Chapter 115: A Stalemate

  Ye Pingyu's powerful speech shocked all the members of the two committees present, Zhang Wei's mouth was agape in an O shape as he sat there watching Ye Pingyu speak, while Old Zheng bowed his head and seriously took notes.

  Zhao Yuangong hinted at him, but he didn't mind and continued to speak along with Zhao's words, making it impossible for Zhao to detect any dissatisfaction. At the same time, he proposed not to pursue past events, which responded to Liu Yanwei's speech, cleared some responsibilities of the Finance Department, and also made other two committee members feel relieved, because when they went out to eat with white cards, they also had a share. Just recently, Old Zheng spent a lot of money at Dongsheng Wine House, if this matter is brought up, it won't look good for the other two committee members.

  Ye Pingyu's words were very profound, originally everyone thought he was young and didn't have much political level, but now it seems completely wrong. Facing Zhao Yuangong, a relatively smart person, he didn't show any weakness, instead, he used defense as offense, which made him win the hearts of the other two committee members at once, while also secretly protecting Liang Jun.

  As soon as he finished speaking, Zhao Yuangong's face couldn't help but move, thinking that Ye Pingyu was indeed not simple, facing his own blows, calm and composed, with a reasonable attitude, this kind of image display would make the other two committee members' mentality undergo some changes.

  Seeing this, Liu Yanwei knocked on the table and said: "I agree with Ye Xiangchang's proposal not to pursue past events, but for the current chaotic situation in the financial department, I think it cannot be generally not pursued. Otherwise, there will be suspicion of indulgence and violation of regulations. As the head of the financial department, I think Liang Jun should take some responsibility."

  Ye Pingyu wanted to speak for Liang Jun, while Liu Yanwei was thinking of taking down Liang Jun. Although neither of them mentioned Liang Jun's name just now, they were exchanging blows in mid-air. Now that Ye Pingyu seems to have the upper hand, Liu Yanwei is about to engage in close combat.

  Liu Yanwei finished speaking, and Old Zheng stopped his pen and said: "Secretary Liu, isn't today's meeting about who is responsible? Mayor Ye has already said that we need to distinguish between past and future events, and we can't blame everything on one person. The township itself doesn't have much money, and Liang Jun's primary responsibility is to ensure the expenses of the main leaders in the township. Secretary Zhao also knows this, and he didn't report to you in time, there must be a reason for that. We can't put all the blame on Liang Jun. As for Liang Jun privately reimbursing others, I think this also has historical reasons, at least it was tacitly approved by the leadership!

  Liang Jun has always had a good relationship with Old Zheng, and now that Cao Da Fu has been transferred away, he needs to protect Liang Jun. He originally thought that Ye Ping Yu and Liang Jun had conflicts between them and would take the opportunity to kick him while he was down, working together with Zhao Yuan Gong to bring Liang Jun down. However, he did not expect Ye Ping Yu to secretly protect Liang Jun and refuse to let Liu Yan Wei's scheme succeed, leaving him greatly surprised. Now that he sees Liu Yan Wei being stubborn, he begins to speak up.

  Cao Dafu left behind a considerable number of men, and Lao Zheng was one of his generals. Wu Zhenquan was also his man, but because he didn't become the village head, he felt a bit disheartened and didn't want to oppose Zhao Yuangong now, so he had no reaction at all. After finishing speaking, Lao Zheng couldn't help but glance at him, hinting that he should speak up.

  Wu Zhen sat there with a completely expressionless face, observing the situation in the meeting room. He had never been convinced that Ye Pingyu was qualified to be the village head and thought it was just Zhu Zi's intention to promote his secretary through a public selection process. Otherwise, considering their qualifications, how could Ye have become the village head?

  But just now, Ye Pingyu's performance on the scene made him involuntarily bright-eyed. Facing Zhao Yuangong's moves, Ye Pingyu was calm and composed, responding with ease! Moreover, he also knew to secretly protect others, his courage and wisdom surpassing that of ordinary people!

  Noticing Lao Zheng's gaze, Wu Zhenquan leaned his body forward and said: "Today's meeting theme is to study family planning and increase financial income, at the same time, it also clarified several points of financial discipline. As for personnel issues and responsibility issues, I and Lao Zheng have the same opinion, and do not suggest studying now, after the meeting communication will be more suitable!"

  Wu Zhenquan rebutted Liu Yanwei's opinion, making Liu Yanwei temporarily isolated and unable to make a sound. Although Cao Dafu left, the balance of power between the two committees did not change much, so it depends on who can win over the other side's forces to expand their own strength.

  Zhao Yuangong, as the secretary of the township committee, naturally has an advantage. If he takes the initiative to win people over, there should be no problem. However, he didn't understand the situation at first and thought Ye Pingyu was not a threat, so he didn't think about winning over other forces. He was still limited to his original small circle, making some decisions with Liu Yanwei in private, while ignoring others. Unbeknownst to him, Wu Zhenquan and Old Zheng were still forming an alliance, and now he wants to directly target Liang Jun, clearly not understanding the situation.

  Ye Pingyu, after analyzing the situation, timely abandoned personal grudges and actively supported Liang Jun, showing his magnanimity as a village head. At the same time, he allowed Cao Dafu's remaining troops to support him. Although he didn't dare guarantee that things would develop in the direction he had hoped for, it seemed to have taken effect now.

  Lao Zheng and Ye Pingyu were originally colleagues. Although he felt uncomfortable when Ye Pingyu became the village head, things had already come to this point and he couldn't change anything. Now that he saw Ye Pingyu's level was not low, and he could rival Zhao Yuangong on the scene, and secretly protect Liang Jun, standing with them, then he couldn't help but reconsider whether he should stand on Ye Pingyu's side in the future.

  Wu Zhenquan has a knot in his heart and can't change for the time being. He just wants to protect his own interests now. Liang Jun has always been Cao Dafu's person, and he has a very close relationship with Cao Dafu. At this time, under Old Zheng's hint, he cannot help but take action.

  As soon as he saw the situation on the scene, Cao Daifu's men had not spoken yet, Liu Yanwei had already lost, Zhao Yuangong felt that it was not yet time to move Liang Jun, rather than suffer a crushing defeat, it was better to retreat in time.

  "After Wu Zhenquan finished speaking, Zhao Yuangong said: 'Now let's get back to the main topic. What Liu Secretary just said was just a feeling and didn't mean anything else. It's not about who is responsible, as Ye Xiangzhang said, let's not mention past things. The key is what we do in the future. As the secretary, I am most responsible for whether the work is done well or not in the future. Ye Xiangzhang is second. Therefore, the two of us must take overall responsibility and do a good job in the future. Now, let's have Yan Wei Secretary and Zhang Wei Xiangzhang talk about the plan for population and childbirth and the three collections and five unifications.'"

  Liu Yanwei was in charge of family planning, Zhang Wei was responsible for the collection of the three proposals and five unifications, and Zhao Yuangong let them talk about it. As soon as Zhao Yuangong mentioned their names, they started talking.

  After the speech, everyone expressed their opinions. After expressing their opinions, Zhao Yuangong asked Ye Pingyu to make a statement again. Today's meeting was hosted by him, and as usual, before the township party secretary's summary speech, the township head had to do work deployment and speak, so this time was no exception.

  Seeing Zhao Yuankong let him speak, Ye Pingyu nodded, picked up the teacup on the table and took a sip of water, saying: "Family planning work is our central work. Just now everyone has expressed some opinions, I agree with them all. The matter of three proposals and five unifications collection is also very important, related to the growth of our township's financial revenue. I hope everyone will do well according to Secretary Zhao's requirements. Next, I would like to say a few more things, although they are not related to today's meeting theme, but I think it's better to share with everyone!"

  Here is the translation:

  "Now that I've become the village head, I didn't realize how difficult our financial situation was. Seeing everyone eating and drinking, I thought we were quite well-off. But now that I'm in charge, I understand what it means to not know the value of money when you're not in charge. Our work can't function without money, and if we don't have any, it's not that we don't want to do our jobs, but rather that the teachers who rely on our financial support won't be able to do theirs either. There are so many teachers in our village who need to be supported by our finances.

  To get more money, I went to the county finance bureau with Liang Jun and almost begged them for help. We're one of the only villages that relies on county financial aid every year. At first, it was embarrassing, but after a while, you get used to it. However, when others say it to your face, it's still not pleasant.

  I think this situation isn't inevitable. Whether or not we have money reflects the economic development of our area. Right now, we're relying on the 'three increases and five unifications' policy to survive, but we know that farmers are struggling too, and it's hard to ask them for more money. Moreover, even if we do get some money from them, it won't solve our financial problems in the long run.

  The most fundamental solution is still to develop our economy and rely on tax revenue from enterprises to support our government's operations. I think our next step must be to find ways to develop our economy. We have too few enterprises in our village, and even the small winery is currently not operating. I think Secretary Ding can think of some ways to get a big project going and revive the winery.

  At the same time, we need to encourage private enterprise development and not just focus on taking their money as soon as they start making it. If we do that, no one will dare to start businesses or innovate. How can our economy possibly develop well?

  So I suggest that while we're doing other work, we should also research how to develop our economy. We can't just rely on handouts and aid to get by; we need to find a way to make our economy thrive. This is my feeling after becoming village head for a few days. I'm sharing it with everyone so we can discuss it together and come up with some solutions."

  Ye Pingyu gave a speech that was different from the content of the meeting, and after everyone listened to it, they were momentarily stunned, clearly not expecting him to talk about these things. Focusing on economic development seemed somewhat too vague for them.