25: Chapter 25 The Struggle for Secretaries

"No rush, take a few days to consider it."

Secretary Wan Xiaohan then let Xu Weidong leave; Xu Weidong was sent away before he even had a chance to speak.

When Secretary Lin Juncai heard the news, he was reviewing a fiscal budget report.

Secretary-General Jiao Guoding stood before the desk and recounted everything that happened in the Comprehensive Section from beginning to end.

The one surnamed Chen being demoted, Minister Sun Ping showing support, Secretary Wan Xiaohan personally requesting the personnel file, and the newcomer in the Comprehensive Section writing a speech for Secretary Wan.

One by one, he recited them like he knew them by heart.

Secretary Lin Juncai put down his pen and asked: "Is Old Wan planning to appoint him as his secretary?"

"There is no formal motion yet, but Secretary-General Fang Zhou is already processing the procedures."

Secretary Lin Juncai did not speak; he had served as Mayor in Lvjiang City for seven years and had seen off three secretaries.

The first retired normally, the second was investigated for corruption, and the third was investigated after being transferred.

The current one is the fourth; he has been here for seven months and is as cautious as if walking on thin ice.

Would someone like Old Wan easily change the people around him?

"What is the background of that newcomer?"

Secretary-General Jiao Guoding placed a stack of materials on the desk and said: "Xu Weidong, twenty-three years old, from Hanzhong, a graduate of Civil Engineering University."

Secretary Lin Juncai flipped to the second page and saw: Freshman year, Vice Chairman of the University Student Union.

"...No experience as a committee member?"

"None."

Secretary-General Jiao Guoding said: "It seems he was promoted directly from a freshman to Vice Chairman."

Secretary Lin Juncai flipped the material to the next page: Sophomore year, Chairman of the University Student Union.

Second prize in the Challenge Cup national competition, with President Chen Bing as his advisor.

Gold prize in the "Internet+" competition, with President Chen Bing as his advisor.

In the advisor column, the same name was written in every row.

President Chen Bing! President of Civil Engineering University! Vice-ministerial level!

Secretary Lin Juncai put down the materials, took off his reading glasses, leaned back in his chair, and closed his eyes.

Whose princeling is this?

Seriously, buddy, wouldn't it be better to go to Yancheng after graduation?

Why come to this godforsaken place of ours?

Seriously... do these young masters have this kind of fetish?

The country is so big, why fixate on this poor place of ours?

"Secretary-General Jiao Guoding, do you believe this?"

Secretary-General Jiao Guoding did not answer; he himself was also shocked.

Can the game of power be played like this?

Are these young masters not even pretending anymore?

"A vice-ministerial level president personally serving as a competition advisor for an undergraduate for four years, becoming Vice Chairman in one year, Chairman in two, and personally seeing him off at the school gate upon graduation."

"This is the treatment for a biological son, damn it."

Secretary-General Jiao Guoding still did not speak; how could he answer a question that exceeded his understanding?

Secretary Lin Juncai flipped through the material again; household registration in Hanzhong, parents' information classified.

"Did you find anything?"

Secretary-General Jiao Guoding shook his head; if he could find it, he wouldn't be working as a Secretary-General here.

"The personnel file was transferred directly from the Provincial Organization Department; Lvjiang City does not have the authority to access it."

Secretary Lin Juncai did not speak; he remembered the mess that Secretary Wan Xiaohan had inherited from his predecessor.

Two secretaries had fallen in two years; everyone said Lvjiang City had bad feng shui.

When Old Wan arrived, he was so low-key he was practically invisible; for the first six months, he barely even left the Standing Committee building.

A person as cautious to the point of cowardice suddenly taking the initiative to snatch someone.

It meant he was certain this investment was a sure win!

Secretary Lin Juncai stood up and walked to the window.

He had sat in this office for seven years, watching the leaves turn yellow, fall, and get swept away every autumn.

Seven years!

How many more autumns could he see?

"Secretary-General Jiao Guoding, go yourself."

"Talk to that kid and ask if he is willing to come to the Municipal Government."

"Be nice, don't scare him."

Secretary-General Jiao Guoding waited for two seconds and then asked: "What about the terms?"

Secretary Lin Juncai thought for a moment and then said: "Deputy Section Chief of Secretary Section I."

He figured since the young master wasn't even pretending anymore, it wouldn't hurt to give him a higher position.

Once it reaches the higher-ups, there will naturally be scholars to justify it for him.

"If he thinks it's too low, we can still negotiate."

Secretary-General Jiao Guoding nodded and turned to leave.

"Secretary-General Jiao Guoding."

"Never mind, don't go."

"I will call him myself."

It's safer to handle this kind of thing personally; what if the young master gets upset?

If he complains to his parents later and happens to mention his name, the fate of the previous two secretaries would be his fate...

Don't look at how he throws his weight around locally; he's still nothing when it comes to the provincial level...

Not to mention in the heavens? I'm afraid those in the heavens can't even see him; after all, who cares about the ants under their feet?

When Xu Weidong received the call from Secretary Lin Juncai, he was eating lunch in the cafeteria.

A strange number popped up on his phone screen, with the location set to Lvjiang City.

He picked it up; on the other end was a middle-aged man's voice, unhurried and carrying a hint of courtesy.

"Is this Comrade Weidong? I am Mayor Lin from the Municipal Government."

Xu Weidong put down his chopsticks and said: "Hello, Mayor Lin."

Mayor Lin smiled and said: "I hope I'm not interrupting your lunch?"

"No, please go ahead, Mayor Lin."

The other end of the phone was quiet for two seconds before saying: "Comrade Weidong, I heard that Secretary Wan intends to transfer you to be his secretary."

Mayor Lin did not use vague language like "I heard Secretary Wan wants to talk to you," but directly said "transfer you to be his secretary."

Xu Weidong did not respond, and Mayor Lin did not wait for him to respond.

"I have a vacancy for a Deputy Section Chief in Secretary Section I."

"If you are willing to come, you can process the paperwork tomorrow."

Xu Weidong held the phone without speaking. Is this opening up his household registration? Why is everyone rushing to help him advance?

Too bad, his dad taught him since he was young that the Secretary is the top leader...

"Thank you, Mayor Lin."

"I have already promised Secretary Wan."

The other end of the phone was quiet for a few seconds. Mayor Lin did not try to persuade him further, nor did he ask what terms Secretary Wan offered, as that would be too deliberate.

Mayor Lin just remained silent for a few seconds, then let out a light laugh.

"Understood, it was my intrusion."

"Comrade Weidong, if you have any difficulties in Lvjiang City in the future, feel free to come to me."

Xu Weidong said: "Thank you, Mayor Lin."

Xu Weidong put his phone on the table, looked at the plate of cold moo shu pork in front of him, picked up his chopsticks, and finished it bite by bite.

So what if I'm exposed? Why don't you try talking to my father if you have the ability?

Mayor Lin put down the phone and leaned back in his chair. Secretary-General Jiao Guoding was still in the office, watching him.

"What did he say?"

"He said... he already promised Old Wan."

Secretary-General Jiao Guoding did not speak. Mayor Lin stared at the ceiling. "Old Wan is really fast."

Mayor Lin's tone was very flat; one couldn't tell if it was a complaint or admiration.

Secretary-General Jiao Guoding stood for a while and said softly: "Mayor Lin, should I go and try to persuade him again?"

Mayor Lin shook his head and said: "No need, this kid has a mind of his own."

"A promise is a promise."

"Do you still want to force a leader's child?"

"To put it bluntly, if he goes back and acts spoiled, we are finished for life."

"Besides, Old Wan is the Secretary, and I am the Mayor. It is only natural that he chose the Secretary."

"If it were me, I would choose the same."

"It's just a pity."

"Seven years, Old Wan is really lucky."

Mayor Lin pulled the stack of reports in front of him and picked up his pen again. "Secretary-General Jiao Guoding, just keep this to yourself."

"Do not spread it."

Secretary-General Jiao Guoding nodded, then turned and went out, closing the door gently.

Seven years! When the first secretary got into trouble, he was in a meeting in Shengjing and was having dinner when he received the call.

When the second secretary was transferred, he was reporting for duty in the province and was waiting for the elevator when he received the document.

Seriously, why is it never his turn?

At 7:00 PM, in the Comprehensive Section of the Municipal Committee Office, Xu Weidong was still working overtime. He updated the data in the speech draft and polished it from beginning to end.

On the other side, at the Municipal Committee Guesthouse. Secretary-General Jiao Guoding and Minister Sun Ping were old acquaintances; when Secretary-General Jiao Guoding was the Organization Department Minister in Lvjiang County, Minister Sun Ping was still the Section Chief of the Cadre Section of the Municipal Party Committee Organization Department.

Later, Secretary-General Jiao Guoding was transferred to the Municipal Government, and Minister Sun Ping was promoted to Deputy Minister. Over the past dozen years, their friendship was neither deep nor shallow.

After three rounds of drinks, Secretary-General Jiao Guoding put down his glass. "Old Sun, you invited me to drink today, not just to catch up, right?"

Minister Sun Ping smiled and said: "Nothing gets past you."

"Did Mayor Lin call that kid this afternoon?"

Secretary-General Jiao Guoding did not speak, and Minister Sun Ping did not press him. He picked up his own glass and took a slow sip.

"Old Jiao, we have known each other for over a decade, so let me tell you something from the bottom of my heart."

"That kid is not someone Mayor Lin should touch."

Secretary-General Jiao Guoding put down his chopsticks and asked: "What do you mean?"

"It doesn't mean anything."

"Just a friendly piece of advice."

"Secretary Wan has already decided, so if Mayor Lin reaches out now, it won't sound good if it gets out."

"Old Jiao, do you know something?"

Minister Sun Ping did not answer. He filled his glass, picked it up, and held it up to the light.

"This wine is good, 15-year aged Wuliangye."

"Secretary Bai brought a case specially when he came to Lvjiang City last time."

He drank the glass of wine in one gulp, and Secretary-General Jiao Guoding did not speak.

Secretary Bai! Standing Committee Member of the Provincial Party Committee of Xishan Province! Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee of Tianzhou City!

Damn, behind that... Old Bai seems to be some Deputy Secretary of the Party Group now, quite scary, and he also has voting rights...

"Old Sun, I'll remember this meal today."

Minister Sun Ping smiled and said: "What is there to remember? It's just old colleagues gathering."

On Friday afternoon, Xu Weidong handed the revised speech draft to Secretary-General Fang Zhou's office. Secretary-General Fang Zhou read it once and nodded. "Leave it here."

Seeing that Xu Weidong was about to leave, Secretary-General Fang Zhou quickly called out: "Weidong, this is for you from Secretary Wan."

Xu Weidong took it and opened it; inside was a handwritten note. The handwriting was neat, and the ink was dry, obviously written a while ago.

"The speech draft is very well written. How have you considered the matter of the secretary position?"

Xu Weidong looked at it for two seconds, folded the note, and put it back in the envelope.

"Secretary-General Fang Zhou, please convey to Secretary Wan."

"As long as the Secretary needs me, I can start at any time."

Secretary-General Fang Zhou looked at him, his gaze very calm, as if he had known the answer long ago. "Good."

Xu Weidong turned and went out. Secretary-General Fang Zhou sat in his office, replaying that sentence in his mind.

Secretary-General Fang Zhou picked up the phone and said: "Secretary Wan, Xu Weidong has agreed."

"Good!"

On Monday morning, the Municipal Committee Office issued a document. Xu Weidong was transferred to Secretary Section I of the Municipal Committee Office, responsible for the daily liaison and manuscript service work for Comrade Wan Xiaohan.

The Comprehensive Section was quiet all morning. Xiao Zhou dared not look up, and the female colleague's voice was lower than usual when answering the phone.

Deputy Section Chief Pei Xinyan sat at her seat, reviewing documents page by page, with no expression on her face.

Damn, no one told them that was an all-powerful connection!

Who gets a job and goes straight to the Municipal Party Committee Secretary's secretary position within two months?

At 3:00 PM, people from Secretary Section I came to clear Xu Weidong's desk. They moved the computer away, emptied the file cabinet, and packed the plastic box full of paperclips into a cardboard box.

At 5:30, the bell rang for the end of the workday. Xiao Zhou packed his things, walked to the door, and looked back. There was nothing left on that desk.

Deputy Section Chief Pei Xinyan was the last to leave; she stood at the door, looking at the empty desk.

She remembered the young man reporting for duty on the first day, standing in front of her desk saying "Hello, Section Chief Pei," and she didn't look up.

She remembered him arriving at the office at 7:15 every morning, getting water, watering the flowers, and wiping the desk. She saw it, but pretended not to.

She remembered him returning from the Statistics Bureau each time, organizing the data neatly, placing it on her desk, and saying, "Section Chief Pei, the data is complete." She only said "Thank you for your hard work" once.

He wouldn't hold a grudge, would he?

Deputy Section Chief Pei Xinyan turned off the lights and closed the door.