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

Li Dakang could tell that Sun Liancheng had become more assertive and different.

It seems I'm not as timid and hesitant in front of myself as I used to be.

He didn't know where Sun Liancheng's confidence came from, but if Sun Liancheng dared to offend Li Dakang in Jingzhou, he probably didn't want to live anymore.

Seeing Sun Liancheng's smug look, Li Dakang remained silent for a few seconds before chuckling softly.

"Liancheng, your petition office is currently undergoing renovations, which is a good thing. It's really starting to look quite professional."

"But there are some things you still haven't noticed, aren't there?"

"Sometimes, a small problem that is not handled well can completely ruin ninety-nine big things that you have accomplished."

"Oh, Liancheng will listen attentively to Secretary Li's teachings." Sun Liancheng lowered his head slightly, appearing to be listening attentively.

Li Dakang pointed at Sun Liancheng, then changed the subject, his tone suddenly becoming stern.

"Sun Liancheng, the management of these schools and kindergartens run by the company has been handed over to the local government. They're now public institutions, are you aware of that?"

"How is the transfer of enterprise-run schools and kindergartens to local management progressing in your district?"

"Both the provincial and municipal governments have issued documents that clearly require the relevant personnel to receive the benefits they deserve."

"As far as I know, it seems that other districts and counties in Jingzhou City have all implemented the measures, but Guangming District has not yet resolved it."

"I heard that the issue of the welfare benefits for at least 300 people in Guangming District has not yet been resolved."

"Have there been frequent reports of this issue at the petition office recently?"

As he said this, he looked directly at Sun Liancheng: "More than three hundred people, more than three hundred families."

"Lian Cheng, do you think this is a small matter?"

"Moreover, this matter involves the vital interests of the people."

"You can't even handle such a small matter, how can you be a district head?"

"Do you know that this matter has even reached me, the Party Secretary of the Municipal Committee?"

"Your Guangming District's delays and inaction have completely damaged the image of our entire Jingzhou Municipal Party Committee and Government."

"It has damaged the image of our Jingzhou City organization cadres in the eyes of the public!"

Without saying a word, Li Dakang directly put the hat on Sun Liancheng's head.

Sun Liancheng's expression changed for a moment, but he quickly regained his nonchalant demeanor.

He sighed, his tone implying, "Secretary Li, you don't know this, but I'm even more anxious about this matter than you are."

"But you are well aware of the financial situation in Guangming District. Our current fiscal revenue is barely enough to keep things running."

"These companies used to pay their taxes to the city government."

"Now that the school has been handed over to the government, the matter of implementing benefits is now handled by the district—"

He shrugged. "Where am I supposed to find this money? We can't exactly sell the desks and chairs in the office building, can we?"

Li Dakang's breathing became heavier; he understood the meaning behind Sun Liancheng's words.

Those companies used to pay taxes to the city, and the city spent the money. Now they're passing the burden to the district.

And in that "city," it was Li Dakang who had the final say.

Sun Liancheng is saying that the root of the problem still lies with you, Li Dakang.

"In the past, Ding Yizhen was the one who called the shots in Guangming District. He sold off all the land in the district, depleting its resources."

"Regarding the Guangming Peak project, a lot of the money for land acquisition, demolition, and resettlement came from Guangming District itself, leaving the district's finances empty."

"Did you approve my application for funding from the city?" Sun Liancheng asked, looking directly into Li Dakang's eyes.

"It wasn't approved. The renovation of this petition office window, costing several hundred thousand yuan, was only approved by Mayor Wu because it affected the government's image."

"Secretary Li, the Guangmingfeng project is a major project for the city, involving land acquisition, demolition, land leveling, and so on."

"We've already invested money from Guangming District; when will the funds allocated by the city for the project be到位 (implemented/received)?"

"If you could allocate this money to the district, I'll make sure the benefits for over 300 people are settled perfectly tomorrow."

Li Dakang's face turned ashen.

Sun Liancheng's words were a clear attempt to push the ball back to Li Dakang's feet.

As the Party Secretary of the city, Li Dakang, you control the city's purse strings.

You don't allocate funds, but you keep forcing me, the district head, to produce results. That's not how things work in the world.

"Sun Liancheng, how come I never realized you were such a smooth talker? You're so sharp-tongued!" Li Dakang almost laughed out of anger.

He suppressed his anger and changed his approach: "Fine, I know your Bright District is short of money, but let's not talk about that now."

"I'm asking you, what was the old system of the secretary and district head's reception day at the petition office?"

"Why call the police? Ostensibly to maintain order, but actually to keep people who want to raise issues away."

"Are your district leaders afraid to face the people? Are they afraid of the people and treat them as enemies?"

Li Dakang directly threw a black hat at Sun Liancheng.

When this matter was mentioned, Sun Liancheng straightened up, and even a smile appeared on his lips.

"Secretary Li, that was in the past."

"When Ding Yizhen was in charge, the petition reception day was indeed treated like a day to guard against thieves."

"Police officers are on duty, security guards are patrolling, and people must go through a security checkpoint before they arrive."

"Why? Because we're afraid of disturbances by the crowd."

"As for why he's afraid of the masses causing trouble, Secretary Li probably knows more about that than I do."

These clearly sarcastic remarks made Li Dakang's face darken.

"Secretary Li, Ding Yizhen is someone you promoted, your favorite. Who in Jingzhou City or Guangming District dares to disobey his orders?"

"Now you're using this to criticize me, Sun Liancheng? Tell me, where's the logic in that?"

When he said the word "celebrity," the subtle sarcasm in his tone made Li Dakang's brow twitch again.

"But look at us now," Sun Liancheng continued, "after Secretary Zhao of the New District Committee arrived, we changed things long ago."

"I was in charge of receiving guests, but I never did any of these things."

"All these tables and chairs, these candies and teas, were all paid for by me and the new district party secretary ourselves."

"We didn't use a single penny of the district's funds. We just want the public to know that the government is here to help them solve their problems, not to keep them at bay."

"As you saw when you came in, the people were sitting face-to-face with our comrades, talking and laughing. There's no conflict between them."

Li Dakang opened his mouth, but suddenly realized he didn't know what to say.

The issue of employee benefits at schools and kindergartens was something the city government passed on to the district government.

The conflict between the police and the public is a legacy of Ding Yizhen, who was once Li Dakang's right-hand man.

Sun Liancheng's words were all saying: Secretary Li, the problem is not with me, it's with you, Li Dakang.

Just then, a lively commotion suddenly came from the other side of the hall.