Chapter 1679: Chapter 1679:
Since ancient times, officials and businessmen have been inseparable; once an enterprise reaches a certain scale, it inevitably has to interact with the government, which is unavoidable.
They have a reasonable understanding of Jiangzhou’s political scene.
Over the past year, there have been many significant changes in Jiangzhou’s political landscape.
For example, the former Mayor Zhou Zheng advanced further, becoming the City Secretary.
And contrary to everyone’s expectations, the mayoral position was not passed to Zhang Yan but rather promoted from a prefecture-level city below.
Additionally, there was the incident of Zhang Yan embezzling funds and fleeing overseas...
Anyone with even a little standing in the political arena knows about this, and it’s not an unknown fact in the business realm either.
At that time, quite a few entrepreneurs were frightened, worried about getting implicated.
Fortunately, Zhang Yan eventually returned and had a relatively decent end to her story.
With Zhang Yan stepping down, everyone started speculating who would succeed her.
The most likely candidate seemed to be Chang Hai.
However, the outcome was again surprising; the province once again appointed someone from a subordinate city.
That person is Sun Jiajun, who just arrived.
It’s said that new officials tend to make three fires when taking office; Sun Jiajun has been in position for two months but hasn’t shown any actions yet.
Today, with his sudden appearance here, everyone’s mood inevitably shifted to gloom, wondering if Sun Jiajun might bring up the pollution issue.
"I’ll briefly discuss the park’s pollution situation," Chang Hai said while lighting a cigarette, smoking as he spoke.
The situation detailed was similar to Xiao Chenlei’s description, merely to save costs, as they did not wish to filter toxic gas and water, failing to meet emission standards, yet continuing with reckless emissions.
Sun Jiajun nodded and asked, "How are Mayor Chang and these executives discussing the matter?"
"Still in discussions on handling plans," Chang Hai frowned, as the matter was difficult for him to handle.
Sun Jiajun asked, "Is there still ongoing emission?"
Chang Hai shook his head, "The halt to operations has been notified."
Sun Jiajun replied with a hum and asked no more.
Upon arrival, he had smelled the pungent odor, indicating operations hadn’t fully ceased.
"The meeting will end here for today; please deliberate further and try to provide me with a result next time," Chang Hai said, exhaling smoke to end the meeting.
The executives said nothing, stood up, and left the meeting room.
After everyone had left, Sun Jiajun asked, "How does Mayor Chang plan to handle it?"
Simply halting operations might not be enough.
Stopping today only to resume random emissions in two months is just a temporary fix, essentially self-deception.
Chang Hai frowned and said, "I will urge them to meet environmental standards henceforth, or otherwise forbid emissions."
The answer was quite conventional, leaving Sun Jiajun with no room for criticism even if he wanted.
Suddenly, Xiao Chenlei mockingly laughed, "The current pollution crisis is not like before; Mayor Chang may be thinking a bit too optimistically."
Chang Hai’s face darkened, he gave Xiao Chenlei a glance.
Xiao Chenlei continued, "Previously, putting on a show wasn’t much of a problem, but I have heard that numerous companies’ equipment has reached its lifespan. Mayor Chang, you should know the older the equipment, the lower its efficiency, making it harder to meet emission standards."
"What used to cost just one dollar to meet emission standards may now require ten dollars or even a hundred. With such high costs, do you think they will comply, Mayor Chang?"
Chang Hai coldly looked at him, "Anyone can raise problems, even stray dogs can. But only raising problems while refusing to solve them, what use is that? If you have a solution, put it forward, rather than stating the obvious here."
Xiao Chenlei’s face twitched, anger simmered in his eyes.
He had been rebuked by Chang Hai like this before, but that had been in private.
Today was different; with Sun Jiajun present, it was hard for Xiao Chenlei to endure being scorned.
"Who says I don’t have a solution?" Xiao Chenlei slammed the table and stood up.
Chang Hai was momentarily stunned, with a surprised expression.
This guy dares to slam the table with me?
He glanced at Sun Jiajun, thinking to himself that it probably was Sun Jiajun who gave him the courage.
"Oh? Mr. Xiao, what is your solution? Speak, I’m all ears."
"The solution is simple, establish a supervision group. If anyone doesn’t comply with regulations, fine them until they don’t dare to emit recklessly!"
Xiao Chenlei said with a sinister smile.
Sun Jiajun nodded approvingly, "I think Mr. Xiao’s proposal is quite good, worth Mayor Chang’s consideration."
Chang Hai shook his head, "Let’s wait and see."
Xiao Chenlei pressed relentlessly, "What is Mayor Chang waiting for? How many years have passed with this pollution issue? You may be able to wait, but can the local residents afford to wait?"
"Or perhaps, in Mayor Chang’s view, the operation of enterprises is more important than the health of the citizens?"
Sun Jiajun also commented, "Mayor Chang, it’s better to come up with a solution quickly. Dragging it like this isn’t a solution, problems have to be solved eventually."
"Oh, I know what Mayor Chang is waiting for," Xiao Chenlei suddenly said as if having an epiphany, "Mayor Chang is worried about not being able to give an account to Mayor Yang after penalizing these enterprises."
"Mr. Xiao, choose your words carefully!" Chang Hai’s face turned grim.
Xiao Chenlei smiled and replied, "Did I misspeak? The reason you’ve been putting off handling it for so long is because the industrial park is a hallmark project initiated by Governor Yang back in the day. You’re worried that if not dealt with properly, it would cast a poor impression on Governor Yang, hindering your future prospects."
"Bang!"
Chang Hai slammed the table heavily, anger erupting: "Xiao Chenlei, do you know what you are talking about?"
"Of course I do, I’m expressing your inner thoughts! What, angry because I’ve exposed you?"
Xiao Chenlei replied defiantly, standing up as well, "With Sun Jiajun here today, I’m not afraid to spell things out. You Chang Hai are simply worried about offending Governor Yang, hence you hesitate to address the industrial park’s pollution issue."
"Everyone knows Governor Yang was able to assume the position of Governor due to the political merit project of the industrial park, back then. Now, if the park’s issues are exposed and addressed publicly, it would be equivalent to slapping Governor Yang’s face, and would basically be declaring to all that Governor Yang’s decision back then was wrong!"
"Don’t think I don’t know your motives; you want to handle things discreetly so Governor Yang would owe you a favor, paving the way for your future promotion."
Sun Jiajun listened, utterly stunned.
So there was this hidden reason.
Judging by Chang Hai’s expression and reactions, Xiao Chenlei’s words seemed to ring true.
Chang Hai’s eyes were cold, glaring at Xiao Chenlei, but Xiao Chenlei remained unafraid, meeting his gaze.
"Mayor Sun, the industrial park’s pollution issue will be resolved, no need to bother you with it," he said before getting up and leaving.
After he left, Sun Jiajun signaled his secretary, Ma Hongyuan, to leave the meeting room and tactfully close the door.
Sun Jiajun then asked, "Which Governor Yang was Mr. Xiao referring to?"
Xiao Chenlei, still caught up in the satisfaction of having sparred on equal footing with Chang Hai, toned down his smile upon hearing the question and replied, "Governor Yang Gaoqi."
Seeing Sun Jiajun still puzzled, seemingly unfamiliar with his name, Xiao Chenlei added some specifics: "Governor Yang assumed office as Governor already over a decade ago, about three years after the industrial park was completed, he was appointed Governor."
Over a decade ago as Governor... Sun Jiajun was amazed and asked, "What is Governor Yang doing now?"
"Now?" Xiao Chenlei smiled slyly and said, "Governor Yang’s health isn’t great; he’s been retired for several years now."
