48: Chapter 48 List of Young Cadres Training Class

In the Municipal Organization Department building, in the Executive Deputy Minister's office.

Executive Deputy Minister Zhou Mingyuan held a pen, making circles and dots on several cadre evaluation documents.

The cup of green tea on the edge of his desk had long since gone cold.

Knock, knock.

The door was pushed halfway open, and Division Chief Zhao Desheng, Chief of Cadre Division 2, slipped inside holding a dark blue folder.

He closed the door firmly behind him, walked over to the desk, and placed the folder flat in an empty spot with both hands.

"Minister Zhou, the registration forms and preliminary shortlist for the Young Cadre Training Class have been compiled."

"After Division Two screened the materials submitted by all municipal organs, about thirty people met all the objective requirements. Among them are twenty-five section-level and deputy section-level cadres, and five staff members."

Executive Deputy Minister Zhou Mingyuan put down his pen and pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Has the quota allocation been verified?"

"Verified and correct," Division Chief Zhao Desheng replied immediately. "According to the spirit of the document issued by the Provincial Organization Department, Linjiang City has been allocated seven slots for section-level cadres this time, plus one special enrollment slot for probationary staff members."

Executive Deputy Minister Zhou Mingyuan picked up his pen again and flipped open the cover of the folder.

On the page were neatly printed rows of names, departments, and positions.

He examined it extremely closely.

"Who handled the drafts of these materials?"

"Wu Dehai of Division Two, along with Zhu Wenhao and a few other young people, worked two overtime shifts to rush them out. Every stamp and year of service has been verified with the Personnel Archives Bureau."

"How do you find working with Wu Dehai? Is he reliable?"

Having been immersed in officialdom for many years, Division Chief Zhao Desheng could read three layers of meaning into a single sentence.

"He's an old hand at writing, hard-working and never complaining," he replied with utmost sincerity. "He's cut from the same cloth as his mentor, Old Sun—mature, steady, and he never cuts corners on assigned tasks."

"Mature and steady is the best evaluation for a grassroots cadre."

Executive Deputy Minister Zhou Mingyuan closed the preliminary shortlist and leaned back into his spacious armchair.

"Since Old Sun went to the First Division to take on a major role, Division Two needs to handle the transition well. We need to put more weight on the shoulders of the young people."

He picked up the cup of cold tea and took a sip.

"As for your matter, there is some progress."

Division Chief Zhao Desheng's breath caught in his throat.

"Regarding the proposal to appoint you as a member of the department affairs committee, I have already made a special report to Organization Minister Zhao Donglai."

Executive Deputy Minister Zhou Mingyuan looked at him, his tone calm.

"Secretary Zhu specifically signed his approval on your recommendation materials. Minister Zhao looked at the written approval and raised no objections either."

Division Chief Zhao Desheng's heart began to pound wildly.

Department affairs committee member!

This dragon gate, which had blocked him for three whole years, was finally about to be crossed!

He knew better than anyone who was pulling the strings. It was Zhu Wenhao's casual hint that had secured Secretary Zhu's personal signature!

"At next Monday's department affairs meeting, this topic will be formally brought up for discussion," Executive Deputy Minister Zhou Mingyuan revealed his hand to him. "Once it passes the meeting, it will be confirmed by the Organization Department's Party Committee, and then we can proceed with the public notification process."

"Thank you for your cultivation, Minister Zhou!" Division Chief Zhao Desheng stood up straight.

"Don't be so quick to thank me," Executive Deputy Minister Zhou Mingyuan waved his hand. "Once you enter the department affairs committee, your focus cannot be limited to your own little territory in Cadre Division 2."

"The Organization Department is a crucial department for managing cadres. You must keep track of every move inside, the personnel flow of various divisions, and the submission of materials."

This was an order, requiring him to act as eyes and ears, an assistant to spin a web within the larger network of the Organization Department.

"I'll go wherever you point, and I'll never let you down!"

Division Chief Zhao Desheng declared his stance immediately.

In officialdom, taking sides was everything. Whoever handed you the ladder, you had to carry their banner!

Executive Deputy Minister Zhou Mingyuan nodded in satisfaction.

"The one you should thank isn't just me. In the future, in Division Two, you must pay more attention to Comrade Zhu Wenhao's work and life. This young man has potential and should be cultivated as a key talent, understand?"

Division Chief Zhao Desheng nodded repeatedly.

Even if Executive Deputy Minister Zhou Mingyuan hadn't instructed him, he would still have to treat Zhu Wenhao like an ancestor now.

"Speaking of Zhu Wenhao, he also submitted a registration form for the special slot in this Young Cadre Training Class," Division Chief Zhao Desheng spoke carefully. "The other four people nominated by the municipal organs have shallow qualifications and aren't very competitive. Only Liu Xiaolei from the Municipal Party Committee Office... I can't quite figure out whose backing she has."

A faint glint flashed in Executive Deputy Minister Zhou Mingyuan's eyes.

As the Executive Deputy Minister, he naturally knew that Liu Xiaolei was the daughter of Division Chief Liu Haiping of the Provincial Government Office.

This was not just a fight for a training slot; it was a head-on clash between the provincial Liu Family and The Linjiang Zhu Family over resources for the younger generation.

But he did not poke through this layer of paper.

"There is only one slot, and selecting the best of the best is our principle," Executive Deputy Minister Zhou Mingyuan tapped his fingers gently on the desk. "Go back and keep an eye on things. Over the next couple of days, whether it's any department in the city or anyone from above, if they ask you about this preliminary shortlist or inquire about the specific details of the Young Cadre Training Class, note down every single one of them and report it to me exactly as it is."

He looked at Division Chief Zhao Desheng.

"If you handle this well, it will count as your first major contribution."

Division Chief Zhao Desheng complied and turned to leave the office.

The door closed.

Executive Deputy Minister Zhou Mingyuan picked up the landline on his desk and dialed the extension of Organization Minister Zhao Donglai.

"Minister Zhao, are you free now? The preliminary shortlist for the Young Cadre Training Class has been compiled, and I'd like to come over and give you a brief report."

After receiving an affirmative reply, Executive Deputy Minister Zhou Mingyuan picked up the dark blue folder and walked out toward the minister's office at the other end of the corridor.

The office of Organization Minister Zhao Donglai, the top leader of the Organization Department, was much more spacious than that of the deputy minister.

Several pieces of calligraphy hung on the walls, the scent of ink filling the air.

Executive Deputy Minister Zhou Mingyuan entered and placed the folder on the wide desk.

"Minister Zhao, this is the preliminary review summary for the city's Young Cadre Training Class. All thirty candidates who met the objective requirements are listed inside, and Division Two has already verified their qualifications."

He was about to open the folder to explain in detail, but Organization Minister Zhao Donglai raised his hand and pressed down on the materials.

"Leave the materials here. I'll go over them first and get back to you after I've finished."

Organization Minister Zhao Donglai's tone was casual, yet left no room for argument.

Executive Deputy Minister Zhou Mingyuan's heart suddenly skipped a beat.

According to the usual practice of the Municipal Organization Department, for the selection of candidates for such section-level cadre training classes, Organization Minister Zhao Donglai, as the top leader, only ever set the general direction and tone.

The specific screening and vetting of the list were entirely handled by the Executive Deputy Minister, with the top leader merely signing off as a formality at the end.

This action today was highly unusual.

Since the top leader had spoken, Executive Deputy Minister Zhou Mingyuan naturally could not ask more questions, so he excused himself after a few polite remarks.

Inside the office, Organization Minister Zhao Donglai watched Executive Deputy Minister Zhou Mingyuan leave, and his expression darkened.

He did not flip open the roster.

Some names did not need to be looked at; they were already deeply engraved in his mind.

He picked up the phone on his desk and dialed a series of numbers.

"Secretary Tian, I hope I'm not interrupting your work?"

Secretary Tian Limin's steady voice came through the receiver: "Donglai, is there something?"

"Minister Zhou just submitted the preliminary shortlist for the Young Cadre Training Class to me," Organization Minister Zhao Donglai reported. "I took a quick glance, and Comrade Liu Xiaolei's name is on it. All her application conditions meet the strict requirements of the document."

Secretary Tian Limin remained silent on the other end for a moment.

"Keep the list with you for now. Don't rush to proceed with the process."

Secretary Tian Limin issued the instruction.

"Liu Xiaolei is a promising talent, but we also have many outstanding young people in our city, so we need to make a comprehensive evaluation. Wait for my specific notification before deciding on the final allocation of that special slot."

"Understood, I will await your instructions at any time."

Hanging up the phone, Organization Minister Zhao Donglai leaned back against his chair, feeling a tightness in his chest.

For Secretary Tian Limin to personally inquire about a training slot for a mere staff member, the water behind this was unfathomably deep.

Just as he was about to pick up his teacup to clear his throat, the regular landline on his desk rang loudly.

Organization Minister Zhao Donglai glanced at the caller ID; it was the number of Secretary Zhu Tianhe's office.

He picked up the phone.

"Minister Zhao, are you busy?" Secretary Zhu Tianhe's voice was resonant and carried an air of authority.

"Secretary Tianhe, what are your instructions?"

"No instructions. Over the past few days, there has been a very lively discussion at the grassroots level about the selection for the Young Cadre Training Class. We must fully absorb the spirit of the Provincial Organization Department's document. Cultivating young cadres is an important focal point for our Municipal Party Committee to grasp Party building."

Secretary Zhu Tianhe spoke in official jargon, his tone gradually tightening.

"Linjiang hasn't been allocated many slots, so we must carefully vet each one."

Organization Minister Zhao Donglai agreed repeatedly.

"The list is being held here with me. Rest assured, Secretary Tianhe, I will send it over to you as soon as I finish reviewing it."

"Yes. Personnel matters are no small affair."

Secretary Zhu Tianhe issued an ultimatum on the other end of the line.

"Without my signature on this final recommendation list, the Organization Department must not announce it to the public on its own authority."

Click.

The call disconnected.

Organization Minister Zhao Donglai took his hands off the desk, leaned back in his chair, and stared at the ceiling lamp, feeling as if the world were spinning around him.

The storm involving the Development and Reform Commission and the Executive Deputy Mayor had barely settled for two days, and now the top leader and the deputy secretary in charge of personnel were clashing again over a single, tiny slot in the Young Cadre Training Class!

The two titans were secretly wrestling, turning the Municipal Organization Department into their arena.

And he, Organization Minister Zhao Donglai, was caught in the middle of this uncomfortable bellows, taking heat from both sides.