Wei Dong and Peng Yiru exchanged a glance; they hadn't expected Wucheng County's finances to be so dire, even last year's year-end bonus hadn't been paid.
It's no wonder Wucheng County is riddled with corruption, and a large number of officials have fallen from grace.
"To solve this problem, Secretary Li seized the opportunity of the new energy project's launch to secure 800 acres of state-owned construction land from the city committee. Meanwhile, at yesterday's economic development meeting, I laid out the plans for land consolidation and homestead rectification works. We aim to secure more state-owned construction land indicators, and once we sell these lands, we can resolve the county's financial issues..."
"Yesterday, I already privately discussed this with some business owners; they are interested in purchasing construction land. The next step is to sell these lands legally and compliantly. Once the funds from the land sales are in place, we can issue last year's bonus."
Lin Hao reported all the details about the plan to sell state-owned construction land.
The remaining several standing committee members, well aware of Wucheng County's situation, all expressed their agreement and even made some additions.
Especially land consolidation and the linkage of increase and decrease, which can yield more state-owned construction land indicators and are in line with national policies.
"This matter will be fully entrusted to County Magistrate Lin. My requirement is that it must be reasonable, legal, and compliant, and it needs to be done quickly. I'm near the edge here." Li Jingyi said with a smile.
"Don't worry, Secretary Li. I will fully push this matter forward." Lin Hao proactively took this heavy responsibility.
Since someone stepped up to take charge of the issue, the other standing committee members naturally had no objections, and the meeting ended on a friendly note.
Lin Hao had just returned to his office when Lu Xiaodan eagerly came in.
"Congratulations, Deputy County Magistrate!" The beauty said with a smile.
"Congratulations for what? For taking on a bunch of new tasks?" Lin Hao gave him a sideways glance.
"Sir, as the saying goes, 'the greater the power, the greater the responsibility,' naturally there are more tasks too." Lu Xiaodan teased with a smile.
"With all my tasks, do you think you can be at ease?" Lin Hao shook his head speechlessly.
"So, are you going to the cafeteria for lunch today?" Lu Xiaodan asked.
"No, you get me some food, I still have work to do." Lin Hao felt a bit uncomfortable about going to the cafeteria now.
After all, with his position changed, many people would definitely approach him to say hello or even congratulate him on his promotion.
If that's the case, a meal would be exhausting.
"Alright, I'll bring it to you after I finish my meal." Lu Xiaodan readily agreed.
After the beauty left, Lin Hao leaned back in his chair, lit a cigarette, took a deep puff, and considered the candidates for the two deputy county magistrates.
The deputy county magistrates certainly need to be promoted from directors of major bureaus or from the top township leaders.
However, with so many directors and town mayors, he wasn't familiar with many, let alone on good terms.
Su Muchen from the finance bureau was qualified, but if he promoted Su Muchen, would others perceive it as nepotism?
Though Li Jingyi gave him significant power to choose the deputy county magistrates, she also handed him a hot potato.
At this time, a call from Su Muyun came in.
"Lin Hao, I heard you were promoted to executive deputy county magistrate? Is it true?" Su Muyun asked anxiously.
"What? The news spread so fast?" Lin Hao chuckled.
"What? You really... No way! How is that possible?" Su Muyun seemed a bit excited.
"Why not? Did you really think I'm useless?" Lin Hao retorted.
"I... I didn't mean that... I'm just so happy!" Su Muyun explained.
"Now that you know your ex-husband is so promising, do you regret the divorce a bit?" Lin Hao bantered with a smile.
"Regret your head! I have no regrets, petty man!" Su Muyun huffed angrily.
"Alright, I'm a petty man. Director Su, do you have any other instructions?" Lin Hao knew she was stubborn and didn't argue further.
"My sister just called, saying that tonight at Xiangman Garden, we're having a dinner to celebrate for you," Su Muyun said, getting to the point.
Su Muchen is currently the director of the finance bureau and was first to learn of his promotion, yet he didn't call Lin Hao directly. Instead, he informed his sister and asked her to relay the news and suggest a celebration.
Of course, celebrating Lin Hao's promotion was one reason, but another was that Lin Hao now held two deputy county magistrate positions in his hands.
Many aspire to climb from bureau director or township leader to the position of deputy county magistrate.
Upon hearing the news, Su Muchen immediately thought of using his sister to help achieve this goal.
Though the sister and Lin Hao are divorced, Lin Hao is an emotional person, and having the sister ask him for help made the success of this affair quite likely.
"Is that necessary? It's not a big deal. Besides, I have to meet some business leaders this afternoon and will probably be working late." Lin Hao laughed and declined.
"You have to eat, right? We can wait for you," Su Muyun insisted.
"I'm afraid it'll be too late, and you'll be starved by then." Lin Hao declined again.
"Don't worry, we won't starve. It's settled then. I'll pick you up after work." Su Muyun remained firm.
"No need to pick me up. I'm driving my car, and I'll go there after work." Lin Hao had to agree.
"Alright, we'll wait for you," Su Muyun hung up the phone.
Thinking about this ex-wife and then about his first love, Fang Mengzhu, both were equally attractive in their own ways.
However, Fang Mengzhu was much gentler than Su Muyun and always centered everything around him.
When he told Fang Mengzhu he was busy these days, this first love didn't call but instead went to Wuning City to look at houses, planning to build a love nest.
After Lin Hao's successful promotion, it spread throughout Wucheng County, and everyone undoubtedly had their eyes on the deputy county magistrate positions.
Many sent congratulatory messages via WeChat or text messages, but Lin Hao didn't have the time to engage much, merely responding with a terse 'Thank you.'
He also missed many phone calls and, having no time to return them individually, only sent a short message saying he was in a meeting.
Unexpectedly, after hanging up, the director of the education bureau, Zhou Chenghua, also called.
"County Magistrate Lin, I heard you got promoted. Congratulations from a brother here," Director Zhou said, chuckling.
"Director Zhou, you're too kind. Congratulations to you as well!" Lin Hao replied with a smile.
"Brother, let's do this; I'll treat you to a celebratory dinner tonight," Director Zhou invited with a smile.
"Director Zhou, I have to work overtime tonight, really don't have the time. How about another day?" Lin Hao didn't completely decline.