Chapter 43: No Falling Behind, Even if Skin and Flesh Fall Off

As soon as Zheng Shiguang returned, Wang Jian reported to him about the establishment of the agricultural structure adjustment leadership group and the investigation of the township education committee's accounts. After listening, Zheng Shiguang expressed support for the establishment of the leadership group but remained noncommittal about the investigation of Ma Zenggong.

"Wang Township Chief, you have always been in charge of the adjustment of the agricultural structure, which is a government matter. I fully support it. However, I think we need to be cautious about having the county audit bureau investigate the accounts. What do you think?" Zheng Shiguang said.

Wang Jian saw that Zheng Shiguang's reluctance to support the investigation of Ma Zenggong was clearly out of consideration for Fang Zhiming's face, and given that Ma Zenggong had a good relationship with him, he would not rashly agree to Wang Jian's request to investigate Ma Zenggong.

"Ma Zenggong's misappropriation of funds for the renovation of dilapidated houses seriously violates financial discipline. When I mentioned it to him, he didn't take it seriously. I have already informed him that we will invite the county audit bureau to investigate the accounts to see where the money went. If we allow Ma Zenggong to use the funds for the renovation of dilapidated houses at will, we will not be able to bear the consequences if something goes wrong in the future!" Wang Jian had to warn Zheng Shiguang.

The renovation of dilapidated houses in schools is a very serious matter. If Ma Zenggong and Fang Zhiming do not take it seriously, and if the higher authorities find out during an inspection that the houses have not been properly renovated, both he and Wang Jian will not be able to avoid some leadership responsibility, at the very least for failing to supervise. Moreover, since Wang Jian has already raised the issue, he will be accused of covering up for Ma Zenggong. Zheng Shiguang had to consider this and could not easily reject Wang Jian's suggestion.

"I mean to be cautious, not to refuse the investigation. Let's wait until I have a clearer understanding of the situation before we decide," Zheng Shiguang said, trying to buy some time.

Wang Jian, seeing the situation, knew that Zheng Shiguang would not immediately agree to his request, so he did not insist and let him consider it further.

As he came out of the office, he saw Fang Zhiming and Ma Zenggong walking over. They greeted Wang Jian awkwardly and walked past. Wang Jian knew they had also reported the issue to Zheng Shiguang and hoped that Zheng Shiguang would remain clear-headed and not be misled by them.

A few days later, Wang Jian officially established the Xianhe Township Agricultural Structure Adjustment Leadership Group and gave a motivational speech at a meeting of all the township officials: "The township party committee and government have decided to establish the Agricultural Structure Adjustment Leadership Group to fully promote the adjustment of the agricultural structure in the entire township. I hope everyone will take this matter seriously and do a good job. Xianhe Township's economy is very backward, and our financial income is far from meeting the needs of the entire township. Even the payment of officials' salaries is a problem. As the township chief, I feel deeply ashamed. Our neighboring regions face the same opportunities, but why have they developed while we remain backward? I think this is not a regional issue but a human issue, not an economic backwardness issue but a backwardness in people's thinking, not a backwardness in the masses but a backwardness in the officials. After much reflection, the problem lies with us. Our officials lack passion, a sense of excellence, and a development mindset. They always hope to gain something from the people. How can such a work style lead the people to prosperity? From today, I hope everyone will rise up and improve all aspects of work. We need a slogan: 'No tears from blood and sweat, no falling behind even if skin and flesh fall off.' We must comprehensively promote the economic development of Xianhe Township to achieve leapfrog growth!"

Wang Jian's passionate speech touched some officials, but it would take more than a day to change the deep-rooted problems. The people would watch how the officials acted, and the lower-level officials would watch how the leaders acted. To change the work style of Xianhe Township's officials would not be easy, especially for the middle-level officials, whose long-term laziness would be difficult to change. As the saying goes, 'If you don't change your mindset, you will be replaced.' Wang Jian wanted to do this, but the conditions were not yet ripe.

After the mobilization meeting, Xianhe Township had sounded the call for development. Wang Jian decided to establish a pilot project for vegetable greenhouse cultivation in Xianhe Township and to have the rural credit cooperative provide funds to support the development of vegetable greenhouses. Lu Mingxiang's vegetable greenhouse had already shown good results, and the initial 23 households in the township that had engaged in vegetable greenhouse cultivation had also achieved significant benefits, which had encouraged more people to join.

To ensure high standards and a high starting point for the vegetable greenhouse cultivation, Wang Jian called Chen Yu and asked him to find a technical expert to explain the relevant knowledge about vegetable greenhouses. After receiving Wang Jian's call, Chen Yu thought for a moment and said, "No problem. I will come to your place soon and help you think of a solution."

Wang Jian hung up the phone happily and then called Zhu Zhaoming and Du Xiaobei to go to Xianhe Village.

As they arrived in Xianhe Village, the village secretary, Lu Fang, smiled and came forward to greet them. Regardless of any tricks he had played on Wang Jian in the past, he now had to show respect.

"Secretary Lu, the township has decided to conduct a pilot project for the adjustment of the agricultural structure in your village. You must fully support it," Wang Jian said as soon as he got out of the car.

Lu Fang chuckled and said, "If Township Chief Wang trusts me so much, how can I not support it? I'm just afraid the people won't be willing to participate."

"Whether the people are willing to participate is a matter of their awareness, but we must first know how to mobilize and lead them. Actually, it's a mistake for the township to take charge of this. The real key is at the village level. If you can lead the people to prosperity, the township won't have to worry about it!" Wang Jian said earnestly.

Lu Fang did not argue. As a village official, his theoretical level was definitely not as high as that of the township officials. Therefore, when discussing certain matters, he always agreed, but after the meeting, he would still do as he pleased. Wang Jian knew the nature of village officials and thus placed his hopes on Lu Mingxiang.

Since Lu Jun was driving for Wang Jian in the township, Lu Fang did not dare to look down on Lu Mingxiang anymore. He had someone call Lu Mingxiang to meet Wang Jian.

Seeing Lu Mingxiang, Wang Jian said, "Old Lu, the township wants you to lead ten households in developing vegetable greenhouses. Do you have the confidence?"

Seeing Wang Jian's trust, Lu Mingxiang was very excited and said, "Township Chief Wang, I have the confidence to lead fifteen households."

Seeing Lu Mingxiang's enthusiastic appearance, Wang Jian felt that mobilizing the people through the people was much more effective than the government going door-to-door. If the government forced the promotion of projects, it would have the opposite effect.

After talking to Lu Mingxiang, Wang Jian asked Lu Fang to call all the village officials together, thinking that it would be better for the village officials to take the lead in supporting the vegetable greenhouse project.

Several village officials came one after another, but one was still missing. Wang Jian could not help but get angry and asked, "Secretary Lu, why is someone still not here?"

Lu Fang said helplessly, "They are always like this at meetings. Sometimes they come, sometimes they don't."

Wang Jian thought for a moment and decided to use this opportunity to warn Lu Fang and show him his authority.

"Secretary Lu, as the secretary of the general branch and the party branch, ensuring the smooth implementation of policies is your basic duty. If they don't come to meetings, what use are such village officials? They only come to fight for benefits. You should propose to the township to deal with such officials!" Wang Jian said sternly.

Lu Fang lowered his head. He did not want the village officials to be like this, and Wang Jian's words hit home. He did not argue but said, "Township Chief Wang, you are right. I can't do anything about such village officials. If the township decides to take action, I will report it."

Without continuing the topic, Wang Jian turned to the meeting and said, "The township has decided to make Xianhe Village a pilot project for the adjustment of the agricultural structure. The village officials must take the lead. If there is no money, the credit cooperative will provide loans, and the government will subsidize the interest. I think this policy is very good, providing conditions for those who want to get rich but lack capital. Old Lu is now a technician, and you can have him guide you. The township will hire him and pay him a portion of his salary. In a few days, I will invite technical experts from the province to help you with the vegetable greenhouses. You must believe that the township is making a great effort to adjust the agricultural structure, and the direction of vegetable greenhouses is correct. As long as we work hard, we will achieve great results."

When Lu Mingxiang heard that the township would pay him, he said as soon as Wang Jian finished, "Township Chief Wang, I don't want the salary."

Wang Jian said, "Being a technician will take up a lot of your time. It's not fair not to pay you. Don't refuse. Just do a good job."

Lu Mingxiang did not say anything more. The village officials, hearing about the subsidized loans, became interested and planned to take advantage of the opportunity to get some money. However, Wang Jian had already anticipated this and said, "The subsidized loans provided by the township must be used for vegetable greenhouse cultivation. If anyone uses the loan for other purposes, the money will be reclaimed from the people, and the officials will be dealt with severely!"

Everyone was immediately discouraged. Wang Jian did not care and said to Lu Fang, "Let's go to the fields. If there are interested people, they can come along!"

Wang Jian, Zhu Zhaoming, and Lu Fang walked through the village. The villagers, hearing that the township chief was inspecting the vegetable greenhouses, followed them to Lu Mingxiang's greenhouse.

Seeing the lush vegetables in Lu Mingxiang's greenhouse, Wang Jian was very pleased. If these vegetables could be sold in supermarkets, the price would be higher than on street stalls. If they could be exported, the price would be even higher. Therefore, the distribution issue was crucial. If Chen Yu could help solve the distribution problem, the villagers would benefit even more.

Seeing the crowd gather, Wang Jian called out loudly, "Fellow villagers, the township will support you in developing vegetable greenhouses, providing subsidized loans and technical experts. If you are interested, you can make a request to the village or to Old Lu beside me. The township will help you with the loan procedures. You must seize this opportunity and walk the path to prosperity!"

The crowd was immediately excited. Wang Jian hoped they would understand the township government's efforts and bravely and boldly walk the path to prosperity.

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End of the chapter.