Yong'an County, No. 18 County Government Road, Government Affairs Administration Bureau.
Xiao Changqiu, with his large belly protruding, sat at the head of the conference table. To his left and right sat the three Deputy Directors of the Government Affairs Administration Bureau, as well as the Discipline Inspection Team Leader dispatched by the County Commission for Discipline Inspection.
Chen Donglai sat at the very bottom of the conference table, near the door. He had just slapped Lu Guohua yesterday, and today he was being cornered by Xiao Changqiu.
It was indeed unavoidable when considering that the Guesthouse was a unit managed by the Government Affairs Administration Bureau.
"Why didn't you explain the source of the loan to the superior unit?" Xiao Changqiu's tone was arrogant and dissatisfied. "Why didn't you report the decision on major matters to the Bureau for a decision? Do you still have me, the Bureau Chief, in your eyes?"
"I don't recall the charter of the Government Affairs Administration Bureau stating a regulation that 'the County Guesthouse is prohibited from taking out loans privately'; nor do I recall the Bureau sending a letter to the Guesthouse inquiring about the loan matter." Chen Donglai was clearly well-prepared.
"As the top leader appointed by the County Party Committee and County Government, I have the authority to reform all matters concerning finance and personnel within this unit. This is the power granted to me by the Organization Department."
Seeing Chen Donglai speaking fluently in the meeting, Xiao Changqiu realized that if he allowed this to continue, the agenda would slip out of his control, so he exchanged a look with the Deputy Director sitting to his left. This Deputy Director suddenly spoke up:
"Since the County Party Committee Organization Department has assigned the Guesthouse under the management of the Government Affairs Administration Bureau, our Bureau Party Group has the right to understand the Guesthouse's financial situation. This does not depend on the position you hold."
The speaker was Deputy Director Tang Zhenghong. As a loyal supporter of the Xiao Family, he had always been devoted to Xiao Changqiu.
"The Bureau Party Group does not have the authority to review the Guesthouse's loan status," Chen Donglai countered sharply, without any politeness. "My Guesthouse's status was clearly defined by the County Government long ago as a self-funded, operationally-oriented Public Institution. According to regulations, it should implement a 'budgetary lump-sum' system, enjoying economic independence and self-sufficiency in funding.
Since the law stipulates that self-funded, operationally-oriented Public Institutions have the right to economic independence, I have the right to make independent decisions based on this unit's economic condition."
The budgetary lump-sum system meant that any year-end surplus or increased revenue was retained by the unit for use in the following year and was not turned over to the superior unit; naturally, if the unit ran short of funds, the superior unit would not provide subsidies either.
Trouble. Hearing Chen Donglai's words, Xiao Changqiu's heart sank. The Government Affairs Administration Bureau hadn't allocated funds to the Guesthouse for so many years; the County Government had long recognized the Guesthouse's self-funded status. What to do now?
"Sophistry," Deputy Director Tang Zhenghong jumped in. "Last year, the Ministry of Finance issued a Document clearly stating the need to strengthen the accounting work for Public Institution income to accurately reflect earnings and prevent instances of fictitious profits and actual losses.
The Bureau Party Group now suspects improper management of the Guesthouse leading to the loss of County assets, with suspicion of 'fictitious profits and actual losses.' You need to provide an explanation." After speaking, Tang Zhenghong waved the Document in his hand, revealing a smile.
Hearing Tang Zhenghong directly cite the Ministry of Finance regulation, the Deputy Directors present felt a chill. Xiao Changqiu, however, smiled. Tang Zhenghong truly lived up to the Xiao Family's years of cultivation; he could actually hold his own against a University student.
"You also know this is a regulation issued by the Ministry of Finance," Chen Donglai showed no weakness and immediately counterattacked. "Read the Document in your hand carefully again. It stipulates that the competent authority for reviewing Public Institution budgets is the Finance unit of each Prefecture, not the supervising unit.
In other words, the review of budgets and final accounts should be reported to the County Finance Bureau, not the Government Affairs Administration Bureau!"
Tang Zhenghong clearly had not anticipated this situation and was momentarily speechless, unable to offer a rebuttal.
Other than the sound of the fan turning, no one else in the room spoke.
"Since the Bureau Party Group does not have the authority to review the Guesthouse's financial status, I suggest we skip this agenda item," Deputy Director Li Heling suddenly spoke up.
Chen Donglai knew Li Heling. When he was appointed Director of the County Guesthouse by the Personnel Bureau, Li Heling had personally accompanied him to the Guesthouse to take up his post and read out the organizational decision to all the staff.
"We cannot skip it. The issue of the Guesthouse's irregular loan must be resolved today," Xiao Changqiu said menacingly, completely dropping any pretense. "The Guesthouse has seriously violated Fiscal Discipline. I propose removing Chen Donglai from the position of Director of the County Guesthouse as a warning to others."
"Comrade Changqiu, I suggest we first clarify whether Comrade Chen Donglai has actually violated Fiscal Discipline," Li Heling tapped his fingers lightly on the table. "Is it possible that the Bureau truly lacks the authority to review the Guesthouse's operating status?"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Changqiu's mind raced. This Li Heling was truly strange; had he gotten wind of something? Or was he preparing to side with Chen Donglai? After all, Chen Donglai had Yue Wangbei behind him. Thinking again, had he been too harsh on Li Heling these past few years?
He knew he had trusted Tang Zhenghong too much, to the point where Tang Zhenghong was practically signaling his intent to take over as Bureau Chief. Coupled with Tang Zhenghong's usually overbearing conduct, many subordinates in the Bureau were already dissatisfied. However, Li Heling chose this precise moment to jump in...
"Director Xiao, to be frank, I have already reported the Guesthouse's financial situation to the main Leaders of the County Party Committee and County Government. You don't need to trouble yourself with the Guesthouse's loan matters," Chen Donglai said calmly, taking a sip of the tea on the table as he spoke.
"Since you have already reported to the County Leaders, I think there is no need for the Bureau Party Group to hold onto it, right?" Li Heling picked up Chen Donglai's thread. "Reporting above one's direct superior occasionally, I think, is not a major offense."
This damned fellow! Xiao Changqiu cursed inwardly. Reporting above one's direct superior was a highly taboo action within the system; it not only disturbed the superior's superior but also made the immediate superior feel disregarded, thus breeding dissatisfaction.
However, this meant nothing to Chen Donglai. After his trip to Huichuan, his relationship with Yue Wangbei had grown closer, so reporting early would certainly not anger him; as for offending his superior, Xiao Changqiu...
So what if I offend him? What can you do to me?
Xiao Changqiu glanced at Chen Donglai and said directly, "I suggest the Bureau Party Group vote on the issue of Director Chen Donglai taking out an irregular loan without the approval of the Bureau organs. I propose removing Comrade Chen Donglai from the position of Director of the County Guesthouse. Those in favor, please raise your hands."
Only Xiao Changqiu and Tang Zhenghong raised their hands.
Looking at the scene before him, Xiao Changqiu was first bewildered, then furious. "What is the meaning of this, all of you?"
"Comrade Qi Rui and I disagree." Li Heling looked at the Deputy Director next to him, then at Discipline Inspection Team Leader Chen Jiaguang. "What is Comrade Jiaguang's opinion?"
"I abstain. I suggest reporting this to the responsible County Leader for a decision, and if possible, I also suggest reporting it to the County Party Committee Standing Committee for a decision," Chen Jiaguang said helplessly.
Although he had been stuck at the Deputy Section Level for many years, he considered himself quite sensitive to shifts in political winds. He could see the conflict between the Xiao Family and the new County Party Secretary without much effort.
At this moment, he couldn't side with anyone. He was already fifty-two years old and would retire in a few years; there was no need to get involved in such matters.
...