Qu Kang coughed and said, "According to the schedule of the old city project, it will take at least two years to complete. During this period, there will definitely be an impact on downtown commerce, so I would like to take this opportunity to discuss with everyone to see if there is a more appropriate solution."
Everyone expressed their opinions, most of which were just formalities, such as developing a commercial sub-center or providing tax subsidies to businesses in the business district.
When it was Fang Zhicheng's turn to speak, he smiled and looked around, saying, "I can understand Mayor Qu's concerns, but I don't think there's any need to worry too much, because merchants are very sensitive. Long before the demolition, they thought of many ways to avoid traffic inconvenience and loss of people caused by project construction. Take the Seven Stars Home Appliances Chain Mall as an example. They launched a service that provides subsidies for online purchases and home delivery. So now merchants no longer sell goods through a single channel. They have the ability to adapt and survive."
Qu Kang said with some displeasure: "Are we just going to sit back and do nothing?"
Fang Zhicheng nodded and said, "What is a market economy? It means that the government should use less control to interfere with the normal operation of the market. Whether it is a natural disaster or a man-made disaster, they need to bear it alone. If they really want to provide support policies, they have to wait until the renovation project is completed and give exemptions on rent and taxes."
Qu Kang looked unhappy. Fang Zhicheng seemed to be contradicting him. It was a big taboo in the officialdom for the mayor to be contradicted by the deputy mayor of the standing committee. The scene was awkward.
"Since this is a discussion, everyone should speak freely. To be objective, Comrade Zhicheng's words do make sense." Wang Guoyue skillfully changed the subject and said, "Let's discuss the spirit of the Provincial Party Committee's Document No. 32..."
Discussions at the Standing Committee are a weather vane. The small clash between Fang Zhicheng and Qu Kang actually had a reason. At the mayor's work meeting two days ago, Qu Kang intervened and adjusted several tasks of the Development and Reform Commission, including several industrial structure adjustment plans originally set by Fang Zhicheng. Qu Kang believed that these plans were too vague and could not be implemented, so he rejected the proposal of the Municipal Development and Reform Commission.
Of course, some people analyzed that this was also because Fang Zhicheng had appeared frequently in municipal work recently, which made Qu Kang dissatisfied. Now the people of Caoyao already know that Caoyao has a young deputy mayor who looks to be in his twenties, with a sunny and energetic face, and has done a lot of practical things for the people.
After positive publicity and guidance, the people have a deep understanding of the demolition work in the old city, and realize that if Caoyao wants to develop, the renovation of the old city is a necessary step. Although there will be many troubles in the short term, in the long run, it is a major event that benefits the people.
This tough nut to crack was finally solved thanks to the promotion of the young Mayor Fang. As the people know, it was not easy to come by.
Qu Kang was a little uncomfortable with Fang Zhicheng's timely counterattack. He coughed and didn't say much. Judging from Wang Guoyue's attitude, he still sided with Fang Zhicheng. Judging from the recent Standing Committee meetings, Wang Guoyue and Fang Zhicheng maintained a delicate state, without any bloodshed, but with a hint of echoing each other.
This was also the result of Wang Guoyue seeking support from high-level officials. He needed to achieve peace on the surface so as to intimidate local officials such as Qu Kang. Otherwise, it would easily cause backlash from Qu Kang and others.
After the meeting, Chang Mengyuan pestered Fang Zhicheng and invited him to his office. Chang Mengyuan had taken the initiative to come to his office at the municipal government a few times before, and he actually knew Chang Mengyuan's intentions. Fang Zhicheng had investigated Chang Mengyuan and knew that he was not a person who could be easily controlled, so he tried to keep a distance from him. However, he was caught by him today and couldn't even find an excuse, so Fang Zhicheng followed him into the office.
Chang Mengyuan asked his secretary to make a cup of tea for Fang Zhicheng and said with a smile, "I've always wanted to have a good chat with you, Zhicheng."
Fang Zhicheng smiled faintly and said, "Secretary Mengyuan, you are a veteran cadre of Caoyao, and I would like to ask you many questions."
"I don't deserve it!" Chang Mengyuan smiled modestly. "The Yangtze River is like a river, and since you, Zhicheng, came to Caoyao, both economic development and urban planning have been injected with fresh blood. I see hope and prospects. In the final analysis, we local cadres do not have a long-term vision and are still a little short-sighted in layout."
Fang Zhicheng knew that Chang Mengyuan must have some ulterior motive for being so humble, so he said with a smile: "Secretary Mengyuan, if you have any ideas, we can talk openly."
Chang Mengyuan was not surprised by Fang Zhicheng's straightforwardness. He thought that the person who could contradict Qu Kang at the Standing Committee meeting was quite straightforward, so he said, "You can see Cao Yao's current situation clearly. If you want to compete with Wang Guoyue, I'm afraid you are lacking in your personal ability, so I want to make my position and attitude clear to you."
Fang Zhicheng was slightly startled, thinking that Chang Mengyuan's words were quite straightforward, and smiled, "Secretary Guo Yue and I have conflicts, but that is also a difference in work ideas. In the final analysis, Secretary Guo Yue is the squad leader, and I still respect and admire him very much."
Chang Mengyuan smiled and said, "Squad leader is just a title. In many places, the top leader has been sidelined before. Don't you want to give it a try?"
Chapter 0986 Activating Local Resources
Chang Mengyuan tapped his fingers lightly on the table. His eyes fell on Fang Zhicheng's face, observing the changes in his expression. He was very disappointed. Fang Zhicheng did not change at all from beginning to end. He was much more mature than his age, making it difficult to guess what he was thinking.
Chang Mengyuan's words seemed to be sincere and at the same time a bold test, and also very good at figuring out Fang Zhicheng's mentality. A soldier who doesn't want to be a general is not a good soldier. Fang Zhicheng is now in a fierce momentum. Doesn't he have any plans to replace Wang Guoyue
In the organizational system, the municipal party secretary is the top leader, but in fact in many places, the municipal party secretary is not the most powerful person. If the municipal party secretary loses a lot of support, he will only become an empty shell and a puppet at the mercy of others.
Fang Zhicheng said with a half-smile: "Secretary Guoyue is a capable squad leader. It may not be that easy to undermine him."
Chang Mengyuan shook his head and lowered his voice, "If you are willing, I can convince Mayor Qu to assist you. As you know, Mayor Qu is already at the age limit. If nothing unexpected happens, he will retire next year. He just wants a smooth transition now."
Fang Zhicheng looked up at the expression on Chang Mengyuan's face, and saw the greed in his eyes. He thought to himself that Chang Mengyuan had done a lot of work to gain his trust, disguising himself as a greedy person. Fang Zhicheng followed Chang Mengyuan's words and said, "What do you want?"
Chang Mengyuan smiled mysteriously and said, "Of course it's that position."
According to the ranking of the Standing Committee, if Qu Kang leaves the mayor position, then Chang Mengyuan will be the first successor, which is a logical thing. However, this also needs support. After all, Wang Guoyue is the top leader. If he strongly asks the provincial party committee to airdrop the mayor, this may also disrupt Chang Mengyuan's plan to take over. According to Wang Guoyue's current situation, after Qu Kang leaves, the possibility of the mayor being airdropped is not generally high.
Fang Zhicheng touched the stubble under his lip and said, "Secretary Mengyuan, you also know why Secretary Guoyue cooperated with the Standing Committee today. I have received news from the province. In the short term, I need to maintain a good cooperative relationship with him and give him enough support. If we look at the current state of Cao Yao as a whole, this is reasonable. After all, Cao Yao needs to develop and must be united internally. Wang Guoyue is the squad leader. Although I have a different position from him, we still have to ensure consistency in obeying the overall situation. As for what you said to me today, I will keep it in my heart and will not tell outsiders."
Chang Mengyuan's expression did not change. He cursed inwardly, because he did not expect Fang Zhicheng to be so impenetrable. As the third-ranked figure, he took the initiative to surrender to him, but he was rejected outright. He could only say that Fang Zhicheng was too proud. Could he be so dismissive of his own power
Fang Zhicheng has his own judgment in his mind. Chang Mengyuan's position is important, but it is just a position. He is not enough to recognize Chang Mengyuan and include him in his confidant system. Moreover, Fang Zhicheng has reached a cooperative relationship with the Shao family to control the power of local factions. He can indirectly control Chang Mengyuan through Shao Qingbo.
Chang Mengyuan smiled to hide his embarrassment and said calmly: "It seems that you still don't know me well enough. In addition, I want to ask, do you trust the Shao family enough?"
Fang Zhicheng said calmly: "Trust is cultivated slowly. After going through many things, you will have a sense of trust."
Chang Mengyuan continued to smile and said, "Then why can't we slowly develop a sense of trust?"
Fang Zhicheng asked: "Aren't we training them now?"
The two smiled at each other, each having their own plans and intentions in mind.
A person's quality can be seen from his conversation. Chang Mengyuan is a very knowledgeable person with strong insights into various fields. Therefore, communicating with Chang Mengyuan is not boring but requires a battle of wits and courage.
Although Chang Mengyuan is now in charge of party and mass work, he has previously held important government positions and is familiar with the functions of various institutions. Therefore, Qu Kang admires him very much and trains him to be his successor.
Chang Mengyuan has his own views on the current planning of Caoyao. He believes that the focus should still be on the construction of the new urban area. Although Caoyao is a populous city, most people live in rural areas. Even if the transformation of the old urban area is particularly successful, the radiation area is certain, so it is necessary to actively divert the rural population to the new urban area.
With such insights, Fang Zhicheng also has a new view on Chang Mengyuan. It can be seen that he still supports the new city project, which is different from Qu Kang's attitude. Qu Kang believes that the new city can easily become a political achievement project, just like several cities in the southern part of Huainan, which spent a lot of energy to build a new city, but ended up becoming a ghost town or an empty city.
During the communication between Chang Mengyuan and Fang Zhicheng, he was surprised by Fang Zhicheng's sharpness and judgment. Fang Zhicheng's knowledge far exceeds that of ordinary people, mainly because his perspective is always higher than that of ordinary people. He analyzed and studied Cao Yao's development more from the national level, so he was more in line with policy trends in the details. In this way, within three to five years, he could take advantage of the general trend and create a good development atmosphere naturally.
Although he was somewhat disgusted with Chang Mengyuan's character, Fang Zhicheng had to admit that based on his professional qualities and understanding of Cao Yao, if Qu Kang left Cao Yao, Chang Mengyuan was indeed one of the best replacement candidates.
As soon as he returned to the office, Fang Zhicheng saw Shao Qingbo and Hua Qingwen chatting. Hua Qingwen took the initiative to report: "Mr. Shao has been waiting for a long time."