The Tempting Road to Becoming an Official

The cause of all the events.

Is the conflict between Lin Shuwei and Xu Xianqing.

The core of their conflict, to put it bluntly, is the game between conservatives and reformists.

Let's first talk about Xu Xianqing.

Xu Xianqing is 54 years old this year, and his main experience is focused in coastal provinces.

20 years ago.

A 34-year-old Xu Xianqing was appointed as the County Party Secretary of Yongshan County in Mingzhou City, Qiantang Province.

At that time, Yongshan District had poor economic conditions, and the people were always struggling just above the subsistence line.

After Xu Xianqing took office, he carried out drastic reforms on Yongshan County's economic system, modeled after Nanyue Province's opening-up reform model, and began to lead the people in developing a private economy.

After five years of hard work.

Yongshan County, initially at the bottom of Mingzhou City's economy, suddenly became an economically strong county, ranking among the top in terms of GDP revenue.

And it was precisely because of such an enormous achievement.

After staying in Yongshan County for five years.

Xu Xianqing was promoted to Deputy Mayor, Mayor, and City Secretary of Mingzhou City.

He stayed in Mingzhou City for a total of eight years.

He also used aggressive reform measures to elevate Mingzhou City's economy to be the first in the province, even surpassing the provincial capital, Lin'an City.

Thereafter.

Xu Xianqing held several important positions, such as a member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Committee of Qiantang Province, Vice Governor, Executive Vice Governor, and Governor of Qiantang Province.

Under his leadership.

The economy of Qiantang Province surged forward strongly.

Eventually developing into a nationally renowned economically strong province.

From this, it's clear that Xu Xianqing is a pragmatist who prioritizes reforms.

Under the current political system.

The conflict between the reformists and conservatives has also evolved to become increasingly tense.

The so-called reformists typically hold a critical attitude towards current social, economic, or political systems, believing there are unfair, unreasonable, or inefficient issues within these systems that need to be addressed through reforms.

On the contrary, conservatives are satisfied or at least consider these systems viable, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the status quo and traditions.

Reformists usually advocate for proactive actions to drive change, including formulating new laws and policies, promoting new ideas and technologies, etc. They believe that with effort and wisdom, existing imperfect states can be changed.

Conservatives focus more on maintaining existing systems and orders, emphasizing achieving goals gradually. They are more likely to fine-tune within the existing framework rather than pursuing extensive reforms.

For example, in economic policy, reformists might advocate for lowering tax rates and reducing government intervention to stimulate market vitality; while conservatives might prefer protecting domestic industries, maintaining high tax rates to ensure social stability and government revenue.

In essence.

Both sides are contending for interests.

Conservatives are not truly about conserving, but about maintaining the vested interests they have obtained.

For instance, some traditional giant state-owned enterprises.

They are all controlled by conservatives.

Relying on these industries to extract benefits.

While reformists, wanting to take a share, naturally need to break the rules and implement reforms.

Once changes occur, conservatives will suffer losses, which they do not want to see.

Of course.

This is just an example.

It does not necessarily pertain only to the economic aspect.

It is the same on the power level.

Just like conservative individuals already occupying many important positions across various regions, reformists also wish to compete with them, thus proposing reforms within the officialdom system.

In summary.

All conflicts stem from interests.

The struggle between the two factions is also such.

And between Lin Shuwei and Xu Xianqing, it is a duel between the two major factions.

As manifested in reality.

It is now the reform of Yuanjing City's political and economic structure led by Xu Xianqing.

More than two years ago.

Shangguan Shoudong stepped down as Yuanjing City Secretary.

During his tenure, Shangguan Shoudong launched a large-scale anti-corruption and faction-cleansing campaign.

Thoroughly changing Yuanjing City's officialdom atmosphere.

After assuming the position.

Xu Xianqing decided to continue Shangguan Shoudong's policies and completely cut off collusion between officials and businesses, as well as the situation where central and state-owned enterprises were controlled by conservatives.

Thus, he proposed the idea of establishing the Yongle New District.

That is, allocating a piece of land in the neighboring Yanzhao Province to move Yuanjing's large state-owned and central enterprises to Yongle New District, retaining only the status of Yuanjing City as the political center and capital.

This move can first drive Yanzhao Province's economic development.

Secondly, alleviate some pressures in Yuanjing.

Thirdly, sever Yuanjing's upper echelons' control over these enterprises.

Killing three birds with one stone.

It is definitely a great move.

Unfortunately, after the plan was laid out.

The Yongle New District faced strong opposition from the high-levels led by Lin Shuwei.

Not only that.

To apply pressure on Xu Xianqing.

The conservatives, led by Lin Shuwei, were actively persuading the high-levels in Yanzhao Province.

In such circumstances.

Xu Xianqing was also caught in a dilemma.

Upon hearing this.

Chen Fang asked, "What is the stance of Leader Shangguan?"

Xu Wanwan sighed.

And said, "Leader Shangguan also faces his challenges. His reaching such a high position is also a result of compromise between the two major factions, and he too must balance the interests of both, so he cannot take a stand."

Cannot take a stand?

Upon hearing this.

Chen Fang shuddered.

Since Lin Jie found him, he simply believed that Shangguan Shoudong deliberately summoned him to the West Sea Villa to empower him and give him a chance to expand his network.

Such thinking was still too shallow.

The reason Shangguan Shoudong did so, to put it bluntly, was to have Chen Fang help him resolve some problems he couldn't solve.

And what is this problem?

It is the current conflict between Lin Shuwei and Xu Xianqing.

Why say this?

Regarding the issue of Yongle New District, in order to consider the interests of both sides.

Shangguan Shoudong cannot voice an opinion because the support of either faction is crucial for himself.

Under such circumstances.

He deliberately elevated Chen Fang's status.

Actually, it was an implicit message to Lin Shuwei and Xu Xianqing.

His intention was to tell these two people, Chen Fang is my "spokesman"; whoever wins his support is tantamount to gaining my support.

In that way.

Supporting either side would then fall on Chen Fang.

At that time, no matter which side was offended, Shangguan Shoudong would have an excuse, saying it was Chen Fang's decision, not his.

The wrath of the losing side.

Naturally would be redirected towards himself.

Thus, Shangguan Shoudong could stay out of it, unrelated to any result.

Thinking of this.

Chen Fang took a deep breath.

Indeed, the political maneuvers of these people at the top are extremely sophisticated.

A small, seemingly insignificant action.

Contains so much implied meaning and strategy behind it.

He is the one playing chess.

Whether it is himself, Lin Shuwei, or Xu Xianqing, they are merely chess pieces being manipulated on the board.

Of course, Shangguan Shoudong's action wasn't completely ill-intentioned.

From a certain perspective, he was also providing Chen Fang an opportunity for training.