71: Chapter 70 Su Qinghan's Whereabouts

Zhu Wenhao walked into the Municipal Organization Department building. Instead of returning to Division Two, he went into the Division Chief's office.

As soon as Division Chief Zhao Desheng saw him enter, he immediately stood up, went to the water dispenser, poured a cup of water, and handed it to him.

"Zhu Wenhao, the quota for the Young Cadre Training Class has been finalized."

"Minister Zhou specifically asked me to notify you to report to the Provincial Organization Department next week for the opening ceremony. I heard that Minister Xiao of the Provincial Organization Department will be there to give a speech in person, so make sure you don't be late."

"You will be studying full-time for these three months. I have already asked Wu Dehai to take over the department's affairs, so you can go with peace of mind."

Zhu Wenhao took the cup but did not drink.

"Division Chief Zhao, give me the contact information for Lin Yulan, the Chairwoman of the Municipal Women's Federation."

Division Chief Zhao Desheng's action of pouring water stopped abruptly. "Why do you want her contact information?"

"Zhu Wenhao, don't you know? Lin Yulan once reported Mayor Su Changming for corruption in the urban investment project, and it caused quite a stir in the city!"

"Although the Discipline Inspection Commission investigated and found nothing, she completely offended Mayor Su Changming because of it. She went from being the highly sought-after Director of the Audit Bureau to being sent to the Women's Federation as Chairwoman, where she has been sidelined for years."

"Now, in the entire Linjiang City officialdom, everyone avoids her. Why are you looking for her?"

"To discuss a deal."

Division Chief Zhao Desheng did not dare to ask further.

He took out a notepad, wrote down a string of numbers, tore it off, and handed it over.

Zhu Wenhao took the note and put it in his pocket, but he did not intend to get up.

"There is one more thing."

"Hold the cadre exchange list sent by the Finance Bureau last night for one day. Don't submit it yet."

"The Finance Bureau is pushing very hard. Secretary Li Changgeng called this morning to urge for the progress."

"If this list is held up, I really won't be able to explain it to the Mayor."

"Just hold it for one day."

"I believe Division Chief Zhao Desheng can handle such a small matter."

Facing Zhu Wenhao's indisputable assertiveness, Division Chief Zhao Desheng felt sweat breaking out on his back.

His mind wrestled for a full ten seconds, and in the end, he gritted his teeth and nodded.

Zhu Wenhao stood up and left the Division Chief's office.

Returning to the Division Two office area, he greeted Wu Dehai briefly and then went straight out of the Organization Department, heading to the Municipal Party Committee.

Office of the Deputy Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee.

Secretary Zhu Tianhe was reviewing documents. Hearing the door push open, he looked up and saw Zhu Wenhao enter.

"Zhu Wenhao, you're here. Sit."

Secretary Zhu Tianhe put down his pen and pointed to the sofa.

"Don't blame your mother for what happened last night. Everything she did was for your own good."

"I understand Mother's intentions."

"However, I must choose my own path."

"Father, one more step and you will be a regional official. If you don't carve out your own path, your potential will be completely capped."

Secretary Zhu Tianhe put away his smile and sat up straight.

"Once you reach the department level, you will soon enter the ranks of senior cadres. The Capital values whether you have your own governing style and whether you possess true iron-fisted methods."

"If you don't have your own team and a style that dares to tackle tough issues, you will at most be promoted one more level, ending up at the department level."

"Furthermore, you and Mother have been married for so many years; why is there no child?"

"Do you really not understand at all?"

This sentence exploded in Secretary Zhu Tianhe's mind like a thunderbolt.

When the old man of the Li family chose him as a son-in-law, he valued his kindness, honesty, and malleability, ensuring his daughter would not suffer any grievances for the rest of her life.

"See through it, but don't expose it."

"What do you plan to do now that you've come today?"

"Since we could save Political Commissar Wang Haitao, we can save Su Qinghan as well."

Zhu Wenhao's voice was resonant and firm.

Secretary Zhu Tianhe's brows furrowed tightly.

"Mayor Su Changming is cleaning house, following normal personnel transfer procedures. Do you want to interfere?"

"Prestige is not built out of thin air; it is built up by one victory after another."

"A general's military prestige is earned through winning battles!"

Zhu Wenhao tapped his knuckles lightly on the edge of the coffee table.

"Right now, you call Chairwoman Lin Yulan of the Women's Federation."

"Have her step forward and refuse to accept Su Qinghan. Just use one reason: the Women's Federation's staffing is full, and there are no extra vacancies."

"Lin Yulan?" Secretary Zhu Tianhe hesitated. "Will she listen to us?"

"She already has deep grievances with Mayor Su Changming. Making this call gives her a chance to cause trouble for Mayor Su Changming."

"Promise her on the phone that when the opportunity arises in the future, you will definitely transfer her out of this sidelined position at the Women's Federation."

"Refusing to accept Su Qinghan will not cause her any loss, and it will also buy a favor from the Deputy Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee. She will definitely agree."

Secretary Zhu Tianhe weighed the pros and cons and nodded slowly, but he raised a new question.

"This move can only solve the immediate crisis. If the Women's Federation doesn't take her, Mayor Su Changming can still stuff her into other marginal departments."

"Therefore, we need to cut the firewood from under the cauldron."

Zhu Wenhao's eyes revealed the composure of someone planning a grand strategy.

"Liu Xiaolei was taken away due to a case. Isn't there a vacancy in Section Two of the Municipal Party Committee Office?"

Secretary Zhu Tianhe nodded. "Yes. In the past two days, many people have used connections to find me, wanting to stuff someone into the Municipal Party Committee Office."

"Father, go find Secretary Li Li of the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection."

"Give her this position of a staff member with real power in the Municipal Party Committee Office."

Secretary Zhu Tianhe didn't immediately follow. "Give it to the Discipline Inspection Commission?"

"Because the work nature of the Discipline Inspection Commission system is extremely closed, it is incredibly difficult for internal personnel to transfer out. The Municipal Party Committee Office is a core hub; this transfer quota is worth a thousand pieces of gold to Secretary Li Li."

"She has plenty of capable subordinates under her who are eyeing this kind of springboard that can turn a carp into a dragon."

Zhu Wenhao analyzed the core bargaining chip of this interest exchange.

"You give the Municipal Party Committee Office quota to Secretary Li Li. In exchange, stuff Su Qinghan into the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection."

Due to the special nature of the Discipline Inspection Commission, it won't be so easy for Mayor Su Changming to move her again!

"Brilliant!"

"Even if Mayor Su Changming is ten thousand times unwilling, it won't be easy for him to openly oppose the Discipline Inspection Commission requesting personnel. Let's do it this way; sooner is better than later!"

Coming out of Secretary Zhu Tianhe's office, Zhu Wenhao took out his phone, dialed the number on the note, and connected to Lin Yulan's phone.

The waiting tone rang seven or eight times before it was answered.

"Who is this?"

"Hello, Chairwoman Lin. My name is Zhu Wenhao."

The other end of the line was silent for a few seconds.

"What can I do for you?"

"To discuss a deal that can help you leave the Women's Federation."

Zhu Wenhao did not beat around the bush.

"My father will call you personally in a while. You just need to do as he says and refuse to accept Su Qinghan. After it's done, I promise your transfer will be fulfilled without fail."

Lin Yulan had floated and sunk in officialdom for many years; she had heard too many such verbal promises.

"Why should I believe you?"

"Just because Political Commissar Wang Haitao became the Political Commissar of the Public Security Bureau."

Zhu Wenhao replied with only this sentence.

The busy signal sounded; Lin Yulan hung up the phone.

She didn't need to ask anymore.

The news of Political Commissar Wang Haitao retreating unscathed from the Development and Reform Commission and receiving a promotion in a different location had long spread throughout the Linjiang officialdom.

The power of Deputy Secretary Zhu was plain for all to see.

Half an hour later, on the other side of the Municipal Party Committee Office building.

Secretary Li Li sat in the office of the Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary, looking at Secretary Zhu Tianhe opposite her with a troubled expression.

"Secretary Zhu Tianhe, it's not that I'm trying to shirk. Su Qinghan is Mayor Su Changming's daughter. Bringing her into our Discipline Inspection Commission makes her identity too sensitive. In the future, when handling cases involving the Municipal Government, it will be hard to navigate the recusal system."

Secretary Zhu Tianhe picked up his teacup to moisten his throat, not rushing to argue.

"Secretary Li Li. I intend to make available the vacancy of Liu Xiaolei in Section Two of the Municipal Party Committee Office."

"If you have excellent young cadres in your Discipline Inspection Commission who need to go to the Municipal Party Committee Office for training, you can report a name directly to me. I will coordinate with the Organization Department personally."

Secretary Li Li's eyes changed.

She could not refuse this staff position in the Municipal Party Committee Office at all!

"Although Su Qinghan is Mayor Su Changming's daughter."

Secretary Zhu Tianhe added at the right moment.

"But she studied political economics and is very proficient in fiscal auditing. Once she comes to the Discipline Inspection Commission, she will be an expert at checking accounts. Rules are dead, but people are flexible. As long as the recusal system is strictly implemented, there won't be any mistakes."

Secretary Li Li weighed it briefly and made the final decision.

"Good!"

"Since Secretary Zhu Tianhe supports the team building of our Discipline Inspection Commission so much, I will personally handle Su Qinghan's transfer procedures! I will go through the internal procedures of the Discipline Inspection Commission this afternoon!"

A win-win deal, clean and efficient.

Linjiang Municipal Government, Mayors Office.

Mayor Su Changming was listening to the work report from the newly appointed director of the Development and Reform Commission.

Chief Secretary Li Changgeng didn't even knock, pushed the door open in a hurry, and whispered into Mayor Su Changming's ear.

"Mayor, there's a situation at the Women's Federation! Lin Yulan is blocking Su Qinghan's transfer order, saying the Women's Federation's staffing is already over capacity, there are no extra slots, and she refuses to accept her!"

Mayor Su Changming's expression sank instantly.

Lin Yulan, that old thorn, was here to make things uncomfortable for him again.

"Then change it. Send her to the Office of Local Chronicles."

Mayor Su Changming issued the new order without hesitation.

Chief Secretary Li Changgeng swallowed and braced himself to continue reporting the complex changes.

"She can't go to the Office of Local Chronicles either."

"The Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection just sent someone to the Finance Bureau to retrieve the files. Secretary Li Li personally signed the transfer order, transferring Su Qinghan directly into the Third Discipline Inspection and Supervision Office of the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection in the name of a transferred cadre."

"The procedures are all completed now, and she will report for duty tomorrow."

He had calculated everything, but he didn't expect Secretary Zhu Tianhe to use the relationship with the Discipline Inspection Commission to protect Su Qinghan so tightly!

This was a blatant slap in the face!

"Zhu! Tian! He!"

In this battle without smoke, he had lost a move.