0096 105 Three Fires

105 Three Fires

Monday, Municipal Building. Zhou Xiye, for the first time in his capacity as Party Secretary of Kunming, met with district heads from various districts within the Kunming municipal system, as well as some important leaders.

Police Chief Meng Qinggong met Zhou Xiye, the female municipal party secretary. He smiled outwardly, but inwardly he scoffed at her. Looking around at the people around him, they seemed to obey the new secretary's every word. Meng Qinggong twirled the pen in his hand.

Zhou Xiye noticed his nonchalance and asked with a smile, "Director Meng, is there something you want to say?"

Meng Qinggong glanced down at the blank paper, then looked up at Zhou Xiye. "Secretary Zhou, you mean we should focus on the economy first, but Kunming's security situation is problematic, and society is unstable. How can the economy develop under these circumstances?"

Zhou Xiye nodded. "The reason for social instability is because of economic problems. I've noticed the issues with local government financing vehicles (LGFVs). Under the current circumstances, and for a long time to come, the core of LGFVs will be their own investment-driven, market-oriented economic activities. The negative returns of LGFVs will drive economic development. The higher-ups are very clear: the domestic circulation will promote economic development, which means stimulating consumption, or simply put, increasing demand..."

At this point, she sighed, "The unsustainable debt problem of local government financing vehicles (LGFVs) is, in other words, not a problem at all, but a solution to the economic problem. So," Zhou Xiye looked at Meng Qinggong, "Director Meng, what are your thoughts on this?"

Meng Qinggong hadn't expected Zhou Xiye to have any opinions about the city investment company. The whole country knew about Kunming's city investment company situation. With a new municipal party secretary and the big moves from above, it seemed like a good sign for economic reform. But the people were already tired of it; it was just a change in name only.

"I'm just a roughneck, how would I know so many principles?" Meng Qinggong smiled. "The student surpasses the teacher, look at Secretary Zhou."

Zhou Xiye nodded. Her chin was still a little sore. She picked up her teacup, took a sip, and turned to look at Ling Xingzhi. The two looked at each other and then silently looked away.

“Now that everyone knows me, I have a few things to do,” she smiled. “A new broom sweeps clean, and my first move is to leverage Yunnan’s port economy to improve public order. Everyone knows that Yunnan’s economic development advantage lies in its location, and its future lies in opening up. We’ll use major transportation corridors to drive large-scale logistics, which in turn drives large-scale trade, and trade to drive large-scale industries. I won’t elaborate on that, but regarding the port economy in Kunming, my first priority is to crack down on drug trafficking.”

Everyone present gasped, even Ling Xingzhi was somewhat surprised.

Zhou Xiye actually wants to disrupt the drug trafficking chain in Kunming.

She smiled confidently, “Yunnan’s geographical location is adjacent to three countries and not far from the Golden Triangle. I believe it must be a paradise for drug trafficking.” She paused and looked at the people around her, “Of course, I think Director Meng is definitely more experienced in dealing with drug trafficking groups.”

After saying this, Zhou Xiye continued, "For the second measure, I think we should burn down the redundant officials in the municipal government. We must catch the big tigers, and I won't let the small flies get away either. The roads in Kunming haven't been finished yet, even though they've been under construction for several years. The money was approved by the central government, but the roads are still not finished. I'd like to know, where did the money go?"

Before anyone could react, Zhou Xiye continued, "The third thing I want to do is attract investment. I want both talent and money. Kunming is a tourist city and has been selected as a livable city for ten consecutive years. I think this city has potential. So, this investment will mainly come from the tertiary sector, the service industry. At the same time, real estate development is indispensable."

After Zhou Xiye finished speaking, he looked at the people at the table and waited for their reply.

Ling Xingzhi lowered his eyes, and after two seconds, he looked up at Zhou Xiye and said, "Secretary, your idea is not wrong, but it is too idealistic. Catching drug trafficking groups is labor-intensive and time-consuming, and the process will definitely not be as you imagine..."

Zhou Xiye nodded without saying anything.

Ling Xingzhi continued, “The fight against corruption is encouraged by the central government, but you’ve only just arrived, so there’s a lot of resistance. I’m afraid…” He smiled at the people around him, “Finally, I really agree with your efforts in attracting talent and investment. You did this in Beijing, so I’m sure you’re quite adept at it.”

When the others present heard Ling Xingzhi take the lead in opposing the operation, they also began to try to smooth things over, saying how hard it was to arrest drug traffickers in Yunnan, how dangerous it was for anti-drug police to carry out their missions, and that there would definitely be many people involved in the drug trafficking chain, including outsiders. They argued that cross-city arrests would require cooperation from all parties, which would not be conducive to cracking down on drug trafficking groups.

As for corruption, two major figures have already left, creating a climate of fear, and everyone has stopped their corrupt practices, prioritizing getting their work done.

The implication was that since Zhou Xiye had just arrived, there was no need for such a reorganization; if everyone were driven away, there would be no one to do the work.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Xiye realized that their words made sense. He put on a troubled expression and then beckoned to his secretary, "Yan Zhu, distribute the materials I prepared to everyone."

Yan Zhu came up from the side with two people to distribute materials. When Ling Xingzhi got the materials, he saw that the cover was titled "Reorganization Proposal".

After Yan Zhu distributed the materials, Zhou Xiye gave another instruction, "Go and close the door properly. Don't open the door without my permission."

Hu Rui, Meng Qinggong, and the others were a little confused about Zhou Xiye's intentions. Ling Xingzhi flipped through the documents and saw that each question was blank. He turned to look at Zhou Xiye. Zhou Xiye waved his hand and said leisurely, "I've just taken office and have plenty of time. Everyone, help me think of a solution today. The district heads are here too. I've already investigated the problems in each district. Come up with a solution before you leave, and I'll stay with you to think about it."

Those present were surprised that Zhou Xiye could use this tactic. His proposed "three fires" were spot on: intensify drug enforcement, stimulate consumption, and address both ends of the problem.

They just didn't know how Zhou Xiye, who had only recently taken office, could know so much about the situation in Kunming.

What no one knew was that Zhou Xiye hadn't been idle since returning from Beijing; she had traveled to every district before this meeting. She inspected the most impoverished and difficult areas, visited unfinished construction sites, and conducted undercover investigations in various KTVs and clubs, patiently experiencing the most ordinary lives of Kunming's residents.

The problem should be solved where it originates.

This letter made several people restless.

“Secretary Zhou, you’ve made a splash with your first three moves since taking office, but we still have things to do…”

Upon hearing this, Zhou Xiye waved his hand, closed his eyes, and leaned back in his chair. "This is today's work. As a local official, you should shoulder your responsibilities."

After reviewing all the materials prepared by Zhou Xiye, Hu Rui closed the book, pondered for a while, and then said, "Secretary Zhou's approach is perfectly reasonable. I think we should use the limited time available to come up with a solution to the problem, rather than shirking responsibility."

Zhou Xiye paused, opened his eyes and looked at Hu Rui, "Secretary Hu is still the most sensible person."

Ling Xingzhi was also unsure of what Zhou Xiye was planning to do. After thinking it over, he didn't pick up his pen. Instead, he leaned back lazily in his chair and tapped his fingers lightly on the table.

The people on either side dared not move. Hu Rui held a pen, carefully examining the questions, reading and writing diligently like a primary school student doing homework. Ling Xingzhi, on the other hand, held a teacup, slowly savoring it. The two scenes were completely different. Zhou Xiye also showed no particular attitude, flipping through the documents on the table.

You're not allowed to leave until you can figure out the problem.

Zhou Xiye's order didn't really scare many people. The group remained deadlocked until noon, when Zhou Xiye called Yan Zhu and asked her to get some boxed lunches from the cafeteria and distribute them.

Few people picked up the food. Zhou Xiye smiled at them and looked at Hu Rui, "Secretary Hu, please come out for a moment."

Hu Rui had just picked up his chopsticks when he heard this sound. He put them down, got up, and followed Zhou Xiye out. Unexpectedly, when he went out, he saw a corridor full of people in green military uniforms. He paused, only to see Zhou Xiye waiting for him at the door of another small conference room.

Hu Rui hurriedly stepped forward and went inside. Zhou Xiye sat down on the sofa and gestured to the sofa opposite him, "Sit."

After speaking, Zhou Xiye picked up the teapot, poured a cup of tea for Hu Rui, and also poured one for himself. From Hu Rui's perspective, the injury on Zhou Xiye's face had faded, but it wasn't completely healed yet.

"Please do not hesitate to ask if you need anything."

Zhou Xiye pushed the teacup in front of Hu Rui. "It's like this, I was thinking if you had some free time, could you help me arrange a meeting with Li Mingzhe? I don't know much about him, the drug bust and the tiger hunt, and it might bother him. There are some things I'd like to talk to him about."

Hu Rui's lips twitched. "Okay, I'll help you make an appointment with him." He looked at Zhou Xiye, hesitating to speak.

Zhou Xiye smiled. "Curious about the military outside?" Before Hu Rui could answer, she said to herself, "Other transfer orders from above have also come down. The documents for the First Secretary of the Kunming Military Sub-district Party Committee and the Director of the Municipal People's Congress Party Committee will be announced soon."

Hu Rui's body remained stiff and motionless.

Zhou Xiye took a sip of tea. The position of Director of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress was a gift from Ye Lifeng, in gratitude for bringing Ye Rouxin back to China. The other position, Secretary of the Party Committee of the Military Sub-district, was one she had requested herself, personally seeking it from Ling Qingyun.

Ye Rouxin's death served as a wake-up call for many. If even the son of a premier could have an accident abroad, he must have had many enemies. Such an incident hadn't happened in a long time. In the early days of the People's Republic, the political situation was unstable, and many family members of high-ranking leaders died unexpectedly. This continued to happen frequently after the Cultural Revolution.

So much time had passed, and everyone thought things had calmed down, but Ye Rouxin's death was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, stirring up a new wave of unrest. Almost at the same time Zhou Xiye returned to Beijing, Ling Qingyun secretly arrived in Kunming and met with Ling Xingzhi.

At the airport, Zhou Xiye stopped Ling Qingyun before he boarded the private plane.

Why would Ling Qingyun easily meet Zhou Xiye? But Zhou Xiye had his secretary deliver a message: "I know the reason for Ye Rouxin's death." So Ling Qingyun let Zhou Xiye onto his private jet, and the two talked for a long time.

It was a secret conversation, and no one knows what the two said. But at the end of the conversation, when Ling Qingyun looked at that face covered in wounds, he felt a sense of respect for the first time and solemnly said, "No matter what, you have an indomitable will, and you should be proud of it."

Half a month after Ling Qingyun left, he sent this great gift.

Zhou Xiye was satisfied, but also heartbroken. She used what Ye Rouxin had left her to get a lot of benefits from others. Whether it was shamelessness or pragmatism, she herself couldn't tell.

Setting down his teacup, Zhou Xiye noticed that Hu Rui was motionless. He smiled, patted Hu Rui's shoulder, and said, "Why aren't you drinking? This Da Hong Pao tea was a gift from Mr. Li Mingzhe. You should try some."

Hu Rui looked down at the steaming cup of tea. "Secretary Zhou, besides asking me to arrange a meeting with Li Mingzhe for you, is there anything else?"

Hearing this, Zhou Xiye sighed and leaned back on the sofa. "Secretary Hu, I'm not trying to be mean, but we're in a superior-subordinate relationship, so naturally we need to cooperate at work. Don't be so polite in the future..." Zhou Xiye paused, "...Take some time to invite your wife and daughter, and let's have a meal together? I don't have any friends here, so I'd like to get to know you better."

Hu Rui nodded and pushed his teacup forward. "Secretary Zhou, I'll follow your arrangements."