181: Chapter 181 Yancheng Side

In Yancheng, Zhao Tianle set down the document in his hand, leaned back in his chair, and took a sip from his teacup.

The tea was this year's new Longjing, filling his mouth with fragrance, but his mind was not on the tea.

The phone on the desk rang. He glanced at the caller ID; it was the private line of Party Secretary Li Ximing of Fengtian Province.

He picked up the receiver, his voice steady as usual.

"Comrade Ximing, hello."

"Minister Zhao, sorry to disturb you."

Li Ximing's voice came through the receiver, carrying the respect of a subordinate for a superior, yet without losing the intimacy between old friends.

"We just held a Party Secretary office meeting to discuss the cultivation of young cadres. There are some situations I would like to report to you and hear your instructions."

The corners of Zhao Tianle's mouth curled slightly. He and Li Ximing were the core pillars of the old Qin faction, with decades of friendship.

Li Ximing said it was a report, but in reality, he wanted to hear his opinion. After all, it involved the son of Xu Tianhua; being cautious was never a mistake.

He set down his teacup, leaned back in his chair, and said in a more casual tone, "Ximing, go ahead, I'm listening."

Li Ximing briefly recounted the discussion from the meeting. Governor Yu Huainan suggested placing Xu Weidong as Deputy Division Chief of the Fixed Assets Investment Division of the Provincial Development and Reform Commission, while Deputy Party Secretary Zhou Wenbin suggested placing him as Deputy Division Chief of Cadre Division 2 of the Provincial Organization Department.

Both plans had their merits, each with a different focus.

Li Ximing did not make a final decision at the meeting; he wanted to deliberate further, which was why he called to ask for advice.

After listening, Zhao Tianle did not reply immediately.

He picked up his teacup and took another sip, mentally weighing the pros and cons of both plans.

The Fixed Assets Investment Division of the Development and Reform Commission managed projects and funds, which could train economic work capabilities. However, Xu Weidong had been working on agriculture and rural revitalization at the grassroots level; while related to fixed asset investment, it was not directly aligned.

After going there, it would take time to familiarize himself with the business, and even more time to achieve results.

Moreover, the division chiefs and deputy chiefs of the various divisions in the Provincial Development and Reform Commission were all quite senior. A young man in his twenties parachuting in—whether he could command respect was a potential issue.

Cadre Division 2 of the Organization Department managed the inspection and appointment of provincial-level cadres. It was highly political and sensitive, requiring a broad vision and perspective from cadres, but the requirements for grassroots experience did not directly match.

Xu Weidong had been handling specific affairs in townships and dealing with ordinary people. Arriving at the Provincial Organization Department, he would be facing the entire provincial cadre force. The span was quite large, the adaptation period would be longer, and it would be easy for people to say he was just "gilding" his resume.

"Ximing, both of these plans have their merits, and both have their shortcomings."

Zhao Tianle began, his voice unhurried, "Comrade Yu Huainan wants to place Weidong in the Development and Reform Commission to train his economic work capabilities; the direction is correct."

"But have you thought about it? The things Weidong did in Hukuang Township—building roads, constructing industrial parks, promoting beautiful countryside—dealt mostly with agriculture, rural areas, and farmers."

"Arriving at the Fixed Assets Investment Division of the Provincial Development and Reform Commission, he would be managing the province's major projects and investment plans; the span is not small."

"Young people have strong adaptability, but they can easily lose their sharp edge during the adaptation period."

"Comrade Zhou Wenbin wants to place Weidong in Cadre Division 2 of the Organization Department to train his personnel work capabilities; that also makes sense."

"But cadres in the Organization Department are required to be rigorous, steady, and low-key. I know a little about Weidong's personality; he is a child with drive. Placing him in the Organization Department—whether he can settle down is also a question."

On the other end of the phone, Li Ximing listened quietly without interrupting; he knew Zhao Tianle had more to say.

Zhao Tianle paused, his tone becoming deeper, carrying a big-picture perspective of looking at problems from a global height.

"There is one more point: public opinion."

"Ximing, times have changed."

"The internet is becoming more and more developed, and the public is becoming increasingly sensitive to personnel changes in the government."

"A young man in his twenties, promoted directly from township Party Committee Secretary to Deputy Division Chief in a provincial-level organ—if word gets out, what will the public think?"

"They won't look at what Weidong did in Hukuang Township, they won't care about his actual achievements; they will only see one number... age."

"The current online environment is not very good. There will definitely be people saying he got up there through connections, and also saying he is a second-generation official, a princeling."

"These words, if spread, will not sound good, and it will also be detrimental to Weidong's own growth."

"What he needs is steady progress, not to be placed on a fire to be roasted."

Li Ximing gave a soft hum on the other end of the line, indicating agreement.

Zhao Tianle picked up his teacup and took another sip to moisten his throat, his tone becoming more certain, "My idea is to promote him in place."

"Weidong is currently at the regular section level; promote him to the deputy division level."

"This deputy division-level position should not be placed in the province, nor in the city; just place it in Changyuan County."

"Find a position among the Standing Committee of the County Party Committee to let him transition first."

"Let him first familiarize himself with the operational logic at the county level. Let him work for half a year or a year, and next year arrange for him to concurrently serve as Deputy Party Secretary of the County Party Committee."

"This way, every step is taken solidly, and every level has actual achievements to support it."

"The public can see it, and public opinion cannot find fault with it."

"It both meets the requirements for promoting young cadres and achieves a smooth transition, proceeding step by step."

After listening, Li Ximing was silent for two seconds, then smiled, "Minister Zhao, you are still the one who considers things thoroughly."

"This way, every step of Weidong's is in the same county; it is much more reasonable."

"The public sees that he worked his way up step by step from the grassroots, not that he flew in out of thin air."

"Even if public opinion wants to criticize, they won't find a target."

"The term 'farsighted' is not at all an exaggeration when applied to you."

Zhao Tianle waved his hand, although he knew the other party couldn't see it, but his tone still carried a hint of humility and composure, "What farsightedness; it's just that I've eaten a few more years of salt and experienced a few more things."

"Ximing, when you are handling the specific operations below, pay attention to a few details."

"First, this Standing Committee position cannot be too empty; the work he oversees must be connected to his experience in Hukuang Township, so that Weidong can get started quickly and produce results quickly."

"Second, the subsequent concurrent appointment as full-time Deputy Party Secretary must be communicated with the Municipal Party Committee in advance. You cannot launch a surprise attack; you must follow normal organizational procedures."

"Third, regarding Weidong himself, you also need someone to talk to him, tell him to stay calm and not be anxious."

"It is a good thing for young people to have drive, but they also need to know how to advance steadily."

"If these three points are done well, this matter will be handled perfectly."

Li Ximing nodded one by one, his attitude as serious as if he were recording important instructions.

"Minister Zhao, rest assured, I will definitely arrange for the implementation of the points you mentioned."

"We will discuss the division of work for the Standing Committee with the Lujiang Municipal Committee to ensure that Comrade Weidong can leverage his strengths."

"We will also deliberate on the arrangement for the full-time Deputy Party Secretary in advance and follow the procedures."

"As for Comrade Weidong himself, I will ask Comrade Zhou Wenbin to talk to him; he is an old subordinate of the old leader, so it will be easier to talk."

Zhao Tianle gave a hum, his tone softening a bit, carrying the concern of an old comrade for an old friend.

"Ximing, you've been under quite a bit of pressure lately, haven't you?"

"Fengtian's plate is big, there are many things to do, and you are about to enter the Politburo... The burden on your shoulders is heavy, you must take care of your health."

Li Ximing felt a warmth in his heart, and his voice also became a bit gentler.

"Thank you for your concern, Minister Zhao."

"My health is fine; I can handle it."

"You take care too; it's cold in Yancheng, wear more when you go out."

The two exchanged a few more pleasantries, then hung up the phone.