Chapter 95

Chapter 33: The Unavoidable Confrontation (Part 2)

When Yang Zixuan came out of Lin Pei's office and walked out of the municipal party committee compound, he happened to run into Su Nan, who was just leaving Fan Qiwu's office.

"Secretary Su, what a coincidence!" Yang Zixuan squinted his eyes slightly, noticing the evident joy on Su Nan's face.

"County Chief, are you here to report to Secretary Lin?" Upon seeing Yang Zixuan, Su Nan's expression turned somewhat unnatural.

"Yes, mainly about the Tianma Mountain project and the Hongfang reform." Yang Zixuan smiled faintly. "Secretary, are you here to discuss disciplinary inspection work with Secretary Fan?"

"Right, right, mainly about strengthening the integrity of party and government officials recently." Su Nan nodded hurriedly. "I'm in a hurry, so I'll leave first. We can chat when I get back to the county."

With that, he hurriedly left the municipal party committee compound.

Yang Zixuan stood there, glanced at the prominent red sign of the "Daming City Discipline Inspection Commission" on the wall, smiled, and then quickly walked out.

...

"Old An, you're newly married. I didn't want to disturb your honeymoon." Yang Zixuan sat in his office chair, and Song An, being considerate, had the county government office staff bring in two cups of hot tea.

"County Chief, if you really didn't want to disturb our honeymoon, you should have given me a long leave. I, Old An, would have had trouble sleeping." An Zai Shan smiled. He and Yang Zixuan had a deep friendship, so a bit of joking was harmless.

"Whatever you need, just say it. With Old He out of the way, I'm ready to take on the job." Although An Zai Shan had not yet officially taken over as the police chief, he was already in charge of the daily operations of the police department and the political and legal affairs committee.

In Yang Zixuan's view, the position of police chief was inevitable for An Zai Shan. As for the position of political and legal affairs secretary, there was still some uncertainty.

After all, taking over as the political and legal affairs secretary involved entering the county party committee standing committee. An Zai Shan's experience was still a bit shallow, having only recently transferred from the court to the police department. If he were to enter the standing committee too quickly, it would be a rapid promotion, and many people would be envious.

The key was still An Zai Shan's own efforts. Even if he didn't get the position this time, he would still have real power in the police department. After a few years, when his experience was sufficient, entering the standing committee would not be difficult.

"Do you remember the shoe-throwing incident at the last New Year's gathering?" Yang Zixuan took out a pack of Xiao Xiong cigarettes from his drawer, lit one, and offered it to An Zai Shan.

"Good stuff!" An Zai Shan quickly stood up and bent over to take the cigarette. He had been with Yang Zixuan for a while and knew that Yang Zixuan was well-off, likely from a wealthy family, though Yang Zixuan never mentioned his family, and An Zai Shan was tactful enough not to ask.

"How could I forget? I was in charge of the case at the beginning. Later, Old He, for some reason, took it from me, saying it was a major case involving the main leaders of Hongshui County, and he would investigate it personally. He investigated for nearly a month and a half but found nothing. I even argued with him a few times." An Zai Shan took a puff of the cigarette and replied.

"I called you here today to have you thoroughly investigate this case. Bring back the suspect who threw the shoe at me and interrogate him again. Also, track and investigate the private tutor for Su Nan's son. I've always found it strange how she managed to mix in with the county dance troupe at the New Year's gathering!"

Yang Zixuan sighed.

"The matter must be handled quickly! I have a feeling this is a breakthrough for Su Nan! I suspect Su Nan is planning something against me."

"Ah! Not again! Another move against you?" An Zai Shan looked shocked. "Fang Ling and He Longbin are already in Daming City's prison. Isn't Su Nan afraid?"

"Su Nan wouldn't be Su Nan if he were afraid of me, a county chief. After all, in his eyes, he is the Party Secretary of Hongshui County, the legitimate leader! He won't be satisfied with me!"

Yang Zixuan flicked the ash from his cigarette. He knew that Su Nan was arrogant and proud, having served as Liu Daoming's dedicated secretary for a long time in the Organization Department, which naturally cultivated a sense of pride.

This pride accompanied Su Nan even as he went to the grassroots!

But Yang Zixuan had already achieved phased victories in multiple aspects of Hongshui County!

Whether it was the decisive handling of the Tianma Mountain dispute at the beginning or the recent introduction of the Tianma Mountain tourism project and the removal of two deputy county-level officials who opposed him, Yang Zixuan's prestige in Hongshui County was gradually surpassing that of Su Nan, the Party Secretary.

Especially on the day of An Zai Shan's wedding, when the city finance bureau chief Liu Zhangri chose to ignore him, the Party Secretary, and instead chatted with Yang Zixuan, the county chief, it was a wake-up call for Su Nan.

Su Nan deeply realized that if he didn't counterattack soon, he might be completely sidelined or even forced out of Hongshui County!

This was something the proud Su Nan could never tolerate!

That's why Su Nan made his first proactive visit to his fellow student, the city party committee member and discipline inspection commission secretary, Fan Qiwu.

"County Chief, I know what to do. I'll try to have someone track that woman within the next two days and get back to you as soon as possible!" An Zai Shan said.

"Old An, with Su Nan watching me, he might also target you. After all, many people see you as my absolute confidant. So be careful! We need to proceed step by step, not too hastily. If Su Nan becomes alert, it will be a problem. Keep me informed of any developments!" Before leaving, Yang Zixuan gave An Zai Shan a final instruction.

An Zai Shan nodded slightly. Yang Zixuan's trust and openness moved him. "Don't worry. After working with you so many times, I'll be careful. I won't mess up."

...

As spring deepened, many fields in Hongshui County began to see the busy figures of farmers transplanting rice seedlings.

Yang Zixuan was now walking through the fields of Qianchi Town, followed by the vice-county chief in charge of agriculture, Bai Yuan, the party secretary of Qianchi Town, Li Zu, and other town officials.

"Old Li, you need to stay on the job and work hard for a few more years. Qianchi Town has the largest population in our county and excellent water and heat conditions, but the farmers have the least side businesses, and the surplus labor is all concentrated in the town. How can we develop like this!" Yang Zixuan, wearing linen shoes and clothes, walked on the field ridge, looking at the distant figures of farmers bending over to transplant rice seedlings, and sighed. "Qianchi Town still hasn't found its direction!"

"Of course, this can't be entirely your fault. After all, there were people like Liang Li and Qiu Nan who obstructed you at the town government."

Li Zu, who was not young, with wrinkles on his face and a bit of gray hair, stepped forward and said apologetically, "County Chief, this can't be an excuse for my inaction. A few days ago, I went to Nanshan Town and saw many people building new houses. I came back and compared Qianchi Town, and seeing so many of my fellow townspeople still struggling, I haven't been able to sleep for days. I, Old Li, have been the party secretary of Qianchi Town for so many years, but I haven't done much. I feel guilty to the people of Qianchi Town!" As he spoke, tears began to well up in the wrinkles around his eyes.

Yang Zixuan patted Li Zu's shoulder and continued walking.

"Initially, the county assigned a young and old team to Qianchi Town, hoping that someone like Qiu Nan, with his enthusiasm, could open up the situation in Qianchi Town, with you, an experienced comrade, guiding him. But Qiu Nan couldn't withstand the test and instead delayed the development of Qianchi Town!"

"Old Li, when I came to Qianchi Town from the county, I saw many Nanhua plum trees along the way. This could be a good direction for increasing income. According to the county annals, if I remember correctly, the Nanhua plums from Qianchi Town were famous historically. In the early days of the People's Republic, the Nanhua plums from Qianchi were even sent to Zhongnanhai for the chairman to taste!"

"County Chief, these Nanhua plums don't sell well here. Even in the county, how many do they need? Every household in Qianchi Town has a few Nanhua plum trees, but they can't sell the plums they grow, so planting more is pointless. They are usually kept for their children to eat." Li Zu said with a bitter face.

"Old Li, you need to change your thinking. The Nanhua plums are tender, crisp, and juicy, with a long shelf life. They don't have to be sold in the county. They can be sold in the provincial capital, Zijin, and other developed cities in the province." Yang Zixuan said.

"Here's what we'll do. This year, all the Nanhua plums from Qianchi Town will be collected, and the county government will help you find sales channels. If the sales and income are good, you can increase the planting area appropriately." Yang Zixuan turned to Bai Yuan. "Old Bai, go back and draft the documents and organize the team to start contacting the sales channels. By May or June, the Nanhua plums will be ready for the market."

"Also, the food factory in Qianchi Town has been talking about reform. I suggest you turn it into a Nanhua plum food factory. Process the less attractive plums into various snacks, dried fruits, and canned goods for sale."

Li Zu was stunned for a moment, then his face lit up with excitement. "If the county can help us find sales channels, we can definitely sell them. This is a good idea!"

If there was one person Li Zu now admired the most, it was the young county chief in front of him!

From exposing the true colors of Qiu Nan and Liang Fei, to standardizing the county's family planning fees and agricultural tax collection, to the recent Tianma Mountain tourism project that lifted the northern towns out of poverty, Hongshui County had seen several county chiefs come and go, but this young county chief was truly dedicated to doing something for the people!