Nominal: The Handong Game, the Energy System's Counterattack

Zhao Dehan told Sun Liancheng that he had witnessed Li Dakang reprimanding him multiple times over the past few days because of the Guangmingfeng project.

Zhao Dehan expressed his concern for Sun Liancheng, which deeply moved Sun Liancheng.

"Let's put Secretary Li's matter aside for now. He's the top official in Jingzhou City, so we have no choice but to listen to him for the time being."

"I'd like to know what you think is the most difficult aspect of the work currently being carried out in Guangming District."

"Guangming District is the focus of our work going forward."

"If there's anything I, Zhao Dehan, can do to help, just let me know."

Sun Liancheng paused for a moment, seemingly considering whether or not he should tell the truth.

But in the end, he decided to speak his mind.

He felt that the newly arrived district party secretary had at least shown sincerity in listening and cooperating, something that had never happened during Ding Yizhen's era.

"Secretary Zhao, let me tell you the truth," Sun Liancheng said, lowering his guard and becoming more sincere.

"The current situation in Guangming District can be described in one word: beset by internal and external troubles."

As he spoke, he tapped the table with his chopsticks.

"Guangming District's fiscal revenue looks good on paper, but in reality, the money is simply not enough to cover its expenses."

"Ding Yizhen did sell a lot of land in Guangming District, and the land prices were driven up very high, but guess how much the government got from these land transactions?"

At this point, Sun Liancheng didn't go into further detail; the dirty dealings between Ding Yizhen and those investors were best left unsaid.

"In short, the lion's share goes to those middlemen, and very little actually goes into the district's coffers."

"And the expenses in Guangming District have been increasing in recent years. Teachers' salaries, civil servants' allowances, and the maintenance of municipal facilities—all of these cost money."

"The money left in the district's accounts is just enough to pay salaries for a few months."

"The Guangming Peak project is even more troublesome." Sun Liancheng said, his brows furrowing deeply.

"This project involves a huge investment, and the area that needs to be demolished involves more than 30,000 residents and more than 200 businesses."

"According to regulations, resettlement housing must be built before demolition, but the land for the resettlement housing has not yet been approved, and the funds have not been in place."

"Secretary Li told me to demolish first, and then we could gradually resettle the residents after the demolition was completed."

"How could the public possibly agree to this?"

"There's another problem, which is Dafeng Factory."

When Sun Liancheng mentioned this place, Zhao Dehan could clearly sense the helplessness in his voice.

"Dafeng Factory is located at a key node within the planning boundary of the Guangmingfeng project. Without demolishing this factory, the entire project cannot proceed."

"But the situation at Dafeng Factory is too special. It was a mess when it was restructured a few years ago."

"Right now, well... in short, the employees of Dafeng Factory are very dissatisfied with the current situation."

"Now they have formed a factory protection team, dug trenches and set up roadblocks in the factory area."

"They resisted the demolition, saying things like 'As long as we live, the factory will exist; if we die, the factory will die.'"

"I've been there a few times, and the scene was really frightening. I tried to persuade them for a long time, but it was no use."

"I would like to get involved, but that old chief prosecutor of the Second Procuratorate, Chen Yanshi, is a problem."

"Zhao Donglai from the Municipal Bureau, and people from all walks of life have come, but the matter is stuck there."

......

Fueled by alcohol, Sun Liancheng blurted out all the problems in Guangming District.

He emphasized the problems of Guangmingfeng and Dafeng Factory, and also mentioned many other people.

Zhao Dehan knew some of these people, and some he didn't know very well, but he kept them in mind and would investigate them slowly later.

After listening quietly to Sun Liancheng's account, Zhao Dehan gained a more intuitive understanding of the situation in Guangming District.

The issues that Zhou Chuyi had mentioned to him were confirmed by Sun Liancheng.

Guangming District is indeed a mess. The money is gone, the land is gone, the projects are stalled, and the people are protesting.

Li Dakang further pressured those above him, pushing all the responsibility and risks onto the grassroots cadres.

Zhao Dehan really didn't know what to say when such a person became his future leader.

No wonder Zhou Chuyi dislikes Li Dakang; some leaders might value someone like him.

But as his colleagues and subordinates, who could like him?

He patted Sun Liancheng on the shoulder and said, "District Chief Sun, you've worked hard."

"I've noted down everything you've said."

Zhao Dehan said, "I want to make it clear to you that I didn't come to Guangming District to gain experience or to just coast along; I genuinely want to do something meaningful."

"I don't know how Ding Yizhen acted in the past, but I'm definitely different from him."

"Even a skilled cook can't cook without rice. Starting tomorrow, the first thing I need to do is figure out the resources of the Bright District."

"Get the accounts straight and clarify the money issues."

Zhao Dehan looked at Sun Liancheng and said, "District Chief Sun, you know Guangming District best. I need your support on this."

"I've noticed the financial problems in Guangming District, not just what you just mentioned."

"To be honest, this is the state of the finances of a district that has consistently ranked first in the city's economy for many years."

"I don't believe there's no problem with it."

"We can investigate the problem slowly; our first priority is to get the money back."

"District Chief Sun, with money, we have the confidence to do things."

Speaking of this, Sun Liancheng agreed wholeheartedly: "Secretary Zhao, to be honest, Ding Yizhen used to manage the district's finances."

"After he fled, I took a look at his financial situation, and it really scared me."

"If you feel something's not right, I can tell you for sure, there's definitely a problem."

"I support you in this matter. Let's work together to get the money that belongs to the district."

"Good, that's enough from you, District Chief Sun." Zhao Dehan picked up his wine glass, clinked it against Sun Liancheng's, and downed it in one gulp.

"As for the Guangming Peak project, it's clear that Secretary Li has no intention of involving me for the time being."

As they talked, the conversation circled back to Li Dakang.

Zhao Dehan, channeling his inner movie star, expressed that the other party had absolutely no faith in him, the newly arrived deputy mayor and district party secretary.

He also spoke out in defense of Sun Liancheng's plight.

"Your current position is very awkward. Ding Yizhen's escape has left behind a mess in Guangming District and the Guangming Peak project."

"Such an important matter should have been coordinated by higher-level officials."

"Secretary Li has entrusted you with the position of commander-in-chief. If it's because he values ​​you, then so be it."

"The burden has been placed on you; you haven't been given any extra resources—personnel, finances, or power."

"To put it bluntly, Secretary Li only put you in this position to take the blame and shield you because he thinks you, District Chief Sun, are easy to bully!"

The honest man Zhao Dehan was indignant about Sun Liancheng's plight and slammed his fist on the table, saying that he couldn't stand it anymore.

Zhao Dehan's words were spoken with a fierce determination, which startled Sun Liancheng, who was listening to them.

Damn, Lao Zhao, you really dare to say that.

That's exactly what happened, but I can't say it out loud.

He quickly stopped Zhao Dehan, "Secretary Zhao, you can't say that. Secretary Dakang is, after all, a leader."

When he stopped Zhao Dehan, he kept looking around, afraid that someone with ulterior motives would hear him.

Secretary Zhao Dehan is just too honest.

If these words were to reach Li Dakang's ears, Zhao Dehan would have a hard time in Jingzhou City.

"Leader? Hmph, I only recognize Governor Zhou as my leader."

"People like Li Dakang don't care about the lives of their subordinates, and they even make them take the blame."

"What kind of leader is one who lacks responsibility and vision?"

Zhao Dehan pretended to be a little excited because he had drunk too much, and patted Sun Liancheng on the shoulder.

"Brother Liancheng, don't worry, I'll stand by you from now on."

Sun Liancheng strongly agreed with what Zhao Dehan said and was also moved by the other party's attitude.

He was also afraid that Li Dakang would find out what Zhao Dehan had said, so he kept pulling Zhao Dehan, who wanted to get up, to sit down.