252: Chapter 252 Municipal Government Executive Meeting

The skies over Heishi Town had cleared.

The large sinkhole on South Street had long since been filled in and paved over with thick asphalt.

At the river renovation site in the south of the town, bulldozers and excavators roared with activity.

These were tangible, solid accomplishments, and seeing this progress, the common people were more motivated than ever before.

Everything was moving in a positive direction.

On the second floor, in the Deputy Secretary's office.

Zhu Yuntong sat upright at his desk, writing the eight characters "For the benefit of the people, even the smallest matter must be pursued" on the river renovation progress report submitted to him.

With the end of the year approaching, things were busy and complicated, but the overall situation was settled.

His energy was now entirely focused on the upcoming business delegation visit next week.

Jingjiang City.

The headquarters building of the Zhou Investment Bank.

General Manager Zhou Shutong stood before the large floor-to-ceiling window, looking down at the congested traffic of the provincial capital.

The engagement banquet from a few days ago—Zhu Yuntong's subtle yet imposing pressure, and the way Director Xu Jie had forced the young master of the Wang family to retreat with just a few words—had completely awakened this female CEO who had always held herself in high regard.

The Zhou family had been in business for generations, and once their business grew large, what they lacked most was a reliable backer who could shield them from the wind and rain for the long term.

Connections in the business world were mostly built on the exchange of interests; when the tide was high, things were flourishing, but when the tide receded, everyone scattered—they could not be true allies.

Previously, General Manager Zhou Shutong had been accustomed to the capital game mentality of Wall Street, always thinking that money could open any door, and she had even sent people to secretly investigate Zhu Yuntong's background.

This matter was eventually discovered by her aunt.

General Manager Zhou Shutong's aunt was the true power behind the scenes at the Zhou Investment Bank. Years ago, she had married Executive Deputy Minister Zhou Mingyuan of the Provincial Party School.

That day, her aunt had called General Manager Zhou Shutong into her office and, in a rare display of fury, erupted in a thunderous rage.

"Put away that Wall Street attitude of yours," her aunt said, sitting in her armchair. "Doing business domestically requires adherence to rules, bottom lines, and positioning. You think that just because you have some money, you can go around investigating the son of a Deputy Secretary? That is a taboo."

After this dressing-down, General Manager Zhou Shutong finally understood her position correctly.

This was the reason she had scheduled to lead a team to Heishi Town for an inspection next Wednesday.

Meanwhile, in Heishi Town.

Director Xu Jie pushed open the door and entered the office, placing a reception itinerary on the desk.

"Secretary Zhu, the itinerary for General Manager Zhou Shutong's team next Wednesday has been arranged," Director Xu Jie said methodically. "In the morning, they will inspect the mining area, and in the afternoon, they will look at the old river embankment in the south and the planned land for the logistics park. I didn't arrange for any pretentious welcome banquets at the town guesthouse; we will have a working lunch at the government canteen at noon, and then head straight to the construction site afterward."

Zhu Yuntong looked over the itinerary and wrote the character "Approved" on it.

"This is the pragmatic spirit I want," Zhu Yuntong said, putting down his pen. "Empty pleasantries cannot buy real money. Let the business delegation see that we are genuinely managing the water and building roads. The business environment in Heishi Town isn't something you can talk your way into; it is built on the village bullies we've taken down and the hidden pits we've filled in."

Director Xu Jie nodded in agreement. "I have prepared all the materials. I have also communicated with Town Mayor Luo, and he will personally be responsible for external coordination."

"Keep your focus on the ledgers," Zhu Yuntong said, picking up his coarse porcelain teacup and taking a sip of warm water. "General Manager Zhou Shutong's attitude may have changed this time, but the profit-seeking nature of capital will never change. The loopholes in the tripartite supervision account must be tightened so we don't leave any hidden dangers for those who come after us."

The two finalized the details.

Just as Heishi Town was sharpening its weapons and preparing for battle, a storm was quietly brewing inside the Municipal Government building in Linjiang City.

The final Municipal Government meeting of the year officially began.

The conference room was spacious and bright.

Mayor Su Changming sat in the main seat, his face calm. To his left was Executive Vice Mayor Han Qiming.

Most of the officials promoted by Secretary Zhu Tianhe back in the day had now been transferred to idle positions and left on the sidelines.

Because there were agenda items involving public security control, Police Chief Li Jianguo of the Municipal Public Security Bureau was also invited to attend.

He sat in a seat near the back, and before the meeting began, no one spoke to him. Secretary Zhu Tianhe's loyalists were now like isolated islands in this conference room.

Deputy Secretary-General Fang Jianping sat at the end of the conference table, taking notes.

"Comrades, let the meeting begin."

Mayor Su Changming's voice came through the microphone; it wasn't loud, but it exuded control.

The meeting proceeded according to schedule, and when the process reached the latter half, Mayor Su Changming picked up his teacup and blew away the steam.

"In the second half of this year, the public security environment in our Linjiang City has greatly improved. In particular, the mission to crack down on criminal organizations like the Taiyao Gang was completed quite excellently."

Mayor Su Changming cast his gaze toward the seats in the back.

"In this regard, the Municipal Public Security Bureau has put in a great deal of effort. Director Li, you have worked hard."

As the words fell, Police Chief Li Jianguo's expression did not change; he merely gave a slight nod.

In meetings, praise from leaders is often just a prelude; the real intent to kill is always hidden behind the word "however."

Sure enough, Mayor Su Changming put down his teacup.

"However, when doing work, one must pay attention to overall coordination," Mayor Su Changming said, slowing his pace. "Recently, there have been continuous major cases and special investigations. The team has been trained, but the Municipal Public Security Bureau's office expenses and special investigation funds have seriously exceeded the budget. The financial pie is only so big; we cannot favor one over the other."

Mayor Su Changming turned to look at the person in charge of the Municipal Finance Bureau. "I think the budget allocation for the Municipal Public Security Bureau next year needs to be comprehensively adjusted to cut down on unnecessary special expenditures."

He looked at Police Chief Li Jianguo again. "Comrade Li Jianguo, do you have any questions regarding the budget cuts for your bureau?"

At such a core meeting, with the top leader setting the tone in public, as a part of the Municipal Government, Police Chief Li Jianguo had no room to argue.

Even though he knew this was a disguised way of stripping power and tightening the noose, he could only swallow his bitterness.

Police Chief Li Jianguo placed his pen on the table; he did not argue, but simply nodded silently.

Seeing this, Mayor Su Changming did not press further; the goal of suppression had been achieved.

"With the end of the year approaching, the red line of production safety cannot be relaxed," Mayor Su Changming said, pressing down on the document in his hand. "Executive Vice Mayor Han Qiming, you take charge of this matter. Let the Municipal Government issue an official document to conduct a carpet-style inspection across all the subordinate districts and counties. Leave no blind spots."

Executive Vice Mayor Han Qiming nodded and accepted the task. "Understood. After the meeting, I will have the General Office draft the document and establish a joint inspection team."

The people present did not take this to heart, as annual production safety inspections were just a routine formality.

However, Mayor Su Changming did not intend for this to become just a formality.

"Executive Vice Mayor Han Qiming has a heavy burden on his shoulders and has to manage the city's overall economy," Mayor Su Changming said, scanning the room before his gaze finally landed on Deputy Secretary-General Fang Jianping at the end of the conference table. "Comrade Fang Jianping, you are young and energetic. This time, you will lead the joint inspection team and go down to take a look in person."

Being directly singled out, Deputy Secretary-General Fang Jianping stopped his pen and looked up.

Production safety, environmental inspection, financial regulation—the "four-line strangulation" strategy decided upon in the Mayor's office a few days ago was finally brought out into the open at this moment.

Deputy Secretary-General Fang Jianping stood up, his tone respectful. "Don't worry, Mayor, I will ensure the inspection work is carried out effectively."

Mayor Su Changming waved his hand to let him sit down.

"As for the specific route to the countryside, you can decide that yourselves. Wherever the construction projects are the largest, that is where the focus of the inspection will be."

Mayor Su Changming threw out this final, tone-setting remark, which served as a clear directive for where the inspection team should head.

The overwhelming construction projects in Heishi Town naturally became the primary target.

"If there is nothing else, the meeting is adjourned."

Mayor Su Changming rose first and walked out of the conference room, carrying his teacup.

Executive Vice Mayor Han Qiming followed closely behind, and the others filed out one by one.

Police Chief Li Jianguo sat in his original seat, packing up the materials in front of him.

Deputy Secretary-General Fang Jianping walked past from the back, pausing for half a second, but without saying a word, he walked straight out the door.

Outside the window, a layer of thin clouds gathered over the sky of Linjiang City.

Deputy Secretary-General Fang Jianping returned to his office, picked up the phone on his desk, and dialed an internal line.

"Draft a 'Notice on Carrying Out Special Inspections for Production Safety Throughout the City'."