55: Chapter 55 The Zhu family has produced a prodigy, truly remarkable.

Minister Zhao Donglai pushed the door open and entered.

Within his line of sight, Secretary Zhu Tianhe was sitting behind that massive desk.

He was slightly stunned, feeling that today's Secretary Zhu Tianhe was very unfamiliar.

He had worked with Secretary Zhu Tianhe for many years. In his initial impression, although Secretary Zhu Tianhe also wore a stiff white shirt, his every gesture always carried a hint of the awkwardness of someone who had started as a mason.

His back was straight, yet it appeared stiff.

In the small circle of the Standing Committee, this kind of aura was easily looked down upon.

But the Secretary Zhu Tianhe before him had his hands flatly folded on the desk, his spine resting naturally against the chair back.

His gaze did not lock directly onto the person entering, but instead calmly looked straight ahead.

That was a sense of relaxation that only those in high positions possessed.

That relaxation made the air in the office feel a few degrees heavier.

Minister Zhao Donglai did not know that this was what Zhu Wenhao had taught his own father, hand-in-hand, in the study a few nights ago.

"Do not let your gaze be aggressive; that is just bluster from being eager to impress. You must let your gaze fall on the bridge of the other person's nose and slow your breathing frequency by half. Remember, you are sitting in this chair; you are the rules."

Zhu Wenhao's exact words were being perfectly replicated by Secretary Zhu Tianhe at this moment.

"Comrade Zhao Donglai."

Secretary Zhu Tianhe did not stand up; he merely lifted his eyelids, his gaze lingering on Minister Zhao Donglai's face for about three seconds.

"You have been standing there for nearly half a minute."

"Has something gone wrong with your health recently?"

"Just now on the phone, I noticed your reactions were much slower than usual. It is the same now that you have entered the door."

Secretary Zhu Tianhe's voice was unhurried, as if chatting about daily life, but Minister Zhao Donglai did not think so at all.

In officialdom, one's health condition is a top secret and, even more so, a taboo.

"How about I speak with Secretary Tian of the Municipal Party Committee and grant you a few days off to go to the Municipal Central Hospital for a proper check-up?"

"The burden on our Linjiang Organization Department is heavy; if you collapse, the organizational work will not be able to proceed."

Minister Zhao Donglai shook his head like a rattle-drum.

"Secretary Zhu, it is not that serious. It is just that I have been staying up late reading documents these past two days and haven't slept well. Thank you for your concern, Secretary, but it is really not necessary."

Cold sweat was already beginning to trickle down his spine.

That would be a disaster.

If Secretary Zhu Tianhe were to spread this "suggestion for sick leave" today, by tomorrow, the rumors in the Municipal Party Committee compound could be spun into ten different versions.

Such nonsense as "Minister Zhao is finished" or "The Organization Department is going to change leadership" could be flying everywhere.

Even a call of concern from the Provincial Party Committee Office could be made directly to his mobile phone.

At this level, getting sick means exiting.

Who would promote a sickly person?

Minister Zhao Donglai knew clearly in his heart that Secretary Zhu Tianhe was giving him a show of power.

Some time ago, regarding the candidate for Director of the Development and Reform Commission, he had played a trick on Secretary Zhu Tianhe.

Now, the other party was openly reprimanding him.

"Comrade Zhao Donglai."

"Health is The Capital for everything. You must pay attention to your methods at work; you cannot just brute-force it."

"Understood, Secretary is right. I will definitely pay attention, definitely pay attention."

Minister Zhao Donglai hurriedly opened the folder and handed it over respectfully with both hands.

"Secretary, this is the selection plan for the Young Cadre Training Class drafted by Cadre Division 2."

"Division Two firmly implements the spirit of 'testing for every entry' from The Capital. This is the selection draft; please take a look."

Secretary Zhu Tianhe took the materials, did not speak, and did not immediately open them.

He placed the materials on the desk, slowly and methodically took off his glasses, took out a piece of chamois cloth, and carefully wiped them.

One minute.

Three minutes.

In the office, only the sound of the wall clock swinging and Minister Zhao Donglai's slightly hurried breathing remained.

This kind of silence was the most torturous.

Minister Zhao Donglai cursed inwardly: What is he pretending for! Isn't this the draft created according to your own ideas?

Secretary Zhu Tianhe put his glasses back on and opened the document.

He read very slowly, his fingers occasionally pausing on a line of text, emitting a faint, piercing sound of fingernails scratching against paper.

"The idea from Division Two is not bad."

Secretary Zhu Tianhe raised his head and gave an evaluation.

"Open selection, written test plus interview; everyone is equal before the scores."

"This is very consistent with the spirit of The Capital and also conforms to the requirements of the Provincial Organization Department, which is conducive to discovering our true, outstanding reserve talents in Linjiang."

"I personally have no issues with this document."

"Zhao Donglai, what is your opinion?"

Minister Zhao Donglai immediately straightened his back.

"I have looked at it; the method is feasible and has a certain degree of practical operability."

"In the current public opinion environment, this method can best silence the masses and reflect the credibility of our selection and employment of personnel."

Secretary Zhu Tianhe nodded and pulled a pen from the pen holder.

"That works; you sign an approval opinion, and I will also write a comment."

"Let's handle this on the spot; the sooner it is decided, the sooner we can be at ease."

"Hurry and submit it to Secretary Tian of the Municipal Party Committee; do not delay the provincial timetable. Don't you agree?"

Minister Zhao Donglai dared not delay.

He took the pen and, on the bottom left corner of the folder, neatly signed a line of words: Agreed, suggest adoption, forward to Secretary Zhu Tianhe of the Municipal Party Committee for review and handling.

Followed by his sweeping, cursive signature.

Secretary Zhu Tianhe took it over, his pen tip wandering on the paper.

"Agree with the Organization Department's plan, suggest proceeding according to procedure. Please request instructions from Secretary Tian."

After writing, he pressed the intercom on his desk.

"Gao Ming, come in."

Secretary Gao Ming pushed the door and entered.

"Secretary."

"Gao Ming, make two copies of this document for the file, and keep one in the office."

"In addition, forward a copy to Division Two of the Municipal Party Committee Office and let them circulate it."

Secretary Gao Ming acknowledged, took the document, and walked out quickly.

Alerting the enemy.

This was also instructed by Zhu Wenhao.

Once Liu Xiaolei saw the document, she would inevitably panic, and panicking would lead her to call Division Chief Liu Haiping in the provincial capital.

As long as Division Chief Liu Haiping made a rash move, he would reveal a flaw.

Team Leader Qiu Rui, the deputy head of the Inspection Team who had been keeping an eye on Linjiang, would definitely be able to smell that scent.

Before long, Secretary Gao Ming brought back the original and the copies.

Secretary Zhu Tianhe handed the document to Minister Zhao Donglai.

"Alright, take it to Secretary Tian quickly; I will not keep you."

"If Secretary Tian approves, then Cadre Division 1 will be responsible for the specific implementation."

"We cannot count on Division Two for all the work; we must also let Cadre Division 1 exert some effort and share the load."

Minister Zhao Donglai took the document, his heart as clear as a mirror.

The acting division chief of Cadre Division 1, Old Sun, was a man promoted by Secretary Zhu Tianhe.

Letting Division One execute it was to prevent others from saying that Zhu Wenhao had suspicions of "cheating" in Division Two.

This avoidance of suspicion both protected Zhu Wenhao and kept the rhythm of the entire examination in the hands of Secretary Zhu Tianhe's own people.

A good tactic.

Minister Zhao Donglai took the document and backed out of the office.

He walked through the corridor, heading towards the office of Municipal Party Committee Secretary Tian Limin.

At this moment, Secretary Tian Limin was lost in thought, staring at the fallen leaves outside the window.

Minister Zhao Donglai entered the door and presented the document with both hands.

After reading the document, when Secretary Tian Limin saw the two lines of neat approval comments on the document, his brows actually relaxed a little.

Secretary Zhu Tianhe had agreed.

This was unexpected for him.

He had originally thought that Secretary Zhu Tianhe would stubbornly go head-to-head with him.

But now, Secretary Zhu Tianhe had taken a step back and proposed an "open examination."

This was a stepping stone.

Since the Deputy Secretary in charge of personnel and the Organization Minister had both signed, if he, as the leader, were to forcibly give the quota to Liu Xiaolei, it would truly become arbitrary and dictatorial.

Minister Xiao Dingyu's eyes were still watching from behind.

"Since both you and Secretary Zhu Tianhe agree with this plan."

Secretary Tian Limin put down the document and said indifferently.

"Then let Cadre Division 1 try to implement it."

"Since everyone wants to have a test, then let them test."

"I have no objections."

Half an hour later, the news reached the Mayor's Office.

Mayor Su Changming sat on the swivel chair, turned half a circle, and looked at the bustling street outside the floor-to-ceiling window.

"Mayor, the document has been approved."

Secretary Li Changgeng reported softly.

Mayor Su Changming toyed with a white jade paperweight in his hand and said meaningfully.

"The Zhu family has produced a Qilin child."

"It's remarkable."