The Thirty-First Chapter: County Magistrate Ma Summons Him (Additional Request for Collection and Recommendation)

  Ma Tiancheng has been serving as the Executive Vice Mayor of Changja County for three years, and with his previous tenure as Deputy Mayor, he has accumulated nearly eight years in the position. He has served as the secretary of Yu Weiguo, the former Vice Mayor of Jianan City, Deputy Mayor of Hengyang County, and Executive Vice Mayor of Changja County, with integrity and ability, and should have been promoted to a full department-level cadre long ago. Unfortunately, three years ago, his old leader Yu Weiguo lost in the competition for the mayor position and semi-retired to serve as vice chairman of the municipal political consultative conference, and he was suppressed in the deputy county position and could not move.

  Ma County Magistrate is different from Yin County Magistrate who is keen on power struggles, he focuses on the economic development of Changja, running around to attract investment and is more sensitive to economic policies. A few months ago, Yin County Magistrate was depressed after failing to attack the county party secretary, Ma Tiancheng took over many tedious tasks of the county government. In several discussions about government work in the county standing committee meeting, he also supported Yin County Magistrate's proposal. Therefore, in some people's eyes, he is classified as a member of Yin County Magistrate's faction. In fact, he does not like Yin County Magistrate's power struggles. The county party secretary and county magistrate have clear divisions of labor, the county party secretary as the head of the standing committee, grasping the political direction of the whole county, personnel examination and appointment, etc., the county magistrate is in charge of the economic work and social development of the whole county. Yin County Magistrate thinks that he has the ability to call the shots with the county party secretary after operating in Changja for many years. But Ma County Magistrate knows that he is doomed to fail. Secretary Tang is an official from the municipal party committee organization department, with deep connections in the city, and was arranged to come to Changja County after consulting with Secretary Tang himself, decided by the original head of the municipal party committee organization department, now promoted to deputy secretary of the municipal party committee, Gu Songlin. Yin County Magistrate tried to use local forces to fight against Secretary Tang, how could he possibly gain an advantage?

  Last week, he received a report from the Mashixiang Township Party Committee on the "Mashixiang Township Economic Zone Tax Preferential Policy" scheme book, and his eyes lit up. As the executive vice county magistrate, he knew that once this policy was implemented, it would bring great benefits to the investment attraction of Mashixiang Township's economic zone. The fact that the Mashixiang Township Party Committee could implement such a large-scale tax preferential policy proved that this team had a resolute and bold attitude towards economic development. After inquiring further, he found out that the initiator of this preferential measure was Ye Zhiran, and while admiring him, he also felt more pity for his talent. The scheme book was quickly signed and submitted to County Magistrate Yin, but unexpectedly, County Magistrate Yin had a very ambiguous attitude, first asking the county planning commission to evaluate it, and then explicitly opposing it, with the reason being quite high-sounding: it did not conform to the current national macroeconomic control policy. This meant that this policy would definitely not pass through the government, and if it were to be approved, it could only be done through the county standing committee. County Magistrate Ma thought it was better to listen to Ye Zhiran's opinion first, and if Ye Zhiran could dispel the concerns in County Magistrate Yin's mind, he might as well give him some guidance and let him find Secretary Tang to discuss this matter at the county standing committee meeting, and when the time came, they could join forces to push it through.

  He then had his secretary call Mashizhen Township Party Committee to inform Ye Zhenran to come to the county government.

  Ye Ziran followed the secretary into Mayor Ma's office for the first time. Upon seeing him enter, Ma Tiancheng looked up with a smile and said, "Mayor Ye, come on in, have a seat and let's talk."

  Superiors call him "Little Ye Village Chief" which sounds affectionate, while peers calling him that would sound less respectful.

  Ye Ziran bowed slightly to show his respect, smiled and said: "Okay, thank you, County Magistrate Ma." Then, he sat down across the large office desk, facing Ma Tiancheng.

  The secretary quietly poured tea and slipped out, then County Magistrate Ma spoke up: "County Head Xiao Ye, I took a look at the tax preferential policies for the economic zone in Mashan Township. It's very bold, with a spirit of reform and innovation. Young people have ideas and sharp minds, not bad." After praising him, County Magistrate Ma made a turn: "But there are a few problems, I'd like to ask you about them."

  Ye Ziran sat up straight, maintaining a slightly forward-leaning posture, and replied with a hint of seriousness: "County Magistrate Ma, please ask, I will report the truth." In his heart, he had great respect for County Magistrate Ma.

  Magistrate Ma nodded and said, "If this policy is implemented first in the Mashih Township Economic Zone, it will indeed have a great attraction to non-public enterprises. I estimate that many enterprises will move from other counties and towns. How do you consider this issue?"

  Ye Ziran smiled slightly, this is an important reason for the opposition to this policy, they pointed out that after the implementation of the tax preferential policy, although Mashixiang attracted some enterprises to settle in, but only benefited Mashixiang and did not help the overall economy of Changjiang Province, because these enterprises simply moved from other places. On the contrary, it is also harmful, because the state will collect less taxes. He explained: "Mayor Ma, when I proposed this preferential measure, I have considered this issue, so we will clearly stipulate in the subsequent implementation details that Mashixiang Economic Zone does not accept old enterprises to move in, only accepts new businesses to settle and provides registration and opening services."

  "Ah?" County Magistrate Ma was slightly surprised, and in his heart he secretly praised Ye Zhen's measure as being clever, able to avoid vicious competition. He couldn't help but nod his head, indicating for him to continue speaking.

  Magistrate Ma nodded slightly, and Ye Zhenran gained some confidence, saying: "The implementation of this policy is fundamentally aimed at cultivating the development of small and medium-sized enterprises, especially technology-based enterprises, which are relatively weak in the initial stage. The Mashih Township Economic Zone will become an incubation base for small and medium-sized enterprises."

  Magistrate Ma looked at Ye Zhenran with encouraging eyes, this kind of appreciation didn't need language, the exchange of eye contact was enough to make Ye Zhenran understand. He continued to ask: "In order for this policy to bear fruit after landing, what specific measures will Mashixiang take?"

  Ye Ziran reported: "We plan to set up an office in Jianan City to provide one-stop service for enterprises that have settled in the Mashishi Economic Zone, including monthly tax declarations that will be handled in the city. After the city office is established, we will open windows in other cities and provincial capitals."

  Magistrate Ma thought for a moment and said, "Opening an office in Jianan City is not as good as opening one directly in the provincial capital. The resources of the provincial capital are a hundred times stronger than those of Jianan City, and there are many powerful investors and technical talents that Jianan cannot match. Only this way can we ensure quick results."

  Ye thought for a moment, and indeed it was so. He admired and said: "County Magistrate Ma is indeed wise and has a keen eye, his vision is a hundred times higher than mine. Setting up the office directly in the provincial city can indeed achieve twice the result with half the effort. I will report to Secretary Qin as soon as I return."

  Magistrate Ma smiled and thought the young Mayor Ye was "teachable". He pondered for a moment, then raised an even bigger question: "However, although this policy is good, there are also many controversies at present. Comrades from the county government and the county economic committee have pointed out that under the current macro-control of the state and the rectification of township enterprises, isn't the introduction of this policy a bit inappropriate?"

  Ye Ziran said: "County Magistrate Ma, this tax preferential policy is actually not contrary to the national control policy. The national macro-control, whether it is for the rectification of township enterprises or not, is aimed at those enterprises with backward production capacity, poor product quality and disorderly competition. While the tax preferential policy in Mashixiang will benefit the emerging small and medium-sized enterprises, especially the technology-based enterprises, which is in line with the national industrial orientation."

  Magistrate Ma looked at Ye Zhen with a profound gaze, and threw out a sensitive topic: "Ye Chang, there's another factor you haven't considered. After the incident last spring and summer, domestically, vigilance against capitalist erosion has increased. Everyone is reflecting on these years of reform - have we taken too big a step?"

  Ye's expression turned serious, and he fell into deep thought for a moment before fixing his gaze on Ma Tiancheng. "County Head Ma, judging from recent reports and viewpoints in the media, it is true that conservative ideology has gained some ground domestically. However, our country's path of reform and opening up was proposed and upheld by the highest leaders and has become a consensus within the party. Upholding reform and opening up, and upholding the line of prioritizing economic development will never change. In this regard, Ma Shi Township's preferential policies are merely an innovative reform, at most sparking some criticism from individual conservative scholars, but there is no political risk, making it worth trying."

  Magistrate Ma shook his head slightly and reminded him, "Ye Zhang, if it's just a few scholars expressing their opinions, that's fine. But if the higher-ups have an opinion about this, even if it's just one leader who has doubts, it could affect your political career. This is no small matter."

  Ye Zhen felt the love and care of Magistrate Ma, knowing that his words were spoken from his own perspective. However, if he were to retreat now, this policy would be stillborn, which was something Ye Zhen did not want to see happen. So he persisted in saying: "Magistrate Ma, I am willing to be the pioneer for reform and believe that this policy will succeed."

  Ma Tiancheng also agreed in his heart. His previous words were mostly probing Ye Zhenran's intentions, and now that he heard Ye Zhenran speak so firmly, he said: "Xiao Ye, this measure has different opinions, needs to be handled with caution. Moreover, as a policy-level reform, it must be discussed by the county standing committee before it can be implemented."

  Ye Ziran immediately understood the implication of Ma Tiancheng's words, and sincerely said: "Then I'd like to thank County Magistrate Ma for his strong support. We'll report to Secretary Tang later and hope to get his support."

  Ma Tiancheng smiled and said: "Good, I also welcome this policy."

  Yeziran knew that the conversation was almost over, so he stood up and said: "Thank you, County Magistrate Ma. Your instructions are very important. I will remember them in my heart."

  Magistrate Ma stretched out his hand and shook Ye Ziran's hand warmly, saying: "Alright, alright, Little Ye is fine, it's settled then."