"Let's take a look at the situation in our county. The streets are still the same as they were ten years ago. I asked the old residents in the county town, and they remember that the old and dilapidated state of the county's streets has remained unchanged for at least ten years. The main streets are bumpy, and the small alleys are filled with sewage. There are only three public toilets in the entire county, and their filthy conditions are unbearable. The people are full of complaints. The director of the Construction Committee, Mr. Zhang, told me that the county's sewage system needs to be renovated, otherwise the situation will only get worse. But year after year, it has been delayed, and the reason is simply a lack of funds. The People's Park is in such a dilapidated state that even the residents of our county are unwilling to go there. The cinema, built in the 1970s, has been designated as a dangerous building by the safety supervision department, which requires immediate renovation, but there is still no money."
Shen Zilie spoke with enthusiasm, listing facts effortlessly. This was something everyone present was aware of, and over time, they had become accustomed to it. However, bringing it up at the county party committee meeting today made it hard for some to accept, especially when the acting county magistrate, who had not yet fully integrated into Nantang, spoke so sharply.
"Everyone knows about these difficulties. The county is not unwilling to renovate or build new facilities, but with an empty treasury, how can we renovate? The Nantang Middle School was built two years ago, and the construction costs have not been fully paid to Liyang Second Construction Company. This year, I have already received two calls from the company's manager, threatening that if the outstanding construction costs are not paid by the end of the year, he will bring hundreds of workers and their families to our county government to spend the New Year. In such a situation, where can the county find the money to invest in these public welfare projects?"
The meeting room was unusually quiet, and even the sound of a certain committee member taking a sip of water was clearly audible.
"I know many of you are probably thinking, if the county's finances are so tight, why are we still planning to develop an industrial park? Isn't developing an industrial park also going to cost a lot of money? Isn't this contradictory?" Shen Zilie posed another question, which was also on the minds of many of the committee members.
"Indeed, I admit that developing this industrial park will require significant investment. The infrastructure construction alone is a substantial expense. Establishing such an institution, staffing it, and covering the initial operating costs will also add up. But what if we don't develop this industrial park?"
"What would happen if we don't? We can predict that without it, Nantang will continue to live a tight and frugal life, always tightening our belts. We can only fantasize about doing anything, hoping for a windfall from the sky. But is there such a good thing?" Shen Zilie's tone became more intense.
"We all know that Nantang, as a major agricultural county, has a weak tax base and poor tax sources. Collecting agricultural taxes has, in a sense, made our relationship with the people even more tense. Now, with grain prices continuously low and agricultural restructuring difficult, the rural areas have solved the problem of food and clothing, but the issue of income remains unresolved. A large number of surplus laborers cannot find work locally and have to go to the coastal areas to work. This outflow of young and able-bodied workers brings many problems, such as the inability to help during the busy farming season, the lack of care for the elderly and children at home, and the increased traffic pressure and expenses when they return home each year. Why don't we try to develop local industries to absorb these surplus laborers?"
"Under the current circumstances, I believe that only by developing industry can we truly put Nantang's fiscal and tax system on a relatively healthy and good track. Only by developing industry can we truly solve the increasingly severe problem of surplus labor in the countryside. Without an industrial economy as the engine, everything is just talk."
"Developing this industrial park is a risky endeavor, and I know that. But to put it simply, if you don't try, there is no risk, but there is also no gain. Trying may lead to some setbacks and failures, but if you don't try, how will you know it won't work? As leaders, we must dare to take responsibility, act boldly, and be pioneers. As the ancients said, 'It is a lifelong shame for an official to avoid responsibility.' I think this saying is worth our reflection."
"Ha, County Magistrate Shen, please calm down. I believe we are all discussing and studying this issue with a sense of public duty and responsibility as leaders. There is no personal emotion involved. I think you have misunderstood my point. I am not against the county's efforts to attract investment and develop industry. In fact, the county has been working on attracting investment all along. The benefits of industrial development are self-evident, but I am just reminding everyone whether the conditions are ripe and the timing is right."
Seeing that the committee members were moved by Shen Zilie's passionate and generous words, especially given the county's tight financial situation, which was evident to all, Qin Haiji knew he had to speak up to avoid appearing indecisive.
"From last year to this year, the central government has been focusing on cleaning up and rectifying the economic sector. The central government is also wary of the impact of the rapid entry and development of foreign and private capital on the national economy. To be precise, last year's turmoil was the result of the gradual accumulation of subversive activities by domestic and foreign hostile forces. Political and economic issues have always been closely intertwined and cannot be separated. The increasing proportion of foreign and private capital in the national economy will bring about changes to the socialist nature of our country. As leaders, we need to think about this."
Qin Haiji spoke slowly and seriously, his words heavy with weight.
The discussion ultimately had to be elevated to this level. Although Shen Zilie did not want to get entangled in this issue, it seemed unavoidable.
Shen Zilie glanced at An Dejian, who remained calm. This guy was really composed, so he had to step up himself.