52: Chapter 52 Every Advancement Requires Examination

Zhu Wenhao held the hangover soup, the liquid swirling as it swayed slightly.

"Father, the spot in the Young Cadre Training Class is not difficult to secure." He placed the porcelain bowl on the coffee table, his words direct and straight to the point.

"The Capital has repeatedly emphasized that 'mandatory examination for entry' is required for the selection of cadres." Zhu Wenhao leaned forward slightly, his tone steady as he analyzed the situation.

"Since there is controversy within the Organization Department regarding the candidate for this special spot, we should submit a proposal to the Municipal Party Committee to hold an open selection examination. The score will be the only standard."

This was a transparent scheme—open and aboveboard, yet impeccable.

"As long as you hold high the banner of 'mandatory examination for entry,' if Secretary Tian tries to obstruct it, he would be acting against the spirit of The Capital's policies."

"Secretary Tian Limin has always cherished his reputation; he would never risk violating organizational principles just for a small favor for Division Chief Liu Haiping of the Provincial Government Office."

"If he uses his authority as the Municipal Party Committee Secretary to intervene by force, you only need to submit this dispute in writing to the Provincial Organization Department. Let the high-level leaders judge the stance of the Linjiang Municipal Party Committee regarding personnel rules."

Secretary Zhu Tianhe pondered for a moment, tapping his fingertips lightly on the sofa armrest.

"This is a very good method." He acknowledged his son's line of reasoning, "But Liu Family has deep roots in the provincial capital."

Secretary Zhu Tianhe raised his concerns: "What if Division Chief Liu Haiping repeats his old tricks, using the resources of the Provincial Government to tamper with the exam questions or the scoring process again? We cannot forget the lesson from the last provincial examination interview."

A faint smile appeared on the lips of Zhu Wenhao.

"If they actually dare to do that, it would actually be a good thing."

He leaned back against the chair, revealing his hidden trump card: "When the Provincial Inspection Team held the warning meeting last time, I was responsible for the sign-in at the auditorium entrance. As it happens, I saw a familiar face."

"One of my interviewers for the provincial exam was none other than the current Deputy Team Leader of the Inspection Team, Team Leader Qiu Rui."

Secretary Zhu Tianhe's gaze tightened.

"An old discipline inspector's sense of smell is exceptionally sharp." Zhu Wenhao cleared the fog, "Team Leader Qiu Rui is currently conducting an in-depth investigation into the old accounts of the Development and Reform Commission and is struggling to find a breakthrough."

"If Deputy Team Leader Qiu knew of the existence of this examination, what kind of interest would he have?"

"Furthermore, Team Leader Qiu Rui is a person with extremely strong principles. He must have noticed the score suppression during the last interview. If Liu Family dares to play tricks under his nose this time, it is no different from running straight into the muzzle of a gun."

This was a chain of schemes. Using himself as bait to lure Liu Family into the trap, and then borrowing the power of the Inspection Team to clear away the roots of his political enemies.

After listening to this meticulous analysis, the oppressive gloom in Secretary Zhu Tianhe's heart instantly dissipated, replaced by clarity. This combination of moves was interlinked, and the opponent had absolutely no power to parry.

"I have already drafted the implementation plan for the selection examination." Zhu Wenhao stood up and smoothed his sleeves, "Tomorrow morning, this material will be submitted by Division Chief Zhao of Division Two to Minister Zhou, and then it will appear openly on the desk of Organization Minister Zhao Donglai."

"At that time, you, as the Deputy Secretary in charge of personnel, can then apply pressure at the right moment and demand that it be handled impartially. This game of chess will then come completely alive."

"As for the exam results." He lightly brushed his hem, "I am eighty percent sure of winning. Father, you do not need to worry about this."

Secretary Zhu Tianhe gazed at his son before him, feeling an unprecedented sense of stability welling up in his heart.

His son's ability to strategize had long since surpassed his own.

Having a son like this made him feel more secure than competing for any position of real power within the Municipal Party Committee.

The clock pointed to midnight.

Zhu Wenhao did not stay the night at Villa No. 4.

He knew clearly that in that vacant apartment in Donghu Bay, someone was definitely waiting for him.

He called a taxi and merged into the deep traffic of the Linjiang night.

The apartment's security door was pushed open.

The floor lamp in the living room emitted a warm yellow glow.

Su Qinghan was shuffling in her slippers, curled up on the sofa, holding a pillow tightly in her arms. Hearing the sound of keys, she quickly looked up.

"You're back." She put down the pillow and walked forward a few steps, smelling the lingering scent of alcohol on Zhu Wenhao, her delicate brows slightly furrowed: "Don't drive if you've been drinking, it's too dangerous in the middle of the night."

"I took a taxi back." Zhu Wenhao replied with only one sentence, then took her slightly cool hand and pulled her back to sit on the sofa.

He did not hide anything. He told her everything about Mayor Su Changming's calculations at the old restaurant in the south of the city tonight, as well as the proposal for a marriage alliance that attempted a "bait-and-switch."

Su Qinghan froze completely.

"Mayor Su Changming... does he really want you to marry Su Xiaoxiao?"

"Yes." Zhu Wenhao's tone was calm, without a ripple.

Su Qinghan fell straight backward, her back hitting the sofa cushion.

In the past, she always felt that although her biological father was ruthless, he would ultimately consider that sliver of blood kinship.

Since leaving The Su Family, there had even remained a faint, meager hope in her heart—perhaps when she and Zhu Wenhao truly became united in marriage, the father-daughter relationship could still see a turning point.

However, this last fig leaf was torn to shreds by Mayor Su Changming himself. For the sake of profit, if the eldest daughter wouldn't listen, he would use the younger daughter to fill the vacancy.

In the eyes of that man, a daughter was never an independent individual, but merely a marked bargaining chip on a shelf, ready to be exchanged at equal value at any time.

Her eyes quickly turned red.

Su Qinghan turned her head away, raising her hand to casually wipe away the dampness at the corners of her eyes.

When she turned her face back, she had already recovered her usual aloofness.

"You're hungry, right?" She stood up, her voice carrying an imperceptible hoarseness, "I'll go to the kitchen and cook you a bowl of noodles."

Zhu Wenhao watched her busy figure in the open kitchen, his gaze deep.

In this cold jungle of power, cutting off all superfluous thoughts was the true transformation.

The reason he chose to tell Su Qinghan everything was precisely to completely sever her illusions about Mayor Su Changming.

He knew deeply that sometimes being a "bad guy" once was for a more long-term "good."

The light in the master bedroom went out.

That night, Su Qinghan completely let go of all disguises. She shed her cold shell and no longer restrained herself, as if she wanted to pour out all the humiliation, grievances, and uncertainty about the future from the past.

She only wanted to feel Zhu Wenhao's embrace and melt herself into it.

The wind stopped, and the rain ceased.

In the room, only the lingering breaths of the two remained.

Su Qinghan lay on his chest, her hair scattered in disarray.

"Zhu Wenhao."

She spoke in the dark night, her voice slightly hoarse: "From now on, I only have you as my family."

She propped herself up and gazed at his silhouette.

"If in the future you no longer need me, please give me a hint." Her words were soft, "I understand the rules. I will leave on my own and will never pester you."

There was no crying, no demanding of vows of eternal love. Extreme rationality made her farewell also planned with perfect decorum.

Zhu Yuntong did not respond immediately.

In the sixty years of the Ming Dynasty, with three thousand beauties in the inner palace, he had heard countless flattering words and seen too many schemes for favor. An emperor's nature is indifferent; loneliness is destined.

But at this moment.

He raised his arm, pulled her slender waist into his embrace, and tightened his grip.

Indisputably, he pressed her body tightly against his chest. His chin rested lightly on the top of her head, locking her into his own domain with an extremely possessive posture.

This was the first time in three lifetimes that he had let down his guard and truly accepted a person.

No words were needed; this was the highest promise.

That night, the two slept exceptionally peacefully.

The next morning.

Sunlight pierced through the mist and fell upon the Municipal Organization Department building.

Zhu Yuntong sat at his workstation, called up the draft of the "Implementation Plan on Carrying Out Open Selection for Outstanding Young Cadres in the City" that he had saved on his computer last night, and connected it to the printer.

A few pages of paper were spat out, carrying the residual warmth of the printer.

He fastened the document with a binder clip, stood up, and walked toward the end of the corridor.

He curled two fingers and tapped lightly on the door of Division Chief Zhao's office.