PCJ – Chapter 696 Taking Office

Fortunately, Zhang Jiaohua didn’t make an immediate decision, otherwise Wang Zongxian would’ve worried himself sick. In his heart, he was blaming Yin Yanmin—someone who just couldn’t see the bigger picture. Even at a time like this, he insisted on going against him.

“This Yin Yanmin really doesn’t think things through. If I can’t get promoted, how could he possibly have a chance to advance as mayor? Does he really think his backers can get him transferred out of Bijiang City? No way—I must make sure Zhang Jiaohua stays in Bijiang City. I was the one who sent him to Daihua County in the first place. No matter how you look at it, I was the one with the discerning eye who promoted him. If he achieves results, that’s a political achievement for me.” Wang Zongxian made up his mind: no matter what, he was going to promote Zhang Jiaohua.

On the other side, Gao Zhanlin had gone to the municipal government to report work to Yin Yanmin—though in truth, he was just trying to find out the outcome of the Municipal Standing Committee’s meeting. What he heard, however, greatly disappointed him.

“Who exactly is this Zhang Jiaohua? Wang Zongxian’s favoritism toward him is really surprising. Did he get some kind of benefit?” Gao Zhanlin said.

“Don’t say such baseless things. If you could achieve what Zhang Jiaohua has, would there still be such drastic changes around the vice mayor position? Judging by the current situation, this matter is quite complicated. Zhang Jiaohua is highly educated and capable. Aside from being slightly lacking in seniority, he outshines you in every way,” said Yin Yanmin, who had already done his homework on Zhang Jiaohua’s background.

“Given that he’s still so young and has already been promoted once in an exceptional case, it’s clearly inappropriate to promote him again under special circumstances. That doesn’t hold up logically,” said Gao Zhanlin.

“Why doesn’t it hold up? Bijiang City’s economy has always been at the bottom of the province. Previously, many of our counties were poverty-stricken, and having the label of poverty wasn’t a problem—the higher-ups didn’t criticize us. But now things have changed. Daihua County has shed the poverty label in one leap and is developing at a rapid pace. It won’t be long before it becomes a moderately prosperous county. If Daihua, which was the poorest in Bijiang, can do this, why can’t better-off areas in our city do the same? The reason is that Daihua has an official who gets things done—and that official is Zhang Jiaohua! If I had known this earlier, I wouldn’t have opposed Wang Zongxian’s proposal. Now I’m stuck in a passive position. Tell me, if we let you take charge of industrial development, how would you revitalize our city’s industry?” Yin Yanmin deeply regretted his earlier stance.

“I—I—our city’s situation is what it is. Even if our incentives are great, we still can’t attract investment,” Gao Zhanlin replied, clearly at a loss.

“That’s exactly where you differ from Zhang Jiaohua. If he were in charge, he might just find a way,” Yin Yanmin said.

“What kind of way could he possibly have?” Gao Zhanlin asked, puzzled.

“Me!” Yin Yanmin gave Gao Zhanlin a sharp glare—he didn’t know either.

Back in Daihua County, Zhang Jiaohua told Ji Jiaxin about the situation, seeking her opinion.

“Since our Meishan Sect needs worldly financial resources, why not take advantage of such favorable conditions? If you become mayor, it would make things far easier for Meishan Group to invest. We don’t need to abuse power for profit, but we also won’t be harassed by other forces—it’ll save us a lot of trouble. I think you should accept the vice mayor position. It doesn’t go against the path of cultivation,” Ji Jiaxin fully supported Zhang Jiaohua’s continued involvement in politics.

Zhang Jiaohua thought it over and agreed with her logic. He began to seriously consider the offer.

When Wang Zongxian tried once again to convince him, Zhang Jiaohua agreed with conditions: “I’ll accept the vice mayor position, but the city must delegate appropriate authority. I need a high degree of autonomy in my work. I want to formulate an industrial development plan tailored to our city’s needs. If Bijiang wants to make a mark in industry, we must attract investment. But under current conditions, we don’t have many advantages for doing that. We’ll need suitable policies. And we can’t just bring in any company—high-pollution, outdated industries are not welcome here.”

To Wang Zongxian, these demands were hardly demands at all: “These are the powers the municipal committee and government should already be giving you. If you trust someone, use them fully; if not, don’t use them at all. Comrade Zhang Jiaohua, I fully agree with everything you asked for. You can begin drafting plans immediately. I’ve already reported to the provincial authorities, and they’re paying close attention to you. They’ve basically approved our proposal. The official appointment will be issued soon. Once it arrives, you can move forward with your ideas. I believe that if you could work miracles in Daihua, you can do the same in Bijiang.”

This outcome took Yin Yanmin by surprise. He hadn’t expected the province to approve Wang Zongxian’s proposal so quickly. Now it was a done deal—too late for regrets.

After taking office, Zhang Jiaohua soon proposed at a meeting to build an ecological industrial park in Bijiang City.

“Mayor Zhang, your idea is great. I believe everyone here has had similar thoughts. But it’s just not feasible. To build an industrial park, you first need companies willing to invest and set up factories. What if you build the park and no one comes? Then the farmers’ land will be seized and left unused. Who’s going to cover those land acquisition costs? We could sell the city government building and still not repay the debt!” Gao Zhanlin was the first to object.

As the district head of Biyun District—where the industrial park was proposed—he was naturally present in the meeting.

“Who told you no companies want to invest? How does Daihua County’s location compare to Biyun District’s?” Zhang Jiaohua countered.

Gao Zhanlin had no response. That question didn’t even need answering—of course Biyun was better located.

The meeting room erupted into discussion. Wang Zongxian stayed silent, but smiled—he knew he had backed the right person. He glanced at the deputy party secretary and mayor, Yin Yanmin, sitting next to him. Yin looked a little embarrassed—he was full of regret now, but intended to redeem himself.

Yin Yanmin spoke up: “Although Comrade Zhang Jiaohua is young, don’t forget he’s a top graduate of Qingda (Tsinghua University). In less than two years in Daihua County, he solved the water shortage in poor villages and developed ecological agriculture and tourism. Initial results are already visible. The earliest completed project, Yingpan Village, is now a highlight of ecological tourism in Bijiang—and even the whole province. The city promoted Comrade Zhang exceptionally to vice mayor in hopes that he could lead Bijiang out of hardship and into a better future. I hope everyone here can put aside personal feelings and work together to build this ecological industrial park.”

Zhang Jiaohua laid his cards on the table: “I proposed this ecological industrial park after thorough research. We have our own advantages, and we shouldn’t underestimate them. Our ecological environment is our biggest asset. The goal is to make full use of it. The companies I’m bringing in are high-tech, eco-friendly businesses. It’s not that no one wants to come—it’s that those who don’t meet the standards aren’t welcome. Why? Because we don’t need them. We want both economic growth and blue skies and clean water.”

“Mayor Zhang, could you tell us more about the investors? It would help everyone feel more confident,” Wang Zongxian asked supportively.

Zhang Jiaohua explained the background of Meishan Group and its affiliated family businesses. When he mentioned that the investment would exceed 10 billion yuan, the meeting room erupted in excitement. Someone immediately stood up—it was Ma Ruilan, the district head of Bishui, which borders Biyun. A strong-willed woman, she declared, “Just now District Head Gao didn’t seem very keen on accepting the park. Our Bishui District is willing to host it. I promise that we’ll handle all the land acquisition work. We’ll also provide every convenience for the industrial park.”

Having just opposed Zhang Jiaohua, Gao Zhanlin now panicked. A hundred-billion-yuan investment came with immense benefits. He was about to speak, but Zhang Jiaohua was faster.

Zhang Jiaohua nodded: “The location for the park is still just a preliminary idea. Final selection will depend on the specifics of each district.”

Ma Ruilan understood what he meant—this was going to be a competition among the districts. She immediately became motivated: “Mayor Zhang, I’ll organize our district officials to research the park’s needs and draft a plan based on our conditions. I’ll also say this—if the park comes to Bishui District, we’ll handle all land compensation ourselves. However, I hope the investors will prioritize hiring Bishui residents.”

Zhang Jiaohua nodded: “I can discuss that with the investors. But land compensation must follow regulations to avoid future disputes. With such a large investment, compensation money won’t be an issue. What matters is that no one causes problems later. Let me be clear—anyone who dares solicit bribes from investors will not be tolerated!”

Wang Zongxian quickly added, “I’ll have the city disciplinary committee keep a close eye on this. The ecological industrial park is the hope of all our citizens. Anyone who dares stretch out a hand will be dealt with harshly!”

The plan for the ecological industrial park in Bijiang wasn’t solely Zhang Jiaohua’s idea. It had been developed collectively by many elites from the Meishan Sect. The plan was quickly approved by the city—and later, by the province.