131: Chapter 131 Jiang Tiansheng's Methods

When Township Head Jiang Tiansheng arrived home, the living room lights were on.

A tea set was laid out on the coffee table, and the water was already boiling, bubbling and steaming.

A man was sitting next to the sofa. Seeing him enter, the man stood up immediately, clutching a bulging document bag in his hands.

"Township Head Jiang, you're back."

Township Head Jiang Tiansheng glanced at him, hung his coat on the rack, changed into slippers, and walked over to the sofa at a leisurely pace to sit down.

He sized the man up. He was in his early thirties, his hair neatly combed, wearing a semi-new jacket, with an expression on his face that was both nervous and expectant.

He knew this man; it was Li Ming, Deputy Director of the Hukuang Township Comprehensive Management Office.

He had been working in the township for nearly ten years, having served in the Forestry Station, the Justice Office, and the Civilization Office. He had rich grassroots experience; he had handled all sorts of difficult disputes and tackled all sorts of tough problems.

It was a pity that he just didn't know how to play the game. In a place like Hukuang Township, he only knew how to bury his head in his work and didn't know how to look up at the road ahead. Without anyone above to speak for him, no matter how well he worked, it was all for nothing.

Some of those who joined the township at the same time as him had already entered the leadership team, and some had been transferred to the county, yet he was still sitting in the position of deputy director.

He was thirty-three, and hadn't even managed to reach the level of deputy section chief.

"Sit down, why are you standing?"

Township Head Jiang Tiansheng pointed to the sofa opposite, picked up the teapot, and poured himself a cup, with no intention of pouring one for Li Ming.

Li Ming didn't mind; he sat down opposite, his back straight, pressing both hands on the document bag on his knees as if afraid it might run away.

"Township Head Jiang, I've come today to report my work to you."

Li Ming's voice was a bit tight as he tried hard to appear natural.

Township Head Jiang Tiansheng took a sip from his teacup, the corners of his mouth curling up slightly.

Reporting work?

Coming to his home late at night carrying a bulging document bag to report work?

He had been in Hukuang Township for over a decade and had seen this kind of scene too many times.

He didn't respond, waiting for Li Ming to continue.

Li Ming coughed dryly, took the document bag off his knees, and handed it to Township Head Jiang Tiansheng with both hands.

"Township Head Jiang, I've done a lot of things in the Comprehensive Management Office over these years, but I haven't made any progress."

"I've reflected on it, and it's mainly because I was too pedantic before, didn't understand the ways of the world, and didn't know how to report to leaders."

"This... is a small token of my appreciation. Please, you must accept it."

Township Head Jiang Tiansheng didn't reach out to take it, glancing at the document bag, then at Li Ming.

It was quite thick; it was at least this much.

He estimated in his heart, his face remaining calm.

"Li Ming, how old are you this year?"

Li Ming was taken aback, then quickly replied, "Thirty-three, Township Head Jiang."

"Thirty-three."

Township Head Jiang Tiansheng nodded, put down his teacup, leaned back against the sofa, his tone unhurried, as if chatting with an old acquaintance.

"You've been working in Hukuang Township for nearly ten years, right?"

"Forestry Station, Justice Office, Civilization Office, you've worked in all of them."

"In terms of grassroots experience, few people in the township can compare to you."

"Handling disputes, resolving conflicts, maintaining stability and addressing petitions, which of these aren't you good at?"

"But why, after so many years, are you still a deputy director? Have you thought about that?"

Li Ming's face darkened, and his voice dropped a few notches.

"I have thought about it."

"I was too ignorant before, only knowing how to bury my head in work, not knowing how to report to the leaders."

"In a place like Hukuang Township, without someone above to speak for you, no matter how much you do, it's all in vain."

"I've followed a few leaders before, and they all thought I was okay and were willing to give me a chance."

"But they... one after another, all fell in the infighting of the previous secretary."

"Every time I saw a glimmer of hope, I was knocked back to square one."

"Over these years, I've truly been scared."

Hearing him mention those past events, Township Head Jiang Tiansheng didn't respond.

When the previous secretary was there, the leadership team of Hukuang Township fought fiercely. Those who stood on the wrong side were replaced batch after batch, and the leaders Li Ming had followed indeed didn't end up well.

This was one of the reasons why Li Ming was still stuck in the deputy director position; it wasn't that he didn't work hard, but every time he was about to rise, the tree above him would fall.

"So you've come to see me this time because you've figured things out?"

Township Head Jiang Tiansheng looked at him, his gaze carrying a sense of scrutiny.

Li Ming raised his head, meeting his gaze, his voice steadier than before.

"Township Head Jiang, I've figured it out."

"Before, I was pedantic, and I couldn't see things clearly."

"In a place like Hukuang Township, without someone to speak for you, even if your performance is outstanding, you won't be promoted."

"I'm thirty-three now; if I don't make progress, I won't have a chance in the future."

"You are the Township Head, you've been in Hukuang Township for so many years, what kind of waves haven't you seen?"

"As long as I can follow you, I'm willing to work like an ox or a horse for you."

This was said bluntly, so bluntly it was almost explicit.

But Township Head Jiang Tiansheng liked to hear it. Having worked in townships for so many years, what he hated most were those who claimed to obey the organization's arrangements on the surface, while secretly pulling strings everywhere.

Li Ming, though he realized things late, was at least sincere, saying whatever was on his mind.

He reached out and took the document bag, weighed it in his hand, and placed it beside the coffee table, his expression shifting from scrutiny to satisfaction.

Township Head Jiang Tiansheng didn't open it to look, nor did he need to.

Having been in Hukuang Township for so many years, this kind of thing was second nature to him.

"Li Ming, it's a good thing you've figured it out."

"Thirty-three years old, it's not too late."

"If it were two years later, and you hadn't reached the deputy section chief level before thirty-five, your future career path would be difficult."

"You are currently the Deputy Director of the Comprehensive Management Office. First, remove that 'deputy' title and resolve your rank."

"That's the first step."

Li Ming's eyes lit up, and his body leaned forward involuntarily.

Township Head Jiang Tiansheng picked up his teacup and took another sip, continuing unhurriedly: "Transitioning from deputy director to director, I'll speak for you; it won't be a big problem."

"But you can't just focus on the Comprehensive Management Office."

"After the director position is resolved, the next step is to enter the leadership team."

"The Township Government leadership team, first get promoted to Deputy Township Head."

"Don't worry about what specifically you'll be in charge of for now; solve the rank issue first."

"Once you have the deputy section chief status, it will be easier to go anywhere in the future."

"You're thirty-three this year. Serve one term as Deputy Township Head, and when you're thirty-seven or thirty-eight, if you can take another step up, you'll be set for life."

Li Ming listened with bright eyes, nodding repeatedly, his lips trembling slightly, as if thinking about what words of gratitude to say. Township Head Jiang Tiansheng waved his hand, not letting him speak.

"However, Li Ming, there is one thing I must say upfront."

Township Head Jiang Tiansheng's voice suddenly deepened: "Why did those people you followed before fall?"

"It wasn't that they lacked ability; it was that they stood on the wrong side and offended people they shouldn't have."

"You know the current situation in Hukuang Township."

"After Secretary Xu came, he adjusted the division of labor. Deputy Party Secretary Hu Ming is in charge of organization, personnel, and political and legal affairs, and his momentum is very strong."

"You are the Deputy Director of the Comprehensive Management Office, a person in the political and legal branch; Deputy Party Secretary Hu Ming is in charge of you."

"If you get close to me, how will Deputy Party Secretary Hu Ming see it? You need to think clearly about that yourself."

Li Ming was silent for a few seconds, then raised his head, his eyes filled with a desperate determination.

"Township Head Jiang, I've thought it through."

"Before, I was too indecisive, afraid to offend anyone, and in the end, I offended everyone, and no one could help me."

"Since I've come to you this time, I'm not afraid of others knowing. As for Secretary Hu, I accept it."

"Whatever you say, I will do."

Township Head Jiang Tiansheng looked at him, the corners of his mouth curling up slightly.

This expression was very faint, but Li Ming could tell that the Township Head was satisfied with his stance.

"Alright, go back."

Township Head Jiang Tiansheng picked up his teacup, his tone returning to that unhurried tempo.

"I have your situation in mind."

"When it's time to act, I will, but you should also do your job well and don't let anyone catch any dirt on you."

"In the Comprehensive Management Office, Director Bai Jie is your direct superior. She is Luan Ping's person, and Luan Ping has been with me for many years. You should maintain a good relationship with her and don't mess around with anything unnecessary."

Li Ming quickly stood up and bowed.

"Township Head Jiang, rest assured, I will definitely work hard."

"I will cooperate well with Director Bai."

Township Head Jiang Tiansheng nodded, with no intention of getting up to see him off.

The sound of the door closing was very soft, as if afraid of disturbing something.

Township Head Jiang Tiansheng sat on the sofa, picked up his teacup, and drank the remaining tea.

The document bag was still beside the coffee table. He reached out, picked it up, weighed it, and the smile on his lips deepened.

He put the document bag into the drawer under the coffee table, leaned back against the sofa, and closed his eyes.

As for Director Bai Jie's matter, it was he who had someone pass the word.

That Gao Dawei had been lingering in Hukuang Township for four years and couldn't even pass an exam; he should have left long ago.

But he couldn't leave on his own; someone needed to give him a push.

The job at that law firm in Lüjiang City was arranged through someone; the terms were good, and someone like Gao Dawei couldn't resist the temptation.

He had also sent word to his ex-girlfriend, letting her come to Hukuang Township to "accidentally meet" Gao Dawei; the rest didn't need to be managed.

With Director Bai Jie's personality, she couldn't tolerate any sand in her eyes; once she saw it, she would definitely drive the person away.

Doing this was, firstly, to prevent Xu Weidong and Deputy Party Secretary Hu Ming from getting hold of Director Bai Jie as a key bargaining chip.

Director Bai Jie was Luan Ping's person, and Luan Ping has been with me for many years; the Comprehensive Management Office line could not be lost.

If Director Bai Jie's freeloading boyfriend was used by Deputy Party Secretary Hu Ming's side to get a handle on her, then the Comprehensive Management Office would be in danger.

Secondly, he had another thought in mind: Director Bai Jie was a woman with ability and a temper to match.

If she was obedient, based on her previous political achievements, she could totally move up a step.

But if she wasn't obedient, the matter with her boyfriend could be brought up at any time. Although she was the one who drove the person away, it wouldn't sound good if it got out.

He didn't like putting all his eggs in one basket. If Director Bai Jie could be used, he would use her; if she couldn't, he would kick her away. He always had to keep something in his hands.

Station Master Sun at the Forestry Station also needed to be moved.

Last time, there was an error in the data for the conversion of farmland to forest, which made him lose face in front of Xu Weidong.

And the time before that, the issue with the seedling survival rate also made him look bad.

That old Sun worked too sloppily. Every time he reported work, something went wrong; it wasn't just once or twice.

Xu Weidong was the type who, if you made a mistake in front of him once, he wouldn't say anything, but he'd make a mental note of it.

After a few times, you would become a bad debt in his ledger.

Township Head Jiang Tiansheng couldn't let this happen again, and Station Master Sun was getting old. Transferring him to the Agricultural Technology Station to hold a nominal position would be good for everyone.

Replace him with someone younger to get the data accurate first, so as not to let Xu Weidong pick out any faults.

Sigh, since Xu Weidong arrived, his days were indeed not as comfortable as before.

The secretary manages the overall situation, and the township head manages the specifics. According to the rules, he should cooperate with Xu Weidong's work.

But Xu Weidong wasn't the type who would be satisfied just because you cooperated with him.

What he wanted was for you to be obedient, for you to be a docile chess piece on his chessboard.

Changing greenery, mediating disputes, verifying data—these things came one after another. It wasn't that he couldn't do them, but that he couldn't do them.

If he did it once, there would be a second time; if he did it twice, there would be a third time. Slowly, it would become a habit.

By then, in the eyes of others, he as the Township Head would truly become the secretary's senior secretary. What prestige would he have left?

It was a classic obedience test...

So he had to move, but not by going head-to-head with Xu Weidong, but by tightening the fences on his own turf.

Township Head Jiang Tiansheng opened his eyes and walked to the window.

Was the previous township head this stifled?

How did he remember that when the previous township head worked under the previous secretary, he had it made?