For a moment, the entire meeting room fell silent.
Everyone looked at Cheng Yuan with complex expressions.
It was clear to all why Ma Guorong had given Cheng Yuan the heavy responsibility of building the dam and the bridge.
This was to set Cheng Yuan up for failure!
They would reap the benefit, yet if there were problems with the dam and bridge later on, Cheng Yuan would be the one to take the blame.
After a brief silence, Huang Dong was the first to stand up.
"I have no objections, I fully support the party committee's decision, Mayor Cheng is a young and energetic cadre with a strong sense of responsibility! He will definitely be able to successfully complete this important task!"
"Executive Huang makes sense, Mayor Cheng is a top talent from Lingshan Town, and with his youth and capability, he will surely repair the dam and bridge well."
...
Almost unanimously, everyone stepped forward in support!
After all, new leaders bring their new followers.
With Secretary Lan gone, Lingshan Town was now under Secretary Ma's control, and Cheng Yuan, as a 'relic of the old regime' of Secretary Lan, it was normal for him to be marginalized.
Only Mayor Jiang Yongchang and Yan Wenzheng refrained from taking a stance.
Yan Wenzheng hesitated for a moment before finally speaking a fair word.
"Xiao Cheng is indeed an energetic and responsible comrade, but the construction of a dam and bridge requires a high level of expertise! It's better to leave this important task to me! After all, I am from a civil engineering background."
Ma Guorong dismissed Yan Wenzheng's suggestion without hesitation.
"Old Yan, you do come from a civil engineering background, but building a dam and bridge is not at all the same as constructing a building, and your civil engineering experience won't be of any use! Moreover, you're already in your fifties, and I'm afraid you might not be able to bear such a heavy burden! It's better to leave this opportunity for achievements to the younger ones!"
"Secretary Ma..."
Ma Guorong interrupted Yan Wenzheng with a cold snort.
"Old Yan, you wouldn't be trying to block a young man's path, would you?"
Yan Wenzheng was so angry that he was puffing and glaring!
This Ma Guorong was just too shameless, wasn't he?
It was clearly Ma Guorong who wanted to suppress Cheng Yuan, yet he had the audacity to claim that I was trying to block Cheng Yuan's path?
"You!"
Ma Guorong waved his hand impatiently.
"The minority must follow the majority. The crucial task of constructing the dam and bridge is given to Cheng Yuan! Here, I must specifically criticize Old Yan. As a senior comrade, we should use all our strength to support young cadres! Do not hinder the progress of young cadres!"
Having said that, Ma Guorong looked at his liaison officer Wu Zhanjun with the attitude of a victor.
"Xiao Wu, bring the report material to Mayor Cheng for him to sign."
"Yes, Secretary."
Soon, Wu Zhanjun brought a report to Cheng Yuan and 'kindly' reminded him, "Mayor Cheng, please sign here."
Ma Guorong watched Cheng Yuan with a mocking smile.
"Mayor Cheng, you haven't had any alcohol today, and if you sign something like 'approved' again, you won't have any way to explain it!"
Cheng Yuan's facial expressions kept changing.
This damn Ma Guorong, he really had him cornered!
Since they were already at odds, Cheng Yuan did not show any courtesy to Ma Guorong.
"What if I don't sign this?"
Not sign?
A sinister smile appeared on the corner of Ma Guorong's mouth, and he rebuked sharply!
"You're not obeying the leadership's arrangement? Are you planning to openly defy the spirit of the party committee's decision?"
"Do you lack organization and discipline? Do you lack the sense of responsibility required of a public servant?"
"If you can't handle it, simply resign!!"
Resign?
Cheng Yuan's head grew hot, and he almost slammed the table!
Dammit!
Resign then, resign!
Who are you trying to scare?
Fortunately, as a former secretary, he had a strong mental resilience and quickly controlled his emotions.
"Secretary, please calm your anger. I was just joking just now. How could I not obey the organization's arrangement? How could I defy the spirit of the party committee's decision? I am grateful for the party committee's trust, and I accept the important task of building the dam and bridge!"
Cheng Yuan picked up the pen and swiftly signed his full name.
Ma Guorong laughed, his smile blooming brilliantly.
"Ha ha ha! Good! That's the spirit of a responsible and courageous comrade! I'll go to the county right now and report to the secretary! I'll get the project approval as soon as possible!"
At Ma Guorong's command, the expanded party group meeting quickly concluded, and he hopped into his official car without delay, heading straight for the county party committee and government.
The party committee members filed out of the meeting room.
Cheng Yuan caught up with Yan Wenzheng at a brisk pace.
"Thank you, Secretary Yan, for your righteous words just now."
Yan Wenzheng's expression turned solemn.
"Xiao Cheng, don't get me wrong. I wasn't speaking up for you just now. I was simply considering the practical aspect; I come from a civil engineering background, which makes me more suitable for this task than you are."
Cheng Yuan's expression was equally solemn.
"Regardless of Secretary Yan's motives, your actions truly helped me."
Yan Wenzheng shook his head slightly.
"Xiao Cheng, don't put me on a pedestal. I know my own capabilities, and I didn't help you!"
Cheng Yuan stepped forward two paces, lowering his voice. "Secretary Yan, may I speak with you in private? I'd like to report on some work matters."
Yan Wenzheng frowned. "Xiao Cheng, don't try to manipulate me; say whatever you have to say right here."
"Alright, Secretary Yan, then I'll speak plainly. As a longtime resident of Lingshan, you surely wouldn't want the newly constructed dam and bridge to end up being shoddy projects, would you?"