Right path to power

Then, Bi Fupeng vividly recounted how Lin Xiao had taken strong measures to rectify corporate pollution and how he had pushed the court to impose a heavy sentence on Zhou Huayu.

"Secretary, if everyone acts like him, more than one company will be scared away. What's more fatal is that if we don't quickly eliminate the impact, the city's image and reputation will be damaged, and attracting investment will only become more and more difficult in the future."

Wang Yuanze was taken aback, then laughed and said, "Comrade Fupeng, are you worrying unnecessarily? I've also been following the environmental remediation efforts in Zhenxing District. As far as I know, the public feedback has been very positive. As for scaring away potential investors, that's the first time I've heard of that; I don't know the specifics."

However, I believe the key to attracting investment lies in effective promotion and communication. If businesses operate legally, we will certainly protect their legitimate interests. Conversely, if businesses violate laws and regulations, it will be the same no matter where they go.

"But......."

"Comrade Fupeng," Wang Yuanze said earnestly, "Zhenxing District is on the right track in addressing environmental pollution. We can't just focus on the immediate economic gains; you also need to make your own independent judgments."

Bi Fupeng looked helpless: "Secretary Wang, my main concern is that we won't be able to meet this year's investment attraction targets."

Wang Yuanze said slowly, "Comrade Lin Xiao does have some experience in this area. He achieved good results in Fengshan County and Fuchuan County. Zhenxing District has lagged behind in development in recent years, so you can assign more tasks and give them more responsibility."

Bi Fupeng nodded: "Okay, I'll make a trip to Zhenxing District as soon as possible and convey your instructions."

He knew in his heart that Wang Yuanze would not deny the environmental remediation, and that his attempt to use this as a pretext would definitely not work.

However, Wang Yuanze seemed to want to use investment targets as leverage, which would be a good opportunity for him to give Lin Xiao a warning.

Having thought this through, he stopped arguing.

Afterwards, Bi Fupeng set off to Zhenxing District for research.

At the symposium, Yang Songfeng, on behalf of the district government, reported on the progress of this year's key tasks, including the completion of investment attraction tasks.

He looked troubled: "Recently, the district has been cracking down on environmental pollution by businesses, shutting down a number of companies, which has objectively had a negative impact on our investment attraction efforts. It seems that the investment plan for the first half of the year is far from being met, and the annual target is unlikely to be achieved."

Bi Fupeng interrupted, "I've taken a look. So far, Zhenxing District hasn't even reached half of its target for the number of investment projects or the amount of investment, ranking last among all districts and counties in the city. At this rate, the gap will be enormous in the first half of the year and even the whole year, which is clearly dragging the entire city down. What are the district's plans in response to this situation?"

Yang Songfeng thought for a moment: "Mayor Bi, Jinhua Textile initially planned to invest 500 million yuan, but the deal was almost terminated due to the Zhou Huayu incident. After much effort, their attitude has softened, but their investment intentions remain ambiguous. We are actively working to persuade them to continue."

In addition, several other projects are under intensive negotiation, but investors are mainly taking a wait-and-see approach. I believe that once the impact of the Zhou Huayu incident is completely eliminated, we will be able to quickly reverse the unfavorable situation and continuously narrow the gap in our tasks.

He was well aware that Bi Fupeng's visit was not only for attracting investment, but more importantly, to use the difficulties in attracting investment to "demand an explanation" from Lin Xiao.

Therefore, he must set an example.

At this moment, Bi Fupeng looked at Lin Xiao and said coldly, "Comrade Lin Xiao, you are the top leader in economic affairs, and your past achievements in attracting investment in several places are remarkable. Faced with the current situation in the district, do you have any brilliant ideas?"

Then, Lin Xiao recounted, as if reciting a familiar story, the main tasks he had undertaken since taking office, the problems he had discovered, and the reasons for the current situation.

Throughout the entire speech, he spoke at a calm pace and with a composed expression. His content was logically clear and well-founded, which forced Bi Fupeng to nod in agreement.

However, Yang Songfeng's expression was not very pleasant, because the more Lin Xiao criticized everything, the more he was negating his work in front of the city leaders.

"In terms of planning, we are in contact with the Fengdu Urban Design Institute to commission them to help prepare a development plan for the entire district, which will guide subsequent investment attraction and project implementation. My initial idea is to, on the one hand, promote the renovation of shantytowns in the old city, build supporting resettlement housing, promote real estate development in an orderly manner, and promote the eastward expansion of the urban area in conjunction with the renovation and upgrading of underground pipelines, so as to revitalize the old city; on the other hand, actively introduce emerging industries and create a high-tech new materials industrial park and an electronic information industrial park."

Regarding investment attraction performance evaluation, all government officials are mobilized; everyone has a target and everyone is evaluated. Starting with myself, I've clearly defined the annual investment attraction target and linked it to performance bonuses, evaluations, and personnel appointments. The specific plan is currently being drafted by the District Party Committee Office. Here, in front of Mayor Bi, I'd like to first state my position: this year, I will commit to a target of one billion yuan.

The group hesitated for a moment, seemingly recalling what Lin Xiao had just said.

"Clap clap clap—"

Bi Fupeng actually applauded, then smiled and said, "Comrade Lin Xiao, as the top leader, took the lead and took the initiative, which is commendable. I hope other comrades can follow Comrade Lin Xiao's example."

Lin Xiao smiled and said, "Comrades, don't put too much pressure on yourselves. Just do what you can based on your own situation. Although these are individual targets, we are a collective with a common goal: to contribute to the development of Zhenxing District and to the economic development of the entire city."

"good!"

Bi Fupeng exclaimed in admiration, then turned to Yang Songfeng: "Comrade Songfeng, Comrade Lin Xiao is so determined, you should also express your support."

Yang Songfeng wore a smile on his face, but cursed inwardly.

Make a statement? How can he make a statement? Like Lin Xiao, casually shouting out 1 billion yuan? That's clearly just bragging without thinking. Why doesn't he just resign after he's finished...?

After muttering to himself for a moment, Yang Songfeng still stated, "Then I'll take on the 100 million yuan task. I don't have the connections of Secretary Lin, nor do I want to compete with the investment promotion department for resources, so I can only do my best."

Actually, it's not that he can't claim 500 million; he'll naturally find a way to raise the money eventually.

However, Lin Xiao wanted to show off, so he wouldn't join in the fun.

Following suit, others also claimed their shares.

Everyone was quite frustrated because they had never been assigned a task before, but the top leader had set a target of 1 billion yuan, so they couldn't refuse to give their opinion.

Of course, after claiming their quotas, everyone secretly started making their own calculations.

"I've done a preliminary calculation, and the amount of targets you've claimed already accounts for one-third of Zhenxing District's annual target. With your leadership team taking the lead, I believe Zhenxing District's investment promotion work will make great strides in the future, and I look forward to your excellent results," Bi Fupeng said with a smile.

Lin Xiao continued, "Mayor Bi, I plan to convene a special meeting on investment promotion. All leaders of the district's four leading bodies, heads of district departments, and principal party and government officials of townships (streets) will take on tasks, be assessed item by item, and their assigned targets and subsequent progress will be made public for social supervision."

Upon hearing this, Yang Songfeng felt even more depressed.

Publicly disclosing individual targets and progress is tantamount to exposing everyone to the scrutiny of all cadres and ordinary people in the district, leaving no way out.

The meeting room fell silent for a moment. Everyone verbally agreed, but each had their own thoughts.

"Indeed, it seems Comrade Lin Xiao has made a firm decision. Well then, I'll be waiting to celebrate your success."

He originally came with the intention of holding someone accountable, but Lin Xiao's initiative and courage gave him a new understanding of this young secretary.

Although he knew in his heart that there was bound to be some exaggeration involved, he would still deliver on some of the targets.

Moreover, making it public is tantamount to burning one's boats.

In his concluding remarks, he conveyed the concern and expectations of Wang Yuanze, the municipal party secretary, for Zhenxing District, hoping that under the leadership of the new team, Zhenxing District would catch up, forge ahead, and change its appearance as soon as possible.

After Lin Xiao made a brief statement, the symposium came to an end.

Soon, the news spread, and private discussions quickly arose.

Upon hearing the news, some township officials looked distressed, fully aware of the economic situation in their jurisdictions. Making the targets public meant that failing to meet them was more than just a matter of saving face.

Some department heads, meanwhile, were in their offices figuring out where they could raise the numbers.

In addition, some cadres are taking a wait-and-see approach, waiting to see if Lin Xiao can deliver on his promise.

In short, pragmatic cadres feel that clear and well-defined goals are a good thing; those who want to take shortcuts, however, will feel resistant.

Back in the office, Lin Xiao instructed Xie Guangyan to include this work in the district committee's key performance indicators, while Xie Guangyan shared his concerns.

After listening, Lin Xiao said calmly, "It's normal to feel pressure, but compared to pressure, those false numbers are more disappointing."

A while later, Qu Ningbo, the secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission, arrived again.