85: Chapter 85 Human Resources Matter

In early September, in a private room of an inconspicuous hotel in Lüjiang City, Xu Weidong sat opposite Minister Sun Ping of the Municipal Party Committee Organization Department.

The hotel was in a remote location with ordinary decor, but the food was authentic.

"Uncle Sun, you are too kind to go out of your way to treat me to a meal."

Xu Weidong picked up his teacup, using tea in place of wine.

"I should be the one treating you."

Minister Sun Ping waved his hand, his eyes squinting into slits as he smiled.

"Comrade Weidong, why are you still being so polite with me?"

"I have watched you every step of the way since you arrived in Lvjiang City these past few years. From a small clerk in the Municipal Committee Office to Deputy Secretary of Hukuang Township, and then to Executive Deputy Director of the Public Security Bureau, you have walked every step solidly and steadily."

"As your uncle, I am happy for you."

Xu Weidong smiled and said, "It is all thanks to the organization's training and Uncle Sun's care."

Minister Sun Ping picked up his teacup, took a sip, and set it down.

"Comrade Weidong, I called you here today for two reasons: first, to have a chat, and second, there are some situations I need to brief you on."

Xu Weidong's heart stirred, but his face remained calm.

"Please go ahead, Uncle Sun."

Minister Sun Ping leaned back in his chair, his gaze becoming profound.

"You have seen the recent changes in Changyuan County. The former Party Secretary and County Magistrate have both been transferred, and the new leadership team is basically in place."

"The County Party Committee Secretary, Secretary Yang Wei, was formerly the Deputy Secretary-General of the Municipal Party Committee, at the division level, and has followed Secretary Wan for many years."

"This person has a strong command of the pen, a strong sense of the big picture, and was personally trained by Secretary Wan."

"Just make sure to handle your interactions with him appropriately."

Xu Weidong nodded.

"County Magistrate Secretary Wei Kuan was just promoted to Director of the Agriculture Bureau last year and is one of Mayor Lin's people."

"This person is pragmatic, understands economics, and did well at the Agriculture Bureau. Mayor Lin's intention in placing him in Changyuan County is very clear."

Xu Weidong continued to nod.

Minister Sun Ping continued, "There is another change you might have noticed. The former Political and Legal Affairs Commission Secretary, Qiu Ping, has been adjusted to become the Deputy Secretary of the County Party Committee this time."

"This step is very solid."

"Qiu Ping was formerly Mayor Lin's secretary; Mayor Lin intends to continue vigorously cultivating him. The position of Deputy Secretary has a much higher value than that of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission Secretary."

Xu Weidong was lost in thought.

Minister Sun Ping sighed and said, "As for the former Deputy Secretary Li Taimin, his luck was not very good."

"This time he was adjusted to be the Deputy Director of the Municipal Office on Aging, which is basically retirement."

Xu Weidong was silent for a few seconds, then asked, "Uncle Sun, what impact do these changes have on me?"

Minister Sun Ping looked at him, a glimmer of appreciation flashing in his eyes.

This child understands things immediately.

"Of course there is an impact."

Minister Sun Ping put down his chopsticks and looked at him seriously.

"The new Party Secretary and County Magistrate were both sent directly from the city. They do not know you and will need time to adjust, but that is not the biggest problem."

"The biggest problem is your Public Security Bureau."

Xu Weidong's heart tightened slightly.

Minister Sun Ping continued, "The Municipal Party Committee has different views on the personnel issues in your Public Security Bureau."

"Someone proposed promoting you to Bureau Chief as an exception."

Xu Weidong was stunned for a moment. An exceptional promotion?

He was only twenty-five this year; if he really became the Bureau Chief, he would be one of the youngest County Public Security Bureau Chiefs in the entire province.

"However..."

Minister Sun Ping changed the subject, "There are also leaders who believe that although you have performed many meritorious deeds, you are too young and your seniority is still shallow."

"Using the opportunity for an exceptional promotion like this would be a pity."

"You can completely afford to wait a little longer and follow the standard procedures, and others won't be able to say anything."

Minister Sun Ping paused, looked at Xu Weidong, and said, "Do you understand what is meant by 'others'?"

Xu Weidong nodded. The so-called "others" were those eyeing this position.

"Uncle Sun, is someone in the bureau actively campaigning?"

Minister Sun Ping smiled, his smile carrying a hint of significance.

"Comrade Weidong, I have worked in organization for so many years and have seen too many things."

"Some people look harmonious on the surface, but when it comes time for promotions, their true colors are revealed."

He picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said slowly, "Recently, some people in your bureau have been running to the city quite often. Over at the City Public Security Bureau, some people have also heard things about you."

Xu Weidong's gaze hardened slightly, "What kind of things?"

Minister Sun Ping waved his hand, "Nothing more than things that cannot be brought to light."

"They say you are young and arrogant, with a domineering style. They say you rely on your merits and do not respect the older comrades."

"They also say you are too close to certain leaders and are forming small cliques."

Minister Sun Ping paused, looked at Xu Weidong, and smiled, "Discerning people know these are slanders as soon as they hear them."

"But it doesn't stop people from saying it and spreading it."

"Over at the City Public Security Bureau, Police Chief Zheng Xilin certainly trusts you, but he also has to consider the impact."

Xu Weidong was silent for a few seconds, then smiled.

"Uncle Sun, can I ask who is actively campaigning?"

Minister Sun Ping looked at him, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

"Comrade Weidong, theoretically, I shouldn't be telling you this."

"But you are the son of our old leader's old leader, and I cannot bear to see you being plotted against."

Minister Sun Ping lowered his voice, "Political Commissar Hu Ke of your bureau has been to the city several times recently."

"And that Deputy Director Chen Ling is also actively campaigning everywhere."

"The two of them are very consistent in their narrative, saying they have deep seniority and sufficient experience, making them suitable to take over the position of Bureau Chief."

Xu Weidong's brows furrowed slightly.

Political Commissar Hu Ke? Deputy Director Chen Ling?

He remembered Deputy Director Chen Ling's sarcastic tone at that Party Committee meeting, and he remembered Political Commissar Hu Ke's lukewarm attitude every time they held a meeting.

So that was it...

"Uncle Sun, were they always this brave?"

Minister Sun Ping smiled somewhat helplessly, "Comrade Weidong, although your background is special, when faced with interests, some people do not care about anything."

"I have worked in organization for so many years and have seen too many people turn against their spouses or become enemies with their brothers just for a promotion."

"What is your little matter compared to that?"

Minister Sun Ping paused, his tone becoming more sincere.

"Everyone knows your background."

"When meeting usually, they are polite and respectful."

"But when it comes to the real fight, who would be willing to give up the position to you?"

"What they are thinking in their hearts is that you are a 'princeling', can't you go anywhere else? Why must you fight us for this position?"

Xu Weidong was silent; Minister Sun Ping was right.

He had been too smooth, so smooth that he had forgotten the word 'compete' existed in this world.

From the day he arrived in Lvjiang City, everyone knew who he was.

Minister Sun Ping protected him, and the Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government also protected him.

Wherever he went, people would defer to him and cater to him.

But now, some people were no longer deferring.

Because that position was too tempting.

County Public Security Bureau Chief, division-level, a position with real power.

For people like Political Commissar Hu Ke and Deputy Director Chen Ling, this might be the peak of their official careers, the ceiling they could only reach after a lifetime of struggle.

And he, Xu Weidong, at twenty-five years old, was going to compete with them for it.

Could they be willing to let that happen?

Xu Weidong picked up his teacup, took a slow sip, and set it down.

"Uncle Sun, thank you for telling me this."

Minister Sun Ping looked at him, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

This child is too steady.

If it were anyone else, they would have been anxious upon hearing someone was undermining them behind their back. He, on the other hand, was as calm as if nothing had happened.

"Comrade Weidong, are you not angry? If you are unhappy, I can help you transfer these two to other counties to work."

Xu Weidong smiled, "Uncle Sun, why should I be angry? They want to make progress and move up; that is human nature."

"As for speaking ill of me, that is their freedom. Their mouths are on them, I cannot control that."

"I just didn't expect that even with everyone knowing my background, someone would still jump out; that actually surprised me a bit."

"But Uncle Sun, you don't need to worry. A few people's comments cannot affect the overall situation. I believe the organization will make the correct judgment."

"As for transferring them to other places, that would be a bit too deliberate and would be detrimental to my father's reputation."

Minister Sun Ping looked at him and suddenly smiled.

"Comrade Weidong, you are even steadier than Commander-in-Chief Xu was back in the day."

Xu Weidong shook his head, "Uncle Sun, you flatter me. I just feel that competing for these things is meaningless."

"What should be mine will not escape. What should not be mine cannot be won by competing."

Minister Sun Ping nodded and picked up his teacup.

"Good, with this mindset, I can rest assured."

"However, Comrade Weidong, let me give you a word of advice."

"Not competing is one thing, but you must keep your eyes sharp."

"Some people are polite to your face, but you never know what they are doing behind your back. Don't be fooled by their facade."

Xu Weidong nodded, "Thank you, Uncle Sun, I will remember that."

The two chatted for a while longer, then Minister Sun Ping received a call and left first.

Xu Weidong sat alone in the private room, looking at the night view outside the window.

Political Commissar Hu Ke, Deputy Director Chen Ling.

Interesting...