35: Chapter 35 Fierce Competition

January, Municipal Party Committee Standing Committee.

At nine o'clock in the morning, the oval conference table was filled with people.

Municipal Party Committee Secretary Secretary Wan Xiaohan sat in the center, Mayor Secretary Lin Juncai on the left, and Deputy Secretary You Chuan on the right.

Executive Vice Mayor Xiong Hui, Standing Committee Vice Mayor Qian Yi, Municipal Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary Ye Jie, Minister Lu Ziming, Publicity Department Minister Zhou Ping, Political and Legal Affairs Commission Secretary Xu Qing, United Front Work Department Minister Liu Fu, Secretary-General Fang Zhou, Lvzhou District Party Committee Secretary Qin Yaoyang, and Military Region Representative Wu Wei were all in attendance.

The note-taker sat in the corner and began recording.

Secretary Wan Xiaohan waved his hand and said, "Let's begin."

Minister Lu Ziming opened the folder in front of him and said, "The first item on today's agenda is the appointment plan for a group of young cadres."

"In response to the call from the Provincial Organization Department to strengthen the training of selected graduates, it has been decided to promote a group of young cadres to substantive deputy section-level positions."

"Among them, Xu Weidong of Secretary Section I of the Municipal Committee Office is proposed for promotion to deputy section-level."

"Based on the preliminary considerations of the Organization Department, several directions have been provided for the Standing Committee to discuss and decide."

He distributed the materials. Secretary Wan Xiaohan took the materials, glanced at them, and placed them in front of him.

Secretary Wan Xiaohan did not speak, and the conference room was quiet for a few seconds.

Mayor Secretary Lin Juncai put down the materials in his hand and said in a calm tone, "Secretary Wan Xiaohan, let me share my views first."

Secretary Wan Xiaohan nodded and said, "Please go ahead, Secretary Lin Juncai."

Secretary Lin Juncai cleared his throat and then said, "I know this Xu Weidong."

"Although he hasn't been in Lvjiang City for long, the feedback on him from all aspects has been quite good."

"He is a graduate of Civil Engineering University and a former University Student Union president. He has a solid foundation in writing and is steady and reliable in his work."

"A while ago, when Secretary Yang of the Provincial Party Committee and Governor Fang came to inspect, they also affirmed his work in person."

"For such a promising talent, how to utilize him and where to place him really requires careful consideration."

"I have given serious thought to the directions proposed by the Organization Department."

"The Personnel Bureau in Pingchuan County is currently in need of a deputy director who understands the economy and is capable of coordination."

"Pingchuan is the county with the fastest economic growth in our city. In recent years, there has been a significant effort in investment promotion and many construction projects, so someone is needed to oversee them."

"Xu Weidong is young, motivated, and studied civil engineering and water conservancy, which aligns well with construction projects."

"Sending him to Pingchuan would allow him to gain experience while also making a contribution."

"That is my thought."

Executive Vice Mayor Xiong Hui chimed in, "I agree with Secretary Lin Juncai's opinion."

"Pingchuan has good development momentum, but there are also some shortcomings in management."

"The position at the Personnel Bureau requires managing people and coordinating projects, so it really needs a young person with high comprehensive quality."

"Xu Weidong's performance in the Municipal Committee Office is evident to all; sending him to Pingchuan is appropriate."

Executive Vice Mayor Xiong Hui glanced at Secretary Wan Xiaohan and added, "Of course, this is just a preliminary consideration; ultimately, we will listen to the collective opinion of the Standing Committee."

Secretary Wan Xiaohan nodded without speaking. He turned his gaze to Deputy Secretary You Chuan and smiled, "Deputy Secretary You Chuan, what is your view?"

Deputy Secretary You Chuan leaned back in his chair, his fingers gently tapping the armrest.

"Secretary Lin Juncai and Executive Vice Mayor Xiong Hui's opinions have some merit."

"Pingchuan does indeed need people, and Xu Weidong is indeed a promising talent."

Deputy Secretary You Chuan paused and then said, "But I have a different idea."

Secretary Wan Xiaohan looked at him and said in a calm tone, "Let's hear it."

Deputy Secretary You Chuan leaned forward and asked, "How long has Xu Weidong been in Lvjiang City?"

"Less than a year."

"In six months, he went from a selected graduate to Secretary Section I of the Municipal Committee Office, showing outstanding performance and rapid progress."

"What does this indicate?"

"It indicates that he can adapt to office work and is worth cultivating."

"But is it absolutely necessary to send him to the grassroots level now?"

Deputy Secretary You Chuan opened the materials in front of him and continued, "In the plan proposed by the Organization Department, one option is to promote him in place to serve as deputy section chief of Secretary Section I of the Municipal Committee Office."

"I have seriously considered this plan."

"Secretary Wan Xiaohan, you know the situation of Secretary Section I best."

"In recent years, the tasks have been heavy and manpower has been tight; we have been lacking a deputy section chief capable of shouldering responsibilities."

"Xu Weidong has worked by your side for several months and is familiar with the work rhythm and key tasks of the Municipal Party Committee."

"Promoting him in place can solve the practical problems of the Secretary Section while also allowing him to continue growing in a familiar position."

Deputy Secretary You Chuan paused and then said, "It wouldn't be too late to consider sending him down after he has gained more experience in the deputy section chief position for another year or two."

Standing Committee Vice Mayor Qian Yi chimed in, "I think Deputy Secretary You Chuan's approach is feasible."

"The cultivation of young cadres should be gradual."

"If he is sent to the county all of a sudden, in an unfamiliar place, he might not adapt and it could end up being a setback."

"It's better to stabilize him in the city first, build a solid foundation, and then send him down; that way, his steps will be steadier."

Publicity Department Minister Zhou Ping also nodded and said, "Standing Committee Vice Mayor Qian Yi is right."

"Xu Weidong is excellent in all aspects, but he is young after all, and his experience still needs to accumulate."

"The city-level platform is suitable for him."

Secretary Wan Xiaohan listened without speaking. He turned his gaze to Secretary-General Fang Zhou.

Secretary-General Fang Zhou was his secretary-general and also his confidant.

Secretary-General Fang Zhou understood the look and immediately spoke up, "Let me also say a few words."

"Secretary Lin Juncai and Deputy Secretary You Chuan's opinions both have merit."

"Pingchuan needs people, and Secretary Section I also needs people."

"Xu Weidong can make a contribution wherever he is placed."

Secretary-General Fang Zhou paused and then said, "But I am thinking about one question."

"What is our goal for cultivating Xu Weidong?"

Secretary-General Fang Zhou continued, "Is it to cultivate him into an office cadre who is familiar with government agencies and good at coordination, or to cultivate him into a grassroots leader who can take charge and solve practical problems?"

"If it's the former, keeping him in the city is correct. If it's the latter, sending him to the grassroots level is correct."

Secretary-General Fang Zhou looked at Secretary Wan Xiaohan and asked with a smile, "Secretary Wan Xiaohan, what do you think?"

Secretary Wan Xiaohan was silent for a few seconds, then picked up his teacup, took a sip, put it down, and said, "Secretary-General Fang Zhou's question hits the nail on the head."

"Everyone recognizes Xu Weidong."

"I agree with everything Secretary Lin Juncai said."

"What Deputy Secretary You Chuan said about being gradual also has merit."

"But I have a different perspective."

The conference room quieted down, and Secretary Wan Xiaohan pushed the materials in front of him forward.

"A while ago, I took Xu Weidong to Changyuan County."

He glanced at Deputy Secretary You Chuan and said, "Deputy Secretary You Chuan should know that the situation in Changyuan County is not very optimistic."

Deputy Secretary You Chuan nodded and said, "I know."

Secretary Wan Xiaohan continued, "Hukuang Township has poor public security, many petition cases, and slow development; it is one of the most backward townships in all of Lvjiang City."

"I walked around there, visited a few villages, and chatted with some of the local people."

"I was deeply affected by it."

"The root of Changyuan County's problems lies at the grassroots level, in those most remote and impoverished townships."

"In a place like Hukuang Township, the long-standing problems cannot be solved just by issuing documents, holding meetings, and supervising from above."

"We need young people to dig in, dig inch by inch, and do the work household by household."

Secretary Wan Xiaohan paused and said slowly, "Xu Weidong is young, motivated, has high comprehensive quality, and studied civil engineering and water conservancy."

"He has a professional foundation in rural infrastructure construction and public livelihood projects."