official career

Chapter 2992 The Bargaining Chips Brought by Ma Shanming

"Yes, the initial proposal was indeed completed last time, and the organization department is already going through the procedures. However, the organization department's investigation found that Comrade Wang Yalin is usually diligent and conscientious in his work, and has both achievements and convictions."

"Secretary Jiang also discussed this matter privately with several leaders. They all reflected that the Public Security Bureau should indeed be held responsible for the underground casinos. However, the fact that the Public Security Bureau was able to quickly crack down on the underground casinos this time can be considered as making amends. In particular, Comrade Wang Yalin played a decisive role in this crackdown on underground casinos."

"Therefore, Secretary Jiang and several other leaders believe that the preliminary decision on the punishment and job adjustment of Comrade Wang Yalin was wrong. Secretary Jiang asked me to come here today to ask the mayor for his opinion on this matter in person." Ma Shanming looked at Qin Feng.

Qin Feng smoked a cigarette with a smile on his face, which made Ma Shanming unable to figure out what Qin Feng's true attitude was.

“My opinion is the same as Secretary Jiang’s. The Public Security Bureau is naturally not responsible for this matter, and Comrade Wang Yalin is not only blameless, but also meritorious,” Qin Feng said.

"That's right. Secretary Jiang's idea is that if the mayor also agrees, then we should find a time to sit down and talk about this matter again, and cancel the motion and decision made earlier."

“Okay, I agree with Secretary Jiang’s opinion.” Qin Feng nodded.

Qin Feng's nod of agreement wasn't about Wang Yalin's matter. Ma Shanming's visit to Qin Feng today had already decided on Wang Yalin's situation. Jiang Longjun could make that decision on his own; there was no need to specifically ask Qin Feng for his opinion, and Qin Feng's opinion was obvious anyway.

Qin Feng nodded in agreement with the offer given by Ma Shanming on behalf of Jiang Longjun. It was like Qin Feng agreeing to the price Jiang Longjun offered in a business deal.

Seeing Qin Feng nod, Ma Shanming was very happy, thinking that the matter was settled and his mission was over.

“Since that’s the case, my task is complete. Mayor, you are very busy, so I won’t disturb your work any longer. I’ll take my leave now.” Ma Shanming said, standing up to bid farewell to Qin Feng.

"Secretary-General, no rush, please sit down. We haven't finished our tea yet." Qin Feng did not get up, but let Ma Shanming continue to sit down.

Ma Shanming was a little confused. They had already finished discussing everything, so what was there to talk about? Ma Shanming didn't think there was anything else he and Qin Feng could talk about.

Ma Shanming had no choice but to sit down obediently.

"Have some tea," Qin Feng said with a smile.

"Okay, thank you, Mayor." Ma Shanming appeared grateful, but inwardly he was seething with anger. Qin Feng kept urging Ma Shanming to drink such inferior tea.

Ma Shanming forced himself to take a sip of tea, put down the teacup, and asked Qin Feng, "Is there anything else the mayor needs?"

"Secretary-General, I would like to continue our discussion about the allocation of funds for the development of Nanshan New Area. I am already very clear about Secretary Jiang's opinion."

“We had a disagreement about this at the Finance Committee meeting that day. After I came back, I reflected on it carefully. I was too emotional that day, and some of the things I said were inappropriate. Secretary Jiang’s intentions were actually good. After all, Nanshan New Area is a key area for the development of our Shazhou City, and the requirement to focus on supporting the development of Nanshan New Area in terms of fiscal expenditure this year was also approved by the Standing Committee. So please ask the Secretary-General to apologize to Secretary Jiang on my behalf when you get back,” Qin Feng said “sincerely.”

“Mayor, there’s no need for that. As I said, you and Secretary Jiang were just discussing the matter at hand last time, and your goal was the good of Shazhou City. There’s no right or wrong. Secretary Jiang will definitely not hold any grudge against you because of this. The key is to finalize the fiscal allocation plan as soon as possible, disburse the funds supporting the development of Nanshan New Area, and get the projects started after the New Year so as not to delay the overall planning progress of Nanshan New Area. That’s the most crucial thing.” Ma Shanming focused on the main point.

Qin Feng nodded again in a serious tone, and then said, "Secretary-General, you and I both know about our financial difficulties. According to our financial situation, we simply do not have the capacity to continue developing the Nanshan New Area. However, considering that Secretary Jiang has been pushing forward the Nanshan New Area, and that it is also a plan reviewed by the Standing Committee, I will find a way to support the development of the Nanshan New Area no matter how difficult the finances are."

"But... I wonder how much Secretary Jiang thinks is appropriate to allocate to Nanshan New Area this year?" Qin Feng changed the subject and asked Ma Shanming.

Ma Shanming almost choked on his own words when Qin Feng asked him that question.

"Mayor, haven't we always been talking about 1 billion? The plan we reviewed before was worth 1 billion." Ma Shanming almost jumped up.

Ma Shanming had always believed that Qin Feng's promise to allocate funds to the Nanshan New Area meant that he had promised to allocate 1 billion yuan, since the original plan was for 1 billion yuan. However, he did not expect that Qin Feng had a backup plan.

In Ma Shanming's view, Qin Feng's move was completely devoid of martial ethics.

Qin Feng shook his head and said, "Secretary-General, 1 billion is definitely impossible. The treasury only has so much money. Even if a celestial being came, he couldn't possibly come up with 1 billion for Nanshan New District."

Ma Shanming was furious, extremely furious. He felt that Qin Feng had been making a fool of him ever since he came in.

"Mayor, it was confirmed long ago that the government would allocate 1 billion yuan to the Nanshan New Area for its development and construction this year. This was also at Secretary Jiang's request. I don't think we should discuss this amount any further." Ma Shanming's tone was somewhat cold as he expressed his dissatisfaction to Qin Feng.

"That's indeed the case, and I'm certainly in the wrong, but Secretary-General, the problem is we don't have the money. How can I allocate funds to Nanshan New Area? Let alone 1 billion, even if we had planned to allocate 10 billion to Nanshan New Area, we still wouldn't be able to get a single penny without the funds," Qin Feng said helplessly.

Ma Shanming astutely caught Qin Feng's words, "Not a single penny can be allocated," and both sides immediately understood the implication.

“Mayor, the 1 billion yuan is Secretary Jiang’s opinion, and I don’t think Secretary Jiang will accept a reduction in the amount.” Ma Shanming could only put pressure on Qin Feng on behalf of Jiang Longjun.

"The reality is that the treasury doesn't have that much money, and that's not subject to Secretary Jiang's or my opinion. Of course, if Secretary Jiang and the Secretary-General can get extra funds from above, let alone 1 billion, I will use every penny of the funds they get for the Nanshan New Area," Qin Feng said with a smile.

"Mayor, you're joking." Ma Shanming gave a forced smile; he didn't find Qin Feng's joke funny at all.

“Mayor, Secretary Jiang has been having a headache over Wang Yalin from the Public Security Bureau these past few days. I think we shouldn’t upset him any further over this little bit of money in the Nanshan New Area, don’t you think?” Ma Shanming’s words had a double meaning, reminding Qin Feng that if he didn’t agree to Wang Yalin’s request, then there was no point in discussing it further.