Right path to power

Back in the office, Lin Xiao called Xie Chenglin over and told him about Dayuan Real Estate's visit, asking him to further optimize the overall land and resources planning scheme.

At the same time, he was arranged to take the lead in coordinating with the Development and Reform Bureau to take advantage of Dayuan Real Estate's investment in cultural tourism projects and include Guankou Town and Pengning Township in the plan, with Changning Town as the center.

Lin Xiao looked serious and said solemnly, "At this stage, we should focus on implementing Dayuan Real Estate's cultural tourism project. Once this area has developed, we can then start developing the Fuchuan New Area. Therefore, in your original plan, you need to leave room for changing the land use of the surrounding land. You need to have a long-term vision."

Xie Chenglin listened attentively and took careful notes. He could clearly sense that Lin Xiao's overall perspective far surpassed his own. By using a cultural tourism project as a fulcrum, he could revitalize three surrounding towns and create a new district. Every step he took was based on the overall development strategy of the county.

"County Chief, I'll try my best to get the revised plan out by tomorrow."

Lin Xiao waved his hand and said, "Don't rush it. Communicate with the Development and Reform Bureau in detail and try to revise it within a week."

"Yes, we will try to come up with the best solution."

"By the way, I've already spoken with Secretary Zhu, and we'll be discussing personnel matters in a couple of days. You'll be taking over as director. I hope you'll do your job well, be bold and efficient in your work."

Xie Chenglin stood up excitedly: "Thank you for your trust, County Head. I will definitely work hard and live up to Secretary Zhu's and your expectations."

Although he had vaguely sensed Lin Xiao's thoughts during their last conversation, he hadn't really taken it to heart. But when he heard it from her own mouth, he couldn't help but get excited.

Of course, he will reciprocate this trust.

Xie Chenglin walked out of the office with a smile on his face.

When he was approached by Cui Liqin, the deputy director of the Finance Bureau, who asked him about it, he simply smiled and said, "I'm fine, haha."

Cui Liqin wondered, "He really is a bookworm. What's so great about him?"

Then, she knocked on Lin Xiao's office door.

"Good morning, County Head. I'm here to report on my work."

Looking at the smiling Cui Liqin, Lin Xiao felt rather displeased.

This woman comes in too often. Instead of doing her job well, she thinks that if she comes to the office to ask for instructions and report whenever she has nothing to do, she can really get the position of director.

In fact, Lin Xiao was becoming increasingly disgusted.

Cui Liqin mainly reported on the situation of seeking relevant funds from the Municipal Finance Bureau, and hoped that Lin Xiao could go to the city in person when he had time, as this might be more effective.

Lin Xiao said that when he goes to the city to report on his work in a couple of days, he will make a special trip to the Finance Bureau.

Cui Liqin tentatively asked Lin Xiao to bring her along, saying that some specific tasks could be finalized later.

Just then, Wang Xinghong came in to report that Teng Lijie, a member of the Standing Committee of the County Discipline Inspection Commission and director of the Office for Correcting Unhealthy Tendencies, had arrived.

Could it be that he has already latched onto Lin Xiao's coattails?

After sitting down, Teng Lijie got straight to the point: "County Chief, I have something to report to you about Cao Changjie. I've already reported it to Secretary Yang, but he's considering the sensitive nature of the matter and asked me to give you a brief overview first. He'll give Secretary Zhu a more detailed report later."

"Oh, go ahead." Lin Xiao suddenly became more interested.

"Here's what happened. After news spread this morning that Secretary Zhu, you, and some county leaders went to the funeral home to pay their respects, several posts appeared online saying that Cao Changjie did not die on duty at all, but was drunk last night and was playing cards in town during the day. He happened to see you in town and was afraid of being caught playing cards at work and being punished by his superiors, so he drove to the town government in a hurry and got into a car accident on the way."

"what?"

Lin Xiao found it utterly absurd.

These people have far too much imagination.

Teng Lijie added, "The post also included several photos of Cao Changjie coming out of the teahouse."

Lin Xiao's expression immediately turned serious: "Is there anything else?"

"Some people say he frequents that teahouse, where he plays cards in the attic and sometimes doesn't go home all night. It's said that he has an ambiguous relationship with the teahouse owner."

After saying that, Teng Lijie said solemnly, "County Chief, if what is said online is true, the county's high-profile commendation of him will probably make the people laugh at us, and they might even talk behind our backs."

Lin Xiao nodded slightly and said in a deep voice, "I understand. Communicate with the public security department and ask them to intervene in the investigation, find out exactly what happened yesterday, and obtain concrete evidence."

If Cao Changjie was indeed in a car accident because he was afraid of being discovered while playing cards and was nervous, then the relevant compensation conditions should be lowered.

"Yes, County Head, I'll take care of it right away."

At this moment, Hu Qingqing came to inform us that Zhu Lishu was going to hold a short meeting, Dong Yimei had returned, but Cao Changjie's family refused to agree to the aftermath plan, threatening to insist on not cremating him and to make trouble in the city, the province, and even the northern part of the city.

Upon arriving at Zhu Lishu's office, Dong Yimei recounted the communication situation and said helplessly, "Hong Cuixiu's attitude is very firm, and with her brother stirring things up, she's making exorbitant demands, saying she wants to increase the compensation to two million. She also said that a clear answer must be given today, and Secretary Zhu must sign a commitment, otherwise she will cause trouble in the city tomorrow, and even... threatened to bring Cao Changjie to the county government."

Despite her patient explanations to the Hong siblings for a long time, it was to no avail. She was quite dissatisfied and thought to herself: If the person hadn't died, I wouldn't have said a single word.

"This is utterly unreasonable and pushes their luck."

Upon hearing this, He Zhiqiang expressed his dissatisfaction in a stern voice.

Gao Chengce also worriedly said, "We absolutely cannot let her bring people over. If word gets out, it will have a terrible impact. But two million is just too much. I think the county should think of another way to see if they can increase the compensation."

"I disagree!"

Lin Xiao said in a deep voice, "These people are taking advantage of our kindness. Giving in will only make them make more unreasonable demands. Besides, the compensation amount has already provided the maximum possible relief within the policy scope. This bottom line must not be crossed."

Now I need to address another situation. There are rumors circulating online that Cao Changjie's car accident wasn't on official business, but rather yesterday while he was playing cards at a teahouse and was in a hurry to get back to the town government when the accident occurred. If this is true, whether he qualifies for any compensation remains to be determined.

When he changed the subject earlier, he glanced at Juliet, and only continued speaking after receiving her tacit approval.

Zhu Lishu immediately instructed Hu Qingqing to check online, but after searching around, she found no relevant information.

"It seems the post has been deleted. I don't know what the propaganda department is doing, repeatedly missing such important online public opinion information."

Juliet's face darkened as she openly expressed her dissatisfaction with the propaganda department.

If the rumors circulating online are true, the county will not only be embarrassed, but it will also expose a lack of necessary rigor in dealing with emergencies.

She pondered for a moment and said, "The most important thing right now is to thoroughly investigate the cause and process of the car accident. Once we confirm what's said online, the county can take the initiative."

"Secretary Zhu, I've already asked the Public Security Bureau to investigate."

Just then, Yang Xueting, the secretary of the county discipline inspection commission, knocked on the door and walked in, waving an envelope in his hand. He said, "Secretary Zhu, leaders, the discipline inspection commission has just received a letter of complaint about Cao Changjie. The contents are very detailed, involving issues of lifestyle and economic problems. There are photos, accounting records, etc. After preliminary verification, the information provided is highly credible."

As he spoke, he handed the letter of complaint to Juliet.

Zhu Lishu quickly flipped through the document, her face turning extremely grim: "This concerns the reputation of a deceased comrade. Your Discipline Inspection Commission must treat this matter with utmost care, conduct a comprehensive investigation as soon as possible, and be sure to verify all relevant leads and ascertain the truth of the matter."

"Okay, Secretary Zhu." Yang Xueting nodded.

Lin Xiao added, "Given the new circumstances, I suggest suspending discussions on the aftermath and halting related application processes until the facts are verified."

"I agree."

Zhu Lishu nodded in agreement first, and then said in a deep voice: "Comrades, we need to reflect deeply on this matter. Life is of course the most important thing, but the integrity, self-discipline and upright conduct of cadres are equally indispensable. Once some things collapse, it is even more heartbreaking than losing a life."

This incident has served as a wake-up call for us. We were too hasty in considering personal relationships and saving face. We rushed to offer condolences and tacitly acknowledged that the incident was due to official business without waiting for the accident investigation results or verifying the facts. The procedures were clearly hasty.

No matter what happens, facts come first, human relationships second, and rules come first. In future similar situations, the responsibility for the accident and the conduct of the officials involved must be investigated first before discussing condolences, commendations, or compensation. We must never again be prejudiced and put ourselves in a passive position.

Everyone listened quietly, each lost in their own thoughts.

Suddenly, Zhu Lishu also felt that she had matured a lot in governing the local area.