54: Chapter 54 Loyalty stems from having no other choice

In the office of the Minister at the Municipal Organization Department building.

Organization Minister Zhao Donglai leaned back against the large mahogany chair, his knuckles pressing hard against his throbbing temples.

A request for approval regarding the quotas for the Young Cadre Training Class lay on the desk, not a single word written on it.

This was not just a document; it felt more like a difficult puzzle to solve.

He was a member of the Municipal Party Committee Standing Committee and the head of the Organization Department, in charge of the deployment and promotion of cadres throughout the entire city.

Although Secretary Zhu Tianhe, the Deputy Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee, was not his direct superior, he was in charge of Party affairs and personnel work. Since many of his tasks required Secretary Zhu Tianhe's signature and approval, he could not afford to offend him.

By all logic, this special quota for the Young Cadre Training Class should have been given to Zhu Wenhao without a second thought.

However, Secretary Tian Limin, the Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee, had already called, hinting that the quota should be reserved for Liu Xiaolei.

Meanwhile, Secretary Zhu Tianhe had made it clear that the list could not be published without his signature.

With two such powerful figures locking horns, he, a mere mortal, was caught in the middle.

Organization Minister Zhao Donglai repeatedly analyzed the situation like a game of chess.

Should he lean towards Secretary Tian Limin and stand up to Secretary Zhu Tianhe?

That would be the mark of an immature cadre.

For an Organization Minister who constantly went against the leader in charge of their division, superiors would only give one evaluation: immature.

Once such an evaluation was entered into his personnel file, his career would be at an end.

But if he ignored Secretary Tian Limin's request, how could he maintain his footing in the Linjiang Municipal Party Committee?

Knock, knock, knock.

Three measured knocks on the door interrupted his chaotic thoughts.

"Come in."

Organization Minister Zhao Donglai quickly composed his troubled expression, sat up straight, and resumed the dignity of an Organization Minister.

The door opened.

Executive Deputy Minister Zhou Mingyuan walked in, holding a folder.

Organization Minister Zhao Donglai looked up to assess his deputy.

Ever since Secretary Zhu Tianhe took office, Executive Deputy Minister Zhou Mingyuan, an old acquaintance who had once had some rapport with Secretary Zhu Tianhe, had been visiting the Deputy Secretary's office twice as often as before.

An invisible rift had already formed between the two of them.

But on the surface, they had to maintain a cordial demeanor.

"Mingyuan," Organization Minister Zhao Donglai said, shaking his hand and gesturing toward the sofa in the reception area, his tone casual. "I heard from Xiao Liu that you have a proposal you specifically want to report to me?"

Executive Deputy Minister Zhou Mingyuan sat down, placed the folder on the coffee table, and pushed it forward.

"Minister Zhao, I would like to report to you regarding the selection for the Young Cadre Training Class."

"The comrades in Division Two have synthesized the spirit of the provincial Organization Department's documents and summarized a new screening proposal."

Organization Minister Zhao Donglai picked up his teacup, signaling him to continue.

The list of section-level cadres was easy to determine because they had all been working for some time; once everyone presented their achievements and their daily performance was taken into account, no one could really dispute it.

"The trouble lies with that special quota for the staff-level position."

"The applicants are all in their probationary period, have shallow qualifications, and lack solid achievements, making it difficult to convince everyone. Whoever is chosen will inevitably invite criticism."

Organization Minister Zhao Donglai paused mid-sip; this was exactly the deadlock.

"The comrades in Division Two have proposed a solution, four words."

Executive Deputy Minister Zhou Mingyuan emphasized his tone.

"Public selection."

"They have drafted a public selection proposal. Since there is controversy, let's use an examination to solve the problem."

"A written test plus an interview—scores will decide. No one can pull strings; this aligns best with the current requirements for cadre selection in The Capital."

Organization Minister Zhao Donglai set down his teacup, reached for the document, and scanned it quickly.

Black and white, rigorous procedures, both meeting policy standards and possessing strong practical applicability.

He almost wanted to slam the table in applause!

With this material under the banner of "fairness and openness," he could legitimately respond to Secretary Tian Limin.

It was not that he wouldn't help, but the grassroots outcry was too strong, and the proposal was too perfect; for the sake of the big picture, he had to follow the rules.

A hot potato had been resolved cleanly.

Organization Minister Zhao Donglai closed the folder, his face showing irrepressible approval.

"Mingyuan, this proposal is excellent. For a grassroots division to have this kind of perspective is worthy of praise."

Just as he was about to set the tone, the phone on his desk rang suddenly.

Organization Minister Zhao Donglai stood up, walked back to the desk, and picked up the receiver.

"This is Zhao Donglai."

From the other end of the line came the deep, resonant voice of Secretary Zhu Tianhe.

"Comrade Zhao Donglai, have you seen the selection proposal that Division Two just submitted?"

Organization Minister Zhao Donglai's hand gripping the receiver tightened abruptly.

His gaze crossed the desk and landed on Executive Deputy Minister Zhou Mingyuan, who was leisurely drinking tea on the sofa.

The small amount of goodwill he had felt just moments ago because of this relief proposal vanished in an instant!

Secretary Zhu Tianhe's call had come at such a coincidental time!

Executive Deputy Minister Zhou Mingyuan had barely stepped into his office—it had been fifteen minutes at most!

How did Secretary Zhu Tianhe know the document had already reached Organization Minister Zhao Donglai's desk?

There was only one answer.

Before coming, Executive Deputy Minister Zhou Mingyuan had already tipped off Secretary Zhu Tianhe, selling out this tremendous credit completely!

This was overstepping his rank to claim credit!

On the other end of the line, Secretary Zhu Tianhe's voice continued, with a hint of urgency.

"Comrade Zhao Donglai, are you listening?"

Organization Minister Zhao Donglai quickly composed himself, suppressing all his emotions.

"Secretary Zhu Tianhe, I am listening."

"I have just carefully reviewed the proposal submitted by Division Two. It is excellent, very practical, and highly operational."

He made a direct conclusion, taking the opportunity to go along with it.

"Secretary Zhu Tianhe, are you available now? I will take this material and come to your office right now to give you a detailed report in person."

"Good, bring it over immediately."

With two sentences, the matter was settled.

Organization Minister Zhao Donglai hung up the phone and tucked the folder under his arm.

He looked back at Executive Deputy Minister Zhou Mingyuan, his eyes having turned cold.

"Comrade Zhou Mingyuan, Secretary Zhu Tianhe is in a rush to see the proposal, so I won't keep you."

The address had turned into the strictly professional "Comrade."

"Go back and organize the people in Division Two to refine the details of the proposal, and be ready to push it forward at any time."

Executive Deputy Minister Zhou Mingyuan set down his teacup and stood up.

"Minister Zhao, then I won't disturb your work."

Organization Minister Zhao Donglai did not pay him any mind; taking the document, he strode out of the office, leaving Executive Deputy Minister Zhou Mingyuan alone in the room.

...

The office of the Deputy Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee.

Secretary Zhu Tianhe put down the landline, picked up his personal mobile phone, and dialed Zhu Wenhao's number.

The sound of keyboard typing came from the background.

"Zhu Wenhao," Secretary Zhu Tianhe leaned back against his chair. "I did as you instructed and timed it perfectly, waiting for fifteen minutes after Executive Deputy Minister Zhou Mingyuan entered Organization Minister Zhao Donglai's office before asking for that material."

"It's done; Organization Minister Zhao Donglai is on his way here with the proposal."

On the other end of the line, Zhu Wenhao's fingers left the keyboard.

"That's fine."

"If my calculations are correct, the suspicion in Organization Minister Zhao Donglai's heart must have reached its peak by now."

Secretary Zhu Tianhe twirled the pen between his fingers; this was also a point he hadn't fully thought through.

"Zhu Wenhao, why did you have to time it exactly like that?"

"To completely cut off Executive Deputy Minister Zhou Mingyuan's retreat."

"Executive Deputy Minister Zhou Mingyuan is the Executive Deputy Minister and also an old acquaintance of yours. But a person like him likes to play both sides and hedge his bets."

"By taking our proposal and reporting it directly to Organization Minister Zhao Donglai, he both curried favor with us and scored merit in front of Organization Minister Zhao Donglai."

"In this world, there is no such good thing as playing both sides."

"Your call came at the exact right moment. Organization Minister Zhao Donglai is a suspicious person; he will definitely conclude that it was Executive Deputy Minister Zhou Mingyuan who reported over his head, wanting to sideline him as the head of the department."

"This is called sowing discord."

"Once the suspicion between them intensifies, Organization Minister Zhao Donglai will inevitably ostracize and suppress Executive Deputy Minister Zhou Mingyuan."

Secretary Zhu Tianhe suddenly understood.

"As long as Executive Deputy Minister Zhou Mingyuan is isolated, he will have no choice but to fight against Organization Minister Zhao Donglai for self-preservation."

Zhu Wenhao made the final conclusion.

"Loyalty stems from having no choice."

"Only when he has no way to retreat will he wholeheartedly stand on our side."

"Good, I understand."

Secretary Zhu Tianhe composed his emotions.

"I estimate that Organization Minister Zhao Donglai will be here soon."

Knock, knock, knock.

Outside the door, Secretary Gao Ming's measured knocks sounded at the right time.

"Secretary, Organization Minister Zhao Donglai has arrived."

Secretary Zhu Tianhe said into the phone: "I'm hanging up now."

He put down the phone, adjusted his collar, and sat upright behind the large desk.

"Ask him to come in."