242: Chapter 242 Recruiting People (Part 1)

When Xu Weidong arrived at the Municipal Party Committee Compound, it was almost dark.

He asked his driver to park the car at the entrance and walked in himself.

It wasn't because he was afraid of being seen; he just felt there was no need to be ostentatious.

Minister Sun Ping's office was on the third floor. The lights in the hallway were on, casting an orange glow on the floor and stretching his shadow long.

The door was open, and Minister Sun Ping was leaning back in his chair, reading documents.

Seeing Xu Weidong enter, he put down the documents, stood up, walked around the desk, and extended his hand. His face was full of smiles, and his manner was as warm as if he were greeting a younger relative of his own.

"Comrade Weidong is here? Sit, sit. Would you like tea or water? I'll have someone brew you a cup of Longjing; it's new tea that just arrived, the flavor is quite good."

Xu Weidong sat down opposite him, took the teacup handed to him by the secretary, and took a sip.

Having spent so many years in the officialdom, Minister Sun Ping was most adept at doing the right thing and saying the right words at the right time—neither too intimate to seem sycophantic, nor too distant to seem indifferent.

This sense of propriety was a foundational skill he had cultivated over decades in the organization system.

"Uncle Sun, I came today because I wanted to ask your advice on something."

Xu Weidong didn't beat around the bush. He knew Minister Sun Ping was a smart man; there was no need for too much buildup when talking to smart people. Saying too much would only make it seem like he didn't trust him.

Minister Sun Ping leaned back in his chair, lifted his teacup for a sip, and his gaze lingered on Xu Weidong's face.

He was, of course, well aware of the situation. He saw everything happening in Changyuan County clearly from the city.

The stunt Secretary Wei Kuan pulled at the Standing Committee—adjusting divisions of labor, establishing special task forces, and isolating County Mayor Bai Weijun and Xu Weidong—had reached the city that very day.

It wasn't that he didn't know; he had been waiting. Waiting for Xu Weidong to come to him.

"Comrade Weidong, go ahead. Uncle Sun is listening."

Xu Weidong briefly recounted the recent events in Changyuan County.

He didn't embellish or deliberately conceal anything; he stated the facts.

From the adjustments to the division of labor at the Standing Committee to the removal of the science, education, culture, and health portfolios; from the deputy county magistrates siding with Secretary Wei Kuan to County Mayor Bai Weijun being cornered during the meeting.

Minister Sun Ping listened, nodding occasionally. His expression didn't betray any change, but his mind was already turning.

After Xu Weidong finished speaking, Minister Sun Ping lifted his teacup for another sip and set it down slowly.

He didn't rush to express his stance, remaining silent for a moment as if organizing his words or weighing how best to say them.

He had spent most of his life in the organization system; there was no scene he hadn't witnessed, no storm he hadn't weathered.

In his view, the things Secretary Wei Kuan was doing in Changyuan County were nothing more than the most routine power games in officialdom.

"Comrade Weidong, having worked at the grassroots level for so many years, you should know that the Standing Committee is the core of power operations at the county level."

"Whether your words carry weight, whether your proposed work can proceed smoothly, and whether your prestige among cadres is high or low—all depend on how much support you can secure at the Standing Committee."

He paused, tapped his fingers gently on the table, and continued earnestly.

"The power structure of the County Party Committee, to put it plainly, is the force represented by each member of the Standing Committee. The Party Secretary has a group of supporters, the County Magistrate has a group of supporters, and the other Standing Committee members each have their own small circles."

"Whoever can secure enough votes at the Standing Committee has the right to speak on major issues. Your problem right now isn't that you aren't doing your job well; it's that you are isolated at the Standing Committee."

"County Mayor Bai Weijun is the County Magistrate, and you are the Executive Deputy County Magistrate. Added together, there is only Secretary Liu Qingfeng on the Standing Committee who stands with you."

"As for the rest of them, whether they are fence-sitters or Secretary Wei Kuan's people, they simply don't listen to you."

Xu Weidong nodded. He understood these principles; when he was the Party Secretary of Hukuang Township, this was the exact method he used to deal with Township Head Jiang Tiansheng.

But arriving at the county level, his role had changed. From Party Secretary to Deputy County Magistrate, there were some things he wanted to do but couldn't, and some things he wanted to say but couldn't.

"Uncle Sun, I understand all of this. But I am currently the Executive Deputy County Magistrate, not the Party Secretary."

"It is inconvenient for me to come forward on some matters, and it is inconvenient for me to have direct contact with some people."

"County Magistrate Bai could come forward, but as you know, he came from the ministries and commissions; he isn't very skilled at these grassroots intricacies."

Minister Sun Ping smiled, a smile that carried an indescribable flavor—part helplessness regarding County Mayor Bai Weijun, part pity for Xu Weidong.

He had spent decades in the organization system and had seen too many cadres like County Mayor Bai Weijun: they had backgrounds, abilities, and ideas, but they simply didn't understand human nature.

Their eyes were always fixed on above—on the province, on the ministries, on the big figures who could decide their promotions—forgetting the ground beneath their feet and the people around them.

"Comrade Weidong, let me tell you the truth. County Mayor Bai Weijun is fine in every way, except he is too arrogant. He is used to the ministries and commissions, thinking that as long as tasks from above are completed, there's no need to build relationships with people below."

"Coming to Changyuan County as County Magistrate, he still maintains this style, thinking that because he is the County Magistrate, others should listen to him. He doesn't realize that grassroots cadres don't buy that."

"The more airs you put on, the less they will buy what you're selling. This isn't about looking down on him; it's just the reality of grassroots work."

He lifted his teacup for another sip, his gaze settling on Xu Weidong's face. His tone became deeper, as if imparting a unique skill that could only be understood intuitively and not described in words.

"If you want to break this deadlock, the urgent priority is to recruit people on the Standing Committee. Count them up—who else among the Standing Committee members can be won over?"

"Besides Secretary Liu Qingfeng, who else?"

"Wait, I remember."

"Your Minister of Organization Huang Xuan, who just took office this year, was parachuted down from the Municipal Party Committee Organization Department."

"This person has no direct conflict with you, nor has he gotten too close to Secretary Wei Kuan. He is still on the sidelines; he will go with whoever treats him well."

"If you can bring him over, you will have three votes on the Standing Committee, and with Secretary Liu Qingfeng, that makes four."

"If County Mayor Bai Weijun can pull in one more, that's five votes."

"By then, it won't be so easy for Secretary Wei Kuan to do whatever he wants at the Standing Committee."

Xu Weidong's eyes brightened. Minister of Organization Huang Xuan—he had met him a few times. He was thirty-seven or thirty-eight, wore glasses, looked refined, and spoke in a measured, unhurried way.

He rarely spoke at the Standing Committee, and every time he stated his position, it was safe and steady, offending no one.

He hadn't paid much attention to him before, thinking he was just a newly arrived Minister of Organization who hadn't yet established a foothold.

Now that Minister Sun Ping mentioned it, he realized he had misjudged him.

Minister of Organization Huang Xuan wasn't afraid to offend people; he didn't want to pick a side too early. He was waiting—waiting for someone worthy of his allegiance to appear.

"Uncle Sun, you know Minister of Organization Huang Xuan?"

Minister Sun Ping smiled, a smile carrying the cunning and smugness typical of an old fox, as if to say, "You asked the right person."

"When Minister of Organization Huang Xuan was at the Municipal Party Committee Organization Department, he was my old subordinate. I watched him walk up step by step; from staff member to section chief, I knew every step."

"I am clear about his ability, character, and style of handling affairs. This person doesn't pick a side easily, but once he does, he won't waver easily."

Minister Sun Ping lifted his teacup for a sip and said, "I'll find a time to arrange a meeting for you two to build some rapport."

"Some things are not appropriate for you to say, but it's easy for me to say them. He is a person who values emotions and cherishes old ties. If I speak up, he won't deny me face."

Xu Weidong felt a warmth in his heart. His relationship with Minister Sun Ping couldn't be called deep, but it wasn't shallow either.

Ever since he was a staff member at the Municipal Committee Office, Minister Sun Ping had taken care of him.

Back then, he was Secretary Wan Xiaohan's secretary, and Minister Sun Ping was the Executive Deputy Minister of the Municipal Party Committee Organization Department. They didn't meet often, but every time they did, Minister Sun Ping was very polite to him.

Later, he went to Changyuan County, and Minister Sun Ping rose all the way to Deputy Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee.

The connection between them hadn't been broken; they made phone calls during holidays and occasionally had meals, maintaining a lukewarm relationship.

He knew Minister Sun Ping was good to him not because of who he was, but because his surname was Xu.

Without Xu Tianhua, without those big figures that Minister Sun Ping looked up to, Minister Sun Ping wouldn't even look him in the eye.

But he didn't care. In this world, there is no kindness without reason, and no malice without reason. Minister Sun Ping was willing to help him because he had value in being helped.

This was a good thing, not a bad thing. If a person had no value to be utilized, that would be the real tragedy.

"Uncle Sun, thank you."

Xu Weidong stood up, lifted the teacup with both hands, and toasted Minister Sun Ping with tea in place of wine.

"Every time I am in my most difficult moments, you help me out. I will keep this favor in my heart."

Minister Sun Ping also stood up, clinked cups with him, drank it in one gulp, set the teacup down, and waved his hand.

"Comrade Weidong, you are being too polite. You call me Uncle Sun, so you are my nephew. If a nephew is in trouble, isn't it only right for an uncle to help?"

When he said this, his expression was sincere, his tone earnest, and there was even a trace of affection in his eyes.

But Xu Weidong knew that these words were just to be listened to, not taken seriously.

Minister Sun Ping was an old fox in officialdom, most skilled at packaging interest relationships as personal favors.

He was helping Xu Weidong not because he was his nephew, but because he knew Xu Weidong would definitely go higher and further in the future. At that time, he would need Xu Weidong to speak for him.

This wasn't calculation; it was investment. Xu Weidong didn't care; he needed Minister Sun Ping's help. In this deal, neither side lost.

The next day, Minister Sun Ping arranged to meet Minister of Organization Huang Xuan.

The meeting place was a private restaurant in Lvjiang City; it had no sign, was not open to the public, and only served regular customers.

The restaurant was in the deepest part of an alley, and a few low-key black sedans were parked at the entrance. None were luxury cars, but the license plates were all more impressive than the last.

When Minister of Organization Huang Xuan arrived, Minister Sun Ping was already waiting in the private room.

He was wearing casual clothes—a dark jacket—without a tie, and he looked much more easygoing than he did in the office.

Xu Weidong sat next to Minister Sun Ping, with a cup of tea in front of him, the steam rising in wisps from the rim.

Minister of Organization Huang Xuan pushed the door open and, seeing Minister Sun Ping, hurriedly walked over, grasped Minister Sun Ping's hand with both hands, his manner respectful to just the right degree.

He had worked in the Municipal Party Committee Organization Department for many years, and Minister Sun Ping was his old leader who had invested a lot of effort in him. From staff member to section chief, every step had Minister Sun Ping's promotion.

Although Minister Sun Ping was later promoted to Deputy Secretary and his contact with him had decreased, the scale in his heart had always been there. He remembered clearly who his benefactor was.

"Old leader, why did you come in person? If there is anything, just give me a call, and I will go over. How could I let you make the trip?"

Minister Sun Ping smiled, patted his shoulder, and pointed to the seat next to him.

"Sit, sit, sit. Today is not official business; it's private. Xu Weidong is also in Changyuan County; you two should know each other, right?"

Minister of Organization Huang Xuan turned his head, looked at Xu Weidong, paused for a moment, and then smiled and extended his hand.

"County Magistrate Xu, of course I know you. We often meet at the Standing Committee, but we haven't really chatted alone. You are young and promising; the province and the city are both praising you."

"I have always wanted to find an opportunity to learn from you, but I was too embarrassed to ask."

Xu Weidong shook his hand and said with a smile, "Minister of Organization Huang Xuan, you are too polite. You are a senior in the organization system; I should be the one learning from you."

The two sat down. Minister Sun Ping sat in the main seat, poured tea for both of them, took a sip from his own cup first, and his gaze swept back and forth between Minister of Organization Huang Xuan and Xu Weidong.

"Minister of Organization Huang Xuan, let me tell you something. You know Xu Weidong's situation in Changyuan County better than I do. You have seen those things at the Standing Committee."

"I called you out today with no other intention than to ask you to help Xu Weidong more."

Minister of Organization Huang Xuan's hand holding the teacup paused slightly. He glanced at Minister Sun Ping, then at Xu Weidong, and naturally understood.

Minister Sun Ping was sending him a message to pick a side, to stand on Xu Weidong's side.

It wasn't that he didn't want to pick a side; it was that he didn't dare to do it too early or too obviously. He had just taken office in Changyuan County not long ago, his foothold wasn't stable yet, and he didn't know which way the wind was blowing, so he didn't dare to express his stance easily.

"Old leader, what are you saying? I have always supported County Magistrate Xu's work in Changyuan County."

"Regarding those matters at the Standing Committee, it's not that I don't want to speak, but there are some things that are inconvenient to say."

"As you know, I just arrived, and I am not familiar with the situation. I am afraid that if I say the wrong thing, it will only cause trouble for County Magistrate Xu."

Minister Sun Ping waved his hand, his tone relaxed, but the meaning in his words was not ambiguous at all.

"Minister of Organization Huang Xuan, you don't need to explain to me. When you were at the Municipal Party Committee Organization Department, I knew you were a smart person. Smart people don't need others to teach them; they know what to do themselves."

"I will just say one thing."

"Xu Weidong is not fighting alone. The people standing behind him are more than you imagine."

"If you help him, you won't lose out."

Minister of Organization Huang Xuan's fingers moved slightly. He looked at Minister Sun Ping's calm face, then at Xu Weidong's young face, and the scale in his heart was swinging rapidly.

Minister Sun Ping was right; there were too many people standing behind Xu Weidong—too many for him to count. If he could stand out when Xu Weidong was in his most difficult times, when Xu Weidong flourished in the future, would he be short of benefits?

"Old leader, rest assured."

He put down the teacup, looked at Xu Weidong, and spoke with sincerity.

"County Magistrate Xu, it was my ignorance before; I didn't align with you in time. That was my fault. From now on, whatever you need, just order me."

"At the Standing Committee, whatever you say to vote, I will vote. On the Organization Department side, whatever you say to cooperate, I will cooperate."

Xu Weidong looked at his sincere face, and he couldn't describe the feeling in his heart.

"Minister of Organization Huang Xuan, your words are too heavy. We are colleagues, comrades-in-arms, comrades fighting together for the development of Changyuan County."

"There is no such thing as aligning or not; there is only whether work cooperates or not. In the future, I will need you to take care of the work of the Organization Department."

"If there is anything on my side, I will also communicate with you in time. Let's cooperate with each other and get things done in Changyuan County."

"This is being responsible to the organization, and also responsible to the common people of Changyuan County. Don't you think?"

Minister of Organization Huang Xuan nodded repeatedly, his face full of smiles, and lifted his teacup to clink with Xu Weidong.

"County Magistrate Xu is right; let's cooperate and do the work well. It was my fault for not communicating and reporting to you more before."

"In the future, I will go to your office every week to sit, report on the work of the Organization Department, and listen to your instructions."

Xu Weidong nodded with a smile. He knew Minister of Organization Huang Xuan was speaking polite words; he wouldn't really come every week, nor would he really report all the work of the Organization Department to him.

But at least, Minister of Organization Huang Xuan had expressed his stance; at the Standing Committee, he would stand on Xu Weidong's side. That was enough.

The three chatted for a while longer, talking about work in the county, trends in the city, and policies in the province.

Minister Sun Ping was like a seasoned director, controlling the pace unhurriedly, neither making Minister of Organization Huang Xuan feel too much pressure nor making Xu Weidong feel like he was doing useless work.

When the meal ended, Minister of Organization Huang Xuan offered to drive Xu Weidong back, but Xu Weidong said no, his driver was waiting downstairs.

The two shook hands, Minister of Organization Huang Xuan said goodbye to Minister Sun Ping, and got into his own car.

Standing at the restaurant entrance, watching Minister of Organization Huang Xuan's car disappear into the night, Minister Sun Ping turned around to look at Xu Weidong, a smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.

"Comrade Weidong, Minister of Organization Huang Xuan is reliable. When he was at the Municipal Party Committee Organization Department, I knew it. He values emotions and cherishes old ties; he won't betray easily."

"As long as you treat him well, he will treat you well."

"In the future at the Standing Committee, with his vote, plus Secretary Liu Qingfeng's vote, you will have two votes."

"Two votes may not be much, but it's better than none."

"Next, find a way to bring other Standing Committee members over. Pull them over one by one; don't rush, and don't be afraid."

"The situation will open up sooner or later."