official career

Chapter 2981 No Money

“Secretary, you know the financial situation in Shazhou. In recent years, in order to improve the city’s image and develop the Nanshan New Area, we have not only misappropriated a large amount of funds that should have been used for education, medical care, people’s livelihood, etc., but also incurred a large amount of debt.”

"So the current financial situation in Shazhou is very bad. Not only are there a lot of debts in education, medical care, people's livelihood, etc., but the finances themselves are also somewhat unsustainable. In addition, because of the large amount of debt incurred in the past, the interest on the debts that need to be repaid every year is also a heavy burden..." Qin Feng continued to explain to Jiang Longjun.

Qin Feng wasn't making things up to shut Jiang Longjun up; he was telling the truth, and that was indeed the current financial situation in Shazhou.

Even without Jiang Longjun's attempt to suppress him or even extend his reach into the Public Security Bureau, Qin Feng was planning to divert some of the funds originally allocated to Nanshan New Area to areas such as education, healthcare, and people's livelihood, which are related to social stability and people's well-being. However, not wanting to offend Jiang Longjun, he would only divert a portion of the funds and try to squeeze the rest out from other sources.

This was originally a tacit understanding between the municipal party secretary and the mayor. The municipal party secretary would give the mayor face on the issue of promotion, and the mayor would fully respect the opinions of the municipal party secretary on specific projects and fund allocation. Qin Feng and Jiang Longjun had always adhered to this convention.

But this time, Jiang Longjun broke this tacit agreement on his own initiative. In the recent personnel adjustments, he completely disregarded Qin Feng's opinions, leaving Qin Feng with nothing. Now, he's trying to take advantage of the Public Security Bureau again.

Jiang Longjun completely disregarded the rules, so Qin Feng naturally had nothing to worry about.

Qin Feng originally planned to cut off all the funds allocated to Nanshan New Area in one fell swoop, leaving 30 million just for show; otherwise, Qin Feng wouldn't have given a single penny.

Of course, Qin Feng didn't just cut funding for Nanshan New Area this time; he also cut funding for all the projects that Jiang Longjun had personally supported.

Some of the projects Jiang Longjun initiated were related to his personal interests, while others were for political achievements. For example, the Nanshan New Area is a great addition to economically developed cities, but it is a complete waste for a city like Shazhou.

By doing this, Jiang Longjun gave Qin Feng a legitimate reason to divert these funds to projects that improve people's livelihoods.

"Qin Feng, no matter how much you argue, you cannot change the major project development plan reviewed by the Standing Committee. The decision to continue increasing investment in the third phase of the Nanshan New Area project was made by the Standing Committee."

"You're using 30 million to build the Nanshan New Area? Is this what you call increasing investment? Who are you trying to fool?"

"Who drafted this document? Who signed it? You are completely disregarding the decision of the Municipal Party Committee Standing Committee. Who gave you the audacity?" Jiang Longjun became more and more agitated as he spoke, his face slightly flushed, his fingers tapping the table, his eyes fixed on Qin Feng.

Although Jiang Longjun didn't mention Qin Feng by name, everyone knew he was referring to Qin Feng.

Jiang Longjun was not wrong. The Standing Committee had already made a resolution on the development plan for Shazhou next year, which clearly stated that investment in Nanshan New Area should be increased this year. Qin Feng's fiscal allocation support plan was indeed completely contrary to the resolution of the Standing Committee.

"I signed this draft." Qin Feng calmly took over Jiang Longjun's words, shouldering all the responsibility.

"Yes, the Standing Committee's resolution did mention that investment in Nanshan New Area should be increased this year, but the Standing Committee did not specify how much to invest, nor did it say where the money for the increased investment would come from."

“There’s a saying that goes, ‘Even a clever cook can’t cook without rice.’ Secretary, I understand the Standing Committee’s resolution, and of course we want to abide by it and increase investment in Nanshan New Area. But the problem is, we don’t have the money. How can we invest without money? You’ve seen this draft document. Which expenditure doesn’t cost money? Which expenditure isn’t necessary? And which expenditure isn’t more important than Nanshan New Area? Which expenditure isn’t more urgent than Nanshan New Area?”

"Yes, what I just mentioned are all new additions, which means they've taken up funds that should have been allocated to the Nanshan New Area. But Secretary, these things can't be delayed. It's not a big problem if the construction of the Nanshan New Area is a little slower, but if these things aren't resolved immediately, they will cause big problems. It's not just about people's livelihoods, but also about social stability. If something goes wrong, who can bear the consequences?"

Qin Feng explained to Jiang Longjun "sincerely".

Jiang Longjun let out a cold snort after hearing this.

Qin Feng's explanation was completely "exaggerated," which effectively blocked Jiang Longjun's path to rebuttal. If Jiang Longjun still insisted on disagreeing with the distribution plan, and problems arose in areas such as education and healthcare, then Jiang Longjun would bear all the responsibility.

Qin Feng was also certain that Jiang Longjun would absolutely not dare to make this decision and take this risk.

Jiang Longjun held the draft in his hand, but he didn't look at it carefully; instead, he was pondering it.

“Yes, the mayor is right. As the mayor just said, we have indeed accumulated a lot of debt in education and healthcare over the years, and some of them have reached the point where we have no choice but to repay them and resolve them. Therefore, there is no problem with increasing fiscal investment in this area this year. No matter what, people’s livelihood should always be the top priority, and social stability is always the red line. We cannot have any wishful thinking on this issue.” Jiang Longjun said seriously after putting down the draft.

Jiang Longjun's attitude was even more resolute than Qin Feng's just now.

"However, the development plan reviewed and approved by the Standing Committee must be strictly implemented without any excuses."

"The plans approved by the Standing Committee are not implemented in the fiscal plan, which is completely contrary to the plan. Take this draft for example. The plan clearly requires increased investment in Nanshan New Area this year, but your fiscal draft only mentions 30 million."

"What kind of situation is this? This violates the Standing Committee's resolution, this is disobeying the organization's decision, what consequences will this lead to? Are they treating the Standing Committee like it doesn't exist?"

When it comes to the ability to make a big deal out of nothing, Qin Feng is no match for Jiang Longjun.

"Therefore, my opinion is very clear and firm: the Standing Committee's resolution must be implemented without any discount or excuse."

"I support the draft's requirement to increase investment in education, healthcare, and related aspects of people's livelihood. However, we must also increase funding for the third phase of the Nanshan New Area project in accordance with the spirit of the Standing Committee's resolution, so that the Nanshan New Area can be continuously developed, quickly becoming a new economic growth engine for Shazhou, enhancing the overall urban character of Shazhou, and improving the happiness of the people of Shazhou."

Jiang Longjun spoke with great passion and fervor.

Jiang Longjun gets this excited every time the development prospects of Nanshan New Area are mentioned. Perhaps he was just as passionate when he made a pledge to develop Nanshan New Area in front of the provincial leaders.