228: Chapter 228 Walking Achievements

The next day, the Provincial Finance Department.

When Xu Weidong's car stopped at the entrance of the Finance Department building, Director Li Guoliang was already waiting on the steps.

He was wearing a dark jacket, his hair combed meticulously, and he walked up with a face full of smiles, shaking Xu Weidong's hand vigorously with both hands.

"Comrade Weidong, welcome, welcome. I have read the materials for your project; they are excellent, and the province should support it."

Xu Weidong shook his hand, exchanged a few polite words, and followed him into the building.

After leaving the Finance Department, he went to the Industry Department.

Director Zhao Tiejun of the Industry Department also greeted him personally at the entrance, invited Xu Weidong into his office, brewed some high-quality Longjing tea, and chatted for over half an hour.

Before leaving, Director Zhao Tiejun walked him downstairs, patted him on the shoulder, and said: "Comrade Weidong, rest assured, our department will fully support your project. If you encounter any difficulties, feel free to call me anytime."

Xu Weidong thanked him and got in the car to head to the next stop.

The Commerce Department and the Agriculture Department were the same; the directors seemed to have arranged it beforehand, each more enthusiastic and attentive than the last, with increasingly large entourages.

Director Zhang of the Agriculture Department not only accompanied him personally but also called up the deputy director in charge and the heads of relevant divisions, causing a large group to march through the corridors of the Agriculture Department, drawing countless sidelong glances.

This strange sight left many city and county leaders who were also in the provincial capital to run projects dumbfounded.

Usually, when they came to the provincial capital to run projects, they considered themselves lucky just to see a deputy director; most of the time, they couldn't even get an appointment with a division head and could only wait in the corridor, hoping to hand over a file when a leader came out.

With this current spectacle—the heads of four departments personally accompanying him, surrounded by people—it was even more grand than if the Governor had come.

Whose crown prince is this?

Some whispered that it was Xu Weidong, the Executive Deputy County Magistrate of Changyuan County.

Some suddenly realized, saying no wonder, it was him.

Some were confused, asking what kind of background this Xu Weidong had.

Those who knew were tight-lipped, saying: "Don't ask, you can't afford to provoke him even if you do."

Those who didn't know dared not ask again, only silently noting the name in their hearts to study it well after returning, lest they run into him next time and not even know how they died.

In the evening, the four directors gathered at a hotel next to the Provincial Party Committee guest house.

There were no outsiders, just the four of them.

Director Zhang of the Agriculture Department hosted, booking a small private room with a round table that was just big enough for four people.

With eight dishes—the standard of "four dishes and one soup" doubled—it was neither sumptuous nor shabby, fitting their status perfectly.

After a few rounds of drinks, Director Zhang put down his chopsticks, leaned back in his chair, and looked at the other three, the smile on his lips uncontrollable.

"You didn't see the scene today."

"At the Finance Department, Old Wang was waiting in his office personally. At the Industry Department, Old Zhao even pushed aside meetings. At the Commerce Department, Old Sun decided on the spot to list it as a key project."

"The four of us are usually busy with our own things, but today, we ended up playing supporting roles for an Executive Deputy County Magistrate for an entire day."

Director Wang of the Finance Department picked up his wine glass, took a sip, and said slowly: "Supporting roles? It's not shameful for us to play supporting roles for him."

"Think about it: who is his father, who is standing behind him, what does he call Governor Zhou, what does he call Secretary Ma, and what does he call Secretary Chen?"

"Us playing supporting roles for him is giving face to Governor Zhou, Secretary Ma, and Secretary Chen. You have to understand this logic."

Director Zhao of the Industry Department picked up a piece of green vegetable, chewed and swallowed it, then picked up a tissue to wipe his mouth.

"Old Zhang, you were the first to know him, right?"

"Last time we ate at the Provincial Party Committee guest house, with Governor Zhou, Secretary Ma, and Secretary Chen accompanying, you were there too."

"You've told us about that meal more than ten times since you got back."

"Today, it's finally our turn to bask in some of that glory, don't you think?"

Director Zhang laughed heartily, his laughter tinged with a bit of pride.

He raised his glass to clink with Director Zhao and downed it in one gulp.

"Old Zhao, you're right; I did bask in the glory, but you didn't lose out either."

"Think about it: Xu Weidong is currently the Executive Deputy County Magistrate of Changyuan County, with so many projects in his hands—finance, industry, commerce, agriculture—which one doesn't need you?"

"If his project succeeds, his political achievements are made, and he gets promoted, what about you?"

"You support his projects, and the provincial leaders see it and keep it in mind."

"When the time comes, won't you also advance? What is this called? This is called a win-win."

Director Sun of the Commerce Department had not spoken, slowly drinking from a cup of tea.

After hearing enough, he put down his teacup and spoke unhurriedly.

"Old Zhang, we know what you're saying, but there is one thing I must remind you all of."

"We are helping Xu Weidong not because of what he can bring us, but because he is doing practical work."

"Look at the projects he is running—agricultural product deep processing, cold chain logistics, auto parts—which of these isn't a project that can truly land, go into production, drive employment, and increase tax revenue?"

"He is not the type of person who just drifts along relying on his background. He has real ability."

"If we don't help a young person like this, who should we help?"

"Even if he didn't have those connections behind him, I would still be willing to help him."

"Of course, having those connections is even better."

The other three were silent; Director Sun's words hit the nail on the head.

Having spent so many years in officialdom, they had seen too many young people who rose up relying on their backgrounds.

High-minded but low-skilled, ambitious but incompetent, only capable of writing materials, reading scripts, and pulling strings; when it came time to actually do things, they couldn't accomplish anything.

Xu Weidong was different.

Although he had a background, he never used it to pressure others.

He had connections, but he never relied on them to get things done.

He had resources, but he never wasted them.

Every project he ran had been deeply researched and repeatedly verified.

Every piece of data in the materials he submitted could withstand scrutiny.

Every request he made was within the scope allowed by policy.

For a young person like this, let alone having a background, even if he didn't, they would still be willing to help him.

Of course, the prerequisite was that someone could help this small deputy-division-level cadre bridge the gap to find the four great directors.

Otherwise... that would be living in a dream.

Director Zhang picked up the wine bottle, filled everyone's glasses, and raised his cup.

"Come, let's have a drink. For Xu Weidong, and for ourselves."

The four of them clinked glasses and took a sip.

The private room was quiet for a moment, and then Director Wang spoke.

"Old Zhang, when do you think those three clouds above our heads will become our sky?"

Director Zhang was stunned for a moment, then immediately realized who the "three clouds" he referred to were.

He smiled, leaned back in his chair, and fixed his gaze on the crystal chandelier on the ceiling.

"Old Wang, you are not saying that right."

"Those three clouds are already our sky."

"Governor Zhou is the governor, Secretary Ma is the Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission, and Secretary Chen is the Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission."

"Of the four of us, who isn't working under them?"

"Only when they are well can we be well."

"Only when we are well can they be better."

"You understand this principle better than I do."

After all, the disobedient had already been sent away, and those who were slightly more serious were still writing reports at the Discipline Inspection Commission.

Cadres like them who survived the great purge were either promoted by those clouds above or had intricate ties with the Provincial Party Secretary.

Director Wang nodded and said: "It's not that I don't understand; I just feel that our relationship with them is still not close enough."

"Xu Weidong calls them Uncle, but what about us?"

"What do we call them?"

"Calling them by their titles is too distant. Calling them Comrade is too formal. Calling them Leader is too ordinary."

"Tell me, when will we be able to sit down and have a meal with them like Xu Weidong and call them Uncle?"

Director Sun put down his chopsticks, picked up his teacup, and took another sip.

"Old Wang, you are too impatient. Xu Weidong can call them Uncle because of his father."

"We don't have that father, so don't expect that fortune."

"What we can do is to serve Xu Weidong well, handle his projects well, and let those three clouds see that we are people who can get things done."

"When they think we are useful people, they will naturally give us a hand. You can't rush it, and you can't beg for it."

Director Zhao had not spoken, and after hearing them finish, he put down his chopsticks.

"Alright, let's not think so far ahead. Let's do the things in front of us first. Keep a close eye on Xu Weidong's projects, and don't let any mistakes happen."

"Especially you, Old Zhang; the funds for the Agriculture Department's project will arrive next month. You need to keep an eye on it, don't let the people below intercept it, and don't let the county use the money for other purposes."

"Old Sun, for the Commerce Department's investment project, implement the province's preferential policies as soon as possible. Don't let the companies wait anxiously; if they get anxious, they might run to other provinces."

"Old Wang, for the Finance Department's fund allocation, don't drag your feet there either. The faster, the better; the sooner the money arrives, the sooner the project can start, go into production, and see results."

"Old Zhao, for the Industry Department's approval process, urge them again, and compress the steps that can be compressed."

The three nodded simultaneously.

Director Zhang picked up the wine bottle and divided the last of the wine.

The four of them raised their cups, clinked them, and drank it in one gulp.

The food on the table was almost finished; of the eight plates, seven were empty, and only one had a little sauce left.

Director Zhang called the waiter to settle the bill, and then the four stood up and filed out one by one.