Chapter 21

Chapter Thirteen: Bombarding the Director of the Planning Commission

Watching Lin Ruoshui's graceful and delicate figure disappear down the hallway, Lan Le slightly bent his waist and walked into the county magistrate's office. He held two stacks of report documents in his hands, knocked on the door, and entered, respectfully addressing Yang Zixuan, "Magistrate, I am Lan Le, the director of the county planning commission."

"Old Lan, you're here. Please sit down," Yang Zixuan said with a smile as he looked at Lan Le.

Lan Le had a long tenure in the county government compound. He graduated from Daming City Finance College in the early 1980s and was assigned to the Hongshui County Finance Bureau. He worked his way up from a regular clerk to the deputy director of the finance bureau. Last year, he was transferred to become the director of the county planning commission, a position of significant power within the county government.

Before Yang Zixuan served as the vice-county magistrate, his jurisdiction included areas other than Hongshui Textile, such as ethnic affairs and the county archive bureau, which were on the periphery of the county government. He had little interaction with the heads of important county government agencies like the planning commission, finance bureau, land bureau, and personnel bureau. Therefore, he was not very familiar with Lan Le, a person of significant influence.

"Magistrate, this is our county's development report for this year. Please take a look," Lan Le handed a document to Yang Zixuan.

Although Lan Le had not interacted much with Yang Zixuan, and Yang Zixuan had caused quite a few laughs in the county government before, after toppling Xu Li, many people had changed their views on Yang Zixuan. At this moment, he did not dare to act rashly.

Yang Zixuan flipped through a few pages of the report and then placed it on the desk, leaning forward with his hands on the table.

"I'll read the report later. Old Lan, why don't you give me an oral summary of Hongshui's development this year?"

"Sure, Magistrate. Our county has basically completed the work targets set at the beginning of the year, but there are many loopholes. For example, per capita income has not improved, and state-owned enterprise reforms have been slow..."

Yang Zixuan took a sip of water, waved his hand, and interrupted Lan Le's report.

"Not just loopholes. Although I only skimmed through your summary, what impression did it give me?" Yang Zixuan tapped his finger on the table, making a clinking sound. "Four words: shocking and alarming!"

"Hongshui County has a population of over 800,000, with 13 towns and five townships, including our Honghe District. The only thing we can be proud of is the Honghe District! The other towns are in a state of poverty, and some townships haven't even solved the basic food and clothing problems! It's heartbreaking! Let's count the years since the reform and opening up. How many years have passed? Our Hongshui County is in a good location in the south with favorable water and heat conditions. Why hasn't agriculture developed? Why haven't we even solved the basic food and clothing problems for the people? I really want to ask what the cadres below are doing! The development strategies formulated by the planning commission, how much have these cadres implemented? Your planning commission should also truly supervise the cadres in the towns and government agencies to fully implement various policies. The planning commission cannot just be a mediator, casually supervising the situation below and giving a report to the county government. This careless attitude is absolutely unacceptable. What is the planning commission? It must strictly supervise the work of the county government agencies and formulate the county's economic development strategy with a broad perspective!"

Lan Le was stunned by Yang Zixuan's sudden outburst and remained silent for a while, not daring to speak.

He had never encountered such a situation when reporting to previous county magistrates.

Previous county magistrates would usually encourage them after seeing that the basic targets were met, but now, even after meeting the basic targets, he was being reprimanded by the county magistrate.

Yang Zixuan took a sip of tea and paused for a moment. He had initially thought that Qianchi Town, with its poor transportation, large population, and many farmers, would be the town with the worst living conditions in the county. He didn't expect that there were still several towns even poorer, which made him furious.

"Old Lan, I'm not criticizing your work. I still recognize your work. I looked at the report your planning commission prepared, and it is well-organized and clear," Yang Zixuan took out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, and Lan Le quickly took out a lighter to light it for the county magistrate.

"But you need to find your position as the director of the planning commission, or rather, the position of the planning commission's work," Yang Zixuan took a deep puff of the cigarette. "Your planning commission cannot just be a role that summarizes and reports."

Seeing the puzzled look on Lan Le's face, Yang Zixuan continued, "Your planning commission should play a role in coordinating regional development. For example, the development of the eastern and western towns of Hongshui County is clearly lagging behind the surrounding areas. Your planning commission should formulate appropriate development plans for these towns based on local conditions, so they can catch up. You should also propose suggestions on major issues and policies in the national economy and social development, rather than just staying at the level of reporting and summarizing."

Listening to Yang Zixuan's words, Lan Le felt a sudden clarity.

Lan Le came from a poor background and understood the hardships of the common people. After graduating from Daming City Finance College and entering the government, he had great ambitions. However, in the complex web of official relationships, his sharp edges were gradually worn down.

More importantly, the previous county magistrates were skilled at building relationships and few were willing to focus on the economy. Li Sicheng was a good hand at the economy, but he and the cunning Xu Fuguo were at odds on the surface but colluded behind the scenes, acting in unison.

Therefore, the previous county magistrates never gave Lan Le a stage to showcase his talents.

Today, after Yang Zixuan's guidance, he suddenly had an epiphany and gradually became clearer about his role as the director of the planning commission.

"Also, when Xu Fuguo and Li Sicheng were working together, Li Sicheng proposed the establishment of the Honghe Economic Cooperation Development Zone, right?" Yang Zixuan did not rush to impart too many modern concepts to Lan Le and instead brought up another matter.

"Yes, that's true. At the time, our county planning commission led the finance, personnel, and land departments to form a joint review team. The plan for the economic development zone was basically reviewed and was ready to be implemented. However, due to a sudden change in the provincial situation, it was reported to the Daming City government for approval and was halted by the higher-ups in Daming City." At this point, Lan Le had a preliminary understanding of the county magistrate and responded with full attention, not daring to be careless.

"Bring me the initial draft of the economic development zone plan later," Yang Zixuan flicked the ash from his cigarette. "You can go back to work now."

"Sure, Magistrate. I'll bring the plan over later," Lan Le stood up slightly bent and raised the document in his hand. "This is our planning commission's report for next year. However, after listening to the county magistrate's words today, I feel there are still many areas that need improvement. I'll take it back to the department for further discussion and then send it to you..."

"Sure, no problem."

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