38: Chapter 38 Top-Tier Display (Part Two)

"Comrades."

"Today, escorting Comrade Weidong to his new post is not only the implementation of the Provincial Organization Department's requirements for the training of selected graduates, but also an important measure by the Municipal Party Committee to strengthen the grassroots cadre team."

Secretary Wan Xiaohan paused, then said: "Comrade Weidong is a high-achieving student from the Civil Engineering University. In 2012, he passed the written and interview exams for selected graduates with the top score and was admitted to the Municipal Committee Office."

"During his time at university, he served as the Chairman of the University Student Union and received systematic political training and professional development."

"Since he started working at the Municipal Committee Office, he has shown outstanding performance, political reliability, and a solid work style."

Off the stage, the smile on Secretary Hu Dakui's face stiffened a bit more.

Chairman of the University Student Union? Civil Engineering University?

That's a top-tier national institution!

With a background like that, coming to Hukuang Township?

"The Municipal Party Committee's decision to let Comrade Weidong serve in Hukuang Township was made after careful consideration."

Secretary Wan Xiaohan's tone became serious: "Hukuang Township is one of the most remote townships in our city. The conditions are arduous, and the situation is complex."

"The more difficult the place, the more it needs excellent young cadres to train, to hone, and to grow."

Secretary Wan Xiaohan looked at Comrade Weidong: "Comrade Weidong, the organization has placed you here not for you to enjoy comfort, but for you to endure hardship."

"You need to know in your heart how the common people of Hukuang Township are living."

"You must sink down, take root, and genuinely accomplish a few practical tasks for the common people."

Comrade Weidong stood up, bowed slightly, and said: "I thank the organization for its trust. I will certainly not fail the expectations and cultivation of the organization."

Secretary Wan Xiaohan nodded, signaling him to sit down.

Next was the speech by Secretary Lin Juncai. His style was completely different from Secretary Wan Xiaohan's.

If Secretary Wan Xiaohan's words just now were like a needle hidden in silk, then Secretary Lin Juncai was straightforward and blunt.

"Comrade Weidong, let me state my position."

Secretary Lin Juncai looked at Comrade Weidong and said directly: "If you encounter any difficulties in Hukuang Township, you can come directly to me."

"The doors of the Municipal Government are always open to you."

Once these words were spoken, there was another commotion off the stage.

The Mayor is personally providing a direct line for a deputy section-level cadre?

Secretary Hu Dakui was already breaking into a cold sweat. It wasn't April Fool's Day today, was it?!

What the hell, this isn't them sending talent to supplement the team!

They clearly sent a godfather to watch over them!

When it was Deputy Secretary You Chuan's turn to speak, his content was very short but profound.

"Comrade Weidong is young, has drive, and has energy; this is a good thing."

"But grassroots work is complex. Having drive alone is not enough; one must also have resilience and determination."

"You must be good at learning from veteran comrades and learning from practice to quickly get into character and open up the situation."

On the surface, these words were addressed to Comrade Weidong, but as Secretary Hu Dakui and Township Head Ge Jiefang listened, they felt like every word was a strike against them.

Finally, it was the County Party Committee Secretary Chen Tianci's turn to express his stance.

Secretary Chen Tianci stood up, his face full of smiles: "I thank the Municipal Party Committee for their care and love for Changyuan County and Hukuang Township!"

"It is the honor of Changyuan County that Comrade Weidong has come to serve in Hukuang Township!"

"The County Party Committee will definitely fully support Comrade Weidong's work and create the best working conditions and growth environment for him!"

As Secretary Chen Tianci spoke, he turned to Comrade Weidong: "Comrade Weidong, if you have any needs in the future, just come to me and say it!"

Comrade Weidong nodded politely: "Thank you, Secretary Chen."

After the meeting, as per custom, there was lunch.

The Township Government cafeteria had clearly been meticulously prepared. On the table were braised pork knuckles, clear-stewed chicken, sweet and sour carp, garlic shrimp, and two bottles of Wuliangye.

Secretary Wan Xiaohan glanced at the alcohol on the table and asked Secretary Hu Dakui: "Did you buy this alcohol in the township yourselves?"

Secretary Hu Dakui was stunned and quickly apologized with a smile: "It's rare for Secretary Wan to visit; it's just a small token from us grassroots comrades..."

"Take it away."

Secretary Wan Xiaohan's tone was calm but unquestionable.

The smile on Secretary Hu Dakui's face froze. He felt like he really hadn't checked the almanac today.

"The Eight-point Regulation was just introduced, did you not know?"

"Or did you know and pretend not to?"

Sweat beaded on Secretary Hu Dakui's forehead as he scrambled to clear the alcohol away. The meal was eaten in a dull, tasteless mood.

After the meal, Secretary Wan Xiaohan called Comrade Weidong aside.

"Weidong, the situation in Hukuang Township is far more complex than what you saw in the reports."

Secretary Wan Xiaohan looked at the low-lying houses in the distance and said with a serious tone: "The coal mines here have fattened a group of people, but they have also ruined the common people."

"You are here not to collude with them, but to figure out the bottom line and stand your ground."

Comrade Weidong listened attentively without interrupting.

"Let me give you the bottom line."

Secretary Wan Xiaohan lowered his voice: "The Township Party Committee Secretary of this township, Secretary Hu Dakui, is Secretary Chen Tianci's man."

"Township Head Ge Jiefang is County Magistrate Lan Tianxing's man."

"Neither of them is clean, but how to investigate, when to investigate, and where to start—you need to know what you're doing."

Comrade Weidong nodded: "I understand."

"You don't understand."

Secretary Wan Xiaohan shook his head: "What you see now is just the tip of the iceberg."

"Behind the coal mines of Hukuang Township are interests involving the county and even the city."

"If you move against Secretary Hu Dakui today, someone might report you for wrongdoing tomorrow."

"If you investigate Township Head Ge Jiefang today, someone might send money to your office the day after."

Secretary Wan Xiaohan looked into Comrade Weidong's eyes: "You need to think clearly. Once this step is taken, there is no turning back."

Comrade Weidong was silent for a moment, then looked up: "Secretary Wan, I have thought it through."

Secretary Wan Xiaohan stared at him for a long time, then finally nodded.

"Good."

"Remember, if anything happens, call me at any time."

At 1:30 PM, two Coaster buses drove away from Hukuang Township.

Comrade Weidong stood at the entrance of the Township Government, watching the convoy disappear at the end of the dirt road.

He turned around and saw Secretary Hu Dakui and Township Head Ge Jiefang standing on the steps with enthusiastic smiles on their faces.

Secretary Hu Dakui said enthusiastically: "Comrade Weidong, let's go, I'll take you to see your office!"

Township Head Ge Jiefang also chimed in with a smile: "I'll host a welcome dinner for Comrade Weidong tonight, let's have a few drinks!"

Comrade Weidong looked at them, suddenly remembering what Secretary Wan Xiaohan had said just now.

"A poor temple with a rich abbot—it has always been this way."

Comrade Weidong smiled and said: "Secretary Hu, Township Head Ge, you are too kind."

"In the future, I will need your guidance and help in my work."

Secretary Hu Dakui waved his hands repeatedly: "Guidance is not necessary, let's learn from each other, learn from each other!"

Township Head Ge Jiefang also followed up with a laugh: "Yes, yes, yes, learn from each other!"

The three of them walked into the building. Comrade Weidong's office was at the east end of the second floor, a single room of over ten square meters.

Inside, there was an office desk, a chair, and a filing cabinet.

The window faced The Government Compound, and one could see the flagpole at the entrance.

Comrade Weidong stood in front of the window, looking at the bare flagpole, and was silent for a long time.

Downstairs, several township cadres gathered together, whispering about something.

"Did you see that? Four standing committee members personally escorted him. What kind of background is that?"

"Don't talk nonsense, he's a selected graduate, specifically cultivated by the Provincial Organization Department."

"Cultivated my ass! I've been working for twenty years, and I've never seen a deputy section-level cadre escorted personally by the Municipal Party Committee Secretary."

"Shh, keep it down, don't let anyone hear..."