kvmb Chapter 51 What a sycophant!
Chapter 51 What a sycophant!
"Editor-in-chief, keep this one, no changes needed."
Editor-in-Chief Cao wanted to say something, but he decided against it. Since the report on Ye Xuan's collection of protection money, the station director has said that as long as it doesn't attack the country, it will be given priority for publication.
The Handong Daily used the front page to report on Hu Tiezhu's case, and it quickly caused a strong reaction in Jingzhou.
Especially for those hardworking people, if something unexpected happens, everyone wants to leave some security for their parents, wife and children.
Factory Director Niu scoffed after reading the report. He said the newspaper's popularity would only last three days, and after that, who would care? They'd rather focus on the mundane necessities of life.
To everyone's surprise, the first person to break down was Wen Zhengrong, the executive vice mayor of Jingzhou City. The old mayor was about to retire, and Wen Zhengrong had been working hard to attract investment for the past six months, hoping to take that step sooner.
This half-step advancement leads to the mayor of the provincial capital, and from there, one can enter the provincial party committee, bringing one step closer to becoming a powerful regional official.
It's only at this crucial moment that such a heartless factory manager has emerged. Isn't this tarnishing the image of Jingzhou City?
If migrant workers are afraid to come, how can we increase the city's permanent and floating population? With people, all industries can develop.
If Jingzhou's city image is ruined, will those Hong Kong and foreign businessmen dare to come?
For the sake of that half step, Wen Zhengrong would not allow any major negative news to appear in Jingzhou.
I've been working hard to attract investment, and that damn factory manager is dragging me down. I'll make you pay.
"Secretary Zhang, immediately organize an investigation team to go to the factory and investigate. I want to see the investigation results by 5 PM."
Secretary Zhang Shaofeng instantly understood the mayor's meaning: the public opinion needed to be addressed quickly.
For the past six months, he has been traveling all over Hong Kong and eastern Guangdong with the mayor, doing everything he can to attract investors.
In the final stage, no mistakes are allowed.
"Okay, Mayor, I'll take care of it right away."
"Also, give a heads-up to the Handong Daily and tell them to stop causing trouble all the time and report more on the government's achievements. What do ordinary people know? They just follow the crowd."
Wen Zhengrong is very assertive; everything she does is for political achievements and GDP.
"Yes, Mayor."
Back in his secretary's office, Zhang Shaofeng immediately called the Handong Daily.
"Director Hao, the economy is developing rapidly now, and it's inevitable that we'll encounter some problems. Such extensive reporting by the Handong Daily may be detrimental to Jingzhou's economic development."
Deputy Director Hao Anshan immediately understood Secretary Zhang's words; the report in the Handong Daily was likely to displease the mayor.
"Secretary Zhang, you must admit it, I also felt uncomfortable after reading the report. To say that the director of a state-owned factory is Huang Shiren is going too far. But now that Reporter Ye's report has been specially authorized by Director Liu, I can't interfere."
Secretary Zhang immediately sensed something unusual; it turned out that this reporter Ye was probably someone important.
"Alright, Director Hao, you can get back to your work now."
Zhang Shaofeng always kept in mind that the things Mayor Wen Zhengrong had instructed him to do must be accomplished.
He immediately called Liu Zhengyong, the director of the TV station.
"Director Liu, this is Zhang Shaofeng."
"Secretary Zhang, what are your instructions?"
"No, no, Director Liu, could you please take down that report about the state-owned factory?"
Liu Zhengyong laughed. No wonder this factory director was so arrogant; it turned out he had connections with Mayor Wen.
"Secretary Zhang, this report is entirely true, without any fabrication. Removing it might not be appropriate. The country has always advocated for press freedom; problems should be addressed directly, not hidden away."
Zhang Shaofeng understood. "Director Liu is right. You go ahead with your work; I won't bother you any longer."
"Secretary Zhang, please don't be angry."
After hanging up the phone, Zhang Shaofeng immediately reported the situation to the mayor.
The Handong Daily is under the jurisdiction of the provincial party committee, so the mayor of Jingzhou really has no power to manage it.
Wen Zhengrong's face showed some anger. "Put this aside for now. Take some people to the factory to investigate immediately."
"Yes, Mayor."
When Director Wang received a call from Secretary Zhang informing him that the municipal government was coming to investigate, he rushed to Factory Director Niu's office in a panic.
"Director Niu, something bad has happened! I just received a call from Secretary Zhang of the Municipal Government. He's coming to the factory with a team to investigate Hu Tiezhu's case."
"What's the panic? Let them investigate. The factory doesn't have the money, but if the city government is willing to pay, we can compensate them more."
Factory Director Niu didn't believe that a prosecutor or a reporter could bring him down.
The municipal government will at most go through the motions.
Director Wang wasn't as tough as Factory Director Niu. After the report came out, the factory workers were very pleased and looked forward to Factory Director Niu stepping down as soon as possible.
Shortly after, a municipal government vehicle drove into the factory, and Director Wang and Factory Manager Niu stood respectfully at the entrance to wait.
After Secretary Zhang got out of the car, Factory Director Niu greeted him warmly, displaying his obsequiousness and bullying of subordinates to the fullest extent. Even Director Wang had to secretly give him a thumbs up.
"Secretary Zhang, thank you for your hard work. Welcome, leaders, to the factory for your inspection."
Secretary Zhang maintained his professional smile. Even though Factory Director Niu had angered the mayor, he couldn't kick him while he was down or give him the cold shoulder. He might need him in the future, and in officialdom, everyone had to maintain a respectable public image.
"Director Niu, let's talk in a meeting room."
"Secretary Zhang, esteemed leaders, everything is arranged. Please proceed."
Upon entering the conference room, Secretary Zhang began, "Director Niu, let's get straight to the point. We're here primarily to investigate Hu Tiezhu's case. The Handong Daily's report has had a very negative impact on Jingzhou, and the mayor has expressed some reservations. We hope you can handle this as soon as possible and mitigate the damage."
Factory Director Niu never expected that a single report would alarm the mayor, which made it impossible for him to ignore the matter.
"Secretary Zhang, I handled this matter a bit too hastily. We'll remedy it immediately."
"Director Niu, how do you plan to salvage this situation?"
"I will personally speak with Hu Tiezhu's family immediately and try my best to meet their demands."
Zhang Shaofeng was speechless. "Damn it, wouldn't it have been better to handle it this way earlier? Why did you have to make such a big deal out of it?"
I'll go with you.
"Secretary Zhang, you're so busy, there's no need to trouble you."
"That's settled then. Where are the Hu family members? We'll go find them."
The Handong Daily hasn't been able to resolve things, and they'll definitely be following up with reports. Zhang Shaofeng needs to settle things with the Hu family as soon as possible, otherwise the Handong Daily will have no reason to continue reporting.
"Then I'll trouble Secretary Zhang. Director Wang, please bring the Hu family to the factory immediately."
"Director Niu, time is of the essence. Let's go directly to the Hu family."
Zhang Shaofeng saw nothing but arrogance in Director Niu, no wonder he could anger the reporter and lead to a lengthy denigration of him.
"Secretary Zhang, it would be more convenient to bring the Hu family to the factory."
"Director Niu, you haven't realized the seriousness of the problem yet. Don't waste time, let's go!"
Zhang Shaofeng's tone became stern.
"I'm sorry, Secretary Zhang, I'll do it right away."
Fortunately, Director Wang was cautious enough to visit Hu Tiezhu's wife at the hospital after get off work yesterday; otherwise, he would be in a real predicament now.
A group of people quickly arrived at the First People's Hospital of Jingzhou City.
The head nurse immediately took the person to Hu Tiezhu's wife's ward. After resting for a night, her complexion improved a bit.
"Hu Tiezhu's wife, the city leaders have come to see you. Are you feeling better?"
Hu Tiezhu's wife and Hu Tiechui were dumbfounded. Was this the same domineering Factory Director Niu from yesterday?
Factory Director Niu was all smiles and pleasantries, which made Director Wang want to vomit.