16: Chapter 16 A Show of Force

Hearing this voice, Sun Ning knew that the feigned majesty of the Director Zhang before him was something he had learned from the big shot inside.

Clearly, Director Zhang hadn't quite mastered it, giving off a contrived impression.

Director Zhang still needed to practice his composure.

It was also possible that this level of composure was linked to one's official rank.

Sometimes, when you haven't reached that position, you just end up looking like a poor imitation.

"Department Head, Sun Ning is here."

In the brief interval while Director Zhang was reporting to the Organization Department Head, Sun Ning took the opportunity to size up this Organization Department Head.

He Wenqiang, the current Standing Committee Member of the Gongfan County Party Committee and the Organization Department Head.

This man looked to be in his early forties, but in reality, he was nearly fifty.

This Department Head had also worked his way up from the grassroots, step by step.

He had served as Deputy Township Head, Deputy Township Party Secretary, Township Head, and other posts, all the way up to his current position as Organization Department Head.

His proteges and former subordinates were spread throughout the entire Gongfan County.

In his past life, if Sun Ning had been able to meet this man, then his girlfriend's father from his previous life wouldn't have dared to play with power so blatantly.

Being sent off to Mishui Township before his internship period had even lasted a few days—that was truly something else.

"Haha, Officer Xiao Sun is here. Welcome, welcome! Just as Mayor Gao said, Officer Xiao Sun is indeed a man of talent."

"Thank you for the praise, Department Head. I am a bit flattered."

"Officer Xiao Sun, you are too modest. You are a top student from Peking University. The Mayor is too generous to our Gongfan County; I can't believe he was willing to send such great talent to us."

"I am ashamed. I am a newcomer, and I still need to learn a lot from the leaders."

"Good. If you have any difficulties, come find me."

Sun Ning was the type to seize an opportunity when it presented itself.

Although he had the big name of Gao Feng, that was inevitably a bit like a castle in the air.

Sun Ning needed support within the county.

Therefore, it was necessary to take advantage of the situation and build a good relationship with the man before him.

Of course, this was only the first encounter; how things would turn out later would still require more effort.

"Director Zhang, go and invite Section Chief Hou. Have him bring Comrade Sun Ning's appointment papers, and follow me to Mishui Township in ten minutes."

"Ah, you are going personally? Ah, I am sorry, I am sorry."

After saying this, Director Zhang went to Cadre Division 1 to call for people.

It was no wonder Director Zhang lost his composure; from the moment he heard the name of Mayor Gao, he had already expressed enough importance toward Sun Ning in his heart.

He had initially thought that having a Deputy Department Head send him over would be enough to express the importance placed on such talent.

After hearing Mayor Gao's name, he had prepared to ask the Executive Deputy Department Head to step in.

After all, for a Township Head in a remote village, having the Section Chief of Cadre Division 1 go over to announce the appointment was in line with official rules.

Having an Executive Deputy Department Head announce the appointment already carried a hint of special favor.

Now that the Department Head had chosen to go personally, it was something he had not expected.

In an instant, he moved Sun Ning's name up several places in his mind.

"Department Head, everything is ready."

Just as Sun Ning and He Wenqiang were chatting happily.

A panting voice came from behind.

Sun Ning sized up this person who was panting despite having a calm face and steady heartbeat.

Another person who was trying to curry favor.

With matters prepared, He Wenqiang walked in front, and Sun Ning walked half a step behind at his side.

He Wenqiang's liaison officer, Section Chief Hou, and two staff members from Cadre Division 1 surrounded the two of them as they left the office.

After going downstairs, He Wenqiang even personally took Sun Ning into his official car.

This scene was seen by quite a few people in the courtyard.

In this era, the road from the county to Mishui Township was not easy to travel.

Although it wasn't exactly bumpy, the driving speed was quite slow.

Therefore, it was nearly an hour later by the time they arrived at this westernmost township of Gongfan County.

The Mishui Township Party Committee and government compound shared one courtyard with two signs.

When He Wenqiang's Passat drove into the courtyard, a small stir appeared among the welcoming crowd.

However, the person in the lead still ran a few steps and opened the car door.

"Welcome, Department Head He, to Mishui Township for an inspection."

"Where is your Party Secretary Xue?"

"Party Secretary Xue didn't know you were coming, so..."

Before he could finish his sentence, he was interrupted by an aged but vigorous voice.

"Haha, I did not know the Department Head was gracing us with his presence. I apologize for not meeting you sooner."

"Old Xue, are you that busy? It seems I am an unwelcome guest today."

"Department Head, you jest. I suddenly had a document that needed my signature. Please excuse me, please excuse me!"

"Officer Li, what are you still standing there for? Go quickly and prepare the conference room."

"Department Head, please this way."

Party Secretary Xue's full name was Secretary Xue Hongtao, and he was the Mishui Township Party Committee Secretary.

The reason he was not in the welcoming party was that he wanted to give Sun Ning a show of force.

There was also the reason of negligence by the Township Party and Government Office.

Cadre Division 2 had notified Mishui Township that the Department Head was coming down to announce the personnel appointment.

The staff of the Party and Government Office had naturally assumed it was a Deputy Department Head and reported this to Secretary Xue Hongtao.

Given Secretary Xue Hongtao's qualifications, it was understandable that he would not personally welcome a Deputy Department Head.

So he had arranged for the Mishui Township Deputy Party Secretary, Li Jincai, to welcome them.

Secretary Xue Hongtao's behavior was mainly because, some time ago, the Mishui Township Head was suddenly transferred away, and the county issued a transfer order arranging a 25-year-old young man to work with him.

At that time, he had run to the county to complain to the Party Secretary, and had even slammed the table.

He bluntly stated that Mishui Township was too poor to withstand a pampered son of privilege coming to mess things up.

He told them to send this young man back to wherever he came from.

The township had no money to help him build his political achievements.

The Gongfan County Party Committee Secretary was also very tough and berated Secretary Xue Hongtao for resisting the organization's intentions.

He also berated Secretary Xue Hongtao for relying on his seniority and not giving young people a chance.

Of course, these were all hearsay that had spread.

As for the specific content, or whether he really slammed the table, that was unknown.

That Secretary Xue Hongtao was very resistant to the county arranging a young Township Head for their township was certain.

However, based on everyone's understanding of Secretary Xue Hongtao, he really would dare to slam the table in front of the County Party Committee Secretary.

There was no other reason.

It was only because this old Party Secretary was simply too upright and was wholeheartedly focused only on developing Mishui Township.

According to unspoken rules, substantive section-level cadres in the county would retire to the second line once they exceeded fifty-five years of age.

Secretary Xue Hongtao was already fifty-eight years old, yet he remained firmly in his current position.

The county had tried several times to adjust his work, even offering to let him serve as Deputy Director of the County Peoples Congress, but he was unwilling to go.

Some said Secretary Xue Hongtao was power-hungry, but he often dismissed this with disdain, letting the rumors ferment.

He always stayed in Mishui Township, working diligently and conscientiously.

In his own words: "I returned from the military and was arranged to work in Mishui Township until now; it is the folks of Mishui Township who have supported me."

"I have long been a person of Mishui Township, and I have an obligation to help the common people lift themselves out of poverty and become wealthy."

"As long as the common people cannot achieve a moderately prosperous life, I will not leave."

Because Secretary Xue Hongtao had performed meritorious service during the self-defense counterattack against Vietnam and retired due to injury, he was arranged to work in Mishui Township.

Therefore, the county leaders both respected him and felt helpless about him.

They could only wait for him to reach the age of sixty and retire.

And the county leaders had arranged for Sun Ning to be sent to Mishui Township for this reason as well.

Firstly, Secretary Xue Hongtao was upright and had high prestige in the township, so he could keep an eye on the young and successful Sun Ning.

Secondly, the county leaders had high expectations for Sun Ning, the cadre transferred from the Development and Reform Commission.

They hoped that Sun Ning would use his own abilities to drive the development of Mishui Township.

After all, asking an old man to cut costs was possible, but asking him to generate new revenue was truly difficult for him.