"Qin Mu, you bastard!"
"You're framing me again!"
Liang Guan, who was on the phone with the mayor, felt a chill run down his spine. He cursed Qin Mu inwardly. He hadn't understood why the news about subsidies exceeding 10,000 yuan had surfaced from the county government compound.
Now, after Mayor Qiu's scolding, he understood.
Qin Mu did it on purpose!
He mixed up the false information with his own, muddying the waters, making everyone in the city believe that both proposals were his.
By mixing them together, no one cared about the truth!
In this way, Liang Guan's name would spread throughout Jiangzhou.
As Mayor Qiu's trusted subordinate, he was naturally suspected of being instructed by Mayor Qiu.
What would the people in the municipal government think?
What would the leaders of other counties and districts with more developed economies than Huaining County think?
A poor county receiving a higher subsidy than them would naturally cause resentment among many, making trouble inevitable.
"Mayor, I'll handle this. I'll clarify things."
Liang Guan took a deep breath and said in a low voice.
Right now, it seemed he had no other choice.
"I don't want to hear anything like this again before noon tomorrow."
Qiu Xiangqian said coldly, "If you cause me this kind of trouble again, you don't need to stay in Huaining. Submit your resignation and go back to your hometown. Don't come out here and embarrass yourself!"
"Beep beep beep..."
After a barrage of insults, Qiu Xiangqian hung up the phone. Liang Guan stood there, stunned for a long time.
"Bang!"
"Secretary Liang, great news! The news of the subsidies from Huaining County has spread throughout the city. County Chief Qin can't possibly refuse to issue the subsidies now. The county government's funds will definitely be spent in huge amounts. Our strategy this time has been a success!"
At this moment, Cheng Gang, the director of the county party committee office, rushed in from outside, excitedly saying this. However, he didn't notice that Liang Guan's face was already ashen, clearly still recovering from Mayor Qiu's angry outburst.
What's going on?
Cheng Gang came in excitedly to report the good news, so why is the secretary's face so gloomy?
His expression is as if he wants to tear him apart.
"Go, invite County Chief Qin over."
Liang Guan said coldly, "I have something to discuss with him."
Huh?
Invite County Chief Qin over?
Cheng Gang subconsciously wanted to ask what he wanted to see County Chief Qin for, but Secretary Liang's expression was extremely cold, as if he was about to explode at any moment, so he swallowed the words that were on the tip of his tongue. "Okay, I'll go right away."
Cheng Gang responded and quickly ran out to fetch County Chief Qin.
"Secretary Liang, you wanted to see me!"
Qin Mu calmly walked into the secretary's office and asked directly.
"County Chief Qin, please sit!"
Liang Guan gestured to the chair in front of him, then very considerately poured Qin Mu a cup of tea, saying, "Here, have some tea first!"
So polite?
Qin Mu had been to Liang Guan's office several times, but this was the first time he had received such treatment.
The secretary personally brewed tea!
"Thank you, Secretary!"
Qin Mu accepted the tea without ceremony, smelled it, and said, "This is good tea. It's a waste for a rough man like me to drink this."
"What waste? Tea is for drinking. As long as you drink it, it's not a waste."
Liang Guan waved his hand slightly, speaking casually, while thinking to himself: If I didn't need something, would I brew tea for you?
"Who do you think you are?"
"Hahaha, Secretary, you really know how to talk."
Qin Mu casually flattered Liang Guan while sipping his tea.
He was now completely unfazed and wanted to see what Liang Guan would say.
"County Chief Qin is truly modest."
Seeing Qin Mu's composed demeanor, Liang Guan decided to speak first. Qin Mu had no reason to be anxious, while he himself had received an ultimatum from Mayor Qiu; if he didn't make progress soon, he would have to submit his resignation tomorrow.
"County Chief Qin, there are some rumors circulating throughout the county committee compound. What's your take on this?"
Liang Guan took a deep breath and asked in a low voice.
"Rumors? Which ones are you referring to?"
Qin Mu feigned complete ignorance, asking, "Ever since the Standing Committee meeting, rumors have been circulating non-stop in this compound. They're getting more and more outrageous; I don't know which to believe anymore."
"Everything else is fine, but now there are rumors that Huaining County is going to issue subsidies of over ten thousand yuan. That's a bit ridiculous."
Liang Guan said in a deep voice, "County Chief Qin, we need to control this. Otherwise, if this trend gets out of control, it'll cause trouble."
So you're getting anxious now?
Qin Mu wanted to laugh inwardly. You were the most excited at the meeting, and the fastest to spread the news afterward. Now that things have escalated and can't be contained, you're starting to panic.
This Liang Guan, he's really good at scheming!
"It can't be that bad!"
Qin Mu remained calm, saying, "It's just a rumor, what trouble could it cause? Once the county government releases the detailed subsidy policies, this rumor will definitely stop."
"When will the detailed policies be released?"
Liang Guan countered.
"At least two weeks, right?"
Qin Mu pondered for a moment, then said, "These things can't be rushed. Our county's finances aren't exactly abundant. We have to be careful with every expense. You know, we need to visit the masses and leaders, hold a cultural performance, and give subsidies to all the cadres. Our county's money is really a bit tight!"
"Then I'll definitely have to think it over carefully. Two weeks should be enough!"
Two weeks?
With that kind of time, Liang Guan might as well just submit his resignation now!
If he can wait, how will he explain it to Mayor Qiu?
"Your detailed rules will be released in two weeks, but this rumor must be clarified; it can't be allowed to spread any further."
Liang Guan insisted, "The county government should draft a public notice now to refute these rumors. County Chief Qin, we are a people's government; we can't let those rumors affect the overall situation!"
Me, deny the rumors?
Qin Mu wasn't stupid. If the county government denied the rumors now, all the officials' anger would be focused on him.
The Party Secretary said he would give money, and the County Chief denied it.
Then who would take the blame?
Definitely the County Chief!
The Party Secretary, on the other hand, would at least retain a good reputation!
"Secretary, as you yourself said, we are the people's government. Since we are the people's government, how could we be easily influenced by a few rumors?"
Qin Mu smiled and stood up, saying, "If this rumor needs rebuttal, you can have the county party committee office draft it. I don't think it's necessary."
"Thank you for the tea, Secretary. It's very good. It's time to go home."
With that, he walked straight out, leaving Liang Guan in the meeting room, seething with anger.
He knew that Qin Mu had figured out that whoever did the debunking was doomed!
Whoever did it was standing against all the cadres of Huaining County!