A new official has three skills when he takes office, but mine are not burning brightly.
This is also what I expected.
The first resistance came from Zhang Qiming, the manager of the town's industrial company. This man turned a deaf ear to my instructions on calculating the town's coal mine design capacity and adopted an attitude of passive resistance and refusal to implement it.
The reason is self-evident. He was originally a capable general of Tian Zhenyu. Cooperating with me is the best way to be loyal to the master.
The second obstacle came from the director of the town power management office. My suggestions for investigating and guiding the illegal coal kilns in illegally connecting and pulling electricity also fell on deaf ears.
놛 didn't take sides, but she just didn't like my position as deputy mayor. After all, there was no direct subordinate relationship between me and 놛, and my reaching out to 놛's sphere of influence obviously aroused 놛's disgust.
The third resistance came from Xu Taizhen, the town party secretary. When I asked the town political and legal committee to retrieve letters and visits and judicial dispute cases involving the coal mine, Xu Taizhen called me to his office and gave me a scolding.
They criticized me for being fully aware of my job responsibilities and having a clear sense of boundaries, and accused me of exceeding my authority and overstepping my authority, which would seriously affect the unity of the team and social stability.
Can this cover-up of facts and attempt to cover up the truth bring unity to the team? Will it promote social stability?
I didn't refute him in person because I don't have the energy to talk nonsense to a cow.
Through these things, I also understand a truth: to break the inherent power in a local officialdom, it is realistic to borrow some strength.
I began to lie in wait, watching the wind direction and secretly accumulating strength.
So every day at work I only do one thing, and that is nothing.
Tian Zhenyu may have given me a task because he saw that I was living too leisurely and comfortable a life.
He said: "Deputy Mayor Guan, the current industrial categories in Tongxiang are too single, mainly coal mining, which is conducive to the balanced development of the industry in the town. I think we should make great efforts to develop non-coal industries. Since you are in charge of industry, you can focus on attracting investment and projects."
I looked at his stern eyes and couldn't help but think about the real purpose behind this grand plan.
To divert my attention away from the coal mine?
It doesn't matter. The idea of developing non-coal industries coincides with my thoughts, so I just go with the flow. After all, drinking tea and reading newspapers every day to kill time is both fulfilling the Party's trust and the people's expectations.
It is not easy to attract investment, after all, the resources I have are limited.
After thinking for a while, I suddenly remembered someone.
I called Zhang Xiaodong.
놛 said: "Hongjun, I'm so glad you still remember that you have a brother like me. It's been so long and you didn't take the initiative to contact me."
I chuckled and said jokingly, "Director Zhang, you are so busy, but I am so grateful that you took the time to answer my call. I would never dare to bother you if I had nothing to do."
The person on the other end of the phone laughed heartily and cursed, "Fuck! Guan Hongjun, you are a high-ranking official but you speak like a fool. You are just praying to Buddha and burning incense when things go wrong. Just tell me what you want to say."
I briefly talked about Tongxiang Town's investment promotion.
놛 did not answer me directly, but instead extended an invitation to me.
To be exact, the invitation was sent to Qingwan and me.
And the invitation was very tempting: the Royal Philharmonic Park in Vienna, Austria, would hold a special concert for the Strauss family in the provincial capital.
On the weekend, I took Qingwan to the provincial capital by bus.
She was full of anticipation for this musical feast, and was talking and laughing along the way. It was rare to see her so relaxed and happy.
In the concert hall of the provincial theater, she immersed herself in the classical music of the brothers Johann and Joseph Strauss, wandering in the gorgeous and bright notes of "The Blue Danube", "Tales from the Vienna Forest", "Voices of Spring", "Anna Polka" and "Chatty Fast Polka".
Looking at the smile on her lips, I felt a deep sense of satisfaction.
Being able to let the woman I love enjoy life happily became my biggest wish at that time.
That night, Zhang Xiaodong and his wife invited Qingwan and me to a banquet at the hotel.
Mrs. Zheng Shujuan is a well-educated, gentle and elegant intellectual woman. She and Qingwan hit it off immediately and had a great conversation.
Zhang Xiaodong asked me what my plans were for the next day. I looked at him expectantly but didn't say anything.
Wang patted my shoulder and said to Qingwan, "Sister-in-law, I have a favor to ask. Please lend me your husband tomorrow. I have some business friends who can introduce him to me."
Before Qingwan could answer, Zheng Shujuan took Qingwan's hand and said, "You guys go and do your own things. I'll take my sister to the mall tomorrow."
Zhu Qingwan smiled and said, "Thank you, sister-in-law. I have an appointment with my classmates from the Conservatory of Music tomorrow. Next time I come, I will definitely accompany you for a good walk."
So Zhang Xiaodong and I agreed to meet at the Provincial Association Hall at nine o'clock tomorrow morning.
The next morning, Qingwan left the hotel without even having breakfast.
Before leaving, she kissed me affectionately on the forehead and repeatedly warned me not to drink too much.
I was bored lying on the bed, so I got up and washed up.
While having breakfast in the restaurant, Zhang Xiaodong sent a message: Hongjun, I'll drive over to pick you up and come downstairs at 8:30.
I got into Zhang Xiaodong's car as promised, and he explained while driving: "The boss I'm introducing to you today is a rich woman. You should perform well and try to win her over."
I was stunned and said, "Is the price so high? Hiring a merchant is like hiring a prostitute, and I have to give myself to her."
He laughed loudly and said, "Guan Hongjun, why do you have so many dirty thoughts in your head? When I asked you to convince her, I meant I wanted you to conquer her."
I also laughed breathlessly, thinking to myself: A middle-aged rich woman, even if she bought the whole Tongxiang Town, I would throw myself into her arms.
To my surprise, although Lin Mu is in her forties, she is an ageless beauty. There is no trace of the copper smell of a businessman in her pitching, but rather a sense of competence and coolness.
Zhang Xiaodong introduced me and said, "This is Ms. Lin Xun, a member of the Provincial Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and the CEO of Daxun Group."
I gently shook her hand and introduced myself: "My name is Guan Hongjun, deputy mayor of Tongxiang Town."
She motioned for us to sit down.
After the waiter brought over coffee and dessert, she opened her red lips and said, "Director Zhang has mentioned you to me many times, with extremely high praise. Seeing you today, I can see that your reputation is indeed well-deserved."
I glanced at Zhang Xiaodong, trying to figure out the relationship between them.
She was very observant and understood my thoughts. She explained, "Director Zhang is also a member of the CPPCC. We met at the CPPCC. Director Zhang cares about private enterprises and always cares about our well-being. He is a good leader whom I respect very much."
My face felt a little hot. It was really immature to be able to see what I was thinking so easily.
Zhang Xiaodong laughed, pointed at me and said, "This brother of mine always judges others by their own standards. In his eyes, there is no legitimate relationship between men and women except for having sex."