Li Guobin acknowledged Qin Mu's abilities, but didn't believe he offered no assistance whatsoever.
After all, if Qin Mu weren't surnamed Qin, Tianke Group, Fang Xiu of the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection, Zhao Yanan and the Zhao family behind her, and even Zhuo Zhihong of the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection, wouldn't have cared about what was happening in Huaining County.
To some extent, Qin Mu's surname alone provided him with sufficient support.
"Secretary, that's true, but look at Comrade Qin Mu's situation in Huaining County. He just arrived, without a single helper, completely isolated and helpless within the county committee and government."
Chen Wenhua added, "In that situation, if he weren't surnamed Qin, had a good relationship with that girl Zhao Yanan, and had access to some resources from the Zhao family and the support of Tianke, he probably would have been packing his bags and going home long ago."
"That old fox Yu Xuewen has tried to sabotage Qin Mu quite a bit. The fact that he survived and even brought Yu Xuewen down is enough to show he's no ordinary spoiled brat."
That's true!
After listening, Li Guobin fell into deep thought. Putting himself in Qin Mu's shoes, if he were Qin Mu's age and went to Huaining County, without outside support, he couldn't possibly have done better than Qin Mu.
"Secretary, to be honest, we've encountered quite a few rich kids with connections over the years. Their methods for 'gilding' their resumes are far more extravagant than Qin Mu's. Qin Mu's approach is purely laissez-faire."
Chen Wenhua added.
Speaking of this, some memories surfaced for Li Guobin. When he was a county party secretary, he had encountered some rich kids who came to "gild their resumes."
Those extravagant ones… practically clocking in and out, eating and sleeping in the office. As for work?
Of course, someone else did it!
They provided money and resources; their image was incredibly glamorous.
He had to admit that compared to those people, Qin Mu was simply an anomaly among the scions of wealthy families.
"Tell me, how do you want to help him?"
Li Guobin was indeed somewhat swayed. Hearing Qin Mu's pitiful state, he couldn't bear not to help.
"Don't you have a good relationship with Director Wan of the Provincial Development and Reform Commission? Qin Mu is leading a delegation to the provincial capital for investment promotion this time. Why don't you ask Director Wan to put in a good word for him? Given Qin Mu's status, his help shouldn't be a big deal, right?"
Chen Wenhua said earnestly, "This is also an opportunity for him. Qin Mu doesn't know many people in the province and lacks support. A mere county head going to attract investment will likely yield little result."
That makes sense!
"You're very thoughtful."
Li Guobin was surprised. This old Chen had thought things through very far, immediately pointing out what Qin Mu needed most right now.
Besides, finding someone to support Qin Mu is indirect assistance, which doesn't violate any principles.
"I'm just making a suggestion; the final decision rests with you."
Chen Wenhua smiled and said.
"Alright, it's settled then."
Li Guobin nodded slightly and said, "I'll contact Lao Wan; he should have time."
"Okay, you're busy, I'll head back now."
Chen Wenhua finished speaking and didn't linger, leaving the room for Secretary Li to contact Director Wan from the provincial department.
...
Qin Mu walked out of the secretary's office. At the door, Liang Guan was already waiting for him in the car.
"Comrade Qin Mu, you're really a favorite of the secretary."
Liang Guan's tone was filled with dissatisfaction and jealousy. It was unprecedented for Qin Mu to be received by the municipal party secretary for such a long time as a county head.
"I'm sorry to have kept Secretary Liang waiting."
Qin Mu smiled and said apologetically, "Secretary Li wanted to hear about Huaining County, so I gave a brief report, which took a little longer."
Is that so?
Want to hear about Huaining County?
"What does Secretary Li want to know?"
Liang Guan countered.
"Secretary Li wants to hear about the current situation of cadres in Huaining County. As you know, quite a few people have been taken away for investigation, which has deeply saddened him. He also asked me about the current situation of the county government. The next step should be to appoint a deputy county head!"
Qin Mu casually made up an excuse to brush it off.
So that's what it was!
Liang Guan simply nodded. Chen Xin and Niu Feiyu had just been taken away for investigation, and the county government was indeed short-staffed.
"Didn't Secretary Li ask you for a list of recommended personnel?"
Liang Guan changed the subject and asked again.
"I did recommend Comrade Han Ying."
Qin Mu didn't mince words, saying, "Secretary Li and Minister Chen seem to know Comrade Han Ying. They both have a high opinion of her. As for whether she can be appointed as deputy county head, that depends on the county's standing committee meeting!"
Oh?
The municipal party secretary and the organization minister both know Han Ying?
And have a high opinion of her?
Liang Guan was now completely shocked. How come he hadn't known about this?
"Isn't Comrade Han Ying's entire career in Huaining County? How come both leaders from the Municipal Party Committee know her?"
Liang Guan asked directly, puzzled.
"Perhaps they met when the Municipal Party Committee leaders came down to investigate!"
Qin Mu explained without batting an eye. "Secretary Liang, why don't we go back and hold a Standing Committee meeting to recommend a candidate for deputy county head to the city?"
He knew he had to strike while the iron was hot!
Although he had already told Secretary Li and Minister Chen about Han Ying, according to standard procedure, the county would also need to make a recommendation.
Qin Mu was now just trying to exaggerate Han Ying's background to get Liang Guan to agree to recommend her for the Municipal Party Committee's Organization Department.
That way, it would be easier for Chen Wenhua and Li Guobin to make their moves.
"Why bother with a standing committee meeting? Let's talk to Gao Qiang and Lei Ming, and recommend a list."
Liang Guan didn't think much of it and instinctively believed Qin Mu. After all, who would lie about something like this?
"Add Comrade Han Ying's name, and find two more to submit!"
Liang Guan said casually.
"No problem, I'll do as you say."
Qin Mu wanted to laugh inwardly and immediately agreed. From Liang Guan's words, there was no need for a standing committee meeting; the five-person county committee group would discuss it and submit the list directly.
It was a quick and easy solution!
"Comrade Qin Mu, you personally assigned today's investment promotion task. You need to work hard on it. If this task isn't completed, Mayor Qiu definitely won't let us off the hook."
Liang Guan earnestly reminded him. This was his key concern; if Qin Mu didn't complete this investment promotion task, there wouldn't be much development.
This was also the key to Liang Guan's control over Qin Mu!
He was now focused on figuring out Qin Mu's investment attraction strategy so he could sabotage it and make Qin Mu run into obstacles at every turn!
Won't they let us off the hook?
Qin Mu almost laughed. To be precise, they were only targeting him; Liang Guan would definitely be unaffected.
"I've discussed it with Comrade Xu Lu. We're going to the provincial capital this weekend to visit some companies there and discuss investment opportunities," Qin Mu said simply.
Going to the provincial capital?
That's great!
Liang Guan had just spoken with Mayor Qiu. If Qin Mu went to the provincial capital, he was certain to fail and stumble.
"The provincial capital is great! There are so many companies there. You can bring back a few projects, exchange ideas, and communicate more. This will facilitate business exchanges and cooperation, and Huaining can also benefit from the industrial transfer from the provincial capital. I strongly support it," Liang Guan said, inwardly smiling but outwardly giving a thumbs-up in agreement.