114: Chapter 114 Young Cadres Need to Be Cultivated

When the call connected, Xu Tianhua was in his study reading a document.

The desk lamp emitted an orange glow, casting his shadow onto the bookshelf behind him.

Hearing Governor Zhou Wenbin's voice, he closed the document, leaned back in his chair, and spoke in a tone as flat as if they were discussing routine official business.

"Wenbin, it's so late. Is something the matter?"

Governor Zhou Wenbin carefully weighed his words; when speaking to his old leader, maintaining the proper boundaries was paramount.

Xu Tianhua disliked beating around the bush, nor did he like hearing unfinished or vague remarks.

On his end of the line, he leaned forward slightly; although he knew the other person couldn't see him, it was a habit formed over many years.

"Old leader, I met with Minister Ma Fuqiang today and we chatted about the cultivation of young cadres. I have some thoughts I'd like to report to you and ask for your guidance."

Xu Tianhua gave a grunt of acknowledgement but didn't reply, waiting for him to continue.

Governor Zhou Wenbin continued, "We've come to realize that when a cadre stays in the same position for too long, their perspective easily becomes limited."

"Especially for cadres in the political and legal sector; dealing with cases for a long time inevitably makes their angle on issues singular."

"If they are to shoulder heavier burdens in the future, just understanding one line of work isn't enough."

"The grassroots level is a great melting pot—economy, people's livelihoods, Party building, handling petitions—you have to be able to handle it all."

"Whatever lesson is missed now will have to be made up later."

Xu Tianhua's gaze fell upon the photo on his desk; it was taken when Xu Weidong graduated from university, dressed in his bachelor's gown, standing in front of the gate of Civil Engineering University, smiling with a radiant expression.

Three years had passed, and that child had transformed from a callow university student into the director of the County Public Security Bureau. Whether it was the Crackdown on Organized Crime, dismantling criminal gangs, or handling emergencies, he had taken every step solidly.

But he knew clearly in his heart that his son was indeed missing one lesson.

It was the experience of struggling and grinding at the grassroots level, of sitting on the same bench as the common people to talk.

It was a pity, but his status destined that this would be hard to achieve.

"Are you suggesting sending him down?"

Governor Zhou Wenbin heard the softening in the old leader's tone, but he didn't rush to pick up that thread, instead continuing along his own line of reasoning.

"Minister Ma Fuqiang and I discussed it and feel that for a young cadre like Comrade Weidong, if he could have a stint as a township chief while at the section-chief level, it would be beneficial for his future development."

"The position of township Party Committee secretary is like a needle at the bottom of a thousand threads from above."

"How to grasp the economy, how to ensure stability, how to lead the team, how to handle the work of the common people—everything is a lesson."

"At the Public Security Bureau, he manages cases. In the township, he manages people."

"The difference between the two is significant."

Xu Tianhua was silent for a moment. Outside the window, the night in Yancheng was deep; occasionally, car headlights swept across the curtains, casting shifting light and shadows.

"Wenbin."

Xu Tianhua spoke, his voice unhurried.

"Comrade Weidong is currently a section-chief level cadre; his placement is a matter for the Changyuan County Party Committee and the Lujiang Municipal Committee."

"However the organization arranges it, that is how it shall be."

"Just because he is my son, Xu Tianhua's son, we cannot have special treatment."

The words were steady and balanced, but Governor Zhou Wenbin understood.

The old leader said there could be no special treatment, but the meaning behind the words was that he agreed with their plan.

However, this agreement came with a prerequisite.

It must go through proper organizational procedures, must withstand scrutiny, and cannot allow anyone to say a single word against it.

"The old leader is right."

Governor Zhou Wenbin continued along his line, "Minister Ma Fuqiang and I are of the same mind."

"The cultivation of young cadres must be considered within the framework of the system."

"Comrade Weidong's performance at the Public Security Bureau is plain for all to see."

"The Crackdown on Organized Crime special operation, dismantling the Sihai Group, the handling of the barbecue restaurant case—each one is a hard-earned achievement."

"For such a cadre, the organization placing more burdens on him and providing more platforms is normal cadre cultivation logic; there is no issue of special treatment."

Governor Zhou Wenbin paused, then added, "Furthermore, the authority for adjusting section-chief level cadres lies with the county."

"Nomination by the Changyuan County Party Committee Organization Department and discussion and decision by the County Party Committee Standing Committee—these are the statutory organizational procedures."

"We are merely offering suggestions from the perspective of cadre cultivation; how it is specifically operated depends on the county's overall consideration."

"We will communicate with Secretary Wan Xiaohan and Secretary Lin Juncai, but they must also act in accordance with organizational principles."

Xu Tianhua tapped his fingers gently on the desk twice; this was his habitual action when thinking.

Governor Zhou Wenbin's words were airtight; he had both expressed the organization's intention and emphasized the importance of procedure.

This was the political acumen his old subordinate had honed over many years; he didn't need to worry.

"You are in Fengtian Province; you know the cadre situation there better than I do."

Xu Tianhua's tone remained flat, but it had a touch more warmth.

"The growth of young cadres requires both organizational cultivation and individual effort."

"Comrade Weidong has drive and is willing to work, which are his strengths. But sometimes he rushes too fast and can be rash."

"Township work requires patience and attention to detail; when dealing with the common people, one cannot be hurried or impatient."

"He must master this level of control himself."

Governor Zhou Wenbin listened attentively, taking every word of the old leader to heart.

This was Xu Tianhua laying his cards on the table: he agreed to Comrade Weidong going down, but not for the sake of gilding his resume, but for genuine training.

What was needed wasn't going through the motions, but digging in and immersing himself, mastering the complexities of township work.

"Rest assured, old leader."

"Township work tempers one's character. Hukuang Township is in the lower-middle tier of the county's economy, has coal mines, chaotic management, a significant volume of petitions, and relatively weak grassroots organizations."

"Such an environment is best for tempering a person."

"If Comrade Weidong can open up the situation in Hukuang Township, lead the team effectively, and handle the affairs of the common people one by one, then his growth will not just be about being able to fight in the political and legal sector, but about having the ability to handle comprehensive work."

Upon hearing the three words "Hukuang Township," Xu Tianhua's eyebrows twitched slightly.

It seemed Governor Zhou Wenbin and Minister Ma Fuqiang had put real thought into this; they weren't just shoving him into any random place, but had specifically chosen a location based on Comrade Weidong's strengths and weaknesses where he could learn and achieve results.

"You have your reasons for the place you selected."

Xu Tianhua didn't ask further, nor did he offer an evaluation, simply stating this calmly.

"When cadres go to the grassroots, they are not there to be guests; they are there to work."

"Whether it's Hukuang Township or any other township, the key is whether he can immerse himself and sit on the same bench as the common people."

Governor Zhou Wenbin felt reassured; the old leader's words were equivalent to approving the plan.

However, he didn't show any eagerness, instead steering the topic toward a broader level.

"Old leader, when Minister Ma Fuqiang and I were chatting, we also discussed a deeper issue."

His tone became more steady, "Young cadres everywhere now have high educational qualifications, flexible thinking, and accept new things quickly; these are advantages."

"But the shortcomings are also obvious; many comrades go straight from school to government offices, lacking grassroots experience, and their understanding of national conditions and public sentiment is not deep enough."

"We in the province have been pondering how to place young cadres at the grassroots level to nurture their growth and place more burdens on them."

"If Comrade Weidong can make a mark in the township, that in itself is a demonstration."

"It's not because of whose child he is, but because he can get things done and win people over."

"If there are more such cadres, it will be beneficial for the cause."

Xu Tianhua grasped the weight of Governor Zhou Wenbin's words; this wasn't about Comrade Weidong alone, but about a philosophy of cadre cultivation.

Placing young cadres at the grassroots, letting them grow their talents through struggle, and tempering their skills by solving practical problems.

This was far more important than his own personal gains or losses.

"Speaking of this, I am reminded of something."

Xu Tianhua's voice carried a hint of nostalgia, "Back when I was in Ankang County, there was a young cadre in the county who had come down from the provincial capital; at first, he couldn't even distinguish between different crops."

"He worked in the township for three years, and when he left, the old village Party secretary held his hand and said, 'This child understands the village's affairs better than the villagers themselves.'"

Governor Zhou Wenbin immediately recalled, "It's a pity he lost his way later on…"

Xu Tianhua stated calmly, "It was just a matter of personal fate."

"If the foundation is not solid, the earth will shake and the mountains will sway."

Governor Zhou Wenbin understood that the old leader wasn't lamenting the fall of one young cadre; after all, such figures were as numerous as ox hair.

The old leader was saying that going to the grassroots isn't going through the motions, nor is it for gilding, but about truly taking root; only by planting roots deep can one grow tall and stand firm in the future.

"I have taken this instruction from the old leader to heart."

Governor Zhou Wenbin's voice gained a sense of gravity, "The grassroots is the best classroom, and the masses are the best teachers."

"Comrade Weidong is young, has the foundation, and has the insight; going down to work for a period will be beneficial for his entire life."

"Alright."

Xu Tianhua's tone suddenly became lighter, as if he had put down a major burden.

"You have many matters and heavy responsibilities in the province. As for Comrade Weidong's matter, see to it yourselves."

"Ensure the organizational procedures are followed correctly so that no one can gossip. As for him personally, you and Minister Ma Fuqiang should remind him often."

"He is going down to work, not to have other ideas. Handling the affairs of the common people well is better than anything else."

"Rest assured, old leader."

Governor Zhou Wenbin replied solemnly, "Minister Ma Fuqiang and I will keep an eye on this matter."

"Regarding the procedures, we will definitely follow them strictly and properly."

"As for the county side, we will also speak with Secretary Wan Xiaohan to ensure they act in accordance with organizational principles."

After the call ended, Governor Zhou Wenbin sat on the sofa for a while.

Outside the window, the city of Shengjing had quieted down; in the distance, the clusters of buildings were lit with sparse lights.

He picked up his mobile phone and sent a message to Minister Ma Fuqiang.

"The old leader has agreed. Let's meet tomorrow to go over the details once more; there cannot be any slip-ups in the procedure."

Minister Ma Fuqiang replied in a second with one word: "Good."

Governor Zhou Wenbin closed the window, turned, and walked back to his desk, picking up the material regarding the situation in Hukuang Township and reading it through carefully once more.

Economic data, population structure, industrial layout, petitioning situation, grassroots organization construction—every page was densely covered with annotations.

When he met with Minister Ma Fuqiang tomorrow, all these things would need to be brought out.

It wasn't about arranging a path for Comrade Weidong, but about finding a place for a young cadre where he could truly grow.

As for whether he can grow into a talent, that will depend on him.