1905: Beer Hall Speaker

Page 129

"You're only twenty-six this year. If you can climb to the position of mayor by thirty, go to the provincial level by thirty-five, become a department head by forty, and only at fifty will you have a chance to aspire to the position of a regional governor!"

"If you're one step ahead, you'll be ahead every step of the way; if you're one step behind, the difference will be like night and day! The best of your former colleagues are already deputy mayors, so why are you still fixated on that county magistrate?"

Despite the mayor's emotional appeals and even his father's instructions, Zhao Jianyang insisted, "Mayor, there's no need to persuade me anymore. I absolutely must become the county magistrate. The head of state ordered me to take the position, and I must accept it. I cannot disobey my superior's orders!"

Zhao Jianyang was theoretically Zhao Yan's apprentice, but he was not among the first batch of veterans to join the Party in Shanghai. He joined the Party in Changsha, so he did not gain Zhao Yan's true recognition before that.

Zhao Jianyang couldn't call Zhao Yan "Master" like the other elders, so he could only address him as "Head of State".

Zhao Jianyang didn't care about official positions or future prospects. His greatest wish in life was to gain Zhao Yan's approval and then openly call Zhao Yan "Master".

What if he serves as a county magistrate at the grassroots level for his entire life? As long as Zhao Yan remembers him as the local official who carried out his master's orders and acknowledges him even once, that's enough!

When Zhao Jianyang brought up the idea that he couldn't disobey his master's orders, the mayor was completely at a loss. The head of state had been brought up by the other party, so how could he dare to say no?

"Fine! Since you've made up your mind, I won't stop you."

"In Hua'an County, the acting county head is still Zhang Pukai. Originally, this guy was running around trying to get promoted, and he's quite capable. Now that you've insisted on taking this position, you can only say he's unlucky."

"You'll be the county head of Hua'an County. I'll prepare the application report for you; just make sure the handover is done in the next couple of days."

The mayor stood up, picked up the thermos, walked to the washbasin stand, poured some hot water, soaked a towel, and sat back down in his chair.

Zhao Jianyang was overjoyed: "Mayor, thank you so much for your guidance. I will always remember it!"

The mayor placed a hot towel on his forehead and waved his hand helplessly: "What kind of cultivation is this? Don't blame me in the future, just don't make an enemy of me!"

Zhao Jianyang laughed and said, "I chose this path myself, so why would I blame anyone else? Please rest assured, Mayor, Jianyang is definitely not an ungrateful person!"

The mayor nodded: "Go ahead, do a good job, and come find me if you need anything."

Zhao Jianyang left the municipal government satisfied and went home to pack his things.

Meanwhile, in Hua'an County, more than 200 miles away, Zhang Pukai, the acting county head, who was sitting in a conference room having a meeting with his town mayors, felt a chill run down his spine. For some reason, he suddenly felt a sense of loss.

As the meeting progressed, Zhang Pukai grew somewhat disinterested. After finishing his report, he didn't throw in his usual bureaucratic airs or deliver a lengthy speech; instead, he hastily adjourned the meeting.

After the meeting ended, Zhang Pukai stopped Lin Jishun, who was about to leave: "Old Lin, don't rush off. Come to my house for a drink tonight, and go back tomorrow."

When Lin Jishun saw Lao Zhang's expression, he knew that the other party obviously had something to discuss with him, so he nodded in agreement.

After the meeting, Zhang Pukai returned to his office with a heavy heart, while Lin Jishun went outside to chat and boast with several town mayors and county section chiefs.

The town mayors all envied the county for having such a prestigious government office, while the town governments of their own towns were truly a mixed bag.

Now, the county-level administrative units at the grassroots level are all converted from the original county government offices, while the town governments did not have such institutions before. They all used their own methods to find their own places. Some towns used dilapidated temples as their offices, while others converted warehouses and post stations from previous dynasties.

Previously, each town government only had a handful of people, and even the largest county town, Chengguan Town, had only about ten staff members, which was barely enough.

However, since the beginning of this year, the number of staff in the town government's administrative agencies has been constantly expanding, generally to twenty or thirty people. The government's office space is simply not enough, but there is no money to expand it!

The biggest dream of town mayors these days is no longer to get promoted and make money, but simply to have a decent office like the section chiefs in the county government.

After boasting, when it was time for dinner, none of the town mayors spoke first, and none of them wanted to treat everyone to dinner. Lin Jishun got angry when he saw these stingy colleagues, stubbed out his cigarette, said goodbye and left. If you won't treat me, I won't treat you either. I'll go eat at the county magistrate's house!

After arriving at Old Zhang's house with practiced ease, Zhang Pukai was already sitting at the dining table in the main room, waiting for Lin Jishun. Old Zhang's wife was busy preparing the meal, and when she saw Lin Jishun arrive, she even took the time to make tea.

"Have a seat!" Zhang Pukai took out a pack of Xiangjiang brand cigarettes and handed one to Lin Jishun.

"Wow, a pack of Xiangjiang cigarettes for 25 cents, you old Zhang are really generous. I only dare to smoke dry tobacco! No wonder you're the county magistrate, you're different!" Lin Jishun happily took the cigarette and lit it, but when he looked down, he found that there were almost cigarette butts all over the ground at Zhang Pukai's feet.

Lin Jishun asked in bewilderment, "What happened to you? Why are you smoking so much by yourself?"

Zhang Pukai exhaled a puff of smoke, his brow furrowed, and said, "Sigh, the acting county magistrate is still just an acting one; I doubt he'll ever become the official one."

Lin Jishun said, "Hmm? What, have you received the news, or has someone been sent down from above?"

Zhang Pukai said, "There's no need for news. The former county magistrate was corrupt, and his whole family went to jail. I've been acting as the county magistrate for more than half a year now, and I've been serving my superiors like a little wife, being extremely cautious. I thought I could finally be promoted to the official position."

But with no news for so long, it's definitely hopeless. Sooner or later, someone from above will have to be sent down. I guess I'll just have to keep waiting as deputy county head.”

Lin Jishun remained noncommittal, only advising, "Old Zhang, if I gain it, I'm lucky; if I lose it, it's fate. Take it easy!"

Zhang Pukai said somewhat unwillingly, "If I hadn't experienced what it's like to be a county magistrate, I would be quite open-minded. After all, I never thought I could become a county magistrate in my life. Now I'm content with being a county assistant."

But once you've tasted the life of a marquis, you can't know what it feels like. It's truly hard to leave!

Lin Jishun tapped the table with his finger: "Old Zhang, how high do you think an official has to be to be considered a high-ranking one?"

"You need to clarify your position, and I need to clarify mine!"

"Be content with what you have. If it weren't for the leader leading us into the republic, you and I would probably still be lowly officials and slaves of the Qing Dynasty. Where would we be in our current glory?"

Zhang Pukai nodded and angrily threw away his cigarette butt: "Yes, we failed this time, but I'll try again next time! As long as no one is in jail, anything is possible. I refuse to believe I can't become the county magistrate in this lifetime!"

Lin Jishun agreed, saying, "At your age, becoming mayor is probably out of the question, but becoming a county magistrate shouldn't be a problem. It's normal that you haven't been promoted yet; your term as deputy county magistrate isn't even over yet!"

The new civil service system of the Republic stipulates that the term of office for each level of promotion is five years. That is, the promotion from clerk to division chief is every five years, and the same applies to higher levels.

The term of office is at least two years. No matter what position you hold, whether you are a town mayor, deputy county head, or mayor, you have to serve for at least two years before you have a chance to be promoted.

Zhang Pukai's term of office is sufficient, but his years of service for promotion are insufficient. It only took him three years to climb from clerk to director. You think you can reach the highest level now? There's no such thing as a free lunch.

Unless there are significant achievements or merits, the required years of service for promotion can be reduced at the discretion of the authorities, or a promotion can be made through exceptional means.

Chapter 215 Drips from the Eaves, Generation After Generation

Sure enough, three days later, an official ship arrived at the wharf in Chengguan Town, Hua'an County. The head of the city's personnel department personally escorted Zhao Jianyang to Hua'an County to take up his post.

The head of the personnel department, a bureau-level official in the core circle of the municipal government, escorted Zhao Jianyang all the way to the county government and personally presided over the inauguration meeting. It was clear that he wanted to support Zhao Jianyang and made it very clear that no matter how young the new county head was, he had connections in the city!

This was also the first time Lin Jishun had met high-ranking officials from the city's core circle. He also attended the inauguration meeting. The new county head had been notified the day before his arrival, and no town mayor dared to be absent or ask for leave at today's inauguration meeting; they all came.

Zhang Pukai, who usually sits in the main seat of the county government hall, is sitting below the hall today, his face very serious and his eyes full of loneliness.

After spouting some official platitudes, the head of the personnel department declined the county's dinner invitation and left the county government office with his entourage, returning to the city.

After the people above left, Zhao Jianyang took the main seat in the courtroom with an air of self-importance, slammed the gavel, and restored order to the meeting.

Then, in front of all eight town mayors, several section chiefs, and the deputy county head, he delivered an inaugural speech.

All the followers of the Revival Party inherited Zhao Yan's speaking style: blunt, direct, and impassioned.

Zhao Jianyang, having just taken office, immediately made it clear what he wanted to do next, and expressed his dissatisfaction with the current development status of Hua'an County, proposing several areas that needed to be rectified. The new broom sweeps clean.

Zhao Jianyang was not completely unfamiliar with Hua'an County. When he was the director of the Water Resources Department, he had visited Hua'an County several times. At that time, he discovered some problems in the water resources management of Hua'an County, but he did not say anything because it was not within his jurisdiction.

Now that he's become the county head, he's definitely going to take drastic measures to rectify the situation. The county head's power is unparalleled in the entire county.

At the grassroots level, there is no unspoken political rule that the second-in-command must compete with the top leader, nor is there any so-called opposition political brake. The top leader is simply a one-man show.

These rules only apply at the provincial or ministerial level.

Sitting in the courtroom, looking at his subordinates below, with the county map behind him, Zhao Jianyang felt a surge of energy. He was determined to be a big fish in a small pond rather than a small fish in a big pond.

A section chief in the municipal government may seem to be very powerful and in charge of the city's water conservancy infrastructure development, but he is constantly under the watchful eyes of a group of superiors and is restricted in every way. He is not as powerful as a county magistrate, who is the top leader. Although he can no longer manage the affairs of other counties, he has the final say on everything in his own county!

Zhao Jianyang's inaugural speech lasted only a dozen minutes before he adjourned the meeting and took his secretary to his office to familiarize himself with the work environment.

The others also went out in twos and threes to smoke and chat, each according to their own interests. Lin Jishun stayed with Zhang Pukai and chatted under a tree.

Zhang Pukai has now come to his senses. He said to Lin Jishun in disbelief, "I thought of everyone, but I never expected Zhao Jianyang to be appointed as the county magistrate. How did this happen?"

"He was doing well as the director of the water resources department and was an official in the municipal government. Why was he suddenly transferred down?"

Lin Jishun was also puzzled: "He got to the municipal government at such a young age, and judging from today's situation, he obviously has someone backing him. How could he be demoted to our Hua'an County? Could he have made a mistake?"

Zhang Pukai shook his head: "I've dealt with Zhao Jianyang before, several times. He's a capable person who can't tolerate any wrongdoing. I heard he came from the capital."

Everyone makes mistakes, but he certainly wouldn't. He's an official who doesn't even smoke a cigarette, and who'd repay a gift of wine if you sent him a piece of cured meat. How could he possibly make a mistake?

Lin Jishun thought for a moment and nodded in agreement. This former director of the Water Conservancy Department had also visited Meihua Town and helped the town with many practical things. Moreover, he didn't even accept any local specialties when he left, so he didn't seem like the kind of official who would make mistakes.

Zhang Pukai threw away his cigarette butt: "If you can't figure it out, then don't think about it anymore. Anyway, we have to behave ourselves and not get cocky anymore. Otherwise, the new broom sweeps clean and might burn us to death!"

Lin Jishun turned his head away and said, "Burn me? How could that be? Do you really think I'm made of mud?"

Lin Jishun was not afraid of Zhao Jianyang. He was a retired soldier, and his former superior was now a lieutenant general. Moreover, he had personally accompanied Zhao Yan on a campaign in the northern desert. With such qualifications, he might not be able to bully others, but if anyone dared to bully him, he could take the case all the way to the capital!

"Old Zhang, you should worry about yourself. When you were acting county magistrate, you were quite the big shot. Who knows if County Magistrate Zhao will make an example of you?"

Zhang Pukai retorted defiantly, "I haven't done anything illegal. What's wrong with showing off? We're both section chiefs. If he wants to mess with me, he'll need a plausible excuse. I'm not afraid!"

Zhang Pukai's only strength now is his mouth; he has a tough look on his face and seems genuinely unafraid of Zhao Jianyang.

"Deputy County Head Zhang, the county head wants you to go to his office. Go now!" The secretary from the county government office ran over and informed Zhang Pukai to go to Zhao Jianyang's office.

Zhang Pukai, who had been fearless just moments before, immediately shrank back upon hearing this, feeling incredibly nervous.

"almost there!"

Zhang Pukai jogged along, passing through a small door next to the courtroom, and headed straight for the county magistrate's office in the backyard.

Lin Jishun smiled, said nothing more, turned and left the county government, preparing to return to Meihua Town.

The county government inherited the structure of the former Qing Dynasty county government office, which is divided into three halls and two gates. The main gate is where the grievance drum is placed. It faces south and is the gate that, according to the old saying, is the one where "if you have a grievance but no money, don't come in."

Entering through the main gate leads to a passageway, at the end of which is the ceremonial gate. Passing through this gate leads to the core of the county government.

The first hall, also known as the public hall, was where the county magistrate of the Qing Dynasty tried cases. Now it is the place where the government holds large meetings. There is a side door next to the first hall, and the second hall is the county magistrate's office.

Further inside are the three halls, which are the county magistrate's residence and living room, essentially the county party committee compound of later times. In addition to the county magistrate's residence, there are also some other dormitories provided for officials from other places.

The three halls and two gates form a four-courtyard structure. Inside the first courtyard, on the east side of the ceremonial gate, is the place where the prison is responsible for detaining prisoners, but they are all temporarily detained and will be sent to the province after the trial.

The canteen is located right next to the main gate and courtyard wall; all the meals for everyone in the county government are prepared here.

On the west side of the entrance passage is the county government guesthouse, where guests and officials stay. Because it is close to the prison area, it is patrolled and guarded 24 hours a day, so the security is relatively high.

Across from the guesthouse is the county police station, which used to be the county government office. Now it has been converted into a police station, with at least twenty armed police officers stationed there year-round.

The second courtyard was also very spacious, with the county government's subordinate agencies, such as the tax department, agriculture department, infrastructure department, personnel department, and water conservancy department, located on the east and west sides in front of the main hall.

On either side of the courtroom are the county government offices and archives. Inside the third courtyard are the finance department and the county court. Criminal cases are heard in the third courtyard, so there is no need to go to the courtroom to hear the cases.

The fourth courtyard is roughly the county government compound, mainly used for residential purposes. If the county head has money, he can also set up a private kitchen here, and his family members can also move in with him.

Now we can pretty much understand why town mayors envy the town government. It has such a large four-courtyard complex, and even the section chiefs have their own offices. Everyone who sees it thinks that this is what a government office should look like!

Zhang Pukai arrived at the county magistrate's office in the center of the second hall with trepidation. Just a few days ago, this was his office space, but now that he was here, he was a guest.

"County Chief, you wanted to see me?" Zhang Pukai entered the room and, maintaining the demeanor of the second-in-command, sat down immediately.

Zhao Jianyang glanced at it but didn't pay it any mind. He ordered someone to serve tea and then said, "Vice County Chief Zhang, we know each other, so there's no need for introductions."

"You should know me pretty well. Now that we're working together, I hope we can cooperate closely to make Hua'an County thrive, not ruin it!"

Zhang Pukai nodded repeatedly: "The county magistrate is right. You are now the head of the county, the local official in charge. From now on, whatever you say, we will do. We will absolutely cooperate!"

Zhang Pukai thought Zhao Jianyang was just being polite, so he agreed without much suspicion.

But to his surprise, Zhao Jianyang took it seriously and immediately pulled out a bunch of documents and applications: "Fine, I won't stand on ceremony either."

"May I ask Deputy County Magistrate Zhang, what's going on with all these applications for office space construction from various towns, as well as numerous river embankment repairs, wharf expansions, and riverside road constructions within the county?"

"These projects have all been signed and approved, and the government funding has been clearly stated and disbursed. Why have I never seen any construction work when I came to Hua'an County before, and why haven't I seen any progress even now that I'm here?"

Zhao Jianyang asked the question knowingly. These matters should be discussed with the former county head and the former mayor, because they had embezzled all the money.

Later, these people were arrested, and the stolen money was recovered with interest, but it was not returned to the county. Instead, it was intercepted by the new governor, Zhang Xinghua. Otherwise, where would Zhang Xinghua get so much money to run universities and infrastructure projects?

Zhang Pukai quickly explained the whole story, and finally said with a wry smile, "County Magistrate, the roof drips water one after another, and the new official doesn't settle old scores!"

“I never reached out for it, nor did I take a single penny. The money has supposedly been confiscated by the authorities, but it hasn't been returned. This pile of documents is now a mess!”

Zhao Jianyang slammed his hand on the table and said, "If the higher-ups won't pay back the money, we'll find a way ourselves. The county government isn't the village entrance, and we're officials, not just some old lady at the village entrance!"

"The signatures are on, the documents are approved, so we have to get it done! These projects couldn't be done before, but now we have to start!"

Zhang Pukai was dumbfounded. Was this county magistrate out of his mind? He'd already said he had no money, so how was he going to proceed? Did he...?

Zhang Pukai quickly advised, "County Chief, there are still seventy or eighty thousand in the treasury, but these are all for education and the salaries and meals of all the county officials. Every penny has a purpose, and they cannot be misappropriated. Misappropriation will cause big problems!"

Zhang Pukai was terrified. If you want to do infrastructure construction without money, then you can only embezzle other funds. But every penny in the accounts has a purpose.

Education funds, agricultural assistance funds, government office expenses, staff salaries, food expenses—all sorts of miscellaneous county expenditures are listed here. Even the former county head, who was so corrupt, didn't dare touch the money in here, because if he did, it would immediately cause a financial crisis.

No one will be able to escape then; Zhao Jianyang will be the first, and Zhang Pukai will be the second.

"Who said I was going to touch the special funds? Are you out of your mind? I didn't!" Zhao Jianyang looked at the table and emphasized, "If the special funds aren't touched, isn't there a bank in the county? We'll borrow money from the bank in the name of the county government, using this four-courtyard county government building as collateral. If that's not enough, we'll add the 150 mu of public land in the county as well."

"Mortgage them all, borrow 150,000 from the bank, and then get all those projects that you signed and approved working on!"

"You will be in charge of the specific implementation. Call the head of the finance department as well. After the money is borrowed, set up a working group, together with the infrastructure department and the water conservancy department, to push these projects forward."

"Huh?" Zhang Pukai was even more confused: "County Chief, this is even more frightening than using special funds. The provincial governor was reprimanded by the central government for issuing bonds before. Our city and county have received strict orders that no one is allowed to do this."

The central government is very sensitive to local government bond issuance, not for any other reason than to prevent corruption. If bonds are not issued, corrupt officials can at most embezzle public funds. But if bonds are allowed, corrupt officials can embezzle who knows how much. In the end, there will probably be huge holes everywhere, and even if the central government sells itself, it may not be able to fill them.