The Thirty-Third Chapter: United Hands

  Ye Ziran had become a regular at the "Wangshan Wine House". He ordered a quiet private room, and after ordering food, he asked the proprietress to make it lighter, more delicate, as there were important guests. The proprietress smiled and nodded in agreement.

  Around six o'clock, Secretary Tang and County Mayor Ma entered the private room one after another. Ye Zhenran politely pulled out the chairs for the two leaders and asked them to sit down.

  The boss's wife had already asked someone to remove the extra chairs and tableware. Seeing that all the guests had arrived, she came in with a smile and greeted them: "Three leaders, what tea would you like to brew first? Do you want to drink wine?" After finishing speaking, she quietly waited for instructions on the side.

  Her restaurant was quite famous in Mashizhen, and leaders from the county and towns often came to eat there. Moreover, as a boss in this industry, she had excellent ability to observe people's expressions and mannerisms. The owner of Wangshan Wine House was even more remarkable, with an exceptional memory that allowed her to recognize Tang Secretary and Ma County Magistrate. However, she had honed the skill of knowing what to say in different situations, and before the leaders spoke up, she didn't reveal the identities of the three people.

  Ye Ziran knew that Secretary Tang liked lighter Longjing tea, so he instructed: "Brew a pot of good Longjing and bring it up." Then, taking advantage of the boss's wife going out to instruct the service staff, he asked: "Secretary Tang, Mayor Ma, would you like some wine?"

  Tang Secretary looked at Magistrate Ma and asked: "Magistrate Ma, would you like a drink?"

  Magistrate Ma smiled and said with a double meaning: "I'll listen to Secretary Tang."

  Tang Secretary smiled happily and said enthusiastically: "Good, Mayor Ma is a pragmatic person. Today we'll get down to business. Let's have a bottle of Moutai."

  The boss's wife instructed the waiter who was already standing by and, upon hearing this, immediately said: "Three leaders, please wait a moment, the wine will be served right away."

  Because of the sufficient preparation, wine and dishes were quickly served. The landlady filled a cup for the three of them, Ye Zhenran picked up his glass and said first: "Two leaders, I'll toast you first, I'll drink it dry, leaders at will." After finishing speaking, he drained the glass in one gulp.

  Tang Shuji smiled and said: "Xiao Ye is refreshing, let's drink the first cup of wine too?" He looked at County Magistrate Ma.

  Magistrate Ma smiled and said, "Alright, let's finish a cup first, then talk business." He also drained his cup in one gulp.

  The atmosphere immediately became lively, the boss's wife was a discerning person, she refilled the wine for the three of them, poured herself a cup as well, and said: "Three leaders, thank you for visiting our humble shop, I'll just toast with you and won't disturb you anymore, cheers, leaders please help yourselves."

  The three of them accompanied the boss's wife for another drink. The boss's wife then quietly pulled up the door and retreated.

  Ye Ziran hastily said: "Secretary Tang and County Magistrate Ma, have some food first, we'll take our time."

  Tang Secretary took a few bites of his food and said, "County Magistrate Ma, I've taken a look at the economic development zone's tax preferential policies in Xiaoye, they're very innovative and will greatly boost the economic development of Mashan Township. I plan to bring this up at tomorrow's Standing Committee meeting and make it a pilot project for Qianjiang County's economic reform."

  County Magistrate Ma immediately expressed his approval: "Secretary Tang's idea is good, taking this as a pilot project for economic reform, it is both stable and feasible. I follow Secretary Tang's initiative."

  Tang Secretary said with satisfaction: "Well, Changjia County needs a good leader like Magistrate Ma who is committed to economic development. The tax incentives policy of Xiaoye has obvious benefits in the short, medium and long term, but some people insist on linking this good move in economic development to politics." This remark was almost directly naming him, expressing his dissatisfaction with Mayor Yin very directly.

  County Magistrate Ma said: "As the government leader who bears the main responsibility for the county's economic construction, we should focus on doing a good job in economy, improving people's livelihood and seeking benefits for the people, rather than focusing on seizing political power. Secretary Tang, I reflect on myself, in the past period of time, in some matters, following certain leaders, also have responsibilities."

  Secretary Tang hastily waved his hand and said, "County Magistrate Ma, I don't like to divide into factions. We are all important leading members of Chang Jia, and every word and deed is related to the interests of 600,000 people in Chang Jia. Any measures or policies that benefit the people must be upheld, and those that do not must be opposed, without dividing into factions. If we follow incorrect opinions because of different factions, it would be dereliction of duty."

  These words were spoken with such righteousness and severity that Ye Zhenran couldn't help but feel a deep respect.

  County Magistrate Ma Chang praised: "Secretary Tang is right, this is also an important reason why I support the tax preferential policy of Mayor Xiao Ye. As I get to know him better, I feel more and more that among the main leaders of Changja, Secretary Tang is a good leader who is wholeheartedly planning for development, if there are more Standing Committee members united around Secretary Tang, Changja's work will quickly make progress."

  Tang Secretary looked at Magistrate Ma with a warm and sincere gaze, his eyes filled with gratitude for the camaraderie, raised his glass and said: "Come on, Magistrate Ma, let's have a drink to our future collaboration."

  The county magistrate raised his cup and drank it all in one gulp.

  Ye Ziran raised his glass and said, "Under the leadership of Tang Secretary and Ma County Magistrate, the prospects are promising. I'll drink a cup with the two leaders. In the future, with the help of the two leaders, I will work hard to achieve results and make a return." He also drank it all in one gulp.

  Secretary Tang had a few cups and his face turned slightly red. He unbuttoned the second button of his shirt, chuckled and said: "This wine is enjoyable to drink."

  Magistrate Ma nodded in agreement: "A thousand cups are too little when meeting a bosom friend, let's take our time."

  Tang Secretary nodded in agreement, looked at County Magistrate Ma and said: "I have been working in Changsha for four months now. These days I have been investigating the main departments of the county government. Several department heads need to be adjusted. The Deputy Director of the Public Security Bureau, the Director of the Finance Bureau, and the Director of the Urban Construction Bureau are not suitable for their current positions."

  Ye Ziran knew that the three bureau directors Tang Secretary was preparing to adjust were all people of Yin County Magistrate, and also the core strength of local forces. If the adjustment of these three leaders goes smoothly, it will be crucial for Tang Secretary's control over the entire county. Tang Secretary has been planning this for some time, but hasn't made a move yet because the timing wasn't ripe; now is probably the right moment.

  Magistrate Ma expressed his support: "Secretary Tang's decision is very correct, which is conducive to the development of Changja County's work."

  Tang Secretary calmly asked: "County Magistrate Ma, do you have a candidate? Let's discuss how to adjust it for the betterment of work?"

  Ye Ziran listened carefully to the exchange between the two leaders, and now he realized that this was the main intention of the two leaders meeting here tonight.

  Magistrate Ma thought for a moment and tentatively said, "Deputy Director Zhang Haibin of the Finance Bureau is capable and reliable, and does things steadily. If he can take another step forward, it should be of great help to the work of the Finance Bureau."

  Tang Secretary thought for a moment and said: "I think it's very good, Zhang Haibin taking the post of Director of Finance Bureau is suitable."

  County Magistrate Ma's expression suddenly relaxed, and he said, "Thank you, Secretary Tang, for your trust."

  Generally speaking, official power and financial power are the two most important powers in the hands of leaders. The secretary is in charge of official hats, and the county magistrate is in charge of money bags. Ma Tiancheng was the deputy county magistrate of Changja, in charge of financial work. However, the director of the finance bureau was a person appointed by County Magistrate Yin, so it was not easy to use him if there was an opportunity to replace him with his own person, the future work would be much smoother. As for Secretary Tang, replacing the director of the finance bureau with Ma county magistrate's person was also harmless, so after listening to Ma county magistrate's proposal, he agreed after some consideration.

  Secretary Tang smiled and said, "It's all for the sake of work. The fundamental purpose of this personnel adjustment is to make our work more smooth. In this regard, Comrade Shang Zhiyuan, the head of the Public Security Bureau, also has a deep understanding. He came to Changja County with me, but the deputy director of the county public security bureau did not cooperate in his work, which affected Director Shang's energy and led to a deterioration in the county's public order situation. Based on Director Shang's recommendation, the original head of the Public Security Bureau's criminal investigation team, He Chengzhong, has strong party spirit and outstanding ability, so he can be promoted."

  County Magistrate Ma nodded in agreement: "Secretary Tang, Director Shang's recommendation is appropriate. It will be beneficial for our county's public security system to better protect people's normal lives and the political landscape of reform and opening up. I express my support."

  Tang Secretary said: "There is another candidate, the original Urban Construction Bureau Director has reached retirement age. Comrade Yu Zheng, Party Secretary of Mashizhen Town, has some experience in urban construction. I plan to transfer him over and promote a local Party Secretary for Mashizhen Town."

  Magistrate Ma considered it for a moment and also expressed his approval: "Secretary Tang's proposal is very correct. The biggest advantage of transferring Yu Zheng to the past is that it can change the original work style, as the several deputy directors of the Urban Construction Bureau were not open-minded enough."

  At this point, the two of them exchanged a smile, and everything was understood without needing to be said.

  Ye Zhen listened silently to the conversation between Tang Secretary and Ma County Mayor about the adjustment plan for three main county-level cadres, and was secretly delighted by their cooperation in his heart. The exchange of interests is sometimes a good way of cooperation. And through this cooperation, Changjia County will usher in the real era of Tang Guoqiang. For County Mayor Ma, with Secretary Tang controlling the Standing Committee, he can ignore the suppression of County Mayor Yin and devote himself to doing things.

  Ye Ziran raised his glass in a timely manner and said: "Secretary Tang, County Mayor Ma, for a better tomorrow for Changsha, I'd like to toast you two leaders with a cup."

  Tang Secretary and Ma County Magistrate both raised their cups and said: "We should have a drink."

  The three of them finished the cup, and a bottle of Maotai had already been emptied. Ye Zhenran looked at Secretary Tang's face inquiringly, and Secretary Tang said: "We've had enough wine for now, let's switch to tea?"

  County Magistrate Ma was already flushed with a hint of intoxication, and upon hearing Secretary Tang's suggestion, he burst out laughing and said: "Drinking tea is great, we can all sober up."

  Ye Ziran naturally understood the situation and quickly got up to exchange tea cups for the two of them, pouring half a cup of fragrant tea.

  Magistrate Ma waited until he had finished pouring the tea, then smiled and said: "Mayor Xiao Ye, this is my first time drinking alone with Secretary Tang, and I'm having such a great time, I must thank you for providing me with this opportunity."

  Ye Ziran hastily said: "No no, it's the two leaders who gave me the opportunity to serve, I'm very grateful for the leaders' wise decision, looking forward to Mashixiang having a new and different development every day."

  Tang Shuji and Ma Xianzhang looked at each other and smiled.

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  I recommend my friend Huà Yu's book "Super Cai Shang", the plot is touching, and the writing is outstanding. Everyone can go take a look.