novelraw Chapter 914 914: Are You Messing With Me?
Chapter 914 914: Are You Messing With Me?
Lin Hao had breakfast and quickly arrived at the office.
To his surprise, the newly appointed Executive Deputy County Magistrate He Ligang actually showed up.
"County Magistrate He, why are you here so early?"
Lin Hao was a bit surprised, put down his briefcase, and signaled for him to sit down and talk.
"County Magistrate Lin, I'm here to report on work."
He Ligang smiled awkwardly but didn't sit down.
Lin Hao tidied up his desk a bit before plopping down on his chair.
"County Magistrate He, is there something you want to report? Go ahead."
"County Magistrate Lin, it's about the land compensation funds for Zhenjiang Village..."
He Ligang stopped short, struggling to maintain his composure.
Lin Hao pretended not to know about the situation and instead exclaimed in surprise, "Ah... have you solved the funding issue?"
"No, I... I went to the bank, but the bank managers wouldn't lend a penny..."
He Ligang replied with a bitter expression.
"What? You didn't get a single penny?" Lin Hao's face slightly darkened as well.
He Ligang knew he couldn't complete this task and now had no choice but to bite the bullet and approach Lin Hao.
"I heard that County Magistrate Lin has a good relationship with several bank managers. Could you possibly have a word with them and see if it's possible..."
He Ligang hesitated, clearly wanting Lin Hao to help him out.
"County Magistrate He, it was you who confidently promised to resolve this funding issue, so why are you coming to me now?"
Lin Hao put on a pained expression, furrowed his brows, and said, "It's not that I don't want to speak with them, it's just that they're not necessarily going to respect me either."
"County Magistrate Lin, I know I acted rashly that day by stepping in to share some of the work, but..."
He Ligang felt extremely awkward, feeling very embarrassed.
However, if he didn't come to Lin Hao, he'd feel even more ashamed.
"County Magistrate He, I have high regard for you and think you should get some good training."
Lin Hao smiled and said, "How about this? You try to come up with another way. I believe you absolutely have the ability to solve the funding problem. If it doesn't work out, you could potentially reach out to contacts in the province?"
"County Magistrate Lin, my connections in the province aren't great, so it's likely very difficult to get the bank managers to agree." He Ligang replied with a bitter expression.
"County Magistrate He, any task will have its difficulties. As a party cadre, you need to face challenges head-on and exhibit the outstanding spirit of the Communist Party members who aren't afraid of hardship..."
Lin Hao spoke at length, spouting a bunch of clichés and official rhetoric.
He Ligang's face was full of black lines, secretly regretting stepping out to steal the limelight before.
He knew very well that Lin Hao now held a grudge against him and wouldn't help solve the funding problem.
However, he also didn't believe Lin Hao could solve the thirty million funding gap.
Without Lin Hao's support, He Ligang left the office with his head low, dejected and disheartened.
Lin Hao watched his departing figure, a cold smile curling at his lips.
...
County Party Committee Office.
He Ligang went to find Secretary Li again, wanting to offload this hot potato.
Unfortunately, Li Jingyi wasn't foolish and refused to take the bait, telling him to think of other solutions.
"Secretary Li, I really have no other options. How about letting County Magistrate Lin continue to be responsible for this new urban area project?"
Li Jingyi shook her head, "How could that be? You actively pursued the new urban area project yourself, how can you give up so quickly?"
"Secretary Li, I've really exhausted every means over the last few days, but the bank managers simply aren't giving me face!" said He Ligang with a pained expression.
"Didn't I ask you to reach out to County Magistrate Lin for help?" Li Jingyi asked.
"County Magistrate Lin said he doesn't have a good relationship with the managers either, and they wouldn't respect him." explained He Ligang.
"Vice County Magistrate He, are you implying you want to abandon this new urban area project?" Li Jingyi's face slightly darkened.
He Ligang knew she was already angry but still struggled to say, "Secretary Li, it's not that I'm trying to abandon it; it's just really too difficult."
"County Magistrate He, are you joking with me?"
Li Jingyi's face turned livid, and she coldly said, "At first, you jumped in to take over the new urban area project, and County Magistrate Lin readily agreed to give it to you. You should figure out a way to solve it; how can you retreat at the first sign of difficulty?"
"Secretary Li, I truly don't mean to retreat; it's just that obtaining thirty million in the short term is extremely difficult!" He Ligang argued.
Li Jingyi paused, took a deep breath, and asked solemnly, "Then how about the fiscal subsidy funds for the new energy vehicles?"
"That... that is probably... also... challenging..." He Ligang stammered in reply.
"Of course, there will be some challenges. Aren't you connected in the province?" Li Jingyi asked puzzledly.
"My second uncle inquired, but the Finance Department hasn't responded to him..." He Ligang replied with a bitter face.
"So, are both projects off the table now?" Li Jingyi's expression turned rather awful.
"How could that be? Aren't these two projects County Magistrate Lin's responsibility? Let him resolve the matter." suggested He Ligang.
"Previously, I indeed entrusted both tricky projects to him, but you insisted on jumping out and getting involved, snatching the projects away..."
Li Jingyi's face darkened, and she coldly said, "Now, look what happened, you couldn't solve either yourself, and now both significant projects are stalled. How should I even comment on you?"
"Secretary Li, I didn't expect the two projects to be so difficult..." He Ligang had bitter words but couldn't speak out.
"These two projects are registered at the provincial level, and I've already reported to the city's party committee and government that you are taking charge of them, and now this happens..."
The implication in Li Jingyi's words was clear: you are just waiting for your downfall.
"What? You... you reported it to the city's party committee and government?" He Ligang was taken aback.
"You should know that changing the project leader is a major decision; I have to report it. Otherwise, if something goes wrong, I'd be the one taking the blame." explained Li Jingyi with a bitter face.
"Secretary Li, what should we do now?" He Ligang finally realized the situation had become a bit complicated.
Originally, he thought returning the project to Lin Hao would solve everything; he didn't expect Li Jingyi had already reported everything upwards.
"You're asking me? I don't know either." Li Jingyi was so frustrated she wished to slap him twice.
Don't take on tasks beyond your capability!
This He Ligang is truly an incompetent fool, recklessly seeking glory without the skill or capacity, what a brainless move!
"Secretary Li, you... you must save me!" He Ligang seemed like he had grabbed hold of a lifeline.
"It's not that I don't want to help you, but this matter was approved by the standing committee, and my words alone don't count!" Li Jingyi felt utterly frustrated.
"So, am I going to be disciplined?" Suddenly, He Ligang panicked.
After all, everyone in the system understands that once someone is disciplined, getting a promotion becomes challenging.