21: Chapter 21 Target: Lu Wan'er

After it ended, Shen Meizhu rested her hands on Niu Panlong's neck, her body pressed tightly against him as she said softly, "Hubby, you're not going to give up on the Chaojiang Bridge, are you?"

"I'll do it, of course I'll do it." Niu Panlong felt a bit tired and pinched her skin, which was as supple as collagen. "This project was proposed when I was the Executive Vice Mayor, and I worked hard to secure it. It's my 'Mayor's Project,' so it must be done well."

Shen Meizhu said with a mix of charm and feigned annoyance, "Darling, I'm going to say something, but please don't get angry, okay?"

"Baby, how could I ever be angry with you?"

"Then I'll say it."

"Mm, go ahead."

Shen Meizhu said cautiously, "Actually, I think having six lanes and increasing the budget by tens of millions might not necessarily be a bad thing."

Niu Panlong's expression stiffened, and he looked at her with a sharp gaze. "What do you mean?"

"With a larger budget, the construction company can naturally earn more," she continued, still acting charming and lovely.

"Are you still thinking about the bridge project?"

"Yes. Who wouldn't be thinking about such a large project?"

Niu Panlong smiled and gently stroked her long hair. "There's always more money to be made, so why fixate on this project? I've given you plenty of projects over the past few years. Besides, yours is a real estate company and lacks the qualifications for road and bridge construction, so stop daydreaming."

"I don't have the qualifications, but my friend does. They even have Grade A qualifications. I would invest in their company through a joint venture for this single project to develop and build it together."

Niu Panlong said, "If I'm going to build it, I'm going to build it properly. There will be public bidding, no internal appointments, and certainly no black-box operations, to avoid affecting the construction quality. So, don't get involved."

"Panlong, now that you're the Mayor, why aren't you as doting as before? I put in a lot of effort to help you become the Mayor." Shen Meizhu pressed against him coquettishly, causing ripples in the water.

Niu Panlong held her slender waist and stared intently at her. "I certainly know how much credit you deserve, but could you please not always bring it up?"

He finished with a smile on his face, but it was a cold one.

Shen Meizhu immediately felt his coldness and hurried to act spoiled. "You're so mean. I have no official status with you, and I'm so afraid that one day, when my favor fades as my beauty withers, you won't want me anymore."

"How could that be? You're only 32 this year, right? This is when a woman is at her most beautiful, most capable, and most wild."

"Is that so? How come I didn't know?"

"Then let me show you!" Niu Panlong flipped her over beneath him.

Twenty minutes later, the two left the hot spring pool and went to the luxury bedroom to rest. As they lay down, Shen Meizhu made another request: "Hubby, the old town renovation project for the Ancient County Government Office in the city center has been going on for so long. When can construction start?"

"Haven't you already started construction?"

"I'm talking about the Nine Wells area. Those old men from the Archaeology Research Institute are blocking it, saying those wells are cultural relics. Honestly, I've never heard of a well being a cultural relic." Shen Meizhu looked pitiable.

Niu Panlong said, "The Bureau of Culture reported to me that it was the site of the Ancient County Government Office, and there might be cultural relics under the wells."

"How is that possible? They're just fooling you. They're intentionally making things difficult to stop the work. This project is already seriously delayed, and I've taken out so many loans that I can't keep up with the daily interest. Darling, you have to stand up for me."

"Alright, alright. I'll call the Vice Mayor in charge this coming Monday and have him give you the green light, okay?" Niu Panlong agreed to her request.

"That's more like it!" She had brought up the Chaojiang Bridge project first, knowing Niu Panlong would definitely refuse, making it unlikely he would refuse her second request.

***

On Tuesday morning, September 11th, Zhang Huaijing went to the Municipal Organization Department for an inspection and held a meeting in the third-floor conference room.

The meeting was led by Minister Meng Zhaodi, accompanied by an executive deputy head, three deputy heads, the director of the Bureau of Veteran Cadres, three division-level cadres in non-leadership positions, and nine section chiefs.

Minister Meng Zhaodi first introduced the attendees, followed by reports from several division-level cadres. The section chiefs did not need to speak. After the reports concluded, Minister Meng Zhaodi spoke.

Zhang Huaijing listened and took notes seriously throughout the process, occasionally interrupting to ask a few questions.

Among them, the lowest-ranking deputy head, Minister Wang Ximeng, left the deepest impression on him. She had just been promoted to deputy head this year at the age of 31; previously, she was the chief of Organization Section One.

She had a small stature but large breasts and outstanding looks. Her phoenix eyes were dark and spirited, and her voice was particularly pleasant—crisp like the ringing of silver bells, sweet and mellow with a hint of briskness, clear to the ear without being cloying.

She was in charge of Organization Section One and Section Two, responsible for daily party organization construction, party spirit education, and party congresses.

Minister Meng Zhaodi didn't use empty talk. After speaking for a while, she began to discuss problems and difficulties, specifically the staffing issue: "Secretary, our Organization Department is also understaffed; we're short of five section-level cadre positions. Ximeng was originally the chief of Organization Section One and was just promoted in February. The chief position has been vacant ever since, so Ximeng is essentially handling both roles herself."

"Organization Section Two has a chief, but he's a general without an army; there's only one staff member on the institutional payroll under him. Other sections are in similar situations, with a serious lack of hands. We are currently conducting party spirit theme education activities and have drafted 12 cadres from municipal departments and various districts and counties, but these comrades will return once the activities finish in November."

This was the situation in the Organization Department: they didn't lack division-level cadres, but they lacked section-level ones. Because they were close to the source of power, any section chief who did a good job would be promoted once they reached the required years of service. Turnover was very fast, making it the department with the fastest and most frequent promotions in the city.

Most of the promoted cadres went to other units, and section-level cadres couldn't be replaced in time. With more people leaving than entering, vacancies were natural.

Zhang Huaijing said, "The Organization Department manages cadres. If recruitment is too slow, then transfer them from other units."

"Yes, we are currently selecting, but we still want to choose people from within the organization system who are familiar with the work and ready to hit the ground running. However, the Organization Departments of several districts and counties are also complaining about the lack of staff, saying they're treating the women like men and the men like donkeys." Minister Meng Zhaodi said with a bitter smile, "In fact, it's not that the departments lack hands, but they lack young people who are capable, can get things done, and have innovative thinking."

In truth, there was another reason: the Organization Department had many people with connections who were placed there by leaders. They took up the staff quota but occupied the positions without doing any work.

"What about the County Organization Departments? We have four counties and two districts." Zhang Huaijing immediately thought of Lu Waner from the Wanghai County Organization Department. He had to transfer her to the city as soon as possible to keep her close to him.

In fact, the Municipal Organization Department had once considered transferring her, but the County Organization Department had disagreed. The real reason was that County Magistrate Du Huaishui's wife disagreed; she was the deputy head in charge of organization at the County Organization Department and was Lu Waner's immediate superior.

"Some County Organization Departments won't release excellent cadres. They use all sorts of excuses to stall, and after a while, the matter just gets dropped," Minister Wang Ximeng interjected.

Zhang Huaijing looked at her and said, "Then be a bit more forceful. If it really doesn't work, Minister Meng Zhaodi can personally speak to the County Party Secretary. Water flows to lower ground, and people strive for higher places; such a good thing should be supported."

"Secretary, you don't know. Some County Party Secretaries have implemented a five-year service requirement. That is, in principle, anyone who hasn't worked in the county for five years cannot be transferred. These overlord clauses actually align with central directives, so it's hard for us to force the issue." A look of helplessness appeared on Minister Meng Zhaodi's plump face again.

A County Party Secretary wouldn't even give face to the Municipal Organization Minister? Was the Organization Department too weak, or was the county too strong?

Zhang Huaijing said, "Let's take a two-pronged approach. First, tap into your internal potential, strengthen coordination, and revitalize existing personnel to motivate everyone. Boldly promote and use young people, and properly handle those who are incapable or unwilling to work."

After Minister Meng Zhaodi finished her report, Zhang Huaijing gave the final speech. He didn't look at a script—he hadn't asked anyone to prepare one anyway—and spoke for over ten minutes without notes, appearing composed, fluent, and practical.

When it was over, he said, "Zhaodi, make the arrangements. Find a county to visit this week to inspect rural party organization construction."

"Alright. Ximeng, you pick a few spots first," Minister Meng Zhaodi said.

"Okay, Minister. Secretary, are there any specific spots you'd like to visit?" Minister Wang Ximeng was a little excited. This was part of the work she oversaw.

Zhang Huaijing's first stop after taking office was to inspect the Organization Department, and for his first field inspection, he chose party building work. She felt it gave her a lot of face and was very happy.

"When I was in the province, I saw a report. It seemed like some village in Wanghai County had a Party Organization Construction Demonstration Base, right?"

"Yes, it's in Baikan Village, Xiaolong Town. It's a provincial-level demonstration site," Minister Wang Ximeng replied quickly.

"Good, then let's go see that one first. You can arrange the other locations as you see fit." Zhang Huaijing knew that the site had been built single-handedly by Lu Waner. Every time leaders came to visit and inspect, she was the one who acted as the narrator.

She had the best image and gave the best presentations.

In truth, his reason for choosing Baikan Village was to see the "fiancée" who haunted his every dream, yet whom he could not openly recognize.