Fang Zhicheng understood what Ye Mingjing meant. He was hinting that Song Wendi was leaving Yinzhou. Ye Mingjing had other intentions for saying these things to him, such as hoping to reach a consensus after he and Song Wendi left.
Song Wendi has been in Yinzhou's officialdom for almost three years. Under his leadership, the entire Yinzhou has made great leaps in both economic momentum and social stability. More importantly, Song Wendi has successfully established a network of personal resources in Yinzhou, becoming a strong leader who has the final say.
Second-in-command Zhang Guoxin has been keeping a low profile in his competition with Song Wendi, trying not to clash head-on with her. But if Song Wendi leaves, will Zhang Guoxin still be able to keep his composure? Obviously, it is unlikely.
Zhang Guoxin is the representative of the Ye family in Yinzhou. Today, Ye Mingjing and Fang Zhicheng were sitting in the study room, drinking tea and chatting. This was probably an initial negotiation for the division of power in Yinzhou after Song Wendi left.
After Song Wendi left, it was not very likely that Zhang Guoxin would be able to become the municipal party secretary. Because the current top leader of Yinzhou is already a high-ranking deputy minister, and Zhang Guoxin is only a full-time department-level cadre, which is still a long way from that position.
However, administrative level does not completely represent power. If Song Wendi is willing to hand over some of his resources to Zhang Guoxin, he can use them as a bargaining chip against the Ye family after the replacement of the municipal party secretary.
Fang Zhicheng smiled modestly and said, "I am only a deputy director-level cadre now, how can I think so far ahead?"
Ye Mingjing took a deep look at Fang Zhicheng and said calmly, "You have to think so far ahead. A new emperor appoints new ministers. If the new municipal party secretary takes office, I'm afraid you will be the first to be affected."
Fang Zhicheng was slightly startled, pretending not to know, and asked, "Why?"
Ye Mingjing did not continue to point it out, and smiled: "You have been in the officialdom for so long, I don't believe you can't figure this out."
Fang Zhicheng smiled bitterly and said, "Boss Ye, you must be joking. I have only been working in the government for three years. What does this mean to those old hands who have been in the industry for twenty or thirty years?"
Ye Mingjing waved his hand and said, "One year, two years, three years... Time is just a string of numbers. Whether it lasts forever depends on how deep you take root. The officialdom is divided into the outer circle and the inner circle. Some people can never enter the inner circle in their entire lives and can only circle around the outer circle. But you are different. Since you became the secretary of the municipal party secretary, you have entered the inner circle. Compared with ordinary officials, both the height and vision are much longer-term."
Fang Zhicheng smiled and said, "Boss Ye, you've said so much, what exactly do you want me to do?"
Ye Mingjing smiled faintly and said, “When Secretary Wendi leaves Yinzhou, you will need to be protected by the Municipal Party Committee. The identity of the son-in-law of the Ye family is enough for you to rest assured.”
Fang Zhicheng was speechless, and smiled bitterly: "Boss Ye, isn't this a bit inappropriate? Xiaorou is still in school..."
Ye Mingjing waved his hand and said, "Do you know what a political marriage is?"
Fang Zhicheng fell into deep thought, and after a long while he said, "This is unfair to Xiaorou!"
Ye Mingjing sighed softly, "You know how Xiaorou feels about you, and she won't refuse. Of course, if you don't like Xiaorou and have no feelings for her, I won't push her to you."
Fang Zhicheng slowly raised his head and said with a wry smile: "But our relationship hasn't reached that stage yet..."
Ye Mingjing shook his head and said, "I'm not forcing you, but asking you to think carefully. Since you and Xiaorou are in love, why don't you try to move forward? Of course, you can also look at it from another angle. You don't need to get married for real. You only need an engagement ceremony to achieve the purpose of a political marriage."
Fang Zhicheng took a breath and said with a wry smile: "Boss Ye, I finally know that Xiaorou has never been able to forgive you."
Ye Mingjing was slightly startled, with a hint of anger on his face. Ye Qingrou was the only lifeline in his heart. "Xiao Fang, please be rational. My suggestion to you is of great benefit and no harm."
Fang Zhicheng stood up and refused in all seriousness: "Mr. Ye, I understand what you mean. Just an engagement can make the Song family and the Ye family reconcile, but have you ever thought that this is the beginning of a nightmare for Xiaorou? If she knows that this is just a political marriage, how will she view you and me?"
Ye Mingjing looked solemn and remained silent for a long time before he slowly said, "Please think carefully about it. If you don't want to, no one can force you to do it."
"I'll leave first!" Fang Zhicheng turned around decisively and decided to leave resolutely.
Ye Mingjing leaned on the sofa, and did not change his posture for a long time, like a statue. Fang Zhicheng's attitude surprised him. However, he did not feel angry at all. Instead, he slowly smiled, as if he was mocking himself, and seemed to be relieved. He said to himself, "Xiao Rou has a good eye!"
Chapter 0396: Thoughts of City Operators
Fang Zhicheng felt that he was a complicated person, with a devil in his heart, but more often than not, he wanted to become a pure and innocent angel. Ye Mingjing's proposal was very tempting. Once he became the son-in-law of the Ye family and got engaged to Ye Qingrou, he would have two resources in Yinzhou. In addition to Song Wendi and Qiu Hengde, he would also have various supports from the old Ye family. In this way, his future would be smooth sailing.
However, he will not be able to face Ye Qingrou, let alone Qin Yuming.
If Ye Qingrou knew that her engagement with him was just a political marriage, and if Qin Yuming thought that his feelings for her were just sweet talk and false, what would the consequences be...
So Fang Zhicheng finally chose to refuse.
As for Song Wendi's future after he leaves Yinzhou, he will have a plan to deal with it when things get better.
The Spring Festival has arrived unknowingly. Whether in Yinzhou or Dongtai, people are generally in a good mood. Because the economic environment has improved, people's living standards have also risen.
Fang Zhicheng, however, felt a little tired. For an executive deputy county magistrate, celebrating the New Year was very challenging. With so many officials in the county, how to raise the bonuses was really a big problem.
Dongtai County's economy has developed rapidly, but its financial situation has not recovered, especially in the past month, when it has only outflows and no inflows, which is a headache. Although the work of attracting investment has been good, it will take some time for the project to enter full development from construction, and we cannot expect to bear rich fruits as soon as the project starts.
Qi Yun probably anticipated that Fang Zhicheng would have problems, so she gave Fang Zhicheng a heads-up in advance. Although the payment of bonuses was the responsibility of the county party secretary and the county magistrate, Fang Zhicheng was the executive deputy county magistrate, who was the finance minister. Sun Weiming and Xing Jike would definitely pass the pressure on to him.
Even though he was fully prepared mentally, Fang Zhicheng still did not expect this year to be so difficult.
Xing Jike sat on the sofa with a frown on his face, complaining, "Zhicheng, Dongtai is developing very well now, attracting investment well, and the business layout is also in good shape, but the county's financial situation is so bad, life is tight, what should we do?"
Fang Zhicheng nodded slowly and said, "These two years will be the most difficult for government workers. Dongtai is now vigorously developing many industrial parks. Not only will there be great tax exemptions and subsidies, but also many policy supports for land. This means that the government must bear a considerable amount of land transfer fees. Although life is difficult now, judging from the momentum, this hole will be filled in two years at most, and then there will be a fiscal surplus."
Xing Jike sighed and said, "I can understand the current predicament, but there are so many people in the county, so many mouths, I can't explain it to them one by one. You also heard Secretary Weiming's request at the Standing Committee meeting. No matter what, we must ensure that all cadres have a good New Year. Bonuses should be issued from the grassroots level. If the people below can't get them in place, the people above us can't expect to have a good New Year either."
Fang Zhicheng smiled bitterly and said, "This decision is a good way to win people's hearts and gain reputation."
Xing Jike was silent for a moment, then said in a deep voice: "Zhicheng, I know you have a quick mind, and I'm sure you can come up with a good solution."
Fang Zhicheng nodded and said, "I do have a way, but it's a little embarrassing."
Xing Jike spread his hands and said with a wry smile: "It's already this time, why should I still have the face? Even if you want me to beg, I am happy to do it."
Fang Zhicheng smiled faintly and said, "County Magistrate Xing, you are right. You really need to lower your status as a county magistrate with a bad reputation..."