Chapter 98: Han Yuting's Strategy

When Wang Jian arrived at the entrance of the party and government office, Han Yuting saw him, and Du Xiaobei came out of the office to greet him. The two followed him into the second-floor office.

"Xiaobei, go and notify everyone to hold a joint committee meeting at seven o'clock tonight. No one is allowed to be absent!" After entering the room, Wang Jian put down his clothes and directly told Du Xiaobei.

"Okay, I'll go and notify them right away!" Du Xiaobei responded and turned to leave.

After Du Xiaobei left, Wang Jian and Han Yuting sat down. Wang Jian said, "What's going on? Old Ning is making a big move?"

Han Yuting replied, "Old Ning is not someone who can be easily controlled. He is eager to gain power and wants to have the final say in the township. He is different from Zheng Shiguang. Zheng Shiguang was actually a weak township party secretary. His promotion from deputy party secretary to township party secretary lacked the necessary support, and he has always worked in the township, so his vision and courage are limited. On the other hand, Ning Xingong has been immersed in the county party committee for many years and has a wide network of connections. This is something you cannot compare with him. Moreover, he is close to the county party leaders and can directly report to them. Do you think he will obediently follow your commands when he comes here? He is taking advantage of your absence to win people's hearts, clearly trying to strengthen his own power. You are young and lack a solid base. If he continues like this, I'm afraid that the world of Xianhe Township will belong to Ning Xingong!"

Han Yuting's words made Wang Jian break out in a cold sweat. He had thought that becoming the township party secretary would mean having all the power, but now it seemed that the situation was not so simple. Ren Pingyi had sent him such a township head, which indicated that he did not fully trust him. If Ning Xingong sidelines him, how can he implement any development plans? The funds for road construction have not arrived yet, and if they don't come soon, the township officials will surely mock him behind his back. The township officials are one thing, but what about how Ren Pingyi and Liu Qingshan will view him? Everything is ready, the wedding date is approaching, but the bride is nowhere to be seen. What kind of situation is this?

Thinking about this, Wang Jian felt that things were not looking good, but his character was such that the more he encountered difficulties, the more his fighting spirit was ignited. After all, he was the legally appointed township party secretary. No matter how capable Ning Xingong is, he still has to accept the leadership of the party. Moreover, he has been operating in Xianhe Township for some time, and Ning Xingong cannot win over everyone in just a few days!

His eyes showed a determined look, and Wang Jian slapped the table and said, "I don't believe Ning Xingong can change the sky of Xianhe Township!"

Han Yuting admired Wang Jian's fearless spirit and determination, but political struggles are not something that can be resolved by mere bravado. The key now is how to win back the people Ning Xingong has already won over. Otherwise, at the joint committee meeting, Wang Jian will definitely be at a disadvantage.

"Wang Jian, I feel that although you do well in your work, you are not yet politically mature and even have some flaws!" Han Yuting said thoughtfully.

"What do you mean?" Wang Jian asked, interested in her straightforwardness.

Han Yuting replied, "If you want to gather a group of people, you must give them some benefits and hope. If the people who follow you do not get any benefits, they will eventually leave you. This is no longer an era where faith alone can unite people!"

Han Yuting's words were true. It is now the era of the market economy. People follow you to get promotions and wealth. Although it sounds vulgar, it is more practical. While shared beliefs can bring people together, it usually takes time and mutual recognition, not something that happens overnight. Township officials change every two to three years, so how can long-term, stable faith relationships be established?

"What do you suggest?" Wang Jian asked.

Han Yuting said, "The township's joint committee members follow you because they hope you will recommend them for promotion. The township's middle-level officials follow you because they hope to get some benefits and secure their positions. You haven't done well in these two areas!"

Han Yuting was right. Du Xiaobei had been following him for a long time but had not been promoted, and she was getting impatient. None of the joint committee members had been promoted under his leadership. Now that Ning Xingong had come to be the township head, he would surely promise to help them get promoted by talking to Ren Pingyi. This would make them more willing to follow Ning Xingong!

"I have indeed been negligent in this area, but it's hard to change immediately. After all, such things require opportunities. What should I do now?" Wang Jian asked humbly.

"Promote Fang Zhiming!" Han Yuting unexpectedly suggested.

"Promote Fang Zhiming?" Wang Jian was surprised, not expecting her to say this.

Han Yuting calmly said, "Yes, Fang Zhiming has always been openly opposing you. Ning Xingong will definitely try to win him over first. If Fang Zhiming is won over, the lines in the township will be clearly drawn, and everyone will take sides, either with you or with Ning Xingong. This will damage your authority, regardless of whether you have more or fewer supporters. If you promote Fang Zhiming and win him over, Ning Xingong's lineup will be broken. Zheng Qingzhi, influenced by Zheng Shiguang, has no real power and can be ignored. Just focus on winning Fang Zhiming!"

Wang Jian thought about it for a moment and asked, "How can I promote Fang Zhiming?"

"Fang Zhiming is currently in charge of family planning. Let him choose the new head of the family planning office and increase the budget for family planning work. This will be a significant promotion for him. Moreover, promoting him also means giving him more responsibility. If family planning work does not improve, you can hold him accountable. It's a win-win situation!" Han Yuting analyzed.

Wang Jian nodded repeatedly. This was indeed a good idea, thinking of what others have not thought of and doing what others cannot do. If Fang Zhiming agrees to this arrangement, he will be on his side, and Ning Xingong will no longer trust him.

"Good, let's do it! I'll bring up the issue of personnel adjustments at tonight's meeting. I'll watch Ning Xingong's performance first, then I'll take the initiative to delegate power and win over all the joint committee members!" Wang Jian decided.

"Using the delegation of power to win them over is a very good idea!" Han Yuting smiled.

In the evening, Wang Jian gathered all the joint committee members for a meeting. Everyone was in attendance. After they sat down, they all pondered the purpose of the meeting. The township party secretary had just returned and was clearly eager to show his authority and prevent the officials from becoming disloyal.

Before the meeting, Ning Xingong came to Wang Jian's office to probe the situation. He knew that what he had done in the township had reached Wang Jian's ears, but he did not know if Wang Jian had secured the funds from the province. If he had, Ning Xingong would need to avoid a direct confrontation. If not, he would continue to expand his influence.

Entering Wang Jian's office, Ning Xingong smiled and said, "Secretary Wang, how was your trip to the provincial capital? I'm sure you came back with a full load!"

Wang Jian looked up at him, knowing his intentions, and said, "The provincial governor has approved it, and the provincial finance department will soon transfer the funds. How is everything going in the township? Have there been any problems?"

Wang Jian asked Ning Xingong directly, making him feel very uncomfortable. Ning Xingong was much older than Wang Jian, but as the township party secretary, Wang Jian was in a higher position, which made him feel very embarrassed. However, what could he do? Wang Jian was the township party secretary.

"There have been no problems, everything is going well. If Secretary Wang can secure the funds, it will be a great addition!" Ning Xingong said.

"We cannot be complacent. No matter how well the work in Xianhe Township is done, if the economy does not improve and the income of the people does not increase, it is all for nothing. Township Head Ning, you need to focus more on economic work!" Wang Jian took the opportunity to criticize him.

From Wang Jian's tone, Ning Xingong could sense his dissatisfaction. Someone must have complained to Wang Jian about him. However, Wang Jian's words were so formal that it was hard to argue. Ning Xingong could only agree, "Secretary Wang is right. We cannot be complacent. The road construction project is making a lot of noise. Secretary Wang, you need to act quickly. I have secured the funds from the transportation bureau, and we need to start the work soon. We can't wait any longer!"

Ning Xingong was not one to take things lying down. He took the opportunity to point out Wang Jian's shortcomings and highlight his own achievements. He had finally secured the funds from the transportation bureau!

Wang Jian was also surprised. He had not been able to secure the funds despite Wang Bensheng's repeated promises, but Ning Xingong had managed to do it. Clearly, Ning Xingong had a deep relationship with Wang Bensheng, and he had given the funds as soon as he asked. This was much more effective than Wang Jian's multiple attempts to get the funds from Wang Bensheng. Wang Bensheng was really not giving him any face.

"You don't need to worry about that. Since the funds from the transportation bureau are secured, we need to use them well. The road construction must be put out to public tender, and we need to find a construction company with a good track record. Additionally, we need to wait for the funds from the provincial transportation bureau before starting the work, and it should be included in the construction plan of the engineering command center." Wang Jian could not show any weakness in front of Ning Xingong, or he might end up like Zheng Shiguang. If Zheng Shiguang had been more assertive, he might not have lost his influence in Xianhe Township. To prevent Ning Xingong from taking the lead, Wang Jian required that the work not start until the funds from the provincial transportation bureau arrived, which would dilute Ning Xingong's achievements.

Wang Jian's move was heavy-handed, and Ning Xingong was very unhappy