: Investigation into Slum Areas Sparks Outrage

After listening to Zhao Binyuan's introduction, Lin Xiao's heart sank.

Yang Songfeng's approach is clearly non-compliant.

The district government did not publicly select development companies, but mostly contacted small and medium-sized developers with connections, and also privately promised preferential land-related benefits.

This is very unfair to developers who have the resources and want to participate in the project fairly.

A greater hidden danger is that the shantytown renovation project approval and special subsidy funds are still waiting in line at the provincial level and have not yet been implemented. If the province ultimately fails to approve the quotas, all these verbal promises will be impossible to fulfill.

The developers and residents of the old city had high expectations in the early stages, but in the end they left behind a huge mess. How will they explain this to them? It might even trigger a mass incident.

"This is utter chaos!"

After hanging up the phone, Lin Xiao couldn't help but say something in a deep voice.

He then took Xie Guangyan to the old town to understand the situation firsthand and then study the solution.

"Secretary, this area is the largest shantytown in the old city. It involves nearly 8,000 households, half of which are former employee dormitories left over from bankrupt state-owned enterprises..."

Xie Guangyan followed Lin Xiao, giving a low and detailed report on the basic situation of the shantytown.

The shantytowns before my eyes are truly shocking.

The narrow alleyway was cluttered and messy, with stalls blocking the road and illegal structures everywhere. The air was filled with a pungent smell that lingered, a mixture of rancid odors and cooking fumes.

In the chaotic and noisy alley, children chased and played recklessly, and the sounds of neighbors arguing and shouting rose and fell.

"Whoosh—"

A basin of foamy sewage was splashed directly onto the road. A pedestrian couldn't dodge in time, stepped on the slippery puddle, lost his balance, and bumped into a child who was doing homework at a small table by the roadside. The child was so frightened that he burst into tears.

At that moment, a shirtless man rushed out of the house and began to hurl a string of angry curses.

The pedestrian who fell was already furious, so he immediately got up and cursed back, also yelling at the middle-aged woman who had splashed water.

In the blink of an eye, a scene of fierce mutual insults broke out between the three parties. Residents around the area took sides and joined in, and the insults escalated, turning the scene into complete chaos.

Lin Xiao frowned, quietly observing the changing situation on the scene.

The poor and crowded living environment, coupled with the long-term oppressive life pressure, has made the residents here increasingly irritable, and neighborhood frictions and conflicts have long been commonplace.

In fact, if you pass by from the main road outside, you will only feel that the old city is old and congested. You will not be able to see the dirt, chaos and dilapidation and the plight of the poor hidden in this shantytown under the glamorous urban shell.

In some corners, even sunlight can't get in.

"Slum areas must be renovated."

Lin Xiao spoke firmly, each word carrying weight.

"We must thoroughly solve the housing difficulties of the people and improve their living environment. But the renovation must not be taken for granted, let alone done blindly. Simply and crudely implementing monetary compensation to relocate people out of the old city is only the first step. What will they rely on to make a living in the future, how will their lives be guaranteed, and how can a virtuous cycle be formed? These are the core issues."

We cannot focus solely on immediate political achievements, nor can we make reckless promises or deceive the public in order to boost our record and gain attention. Otherwise, we will leave behind a mess and harm the people.

Xie Guangyan heard this and understood it perfectly.

Lin Xiao's words directly pointed to the various irregularities in the district government's recent efforts to promote shantytown renovation, clearly indicating her dissatisfaction with Yang Songfeng's approach.

Recently, he has also heard a lot of rumors that Yang Songfeng is eager to push forward the shantytown renovation project, both to boost his political achievements and to seize the right to speak.

Meanwhile, some real estate companies are scrambling to find connections and pull strings to compete for the qualification to participate in the shantytown renovation program.

"Secretary, I've heard that many developers are spending huge sums of money to secure cooperation opportunities in the shantytown redevelopment program. Apparently, each spot costs two million yuan."

Xie Guangyan lowered his voice, his expression solemn.

Lin Xiao frowned immediately and asked in a deep voice, "You mean to say that in this round of shantytown renovation, someone took the opportunity to engage in favoritism, accept bribes from developers, and line their own pockets?"

Xie Guangyan shook his head with a wry smile: "I only heard rumors, I don't have any real evidence. However, the district government has indeed been unusually lively lately."

Lin Xiao nodded slowly, understanding dawning on her.

It seems that someone is trying to take advantage of this window of opportunity presented by the personnel changes to do whatever they want.

Since that's the case, then don't blame yourself for being ruthless.

On the other end, in the district head's office.

"District Chief, I heard that Secretary Lin went to the old city area for research."

Executive Deputy District Mayor Deng Guanglin strode into the office, his face showing some concern.

Yang Songfeng looked up and frowned: "What's he doing there? Is he deliberately trying to cause trouble? The shantytown renovation project is a good thing that benefits thousands of households. Does he really want to obstruct and hinder its progress?"

Deng Guanglin said with concern, "I'm worried that he'll be dissatisfied with our approach and methods."

Yang Songfeng smiled coldly: "I told him before that the pressure of shantytown renovation is great, and preferential policies must be introduced to motivate developers. He nodded in agreement at the time."

Furthermore, the financial situation in our Zhenxing District is not good; the district simply doesn't have enough funds to cover the shortfall. If we don't find a way to reduce costs for developers, who will be willing to renovate the old city? And how will the shantytown renovation projects be implemented?

If he were truly capable, he would have gone to the provincial level himself to push for project approval and secure special subsidies; there was no need for him to interfere with the district's specific procedures.

Deng Guanglin said in a low voice, "If Secretary Wang goes to the provincial level, he might actually have a solution."

Yang Songfeng said with a disdainful look: "Secretary Wang is the top leader in the local area, but in the province, he's just an ordinary vice governor. He's not even at the bottom of the standing committee, and he's in charge of a single business line. He can't make all the decisions. His influence in the whole prefecture will rapidly diminish after he's transferred, and he can't protect anyone at all."

Deng Guanglin remained cautious: "District Chief, I think it's better to be on the safe side. This guy never plays by the rules; he won't go to the shantytown for research without a reason. He must have a purpose."

Yang Songfeng's eyes darkened, and his face turned cold.

"Go back immediately and compile all the project documents. If he dares to completely deny our work and halt the shantytown renovation, we'll go directly to the city leaders to report and appeal. If all else fails, we can get those developers to contribute and make some noise."

Deng Guanglin's eyes lit up: "Yes, yes, these developers are very motivated to make money. If someone tries to cut off their source of income, they won't let it go easily!"

Yang Songfeng's lips curled into a cold smile: "It's not just the developers; the thousands of residents in the shantytowns are hoping for their homes to be demolished and replaced with new ones to improve their living conditions. If the shantytown redevelopment is forcibly halted, it's tantamount to extinguishing the people's hopes. What do you think the people will think and do then?"

"It will definitely provoke public outrage and stir up conflict between officials and the people," Deng Guanglin said excitedly.

In his view, this shantytown renovation project was a godsend opportunity that would "kill three birds with one stone".

This would allow Yang Songfeng to use the achievements of the livelihood project to suppress Lin Xiao and seize the opportunity to gain control of the district; at the same time, it would also set a trap. If Lin Xiao rashly stopped the project, it would cause public resentment to boil over, or even lead to a mass incident. Even if he was the top leader of the district committee and even if he had powerful backers, he would still bear enormous pressure of accountability, and his reputation and career would inevitably suffer a severe blow.

A project that encompasses interests, political achievements, and power struggles is always a worthwhile investment.

Ten days later, the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee officially released a pre-appointment announcement for cadres: Wang Yuanze is proposed to be appointed as a deputy provincial-level leading cadre.

With the announcement, Wang Yuanze's transfer from Quanzhou was finalized.

Lin Xiao immediately dialed the phone number of her martial uncle, Wang Yuanze.

Rumors were flying around during this time, but he never asked about them.

Having already learned the inside story from his father-in-law, Song Guoqiang, he remained more composed than anyone else.

When the call connected, Wang Yuanze's tone was exceptionally calm, more like the kindness of an elder than the authority of a leader.

He stated frankly that he was very grateful for Lin Xiao's full cooperation and strong support over the past few years. Even though he is about to be transferred away from Quanzhou, he will always pay attention to Lin Xiao's growth and development, and hopes that Lin Xiao will continue to work hard and start his business without any worries.

"You must remember one thing: no matter what kind of leadership team you have, you need capable and competent cadres. And at any time, results speak for themselves, and work ability is always the most important factor."

At this moment, he was in a good mood, as his move from the level of a department director to the level of a provincial or ministerial official was another qualitative change.

He knew very well that his successful promotion to deputy provincial level this time, which seemed to be due to his impressive resume and the help of influential people, actually had the greatest support from Lin Xiao.

After the announcement was made public, he also received news from the province that there were still many twists and turns in the process of this promotion.