Chapter 55

Mr. Jiang Guoping, the old boss, had never been a real leader, but he talked about the art of governance with great confidence.

That night at the Silk Hotel, he talked a lot, such as respecting the old cadres, and how "reporting and consulting" would never be wrong, which made a lot of sense.

As the newly appointed public security commissioner, it was appropriate to visit the former public security commissioner, Li Shuncheng, in the hospital.

The reason he hadn't gone yet was, first, there were too many things to do, and he really couldn't spare the time. Second, Li Shuncheng was being treated at the Nangang City Tumor Hospital, which was over 70 kilometers from Sigon and over 120 kilometers from Liangzhuang, making it too far and inconvenient.

Visiting old cadres could wait, but reporting and consulting could not be vague.

After returning from Jiangcheng, he had to call the bureau leader who had "contacted" him.

"Xiao Han, congratulations on your successful return. With this satellite launched, you've finally stood firm. Old Lu, though ignorant of the law, is not without human feelings. In fact, in some aspects, he is more reasonable than most cadres. You've helped him recover over two million yuan with interest. How can he still cause you trouble, or glare at you? He can't, it's impossible..."

Director Ji was very happy and never asked if the township had shown any gratitude for the recovery of so much project funds.

Not asking was normal. It was already very good that Old Lu didn't extort others. Asking for money from Old Lu was like pulling teeth from a tiger, a dream of a fool.

"Director Ji, in a few days, it will be time to collect the autumn cocoons. I have some leads, but the problem is the severe shortage of police force. As for the joint defense team, the township hasn't let me manage it, and even if they did, I wouldn't dare to use them. They come from various villages, some of which raise silkworms, and some of their neighbors and friends do. If the news leaks, all our efforts will be in vain. Can you think of a way to allocate some people to help for three days, at most three days?"

The provincial economic and trade commission, the provincial industry and commerce bureau, the provincial price bureau, and the provincial silk company jointly issued a notice on strengthening the management of the silk cocoon acquisition market the day before yesterday, requiring that the silk cocoon acquisition in the province this year continue to be managed and operated uniformly by the silk company. No unit or individual may interfere with the acquisition without authorization, and it is strictly forbidden to acquire across cities or counties or to set up acquisition points at the borders. It requires all cities and counties in the province to earnestly implement and execute the policy.

Moreover, the money earned by the silk company must be handed over to the county, and the profit of the silk weaving factory must also be handed over to the county, amounting to tens of millions of yuan annually, which is an important source of income for the county.

Because of the autumn cocoon acquisition, the county had just convened the heads of the economic and trade, industry and commerce, public security, and taxation departments, as well as the main leaders of the silk system and the township chiefs. In a few days, the traffic police and the police from various police stations would all be on the road to intercept and block, which could be said to be the most important task for the bureau in the near future.

He had to guard the western gate and had already received 60,000 yuan in sponsorship from the silk company. He must achieve some results, and the bureau should support him.

The key was that not only Liangzhuang but also other townships raised silkworms.

The criminal investigation team had a lot of cases and could not participate in such actions. The traffic police had to be responsible for the main roads, the police stations had to watch over their respective jurisdictions, and the patrol team was a mobile force that could not be easily allocated. The bureau cadres had to go to the front line to participate in duty. At this critical moment, where could he find people to support him?

Director Ji thought for a moment and said, "Xiao Han, I know you have difficulties, but the bureau needs to make a coordinated arrangement and can't give you too much help. How about this, I'll send the police officers in charge of the jurisdiction and those with household registration management experience to report to you as soon as possible. I'll also consult with Director Zhang, and you can coordinate with your old unit to see if the security team of the silk weaving factory can be quickly integrated into the patrol team. With a dozen old subordinates and a few more from Gao Changxing, you can make up to twenty people, plus your own, twenty-six people should be enough."

"Director Ji, just having people isn't enough; we can't lack transportation. The dealers come in cars, and we can't expect our comrades to chase them on foot."

"Find the industry and commerce bureau and the silk company. We are just helping, and we can also ask them for some funding."

"Alright, I'll think of a way."

The public security system is "line and block management," and he had to report to the leaders on the "line" and the leaders on the "block."

He dialed Old Lu's mobile phone, but it beeped twice and then hung up.

There were two types of self-funded calls within Sigon County: city calls in the urban area and rural calls in the townships.

The mobile phone consumption was too high, with city calls costing 60 cents per minute, and both parties being charged. Rural calls were even more expensive. Old Lu generally used his mobile phone like a pager. Sure enough, after three minutes, he called back on his landline.

He was drinking at a villager's house in Xintang Village. It was noisy there, and he couldn't hear clearly on the phone, but he could feel that he was very happy. He said he would come back soon and asked Xiao Han to wait at the township government.

Although they were all eating and drinking, there was a difference in the eating and drinking.

The cadres of Sihetown were eating for the sake of eating, while Old Lu was forced to go due to the warm hospitality.

Liangzhuang produced talented people. If a child from any family passed the entrance exam for a vocational school, a normal school, or a university, or if a child in the military passed the military school exam, even if they didn't know Old Lu, they would ask the village cadres to invite him. If one family invited him and another didn't, it would be very embarrassing.

It was a custom of many years, and if he didn't go, people would be unhappy.

Tonight, a military officer was getting married. He had already held a wedding in the military and was now bringing his wife back to his hometown for another one. Old Lu had to go, and Minister Niu had to go as well.

There were no less than three hundred such social engagements in a year, meaning he had to go to a village to have a meal and drink with the villagers every day. If he really couldn't spare the time, he would ask Deputy Mayor Jiao or Deputy Secretary Cui to go on his behalf.

Going to the villages every day and mingling with the villagers every day, he was very familiar with the situation in each village and naturally cared about the people.

Unlike the leaders of Sihetown, the people didn't invite them, and they didn't go to the villages unless there was something particularly important. The current secretary and mayor had been in office for two or three years, and their uncles had never seen them until they were invited to a special event.

As Director Ji said, "launching a satellite," helping the township recover a large sum of project funds with interest, his status in the township had risen significantly.

The on-duty cadres were very enthusiastic, offering tea and cigarettes, and indirectly inquiring why he didn't try to stay in Jiangcheng with such strong connections when he was assigned.

Working in a big city was so good. If he really had such strong connections, only a fool would come back.

Not knowing how to explain, he could only make vague responses.

After waiting for more than half an hour, Old Lu and Old Niu returned on bicycles with flashlights.

They were full of alcohol, their faces flushed, and they were holding a plastic bag full of wedding candies.

"The hero has returned. Tomorrow at noon, at Fufu Restaurant, we'll celebrate for you. You don't smoke, so I'll give you these. Here, take them."

Recovering over two million yuan, the township finances had suddenly become more relaxed, and Old Lu was in a very good mood. He handed the bag of wedding candies to him and, along with Minister Niu, began to show concern for his personal matters.

"Accountant Yan from the construction station said you have a girlfriend, who is very beautiful. She sounds like she's from the north. Where is she from, and what are your plans for the future?"

"Xiao Han, we have to drink at their wedding, and we have to drink at yours. You need to hurry up."

"Secretary Lu, Minister Niu, thank you for your concern. My girlfriend is one year behind me and won't graduate until next year. It's a bit early to talk about these things now."

"Alright, you young people have your own ideas. Well, it's really a double celebration."