Chapter 46

"Changqing Wu, you better tell me the truth, how much benefit have you received from them?"

"Secretary Lu, I... I..."

"Forget it, Chief Jiao, you take Old Wu upstairs for a good talk. I’ll discuss the fine with Xiao Han."

The arcade is a minor issue; at worst, it will close, and the outsider outside can be sent away. Old Wu is as timid as a mouse; he might have taken a little advantage, but it won’t be anything serious. In comparison, the public security fine is much more sensitive.

In the past, it could be blamed on Shuncheng Li. No one would argue with a comrade suffering from cancer. But what about the future?

The Comprehensive Governance Office, along with the joint defense team, fines over 100,000 to 200,000 yuan a year, which is not much for the county but is a significant amount for the township. The Public Security Bureau won’t always turn a blind eye; they knew this day would come.

Chief Jiao sighed inwardly and pulled Old Wu, saying, "Alright, let’s go upstairs first."

Secretary Lu doesn’t like beating around the bush. He slammed the meeting room door and said bluntly, "Xiao Han, I know you are dissatisfied with the public security fines being included in the township finances, and I know someone has written a complaint letter. But now you are a cadre of Liangzhuang, and you need to consider Liangzhuang. What are fines? Fines are similar to taxes, they should be taken from the people and used for the people.

If they are handed over to the county, they will either be used to pay the salaries of cadres or for some project. If Liangzhuang’s fines stay in Liangzhuang, we can do something for Liangzhuang. For example, the 'Universal Nine-Year Compulsory Education,' there are many standards for acceptance, such as building a teaching building and buying various instruments, which cost several million. If the fines stay in the township finances, we can reduce the burden on the people."

You make a good point, you are a leader who cares for the people, but the key is that you are fearless, and I am not!

His former unit leader had warned him not to oppose him, or he would really lose his temper. Han Bo didn’t argue, just nodded repeatedly, showing a face of being taught.

"I know you understand the law and are used to handling things according to the law, which is commendable. The key is that the law isn’t always effective. You follow it, but others may not. Let me show you the allocation documents upstairs. They are all red-headed, stacked up this thick, but how many are legal? Even if the fines should be paid to the national treasury, the township finances are also part of the national treasury. We need to be flexible and adaptable. Do you understand what I mean?"

"Secretary Lu, I admit my mistake, but I do have my reasons. I, like you, want to do something for the people of Liangzhuang."

"The ruling has been made, you acted first and reported later. What good is an apology!"

Since he had made up his mind to issue the fine, Han Bo was prepared for this. He took out a cigarette and said carefully, "Secretary Lu, calm down, listen to me. If what I say is wrong, I will personally pay the 3,000 yuan, and the 3,000 yuan fine will go to the township finances."

"Go on, I want to hear your reasoning."

"Secretary Lu, I visited Liangzhuang Village yesterday afternoon. The people raised many issues and are very dissatisfied with our public security work. To get an ID card, they have to travel 40 to 50 kilometers. The first trip is to apply, and they have to wait a month to pick it up, sometimes requiring multiple trips. If they lose it and need to go out to work, getting a temporary one is too slow, so they have to get a certificate from the village or township.

Some places recognize it, some don’t. In Liangzhuang Village alone, in the past two years, six villagers have been detained and sent back by the local public security authorities for not having an ID card. They are not immediately sent back but are detained, waiting until enough people are gathered before being sent back, just like being in a detention center, where they have to work. They can’t work, can’t earn money, and have to suffer."

The Construction Bureau sends back over ten workers every year, all because the police station didn’t issue ID cards in time. Secretary Lu rubbed his face and asked coldly, "What does this have to do with public security fines?"

"It’s not directly related, but it is indirectly related. Secretary Lu, this is what I think: pay the fines that should be paid, and ask the county bureau for a few police officers, especially household registration officers, to set up a police station. This way, the people can find a place to report crimes, and they won’t have to run back and forth to the county to get an ID card or a temporary certificate."

"Can a police station issue ID cards and household registration books?"

"Of course not. ID cards can only be issued by the bureau, and household registration books need the police station’s seal. But we can handle it for them. I know the cadres and people of the whole township are worried about Liangzhuang merging with Dinghu. I don’t need household registration data, just a certificate from the township. I will handle it for them based on the township’s certificate, and arrange for someone to go to the household registration department of the bureau, so the people don’t have to travel so far."

"What does this have to do with public security fines?"

"The township finances are tight, and the bureau’s funds are even tighter. If I don’t legally increase the bureau’s income, how can the bureau give me people? Secretary Lu, I admit my mistake for not consulting you and privately asking the bureau for four police officers. If I can get four police officers and set up a police station, wouldn’t Liangzhuang be like having a police station? A township can’t always lack a police station, right?"

Han Bo offered another cigarette and took out a lighter to help light it.

A township without a police station is embarrassing.

But being embarrassed is better than losing money. With 200,000 yuan, 34 people can be paid, and a lot of invoices can be reimbursed. If there were no 200,000 yuan, they would have to find it from somewhere else.

Secretary Lu is not someone to be easily persuaded. He raised his head and said, "What you said makes some sense, but the public security fines must go to the township finances. In the past, no receipts were given, which was a lack of consideration by the township. From now on, receipts will be issued, and the township government’s seal will be stamped."

"Secretary Lu, I am indeed considering the whole township. How about this, whatever the bureau returns, I will pay the same amount to the township finances." Truly a stubborn stone, Han Bo gritted his teeth and haggled like a businessman.

"How much does the bureau return?"

"10%."

"10% is useless!"

"Secretary Lu, the county finances don’t fully return the funds. The bureau giving me 10% is already a lot."

The Public Security Bureau might send someone else next time. If the complainants send the complaint letter to the provincial level, it will be very troublesome. Public security fines are different from other allocations; the law is on their side. The people have to travel so far and make multiple trips to get a certificate, and these practical difficulties must be considered.

Secretary Lu is not one to act recklessly. After weighing the options, he said firmly, "60%, 60% to the township finances, and you get back the public security ruling authority. The salaries and expenses of the incoming police officers will have to be handled by themselves. The township finances are tight and cannot provide subsidies like other townships."

"The county finances only return a small amount to the bureau, and the bureau cannot agree to this."

"You don’t decide. Call your leader."

"You are my leader."

"50%, can you accept that? It will make it easier for you to report to your bureau leader."

"Secretary Lu, please listen to me..."

He was asking for the sky, and Han Bo was bargaining on the ground. One wanted to reclaim the public security penalty authority, the other didn’t want to make a big deal but wanted to gain an advantage. Han Bo persistently pleaded, and Old Lu didn’t want to drag it out, so they settled on 40%.

Han Bo used Old Lu’s mobile phone to call the bureau leader on the spot.

Being able to reclaim the ruling authority is already a good outcome. Any fines the bureau can get are better than nothing. The bureau leader considered it a phased victory and agreed to Old Lu’s conditions. Considering that Special Envoy Han couldn’t lack funds, they decided to return a total of 43%, with 40% going to the township finances and 3% to the police station.

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