Chapter 16: Like Taking the Wrong Medicine!

Monday, 8 a.m.

Tang Ye and a middle-aged man entered the government compound one after the other.

“Good morning, Mayor Chen!” Tang Ye greeted with a friendly smile.

Chen Zhihua was the mayor of Pinghu Town, nominally the second-in-command but effectively sidelined. No one in the compound usually bothered to engage with him.

He paused momentarily before smiling, “Good morning, Tang.”

Tang Ye glanced at the black plastic bag in Chen Zhihua’s hand. “What good things have you got in that bag?”

Chen Zhihua’s square face broke into a smile. “The fish bite was great yesterday, caught a whole bunch. The ponds at home are full, so I brought a few to the canteen—two extra dishes for lunch.”

Tang Ye opened the bag to reveal a lively bighead carp thrashing its tail. “Such a big fish! Fish head for soup, fish body braised—everyone’s in for a treat.”

Chen Zhihua laughed heartily. “Good menu planning.”

Tang Ye was somewhat familiar with the members of Pinghu Town’s party leadership. Party Secretary Xu Yiping had risen from village branch secretary, and the leadership was divided into two factions—one loyal to Xu Yiping, the other nurtured by the former party secretary. Over the years, Xu Yiping’s dominance had sapped the latter faction’s vigor.

Chen Zhihua belonged to the remnants of the former faction. Four years younger than Xu Yiping, he should have been more energetic. Yet, after work every day, he liked to ride a simple bike, dragging fishing gear to various spots to fish.

The locals regarded him as neglectful of his duties, nicknaming him the “Fishing Mayor.”

In officialdom, one’s actions are not always their own.

Sometimes, retreating to advance is a strategy—like Jiang Taigong, who fished before meeting Xibo Hou.

At 3 p.m., the leadership meeting convened.

Tang Ye finished reporting on his work.

Suddenly, Xia Haiqiao, the deputy mayor in charge of civil affairs, launched an attack!

“Comrade Tang Ye, you’ve been in Pinghu Town for a while now. Everyone is glad you’re here and holds great expectations for you. You’ve proposed many suggestions, which Secretary Xu and others support. However, these ideas require time to be tested. What we want to see more are obvious changes you can bring about.

“Last year, I was responsible for economic work and brought several projects to Pinghu with a total investment of twenty million. You’re a cadre dispatched from the city committee, and with your ability, you should surpass me.”

Xu Yiping put down his pen and smiled at Tang Ye. “Comrade Haiqiao’s words reflect the people’s sentiments. Though your tenure here is short, you should leave some valuable achievements in Pinghu Town.”

Executive Deputy Mayor Wang Kaicheng, playing with a bead bracelet, chimed in, “The year before last, a cadre dispatched to the neighboring town quickly secured the Ancient City Project. Coming from the city, you must have resources—don’t hold back.”

Their seemingly cordial tone was actually a veiled mockery, pressuring Tang Ye to take responsibility.

In such a position, one must fulfill their role.

It was time to test Tang Ye’s capabilities.

If entrusted with economic affairs, could he attract investment?

Failing to do so would mean occupying the seat without contributing.

The twenty million investment was Xia Haiqiao’s challenge to Tang Ye.

Tang Ye had no prior experience in this area, and twenty million was no small sum.

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Tang Ye remained calm. “Next month, the city will hold an investment promotion conference. I’m preparing materials to secure suitable projects there. But the immediate priority is upgrading existing enterprises.

“Attracting investment takes time from initiation to implementation, whereas upgrading current businesses yields faster results.”

Xu Yiping touched his teacup, sensing Tang Ye was shifting focus. “Shouldn’t there be a target for the city’s investment promotion conference?”

Xia Haiqiao agreed, “At least not less than last year.”

Wang Kaicheng stroked his chin, “Why not set it at forty million? Comrade Tang, do you have confidence?”

The three launched a coordinated verbal assault.

The party meeting seemingly engaged in debate but required wit and courage.

Tang Ye prepared to respond.

Chen Zhihua’s face showed displeasure. “Forty million is too much! Comrade Tang Ye just arrived and isn’t familiar with Pinghu’s situation. Who here can guarantee achieving such a high target?”

Tang Ye hadn’t expected Chen Zhihua to openly support him.

Could it be because of their conversation that morning?

Chen Zhihua was isolated in Pinghu Town, and seeing a young man in his twenties being bullied stirred his sympathy and anger.

“Humph.”

Chen Zhihua sneered and abruptly stood, tucking his notebook under his arm, and left the meeting room.

Xu Yiping watched Chen’s retreating figure, a flash of anger in his eyes.

After losing the competition for party secretary years ago, Chen Zhihua’s temperament had changed.

His attitude was to neither seek success nor cause failure. Having such a deputy made it hard to find faults to exploit.

But there was an advantage: Chen took on few responsibilities, maintained his position uprightly, and was willing to be a puppet. Xu Yiping saw no need to replace him, as a new opponent could bring unknown complications.

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Why was the “Fishing Mayor” acting so strangely today?

To everyone else, Tang Ye seemed trapped.

He had considered investment promotion and had several plans in his notebook, but couldn’t reveal them yet. Except for Chen’s departure, the others were eager to see him fail. Revealing his plans too early risked leaks.

Investment promotion required negotiations with other governments, far more complex than internal conflicts and verbal sparring.

“All right, as per everyone’s wishes, we’ll set the investment promotion target at forty million.”

Tang Ye did not hesitate or dodge—he met the challenge head-on.

Xia Haiqiao glanced at Xu Yiping, pleased. He had fulfilled his task.

He hadn’t expected this young man to be so easily provoked.

Xia himself had worked tirelessly to secure twenty million, relying heavily on private connections.

Forty million was a nearly insurmountable gap at the township level.

Especially for a disadvantaged town like Pinghu, with poor infrastructure and a weak business environment, it was an impossible task.

After the meeting, Xia Haiqiao approached Xu Yiping’s office, wearing a triumphant smile. “Tang Ye is too young, idealistic, and impulsive. He’s talked big about forty million—I want to see how he handles this.”

Xu Yiping handed him a pack of cigarettes. “Young people are full of energy. They’ll learn their lesson after a few setbacks. We all went through this. Time will show him that achievements aren’t made by shouting.”

Xia Haiqiao opened the pack, lit a cigarette, and exhaled smoke thoughtfully.

“Here in Pinghu, everything is under your control. Don’t worry, he’ll regret coming here soon enough. I’ve got ways to deal with this hothead.”

Xu Yiping was very pleased with Xia’s attitude. “Keep it measured and subtle… after all, he’s from the city committee.”

“Everyone in Pinghu listens to Secretary Xu—even a dragon would bow to him,” Xia flattered habitually.

Xu Yiping remained outwardly calm but inwardly gratified.

The office phone rang.

Xu Yiping answered.

After hanging up, his face lit up excitedly as he told Xia Haiqiao, “Next Wednesday, the city’s investment bureau will send a team to inspect our town. This inspection is special—the city plans to select a township around Pinghu to build a provincial-level scenic resort.”

A provincial scenic resort project, with an investment of two billion, was fiercely contested by several towns.

Pinghu was at a disadvantage.

Though hopes were slim, there was still a glimmer of expectation.

Xia Haiqiao exclaimed in surprise, “Last week, I casually mentioned it over dinner with someone at the investment bureau. Didn’t expect they took it seriously!”