Chapter 28

Chapter 20: A Major Incident

The sky was still overcast, with a dense drizzle that seemed to envelop the land of Hongshui in a layer of mist.

With many year-end matters to attend to, Yang Zixuan didn't dare to linger in the provincial capital, Zijin. After securing the pagers, he sent Su Chen back to Zijin and hurriedly returned to Hongshui County.

He had just sat down in his office when the head of the Finance Bureau, Guo Long, came to see him, pouring out his grievances: "County Chief Yang, I can't handle this job as the head of the Finance Bureau anymore. Life is unbearable!"

"Old Guo, what's the matter? Sit down and tell me what's going on," Yang Zixuan said calmly.

The Finance Bureau used to be under Fang Ling's jurisdiction before she joined the Standing Committee. On the surface, Guo Long was one of Fang Ling's people, but it was unclear what his true stance was. Today, he came to see Yang Zixuan, but it was unclear what he was up to.

"Grandpa dividing the pork can ensure everyone gets a share, but I can't do this job anymore. The annual revenue of Hongshui County is already low. In the past, state-owned enterprises like Hongshui Textile could still provide some tax support. Now, these state-owned enterprises are severely weakened and need financial subsidies. We also have to support a large number of officials and teachers. In previous years, we could patch up the gaps by pulling funds from here and there, but this year's fiscal deficit is too large. It's going to be a tough year-end," Guo Long said with a troubled expression, shaking his head.

"How large is the deficit?"

"Over a million yuan," Guo Long said, frowning.

"Over a million yuan?" Yang Zixuan gasped. "Can we borrow some from the bank?"

Guo Long shook his head: "I doubt it. In the past, the losses of Hongshui Textile were covered by bank loans, and our fiscal budget has been imbalanced for years, also relying on bank loans. Now, the new leadership of the city bank branch has ordered the Hongshui branch that if Hongshui doesn't pay off part of the old debts, they won't lend us a single cent."

Yang Zixuan found this strange. Normally, even if the bank changed leadership, the Hongshui branch wouldn't be so strict, as the bank often needed government support to operate in Hongshui.

Is there something wrong here?

Yang Zixuan became alert and asked calmly, "Does your bureau have any other solutions?"

"We've thought of everything we can. We've tried to patch up the deficit with available funds, but it's still not enough," Guo Long said, looking worried.

Xu Fuguo and Li Sicheng were truly scoundrels. They went to jail, squandered the funds, and left this mess behind.

"But we do have a significant amount of funds in the county. If we use this money, we can get through this year's difficulties. However, we dare not touch it," Guo Long said, lowering his voice.

"What funds?"

"A few weeks ago, the provincial government allocated a special poverty relief fund to several poor townships in our county, amounting to about 800,000 to 900,000 yuan."

Yang Zixuan's hair stood on end, and his pupils contracted sharply.

This is a deadly trap. Someone has set it up, and if I order the use of this special fund, the person hiding in the shadows will report it. I might not even be able to keep my position!

Who is the person who set this trap? It can't be Guo Long.

If the special fund is misused, Guo Long will also be implicated. He wouldn't do such a foolish thing. He might not even know that someone is using his desperation to solve the fiscal crisis to make him target the poverty relief fund.

From what I can see, the two people who would benefit the most from my removal as county chief are Lin Ruoshui and Fang Ling. Both are possible suspects.

Seeing Yang Zixuan's eyes darting, Guo Long thought he was interested and added, "County Chief Yang, what do you think? Can we use this money?"

Yang Zixuan looked at Guo Long and said, "Old Guo, let's put this aside for now. Don't act rashly. I'll think of other solutions. You can go back for now."

As soon as Guo Long left, Song An rushed in, saying urgently, "County Chief, there's a major incident in Tianma Township. It's said to be more serious than the last time Hongshui Textile surrounded the county government. The situation is extremely chaotic. The township chief of Tianma called and said that a fight has broken out, and he can't control the situation. He's requesting assistance from the county police and the county government!"

"Has Secretary Su Nan been informed? What are his instructions?" Yang Zixuan, whose legs were still not fully recovered, stood up with the help of the table.

"The county committee received the news early. I got the message from a deputy director of the county committee office, but there hasn't been any action from the county committee yet."

"Damn it!" Yang Zixuan couldn't help but slam the table. "This is a matter of life and death, and they're still playing politics!"

Clearly, Su Nan didn't want to take the lead but was waiting for the county government to act first. If the situation got out of control, Su Nan could have an excuse, and at worst, he would face criticism from the city committee. However, Yang Zixuan would definitely lose his position for mishandling the situation.

If the county government sent people to control the situation, Su Nan could claim credit for the county committee's leadership!

He was sure that Yang Zixuan, being young and impulsive, wouldn't ignore this incident. If the county government also ignored it, and the situation got out of control, Su Nan could blame the county government for not following the county committee's orders, pushing all the responsibility onto Yang Zixuan, who would then be in trouble.

What a cunning plan. Su Nan is indeed a seasoned official, weighing the pros and cons clearly.

Yang Zixuan's impression of Su Nan wasn't bad before, but now he thoroughly despised him.

For personal gain, he's still playing politics at this critical moment!

Song An had never seen Yang Zixuan so angry and was startled, not daring to speak.

"Tell Xiao Chen to prepare the car. We're going to Tianma Town!"

"Hello, are you there? A conflict has broken out in Tianma Mountain. Immediately mobilize the riot police, and act quickly! This is not like the last time Hongshui Textile surrounded the county government, nor like the incident in Qianchi Town. I heard that the villagers in Tianma Township are armed with hoes, shovels, and other iron tools." Yang Zixuan called the police and let out a sigh of relief.

Fortunately, there's someone in the police department I can rely on. No wonder every party and government leader wants to firmly control the police department.

Now is a time of many troubles. The Finance Bureau has a funding gap, the mayor of Qianchi Town committed suicide, and Tianma Township is in conflict. I also have to be wary of the hidden arrows from the county committee and the county government. No wonder they say that being a county official is stressful.

However, Yang Zixuan wasn't afraid. Instead, this only fueled his determination.

Su Nan, a hint of ruthlessness appeared on Yang Zixuan's lips. This grudge is now settled!

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