, while others were angry, silent, red-faced, or smiling with a hint of amusement.

These bastards were definitely making a big joke out of him, Wu Qingyuan!