53: Chapter 53: A Collective Decision from the Second Division

"Please come in." Division Chief Zhao Desheng's voice came from inside the room.

Zhu Wenhao pushed the door ajar, slipped inside, and turned to gently close it behind him.

In the executive chair, Division Chief Zhao Desheng was rubbing his brow. Hearing the movement, he looked up.

"Zhu Wenhao! You're here. Sit down!"

He braced his hands on the desk, walked around it, and enthusiastically gestured toward the single sofa in the guest area.

Zhu Wenhao did not walk toward the sofa, which symbolized "being on equal footing."

He walked to Division Chief Zhao Desheng's desk, pulled out the chair specifically prepared for subordinates reporting work, and sat down respectfully.

He placed his hands naturally on his knees.

He maintained the posture of a subordinate flawlessly.

Division Chief Zhao Desheng turned and walked to the water dispenser in the corner, personally took out a brand-new ceramic cup, and used his fingertips to pick up a small pinch of prized Mingqian Longjing tea.

He filled the cup only halfway with hot water and tested the temperature.

He carried it over personally.

Zhu Wenhao stood up, took it with both hands, and thanked him in a steady voice.

Etiquette cannot be neglected.

Rules are the best amulet at any time, leaving no handle for anyone to use.

Only then did Division Chief Zhao Desheng stroll back to his boss's chair, pick up his mottled thermos cup, blow away the steam, and ask: "Zhu Wenhao, what brings you here?"

Zhu Wenhao handed over the document in his hands with both hands.

"I've come to bring the Division Chief a massive credit."

The fire in Division Chief Zhao Desheng's eyes grew brighter. He took the folder and opened it directly.

After reading only two lines of the title, the expression on his face froze. "Zhu Wenhao... this..."

In black and white, it was written clearly.

The entire proposal demanded breaking the conventional internal recommendation system and adopting an open selection method of "written exam + interview" to determine the spots for the Young Cadre Training Class!

Zhu Wenhao leaned forward slightly. "Division Chief Zhao, I received news that Minister Zhao is worried about the allocation of the staff spots for the Young Cadre Training Class."

"Secretary Zhu Tianhe and Secretary Tian Limin, both leaders, attach great importance to this matter."

"I combined this with the spirit of 'must test to enter' from The Capital and drafted this proposal."

"This material can not only solve Minister Zhao's urgent need but also allow Linjiang to select an outstanding staff member who can truly represent our professional standards and win glory for Linjiang City at the provincial level."

Division Chief Zhao Desheng had been immersed in the government for many years. Once he heard this, he understood that when gods fight, mortals suffer.

Organization Minister Zhao Donglai was currently like a mouse in a bellows, being repeatedly roasted by the will of the two giants, Secretary Tian Limin and Secretary Zhu Tianhe.

He knew better than anyone that if the normal process were followed, this spot would be guaranteed for Zhu Wenhao. With his top score on the written exam and that brilliant team profile he produced during the research at the Development and Reform Commission, who would dare say a word against it?

Yet, someone with an unshakeable background had suddenly appeared and moved Secretary Tian Limin of the Municipal Party Committee.

Division Chief Zhao Desheng quickly replayed the situation in his mind.

Just a few days ago, he had relied on Secretary Zhu Tianhe's personal written approval to reach the threshold of becoming a member of the Ministry Committee; the mark of Secretary Zhu Tianhe was already branded on him.

Playing both sides or being two-faced now would only lead to a faster death.

Since he had boarded the Zhu family's boat, he had to see it through to the end!

As long as this proposal was submitted openly and aboveboard, Minister Zhao Donglai could take it and righteously respond to Secretary Tian Limin's "concern."

Having figured this out, Division Chief Zhao Desheng made a quick decision.

"I understand. However, you will have to suffer a little, Zhu Wenhao."

"In name, this material must be submitted by Wu Dehai; it has nothing to do with you, Zhu Wenhao."

Avoiding suspicion!

Zhu Wenhao himself was a competitor for the spot. Submitting the proposal himself would be like being both the athlete and the referee, which would leave room for criticism.

Using Wu Dehai's pen to submit it was logical and legitimate!

Zhu Wenhao instantly understood Division Chief Zhao Desheng's deep meaning.

Using Wu Dehai as a proxy.

Insiders would know what was going on, but by going through the motions properly, no one could find any fault.

Not only did Zhu Wenhao not refuse, but he also pushed this move to an even more flawless level.

"Fine, I'll have Wu Dehai come over as soon as I go back."

"Then, let's have all the comrades in Division Two hold a short meeting to discuss it."

"This material will be a collective decision by Division Two."

Division Chief Zhao Desheng looked at Zhu Wenhao, his eyes full of irrepressible admiration.

What a smart kid!

Using a collective decision to dilute the risk—the survival rule in the system: the law does not punish the masses!

If a resolution was proposed by a single staff member, it could be vetoed by a leader in one sentence.

But if it was passed in a meeting of the entire division, it became an organizational procedure—a grassroots exploration of implementing the spirit of superiors!

Even if something went wrong in the end, the blame would never fall on any specific individual.

"Collective decision"—these four words were the strongest amulet within the system!

"Then it's settled!" Division Chief Zhao Desheng pointed outside the door. "Have Wu Dehai come over immediately, and I'll give him instructions. We'll hold the meeting and sign off on it this morning!"

Zhu Wenhao stood up to take his leave and exited the Division Chief's office.

Division Two main office area.

Wu Dehai went to the Division Chief's office, and just ten minutes later, he began notifying everyone at their desks about the meeting.

At ten in the morning, in the small meeting room.

All personnel of Division Two sat around the table.

Division Chief Zhao Desheng sat at the head of the table, holding his teacup, and set the tone directly.

"The spots for the Young Cadre Training Class are of great importance. As the preliminary review department, Division Two must be the first gatekeeper!"

"In order to implement the spirit of 'must test to enter' from The Capital, Comrade Wu Dehai has worked overtime to draft a proposal for the open selection of special recruitment spots."

"Everyone, please discuss it."

Wu Dehai stood up and read the document, which he hadn't even fully digested himself, word for word.

The old hands below, while reading the document, cast sidelong glances at Zhu Wenhao, who was sitting in the corner.

Everyone knew it without saying.

This kind of meeting was just a formality, a way to cloak the will of a big shot in a layer of legitimacy.

"I agree. Open and transparent is the best way to convince everyone!"

"No objections."

They took turns expressing their support, and it passed unanimously.

After the meeting, Wu Dehai solemnly signed his name on the document routing slip.

Division Chief Zhao Desheng signed his name with a flourish, writing the four large characters: "Approve for submission."

In the afternoon, a document that had just finished being signed appeared in Executive Deputy Minister Zhou Mingyuan's office.

Division Chief Zhao Desheng stood in front of the desk, pushed the document to Executive Deputy Minister Zhou Mingyuan's side, and reported in a deep voice: "Minister Zhou, after collective research by the comrades of Division Two, we unanimously believe that this selection for the Young Cadre Training Class must resolutely implement the instructions from The Capital and cannot allow internal designation. This is the open selection proposal drafted by our division."

Executive Deputy Minister Zhou Mingyuan opened the document and scanned it line by line.

When he saw the attached meeting minutes of Division Two and the fully signed collective approval sheet, he looked up, his eyes full of inquiry.

This group of people in Division Two usually preferred to do less rather than more; why did the sun rise from the west today?

Seeing that the groundwork was laid, Division Chief Zhao Desheng leaned forward and gently spat out a few words.

"The initiator of this material is Zhu Wenhao."

Executive Deputy Minister Zhou Mingyuan understood instantly.

This was no ordinary work proposal.

This was a formal declaration of war issued by Secretary Zhu Tianhe, through his son's hand, to the head of the Municipal Party Committee, Secretary Tian Limin!

This material had arrived at just the right time!

As long as this document, bearing the dual halos of "implementing the spirit of The Capital" and "collective appeal from a grassroots division," was presented, Organization Minister Zhao Donglai could go with the flow and kick the ball right back to the Municipal Party Committee.

Secretary Tian Limin couldn't very well issue an order himself saying that testing was forbidden, could he?

A single proposal had brought the entire deadlocked situation back to life.

Executive Deputy Minister Zhou Mingyuan looked at Division Chief Zhao Desheng, his eyes full of undisguised approval.

This move by Division Chief Zhao Desheng was brilliant!

Sharing the burden for the leader—this was a subordinate's greatest value!

"I understand."

Executive Deputy Minister Zhou Mingyuan stood up abruptly and picked up the internal directory on the table.

"I'll send this to Minister Zhao Donglai right now!"

He patted Division Chief Zhao Desheng's shoulder heavily.

"Desheng, I knew you could do it! Look, isn't this where you prove your worth!"

After finishing, he picked up the receiver and called Minister Zhao Donglai's liaison directly.

"Xiao Liu, is the Minister free now? I have an urgent proposal regarding the Young Cadre Training Class selection that I need to report in person!"

After receiving an affirmative reply, Executive Deputy Minister Zhou Mingyuan hung up the phone, picked up the folder, and strode out of the office.