Chapter 11: The Deputy Mayors Who Exhausted All Tricks Like a Stubborn Donkey

  Thick smoke filled the airtight room. ~~ Super Speed First Release ~~ .neiyu. The severe topic made the meeting atmosphere unusually heavy. Yesterday, one by one, the witty and talkative government officials, today all restrained their usual demeanor, one by one immersed in the melancholy atmosphere.

  Ji Yuan City is facing financial difficulties, and Yu Ming had heard about it early on. He was mentally prepared for this. However, the difficulties have reached a point where salaries are being withheld, which he did not anticipate.

  He can't shift the blame to Qin Bai. When handing over, the old man was in a heavy mood and seemed to have an unspoken secret about financial issues. The vivid metaphor of "bare" has already been used to describe it.

  The municipal party secretary seemed to have anticipated this question. Seeing Yu Ming get angry, he just smiled and said: "For this kind of problem, you government should hold a meeting to discuss it first, think about the solution. When you also can't find a way, then submit it to the municipal standing committee for study."

  The finance minister attending the meeting explained the situation in a few words. At the beginning of the year, the city's financial revenue plan was 1.3 billion and the expenditure plan was 1.4 billion. Now, the actual financial income is only 1 billion. Entering December, tax revenues have not increased, the treasury is empty, but expenditure projects continue to increase. Government officials need a salary increase, various departments want to hold award ceremonies, and enterprises want to fulfill their promises of incentives made at the beginning of the year. This month, there are only 30 million yuan in the tax revenue account, while government officials' salaries alone require 50 million yuan. December 8th is the day for government officials' salary payment. Today is December 6th. In two days, even if the taxation bureau works overtime, it's impossible to collect an additional 200 million yuan in taxes!

  "What should we do? Please speak up, everyone." Mayor Yu, who was presiding over the meeting, scanned the surroundings with his eyes and still spoke in a relaxed tone.

  There are five deputy mayors: in addition to the executive deputy mayor Lü Qiáng, Tiě Yù who is in charge of industry, there are also deputy mayors Gu Xǐyuè who is in charge of agriculture, Lín Zhèngjiāng who is responsible for urban construction, and Lǐ Yuèjiǔ who is in charge of culture, education, science and technology. Also, Yǔ Míng makes a total of six people on the team.

  According to the superior regulations, the municipal government team members should be an odd number. In this way, when voting on relevant issues, it can avoid the deadlock caused by the equal number of votes due to even numbers. However, I heard that there was a fierce struggle within the political circle over this candidate, and this matter was also put aside.

  "This kind of problem can't be solved just by holding meetings and discussions." The vice mayor spoke first. He was in charge of finance, so he had to speak first: "As for the solution, there is only one..."

  Is there a way out of this? If so, that would be great! People suddenly looked up, their faces filled with hope and anticipation. What kind of clever trick will this self-proclaimed genius politician come up with at this critical moment?

  "Go on..." Mayor Yu Ming urged.

  Lü Qiáng's eyes didn't look at Yú Míng, nor did he notice everyone's expressions. His face was tilted towards the ceiling, and his chair rocked back and forth, with strings of smoke constantly coming out of his mouth.

  At the first government executive meeting convened by the new mayor, his attitude was on full display: he looked strong and domineering, with only heaven in his eyes!

  "When a child cries, he looks for his mother," Lü Qiáng finally spoke up, "If the city doesn't have money, then go to the province...to borrow!"

  After finishing speaking, he fiercely flicked the remaining half cigarette in his hand into the glass ashtray, as if this difficulty had been crushed by him.

  Alas! The loans! People heard and one by one lowered their disappointed heads.

  "We've borrowed, borrowed, borrowed, and now we owe the province nearly 200 million! I'm too ashamed to go to the provincial finance department again with my tail between my legs!" Ji Caixiu, who originally didn't have the right to speak, suddenly became agitated. Probably because borrowing money had hurt her self-esteem, she couldn't care about official etiquette at this moment.

  "What face! What face! When it comes to begging for food, one has to let go. Lü Qiáng's face tensed up, and he immediately gave the order: "Now, I'm setting a principle for the finance bureau: ask for money without caring about losing face! Go beg, go borrow! In all these years, our industrial city of Jì Yuán has made great contributions to the country! Now we can't even afford food. The province can't just abandon us."

  "Alas! This matter, it's one thing at a time. Now each level of government is implementing separate households for meals, the province just wants to control, but its ability is also limited." Vice Mayor Gu Xueshui, who was in charge of agriculture, spoke slowly and calmly, easing the tense atmosphere in the meeting room. "Recently, I heard that Changbai City went to the province to ask for grain and oil subsidies, but the Finance Department didn't even give a single cent. If they don't even give you the money that's due, how can they lend you money? I think we should increase our tax collection efforts and dig deeper into our tax sources!"

  "Old Gao, can you let me live a few more days?" Vice Mayor Tie Yu, in charge of industry, stood up with a "swoosh", "Still digging for tax sources? If we dig again, all the enterprises will be 'yellowed'." He slammed his hat on the table and vented his grievances, "Those tax officials, with their big hats, are like blind men, forcing our enterprises to pay ' advance taxes'. Now, they've even collected next January's taxes. This is illegal!"

  "What the hell is legal or illegal, eating is what matters." Lü Qiáng raised his leg and retorted with a dirty mouth, "Whoever says I'm breaking the law, let them bring out the money to feed these 50,000 heads in the municipal government."

  "Alright, Mayor Lü, I won't argue with you," Tiyu plopped down, looking like she had given up, "Anyway, the enterprise has been squeezed dry and there's not much oil left to extract. If you keep digging, the factory will shut down and I, as the vice mayor in charge of industry, will resign."

  "Director of Iron, stop, stop, stop..." The Secretary-General saw the situation and quickly mediated. Although this person is not a deputy director, he is a member of the government party group and can be considered a leading figure. In meetings where there are stalemates, he often plays the role of "mediator". "Well, well, now, everyone's anxious, everyone's worried. However, let's discuss things properly, discuss things properly, if there's something to say, let's say it properly, say it properly... As a team, we should understand each other, understand each other..."

  "Mayor Yu, I feel sorry for you. You've just taken office and already have to deal with such a difficult problem..." Li Yuejiu, a member of the Democratic Party, took off his glasses and wiped them clean, revealing a worried expression on his face. "Yes, it's hard to know how expensive firewood and rice are until you're in charge... I understand that everyone is anxious, but no matter how anxious we are, we can't rush out money. I think the government should launch an austerity campaign. My department will take the lead in reducing budget expenditures... The theater festival won't be held. The renovation of the library will be suspended. The commendation meeting for scientific and technological personnel won't be held either. I'll go do some ideological work on this matter, and I think everyone will understand."

  "Money that shouldn't be spent doesn't have to be spent. But money that should be spent, you've got to spend it!" Finally, Vice Mayor Lin Zhengjiang spoke up. He had a habit of picking up where others left off, "Those bridges and roads we built this year were all decided on at the city people's congress meeting at the beginning of the year. Now that the projects are complete and the ribbon-cutting ceremonies have been held, but we still haven't allocated the construction funds owed to us. The construction workers' wages for three months haven't been paid yet. The migrant workers' wages are also owed... Some people want to make trouble by blocking roads and manufacturing incidents!"

  As he said that, his two arms, which had been placed flat on the table, pushed forward, and his body leaned heavily against the back of the sofa. His expression seemed to say, "Anyway, I've passed the problem on to you guys. Whether it's solved or not, the responsibility is no longer mine."

  "Ah, and," Gu Shuizhuan suddenly remembered something, "the rural cooperative medical care funds that we've been holding onto. Now, the higher-ups are pressing us to release the funds immediately. With the New Year approaching, they'll be coming for an audit!"

  He was just casually mentioning it, but unexpectedly, this sentence reached Lü Qiāng's ears and immediately ignited his anger like adding fuel to the fire.

  "You guys, one by one, only know how to ask for money, ask for money... But where is the money going to come from?" His hand slammed against the table repeatedly, the numbness making him forget the pain. "I look at you guys, standing there talking without any shame. Borrowing money..."

  You're afraid of losing face; loans, the bank doesn't even take our local government seriously. Recently, I heard that several wealthy departments are going to be taken away by the province again. What can I, the mayor in charge of finances, rely on? My heart is crying. But where can I cry? I couldn't even find a temple door!

  "Mayor Lü, what's going on here?"

  The people at the meeting looked at each other and stared with shocked eyes.

  In their minds, this vice mayor has always been a majestic and invincible figure. Today, in front of so many colleagues and subordinates, how could he lose his composure like that?

  The clock ticked away, striking people's hearts one by one. The smoke and fire had dissipated, leaving the room eerily silent. Lü Qiáng's excessive indignation and abnormal behavior pushed the ominous atmosphere of the meeting to its peak, making people feel both surprised and unsurprised at the same time. Financial difficulties might have been the direct cause of Lü Qiáng's outburst; yet, it seemed that there was more to it than that. This "strong man" who had been the acting vice mayor for six years had finally waited for Qin Bai to retire to the People's Congress, but the successor turned out not to be himself, but rather someone even younger, Yu Ming... Alas, how did this come about?

  Things are not going well, and emotions are not going well. Lv "strong man" takes advantage of the meeting to vent his anger, which is understandable.

  However, when it comes to this point, people can't say anything else. Even if fully mobilized, no one has the qualifications, ability or courage to try to adjust the situation that has been made so awkward by this big shot.

  Perhaps this is exactly what Lü Qiang deliberately created.

  But isn't this a bit too impolite for newly appointed Mayor Yu Ming?

  People and eyes simultaneously lifted up, casting a sympathetic yet worried gaze at the political newcomer sitting in the chief seat.

  Those eyes clearly asked: How about it, can you...do it?!

  Chapter 9: Wisdom That Cuts Through

  One

  Very good.

  My mood suddenly felt a wave of relaxation, and the refreshing feeling of achieving my goal spread throughout my body.

  I didn't expect that several senior officials of the government would be so generous and straightforward, exposing their inside and outside in the first meeting I presided over.

  Especially that Lv Qiang, such a blatant and clumsy performance, is undoubtedly self-defeating and self-destructive. I really don't know what he will gain from doing so.

  Two?

  Through investigation, I found that recently, there have been several stubborn accounts in the city's financial revenue. One of them is that "Flower World" owes 60 million yuan in taxes and has not paid yet. The reason is that the government owes them 16 million yuan in reception fees, which has been delayed and not returned. They said that as long as the government returns this account, they will make up for the owed taxes. However, the government also has a problem: if they return this money, although they can receive 60 million yuan in taxes, according to tax policies, 75% of this 60 million yuan will be taken by the state, and the city's finances can only take 25%, which is less than 15 million yuan. This means that after the city's finances return the money, they will lose more than 10 million yuan in total. Therefore, Qin Bai instructed Ju Cai Xiu that this money cannot be returned. At the same time, he also instructed the Supervision Bureau to investigate who spent the 16 million yuan reception fees and whether there were any problems with it. As a result, things became difficult. "Flower World" insisted under Lv Qiang's persuasion that they would not pay taxes if the government did not return the money; while Qin Bai instructed the Finance Bureau that they would not return the money until the details of this expenditure were clarified. In the end, the matter came to a standstill.

  On the surface, it's a fiscal revenue issue, but in reality, it's an issue of poor coordination between government leaders and a detestable phenomenon. This Lü Qiáng has been using fiscal issues to create trouble time and again during Qin Bo's administration, simply trying to exaggerate the complexity and difficulty of fiscal problems in order to achieve his goal of permanently controlling financial power. After I arrived, he still wanted to continue holding onto financial power. During my investigation, he repeatedly said behind my back, "The new mayor doesn't understand local finance." Today, he thought that by firing a shot across the bow, he could intimidate me and create an effect where everyone thinks, "Who else can handle fiscal work besides him?" Ha ha, Lü Qiáng, you've made a huge mistake. Whoever gave you this idea is truly foolish.

  Since the problem has been exposed, let it be thoroughly exposed. Is the financial situation not tense? Then our agency will not pay wages. By doing so, apart from showcasing your incompetence, what loss is there for me as the newly appointed mayor?

  Of course, I'm not worried about this issue mainly because I have a plan in mind. When I reported to the provincial government, the governor promised to return 100 million yuan of deducted funds and allocate another 100 million yuan for settlement. Besides, having worked in large local enterprises for many years, I roughly understand some inside information about municipal finance. Sometimes, despite the seemingly bright financial accounts, there are often hidden or concealed matters. Let Cai Xiu dig up some potential, it won't be so bad that we'll exhaust all our resources.

  I couldn't help but admire my own cleverness. Making the failure to pay wages the topic of my first government meeting as a regular agenda item, this is a bloody topic that can strip away the dignity and face of these deep and cunning government officials in an instant. It will expose their incompetence, impatience, despair, arrogance, and all the dark psychological traits in their inner world without any reserve under the bright daylight.

  The meeting has reached this point, and my goal has been achieved.

  Three?

  "Comrades," said the new mayor, summing up the meeting, "I'm very sorry that at our first meeting, we've brought out such a headache of an issue."

  People took out their pens and started writing. The new mayor presented a difficult problem, but the deputy mayors didn't have an answer to solve it. What trick did this new mayor have up his sleeve? Perhaps he had a secret standard answer in mind before convening the meeting!

  "The organs cannot be opened on time. This has already become an unquestionable problem."

  Ah, the new mayor is quite bold, daring to make such a drastic decision. It seems that December 8th will no longer be a joyful day for taking home one's salary and bonuses. The officials of Jixian City will face a new test of their abilities.

  "Of course, this responsibility is mine."

  Look at him! People can't help but look up to him, this new mayor, with such a high profile!

  "On financial issues, everyone has put forward many good suggestions..."

  Is this a good method? Bullshit, if you say it's venting then that's about right.

  "However, I don't agree with any of these methods." The new mayor spoke fluently and eloquently, "Borrowing from the province is not a long-term solution. Whether we can borrow or not is also a problem; even if we do borrow, we'll have to pay it back in the future! Moreover, increasing taxes, we must increase them where necessary. For those who evade taxes, owe taxes for a long time, and have the ability to pay but don't, we must crack down harder. However, for our enterprises, let's not collect 'hidden taxes' again. Eating into next year's grain reserves, this is something that can't be done unless absolutely necessary. We are a people's government, we cannot kill the goose that lays the golden eggs and destroy our own future. Ah, I agree with Mayor Yue's suggestion. Launching a campaign to reduce expenses, great! However, those few things you mentioned still need to be done. The awards ceremony for science and technology personnel must be held. Science, technology, and healthcare are long-term plans, and the budget must be guaranteed. Also, the rural cooperative medical care funds must be allocated immediately, no more delays. The wages of migrant workers must also be guaranteed..."

  Wow, the new mayor is really bossy! On one hand, people can't even afford to eat, and on the other hand, he wants to do so many things.

  But where does your money come from?

  "Below that, I'll discuss a few specific opinions." The new mayor's expression turned serious as he placed his small notebook in front of him, on which were probably the opinions he had formed while taking notes.

  "Firstly, on December 8th, the agency will be closed temporarily."

  "Secondly, the recent fiscal fund allocation is as follows: 8 million will be taken out to pay off half of the debt owed by 'Flower World', with the remaining half to be dealt with after the Supervision Bureau has investigated and cleared up the issue. However, once 'Flower World' receives this payment, they must pay their taxes in full. If they dare to owe even one cent, they will be prosecuted for tax evasion.

  Then, 6 million will be taken out to guarantee the salaries of retired personnel; the remaining 6 million will be used to help impoverished residents of shantytowns, ensuring that they can have a reunion dinner during the Spring Festival. The other half will be used to cover the government's daily expenses.

  I hope that the tax authorities will increase their work efforts and complete the collection of consumption tax and value-added tax on time."

  "Third, through this period of investigation and research, I have found that the main problems with the current situation are two 'nots'. One is that the government does not have enough money to do things; the other is that the people's mood is not good. The reason for not having enough money is that enterprises' economic efficiency is not good, which in turn has led to difficulties in both government finances and people's livelihoods. Enterprises have been reformed, but why are their efficiencies still not good? I think it is because the environment created by the government is not conducive to enterprise development. Some government departments have damaged entrepreneurs' enthusiasm through eating, taking, and carding. Therefore, the next step for the government is to create a social environment that is conducive to enterprise development. First, we must reduce the burden on enterprises and the people. With 13 billion in fiscal revenue, we need to support 50,000 cadres - who can bear this? Not to mention the current economic difficulties, even if the situation improves in the future, supporting so many people will still be a big problem. The weak economic foundation can no longer support the massive superstructure. Even feudal rulers knew that they needed to let the people 'rest and recover'! I think our government organs should reduce the number of people who issue orders. Some people, we would rather support them than let them create trouble for enterprises and the people every day under the banner of the government. For those who use their power for personal gain and embezzle money, we must deal with them and make them redundant. This is the only way to reduce administrative costs and change the social atmosphere. Of course, doing so carries risks, but if we don't do this, the government will collapse... In addition, in order to prevent a rush of spending at the end of the year, the mayor has decided to cancel all commendation meetings and prohibit any material reward activities that use public funds. The money from small treasuries is also not allowed. Only necessary activities that I have signed off on are permitted."

  "Fourth, due to the current special situation, the municipal finance bureau will be directly managed by me. The division of labor for other deputy mayors remains unchanged. I hope each of you will cooperate and support my work, and together we can get through this difficult time. Thank you!"

  At the sound of "dismissed", the new mayor stood up first.

  The conference secretary opened the door and the new mayor walked out first.

  The rest of the people's limbs were sticky and didn't want to move. This crisp and satisfying meeting, which made people's hearts itch, always wanted to say something to satisfy what they wanted to express in their hearts. However, this 'strong man' was stiffly 'dead' there, and people couldn't open their mouths either.

  "Let's go, let's go..." People seeing this situation had no choice but to leave together, moving the discussion venue to the corridor.

  "This new mayor is quite something, in just one meeting, he's taken away Lv 'Strong Man' financial power."

  "It's about time, if he was in charge any longer, the government building would have been bankrupted."

  "But the government doesn't spend money and wants to cut personnel, this affects...the new mayor will be scolded."

  "This is exactly where they are clever. Now, the common people's lives are difficult and society is unstable. They didn't spend a penny, reduced personnel, and just like that, they've appeased the people's anger."

  Four

  "Ah!" Lü Qiāng let out a long sigh of relief as the crowd dispersed. The feeling of having shed a heavy burden and the loss of a great deal of power surged up in his heart at the same time, and for now, he didn't know whether to be happy or sad.

  Yu Ming is really formidable. Taking advantage of Lü Qiang's predicament when he was stuck in the mud and couldn't get out, he "rescued" him with dignity, and then made him hand over the things in his hands honestly.

  The new mayor didn't mince words and made this move against him, indicating that the relationship between the two is going to deteriorate.

  Ever since the two met, the unspoken feeling of mutual discontent had been there. However, in recent days, they could still maintain a superficial kindness and courtesy towards each other.

  But today, this superficial harmony is also hard to sustain...

  What is the reason for things to have come to this point...?

  Oh, I remember now. A week ago, the new mayor was going to investigate and study the financial tax system, and the secretary-general asked him to accompany him. That day, because a buddy from the provincial capital was having surgery in the hospital, he didn't even say goodbye and left on his own. Alas, later, after the successful surgery, that buddy wanted him to treat the doctor to dinner, and he took the opportunity to make a ruckus with a group of friends at the Provincial Hotel for one night. The next day, he was drunk and didn't wake up until noon. By the time he returned to Ji yuan, the new mayor had already finished investigating and studying the financial tax system and followed Tie Yu to run to the enterprise.

  Perhaps it was this discourtesy that made him underestimate others, which led the new mayor to take advantage of him. In official circles, what's most important between people is etiquette. Losing courtesy at a critical moment is an irreparable mistake that can't be made up for in a thousand years.

  It's really blaming myself for not taking the new mayor seriously. If it were the provincial governor who came to investigate, even if his own father was having surgery, he wouldn't dare leave his side!

  However, an arrow shot cannot be retrieved. Now that things have come to this point, regret is useless. When your rudeness has angered others, never stoop to apologize and ask for their forgiveness. That will only make them look down on you. This was a principle he had followed in handling interpersonal relationships all these years.

  "Fine, since that's the case, you can just do it yourself. You don't need me, and I'm not going to serve you anyway!" At this moment, the pain in his heart suddenly reminded him of the skin disease on his body... Hmm, tomorrow he would go to the hospital, get a high-class ward, and soak in it for half a year before doing anything else.

  Having made up his mind, he stood up proudly, let out a few long sighs in succession, and stepped away from the seat.

  "Wait a minute." Suddenly, a voice from behind him softly stopped him.

  Who? He was stunned, how could there still be someone in the house?!

  Turned around and took a look, couldn't help but be shocked.

  "Cai Xiu, aren't you leaving?"

  "You're a tough guy and won't leave, how dare I leave?"

  "Haha, what a strong guy, I just got kicked by someone."

  "What goes around comes around."

  "Ah, yes... But I have to congratulate you, your hero has appeared. You should rush up and bravely rush up!"

  "Don't be so boring!" Cai Xiu glared at him fiercely, "I'm looking for you to discuss something serious."

  "Really?"

  "Get those 80 million back for me quickly!"

  "Hey, 80 million, what a huge number, I have no idea what 80 million is."

  "Don't pretend to be stupid, do you want this 80 million rope to strangle you to death? It's better for you to get out of it early. Besides, the end of the year is a time when money is spent, I need to use it!"

  "You think you can use me? Hmph, who are you? Aren't you just a director of the finance bureau? I'm still vice mayor and haven't been removed yet, it's not your turn to give me orders."

  "Mayor Lü, if you're going to talk like that, I won't be polite either. Don't forget who brought in this money." The conversation not going well, Ju Cai Xiu picks up her bag and prepares to leave.

  "Hey, Caixiu, stop..."

  "Anything else?"

  "For old times' sake, don't force me."

  "Force you?"

  "Yes, don't you dare to kick someone when they're down."

  "Who kicked him when he was down?"

  "I think today's decisions are all your ideas."

  "What's your idea?" Cai Xiu heard this and laughed, "I, I just knew him for a while. Let me tell you, today is the first time I met him to discuss work."

  "Who is that?" Lü Qiāng looked at his subordinate with suspicion, shaking his head in distress. "Just arrived a month ago and handling things so decisively?"

  "Hmph, Lv 'strong man', don't think that in this world, no one is inferior to you. Haha... "

  A burst of laughter was like a splash of water, spreading out beside his ear and disappearing in an instant. This splash of water poured onto his heart, as if salt had been sprinkled on it, making him feel unbearably painful.