243: Chapter 243 Recruiting People (Part Two)

When Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary Zhou Zhenglians received the notification from the Municipal Committee Office, he felt anxious.

The notification was simple: after he finished reporting his work, he was not to leave in a hurry, as Secretary Lin Juncai wanted to see him.

He hung up the phone and sat in his office for a long while.

As the County Commission for Discipline Inspection secretary, he usually dealt with the Municipal Discipline Inspection Commission, and the number of times he had reported directly to the Municipal Party Committee secretary could be counted on one hand.

He did not know why Secretary Lin Juncai wanted to see him, and he knew even less what Secretary Lin Juncai wanted to say to him.

When the car drove into the Municipal Party Committee Compound, he was still thinking about it.

"Could it be that some case had attracted the attention of Secretary Lin Juncai?"

"Or had some whistleblower letter reached Secretary Lin Juncai?"

"Or perhaps there was some problem with the county's integrity and anti-corruption work?"

He mentally reviewed his recent work and found no obvious flaws, but he still felt uneasy.

The report to the Municipal Discipline Inspection Commission finished faster than expected, ending in twenty minutes.

When he came out, a secretary from the Municipal Committee Office was already waiting in the corridor.

"Secretary Zhou, Secretary Lin Juncai is waiting for you in his office. Please come with me."

Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary Zhou Zhenglians followed the secretary upstairs and walked along the corridor covered with dark carpet.

The corridor was long, and photos of Lüjiang City from various periods hung on the walls on both sides—from black and white to color, from the old city to the new district; decades of change were frozen in those picture frames.

The secretary knocked on the door, and a voice from inside said, "Come in."

Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary Zhou Zhenglians took a deep breath and pushed the door open to enter. Secretary Lin Juncai was sitting behind his desk reading documents, with a steaming teacup in front of him.

Seeing Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary Zhou Zhenglians, he put down his documents, stood up, walked around the desk, and took the initiative to reach out his hand, his attitude as enthusiastic as if he were meeting an old friend.

"Comrade Zhou Zhenglians, you're here? Sit, sit, sit."

Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary Zhou Zhenglians hurriedly grasped his hand, bending slightly at the waist, keeping his posture very low.

Having been in the officialdom for so many years, he knew well the power of the Municipal Party Committee secretary.

Not to mention a deputy-division-level County Commission for Discipline Inspection secretary like himself, even the mayor, who was at the department level, had to be respectful in front of the Municipal Party Committee secretary.

"Secretary Lin Juncai, you were looking for me?"

Secretary Lin Juncai pointed to the sofa opposite him and sat down in the single sofa next to it.

The secretary came in to pour tea, then exited and closed the door tightly.

Secretary Lin Juncai picked up his teacup, took a sip, leaned back on the sofa, and let his gaze rest on Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary Zhou Zhenglians's face for a moment, a smile appearing at the corners of his mouth.

"Comrade Zhou Zhenglians, how long have you been working in Changyuan County?"

"Reporting to Secretary Lin Juncai, it's been over three years."

"Over three years, that's not short."

Secretary Lin Juncai nodded, his tone as casual as if chatting about daily life.

"You have worked in the Discipline Inspection Commission system for so many years, and your professional ability is beyond reproach. The Municipal Party Committee affirms the integrity and anti-corruption work in Changyuan County these past few years."

"Especially the recent cases; they were handled very solidly and can withstand scrutiny. I have seen all of this, and comrades from the Municipal Discipline Inspection Commission have also reported it to me."

Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary Zhou Zhenglians quickly offered a few humble words.

"Secretary Lin Juncai, you are too kind. It is all part of my duty and what I should do."

Secretary Lin Juncai waved his hand and said, "Comrade Zhou Zhenglians, you don't need to be humble. Doing a good job is doing a good job; the organization will not treat comrades who do practical work unfairly."

He paused, picked up the teacup and took another sip, his tone even more casual than before.

"Comrade Zhou Zhenglians, are you familiar with Xu Weidong of Changyuan County?"

Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary Zhou Zhenglians's fingers twitched slightly. He did not know why Secretary Lin Juncai was suddenly asking about Xu Weidong, but he knew this question could not be answered casually.

Xu Weidong was the Executive Vice County Magistrate, of the same rank as him, and they had professional intersections, but little personal friendship.

He turned it over in his mind and chose a neutral phrasing.

"Familiar, we deal with each other often at work."

"Comrade Weidong is young and promising, his work is very solid, and he is a key cultivation target for our county."

Secretary Lin Juncai smiled, and that smile carried the implication of "as long as you understand."

"Comrade Zhou Zhenglians, I won't hide it from you; Xu Weidong is a junior I think very highly of."

"This young man has ability, responsibility, and a future. He has performed excellently in Changyuan County, and both the province and the city have commended him."

"I hope you can support him more and cooperate with him more in your work."

Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary Zhou Zhenglians's heart skipped a beat; he understood the meaning behind Secretary Lin Juncai's words.

It was not "cooperate with work," but "support him."

In officialdom, the meaning of the word "support" was much heavier than "cooperate."

"Secretary Lin Juncai, please rest assured. I will definitely support Xu Weidong's work with all my might."

"As for the Discipline Inspection Commission, you don't need to worry."

Secretary Lin Juncai nodded with satisfaction. He stood up, walked over to Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary Zhou Zhenglians, and patted him on the shoulder.

"Comrade Zhou Zhenglians, you are a veteran of the Discipline Inspection Commission; you are experienced and have strong principles. With you in Changyuan County, I am very reassured. Please put in some extra effort regarding Xu Weidong."

"If there is any situation, communicate with me at any time."

Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary Zhou Zhenglians hurriedly stood up and nodded.

"Secretary Lin Juncai, I understand, please rest assured."

Secretary Lin Juncai didn't say anything more; he walked back to the desk and picked up the files on it.

Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary Zhou Zhenglians tactfully took his leave and turned to walk out.

The corridor was quiet, and his footsteps echoed in the empty hallway, much lighter than when he had arrived.

He got into the car, leaned back in the seat, closed his eyes, and went over everything Secretary Lin Juncai had said in his mind.

He recalled Xu Weidong's young face, recalled his silence when being suppressed by Secretary Wei Kuan at the Standing Committee, and recalled his calmness when being contradicted by the vice county magistrates at the project promotion meeting.

He had always thought that Xu Weidong was just a young man with a background and ability; he hadn't expected that the people standing behind him included not only those bigwigs from the province but also Secretary Lin Juncai.

Secretary Lin Juncai was the Municipal Party Committee secretary, the top leader of Lvjiang City.

"Who could touch someone he wanted to protect?"

A few days later, Xu Weidong came to the city to push for projects.

Secretary Lin Juncai personally arranged a dinner, located at a private restaurant in the east of the city; it had no sign and was not open to the public.

The restaurant was inside a small courtyard with blue bricks and gray tiles; a few stalks of green bamboo were planted in the yard, appearing particularly elegant in the winter twilight.

By the time Xu Weidong arrived, Secretary Lin Juncai was already waiting in the private room.

He was wearing casual clothes, a dark jacket, and no tie, looking much more easygoing than he did in the office.

"Comrade Weidong is here? Sit, sit, sit."

Secretary Lin Juncai pointed to the seat next to him.

"There's no one else today, just the two of us. Let's just eat casually and chat while we eat."

Xu Weidong sat down next to him and picked up his teacup to take a sip.

Secretary Lin Juncai poured him a glass of wine, which he hurriedly received with both hands.

"Secretary Lin Juncai, you are too polite. I should be the one treating you."

Secretary Lin Juncai waved his hand, raised his glass to clink it with his, and drank it all in one gulp.

He put down the glass, picked up some food, chewed, swallowed, and leaned back in the chair.

"Comrade Weidong, I know everything about your affairs in Changyuan County."

"I want to know what you are thinking?"

Xu Weidong was silent for a moment; naturally, he could not speak ill of Secretary Wei Kuan, nor could he complain about his own situation in the county.

"Secretary Lin Juncai, I fully understand Secretary Wei Kuan's work arrangements."

"He is doing it for the overall situation of the whole county and to better promote work. I personally have no thoughts on it; I submit to the organization's arrangements."

Secretary Lin Juncai looked at him and suddenly smiled.

"Comrade Weidong, you don't need to use these polite phrases with me."

"If you have any thoughts, feel free to tell me. In front of me, there is no need to hide anything."

Xu Weidong's fingers twitched slightly; he knew Secretary Lin Juncai was testing him and also trying to win him over.

Secretary Lin Juncai had been the Municipal Party Committee secretary in Lvjiang City for many years, with deep roots and a vast network of relationships.

But he was not satisfied with this; he still wanted to go further.

Building a good relationship with Xu Weidong was not for the sake of Xu Weidong as a person, but for the people standing behind Xu Weidong.

"Secretary Lin Juncai, to tell you the truth, I do feel a bit uncomfortable. It's not that I have an opinion about Secretary Wei Kuan, but I am dissatisfied with myself."

"I have worked in Changyuan County for so many years and consider my work to be solid enough, but at the Standing Committee, I don't even have a single supporter. This shows that I have failed, and I need to reflect."

Secretary Lin Juncai nodded and picked up his glass for another sip.

"Comrade Weidong, that you can think this way shows you have matured. Grassroots work is like this; it's not that just because you have a background, ability, and achievements, others will listen to you."

"You have to make them feel that following you has a future, and feel that you are someone worth following. The problem you and County Magistrate Bai have in Changyuan County is not that the work is not done well, but that the hearts of the people have not been rallied."

"You are too focused on the top and have ignored the bottom. The provincial projects have been secured, the municipal funds have arrived, but what about the county cadres?"

"What have they gained? Why should they support you?"

Xu Weidong was silent. Everything Secretary Lin Juncai said, he had understood back when he was the secretary of Hukuang Township.

But upon reaching the county level and becoming the Executive Vice County Magistrate, he had instead forgotten these most basic principles.

It wasn't that he didn't understand; it was that he hadn't needed them at that time.

With a background, a patron, and support from the province and the city, what did he need those vice county magistrates for?

"Secretary Lin Juncai, you are right. I did indeed ignore this point. After I go back, I will seriously reflect and improve my work methods."

Secretary Lin Juncai waved his hand and said, "Reflection is necessary, but reflection alone is not enough; you need actual action. You need to have people on the Standing Committee."

"Without someone speaking for you at the Standing Committee, your work will be difficult to move forward. Secretary Liu Qingfeng supports you; you are very clear about this, but you need more people."

He paused and took a sip from his glass.

"Minister of Organization Huang Xuan of your county came down from the Municipal Party Committee Organization Department and has a good relationship with Minister Sun Ping. Minister Sun Ping has a good relationship with you; it should not be difficult for you to work on Minister of Organization Huang Xuan through Minister Sun Ping."

"In addition, Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary Zhou Zhenglians of your county has a very good relationship with me. I will find time to arrange for you to meet; you should have a good chat with him."

Xu Weidong's heart stirred: Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary Zhou Zhenglians!

If he could pull Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary Zhou Zhenglians over, he would have more support at the Standing Committee.

He did not show any eagerness and raised his glass to clink it with Secretary Lin Juncai's.

"Secretary Lin Juncai, thank you. You are helping me so much; I really don't know how to thank you enough."

Secretary Lin Juncai smiled and said, "Thank me for what? You are a junior, and I am an elder."

"Isn't it only right for an elder to help a junior?"

"Besides, if you do well and Changyuan County develops well, I, as the Municipal Party Committee secretary, will also have glory on my face."

"I am helping you, which is also helping myself; you don't need to thank me."

Xu Weidong nodded; he knew Secretary Lin Juncai was telling the truth.

In officialdom, there is no kindness without reason, and there is no malice without reason.

Secretary Lin Juncai was helping him because he had the value of being helped.

He did not mind; if a person has no value to be utilized, that is the true tragedy.

The next morning, Secretary Lin Juncai had his secretary call Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary Zhou Zhenglians, saying that a friend wanted to get to know him and asking him to come to the Municipal Party Committee.

When Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary Zhou Zhenglians arrived, Xu Weidong was already sitting in Secretary Lin Juncai's office.

The two exchanged a look and both smiled.

Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary Zhou Zhenglians reached out to grasp Xu Weidong's hand, his face full of smiles, his attitude warm.

"County Magistrate Xu, long time no see. After the last Standing Committee meeting, I have been wanting to find an opportunity to chat with you, but I just didn't have the nerve to bring it up."

Xu Weidong also smiled and said, "Secretary Zhou, you are too polite. I should have been the one to take the initiative to find you; how could I let you come to find me."

Secretary Lin Juncai watched from the side, smiling without speaking, and pointed to the sofa opposite them.

"Comrade Zhou Zhenglians, sit. I called you here today for no other reason. Comrade Weidong is an outstanding young cadre of our Lvjiang City and has done an excellent job in Changyuan County."

"You are a veteran comrade in the county, experienced and principled. I hope you can support Comrade Weidong more and cooperate with Comrade Weidong more in your work."

"Everyone is working for the Party and serving the people; there is no distinction of superior and subordinate."

"Support each other, cooperate with each other, and get things done well in Changyuan County."

Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary Zhou Zhenglians looked at Xu Weidong, then at Secretary Lin Juncai, and nodded with a smile.

"Secretary Lin Juncai, please rest assured. I will definitely support Comrade Weidong's work with all my might."

"As for the Discipline Inspection Commission, you don't need to worry."

Xu Weidong hurriedly offered a few polite words, saying, "Secretary Zhou, you are too polite."

"I am young and lack experience. If there are any areas where my work is not up to standard, please criticize and correct me more."

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

Secretary Lin Juncai was like an experienced old director, controlling the pace unhurriedly, without making anyone feel too much pressure, nor making anyone feel like it was just a formality.

When Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary Zhou Zhenglians took his leave, he shook hands with Xu Weidong, his smile sincere.

"County Magistrate Xu, if you have any matters in the future, feel free to give orders. As for the Discipline Inspection Commission, you can find me at any time."

Xu Weidong nodded with a smile. After seeing Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary Zhou Zhenglians off, Secretary Lin Juncai leaned back in his chair, picked up his teacup for a sip, and a smile appeared at the corners of his mouth.

"Comrade Weidong, this person, Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary Zhou Zhenglians, is reliable. Having worked in the Discipline Inspection Commission system for so many years, he is principled and will not easily sway. If you are good to him, he will be good to you."

"In the future at the Standing Committee, with Minister of Organization Huang Xuan and Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary Zhou Zhenglians, plus Secretary Liu Qingfeng, you will have five votes."

"This is already a force that cannot be underestimated."

Xu Weidong stood up, held the teacup with both hands, using tea to substitute for wine, and toasted Secretary Lin Juncai.

"Secretary Lin Juncai, thank you. You are helping me so much; I really don't know how to thank you enough."

Secretary Lin Juncai also stood up, clinked his cup with his, drank it all in one gulp, and waved his hand.

"Thank me for what? If you do well and Changyuan County develops well, I, as the Municipal Party Committee secretary, will also have glory on my face. I am helping you, which is also helping myself."

"You don't need to thank me."

"Go now, do a good job."

"If you have anything, call me at any time."

Xu Weidong nodded and turned to walk out.

The sunlight in the corridor was glaring; he stood for a moment, squinting, then strode toward the stairwell.

Secretary Lin Juncai stood at the window, watching Xu Weidong's car drive out of the Municipal Party Committee Compound, the smile at the corners of his mouth slowly receding.

He turned around, walked back to the desk, and picked up the files on the table to continue flipping through them.

Secretary Wei Kuan: "Family, I feel like I've been sold out..."