125: Chapter 125 Selection and Appointment of Talent

Li Dakang pulled back his thoughts and gently flicked the ash from his cigarette.

At the grassroots level, managing to retire with the status of a section chief—as he had done in his previous life—was no easy feat; many people worked their entire lives without ever reaching the deputy section chief level.

Thinking of this, he looked at Director Su Zhiguo with a more profound expression.

Li Dakang straightened his posture. "Comrade Su Zhiguo, your work ability is evident to everyone. The organization is considering giving you more responsibilities. What are your thoughts?"

Director Su Zhiguo felt a 'buzz' in his ears, his chest feeling as if it had been heavily struck by something.

He subconsciously gripped the cigarette in his hand; the moment he had anticipated for countless days and nights had arrived without any warning.

"Secretary, I..."

Director Su Zhiguo took a deep breath, struggling to keep his voice steady. "I firmly obey the organization's arrangements. As long as the organization needs it, I am willing to continue contributing to the development of Guantian Township in any position."

He spoke with sincerity, but his slightly trembling hands under the table and the sweat that had soaked the back of his shirt revealed the turmoil in his heart.

Eighteen years of waiting had finally seen the dawn at this moment.

Li Dakang's lips curled slightly, revealing a meaningful smile.

He picked up his teacup and took a sip, the tea leaves slowly unfurling in the hot water.

"Comrade Su Zhiguo."

Li Dakang set down the teacup. "The County Party Committee will be adjusting the township leadership team soon, and I intend to recommend you for the Township Party Committee."

"In this way, your burden will be even heavier."

His gaze deepened. "I hope you will continue to maintain a pragmatic style and put more effort into the development of Guantian."

These words sounded ordinary, but they actually held deep meaning.

Li Dakang's choice of Director Su Zhiguo was well-considered. As an 'old hand' who had been rooted in Guantian for eighteen years, Director Su Zhiguo knew the situation of every village in the township like the back of his hand—he even knew how many rat holes were on each ridge of the fields.

If used well, such a person would be a 'living map' for driving work forward.

More importantly, ever since Li Dakang arrived, Director Su Zhiguo had maintained a perfectly measured level of respect—neither overly obsequious nor intentionally distant—reporting work with clear logic and proactively sharing the burden when encountering difficult issues.

Such a cadre truly deserved an opportunity.

In addition, the position of Director of the Party and Government Office that would become vacant after Director Su Zhiguo's promotion could be filled by Zheng Shijun.

This would both encourage the veteran comrade and cultivate new backbone talent—the best of both worlds.

Director Su Zhiguo felt a rush of blood to his head; he subconsciously tensed his legs, fearing he might lose his composure and spring up from the creaky wooden chair.

He hadn't expected that not only was the deputy section chief level within reach, but he could also directly enter the Township Party Committee, which meant he would henceforth be able to join the core decision-making level of Guantian Township.

He took a deep breath, his Adam's apple bobbing as he steadied his trembling voice. "Thank you for your cultivation, Secretary. I will definitely repay your trust with concrete actions."

Every word seemed squeezed from his chest, carrying a heavy weight.

Li Dakang nodded slightly. "Do not spread word of this yet."

He paused, adding significantly, "You understand organizational discipline."

"Yes, I understand."

Director Su Zhiguo nodded heavily, his fingernails digging into his palms without him realizing it.

At this critical juncture, he knew better than anyone the delicacy of personnel appointments. Last year, the head of the Finance Office in the neighboring township had lost a deputy section chief position that was already in his grasp simply because he had let word slip out early, only to have someone else snatch it away.

When he walked out of the Secretary's office, Director Su Zhiguo's steps were lighter than usual, but his face was tenser.

Only after turning into a restroom stall did he dare to grin silently at the mottled wall, but when he thought of the precedents where people had failed at the final hurdle, he quickly composed his expression.

He cupped cold water and splashed it on his face, secretly warning himself: before the official red-headed document came down, he had to be even more cautious in his words and deeds than usual.

As Director Su Zhiguo's footsteps faded away, Li Dakang leaned back in the creaky rattan chair and closed his eyes.

He had a candidate for the Township Party Committee member, but the candidate for the other deputy township head position weighed on his mind like a stone.

He went through the cadres in the township in his mind; every name was linked to a web of relationships, and moving one part would affect the whole.

Li Dakang shook his head with a bitter smile. Do not underestimate the position of a deputy township head; it was enough to cause long-time partners to develop grudges or even turn against each other.

Last year, in a neighboring township, there had been an absurd incident where brothers-in-law turned against each other over a deputy section chief position.

Li Dakang rubbed his throbbing temples and decided to put this problem aside for the time being.

Anyway, there were still a few days left; it was a good opportunity to observe a bit more. Perhaps the answer was hidden in some inadvertent detail.

Then, Li Dakang picked up the phone on his desk and dialed a familiar number.

From the other end of the line came the deep, powerful voice of his father, Li Hongji, as if it could pierce through the electrical current and reach the bottom of his heart.

"Dad, it's me."

Li Dakang subconsciously lowered his voice. "I wanted to ask about the Zhang family side..."

"Dakang."

Li Hongji's voice was like a deep pool, calm and unruffled yet containing hidden strength. "At this critical juncture, the most important thing is to hold your ground."

The rustling sound of paper turning came through the telephone line.

"Remember, when the wind and rain are blowing outside, first secure your own fence."

Li Dakang's hand tightened around the receiver.

His father's words reminded him of a scene he had seen in the village when he was a child in his previous life: when a storm approached, the ancient trees with deep roots could always stand tall and unmoving.