Chapter 8: Each with Their Own Agenda

After the expanded meeting of the provincial party committee, the call for strengthening rural work immediately grew louder. Provincial and local media began to seek out various exemplary cases of rural work. For a time, rural work seemed to leap up from the ground, becoming a focal point of public attention. The achievements in rural work sprouted like bamboo shoots after a spring rain, making the farmers feel that they had been living in happiness all along.

After Jiang Ming returned to Simeng City, he also convened a city-wide rural work conference, intensively deploying rural work, and required all counties and districts to focus on rural development, agricultural progress, and increased income for farmers. Seeing that all counties and districts had started to take action, Ren Pingyi felt that he could not fall behind. The original plan to develop a grain warehouse would not yield results, and the farmers would not buy into it. At that time, there were no grain subsidies, and no one was willing to stick to growing grain. Based on the actual situation, he wanted to propose to Jiang Ming that they should not be confined to the grain warehouse development plan and should also adjust the agricultural structure to solve the rural issues.

In fact, even if Ren Pingyi did not say it, Jiang Ming had already decided not to let Dongting County bear the responsibility of being a grain warehouse. Because Wang Jian's agricultural structural adjustment had been registered with the provincial party secretary, if he were to ask about the progress of Dongting County's agricultural structural adjustment in the future, how would he answer?

As soon as the rural work conference ended, he specifically called Ren Pingyi aside to talk to him.

"Ren Pingyi, what are your thoughts on the agricultural structural adjustment in your county?" Jiang Ming wanted to hear Ren Pingyi's opinion first.

Ren Pingyi had originally intended to present his views to Jiang Ming. Now that Jiang Ming asked directly, he spoke frankly: "Secretary Jiang, I think we should also adjust the agricultural structure and not stick to the grain warehouse development plan."

Jiang Ming chuckled and said, "Are you in a hurry? Since the province has issued policies, our city will of course follow the provincial lead. The original grain warehouse plan set by the city party committee no longer counts. As long as your measures are appropriate and you can develop, you can boldly adjust the agricultural structure."

"Secretary Jiang, how can we not be in a hurry! If others are allowed to do it and we are not, we will fall behind in the current situation." Ren Pingyi, who was promoted by Jiang Ming, spoke without much reservation, expressing his true feelings.

Jiang Ming laughed heartily and said, "Ren Pingyi, your impatience hasn't changed. Alright, let you go ahead and see what you can do!"

"Please rest assured, Secretary Jiang. We have a pilot project in the township, and we will definitely achieve results!" Ren Pingyi recalled the materials given to him by the county agricultural bureau, which were about the typical case of agricultural structural adjustment in Xianhe Township.

"Is that so? Tell me more!" Jiang Ming asked.

Ren Pingyi then described the vegetable greenhouse project in Xianhe Township but did not mention Wang Jian's name.

However, Jiang Ming brought it up: "Ren Pingyi, I blamed you last time. You must give Wang Jian a good position!"

"Wang Jian? Which Wang Jian?" Ren Pingyi asked in confusion.

Jiang Ming sighed, "The one who spoke in front of Zhao Bingzhi and published an article in the HeXi Development Forum. The young man I criticized over the phone last time. I didn't expect him to catch the attention of the provincial party secretary, Shu. Have you not made things difficult for him?"

Ren Pingyi was surprised, "It's him? At that time, I just called the secretary of Xianhe Township, and did nothing else. Secretary Jiang, what does it mean that the provincial party secretary is paying attention to him? Is there any connection between the provincial party secretary and him?"

"In a provincial meeting, Shu Yongchen mentioned this young man, praising his article and his capabilities, saying he is a very talented person and should be discovered and cultivated by the organization. He even asked me about him, so I had to praise Wang Jian as well. I don't know if Shu Yongchen was just inspired or had some ulterior motive, or if there is any connection between them. If there is a connection, it wouldn't make sense to place him here; he should be at a provincial level. The situation is unclear." Jiang Ming frowned at the end.

This was unprecedented news, and Ren Pingyi was shocked. If Wang Jian had a connection with Shu Yongchen, his previous attitude towards Wang Jian was inappropriate. Fortunately, he had not directly interacted with Wang Jian; it was Zhang Zeguang who had been suppressing him.

"Secretary Jiang, what should I do now? Should I immediately give him a good position?" Ren Pingyi asked.

Jiang Ming thought for a moment and said, "Although we are not yet clear about the relationship between Wang Jian and Shu Yongchen, it's better to be safe than sorry. One thing is certain: this young man is very bold and talented, and he has the courage to speak in front of a vice-provincial leader and publish an article in the provincial party organ. He must have some backing, or he wouldn't have been able to publish it. These aspects show that he is a person worth cultivating. If you let Liu Qingshan take him, it would be bad. This time, Duan Huaimin also attended the expanded meeting of the provincial party committee, and he might have already told Liu Qingshan about this. You should take the initiative to pull him in. As long as you pull him in, it doesn't matter whether he has a connection with Shu Yongchen or not. He can be used as our resource."

Ren Pingyi listened carefully. It seemed that Jiang Ming had this idea, and his reaction was a bit slow.

"Xianhe Township is currently short of a deputy township head. The director of the party and government office is preparing to take over. How about letting Wang Jian serve as the director of the party and government office?" Ren Pingyi proposed a way to pull Wang Jian in.

Jiang Ming pondered for a moment and said, "The director of the party and government office is a big position in the township, but what Wang Jian needs to do is to strengthen the agricultural structural adjustment. The position and responsibility do not match. I think it would be better to directly promote him to the deputy township head in charge of agriculture."

Jiang Ming's words left Ren Pingyi amazed. A university graduate who had just started working being promoted to deputy township head seemed like a big leap, but he could not ignore Jiang Ming's words. A leader must have the courage to make bold decisions, not only in actions but also in personnel appointments.

"Alright, I'll arrange it when I get back." Ren Pingyi agreed.

While Jiang Ming was plotting with Ren Pingyi, Duan Huaimin was also talking to Liu Qingshan.

"Qingshan, I won't say much about work, but I need to talk to you about Wang Jian in Xianhe Township." Duan Huaimin said to Liu Qingshan, who was standing in front of him on a large sofa.

As soon as Wang Jian was mentioned, Liu Qingshan said, "Mayor Duan, I heard that Wang Jian is dating Zhao Bingzhi's niece!"

"Is that so?" Duan Huaimin immediately sat up straight and asked.

"Yes, the secretary of Xianhe Township told me. Zhao Bingzhi's niece works in the provincial party committee office." Liu Qingshan replied.

Duan Huaimin connected this with Shu Yongchen's praise for Wang Jian at the expanded meeting of the provincial party committee. It seemed that Shu Yongchen's mention of Wang Jian was not just a whim but had a purpose. Zhao Bingzhi had also cooperated well, which suggested a deeper connection. The speculation that Wang Jian had a connection with Shu Yongchen was now almost confirmed.

"Qingshan, I think the connection between Wang Jian and Zhao Bingzhi is a small matter, but the bigger issue is that he might have a connection with Shu Yongchen!" Duan Huaimin recounted Shu Yongchen's words at the expanded meeting to Liu Qingshan. Liu Qingshan was also shocked after hearing it, realizing that his instruction to Zhang Zeguang not to make things difficult for Wang Jian was a wise move.

"Mayor Duan, it seems that Wang Jian is a person with some backing!" Liu Qingshan sighed.

"I think so too. No matter what, Wang Jian is a young man with courage, boldness, and talent, a rare talent. You should pay attention to pulling him in. Shu Yongchen specifically instructed the organization to cultivate him, which is a clear message to us. You should find a way to give him a good position. Who knows, he might be useful in the future!" Duan Huaimin said thoughtfully.

"Alright, no problem. The secretary of Xianhe Township is my person. I'll have him promote this young man." Liu Qingshan immediately agreed.

Duan Huaimin waved his hand and said, "You haven't fully understood my meaning. We are pulling him in, but others will also try to pull him in. Since the secretary of Xianhe Township is your person, the other side won't try to promote Wang Jian at the township level. If the other side proposes to appoint Wang Jian as a deputy section-level official, you will be in a passive position. You should act based on the other side's actions, not make subjective assumptions, and let the other side take the initiative."

With this clear instruction, Liu Qingshan suddenly understood, "Mayor Duan, you are wise!"

"Ha ha, that's it. Think about it yourself. Last time, we didn't take this young man seriously when he spoke in front of Zhao Bingzhi, which was a mistake. This time, you must seize the opportunity. Sigh, this young man was quite bold, and it turned out to be a big surprise. Neither of us expected it!"

Liu Qingshan said, "Mayor Duan, not only did we not expect it, but the other side didn't expect it either. Ren Pingyi even criticized the secretary of Xianhe Township, and I followed suit. It was a mistake. This time, I will definitely bring this young man over to our side."

"Good, you can go now!"

Liu Qingshan left with excitement. If he could pull Wang Jian in, it would not only be a good move with Zhao Bingzhi but also a way to please the provincial party secretary, a significant political resource. It would be natural for him to become the county party secretary in the future.

Thinking about this, he immediately called Zhang Zeguang. Zhang Zeguang asked what was up, and Liu Qingshan said solemnly, "Zeguang, how is Wang Jian doing recently? Any unusual situations?"

Zhang Zeguang was taken aback, wondering why the county magistrate was specifically asking about Wang Jian. Could it be because of his relationship with Zhao Bingzhi's niece?

"County Magistrate Liu, Wang Jian is still busy with the vegetable greenhouse project. There's nothing unusual," Zhang Zeguang replied.

Liu Qingshan thought that Wang Jian was quite calm, indicating that his relationship with the provincial leadership was not a recent development and that he was not overly concerned.

"Zeguang, Wang Jian is now famous throughout the province, and the provincial party secretary has personally praised him. Mayor Duan wants to specially cultivate him. Do you have any plans?" Liu Qingshan asked.

This was a shocking piece of news, and Zhang Zeguang was momentarily at a loss, asking, "How to cultivate him? Please instruct, County Magistrate."

Liu Qingshan thought for a moment and said, "Let's do this. First, promote him to the director of the party and government office. The rest is not your concern."

"Director of the party and government office? County Magistrate Liu, the position is not vacant. How should we arrange it?" Zhang Zeguang was a bit puzzled.

Liu Qingshan, a bit unhappy, said, "Are you stupid? Can't you move the current director? Do as I say, and complete it within three days."

"Is it that urgent?"

"Do as I say!"

Liu Qingshan's intention was to first promote Wang Jian to the director of the party and government office, thereby taking the initiative over Ren Pingyi. No matter what Ren Pingyi did next, he could handle it. After arranging this with Zhang Zeguang, he felt a sense of satisfaction.