20: Chapter 20 Getting Ashore

June 2012, Tianzhou City, Xishan Province, deep within the Provincial Party Committee compound.

Footsteps sounded behind Xu Weidong. He turned around and saw Xu Tianhua coming down the stairs.

At forty-seven, he had been the top leader governing Xishan Province for exactly one year.

His temperament was different from three years ago; it was no longer the deliberately affected majesty, but a calmness that had seeped into his bones over the years.

As Xu Tianhua walked over, the very air in the living room seemed to freeze for a moment.

Xu Weidong suddenly remembered his childhood, when his father would return from the County Party Committee, and he would rush over to hug his father's legs.

His father would bend down to pick him up and rub his stubble against his face; that was a long time ago.

"Sit."

Xu Tianhua pointed to the sofa, and Xu Weidong sat down.

On the coffee table stood two cups of tea, prepared by his mother, Shen Ziwei, before she left.

She had a meeting today. As she changed her shoes in the foyer before leaving, she glanced at the father and son, asked nothing, and quietly closed the door behind her as she left.

Xu Tianhua picked up a teacup, but didn't drink; he held it in his palm to warm it.

"Tell me, why did you choose Fengtian?"

Xu Weidong had prepared for this question for a long time.

From the selection interviews in March to the conditional offer of employment sent by the Lujiang Municipal Committee Office in May, he had been thinking about how his father would ask and how he would answer.

But when the moment actually arrived, those words he had prepared for months were suddenly stuck in his throat.

"Dad, Hanzhong Province is your base of operations."

Xu Tianhua said nothing; this was something everyone knew.

"In the Provincial Party Committee and the Provincial Government, from top to bottom, which department doesn't have your people?"

Xu Weidong continued, "If I go to Hanzhong, what will people call me?"

"Secretary Xu's son."

"If I do well, it's expected."

"If I do poorly, it's your face I lose."

Xu Weidong paused, then said, "I don't want that."

Xu Tianhua looked at him and said indifferently, "So you are going to Fengtian?"

"Fengtian is far away."

"No one knows me there, so I can start from scratch."

Xu Tianhua set the teacup back on the table and said in a flat tone, "Start from scratch... Do you know what starting from scratch means?"

"I do."

"Tell me."

Xu Weidong was silent for a few seconds, then said, "No connections, no network, starting as a basic staff member, answering phones, writing documents, running errands, doing odd jobs."

"If you do well, you might not get praised; if you do poorly, you will definitely get scolded."

"It might take three or five years, maybe seven or eight, before anyone knows whose son you are."

"And then?"

"Then, when I achieve something, people will say this is Xu Weidong."

"Not Secretary Xu's son, Xu Weidong."

The living room was quiet for a long time. Xu Tianhua leaned back against the sofa.

Has this child reached his rebellious phase?

He looked at the young man opposite him, twenty-three years old, standing tall and straight, the callowness of youth already faded from between his brows.

He wore a white shirt with neatly buttoned cuffs, sat with good posture, and spoke neither arrogantly nor obsequiously.

This was his son, his eldest son, and his only son.

"Weidong, do you know how I started out in Ankang County back then?"

"I do."

"Twenty-three years old, a staff member in the office."

"Did I have any connections back then?"

Xu Weidong shook his head, and Xu Tianhua continued, "As a college student assigned to the city, I didn't know anyone, and I didn't rely on anyone."

"Every day I was the first to arrive at the office, boiling water, wiping tables, mopping the floor."

"I took notes when leaders spoke, recorded minutes at meetings, and helped carry bags when leaders went on business trips."

"After working for a year, I was promoted to Deputy Section Chief."

"In terms of rank, that was considered a stock-level cadre."

Xu Weidong listened, waiting for his father's next words.

"So I understand you wanting to strike out on your own."

Xu Tianhua paused, then said, "But Fengtian is not Ankang."

"Ankang is a small county town; no matter how complex the social dynamics are, it's only so big."

"Fengtian is an industrial hub, Shengjing is a sub-provincial capital, and Lujiang is a prefecture-level city with an economy ranked in the top three in the province."

"You cannot imagine how deep the waters are there."

"I know."

"You don't."

Xu Tianhua's tone was not heavy, but it brooked no argument.

"The 'starting from scratch' you imagine is just your imagination."

"You are Xu Weidong, you are my son, Xu Tianhua's son; that is a fact you cannot change no matter where you go."

"If you don't say it, won't others find out?"

"Once they find out, won't some people try to curry favor with me by flattering you? Won't some people try to attack me by stepping on you?"

"Have you thought about these things?"

Xu Weidong was silent for a long time, then said, "I have."

"And you're still going?"

"I am."

Xu Tianhua didn't speak immediately. He looked at his son, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

What a stubborn mule!

"Bai Bing, she's from Shengjing, right?"

Xu Weidong was stunned, not expecting his father to say that.

"Her grandfather is the chairman of Shenghong Pharmaceutical, her father is the general manager, and her mother is the director of the Health Supervision Division at the Shengjing Municipal Health Bureau."

"The Bai family is considered upper-middle class in Shengjing, and they have some dealings with political circles."

"You chose Fengtian, and this wasn't a factor?"

Xu Weidong's face flushed slightly, but he didn't dodge the question.

"It was, but not entirely."

"Bai Bing is from Shengjing; that is a fact."

"She is going back to Shengjing after graduation, which has long been decided."

"I don't want a long-distance relationship, and I certainly don't want her to compromise for me because of my job."

Xu Weidong paused, then said, "But that is not the main reason."

"What is the main reason?"

"I want to try."

"I want to see how far I can go in Fengtian without relying on your name."

Xu Weidong looked at his father and said, "Dad, back then you were able to go from Ankang to Dongjiang, from Dongjiang to Hanzhou, and from Hanzhou to Xishan."

"You built everything from scratch."

"I don't expect to go higher or further than you, but at least..."

"At least, I don't want people to call me a second-generation heir living off your laurels."

Xu Tianhua said nothing. He picked up his teacup and took a sip.

The tea had gone cold. He set the cup down and looked up.

"Do you know what the situation in Fengtian is like right now?"

Xu Weidong shook his head.

"Peaceful on the surface, but undercurrents are surging beneath."

"Lujiang City has had three Municipal Party Committee secretaries in two years; the current one was parachuted in from the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection last year."

"Why the changes?"

"Because of the previous two, one is under investigation for involvement in a case, and the other was transferred."

"The one involved in the case was charged with illegally interfering with engineering projects."

Xu Weidong's brow twitched slightly.

"The Lujiang Municipal Committee Office you are going to is the center of power for the whole city."

"All documents flow through there, all meetings are organized from there, and all information is summarized there."

"Do you think it's just a leisurely place for writing documents?"

"It is the center of the vortex."

Xu Weidong was silent.

"I'm telling you this not to scare you."

"But to help you prepare mentally."

"When you go, you will encounter all kinds of people and things."

"Some will flatter you, some will step on you, some will test you, and some will use you."

"The fact that you are my son can be hidden for a moment, but not forever."

"Once people find out, your troubles will have only just begun."

Xu Tianhua paused, then said, "At that time, do you still want to start from scratch?"

"Yes."

He looked at his father, his gaze calm and determined.

Stubborn mule!

"Dad, you taught me that a person must take responsibility. I will carry the burden of the path I have chosen."

Xu Tianhua looked at him for a long time, then he smiled.

Regardless, this is his own son; if he's a stubborn mule, so be it.

"Good."

"Dad, do you have nothing else to say?"

"What is there to say?"

Xu Tianhua stood up and walked to the window.

"Your mind is made up; nothing I say will stop you."

"As a father, what else can I do but support you?"

"Don't be reckless when you encounter problems; if you're not sure about something, give me a call."

"I understand."

"When do you plan to talk to Bai Bing about this?"

"You are going to Lujiang, and she is returning to Shengjing; the distance isn't far, but after all, you won't be able to see each other every day."

Xu Tianhua turned around, looked at his son, and said, "You need to know what you're doing regarding your relationship."

"That classmate of yours named Wei Yingying is now starting a business with a senior from her school..."

"I don't want you to repeat the same mistakes..."

"Once I'm settled, I'll have a good talk with her."

Xu Tianhua nodded and asked no more.

He walked back to the coffee table, picked up the cold cup of tea, and drained it in one gulp.

"There is a dinner tonight with your Uncle Bai and Governor Zhou Wenbin and the others."

"Since you're back, come along."

Xu Weidong was slightly taken aback; he knew who the Uncle Bai his father was referring to was.

Secretary Bai, the current member of the Standing Committee of the Xishan Provincial Party Committee and Secretary of the Tianzhou Municipal Party Committee.

The old man, Bai Jingguo, is the Vice Chairman of the CPPCC; although he has retired to the second line, his former students and old acquaintances are everywhere.

Secretary Bai himself was Xu Tianhua's old partner in Dongjiang City; when Xu Tianhua was the secretary, Secretary Bai was the mayor.

When Xu Tianhua was transferred, Secretary Bai succeeded him as secretary.

And Uncle Zhou is Governor Zhou Wenbin, an old subordinate who had been with Xu Tianhua since the Ankang County days, a top confidant who used to help Xu Tianhua support his gray-market proxies.

President Liu of Tianwen Group was someone he personally supported. Now, Governor Zhou Wenbin is in the position of Mayor of Tianzhou City, at the deputy-ministerial level, and is an important part of Xu Tianhua's layout in Xishan Province.

This dinner, nominally... in reality...

Xu Weidong didn't think too much about it.

"Okay."

6:30 PM, Tianzhou Hotel.

The designated reception venue for the Xishan Provincial Party Committee; it has no sign and is not open to the public.

At the entrance, there were only two inconspicuous armed police guard posts, and vehicles entering and leaving had to check their passes.

When Xu Weidong followed his father into the private room, three people were already sitting inside.

Secretary Bai stood up first. He was wearing a dark gray jacket and no tie, and he smiled as he came to greet them: "Secretary Xu, Weidong is here."

He took Xu Weidong's hand and looked him up and down.

"You've grown so tall! The last time I saw you, your dad was still in Dongjiang, and you were only this small."

Xu Weidong politely smiled and said, "Hello, Uncle Bai."

Governor Zhou Wenbin stood up as well, speaking with an Ankang accent.

"Weidong, do you still recognize me?"

"Uncle Zhou, I do."

How could he not recognize him? When he was a child in Ankang County, Governor Zhou Wenbin was the most capable assistant by his father's side, often coming to the house to deliver documents and occasionally bringing him candy.

Later, Governor Zhou Wenbin became mayor, then Municipal Party Committee secretary, rising through the ranks...

The third person Xu Weidong also recognized: Minister Ma Fuqiang, Vice Governor of Xishan Province and Director of the Provincial Public Security Department.

He was a cadre promoted by Xu Tianhua when he was the Deputy County Mayor in Ankang County, a loyal old subordinate.

When Xu Tianhua was transferred to Xishan, he was the first person he brought with him.

"Uncle Ma, where is Uncle Chen?"

"That kid, Secretary Chen Liang, is now the Director of the Hanzhong Provincial Public Security Department and Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Political and Legal Affairs Commission; he's too far away, so we didn't call him."

"Weidong, I heard from your dad that you passed the selection exam? Lujiang Municipal Committee Office?"

"Yes, Uncle Ma."

"Good place. Lujiang has developed quickly these past two years, but it's not very peaceful."

Secretary Bai glanced at him and smiled, smoothing things over: "Old Ma, the kid hasn't even reported for duty yet; don't scare him."

Minister Ma Fuqiang waved his hand and said, "It's not scaring, it's a reminder. Weidong, when you get to Lujiang, if you need anything, find your Uncle Bai."

He turned to Secretary Bai and said, "Secretary Bai, don't you have people over there?"

Secretary Bai smiled without saying anything, and the group took their seats.

The waiter began to serve the dishes: four cold dishes, followed by hot dishes; the Moutai was opened, and the aroma of the wine filled the air.

Xu Tianhua raised his glass and said, "Today is a family dinner; there are no outsiders."

"Old Bai, Governor Zhou Wenbin, Minister Ma Fuqiang, you've followed me from Dongjiang to Xishan, working tirelessly; thank you for your hard work."

Secretary Bai quickly said, "Secretary Xu, that's too heavy a statement."

Governor Zhou Wenbin and Minister Ma Fuqiang also raised their glasses, and Xu Weidong followed suit, picking up his drink.

He didn't know how to drink white liquor yet, and no one urged him.

After a few drinks, the atmosphere relaxed.

Minister Ma Fuqiang was talkative and began to talk about several underworld gangs that had recently been taken down in the province.

He spoke of one of the underworld bosses who had operated in Tianzhou City for twenty years, with a deeply entrenched network of relationships, and who hadn't been touched by several special rectification campaigns.

When Xu Tianhua came to Xishan, he personally intervened, and within three months, the gang was uprooted.

"That bastard was still clamoring in the detention center, saying he had connections in the province."

Minister Ma Fuqiang sneered, "When I asked him which leader in the province, he couldn't say."

Secretary Bai shook his head and said, "In recent years, some people really don't know the immensity of heaven and earth."

Governor Zhou Wenbin interjected, "It's not that they don't know; they're just used to it."

"Before, no one touched them, so they thought they couldn't be touched."

He turned to Xu Tianhua and said, "Secretary, those urban renewal projects in Tianzhou City have all been cleared out this month."

"The plots of land originally occupied by the Black Water system have now been returned to the government platform."

Xu Tianhua nodded and said, "The progress is good."

"The Black Water side is still going through the reconsideration process, but the provincial approval has already been issued, so they can't stir up any trouble."

Xu Tianhua said nothing and took a sip of his wine.

Xu Weidong listened quietly. He remembered that summer vacation three years ago when he told his father that people from Black Water wanted to approach him through venture capital.

His father said, "Don't worry about those petty tricks; the influence of Black Water is now being squeezed out of Xishan bit by bit."

That one million that wasn't invested back then has now become a meaningful footnote.

Secretary Bai suddenly turned to Xu Weidong and said, "Weidong, have you decided which department you'll be in over in Lujiang?"

Xu Weidong came to his senses and said, "Yes, the Comprehensive Section of the Municipal Committee Office."

"The Comprehensive Section is good; it has a wide range of contacts and is good for training."

Secretary Bai paused and said, "I have an old subordinate over at the Lüjiang Municipal Committee Organization Department."

"His surname is Sun, and he is now the Executive Deputy Minister."

"If you have any problems over there, go directly to him."

Xu Weidong was stunned, and he subconsciously looked at his father.

Xu Tianhua said nothing and picked up some food with his chopsticks.

Seeing that he didn't respond, Secretary Bai added, "It's not asking him to give you special treatment; it's just so you have someone you know."

"When you first arrive, you're a stranger in a strange land, and you won't even have anyone to ask when you run into trouble."

Secretary Bai smiled and said to Xu Tianhua, "Secretary Xu, don't overthink it; I'm just concerned for the child."

He only mentioned a division-level cadre and didn't dare to mention anyone at a higher level...

Xu Tianhua put down his chopsticks and said, "Old Bai, I understand your good intentions."

"But for Weidong's trip this time, I've made three rules with him."

"No greetings, no notes, no pulling strings."

"If he wants to strike out on his own, let him."

Secretary Bai was stunned, then he smiled.

"Fine, then let nature take its course."

Secretary Bai looked at Xu Weidong, his eyes filled with a bit more appreciation: "Weidong, you have your father's demeanor from back then."

Xu Weidong bowed slightly and said, "Thank you, Uncle Bai."

Minister Ma Fuqiang chimed in, "Secretary Bai, don't you have a Vice Governor in your family in Fengtian?"

Secretary Bai waved his hand, "That was a former secretary of my father's; at the moment, his age is a bit awkward."

He said it very lightly, but Xu Weidong could hear the implication.

The Bai family does indeed have people in Fengtian, and in high positions, too.

He didn't respond, and the topic was gently brushed aside.

Is this his father's circle?