238: Chapter 238 Parting on Unhappily

When County Mayor Bai Weijun pushed open the door to Secretary Wei Kuan's office, the expression on his face was still relatively calm.

The intoxication from last night had long since faded; he had taken a shower, changed into clean clothes, and combed his hair meticulously.

On the surface, there was nothing unusual about him.

Secretary Wei Kuan was sitting behind his desk, looking at a document spread out before him.

Seeing him enter, he looked up, a hint of a smile touching the corners of his mouth, and gestured toward the chair opposite him.

"County Magistrate Bai, you're here? Sit."

County Mayor Bai Weijun sat down opposite him, his back straight, hands resting on his knees, his posture upright.

He did not speak, nor did he smile; he simply looked at Secretary Wei Kuan, waiting for him to begin.

Secretary Wei Kuan picked up his teacup and took a sip, his gaze lingering on his face for a moment. His tone was as casual as if they were making small talk, but County Mayor Bai Weijun could hear the underlying meaning.

"County Magistrate Bai, regarding those projects from yesterday's meeting, I've given it some thought and feel it's better to be a bit more cautious."

"The county's financial resources are limited; we cannot spread ourselves too thin."

"That auto parts project of yours requires twenty million in matching funds; that is no small sum."

"I suggest we wait a while longer and proceed only when conditions are more mature."

County Mayor Bai Weijun's fingers twitched slightly, and he said in a cold voice: "Secretary Wei, the provincial authorities attach great importance to this project, and the company has already signed a letter of intent."

"If we keep waiting, the company will grow impatient and might just run off to another county."

Secretary Wei Kuan waved his hand, his tone remaining steady but carrying a hint of unquestionable certainty.

"If the company can't wait, that is the company's business. We cannot ignore the reality of the county's situation just because they are impatient."

"County Magistrate Bai, you are the County Magistrate; you must be responsible for the entire county's finances and cannot just fixate on one project."

County Mayor Bai Weijun's expression darkened. He took a deep breath, swallowed the words that were on the tip of his tongue, and substituted them with a relatively more appropriate response.

"Secretary Wei, you have also seen the feasibility report for this project. The return on investment is very high, and it can break even in two years. A project like this would be a hot commodity anywhere."

"We cannot abandon it just because we are afraid of taking risks."

Secretary Wei Kuan looked at him, the smile at the corners of his mouth slowly fading.

"County Magistrate Bai, I am not suggesting we abandon it, but rather postpone it."

"There is a difference between the two, which you should be able to distinguish, having served as County Magistrate for so long."

County Mayor Bai Weijun said nothing more; he knew that continuing the conversation would be useless.

Secretary Wei Kuan was not trying to discuss the project with him; he was trying to tell him who was in charge in Changyuan County.

His fingers clenched the trousers on his knees. Damn it, this is really going too far!

Secretary Wei Kuan picked up his teacup and took another sip, his tone softening slightly.

"County Magistrate Bai, I didn't just call you here today for the sake of the project."

"There is another matter I want to discuss with you. I feel that Comrade Xu Weidong has too many responsibilities."

"He is in charge of finance, development and reform, housing and urban-rural development, work safety, human resources and social security, investment promotion, and project construction, not to mention science, education, culture, and health—dozens of departments, large and small."

"It's too much for one person to manage; he can't handle it all."

"My thought is, could we perhaps make some appropriate adjustments and delegate some of these responsibilities to other veteran comrades? For instance, the science, education, culture, and health sector could be handed over to Vice County Magistrate Mi Baizuo."

"He has worked in the county for so many years and is highly experienced; he can handle this responsibility."

County Mayor Bai Weijun suddenly looked up, his gaze fixed directly on Secretary Wei Kuan.

His voice was not loud, but every word seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth, carrying a long-suppressed anger.

"Secretary Wei, the division of labor in the County Government is a matter for the County Government; there is no need for you to concern yourself with it."

Secretary Wei Kuan leaned back in his chair, watching him, the corners of his mouth curling up slightly.

"County Magistrate Bai, you are mistaken."

"The County Government carries out its work under the leadership of the County Party Committee."

"This is stipulated by the Party Constitution and is an organizational principle."

"The division of labor in the County Government may seem like a matter for the County Government, but in reality, it concerns the overall situation of the entire county's work."

"Is it not appropriate for the County Party Committee to inquire about it?"

"Or do you think the County Party Committee lacks the authority to do so?"

County Mayor Bai Weijun was choked off; he knew that what Secretary Wei Kuan said was correct.

The County Government operating under the leadership of the County Party Committee was an organizational principle that could not be questioned or challenged.

His remark about not needing Secretary Wei Kuan to worry was, in the eyes of Secretary Wei Kuan, a challenge to the authority of the County Party Committee.

"Secretary Wei, that is not what I meant."

"Then what did you mean?"

County Mayor Bai Weijun was silent for a moment, then said: "My meaning is that the division of labor for Comrade Xu Weidong was decided after discussion by the County Government Executive Meeting, not by me personally."

"If it is to be adjusted, it must also be discussed at the County Government Executive Meeting."

Secretary Wei Kuan nodded, picked up his teacup, and drank slowly.

County Mayor Bai Weijun could not see his expression; the teacup blocked half his face, revealing only a pair of eyes that were neither hot nor cold.

"County Magistrate Bai, you are right. The division of labor in the County Government should be discussed at the County Government Executive Meeting."

"However, if the County Government Executive Meeting cannot reach a conclusion, or if the result of the discussion does not meet the requirements of the County Party Committee, then the County Party Committee has a responsibility to intervene."

"This is the duty of the County Party Committee, and it is also my duty."

County Mayor Bai Weijun's fingers clenched tight, and Secretary Wei Kuan set down his teacup.

Secretary Wei Kuan leaned back in his chair, his gaze landing on County Mayor Bai Weijun's face. His voice was not loud, but every word carried an unquestionable decisiveness.

"County Magistrate Bai, I will give you three days."

"Within three days, bring me a plan for adjusting Comrade Xu Weidong's division of labor."

"If you cannot produce it, or if I am not satisfied with the plan you produce, then we will take it to the Standing Committee and discuss it together."

"After all, we must still uphold democracy."

County Mayor Bai Weijun's face flushed red. He opened his mouth to say something, but meeting Secretary Wei Kuan's calm eyes, he found he could say nothing at all.

"Secretary Wei, are you threatening me?"

Secretary Wei Kuan shook his head, his tone returning to its usual flatness.

"It is not a threat, it is a reminder."

"County Magistrate Bai, you are a young cadre with a boundless future."

"But young cadres must also learn to respect the organization, respect principles, and respect veteran comrades."

"You have done very well in Changyuan County, and the provincial and municipal authorities have both praised you."

"But you must not forget who you are, whom you should listen to, and what you should do just because you have achieved some success."

County Mayor Bai Weijun stood up and picked up the notebook from the table.

"Secretary Wei, if there is nothing else, I will head back."

"Go ahead. Within three days, submit the plan to me."

County Mayor Bai Weijun turned and walked out. The door was not closed tightly, and the voice-activated light in the hallway turned on.

Secretary Wei Kuan sat in his chair, looking at the door that had not been closed properly. He was silent for a moment, then stood up, walked over, and gently closed it.

In the hallway, County Mayor Bai Weijun's back had already disappeared at the top of the stairs.