Chapter 23: Balance of Interests

  "The meeting will be suspended for a while, Mayor Guo, you and I will go out to take a look." The arrival of the municipal party committee propaganda department and media must not be something trivial. Some things that are not handled properly can spread to the sky, so Qi Xiaonan attaches great importance to it. His younger uncle, Qi Congjun, is the deputy director of the Propaganda Department of the Provincial Party Committee in the south, so Qi Xiaonan knows that nothing big will happen without receiving a notice.

  "A few leaders of the municipal propaganda department, you have worked hard all the way, welcome to our Qinghe Town to investigate and report on our work, give us more reports, our development cannot be separated from you." Qi Xiaonan saw at least three people carrying cameras, and his heart was worried, what if something really happened?

  A staff member from the Municipal Propaganda Department immediately came forward to introduce, starting with Luo Chuan, the person in charge of the Party Teaching Section, the Propaganda Section, the News Section, and finally the Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Fuhai Daily.

  Qizixiao Nan felt a little scared after hearing this, wondering if some fool had been caught doing something bad and was now being exposed; or if another disaster had occurred, they all came from the city, how could I not know about any disasters? Someone reported our town's leading cadres. Qizixiao Nan already had over ten different thoughts in her mind.

  Luo Chuan shook hands with Qi Xiaonan, "Secretary Qi, I presume? We're here to interview disaster relief hero Chen Gong. He's one of your government officials, isn't he?"

  Qizhi South hurriedly nodded, "Yes, yes, Comrade Chen Gong indeed played an important role in the disaster relief work."

  Luo Chuan smiled and said to Qi Xiaonan, "He is the typical example we have chosen, ready to be widely publicized throughout the city and even the whole province. This kind of fearless spirit, this kind of dedication to the people's interests, is a model for all party members and cadres!"

  Qizhao Nan tore up the file of Chen Gong's dismissal in his hand, crumpled it into a ball and threw it into the trash can.

  "It's only right, our town is also thinking of how to honor Comrade Chen Gong. Director Luo, you won't believe it, but just now our town's Guo Kechang was saying that he's preparing to suggest to the district that Comrade Chen Gong take on the vacant deputy town head position in our town."

  Kuo Kesheng turned danger into safety. "Yes, yes, yes, our town party committee and government have given Comrade Chen Gong a high evaluation."

  Luo Chuan told the deputy editor of the Daily, "First arrange an interview, Shu Qin is in charge, then go to the disaster scene to take a look, and 'recreate' the specific process again, write it more vividly, you several also record it, go back to the newspaper office to get some materials, prepare to copy and send the deeds to relevant units, report to governments at all levels of districts and counties."

  At this time, Chen Gong knew that Luo Chuan had come to give him a boost, so he deliberately said in Wang Guoqiang's ear, "Director Wang, I heard that there will be a major adjustment of township leaders soon. Don't go back to the Education Bureau, don't ignore me, I still need to ask for your advice."

  "You're already finished, still stubborn." Wang Guoqiang didn't go see Chen Gong.

  Wei Shuqin pushed open the door to the small conference room, and in came camera crews and several assistants. "We are now going to conduct an exclusive interview with Comrade Chen Gong, please cooperate with us and temporarily leave," she said, winking at Chen Gong.

  Wang Guoqiang had no idea what was happening and thought it was just a routine visit from the municipal propaganda department. "The government is currently holding an important meeting, please leave for now, we can talk about whatever later."

  Luochuan listened and then walked in, "Everyone get out, don't affect our time. After I've seen the scene, I still have to go report to the municipal party committee." Luochuan wouldn't actually go report, with his approval they could release the news.

  Qizixiao Nan stood at the door, "Whatever meeting you're having, it's all over now. We need to conduct an exclusive interview with Comrade Chen Gong about his heroic deeds. If you don't have any information to report, then go back to what you were doing. Especially you, Mayor Wang, there are still people waiting for you in your office, hurry up and deal with them." What Qizixiao Nan was most worried about was Wang Guoqiang causing trouble again.

  Exclusive interview with Chen Gong!!!! Advanced deeds!!!!!, Wang Guoqiang felt like he was about to explode, didn't dare to make a scene, and walked out of the small conference room with his head down, suppressing the anger in his heart.

  Zi Xiangnan prepared to close the conference room door, "You take your time with the interview, I'll keep Minister Luo company for a bit, and then we'll go together to see the disaster site."

  Luo Chuan and others sat down in Qi Xiaonan's office, Luo Chuan asked Qi Xiaonan, "Secretary Qi, you suggested that Comrade Chen Gong be appointed as the deputy town head, has the document been drafted?"

  Zi Xioa Nan didn't know what Luo Chuan meant, "I've drafted it, I just finished drafting it today."

  Luo Chuan looked at Qi Xiaonan, "Oh, then let's send it out now. If any leader is not available to sign, they can sign when they return. You see, by next Monday, our publicity will be in full swing. At that time, if you don't take action, you'll be very passive."

  Qizhi Nanpi smiled and said, "Right, right, I'll make a call and have them send it over with red envelopes. That Luo department head, our Qinghe class has also put in a lot of effort this time, can't we also add a few strokes? Provincial Qi Zongjun is my uncle."

  Once the event is reported by the Propaganda Department, it's a political achievement! Who doesn't want to accumulate more of them? Qi Xiaonan knows that the township leadership will be adjusted soon, so he must take the initiative.

  As a system insider, Luo Chuan naturally knew Liu Congjun. "Originally, I was in the same family as Director Qi, and my relationship with Director Qi is very close. Take care of Chen Gong over there, you know what to do."

  Qizhao Nan immediately took out his phone, "Hello, is that Director Yuan? Today, someone from the Municipal Propaganda Department has arrived at our Qinghe Town. It's about Comrade Chen Gong's commendation and special interview. Our town has already studied it, and the report on Comrade Chen Gong's tenure as Deputy Mayor should arrive at the district soon..."

  Yuan Weihua listened on the phone and felt something was off, "Commendation? Meritorious service? Deputy town head? Secretary Qi, which leader from the municipal party committee propaganda department is this?"

  Zi Xiangnan replied, "It's Secretary Luo himself who has come to our district, and he asked me to report to you district leaders, so there's no need to rush to Qinghe Town. They will leave as soon as they finish."

  Yuan Weihua was very unhappy and told Zhao Yanli and the others that they didn't need to wait anymore, and everyone went about their own business. Afterwards, Yuan Weihua thought to himself: Qian Guangming said he wanted to deal with Chen Gong, but Luo Chuan said he wanted to commend Chen Gong. This Qian Guangming is just an ordinary deputy mayor, it seems that the opinions of the city leaders are not unified. Whoever has more power, I'll listen to them. It seems that this kid Chen Gong won't die this time. Yuan Weihua thought for a long time and decided not to respond to Qian Guangming's message. If he asks, he can still tell him about Luo Chuan's matter later.

  Liu Yadong, who received the notice of dispersal, was not reconciled and communicated with Wang Guoqiang on the phone. He learned that some leaders had come to support Chen Gong, so he reported to Mayor Qian Guangming. When Mayor Qian knew it was Luo Chuan who went, he immediately changed his tone and told Liu Yadong to be more magnanimous and not hinder others' development and progress.

  Wang Guoqiang thought it was Qian Guangming's phone call, thinking that the savior had appeared again. "Hello, Mayor Qian, it seems we need to think of another way to deal with him."

  "What are you thinking about all day? This matter is settled. I've put the 50,000 yuan in a box at our neighborhood gate, with your name on it. If you don't come to take it today, I'll hand it over to the Discipline Inspection Commission tomorrow."

  Wang Guoqiang felt wronged in his heart, how did things become like this.

  Chen Gong thus moved back one round under Luo Chuan's strong intervention, and it is very likely that he will be appointed as the deputy town head soon. Before the formal appointment, Chen Gong no longer serves as the director of the Social Affairs Office, but only as the assistant to the town head, assisting Guo Ke in his overall work. The position of Director of the Social Affairs Office was taken over by Li Fenghua under Chen Gong's recommendation.

  At this time, the adjustment work of the town leadership team is being carried out in a tight and secretive manner.

  At the district committee standing committee meeting, Huang Zhengming presided over the meeting.

  "Okay, next let's talk about the personnel changes in Qinghe Town. Director Song, please brief everyone." Huang Zhengming asked Song Huiyun to speak, and at this time, Song Huiyun was already a member of the district committee and head of the organization department.

  "Now, let me tell you about Comrade Qi Xionan, who has been transferred to the District Construction Bureau as Party Secretary and Director. Comrade Guo Kesheng has gone to the District People's Air Defense Office as Deputy Director...". Guo Kesheng is older, his work adjustment was a result of Chen Gong making a phone call to Song Huiyun with a thick face, handling his own affairs himself. But Mayor Guo treats Chen Gong well, he just has limited abilities."

  "The new leadership of Qinghe Town, the original secretary of Luohetown Chen Liqi serves as the secretary of Qinghe Town, Chen Gong serves as the deputy secretary of the party committee and acting mayor of Qinghe Town. The deputy mayors are Zhang Zhuli, Ning Wenjing, and Tang Xiaoyi, a former section chief from the district planning bureau."

  Before the meeting, Liu Yadong came to find Song Huiyun and studied the adjustment of the Qinghe Town leadership team. They finally reached a consensus: Wang Guoqiang was appointed as the head of Luohetown, Chen Gong was appointed as the acting town head (deputy town head level) of Qinghe Town, but with the word "acting" added, which is the road paved by Song Huiyun for Chen Gong's next promotion. In this way, when considering candidates of the same level, priority will be given to Chen Gong.

  Liu Yadong promised to give full support to Yuan Weihua, Song Huiyun also guaranteed that Zhao Yanli would stand on her side. Both sides vowed to protect Wang Guoqiang and Chen Gong, and agreed to put aside past misunderstandings for the time being and not interfere with each other's work in the future.

  Liu Yadong and Wang Guoqiang exchanged greetings, Song Huiyun also spoke with Chen Gong, Wang Guoqiang and Chen Gong both temporarily yielded, first dividing the benefits equally, then talking about the matter of competing in martial arts, the two knew that they would never be true friends.

  Zhang Zhuli was able to take the position of deputy mayor, which is entirely due to his work achievements over the past seven or eight years. He has made significant contributions and worked hard, at least in the end Ning Wenjing, this is Qi Xiaonan's efforts to protect him, whether there are any unreliable people behind the scenes, everyone can only guess.

  "I have no opinion on Comrade Chen Gong's appointment, let him try out the position of town head for now, if he can do it then make it official; as for Wang Guoqiang, Minister Song, you all should reconsider." Huang Zhengming expressed his own opinion after hearing this.

  Song Huiyun had promised Liu Yadong, of course, to fulfill the promise. "Secretary Huang, after our organization department's investigation, Comrade Wang Guoqiang has made great achievements in his town work experience over the past few years and has done many good things for the town and the people. He is fully qualified to take on the role of town head. Of course, a few days ago, Wang Guoqiang himself still had some shortcomings, but after our re-investigation, his style, and the positivity of his work and life have changed, and he has become more energetic."

  Liu Yadong immediately followed up, fearing that once Secretary Chen made a decision, it would be final. "Confirmed, Comrade Wang Guoqiang's performance during the last disaster in Qinghe was not satisfactory, but his achievements in the subsequent resettlement and post-disaster reconstruction work are obvious to all. I have no opinion on Minister Song's adjustment of the Qinghe leadership team."

  "I have no opinion either." Yuan District Director also spoke up.

  "I have no opinion either." Director Zhao also spoke up.

  Several standing committee members had no objection, and Secretary Huang could no longer force Wang Guoqiang off the list. "Alright, let's move on to the next town."

  The official appointment document has been released, Qi Xiaonan left with fanfare, and Guo Kesheng also didn't show weakness in following suit. Chen Gong becoming the deputy town head was already a well-known fact to everyone. The biggest dark horse is Wang Guoqiang, and it's not surprising that Wang Guoqiang was excluded by Secretary Huang.

  After much effort and luck, with a large part due to Song Huiyun's original intention, Chen Gong finally registered for the position of town mayor, although it was just an acting role, but he could already command a side. Now Chen Gong's mentality has changed slightly, many things have to be decided by himself, and he must be tougher, can't be as obedient as before.