Chapter Forty-Three: Win Over and Draw In
Wu Xue opened her mouth to speak, and everyone in the room stopped what they were doing. Liu Yan and Wang Song's faces changed, and they immediately sensed that something was wrong with today's meeting. He Jun's expression was slightly lighter, and he hastily said:
"Uncle, did anything happen in the meeting today?" He turned his head to look at Zhang Qingyun, just about to ask, Wu Xue Shu waved her hand, indicating that he shouldn't speak.
"Director Zhang, this time I'm finished. I don't expect any turn for the better. I've worked for the Party my whole life and now I'm over 50 years old. If the organization arranges for me to go home and retire, I won't complain."
Wu Xue Shu paused here, glanced at Liu and Wang who were already stunned, and He Jun was even more confused by his words, hastily interrupting Zhang Qing Yun to say:
"Green cloud, what exactly happened? My uncle..."
Zhang Qingyun shook his head and smiled bitterly. He knew clearly why Wu Xue didn't look for Wu De anymore. Li Gang had publicly blown up, directly pointing to the ethnic issue. If Li Gang really wanted to deal with him, no one could save him, not even Huang Songshan. Who dared to touch this sensitive spot? Once this hat was put on, who could bear it?
"Director Zhang, I can leave, but I have to make things clear. The problem with the finance bureau is my personal problem, and it was me who signed for that sum of money at the time, which has nothing to do with other colleagues. My only hope is that after I'm gone, the county committee and government will promote a new director from within our finance department. Old Liu and Old Wang are both comrades who have worked on this front line for many years..."
Zhang Qingyun was stunned, thinking to herself, "I'm not even the county leader, what's the point of telling me all this?" However, no matter how you look at it, Wu Xue's strategy was correct, as she had won over people's hearts and gained sympathy, which could be considered a clever move.
"Director Zhang, it's a miscarriage of justice! At the time, our financial department was also under pressure. The investment in Yongyu Highway was approved by Secretary Liang...” Liu Yan said, and he immediately realized that 80% of the problem lay with the supporting funds. As a member of the party committee, if the county party committee and government were to investigate this matter, he would also be held accountable.
Zhang Qingyun remained silent, the only thing he could do was to listen to several directors complaining, and then think of a strategy for Lai Gang. Judging from the current situation, Wu Xue Shu still attaches great importance to his official hat. He leaned towards Wu De Zhi just for an official career, didn't he? If he loses his official hat, what's the point of having any faction? Wu Xue Shu obviously has a deep understanding of this, otherwise he wouldn't have come to find him for dinner.
"Director Zhang, Junzi is my nephew, and you two are also old friends. I still hope you can take care of him in the future. Junzi, aren't you going to toast Director Zhang a cup of wine?" said Wu Xue Shu.
He Jun was already in a state of panic, and his uncle was his pillar of support. If his uncle fell, how could he make progress? As soon as Wu Xue Shu said this, he immediately grasped it like a lifeline, hastily raised his wine cup and said:
"Qingyun, can you help out my uncle? You work at the county committee and are close to the leaders, so you should be able to put in a good word for him, right?"
Zhang Qingyun glanced at him, secretly amused in her heart. This He Jun was still a bit tender, and couldn't even tell that Wu Xue Shu was acting, just look at this kid being scared, his voice trembling when speaking, he still needs some more experience.
"Junzi, Wuju, I've taken all your words into consideration. As for the problems with the finance bureau, the organization will definitely have a comprehensive plan in place. This is still uncertain, so don't make any premature predictions." Zhang Qingyun picked up his wine cup and drained it in one gulp, eating a mouthful of food as he spoke.
He suddenly changed the subject and said, "However, Director Wu, your finance bureau has had some problems in recent years. The fiscal deficit is too high. When Mayor Li took office, there were many important projects to be launched, but there was no money."
"This is not the most serious, the most serious is that our Yongping is an agricultural county, but in recent years you are keen on infrastructure investment, built a pedestrian street, and then expanded the streets. In just a few years, the roads were repaired and then destroyed, destroyed and then repaired, wasting so much money?"
Wu Xue's face changed, and he couldn't speak for a long time. Zhang Qingyun spoke lightly, but the implication was very clear. Li Gang had just taken office, and the financial deficit was so severe that it caused him great difficulty in governing, which made anyone angry.
Everyone knows that investment matters are decided by the county committee and government, but those big shots can't be moved. You're bound to be a scapegoat, who let him catch your weakness?
Zhang Qingyun also vaguely hinted that Wu Xue's work was not up to par, and Lai Gang had been in office for several months. You were still flirting with Wu De, not taking the leader seriously, how could he not deal with you severely?
Thinking of this, Wu Xue Shu slumped into the chair, Zhang Qing Yun's words were indeed a hit, after all, it was his own fault. He recalled the look in Wu De's eyes when he left the meeting earlier, as if looking at a dead man, and he knew then that Wu De had given up on him.
The atmosphere in the room was heavy, Zhang Qingyun's eyes swept across everyone's face, each one looking like they were in mourning. Liu Yan and Wang Song were also old officials, how could they not understand the connections? Wu Xue left, they didn't have a share either, who made them two close to Wu Xue? He Jun looked at Zhang Qingyun with a pleading expression, his lips moving repeatedly, but ultimately didn't say a word.
Zhang Qingyun took a bite of the dish, sipped a mouthful of wine, and after a moment's thought, felt that the timing was about right, and said in a more relaxed tone:
"Director Wu, don't be too hard on yourself either. It's just a new official taking office and making some noise! When leaders criticize cadres, it's ultimately to educate them to do their work well. Who is perfect? To dismiss cadres who have made mistakes at will, isn't that against the consistent style of our organization?"
Wu Xue's heart skipped a beat, and the already dead ashes in his heart seemed to see a glimmer of hope. He glanced at Zhang Qingyun, and his mind was racing. He had heard people say that Zhang Qingyun was Li Gang's confidant, but he didn't believe it. Li Gang promoted Zhang Qingyun, who had only been in the official circle for a few days, to show his attitude towards Huang Songshan, and also to showcase his style of doing things in front of all the county cadres and masses. How could a young man in his early 20s possibly have any exceptional abilities? How could he outsmart those old oil slicks in the official circle?
But now he has completely overturned his previous judgment, Zhang Qingyun's words are sharp and well-planned. Some words seem to be affirmative and leave no room for maneuvering, but in reality, they are vast and profound, with every word and sentence deeply familiar with the officialdom. If you advance, you can wear a hat full of thorns, putting people in a desperate situation, if you retreat, it's harmonious and perfect, everyone is happy.
"Director Zhang, don't worry. I, Old Wu, am not a stubborn person who refuses to admit mistakes. When I've done something wrong, I still have the courage to acknowledge it. This time when I go back, I will make a self-criticism report to the organization and also find County Magistrate Lei to discuss this matter separately. In this regard, I'll still need your help, little brother." Wu Xue Shu said sincerely.
