Reborn as a Noble’s Son
Chapter 1224 - Chapter 1224 Chapter 1179 Reporting to Secretary Nie

Chapter 1224: Chapter 1179: Reporting to Secretary Nie Chapter 1224: Chapter 1179: Reporting to Secretary Nie “Ah? What’s going on with the team in Shuishan County? Can Niu Weiping still do his job? A perfectly good Shuishan County, ruined to this state, filled with foul air and miasma. This county party secretary, can he still do a good job? If not, he better move his ass out of the way early and get someone capable on the job.” Zhou Chaoguo was furious.

Because of the issues in Shuishan County, he had already received criticism from the provincial committee. If it wasn’t for Secretary Nie’s protection, this matter wouldn’t have been downplayed so easily. Now, he had been severely reprimanded once again. Zhou Chaoguo was angered too. Since certain comrades in the city didn’t appreciate the favor extended to them, then he had nothing left to say. With Secretary Nie’s backing, there was no turmoil he couldn’t handle in Yizhou City.

As Zhou Chaoguo spoke, his gaze turned to Mayor Huang Lixiong beside him. Huang Lixiong was ambitious and proud, brimming with energy, determined to achieve something significant in Yizhou City. This time, the land appropriation in Shuishan County was indeed backed by Huang Lixiong behind the scenes.

On the surface, this land appropriation incident in Shuishan County seemed to be the county’s effort to attract investment, but people within the city were well aware that Huang Lixiong played an important role in this matter to a greater or lesser extent.

That’s also why the municipal standing committee turned a blind eye to the situation in Shuishan County. Who would want to offend Huang Lixiong over some insignificant commoners? Wouldn’t that be foolish?

Huang Lixiong’s face looked somewhat displeased. It was common knowledge that Niu Weiping was his man. What was Secretary Zhou implying? His words were clearly directed at him.

The sudden convening of an urgent standing committee meeting, even with Secretary Nie’s phone call, so what? If he didn’t speak up now, he would undeniably leave the impression of backing down.

“Heh.” Huang Lixiong smiled faintly, drawing everyone’s attention. At that moment, he composed himself, sitting up straight without even glancing at Zhou Chaoguo, and continued, “Secretary Zhou, aren’t you exaggerating? The work in Shuishan County has been quite outstanding, especially in the recent two years, the investment attraction work ranks among the best in the entire city. The urbanization construction is done very well. We can say that it’s changing day by day, a modern Xincheng is rising in Shuishan County. This shows that Shuishan County’s team is still a very capable force.”

At this point, Huang Lixiong paused slightly, which happened to be where he drew his confidence from. No matter how inadequate Shuishan County’s work was, no matter how rough the mass work was carried out, the economic growth and development of Shuishan County was undeniable. This was a performance record.

“As for those farmers, they are clearly a bunch of troublemakers. Compensating them with more than ten thousand yuan per mu for first-class farmland, that is already quite generous. Working hard on one mu of land, they’d be lucky to make a thousand yuan a year. More than ten thousand is enough for over a decade. What’s there to be unsatisfied with? Clearly, these are insatiable people. For such people, we should make an example by punishing one to warn others. Those who should be detained, detained. Those who should be sued, sued, we must not indulge them,” Huang Lixiong said righteously. In this age, the pursuit is economic construction and development. Everything looks to the economy. All eyes are on money.

No matter how nicely you talk or how well you treat the masses, if the local economy can’t develop, it’s all empty talk. As long as you boost the local economy, minor flaws and shortcomings don’t count for much–doesn’t the central government also advocate economic construction as the center?

As for the kneeling petition by the farmers of Shuishan County, in Huang Lixiong’s view, this was typical extortion. Not to mention that each mu of land was compensated with over ten thousand yuan. It’s said that in some places, compensation for each mu of land is just a thousand or so yuan, or even in the hundreds. By comparison, Shuishan County’s compensation was already very generous.

“Besides, these farmers of Shuishan County, they actually blocked the convoy on the way to the General Secretary’s inspection, kneeling by the roadside for a petition. Seriously hindering traffic and causing social chaos. The impact was extremely bad. Not only did they give Shuishan County a terrible reputation, but they also put the city in a very passive position. The provincial committee lost face too. Regarding these people, since they violated the ‘Public Security Administration Law,’ my opinion is that we should act according to the central government’s advocacy of governing the country according to law, administering lawfully. Those who should be punished, punished. There shouldn’t be differential treatment. Just because these people knelt to the General Secretary, we shouldn’t refuse to face the problem. Afraid of creating an impact. Afraid of carrying the burden of striking back and thus be overly cautious.”

As Huang Lixiong’s words finished, Zhou Chaoguo’s expression also darkened. His gaze swept across everyone. In the standing committee, many faces appeared indifferent. Clearly, what Huang Lixiong said was approved by a number of standing committee members.

This phenomenon was common. Local leading officials, single-mindedly chasing performance, sacrificing the interests of ordinary people–such things were not rare.

The words of Huang Lixiong seemed reasonable, but they couldn’t stand scrutiny. If you think about it carefully, all these were fallacies, but when Huang Lixiong spoke, he played with words and exploited loopholes, that’s all.

At this time, it was necessary to show a strong attitude; otherwise, if the matter was left unresolved, I wouldn’t be able to explain myself to Secretary Nie. Eventually, it would be Mayor Huang Lixiong who would be out of luck; but in the end, I would follow suit. I absolutely could not become a sacrifice to Mayor Huang’s fate.

This involved my own future and destiny, my position, and even my political life. There was nothing left to discuss.

Zhou Chaoguo’s expression darkened, and he let out a cold snort to express his dissatisfaction. He looked at Huang Lixiong impassively and said, “Comrade Huang Lixiong, it seems you still need to strengthen your understanding. Since the General Secretary took office, he has emphasized time and again the maintenance of party-group and official-group relations. He pointed out the importance of prioritizing the interests of the people. While developing the economy is important, what is even more crucial is to safeguard the interests of the people. According to what you’re saying, what is this supposed to be?”

“Furthermore, I am not aware of other places, but I know that in June, the provincial committee explicitly set the compensation guidelines for state land requisition and demolition in Longxi Province. It also defined the baseline for land requisition. According to the minimum compensation standards for level-one fertile agricultural land, it’s thirty-six thousand two hundred yuan per mu. The documents issued by the city also clearly marked the land requisition standards. Based on the baseline land price of Yizhou City, the compensation standard for these agricultural lands in Shuishan County should be thirty-one thousand one hundred and sixty yuan per mu. Now, this price is completely out of line with the regulations. Initially, the city’s document was voted on and unanimously approved by the Standing Committee. Now, what do you mean by comparing with the compensation from other places? Are you trying to overturn the previous vote? Or do you think, you have more expertise than the provincial Standing Committee leaders?” Zhou Chaoguo was unapologetic, and his words were fiercely critical.

Since the gloves were off, there was no need to hold back any longer. I had already said that Secretary Nie had made a phone call. This was equivalent to informing them that Nie was paying attention to the issue. I had no room to retreat.

If you, Huang Lixiong, would not relent even in this situation, then I, Zhou Chaoguo, have nothing to preserve either. If you won’t let me live comfortably, I won’t let you off easy.

These words left not only Huang Lixiong speechless but also silenced the other Standing Committee members. Secretary Zhou’s declaration was a painful indictment; nobody dared to respond.

If it involves the decision of the Municipal Committee, anyone who opposes it would be going against everyone, including himself. It would mean opposing the leaders of the Provincial Standing Committee. We are all still young with bright futures ahead of us. Although it is not guaranteed to retire with a ministerial-level position, the power we hold now isn’t something to be given up so easily.

The scene suddenly turned awkward. Beside him, Deputy Secretariat Jiang Jianhua pondered for a moment before slowly saying, “Secretary Zhou, please calm your anger. I believe that is not what Mayor Huang intended.”

Having said that, Jiang Jianhua continued, “I tend to agree with Secretary Zhou’s opinion. Since Secretary Nie from the Provincial Committee is personally concerned with this matter, we must take a stand. Regarding the kneeling petitioners, I propose that we immediately instruct the Shuishan County Public Security Bureau to release them unconditionally. Moreover, Shuishan County should apologize to these petitioners and quickly quell their grievances and anger. Additionally, I propose that Shuishan County, in conjunction with the local township leaders, forms a working group to raise the compensation standard to meet the reasonable demands of the public and resolve the issue promptly.”

People within the system are not fools. When the Secretary and the Mayor clashed at the Standing Committee, such a scenario couldn’t simply continue awkwardly. If word got out, it would not look good for anyone. Jiang Jianhua, the peacemaker, arrived at the perfect time, easing the tense atmosphere.

At this moment, Huang Lixiong also calmed down. Zhou Chaoguo’s intense reaction was unexpected to Huang Lixiong. It seemed that Zhou must have been reprimanded by Secretary Nie, or even faced losing his position, to behave like this.

Soon after, Huang Lixiong said with a smile, “I humbly accept Secretary Zhou’s criticism. I was one-sided on this issue. I will self-reflect and report to the organization. I also agree with Deputy Secretary Jiang Jianhua’s opinion.”

With Huang Lixiong conceding, it was no longer appropriate for Zhou Chaoguo to say anything more. At this point, Zhou could only mentally take note and look for another opportunity later. Now, on the surface, Zhou also had to let go. He nodded and said, “Good. Since that’s settled, let’s decide on that. The city will send the Discipline Inspection Commission together with the relevant responsible comrades to Shuishan County. Release these petitioners unconditionally, raise the compensation price to the standard, and take care of pacifying the public. I will go to the province to report to Secretary Nie. Meeting adjourned.”

Saying this, Zhou Chaoguo had already stood up and left the office. His secretary was already approaching: “Boss, Comrade Niu Weiping from Shuishan County is here.” (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you’re welcome to vote and support it at . Your support is my greatest motivation.)

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