Volume 2 King of the Northwest Chapter 11 Provincial Council
"Today, Zhixiang is very happy to stand here and give such a report to all the dignitaries in Shaanxi."
Standing under the five-color national flag and the banner welcoming Governor Dai to the Shaanxi Provincial Assembly, Dai Jiliang felt a little restrained. Although he usually gave speeches in front of his subordinates, today was different from usual. Facing the elites of Shaanxi, he still felt a little uncomfortable.
"Zhixiang was ordered to take over as the governor of Shaanxi, and he should serve the people of Shaanxi."
Of course, he had to make a meaningless opening statement, but Dai Jiliang quickly got to the point.
"Regarding next year's budget, Zhixiang has compiled it as follows."
A group of guards had already distributed the documents to all the congressmen.
"In the fifth year of the Republic of China, Shaanxi's annual revenue is divided into spring and autumn taxes, salt taxes, miscellaneous taxes and the annual likin revenue, which is expected to be 11 million yuan. The rest is for Shaanxi's own use. It is expected that the revenue for the next year, that is, the sixth year of the Republic of China, will be basically the same as this year. However, about 20% of this revenue is opium cultivation tax. Opium is a scourge to the country and the people. Although cultivation can slightly alleviate the financial tension, it is by no means a long-term benefit to the people. Therefore, this governor expects to slightly reduce the planting area from next year and ban opium cultivation in Shaanxi for 15 years."
When Dai Jiliang's slogan came out, everyone was shocked. You know, all the warlords and governors in the world would like to stop growing crops and instead grow opium, but this warlord did the opposite. Suddenly, everyone was at a loss as to what to do.
Dai Jiliang took a quick look and saw that everyone present looked righteous. Who knew if there were any opium smugglers trying to make a fortune? But he didn't care. With less opium, the price would naturally go up. He had calculated this clearly and explained it to He Oucai. Now in Beijing, one ounce of opium sold for five yuan, but in Shaanxi, one ounce sold for only fifty cents. In the future, the Anti-Smoking Bureau would strictly implement the policy of monopoly on collection and sale. Regardless of whether Chu Gan could get through to Shanghai or not, even if the Shaanxi Army's armed escort shipped the opium at a price of two yuan, the loss from the reduction in opium would not matter.
"Reducing opium cultivation is certainly beneficial to the country and the people, but the interests of the landowners and the survival of the tenants should also be considered. This governor has already had tea with the Shaanxi business community and raised 5 million yuan to revitalize Shaanxi's industry. The Shanghai business community has also agreed to supply machinery and send more technicians, and the prospectus will be issued today."
Sure enough, it was a bomb just now, and now it is an atomic bomb.
The scene suddenly became chaotic, with many councillors whispering to each other, obviously very interested in Dai Jiliang's industrial plan.
"The people of Shaanxi have made a clear judgment that revitalizing industry is a long-term strategy. There is no direct benefit in next year's budget, so spending cuts are inevitable."
Dai Jiliang became more relaxed as he spoke.
"It is estimated that the available expenditure of Shaanxi Province next year will be above 6 million yuan after slightly reducing tobacco tax revenue. Of this, 6.21 million yuan should be allocated for the maintenance of the military, police and all public offices in Shaanxi. The expected deficit is more than 210,000 yuan, which can basically achieve fiscal balance."
In fact, Dai Jiliang was not the governor, so he did not need to talk about financial issues in front of the parliamentarians. However, Li Genyuan insisted on going to Shaanxi, so Dai Jiliang had no choice but to go in with his shirt off.
"Excuse me, Mr. Governor, how can you ensure that education funds and other expenses are not misappropriated?"
During Lu Jianzhang's era, wage arrears were frequent, and no one present believed that Dai Jiliang would be able to balance the budget.
"This congressman asked a good question. I can guarantee here that once the taxes are collected next spring, they will be used to pay for education and other expenses first. The salaries of officials and congressmen will be paid first to those with lower ranks and then to those with higher ranks. The salary of those with lower ranks will be paid in full and those with higher ranks will be paid monthly to ensure that the relevant funds are not misappropriated or delayed."
As a result, when Dai Jiliang's answer came out, the congressman who had just asked the question was almost killed by the eyes of other congressmen present. Those with higher positions will be deferred and repaid, so what is the rank of provincial congressmen? Fortunately, Dai Jiliang immediately added a sentence, otherwise the provincial parliament would have rioted.
"Of course, the provincial parliaments at all levels are not included in this rule. We hope that all legislators will uphold their duty to supervise the government and better serve the people of Shaanxi."
Dai Jiliang's nice words naturally won a considerable amount of applause. Dai Jiliang stood there complacently enjoying himself. Li Genyuan was coming, so he would be the one to deal with this troublesome job. If he failed to do it well, he would naturally be punished.
And Dai Jiliang had already made up his mind, so let him play by himself from now on.
Whether the salary of the parliamentarians was enough was not within his consideration. Anyway, he did not expect northern Shaanxi to pay him a penny, and he would not allocate a single cent to the militia in northern Shaanxi. This caused quarrels and even conflicts, and the responsibility naturally fell to Governor Li, who was in cahoots with the Kuomintang.
"Support Governor Dai and build Shaanxi with all your strength!"
"I oppose the governor being handed over to an outsider!"
“The governor of Shaanxi should be from Shaanxi!”
"Oppose the President's illegal personnel appointments!"
Since the time was ripe, Wang Danping, who was hiding in the shadow of Dai Jiliang, gave a slight signal, and some unscrupulous provincial legislators who were bribed by Dai Jiliang immediately shouted slogans in the meeting hall in support of Dai Jiliang and against Li Genyuan.
"Thank you all for your kindness. Zhixiang will regard Shaanxi as his home and serve Shaanxi and the people of Shaanxi."
Dai Jiliang raised his hand and saluted the parliamentarians around him. When the noise gradually subsided, he made a loud announcement.
"I, the governor, hereby announce that if the economic situation in Shaanxi improves, we will implement tax reductions and exemptions year by year and implement a pro-business policy with all our strength. I hope you will work together to build a new Shaanxi!"
Suddenly the hall was boiling again.
"Zhixiang, well said!"
Wang Danping, who had already left to welcome Dai Jiliang out of the conference room, had a proud smile on his face. This manuscript was basically the result of his hard work, and now it could be considered a victory in the first battle.
"It's time for Shaanxi's business community to launch its IPO plan. I believe Shaanxi will be excited again."
"Let's slow down for a while."
Dai Jiliang shook his head, and then the two of them climbed onto Lu Jianzhang's only property left by Chen Shufan - a classic car.
"There's still no news from Shanghai. We can't just fire blanks, right?"
As he spoke, Dai Jiliang patted his waist which was a little sore from standing for a long time.
"Too much is as bad as too little. It is better to do it in waves. This way, we can whet the appetite of the rich people in Shaanxi and create a sensation again and again. Brother-in-law, foreigners have developed journalism into a science. We should also learn a little bit!"
"Having studied abroad, it's different after all."
Wang Danping looked at Dai Jiliang, who was leaning back on the leather car seat with his head tilted back, smiled, and suddenly gave him a surprise.
"By the way, speaking of news, how about my brother-in-law opening a newspaper for you?"
"Newspaper office, great!"
Dai Jiliang sat up straight. To be honest, riding in a sedan nowadays was not a pleasure but a torture. If riding a horse to the provincial parliament was not too murderous, he would be willing to do so.
"But don't expect me to give you money."
"Hey Zhixiang, when did you become a stingy old man from Shanxi?"
Wang Danping joked in a light-hearted manner.
"This is your official newspaper. If you don't give me more, I can't afford it!"
"You don't know whether I have money or not?"
Dai Jiliang is now extremely poor and wants to spend every penny of public funds carefully.
As for private funds, he just found a house.
The old Shaanxi Provincial Governor's Office was in a state of extreme dilapidation, but it was slightly better than the former Governor's Mansion which was almost turned into a wasteland. Fortunately, it was large enough and had the original storehouse of the provincial treasury which could be used as a shelter when necessary.
But the cost of repairs drained Dai Jiliang's limited pocket money.
"Okay, stop crying poor!"
Wang Danping took out an official certificate and waved it in front of Dai Jiliang.
"Look, this is a newly opened business. This is enough for the down payment. If there is no income later, you have to fill this hole for me!"
"3,000 yuan, not bad. Who is so generous?"
Dai Jiliang realized as soon as he thought about it that someone had given Wang Danping a gift, so he leaned back in his chair and relaxed.
"I don't know if this is a courtesy or a request for something?"
"Isn't the position of provincial police chief still vacant? Someone is interested."
Wang Danping didn't reveal who it was, but everything would be clear as soon as the letter of authorization was issued.
"Ask me to help you. You are the commander-in-chief. What do you think?"
"Isn't it He Guangfu's job to be the police chief?"
Dai Jiliang shook his head. Although he knew that He Oucai had devoted all his energy to the promising and lucrative position of the Anti-Smoking Bureau, he did not expect that such an important position as the provincial police chief had not yet been appointed. He also had no idea what He Guangfu was thinking.
"A provincial police chief is only worth 3,000 yuan. Isn't that too cheap?"
Dai Jiliang's tone was full of sarcasm.
"You are smart all your life but foolish for a moment!"
Wang Danping patted Dai Jiliang's leg.
"The position of provincial police chief is so important. How dare He Guangfu appoint him without your approval?"
Wang Danping, who is experienced in politics, obviously understands the tricks involved.
"They offered me 3,000 yuan just to ask me to introduce you. If you agree, you can go through He Guangfu's way."
"Who is he? Is he from the police force?"
After receiving Wang Danping's affirmative answer, Dai Jiliang thought about it.
"Ask him to give you another 30,000 yuan to start a newspaper office. When the money arrives, you can take it directly to see Director He. I will not see you anymore."
However, there were conditions for Dai Jiliang to agree to accept the bribe.
"I don't care about anything else. If there are any problems with the security in the provincial capital or the surrounding areas, don't blame me for not informing him in advance. Also, tell him to behave himself in front of Director He."
"Of course. If he can't even behave like a human being, he won't be able to be the director for long."
Wang Danping nodded as a matter of course. His deal was now open. Of course, the guy who bought the official position would not lose money. There were so many gangs in the provincial capital. His family could earn back their money in less than . Unless they were unlucky and encountered a major case that they could not solve and were criticized by public opinion, then there was nothing they could do.
"Zhixiang, can you give the newspaper a name?"
"I named it? Forget it. If people knew that I named this newspaper, I'm afraid no one would read it."
Dai Jiliang shook his head. This was not being low-key but a necessity. This was not the previous life, when leaders would have any celebrity effect when naming their children. Now if he really made a big move, it would probably only have a negative effect.
"Let my brother-in-law start it himself."
"If I really can't afford it, then I'll get up myself."
Wang Danping saw that Dai Jiliang was serious, so she thought about it.
"I think we should call it Yongliang Times!"
