16: Chapter 16 Taking Control of Personnel

Secretary Man Chaojian nodded with a smile. "Comrade Huaijing has worked in the provincial party committee center for many years, and as expected, he stands high and sees far. You spoke very well. However, let's forget about the eight lanes; some cadres can't even accept six lanes."

Finally having turned the tables, he said in a relaxed tone, "The other comrades should also speak up. Comrade Hui Fang, what is your opinion?"

Minister Hui Fang was the head of the Propaganda Department. She was in her forties, and while not exactly beautiful, she was very pleasant to look at. She was fair-skinned with an elegant temperament and wore her long hair in a fashionable style with slightly curled ends, which was uncommon among female cadres at the bureau or department level.

She glanced at Zhang Huaijing and gave a gentle smile, saying, "I think Secretary Huaijing put it very well. When the government undertakes a major project, it must look to the long term. We cannot only calculate the economic benefits; we must also consider the cultural value, image value, and spiritual value."

"In my opinion, building a landmark cross-river bridge will help enhance the city's image and the citizens' sense of identity. Our city has always lacked a landmark building that we can take pride in."

"In fact, whether in the East or the West, any well-developed city will deliberately build landmark structures. For example, Big Ben in London, the Statue of Liberty in New York, the Golden Gate Bridge in Los Angeles, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Yangtze River Bridge in Jiangxia, and the Hangzhou Bay Bridge currently under construction in Lin'an, which will open to traffic next year and become that city's landmark."

"Speaking of which, let me vent a bit. It's one thing that our propaganda budget is small, but it's constantly being cut or diverted. Those in finance always ask, 'How much output can one propaganda report bring?' You can't calculate it like that, otherwise, there would be no need for the Propaganda Department of the CPC to exist. A city's promotion brings intangible value that is incalculable and immeasurable, just like public service announcements. I've strayed too far; I'll stop there. My stance is clear: I support the new plan."

Subsequently, the Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission and the Secretary-General of the Municipal Party Committee voiced their support. As a result, four leaders now supported the new plan.

However, the Mayor, two Standing Committee Vice Mayors, the Minister of the United Front Work Department, and the Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission—a total of five people—supported the old plan.

Only Minister Meng Zhaodi of the Organization Department had yet to state her position.

Regardless, the Mayor's camp was currently in the lead.

Secretary Man Chaojian looked at her, and the Mayor looked at her as well.

Minister Meng Zhaodi was also in her forties, with fair skin and a full figure. Her face appeared somewhat affluent, and her slim-fit blazer successfully accentuated her curves.

She had beautiful large eyes, with far more iris than white, giving her a naturally affectionate gaze.

She seemed a bit hesitant and conflicted. She tucked her ear-length short hair back and said, "After hearing everyone's opinions just now, I think they were all very good and made a lot of sense. I handle organizational and personnel matters, and I am a complete layman when it comes to engineering construction, so it's not convenient for me to pass judgment, lest I make a fool of myself. Well, overall, whether it's four lanes or six lanes, I have no objection."

Her voice was slightly raspy, and she spoke slowly and deliberately, appearing elegant and poised, possessing the charm of a mature woman.

A flicker of imperceptible displeasure crossed the Mayor's face, while Secretary Man Chaojian's eyes crinkled into a smile. He pressed the microphone button and said, "Good, everyone has expressed their views. As it stands, more comrades lean towards the old plan, primarily considering the lack of guaranteed funding and the fear of being criticized for a 'vanity project'."

"A gong won't sound if not struck, and the truth won't be clear without debate. In today's discussion, everyone has been open and honest, expressing their own views. Everything said was reasonable and very good. As I mentioned before the meeting, this temporary agenda item is for discussion only. No final conclusion will be made, and no resolution will be formed, so there's no need to include it in the meeting minutes. Alright, that's all for this meeting. Adjourned."

Secretary She Xionghan let out a cold snort, appearing somewhat disgruntled.

The Mayor was the first to stand up. He picked up his notebook and thermos and walked out quickly.

Secretary She Xionghan hurriedly followed: "Mayor, would you like to come to my office for some tea?"

The Mayor checked his watch, nodded, and followed him into Secretary She Xionghan's office nearby.

As soon as they entered, Secretary She Xionghan closed the door and cursed, "Damn it, that Manzi is truly shameless. If the majority had supported the new plan, would he have announced it as passed by the Standing Committee?"

'Manzi' was the nickname he had given Secretary Man Chaojian because his surname was 'Man' and he had a heavy accent, making his Mandarin non-standard.

Niu Panlong chuckled and commented in a low voice, "A jumping clown."

"What's going on with Minister Meng Zhaodi?"

"I don't know." Niu Panlong took out a cigarette, lit it, and smoked silently.

"Why did she suddenly become neutral?"

"Women, they're fickle." Niu Panlong seemed indifferent.

"Women need to be 'spurred' frequently, otherwise they won't listen." After Secretary She Xionghan finished speaking, he let out a chuckle.

***

Inside the meeting room, just as Zhang Huaijing stood up, he caught a whiff of a delicate fragrance, followed by a pleasant voice: "Secretary Zhang, when will you be free? I'd like to report to you on the organizational work."

He turned around and saw that it was indeed Minister Meng Zhaodi.

Since the meeting ended, she had been frequently glancing in his direction.

She was wearing a blazer on top and a professional short skirt on the bottom. She looked a bit plump, but her legs were thin and well-proportioned.

Zhang Huaijing laughed and said, "Comrade Zhaodi, you are the Minister. I've just arrived and have never handled organizational, personnel, or party-building work before. You should be the one guiding me."

"Secretary, you are far too modest. Today is Friday and it's almost time to get off work. Let's make it next Monday; I'll come find you after the briefing." Minister Meng Zhaodi's smile was bright and youthful, though the crow's feet at the corners of her eyes couldn't be hidden.

Once a woman passes forty, her looks begin to fade.

"Alright, I'll follow your arrangement." Zhang Huaijing looked at her with a bright smile.

While they were exchanging pleasantries, they were the only two leaders left in the meeting room. The cleaning staff had long since learned to read the room; seeing them talking, they didn't come in to disturb them.

"Secretary, what you said just now was exceptionally good; I was moved. In the past, no leader would look so far or so deep, or speak with such courage and frankness." She gestured with her hands, looking vivid and lovely. "So... so, Secretary, you must care for and support our organizational work."

She seemed to have intended to say something else but changed her mind at the last moment, resulting in that polite remark.

"Thank you for the praise. We should communicate more in the future."

Just as Minister Meng Zhaodi left, Secretary Jiang Tao came in to report: "Secretary, Secretary Man has asked for you to come over."

Zhang Huaijing nodded, leaving his notebook and water cup on the table for his Secretary to handle. After a few steps, he arrived at the Secretary's Office, Room 601.

Secretary Man Chaojian was inside talking to Minister Hui Fang of the Propaganda Department. When Minister Hui Fang saw him enter, she greeted him with a smile and drifted away.

Indeed, she was small and thin, appearing light as a feather—a completely different style from the full and charming Minister Meng Zhaodi.

After he sat down, Secretary Man Chaojian lit a cigarette. He was in a good mood and said with a smile, "Today's discussion on the new plan was all thanks to you, Comrade Huaijing. Your speech was clearly several levels above the others, and the effect was quite good."

Zhang Huaijing looked at him with a hint of suspicion: "Secretary, only four people supported the new plan today."

Secretary Man Chaojian exhaled a puff of smoke and waved his hand. "You don't know the situation. During the very first Standing Committee discussion, I only had two votes. Later, I convinced the Propaganda Minister, so that made three. Now that you're here, we have one more vote, making it four."

"Did Minister Meng use to support the Mayor?"

Secretary Man Chaojian patted the armrest of the sofa appreciatively and said, "Huaijing, you're very sharp; you noticed. So, her being neutral today is progress and a positive signal."

Zhang Huaijing suddenly understood. He shook his head with a smile, though he was criticizing inwardly. After all this time, the Municipal Party Secretary didn't even have control over personnel power; his tenure as Secretary was quite a failure.

To put it bluntly, in the struggle of officialdom, the most critical battle is over personnel power. To be the top leader, the most crucial thing is to firmly grasp that power.

The current situation was a bit subtle. Secretary Man Chaojian had arranged for me to be in charge of organization, mass organizations, and other work, which was equivalent to having me snatch the 'cake' that was Minister Meng Zhaodi from the Mayor.

Since I am the Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee, controlling personnel power is a must. Only in this way can I establish a foothold as quickly as possible and stand firm.