Chapter 39

According to tradition, new officials should be welcomed, and old officials should be seen off when they leave. China is a society of personal relationships, and Liangzhuang Township is no exception. However, unlike other townships, they don't invite a large number of people to accompany guests. It's not common to have three or four tables just for one person.

If there are guests, the finance office is responsible. If someone from the judicial bureau comes, the judicial office will host them, with a division leader or a township party committee member who is available participating. There's only one table, and expenses are saved wherever possible.

The public security commissioner, being a single person, can only be welcomed by the political and legal comprehensive governance department.

The township government doesn't have a canteen. Those who live in the township go home to eat, and those with family in Liangzhuang cook in their dormitories. The few single officials either eat at the township health center canteen or join the meals at the building materials machinery factory canteen, which has average benefits.

The welcome banquet was arranged at the only restaurant in the township, "Fushao Restaurant," opposite the post office. It's a three-story building, owned by the owner. The first floor sells cold dishes and ready-to-eat food, with two square tables for casual guests. The second floor has four private rooms, two large and two small, and the third floor is for living.

The public security commissioner has a low rank but considerable power, and it's unknown if he has other tasks. He can't be treated like an ordinary official. Deputy Secretary Cui specially asked Fushao to prepare better dishes and brought out Luzhou Laojiao wine.

"Secretary Cui, Secretary Lu is on his way. He asked us to add another pair of chopsticks, and Manager Wang will also come over." Deputy Township Chief Zhang ran upstairs after making a call downstairs.

"Manager Wang is coming. Two bottles might not be enough. Zhengfa, go down and get another one."

"Okay, Commissioner Han, please sit."

The cold dishes were on the table, and the wine bottle was opened, waiting for the top leader to start the banquet. Han Bo quickly greeted everyone: "Secretary Cui, Chief Zhang, Director Li, I'm sorry, but I have an allergic constitution and can't drink alcohol. If I drink, I have to go to the hospital. Can I substitute tea for alcohol later?"

"Allergic constitution?" Deputy Secretary Cui was skeptical.

"There's a long road ahead. You'll know in the future. I can't drink alcohol, eat taro, or pineapple. If I drink or eat these things, I'll get red bumps all over my body, which is uncomfortable and looks scary."

"Commissioner Han, when you meet a true friend, a thousand cups of wine are not enough. Drink as much as you can. Drink well, whether you drink a lot or a little. If you can drink but don't, it's not good." Deputy Township Chief Zhang didn't believe him at all.

"Chief Zhang, I'm not joking. I really can't drink. Besides, I carry a gun and drive a car. Even if I could drink, I wouldn't dare to."

The Public Security Bureau didn't treat people fairly. Old Li worked as a public security commissioner for many years but never got a gun. This young man not only has a gun but also a car, showing the difference in treatment.

Deputy Secretary Cui was very annoyed by this favoritism. He said casually, "If you don't want to drink, that's fine. Zhengfa, go get two more bottles of drinks."

"Oh." Director of the Comprehensive Governance Office, Zhou Zhengfa, glanced at him and put down the wine he had just brought up, then ran downstairs.

This wasn't a place to discuss work. Public security work has a certain degree of independence, and there wasn't much to talk about. The township officials chatted and joked while waiting for Secretary Lu.

"Following the Propaganda Department, you always make mistakes; following the United Front Work Department, you get benefits; following the Foreign Ministry, going abroad is like taking a walk; following the Organization Department, you make progress every year. Commissioner Han just attended the sixth young cadre training class and is registered in the county organization department. He has a bright future."

Being an official in Liangzhuang Township has its advantages, such as guaranteed wages, but the disadvantage is that it's hard to advance.

This time, the county organization department organized a young cadre training class and promoted many deputy section-level officials. The heavily indebted Dinghu Town had two, but Liangzhuang Township, which was debt-free, had none. They had many complaints about the organization department and joked freely, not worrying about any impact.

The sayings they used were quite fitting. The central and provincial governments repeatedly emphasized reducing the burden on farmers, and the media constantly promoted this. They listened to the propaganda and the central government, and tried not to impose levies, striving to reduce the burden on farmers.

For example, the city required every official, employee, and farmer to donate 20 yuan for the airport expansion, which was included in the assessment. When the document reached Liangzhuang Township, Secretary Lu changed it with a pen, making it 20 yuan per household instead of per person. As a result, the higher-ups were unhappy, the assessment was not up to standard, and they were criticized at a meeting...

"Age is a treasure, and a degree is essential. Commissioner Han is young and has a degree, so his promotion is just a matter of time. Unlike us, who have dedicated our youth to the Communist Party, offended the surrounding masses, worked hard day and night, and still need our children to support us in old age."

"Chief Zhang, you left out a part. The full saying is: Age is a treasure, a degree is essential, virtue and talent are considered, but the most important is the backing."

Deputy Township Chief Zhang, who was well-informed, said with enthusiasm, "Commissioner Han is a cadre from the silk factory. Factory Director Hou is about to be appointed as the deputy county magistrate. That's a strong backing. So, for an official to advance, you must be capable first, then someone must say you are capable, and finally, the person who says you are capable must also be capable."

"Oh, so Commissioner Han has all the advantages of time, place, and people!"

"You just figured it out. It's a pity that Commissioner Han doesn't drink. Otherwise, I would have toasted him more."

They probably thought and viewed things the same way as the bureau leaders. No wonder Factory Director Hou said those heartfelt words last night.

There was no point in explaining. The more you explain, the more suspicious it looks.

Having a backing is not a shameful thing in this environment. The key is to work hard and achieve something, not to let the leaders who support you lose face.

Han Bo smiled but didn't speak, refilled their tea, and offered them cigarettes, acting as a waiter.

They were chatting enthusiastically when Secretary Lu arrived.

His appearance was completely different from what they imagined. He was tall, with a square face, neatly combed hair, and clearly dyed. He wore a white shirt and gray trousers, clean and tidy, with few wrinkles, looking younger than his actual age. He carried a mobile phone bag, looking like a big boss rather than a rough official.

Manager Wang of the Construction Station, who entered with him, was short and plump, with a ruddy face, wearing a Moncler jacket and carrying a pager and a mobile phone.

The richest enterprise manager in the township, Manager Wang, had a status in Liangzhuang similar to Factory Director Hou in the county. He had made the Construction Station thrive, with six or seven construction teams working in major cities like the capital, Donghai, and Jiangcheng. It was said he had once won a Luban Award, and the building materials machinery factory, which had good benefits, was also his creation.

Deputy Secretary Cui introduced him, and Han Bo stood up, saluted, and greeted him respectfully. Under the current fiscal system, making a township debt-free was indeed commendable.

The young man was energetic. For his arrival, Lu Huisheng was neither particularly happy nor particularly annoyed.

Before this, the township had communicated with the Public Security Bureau multiple times, suggesting that the bureau appoint a township official to replace Li Shuncheng according to tradition. Zhou Zhengfa, the director of the Comprehensive Governance Office, was familiar with the situation and had rich work experience, making him the best candidate. However, the bureau procrastinated and sent this young man instead.

The township's power was decreasing, and responsibilities were increasing, so they had to accept it. But since he was here, he had to follow the leadership of the township party committee.

Lu Huisheng pulled Han Bo to sit beside him and smiled, saying, "Xiao Han, you came at the right time. The Construction Station is in trouble, and the township's trouble is also the township's trouble. We need you to help solve it. Over a million yuan in project funds have been owed for several years. The police have a deterrent effect, and going in a police car will be even more effective. The party is in Jiangcheng, not far away. It will be a bit tiring, but please make a trip."

Sending police officers to collect debts, what a joke!

To make such a request at their first meeting, was it a test? Han Bo thought for a moment and asked hesitantly, "Secretary Lu, if... if I go and they still don't pay, what should I do?"

He didn't refuse outright or mention the regulations.

Lu Huisheng felt more favorably towards him and said seriously, "Xiao Han, you are now a township official. Let me be frank. The township's finances are tight, and the autumn collection may not be fully collected, and even if it is, it will be used for other purposes. The October salary has been paid, but there's no money for November and December. We are waiting for this project fund to pay the salaries of officials and teachers and to reimburse medical expenses for officials, teachers, and retirees. If they don't pay according to the contract, it's contract fraud, which is a crime! We should file a case and arrest them if necessary!"

"Secretary Lu, this is an economic dispute. The local police won't let me bring people back."

"He's in Jiangcheng. If he were in Nan港, I wouldn't need you to go. I would take people and smash his office myself. You studied in Jiangcheng, so you know the situation. First, try to reason with them. If they refuse, then take a sudden action, arrest the person, and drive back as fast as possible. Once we're home, we have the upper hand."

This is debt collection plus kidnapping. Han Bo finally understood why Political Commissar Yuan said that Comrade Li Shuncheng often participated in controversial non-police activities.

The public security commissioner must work under the leadership of the township party committee and government. Saying no would be easy, but the consequences would be severe. Without the support of township leaders, he would be unable to function and accomplish any work.

Xiao Lei will be coming over in a few days. If he goes, he goes, to show his attitude. Arresting people is impossible; he must not commit a principled error.

After weighing the options, Han Bo looked up and said, "Secretary Lu, I will follow the township party committee's arrangement. Additionally, I have some legal knowledge. Could you copy the contract related to this project fund for me to study? This way, I can have a better understanding and act reasonably, whether I use persuasion or force."

It wasn't a test; it was a real issue. He had been studying it all morning.

The young man was educated and had high awareness, unlike those bookworms who are too rigid and inflexible. The officials in Liangzhuang should be like this.

Lu Huisheng was very pleased and laughed heartily, "Manager Wang, did you hear that? Take care of the contract after the meal. Xiao Han will be driving a long distance alone, which is tiring and unsafe. Arrange a driver to take turns with him, and prepare 3,000 yuan for expenses. Zhengfa, take two patrol team members with you and follow Xiao Han's instructions."

"Okay, we'll take care of it after the meal."

What's wrong with the police collecting debts? The procuratorate does it too. Manager Wang, who had traveled widely, had seen this many times. If Li Shuncheng weren't in the hospital, he would have done this job.

Why send so many people? If the situation gets out of control, what if Zhou Zhengfa and others take action?

Han Bo quickly said, "Secretary Lu, Manager Wang, if Director Zhou goes with me, who will take care of the township's security? If someone calls 110, there will be no one to respond. Besides, the township's finances are tight, and we don't need to spend so much on travel expenses. Manager Wang, please arrange a colleague who knows the situation, and we'll go together."

"Xiao Han, debt collection is one of the most important tasks for our township. We will hold a mobilization meeting tomorrow morning, and every official, including those from the stations and offices, will have a task. Chief Jiao will be responsible for the villages, and I will be responsible for the enterprises. The building machinery factory has over 800,000 yuan outside, and the oil mill has over 100,000 yuan. Although the refractory materials factory has closed, the receivables cannot be written off...

You are from the police, have a gun, and have a deterrent effect, so your task is the most challenging. Considering the difficulty of recovering this project fund, I don't require you to recover it all at once. If you can recover 400,000 yuan, your task will be considered complete, and I will celebrate your success when you return."

I said it would take more than a million yuan to pay the salaries of hundreds of people for two months. It turns out he knows it won't be easy to collect, and he has a backup plan, striking out in all directions to recover as much as possible.

"Secretary Lu, I can't guarantee that I will recover the project fund, but I will do my best."

"Good, good job. I'm waiting for your good news."

...

PS: Thank you to "Evaluation Reader," "Shepherd818," "Book Wrong Book," "Chase Good Books," "A$「卐」Sand Boat「String Sky」," "I Really Don't Want to Fly," "A~Mou," "Dong Wuwei Zhenren," and "Koko Man" for your generous donations. Your support is the motivation for Commissioner Han to keep going. O(∩_∩)O

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