Nominal: Energy sector enters Handong, breaking the deadlock

An aged voice came from the other end of the phone, "Comrade Yunhui, this is Liu Changsheng."

Song Yunhui: "Governor Liu, hello. I didn't expect you to call me personally. How has work been lately?"

Liu Changsheng didn't mince words, saying, "I'm doing well in my new position."

I called today for no other reason than to thank you.

Your swift and decisive action this time, eradicating the malignant tumor of "turtle essence" in Handong, has truly done a great and practical thing for the people of Handong.

The Handong turtle essence already existed during Liu Changsheng's tenure.

"That company has been harming countless elderly people across the province by using false advertising and brainwashing marketing, reaping the hard-earned money of the people, and causing harm for many years."

Comrade Yunhui, upon your arrival in Handong, you faced resistance without fear or favoritism, and successfully eliminated the entire group. This is truly commendable. Thank you!

Song Yunhui was humble, neither taking credit nor showing off.

After all, Liu Changsheng is now considered his superior.

"Governor Liu, you flatter me. Being in this position, I am fulfilling my duties, protecting the rights of the people, and purifying the market environment. This is simply my job and not worth mentioning. We are all serving the people."

"It's hardest to stick to one's duties," Liu Changsheng continued. "Many officials only seek stability and maintain their political achievements while in office, unwilling to tackle tough issues or handle difficult problems. Yunhui, you have a sense of responsibility and the courage to take charge. Handong is a blessing for the people of the entire province. I, Liu Changsheng, am relieved."

A few words of praise, each one heartfelt, were Liu Changsheng's genuine recognition.

Song Yunhui took the opportunity to extend an invitation: "Governor Liu, you have cultivated the land in Handong for many years, and Handong's present-day achievements are based on the foundation you laid."

When you have time, you must go back to Handong and visit more of the area.

Liu Changsheng pondered for a moment, then said, "Alright, it's a deal."

I've just been transferred to a new position, and there are many things I need to sort out and familiarize myself with, so I can't spare the time for now.

Once I've sorted out my work, I'll submit a report requesting to go to Handong, making a special trip back there.

The two exchanged a few more pleasantries, talked about the current situation of the Handong leadership and the problems in Handong's development, and then hung up the phone.

Song Yunhui dialed an internal number, "Xiao Zhou, come here for a moment."

A moment later, Zhou Haoyang tiptoed in, holding a notebook in his hand. "Boss, I'm here."

Song Yunhui leaned back in his office chair. "Xiao Zhou, what's the schedule for today?"

Zhou Haoyang opened his notebook. "Boss, the top three documents on the table are urgent and need your review and signature."

At 9:00 AM, the Party Secretary's Office held a meeting.

At 10:30, a symposium on the development of the private economy in the province was held.

The provincial investment promotion meeting will be held at 3:30 pm...

Song Yunhui nodded slightly. "I won't be attending the investment promotion meeting this afternoon. Please inform Vice Governor Ding Jianguo to attend in my place."

Zhou Haoyang immediately picked up his pen to take notes. "Yes, leader. I will immediately notify the General Office to adjust the schedule and coordinate with Governor Ding."

In addition, Secretary Li Dakang of the Jingzhou Municipal Party Committee was waiting in the lounge early in the morning, hoping to report to you in person.

To meet or not to meet?

Song Yunhui picked up the top document on the table, thought for a moment, and said calmly, "Have him come in in thirty minutes."

Take a moment from my busy schedule to look at the documents.

"Yes, sir." Zhou Haoyang left the office and gently closed the door behind him.

In less than thirty minutes, Song Yunhui finished reviewing the documents.

Song Yunhui picked up the phone and told Zhou Haoyang to bring Li Dakang in.

There was a gentle knock on the office door, and Li Dakang strode in.

Dressed in a gray suit, without any pleasantries or small talk, he went straight to the desk. "Governor Song, I was wrong. Please criticize me!"

Humility and admitting mistakes first.

Song Yunhui raised his head. "Comrade Dakang, sit down."

Li Dakang slightly raised his hand. "Governor Song, I dare not do that. I came here today specifically to apologize to you. I, Li Dakang, will make a self-criticism."

If you take the initiative to admit your mistake, you might not get punished, or you might get a lighter punishment.

Song Yunhui laughed instead. "Secretary Dakang, where did you go wrong?"

"The problematic 'Handong Turtle Essence' project was originally a key enterprise that Ding Yizhen spearheaded to attract investment to Guangming District during his tenure as the district party secretary. Back then, it was packaged as a high-tech health product industry and a leading project for people's livelihood, and it received the green light all the way to Jingzhou." Li Dakang first admitted his mistake, then shifted the blame.

A very standard blame-shifting process.

Song Yunhui stared at him, speaking calmly and deliberately, and asked, "Secretary Dakang, from what you've said, all the problems are Ding Yizhen's responsibility alone?"

"You, the Party Secretary of Jingzhou City, were completely unaware of this?"

Even with simple issues, don't give the other party any room to shift the blame.

Li Dakang immediately shook his head and took the initiative to take responsibility, "Governor Song, I have absolutely no intention of shirking responsibility!"

Ding Yizhen is undoubtedly the person directly responsible, but I also bear an inescapable supervisory responsibility.

That seems a bit of an exaggeration.

What if I get criticized?

It's awful!

He had to bite the bullet and continue explaining: "In the early stages of the project, I was still serving as the Party Secretary of Lincheng City, and I was not directly involved."

After I was transferred to Jingzhou to take charge, I was primarily responsible for the city's project construction and economic development. However, I failed to conduct in-depth investigations and identify potential risks in such a large and problematic enterprise. My supervision was superficial, which is a typical case of dereliction of duty and lack of oversight.

By admitting his mistakes and making no attempt to cover them up, Li Dakang should be wary of facing severe punishment.

Song Yunhui nodded. "Comrade Dakang, it's good that you realize this. What are your plans?"

In fact, Song Yunhui's original intention was to eliminate the impact of the Handong turtle essence project.

Li Dakang interpreted this as how to deal with himself: "Governor Song, so I took the initiative to apologize to the Provincial Party Committee and the Provincial Government, and to you, and voluntarily accepted the organizational punishment. I applied to have three months' performance-based salary deducted as a warning to myself and to prevent me from making the same mistake again."

I'd rather be fined than be punished.

"Secretary Dakang, don't worry, the follow-up investigation of this matter will be handled by the investigation team." Song Yunhui changed the subject, "Secretary Dakang, you've come at the right time. May I ask, how is the Guangming Peak project progressing?"

Li Dakang thought it was an easy question.

There's nothing new about it; if Sha Ruijin asks the same question, Song Yunhui will ask the same question again.

There's absolutely nothing new about it.

Naturally, the standard, safe answer will be given.

"Governor Song, the project is progressing steadily and positively overall. Various infrastructure and investment promotion efforts are progressing smoothly, and there is no risk of it stalling or becoming an abandoned project."

"Be more specific," Song Yunhui said, tapping the table.

Such a vague answer is unacceptable.

Li Dakang immediately began to shift the blame, "Governor Song, it's like this, the project was originally led by Ding Yizhen as the chief commander."

After his incident, I immediately adjusted the leadership team and streamlined the division of responsibilities. I urgently appointed Sun Liancheng, the head of Guangming District, to take over as the general commander of the Guangming Peak project and to take full charge of the follow-up work. Currently, the team is stable and progress is going smoothly.

It's absolutely impossible for him to voluntarily admit that there's a problem.

That doesn't make sense.

Song Yunhui was a little angry. "Comrade Dakang, from what you're saying, you're completely unaware of the hidden problems and lingering risks in the project?"

Should we stand aside?

We must first give Li Dakang a warning for his tendency to shift blame onto his subordinates.

Li Dakang lowered his head and said, "Governor Song, I am aware of the general situation and the publicly available data, but I am indeed unaware of the potential risks you mentioned."

I've reflected on this, and perhaps my focus in my work is somewhat off.

Look at Li Dakang's art of speaking.