Chapter 50

A heavy rainstorm in the evening had dissipated the scorching heat on the streets of the county town.

As the dark clouds gradually drifted away with the wind, the golden afterglow of the setting sun illuminated the rain-soaked streets.

When the sun set and the first street lamp on the side of the road lit up, the street lamps on all the roads in the county town lit up one after another. The hardworking people, after a day's work, began to stroll in groups after dinner.

The No. 1 car of Wuhe County sped from the direction of Changyang City on the national highway, passing through the urban area, and returned to the county party committee compound at No. 6 Fuxian Street.

Phone calls rang one after another in the homes of several members of the Wuhe County Standing Committee.

Luo Yuancheng received the call and rushed to the county party committee from home. As soon as he got out of the car, he saw Chen Yuan hurrying over, "Director Chen, didn't the secretary go to the city this afternoon? Did something happen in the city?"

"Secretary Luo, I also received a call and rushed over. I don't know what happened. It can't be that the matter concerning Secretary Liao has attracted the attention of the city, can it?" Chen Yuan, the director of the county party committee office, was also unclear about why Zhou Dalong called them, indicating how sudden the matter was.

As they were talking, the No. 11 car of Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary Li Bing and the No. 6 car of Lei Shuping entered the county party committee compound one after another, parking side by side next to Luo Yuancheng's dedicated car.

"Secretary Luo, Director Chen, did you also receive a call from the secretary?" Lei Shuping got out of the car, looked at Luo Yuancheng and Chen Yuan standing in front of the county party committee building, and his eyes slightly tightened as he walked forward with Li Bing.

"Yes! I don't know what happened. Minister Sun's car is also here!"

Chen Yuan saw that all the members of the standing committee, except for the political commissar of the People's Armed Forces Department, He Xingli, had gathered. She knew something significant must have happened for Zhou Dalong to call them to the county party committee at this time.

The five of them walked upstairs to Zhou Dalong's office and saw Jiang Yi, who had called them, waiting outside the office.

"Xiao Jiang, what happened?" Chen Yuan saw the joy on Jiang Yi's face and felt relieved, as long as it wasn't bad news.

"The secretary is waiting inside. The leaders will know once they go in!" Jiang Yi did not answer Chen Yuan's question, knocked on the office door, and opened it after hearing Zhou Dalong's voice, letting the standing committee members into the office.

Entering Zhou Dalong's office, compared to Jiang Yi's joyful expression, Zhou Dalong's face was very solemn. Seeing that everyone had arrived, Zhou Dalong pointed to the sofa in front of him, "Sit down, everyone!"

"Secretary, what happened?" Luo Yuancheng sat down and looked at Zhou Dalong, who was sitting at the head of the table.

"Deputy Mayor Jia was diagnosed with lung cancer during his health check-up and has already applied for retirement due to illness. The city held a standing committee meeting this afternoon and passed the proposal to recommend me as deputy mayor." Zhou Dalong, seeing that everyone was seated, explained the reason for calling them so late.

Upon hearing this, Luo Yuancheng and the others did not show the expected joy but instead had solemn expressions, as if Zhou Dalong's promotion was not a happy event.

"Secretary, Wuhe County's development has just entered the right track. Foreign investment is about to be in place, and the county's economic development will soon enter a fast lane. This is the time when we need you to lead the overall situation. If you are transferred to the city now, what will happen to Wuhe County's work?" Lei Shuping, although happy for Zhou Dalong's promotion, was concerned about the current situation in Wuhe County.

Hearing this, Zhou Dalong also showed a hint of reluctance, but since the organization had made the decision and he himself cherished this opportunity, he said to the five standing committee members sitting below him, "The concerns raised by Old Lei are the reason I called you all here."

"This afternoon, I went to the city party committee and met Secretary Li, reporting on Wuhe County's recent work. Secretary Li was very satisfied with our recent work and gave high praise to most of the members of the leadership team.

Given that Wuhe County is currently in a critical period of rapid economic development, Secretary Li decided that the city will not send a cadre to take charge of the work. The county party secretary will be selected from the current members of the leadership team." Zhou Dalong's words made everyone in the room feel a sense of anticipation, especially Luo Yuancheng, who was sitting to Zhou Dalong's left, whose breathing became heavier.

"County Magistrate Zhang has only been in Wuhe County for a short time, and he only recently removed the acting title from his position, so the possibility of him being promoted to secretary is low.

Secretary Luo has outstanding work capabilities and is the most senior member of the county party committee. He has served as vice-county magistrate, county party committee organization minister, and deputy secretary of the county party committee. His leadership abilities are widely recognized by the cadres and the public. Given his long-term work in the county and his deep understanding of the county's situation, I believe he is the best candidate for county party secretary, more so than County Magistrate Zhang.

I have already recommended Secretary Luo to Secretary Li, who has a very good impression of Secretary Luo. Secretary Li highly praised Secretary Luo's leadership and organizational abilities and believes that under Secretary Luo's leadership, Wuhe County will enter a new stage of development." Zhou Dalong's words were essentially a direct announcement that Luo Yuancheng would take over his position after he left.

Luo Yuancheng, the third-ranking deputy secretary of the county party committee, would be the most likely candidate to take over as county party secretary after the current secretary was transferred, especially if the city did not send a cadre to take charge.

Zhou Dalong, as the county party secretary, knew the situation of the leadership team in Wuhe County best, and his opinion was very important. Moreover, as a trusted aide of Secretary Li of the city party committee, his personal recommendation significantly increased Luo Yuancheng's chances of taking over.

"Secretary, I will not let Secretary Li and you down." Luo Yuancheng looked at Zhou Dalong, who was sitting at the head of the table, and said firmly.

"Old Luo, satisfying us is secondary. Satisfying the hundreds of thousands of people in Wuhe County is what you should do as county party secretary!" Zhou Dalong looked at Luo Yuancheng and said, "In a couple of days, you will go to the city with me. Secretary Li wants to meet you."

"Okay!" Luo Yuancheng knew that this was Zhou Dalong's formal recommendation to Secretary Li, and he was very excited, but he did not show it on his face, maintaining a calm and composed demeanor.

"After several years of development, Wuhe County's economy is on the right track. Everyone just needs to follow the established policies and guidelines to ensure steady development. I hope that after I leave, you will continue to support Secretary Luo and do a good job in all aspects of Wuhe County's work.

Before I leave, we can consider some personnel adjustments. I will do my best to place capable and trustworthy cadres in appropriate positions." Zhou Dalong's words indicated that he was beginning to delegate authority. Everyone in the room started to think about their own interests.

The position of county party secretary, except for Luo Yuancheng, was impossible for anyone else to take. Therefore, no one was jealous of Luo Yuancheng. As a team united around the secretary, it was natural to receive some rewards and promote their own people to key positions when the secretary was about to be promoted. This was a benefit provided by Zhou Dalong.

"Please rest assured, Secretary. We will unite around Secretary Luo and make our own contributions to the development of Wuhe County!" Lei Shuping was the first to speak, and Li Bing, Chen Yuan, and Sun Jiayun also expressed their support for Luo Yuancheng's work.

"Very good! Regarding the personnel adjustments in the county, everyone can express their opinions, and Secretary Luo and I will respect everyone's views." After the succession was settled, Zhou Dalong began to discuss the personnel adjustments in various towns, bureaus, and offices with everyone.

After everyone had discussed and agreed on the personnel adjustments, Chen Yuan looked at Zhou Dalong, who seemed a bit tired, and said, "Secretary, should we also adjust Yang Jie's position? He has been very prominent in the county recently, which is not good for his future development."

Everyone in the room knew the relationship between Yang Jie and Zhou Dalong. After hearing Chen Yuan's words, they all turned to look at Zhou Dalong.

Yang Jie's achievements in attracting investment were significant, but his creation of the aphrodisiac wine almost ruined the county's investment efforts. Moreover, the $80 million in foreign investment was directly related to Yang Jie's immediate family.

Although Yang Xinhua had explained the two types of functional wines and the hangover cure to the county discipline inspection commission, and stated that Jimmy's investment in Wuye Liquor and Xingwang Pharmaceuticals was purely a business decision, people who were unaware would still suspect that Yang Jie was using his power for personal gain, and might even associate it with Secretary Zhou.

Furthermore, the matter concerning Liao Kai had already put Yang Jie in the spotlight. Now that Secretary Zhou was leaving, it would be better for him to personally arrange Yang Jie's affairs rather than leaving it to others.

Zhou Dalong understood Chen Yuan's meaning, frowned, and thought for a moment before saying, "He is capable, but he also causes a lot of trouble. It's not appropriate for him to stay in the county. Who knows what other problems he might create."

"Secretary, isn't the county government office's provincial liaison office going to be upgraded to the county party committee and government's provincial liaison office? Yang Jie is a talent you personally brought from the city. It wouldn't be appropriate to transfer him back to the city. I think it would be better for him to go to the provincial liaison office. This way, he will be away from the public eye in Wuhe County but still remain connected to the county." Lei Shuping's suggestion was quite enlightening, and Zhou Dalong and the other standing committee members thought it was very suitable.

Yang Jie was a talent Zhou Dalong personally brought from the city. He came to Wuhe County and made significant contributions to the county's investment efforts. Even the city party committee leaders knew about this. If he were transferred back to the city, it would not make sense.

Moreover, many people knew about the relationship between Yang Jie and Secretary Zhou. If Secretary Zhou was promoted to deputy mayor and Yang Jie immediately followed him to the city, it would not look good.

Leaving Yang Jie in Wuhe County but keeping him away from the county's affairs meant he should go to the provincial liaison office.

Recommended two urban novels:

[bookid=2428884, bookname=《Urban Ancient Witch》][bookid=1167613, bookname=《Rebirth of Immortal Desire》] Readers interested can check them out. Thank you for your support!

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