152: Chapter 152 Leaders Have Their Difficulties

Facing the Governor's questioning, Ma Zhenbang could only brace himself and fabricate a lie.

"Governor, the investors might have run into some funding issues. The High-Tech Zone Management Committee will follow up and coordinate to ensure the funds are in place."

Sun Zhendong didn't say anything, only nodding slightly in acknowledgement.

His reaction made both Zhou Shizhong and Ma Zhenbang breathe a sigh of relief.

Sun Zhendong could fully imagine the interests involved behind this land transfer.

Although he held Ji Hongwen's second transcript and had dropped hints to Tao Zhimian.

Tao Zhimian had also taken the initiative to yield, giving him a significant say in the Standing Committee.

However, he hadn't been in Jianghan Province for long, and the intricate web of relationships hadn't been untangled yet. It wasn't the time to flip the table.

If he were too upright, he would end up isolated.

"Water that is too clear has no fish"—this was the current political ecology of Jianghan Province.

An important rule of officialdom was to balance the interests of all parties.

What Sun Zhendong could do now was to push things in a positive direction while maintaining that balance.

After a quick tour of the last enterprise, the group headed to the High-Tech Zone Management Committee for a symposium.

After listening, Sun Zhendong spoke in very stern terms:

"Comrades, what is Jianghan Province's greatest advantage in attracting foreign investment?"

"It's land, and relatively cheap labor."

"But how are you using these land resources? After seeing the Development Zone today, I am deeply pained."

"Take Hengtai Toy Factory, for example. Where is the high technology? Where is the invested capital?"

"When bringing in projects, we must keep our eyes peeled. We shouldn't believe it just because someone draws a pie in the sky!"

"Comrades, if this continues, once the High-Tech Zone's land quotas are used up, where will you put new and better projects?!"

Usually, when provincial leaders went on inspection tours, they would first affirm achievements, gloss over problems, and then give principled requirements.

This was the first time someone like Sun Zhendong had pointed directly at the core of the problem without mincing words.

Song Zhicheng sat below with a look of panic, not daring to look up.

The heads of provincial departments, the Mayor of Jiangzhou City, and the Director of the High-Tech Zone Management Committee all lowered their heads, not daring to make a sound.

Zhao Yang sat in a corner, diligently taking notes.

Zhao Yang fully understood why Sun Zhendong didn't hold the responsible parties accountable.

Sun Zhendong not taking drastic measures was a last resort.

Every province was competing for projects. Whoever set a threshold first would block a batch of projects, directly affecting GDP data.

Because of this, a "Development Zone fever" emerged nationwide, with vast amounts of land being fenced off without construction, or built upon without production.

It wasn't until three years later, when the state issued the "Control Indicators for Industrial Project Construction Land," that the situation slightly improved.

Sun Zhendong was using his clear stance to slowly reverse the phenomenon of land grabbing.

While Sun Zhendong was sternly criticizing the cadres at all levels, Zhou Shizhong stole a glance at Zhao Yang.

There was a hint of resentment in his eyes.

Zhao Yang had only been a Secretary for one day, yet the Governor had changed so much; Zhao Yang must have played a role in it.

He had underestimated this man, the lowest-ranking Governor's Secretary Jianghan Province had seen in years.

Back in the office that afternoon, Sun Zhendong called Zhao Yang over:

"Notify Wu Dechang of the Planning Commission to have Xiao Gao compile a survey on the land use status of Development Zones in all cities across the province and report it to me."

Returning to his office, Zhao Yang picked up the desk phone and dialed.

"Hello, Director Wu. This is Zhao Yang from the First Comprehensive Section of the General Office."

"Hello, Secretary Zhao. If you have any instructions, please just say the word."

On the phone, Wu Dechang's tone was extremely polite, showing caution in every word.

Zhao Yang knew, of course, that he wasn't afraid of him, but of Sun Zhendong behind him.

He immediately smiled and said, "I wouldn't dare. Director Wu, you're joking. The Governor wants a survey of the land use of Development Zones in all cities across the province, and he specifically named Gao Wenbo to write it. What do you think...?"

"Alright, I'll arrange it right away. Secretary Zhao, after the Governor got angry today, did he say anything when he got back?" Wu Dechang's tone was tentative.

This fellow was clearly worried that Sun Zhendong wouldn't let the matter drop and would start disciplining people.

Zhao Yang had already calculated that Sun Zhendong wouldn't delve deeper.

But he wouldn't give Wu Dechang any peace of mind either.

He wanted him to feel like a sword was hanging over his head, ready to fall at any moment.

Zhao Yang immediately lowered his voice: "I'm only telling you this. You must not spread it around."

"Do you even need to say it? You're a true friend, brother. I'll keep this in mind." Wu Dechang agreed instantly.

"The Governor was very angry when he came back and has been stony-faced the whole time. Director Wu, you know I'm just someone who carries bags and serves tea; I only know this much..."

"I understand, I understand. Thank you, Secretary Zhao."

On the other side, Zhou Shizhong sat in his office, looking depressed.

Having been in the bureaucracy for many years, he naturally knew Zhao Yang's position in Sun Zhendong's heart.

He had heard rumors before that Sun Zhendong was paying extra attention to the case of the Tongan Die-Casting Machine Factory.

Zhao Yang, as a meritorious investigator, being transferred to the Provincial Government was definitely pushed by Sun Zhendong behind the scenes.

The performance of the two now further confirmed his thoughts.

This kind of relationship was impossible to drive a wedge into.

Since that was the case, he could only take the initiative to show goodwill.

When leaving work that evening, Zhou Shizhong saw Zhao Yang heading out and greeted him with a beaming smile:

"Xiao Zhao, leaving for the day?"

Zhao Yang said, "Yes, the Governor has no social engagements tonight, so there's no need to arrange transportation."

Zhou Shizhong chuckled, "It's our blessing to have a leader who is considerate of his subordinates."

"Isn't that the truth?" Zhao Yang turned and went downstairs.

He couldn't help but think that when Zhou Shizhong looked at him this morning, he had looked like he wanted to kill him.

This expression now meant he had surely come to his senses.

After all, those who had stayed in the bureaucracy for twenty or thirty years were all shrewd characters.

After going downstairs, Zhao Yang went to pick up Jiang Nan from work as usual.

To his surprise, Jiang Nan came out quite early today, with a smile on her face.

Zhao Yang went up to meet her and took her bag.

"What's up? Did you find money on the street?"

"Exactly, I found some money."

After getting into the car, Jiang Nan suddenly asked:

"Zhao Yang, it wasn't you who told the Governor, was it?"

Zhao Yang started the car. "Tell me what happened first."

"The Provincial Government suddenly provided 5 million in matching funds for the construction of the DNA sample database. Now we don't have to worry about funding anymore." As she spoke, dimples appeared at the corners of Jiang Nan's mouth.

"The Governor is so upright; how could a small figure like me influence him?"

Zhao Yang knew that Sun Zhendong was using professional support as a disguised way to express his gratitude to Jiang Nan.

After driving Jiang Nan to the entrance of her residential area, she asked him to stay:

"My dad is back today. You're not allowed to leave; let's have dinner together."

It wasn't the weekend, so Jiang Yunheng's sudden return home was likely for a meeting in the provincial capital.

"Dad, Mom." As soon as he entered, Zhao Yang addressed them more naturally than Jiang Nan did.

Sitting down by the sofa, Zhao Yang asked, "Dad, how do you have time to come back today?"

Jiang Yunheng put down his teacup. "I'm back for a meeting. The Provincial Party Congress will be held in April, and this is the last Plenary Session of the current Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection."

The Party Congress is held every five years to re-elect members and Standing Committee members of the Provincial Committee.

It was an important transition of power.

Sun Zhendong had only removed the word "Acting" from his title of Governor for a little over a month, so it was obviously impossible for him to be promoted to Secretary.

Zhao Yang couldn't help but worry; if a new Secretary arrived, it might not be a good thing for Sun Zhendong.

After all, Tao Zhimian had something held against him, so he had to yield when necessary.

Sure enough, Jiang Yunheng asked, "Zhao Yang, have you heard any rumors in the Provincial Government?"