13: Chapter 13 A Fierce Competition to Win Him Over

It would be more appropriate to find out about this matter from someone else.

"Let's go, to the County Party Committee and County Government!"

Chen Haisheng drove, and this semi-old, semi-new, military-green Beijing Jeep left the Township Government compound, got onto that dilapidated road, and headed toward the county seat.

Watching the car drive away, a trace of a smile appeared on Director Li Youfu's lips, though it was a sneer, a mockery.

"Heh, that guy Chen Haisheng is stubborn and difficult to manage. I've arranged for him to drive for you, Secretary Qin; you'll have a hard time in the future."

As for Chen Haisheng, Qin Chuan didn't know much.

But his ability to read people was top-notch, and his first impression was that this person seemed decent, especially with his spirited buzz cut.

Because the road conditions were quite poor, although it was only twenty-some kilometers, it was estimated to take forty to fifty minutes. Qin Chuan started chatting with him, partly to pass the time and partly to get to know Chen Haisheng.

"Haisheng, you retired from the military, right?"

"Yes, I served in the military for a few years, retired the year before last, and have been in the motor pool ever since," Chen Haisheng replied.

Through the conversation, Qin Chuan gained a certain understanding of Chen Haisheng and became increasingly satisfied with him.

Chen Haisheng is not bad at all!

"What's wrong with Director Li Youfu? He's one of Township Head Liu Qiang's people, so why did he arrange such a good driver for me?"

"Heh, he probably has a poor impression of Chen Haisheng and thinks he's a troublemaker. Arranging him as my dedicated driver was meant to cause me trouble, but his plan is bound to fail."

As expected of Qin Chuan; his guess was spot on.

Director Li Youfu's impression of Chen Haisheng was indeed very poor, and he even frequently made things difficult for him, leaving the latter struggling and feeling stifled in the motor pool.

Why was that?

After serving in the military for so many years, upon suddenly retiring and entering the Dahe Township motor pool, it wasn't easy to change those military habits and customs overnight.

Chen Haisheng didn't follow the crowd; he maintained his military integrity. Naturally, he was at odds with the likes of Township Head Liu Qiang and Director Li Youfu, so it was normal for him to be suppressed.

Frequently suppressed and sabotaged, Chen Haisheng's mindset gradually changed. Besides harboring deep hatred for Township Head Liu Qiang, Director Li Youfu, and their ilk, he also wondered more than once when he would meet a good leader and when he would finally get ahead.

The appearance of Qin Chuan gave him hope.

Although it was his first time driving for Secretary Qin, in a short time, he felt that Secretary Qin was a good person and likely his mentor.

He inwardly decided to drive well for Secretary Qin, be an excellent dedicated driver, and become one of Secretary Qin's people.

Qin Chuan had a keen eye for people. His first impression was that Chen Haisheng was decent. After observing him for a while longer, he would bring him under his wing and make him one of his own.

"Haisheng, what's the story with Township Head Liu's Audi Q5?"

Dahe Township's economy was relatively poor, and administrative funds were likely limited; it was impossible for the government to pay for such a nice car for Township Head Liu Qiang.

Having felt from their conversation that Chen Haisheng was decent, Qin Chuan asked him this.

Chen Haisheng spoke freely, "Secretary, that car belongs to the Jiucailing Coal Mine. Nominally, it's borrowed by Township Head Liu, but in reality, it's considered his dedicated vehicle and has always been used by him."

"Heh, so it's a car from the Jiucailing Coal Mine."

"They're playing quite a clever game. On the surface, it's borrowed, but in reality, it's equivalent to giving it to Township Head Liu Qiang. There's likely some transfer of benefits involved."

This should count as a handle on Township Head Liu Qiang. If handled properly, it could put him in a very difficult position.

Silently, Qin Chuan took note of this. When he had time in the future, he could secretly investigate in detail to see if he could deal Township Head Liu Qiang a heavy blow.

Driving along that dilapidated road for a full dozen kilometers, the road conditions only improved for the last ten kilometers or so. Even so, it still took a full forty to fifty minutes.

After arriving at the County Party Committee and County Government compound, Qin Chuan first went to visit County Party Secretary Cao Zhengwang.

County Party Secretary Cao Zhengwang received Qin Chuan warmly and clearly showed an intention to win him over.

He even made some subtle inquiries about Qin Chuan.

As the County Party Secretary, he was well-informed. Since Qin Chuan was appointed directly by the Municipal Organization Department, he guessed that Qin Chuan must have some background.

For someone with a background, the priority was definitely to win them over. If he could make Qin Chuan his man, that would be ideal.

Qin Chuan was intelligent and very experienced in officialdom; he handled County Party Secretary Cao Zhengwang's inquiries and attempts to win him over with ease.

He didn't reveal his background, nor did he pick a side, handling it all very easily.

About twenty or thirty minutes later, Qin Chuan stood up to leave.

Watching Qin Chuan leave, a flash of brilliance crossed County Party Secretary Cao Zhengwang's eyes, and he thought, 'This young man is not simple.'

"He is most likely a descendant from a major family. Such a person must be won over; he cannot be snatched away by County Magistrate Zhang Yuansong."

In Sanjiang County, the discord between the County Party Secretary and the County Magistrate was almost an open secret. The two had been fighting each other for years, and many officials had already chosen sides.

After leaving the County Party Secretary's office, Qin Chuan went to visit County Magistrate Zhang Yuansong.

County Magistrate Zhang Yuansong was one of Municipal Party Secretary Jiang Wen'an's people. Because he had the Municipal Party Secretary behind him, he had been able to remain evenly matched in his struggle against the County Party Secretary all these years.

In the entire Dongzhou City, only a handful of people knew about Qin Chuan's background.

There were some people in Jinzhu Township who knew that Qin Chuan was the long-lost son of the Provincial Party Secretary, but most of them had been arrested and sent to prison to 'operate sewing machines,' and the rest had been gagged, so no one dared to talk about it.

Because of the strict gag order, the news basically didn't spread, and only a few key leaders in the Dongzhou Municipal Party Committee knew Qin Chuan's true identity.

County Magistrate Zhang Yuansong didn't know Qin Chuan's background, but Municipal Party Secretary Jiang Wen'an had hinted at it, calling him personally and saying this over the phone.

"Yuansong, Comrade Qin Chuan is going to your Dahe Township to serve as Party Committee Secretary. You should look after him and help him out more."

Although he didn't mention Qin Chuan's identity at all, having been in the system for so many years, County Magistrate Zhang Yuansong understood that for the Municipal Party Secretary to personally call and say such things, Qin Chuan's background must not be simple.

It might be through Municipal Party Secretary Jiang's connections, or perhaps he could even link up with some leader in the province. Understanding this, he was very warm toward Qin Chuan.

He even personally poured him a cup of tea.

"Comrade Qin Chuan, I am very happy that you came to visit me right after taking office. Do you have any difficulties in your work?"

Qin Chuan was a little surprised; County Magistrate Zhang Yuansong's attitude was quite something.

His concern didn't feel faked; it seemed genuine.

"County Magistrate, this is only right."

Qin Chuan began to report on some of his initial situations at Dahe Township, sat with County Magistrate Zhang Yuansong for over thirty minutes, and then stood up to take his leave.

County Magistrate Zhang Yuansong politely walked him to the office door, shook Qin Chuan's hand, and said, "Comrade Qin Chuan, feel free to act boldly in Dahe Township. If you have any issues, come directly to me."

"Thank you, County Magistrate."

After leaving the County Magistrate's office, taking advantage of the remaining time, Qin Chuan went to sit with Organization Minister Sun Zhen for a while.

In the afternoon, he wasn't in a hurry to go back; instead, he went to visit a few other members of the Standing Committee of the County Party Committee to show his face, and didn't return to Dahe Township until about three or four o'clock.