Chapter 62: Political Achievements Are the Ultimate Truth!

The next day, around ten o'clock.

Tang Ye received a phone call from Wang Kaicheng.

"Wasn't it a bit too impulsive to arrest Hu Junsheng yesterday? This morning, some people unfurled a banner at the entrance of the county government office and called TV reporters to complain that our arrest of Hu Junsheng constituted violent demolition, demanding his immediate release. County Magistrate Wei is extremely furious and has given instructions to handle this matter properly and urgently."

"We arrested Hu Junsheng because he physically assaulted someone. That is entirely separate from the demolition."

"County Magistrate Wei only looks at the results! Make a trip to the county seat and explain things clearly."

"I am heading over right now to handle it."

After hanging up, Tang Ye thought to himself that everything was within expectations.

However, Wang Kaicheng's attitude made Tang Ye quite uncomfortable.

Wang Kaicheng was a smiling tiger who was extremely polite to him and occasionally invited him to banquets.

This man was good at maneuvering, good at speculating, and a firm believer in Feng Shui.

For instance, on the right side of his desk sat a pen holder, which in Feng Shui is called the brush for promoting official rank.

In his bookcase, on both the left and right sides, were two bronze artifacts, shaped like a monkey and a horse respectively, symbolizing an immediate rise to high office.

Despite putting on all these flashy displays, whenever a major issue arose, Mayor Wang would play disappearing act!

For Tang Ye, having such an immediate superior was not entirely a bad thing.

Although Wang Kaicheng loved to reap the rewards without putting in the work and disliked taking responsibility, his personality meant he wouldn't interfere with Tang Ye's initiatives.

...

Inside the mayor's office.

Cao Debiao was pinching a cigarette, smoke curling around his fingertips.

"Why did Tang Ye have to arrest Hu Junsheng and escalate the conflict? He is usually quite sharp and smooth; why was he so impulsive this time?"

Wang Kaicheng looked deeply worried. "He is still too young. Since the demolition work failed to meet the predetermined targets, he had no choice but to resort to brute force."

Cao Debiao looked thoughtful. "If it were me, I would have cooperated with Huo Jiansheng right from the start. Let the demolition company handle the expropriation and clearance while we oversee it—much simpler and entirely worry-free."

Wang Kaicheng sighed. "Tang Ye's original intention was good: he hoped to use the benefits of the demolition for the ordinary people as much as possible. However, he underestimated the difficulty of the demolition. Professionals should handle professional matters. Huo Jiansheng specializes in demolition projects in Tianling County, has plenty of tactics, and is very close to the county leaders. Most likely, Tang Ye is going to suffer a huge loss this time due to his lack of grassroots work experience."

In the past, Cao Debiao would have eagerly awaited Tang Ye's downfall.

However, Cao Debiao's impression of Tang Ye had quietly shifted.

Hu Junsheng actually dared to strike Guo Liang!

Guo Liang represented the government!

If such a person wasn't arrested, where would the authority of the government be?

"During the sand and gravel quarry incident last time, Tang Ye annoyed County Magistrate Wei. Barring any accidents, County Magistrate Wei will likely use this opportunity to make trouble."

Wang Kaicheng glanced indifferently at Cao Debiao. "County Magistrate Wei isn't that petty."

Yet, he was muttering inwardly.

The county was currently conducting a rectification campaign.

Several of County Magistrate Wei's capable subordinates had been drawn into the whirlpool of this operation.

Meanwhile, Tang Ye was on very close terms with Du Chengfeng, and thus was highly likely to become a sacrificial lamb in the struggle between the two men.

...

Tang Ye quickly rushed to the county seat.

Under the appeasement of the Letters and Visits Bureau, the crowd had already dispersed.

However, the representatives were still waiting for the outcome.

When Tang Ye stepped into the conference room, all eyes instantly locked onto him.

Some gazes were indifferent, some were sneering, and most were watching the show.

Du Chengfeng's mood was complicated. He glanced at the seat in the back right and said, "Take a seat!"

Believing his conscience was clear, Tang Ye calmly and generously took his seat.

Du Chengfeng looked toward Wei Jian and softly said, "Let's start the meeting!"

Wei Jian's face was expressionless, though he felt immensely gratified inside.

He knew Tang Ye held a certain weight in Du Chengfeng's heart.

With an extremely stern tone, Wei Jian began, "The demolition work for the Aoou Electrical Appliance project in Pinghu Town has encountered massive problems. I suggest transferring the demolition authority over to the county government;

Secondly, Hu Junsheng must be released immediately. As for the demolition conditions he proposed, the county will arrange a team to communicate with him;

Lastly, regarding the adverse impact caused, we must hold the relevant personnel accountable..."

Tang Ye sneered.

Summarizing Wei Jian's lengthy speech, it boiled down to three meanings.

First, strip Pinghu Town of its demolition power.

Second, release Hu Junsheng immediately.

Third, both Chen Zhihua and himself would face disciplinary punishment.

Tang Ye felt a surge of intense anger.

Wei Jian was downplaying the seriousness of Hu Junsheng's assault;

Transferring the demolition authority meant that massive profits would be seized by forces behind the scenes;

Facing disciplinary action would leave a stain on his record and harm his political career;

He had worked himself to the bone for the local area, only to receive this kind of outcome?

Tang Ye had to defend himself.

However, the situation was unfavorable to him.

Higher-ranking officials could easily crush those below them.

Wei Jian's tone had already finalized the verdict.

How much impact could a defense make at this moment?

Tang Ye wasn't very confident.

Of course, he had external support—namely, Du Chengfeng.

This storm was, in essence, a covert contest of strength between Du Chengfeng and Wei Jian.

Du Chengfeng decided to speak up for Tang Ye.

Otherwise, those who were wavering would lean toward Wei Jian.

At that moment, his cell phone rang.

Seeing that the call was from Municipal Party Secretary Zhou Chengwu, he quickly answered!

Zhou Chengwu's voice was resonant. "Comrade Chengfeng, I am attending a meeting at the provincial level. I just received some great news. The Provincial State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission has decided to locate the resort project in your Tianling County. Congratulations!"

Unable to conceal his excitement, Du Chengfeng probed, "Is it located in Pinghu Town?"

Zhou Chengwu laughed heartily. "Indeed. Director Qi of the Provincial SASAC has a very favorable impression of Pinghu.

Last week, he went to Pinghu and Jinshui for unannounced research visits and gave high praise to the cadres of Pinghu. From the party secretary to ordinary staff, everyone sweeps the streets together with the sanitation workers at five o'clock every morning—no other township in the entire province can achieve that.

Furthermore, Pinghu has done a better job than Jinshui in environmental protection, transforming the sand and gravel quarries and demonstrating ecological conservation awareness.

In addition, Director Qi holds young Tang in extremely high regard, and the resort project will even be named after young Tang's proposal—it will be called the Wellness Town!"

Du Chengfeng had previously been pondering how to bail Tang Ye out of this predicament.

With this news now, did he still need to bail him out?

This was a contribution grand enough to shake the heavens; they should be rushing to bestow awards!

After hanging up with Zhou Chengwu, Du Chengfeng wore a smile. "Let me share some good news with everyone. The resort project originally slated for Jinshui Town in Chongjiang County has been secured by Pinghu. The Provincial State-owned Investment Corporation will invest in it, with an initial funding of three billion yuan."

As his voice fell,

Wei Jian's head buzzed.

He knew Du Chengfeng had been searching for connections and brainstorming ways to secure the provincial-level resort project.

In Wei Jian's eyes, it had been pure wishful thinking.

A multi-billion-yuan project was not something a county-level official could secure.

The reason Chongjiang County had such loud acclaim was because a former vice-ministerial-level leader from Chongjiang County was pulling strings behind the scenes.

Who could have imagined it would actually be secured?

Tang Ye's mood was also like a rollercoaster.

He had prepared himself for a reprimand and gathered materials for his defense.

Now, it seemed none of that was necessary.

Political achievements were the ultimate rule!

Tang Ye's spirit and aura completely changed.

He took the initiative to speak up. "Secretary Du, the obstacles encountered in the Pinghu Town demolition work this time were a meticulously planned conspiracy. I suggest we investigate this to the very end!"

As soon as Tang Ye said this,

the expressions of the participants in the room became extraordinarily colorful.

They hadn't expected Tang Ye to react so swiftly!

He was going to use the news of the project landing in Pinghu to stage a brilliant counterattack!