244: Chapter 244 Each exerts their own strength

In Changyuan County, this private kitchen restaurant was located at the deepest part of an old alley on the east side of the county town.

It had no sign, not even a signboard.

Several cars were parked at the entrance, all in low-key black.

Xu Weidong arrived early, had the waiter go through the menu, and gave a few instructions.

"The dishes should be light, and prepare less alcohol. The people I'm waiting for aren't young anymore and can't handle anything too greasy."

Secretary Liu Qingfeng was the first to arrive. He was wearing a dark jacket with his hair combed meticulously. As he entered the door, he laughed and said, "Comrade Weidong, you arrived even earlier than me."

Xu Weidong went up to greet him, shook his hand, and said with a smile, "Secretary Liu, you are always the first to arrive at every meeting; I need to learn from you."

The two exchanged a few pleasantries and sat down on the sofa.

The waiter came in to pour tea, then retreated and closed the door tightly.

Minister of Organization Huang Xuan and Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary Zhou Zhenglians arrived one after the other. Minister of Organization Huang Xuan brought two boxes of tea, claiming they were authentic Rougui brought back from Wuyi Mountain by a friend.

Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary Zhou Zhenglians arrived empty-handed, but as soon as he entered, he took off his coat and draped it over the back of his chair, striking a pose as if he intended to drink freely tonight.

The four sat around the round table. Xu Weidong sat in the main seat, with Secretary Liu Qingfeng on his right, Minister of Organization Huang Xuan on his left, and Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary Zhou Zhenglians sitting next to Secretary Liu Qingfeng.

Before the dishes were served, they drank tea, and the atmosphere was a bit reserved at first.

After all, they were the Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary and the Minister of Organization; they were used to holding themselves with airs in the office, so suddenly sitting at a dining table made them somewhat uncomfortable.

Xu Weidong picked up his teacup, took a sip, swept his gaze across the three men's faces, and a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

He didn't beat around the bush. When he was the secretary in Hukuang Township, he had learned that when talking to smart people, there was no need for too much preamble; saying too much would only make it seem like you didn't trust them.

"Three brothers, I invited you here today with no other intention. It's rare for us to get together, have a meal, chat, and strengthen our bond."

"There are no outsiders here; just say what's on your mind. No need to hold anything back."

Secretary Liu Qingfeng was the first to respond, his voice loud enough for the entire private room to hear.

"Comrade Weidong, I like hearing you say that. When speaking at the Standing Committee, one has to watch this person's expression or that person's expression, but why should we watch expressions while eating and chatting?"

"Say what you want to say, laugh when you want to laugh, curse when you want to curse—that's what you call refreshing."

Minister of Organization Huang Xuan also laughed, picked up his teacup to toast Xu Weidong, his attitude as sincere as if he were giving a work report.

"County Magistrate Xu, you are too polite. I should be the one treating you. You are our leader; you arrange the work and look after our lives, and we feel bad about it."

"In the future, if there's anything, just give us orders; no need to stand on ceremony with us."

Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary Zhou Zhenglians didn't say much, but every sentence hit the mark.

He picked up his teacup and clinked it against Xu Weidong's; his voice wasn't loud, but his tone was firm.

"County Magistrate Xu, rest assured regarding the work of the Discipline Inspection Commission. I haven't been working in the Discipline Inspection Commission for a short time; I dare not say much else, but I do have principles."

"What should be supported will definitely be supported, and what should be cooperated with will definitely be cooperated with."

Xu Weidong nodded with a smile, picked up his teacup, and clinked it with each of them. He didn't drink alcohol, using tea instead, his attitude humble like a junior seeking advice.

But everyone present knew that this young man wasn't seeking advice; he was unifying their thinking.

At the same time, he was telling the three of them that in the Standing Committee, they must keep in step with him.

Secretary Liu Qingfeng had already picked his side long ago; ever since Xu Weidong was at the Public Security Bureau, the two had always had a very solid relationship.

He knew Xu Weidong's background and, even more, his character, and he understood in his heart that following Xu Weidong wouldn't lead to any losses.

Minister of Organization Huang Xuan and Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary Zhou Zhenglians had just been brought over. One was the Minister of Organization, and the other was the Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary; both carried weight in the Standing Committee.

Minister of Organization Huang Xuan held the power of cadre assessment, and Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary Zhou Zhenglians held the power of disciplinary review. With these two standing on Xu Weidong's side, it meant that it wouldn't be so easy for Secretary Wei Kuan to act recklessly in the Standing Committee as he had before.

The dishes were served one by one, and the alcohol was opened. Secretary Liu Qingfeng could drink, and Minister of Organization Huang Xuan could drink too. Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary Zhou Zhenglians had average tolerance; after two glasses, his face turned red.

Xu Weidong didn't like drinking, but today he broke the rule and poured a small glass.

He picked up his glass and stood up, and the other three followed suit.

"Three brothers, I toast this glass to you. Thank you for your support and help all along. Without you, my work in Changyuan County wouldn't have gone so smoothly."

"The days ahead are long; let's support each other and get the affairs of Changyuan County done well. For the ordinary people of Changyuan County, and for ourselves, cheers."

The four clinked glasses and finished them in one gulp.

Minister of Organization Huang Xuan put down his glass, picked up the bottle, poured a glass for Xu Weidong, and then poured one for himself.

The smile on his face vanished, replaced by a serious expression.

"County Magistrate Xu, let me say a few words from the bottom of my heart. Before, I was ignorant and didn't align with you in time. That was my fault."

"From now on, however you say to vote in the Standing Committee, I will vote that way. Regarding the Organization Department's cadre assessments, I will communicate with you first."

"Whoever you say is capable, I will assess."

"Whoever you say is not capable, I will remove."

"I'm not buttering you up; I just feel you are worth it. Everything you've done in Changyuan County over these years, I've seen it all."

"The Crackdown on Organized Crime, investment promotion, work safety—which one wasn't a tough battle? Which one didn't you rush to the front for?"

"For a cadre like you, I, Minister of Organization Huang Xuan, am convinced and impressed."

Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary Zhou Zhenglians also stated his position, picked up his glass to clink with Xu Weidong. His voice was higher than usual, laced with the effects of alcohol, but every word was forceful.

"County Magistrate Xu, I'm not a person who can speak pretty words. I've worked in the Discipline Inspection Commission for so many years and offended quite a few people, but I've relied on focusing on the matter, not the person."

"Whoever does a good job, I support. Whoever does a bad job, I investigate."

"Rest assured, I will definitely cooperate well with the work of the Discipline Inspection Commission. In the Standing Committee, I will study your proposals carefully, and I will definitely support what I can."

"It's not that I'm siding with you, but I feel your proposals will definitely be reliable."

Secretary Liu Qingfeng laughed heartily, finished his drink in one gulp, wiped his mouth, leaned back in his chair, and swept his gaze across the faces of Minister of Organization Huang Xuan and Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary Zhou Zhenglians.

"You two have finally wised up today. I've worked with Comrade Weidong for so many years and know his character best. He's not like some people who, with even a little achievement, stick their tails up to the sky."

"The more he does, the more humble he is; the higher his position, the more low-key he becomes. If you follow him, you won't lose out."

Xu Weidong felt a bit embarrassed by their words; he picked up his teacup, took a sip, and waved his hand.

"Brothers, stop praising me. I'm not as good as you say. The things I've done in Changyuan County aren't my credit alone; they are the result of everyone's joint efforts."

"Without your support and cooperation, I wouldn't have accomplished anything. In the future, we are still one family; let's not speak of two families. Let's support each other in work and look after each other in life."

"If there are any difficulties or thoughts, communicate anytime. My door is always open to you."

This meal lasted nearly two hours; the dishes were barely touched, but quite a lot of alcohol was consumed.

The four chatted very congenially, talking and laughing, with constant laughter.

From chatting about work in the county to discussing trends in the city, and then to policies in the province.

Minister of Organization Huang Xuan said the Organization Department was assessing a batch of young cadres and there were a few promising seedlings, suggesting Xu Weidong pay attention to them.

Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary Zhou Zhenglians said he had recently received several whistleblowing letters involving the heads of several departments and bureaus; he was arranging for people to verify them and would report to Xu Weidong once there were results.

Secretary Liu Qingfeng said the Political and Legal Affairs Commission was recently conducting a special operation to combat criminal forces in rural areas and hoped that the County Government could cooperate.

Xu Weidong responded to each one: supporting what should be supported, coordinating what should be coordinated, and making final decisions where necessary.

On the other side of the county town, County Mayor Bai Weijun was also hosting a guest.

The restaurant was in the west of the city, a grade higher than Xu Weidong's. Several luxury cars were parked at the entrance, the lobby was paved with marble, and crystal chandeliers shone with brilliant colors.

County Mayor Bai Weijun had booked the innermost private room, which was quiet, soundproof, and not easily disturbed.

When he arrived, Vice County Magistrate Mi Baizuo was already waiting at the entrance. Seeing him get out of the car, he immediately went up to greet him, full of smiles, holding his hand with both hands, his attitude as fawning as if he had met his own father.

"County Magistrate Bai, you are too polite. I should be the one treating you; how could I let you treat me?"

County Mayor Bai Weijun smiled and patted his shoulder, his tone as casual as if chatting with an old friend.

"County Magistrate Mi, you are being too formal. We work in the same team; what difference does it make who treats whom? Come, let's go in and talk."

The two entered the private room; the waiter poured tea and handed over the menu. County Mayor Bai Weijun didn't look at it and told Vice County Magistrate Mi Baizuo to order directly.

Vice County Magistrate Mi Baizuo declined for a while, but in the end, he ordered a few dishes—all standard, home-style dishes—neither expensive nor shabby.

The alcohol was brought by County Mayor Bai Weijun: Moutai, a case of six bottles, with exquisite packaging.

Vice County Magistrate Mi Baizuo looked at that case of alcohol, and his eyes brightened.

He knew this alcohol wasn't for him; it was County Mayor Bai Weijun showing his stance.

The dishes were served one by one, and the alcohol was poured glass by glass.

County Mayor Bai Weijun picked up his glass, clinked it with Vice County Magistrate Mi Baizuo's, took a sip, leaned back in his chair, a smile appearing at the corner of his mouth, his tone as casual as if chatting about daily life.

"County Magistrate Mi, you have worked in Changyuan County for so many years; you are experienced, have a wide network, and are a veteran of the county."

"I haven't been the County Magistrate in Changyuan County for long, and I still need to consult you on many things."

"Come, this glass is to toast you."

Vice County Magistrate Mi Baizuo hurriedly picked up his glass, raised it with both hands to eyebrow level, his attitude as respectful as if he were toasting a god of wine.

"County Magistrate Bai, you are overpraising me. I'm just a worker; I don't have any experience or any connections."

"You are young and promising, with limitless prospects; how could I dare to show off in front of you with my meager weight?"

"In the future, if there's anything, just give orders; I will definitely do my best."

"Come, I toast you."

The two clinked glasses again and finished in one gulp.

Vice County Magistrate Mi Baizuo put down his glass, picked up a bite of food, and chewed slowly.

He knew what County Mayor Bai Weijun meant by inviting him today, but he didn't want to pick up on it.

County Mayor Bai Weijun wasn't in a hurry. He picked up his glass, took another sip, and his gaze landed on Vice County Magistrate Mi Baizuo's face.

"County Magistrate Mi, recently you've managed the science, education, culture, and health sector quite well; the province and city have both praised it."

"Especially the enrollment work for County No. 1 High School; the public response is very good, saying it's much fairer and more just this year."

"This is all your credit; you've worked hard."

"Come, I toast you with this glass separately."

Vice County Magistrate Mi Baizuo smiled bitterly in his heart. It was true that the province and city praised it, but the good public response was because the enrollment this year was indeed open and transparent. What did that have to do with him, Vice County Magistrate Mi Baizuo?

The enrollment work was handled by the Education Bureau; he, the leader in charge, had merely signed a few documents.

County Mayor Bai Weijun was flattering him, trying to pull him closer, and laying the groundwork.

He picked up his glass, clinked it with County Mayor Bai Weijun's, took a sip, the smile remained on his face, but there was a bit more vigilance in his eyes.

"County Magistrate Bai, you are overpraising me."

"The science, education, culture, and health sector is the result of collective decision-making by the County Party Committee and the County Government, not my personal credit."

"I only execute; I don't make decisions."

"If you put it that way, I can't accept it."

County Mayor Bai Weijun's smile paused slightly; he understood the meaning in Vice County Magistrate Mi Baizuo's words.

Execution, not decision-making.

The credit belongs to the County Party Committee and the County Government, not to me personally.

County Mayor Bai Weijun sneered in his heart; Vice County Magistrate Mi Baizuo was playing Tai Chi with him.

Afraid of picking a side, afraid of offending people, and even more afraid of being held accountable later.

County Mayor Bai Weijun picked up his glass, took another sip, the smile on his face unchanged.

"County Magistrate Mi, you are too humble. The science, education, culture, and health sector, if you managed it well, then you managed it well; everyone has seen it."

"The education, culture, and health undertakings in Changyuan County these years, to have today's situation, is inseparable from your hard work."

"You are an old comrade in the county, with high prestige; we should all learn from you."

Vice County Magistrate Mi Baizuo hurriedly waved his hand, the smile on his face somewhat stiff.

"County Magistrate Bai, your words make me feel ashamed. I really don't have any credit; I'm just doing my duty."

"You are young, energetic, and bold; you are the hope of Changyuan County."

"We old fellows are just helping out and beating the side drums; how could we dare to claim any credit?"

County Mayor Bai Weijun looked at Vice County Magistrate Mi Baizuo's face, which was piled with smiles, and the anger in his heart grew larger and larger.

He had been County Mayor for so long; what kind of people hadn't he seen?

An old fox like Vice County Magistrate Mi Baizuo was best at wandering between various forces, not offending anyone, and not siding with anyone.

Wanting Vice County Magistrate Mi Baizuo to pick a side was almost impossible.

But Vice County Magistrate Mi Baizuo was a Standing Committee member and Vice County Magistrate, holding the power over science, education, culture, and health; he had weight in the Standing Committee.

If he could pull Vice County Magistrate Mi Baizuo over, he could have one more card in the Standing Committee; he didn't want to give up.

"County Magistrate Mi, you have worked in the county for so many years; you are more familiar with the situation in the county than I am."

"I would like to consult you: recently, are there any new trends in the county's cadre team?"

"Which comrades have solid work, strong style, and are worth promoting?"

"Which comrades have superficial work, loose style, and need to be adjusted?"

"You are an old-timer in the organization; you know these things better than I do. I want to hear your opinion."

Vice County Magistrate Mi Baizuo's heart skipped a beat. County Mayor Bai Weijun was probing his bottom line, asking him which of the county's cadres were Secretary Wei Kuan's people, which could be won over, and which must be suppressed.

He couldn't answer this question; answering it would be equivalent to picking a side.

He turned it over quickly in his mind, then picked up his glass to toast County Mayor Bai Weijun, using the drinking to brush it off.

He didn't expect that although County Mayor Bai Weijun wasn't old, he was quite good at setting traps for others.

"County Magistrate Bai, regarding the cadre team, the Organization Department knows better than I do. You should ask Minister of Organization Huang Xuan; he manages that sector."

"I mainly manage science, education, culture, and health; I don't know much about the cadre team situation, so I dare not speak blindly."

"Come, I toast you."

County Mayor Bai Weijun picked up his glass, clinked it with his, and finished in one gulp. When he put down the glass, the smile on his face could finally no longer be sustained.

He had spent so much effort inviting Vice County Magistrate Mi Baizuo to dinner, bringing good alcohol, and saying so many nice things, yet Vice County Magistrate Mi Baizuo had been playing Tai Chi with him all along and refused to say a single honest word.

He didn't know if Vice County Magistrate Mi Baizuo was afraid of offending Secretary Wei Kuan or afraid of offending someone else.

But he knew that Vice County Magistrate Mi Baizuo wouldn't give him a clear answer today.

Vice County Magistrate Mi Baizuo was also calculating in his heart. He knew his previous actions had already offended Xu Weidong; after all, he had taken away the power over science, education, culture, and health from Xu Weidong's hands—that was a fact.

Even if he defected to County Mayor Bai Weijun now, County Mayor Bai Weijun couldn't possibly treat him as one of his own.

County Mayor Bai Weijun and Xu Weidong were ironclad brothers; what was he, Vice County Magistrate Mi Baizuo?

A fence-sitter who defected halfway through—could he compare to Xu Weidong?

He could only walk a tightrope between County Mayor Bai Weijun and Xu Weidong; he could neither offend County Mayor Bai Weijun nor Xu Weidong, and even less could he let Secretary Wei Kuan think he had betrayed him.

He had to deal with all three sides, and he couldn't offend any of them.

Outside the window, the night was deep; the two were each harboring their own thoughts, chatting aimlessly.

The dishes on the table had gone cold, and most of the bottle of alcohol had been drunk.

County Mayor Bai Weijun stood up and picked up his coat; Vice County Magistrate Mi Baizuo hurriedly stood up to follow, helping him get his coat and opening the door.

"County Magistrate Bai, walk slowly. You were too polite with this meal today; I'll treat you another day."

County Mayor Bai Weijun waved his hand and said, "Let's chat another day."