"The canteen has been free for many years now, and suddenly canceling it seems inappropriate. How can our comrades concentrate on their work?"
As soon as Liang Guan finished speaking, Zeng Su immediately stepped forward, acting as the vanguard, and was the first to speak out. "For ordinary comrades, eating is a top priority. Only when their food problem is solved can they concentrate on serving the people!"
"Moreover, health is the foundation of revolution. We can't ignore our comrades' health just to save a little money!"
Zeng Su's voice was loud, echoing throughout the meeting room.
Liang Guan hadn't expected that the fence-sitter he had been worried about would be the first to speak out today. His voice was powerful and full of momentum; it was truly unexpected.
With even Zeng Su so supportive, wasn't today's Standing Committee meeting a sure thing?
"Old Zeng has a point."
Deputy County Party Secretary Gao Qiang followed suit. Since Zeng Su had been so supportive, he couldn't be outdone and needed to demonstrate his own commitment to the new secretary. "The canteen expenses are indeed considerable, but they allow comrades more time and better physical fitness to serve the people. From this perspective, the monthly expenses are actually worthwhile."
"County Chief Qin, I think you can't keep thinking about cutting welfare. The financial problems have always existed and can't be solved in a short time. Let's take it one step at a time, slowly but surely!"
Lei Ming smiled and said, "My comrades and I believe that with your abilities, if you focus more on attracting investment, you can definitely solve the financial problems. There's absolutely no need to cut corners on the canteen!"
At the start of the meeting, the three spoke in succession, all siding with County Party Secretary Liang Guan. Although Cheng Gang didn't speak, his stance was unquestionable.
Including Liang Guan himself, a five-vote advantage was already established.
On the surface, Qin Mu's side had no chance of winning!
Qi Zhenghao glanced at the silent Qin Mu, feeling a sense of helplessness. He had reminded Qin Mu, but it seemed the other was powerless to change the situation.
There was truly no chance with these votes!
However, he still had to say something, at least to save Qin Mu some face.
"I think County Chief Qin's suggestion is quite constructive. Not making the canteen free will save a lot of expenses. The county government can then use that money to do more things. County Chief Qin is acting practically, and I think there's nothing wrong with that."
Everyone knew Qi Zhenghao's stance. At this moment, clearly supporting Qin Mu was a way of distancing himself from Liang Guan and the others!
"If the goal is to save money for construction and improve the people's well-being, I think County Chief Qin's proposal is perfectly acceptable, and I strongly support it."
United Front Work Department Minister Zheng Yushi publicly stated, "Our country, our government, everything is for the people; this is the most fundamental principle. As cadres, is it strange to sacrifice some personal interests for the people?"
"I support County Chief Qin in canceling the free cafeteria service and implementing a fee-based system!"
Following Qi Zhenghao, Zheng Yushi's attitude was equally clear.
However, Liang Guan and the others didn't care. What use was their unequivocal support?
Not enough votes!
All for nothing!
Liang Guan calmly looked around; only Qin Mu and Xu Lu remained silent.
"Comrade Xu Lu, you've just started working in Huaining. Why don't you share your thoughts and discuss them with us?"
Liang Guan directly called on Xu Lu.
Anyway, what she said wouldn't be decisive. Calling her out would also demonstrate that he was a very democratic leader.
"Secretary Liang, I'm new here and don't know much about the canteen situation."
Xu Lu smiled and said, "However, after listening to what the comrades have said, I have a basic understanding. Whether the canteen is free or not is indeed a question worth discussing!"
"To be honest, this topic has even alarmed Secretary Li of the Municipal Party Committee and County Head Qin. Secretary Li told me that you need to give him a work report after today's meeting!"
Uh…
What does that mean?
This topic even alarmed Municipal Party Secretary Li Guobin?
County Party Secretary Liang Guan, who had just been all smiles, instantly froze.
"Comrade Xu Lu, such a small matter has troubled Secretary Li?"
Qin Mu asked, seemingly shocked, "It can't be, Secretary Li is so busy!"
"It's my fault. I'm Minister Chen's former subordinate, and some work wasn't handed over properly. He wanted me to go to the Municipal Party Committee's Organization Department this afternoon, but because of the Standing Committee meeting, I explained the situation. Secretary Li happened to be with Minister Chen, and he asked a few questions casually, so I gave a brief report."
Xu Lu smiled and said, "Secretary Li specifically requested that you report to him."
"Alright, I understand."
Qin Mu nodded. "The result is clear now," he said. "Secretary Liang, Comrade Gao Qiang, Comrade Lei Ming, and Comrade Zeng Su have all explicitly opposed charging for the cafeteria and firmly support continuing to offer it free of charge, even considering the considerable monthly expenses!"
"I'll report this to Secretary Li later!"
"Secretary Liang, how about we end the meeting here today?"
"The final result doesn't really need a vote, it's already decided!"
This…
If it weren't for Xu Lu's words, Liang Guan would definitely have adjourned the meeting and celebrated his victory at the Standing Committee meeting.
But now, he suddenly felt a little uneasy!
Would he be severely criticized if he reported this result to Secretary Li of the Municipal Party Committee?
In fact, not only Liang Guan was unsure, but Gao Qiang and the others were equally uneasy.
With Secretary Li personally intervening, could this end well?
But Liang Guan was ultimately the vice mayor and a man of Mayor Qiu Xiangqian. Even though he was somewhat unsure, he still decided to push it forward.
What was there to be afraid of! Anyway, he wasn't well-liked by Secretary Li, and with Mayor Qiu's support, that was enough.
Thinking this through, Liang Guan no longer hesitated!
"Comrade Qin Mu's words make sense, so let's settle on that then, we all..."
"Wait..."
Before Liang Guan could finish speaking, Xu Lu suddenly stopped him.
"Comrade Xu Lu, do you have something else to say?"
Liang Guan frowned and asked in return.
"Secretary Liang, County Head Qin, since the results of this meeting need to be reported to Secretary Li of the Municipal Party Committee, I think we should go through the full formal procedures!"
Xu Lu said, "Everyone should vote together, so that County Head Qin can report the final results to Secretary Li!"
That made sense!
Liang Guan nodded slightly and said, "Alright, then let's vote as you said. Raise your hand if you support continuing to offer free meals in the cafeteria and not lowering the standards!"
After saying that, Liang Guan was the first to raise his hand.
But he soon noticed a problem: those who had expressed their support for him didn't raise their hands immediately?
What was going on?