Chapter 213: As Wished (Part 4)

Chapter 213: As Wished (4)

Deputy Chief Prosecutor Shang Guanghua had never expected to suddenly become the head of the Public Security Bureau. Although some procedural formalities remained incomplete, the County Party Secretary had personally intervened to discuss the matter, effectively sealing the appointment. As he shook hands with Secretary Zhu Yan in farewell, his expression was heavy with concern rather than joy.

Hou Weidong escorted him to the door. "Director Shang, Standing Committee Member Ji is waiting for you in his office. He has some specific matters to discuss with you."

Shang Guanghua had initially wanted to offer a brief explanation for the unpleasantness that had occurred at the Procuratorate previously, but he swallowed his words. Instead, he extended his hand and gripped Hou Weidong’s firmly. "Secretary Hou, please feel free to reach out if you need anything in the future."

Having spent many years within the Yiyang political and legal system, Shang Guanghua knew well that the waters within the Public Security Bureau were both deep and murky. To manage the work effectively, he needed the support of the county’s key leaders. Although Hou Weidong held a relatively low official rank as Secretary Zhu’s aide, his position was strategically vital. It was only natural that Shang sought to cultivate a relationship with him.

As for the past friction, he would find a way to make amends later.

Hou Weidong had been beaten up at the Procuratorate and had been furious at the time. However, circumstances had changed. He readily accepted the olive branch Shang Guanghua had extended. "Director Shang is too polite. I will need your guidance and support."

It was not uncommon for old grievances to be smoothed over with a smile and a handshake.

As he led Shang Guanghua into Ji Haiyang’s office, Hou Weidong thought to himself: The head of the Public Security Bureau is a figure of significant weight in the county, yet he is showing favor to a lowly secretary like me. The idiom 'borrowing the tiger’s might' fits my situation perfectly.

He recalled how, in the past, he had always worn a smiling face before the Qinglin police station to secure explosives for the gravel plant, secretly providing them with considerable convenience. He had supplied gasoline by the ton and given generous red envelopes during holidays. Now, with Director Shang as a friend, many such obstacles would no longer be daunting.

This was a byproduct of power. Although this power was still derivative, relying on the County Party Secretary, it generated substantial influence. Precisely because of this, once a person experienced the thrill of power, they were reluctant to give it up easily, and its loss would bring profound disappointment.

Having completed the task regarding Shang Guanghua, Hou Weidong returned to the Secretariat office. His transfer to the County Party Committee Office had been rushed; he had essentially started following Secretary Zhu Yan around as soon as Ji Haiyang gave the word. The formalities were not yet processed, and his office supplies had not been moved up. Most items were inconsequential, but the most critical ones—a jar of premium new tea from Yiyang and his enamel mug—were still downstairs.

With no immediate tasks at hand, he hurried down the stairs.

Old詹 (Zhan) was a slacker who could not sit in the office for more than an hour. He used various excuses—needing the restroom, getting water, or reading the newspaper—to slip away and visit various offices in the building. As usual, only Guo Lan remained in the office.

"Section Chief Guo, I am now working at the County Party Committee Office."

Ever since the day she had heard those sounds from the bed, Guo Lan felt somewhat uneasy in Hou Weidong’s presence, her expression unnatural. "Old Zhan announced this news yesterday; everyone in the department knows." Hou Weidong wanted to say more, but seeing Guo Lan’s平淡 (flat) demeanor, he found himself at a loss for words. "I’ll head up now. I’ll come back another day to handle the paperwork."

Guo Lan stood up.

It was during her lowest emotional point that she had encountered Hou Weidong in the small dance hall at Shazhou College. That chance meeting had given Guo Lan the resolve to let go of her past romance. Because of this, she harbored an indescribable feeling toward Hou Weidong, which paradoxically created a faint, elusive distance between them.

Hou Weidong picked up the Yiyang new tea. "Section Chief Guo, is it alright if I don’t move my things for now?" He and Guo Lan had shared an office briefly, but nothing had happened between them; in fact, they had grown somewhat distant, their conversation polite and formal.

Guo Lan gently shook her short hair. "The Organization Department is the home of cadres. You are always welcome to return." Watching Hou Weidong’s retreating back, she felt a quiet sense of dejection. The secret from the dance hall, the story of the long-haired girl—these would become eternal secrets as Hou Weidong departed.

Hou Weidong had just placed the new tea on his desk when Ji Haiyang entered to assign work. He spoke briefly: "In ten minutes, follow Secretary Zhu to Shazhou." Ji Haiyang was still assessing Hou Weidong’s capabilities and did not provide excessive instructions, turning to leave immediately.

No sooner had Ji Haiyang left than Ren Lindu returned to the office. His desk faced Hou Weidong’s directly. "Old Hou, if you have nothing to do at noon, I’m treating Guo Lan and Old Zhan to a meal."

Hou Weidong shook his head. "If you want to pursue Guo Lan, stop making Old Zhan and me the third wheels. I don’t have time today anyway; I’m about to follow Secretary Zhu to Shazhou."

Ren Lindu had been at the Youth League Committee for some time and was familiar with the government organs. He had become close with the Secretariat and the General Affairs Section. In the Secretariat, he felt right at home. He understood that in the County Party Committee Office, a secretary’s status was tied to their principal. As Secretary Zhu Yan’s secretary, Hou Weidong held the highest status among the secretaries, though Hou Weidong had been there too short a time to realize this.

Ren Lindu proactively suggested, "Liu Tao has the internal directory for the Shazhou Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government. You’d best get a copy. It will make contacting people in Shazhou much easier; otherwise, you’ll be flying blind."

Hou Weidong said, "I’m about to leave. Do you have one? Can I borrow it for now?"

Ren Lindu took two notebooks from his bag—one for the Shazhou Municipal Government and one for the Municipal Party Committee. "Use these for now. I’ll help you get the official copies later."

As they were speaking, the phone on Ren Lindu’s desk rang again. He glanced at the caller ID. "It’s Secretary Zhao." He answered the phone, saying a string of "Yes, yes, yes."

Watching Ren Lindu’s hurried departure, Hou Weidong thought: Everything has its gains and losses. Being a secretary to a leader has many advantages, but it requires twenty-four-hour service, costing one a degree of personal freedom.

According to Ji Haiyang’s instructions, Secretary Zhu Yan would depart in ten minutes. Hou Weidong checked the time, waited about seven minutes, and then approached Secretary Zhu Yan’s door. He knocked, heard a voice say "Come in," and quietly pushed the door open.

"Secretary Zhu, when are we departing?"

Secretary Zhu Yan raised his hand to check his watch. "We leave now." He asked another question, "How is your drinking capacity? At the Da Group event the other day, I saw you could hold your liquor."

Hou Weidong answered honestly, "I won’t get drunk on half a jin of liquor."

Secretary Zhu Yan laughed. "You look like you can handle it. Mayor Liu is a former military man with a huge capacity. Every time we meet, we have a big battle. Today, drink freely and leave a deep impression on Mayor Liu."

"Understood." Having passed the test of Qinglin high-proof liquor, Hou Weidong was confident in his capacity. At least so far, in one-on-one contests, he had never been at a disadvantage.

Carrying Secretary Zhu Yan’s bag, Hou Weidong followed closely behind him.

Secretary Zhu Yan moved as if under a spell; people approaching him would invariably stop, lean forward slightly, and wear humble smiles. A few who considered themselves of higher status even took the initiative to greet him.

Hou Weidong had not been in the government organs long and did not know many people. He kept his expression calm, offering a faint smile to everyone he passed.

***

Sitting in the passenger seat, Hou Weidong took out the Shazhou Municipal Government Office directory. He looked up the phone number for Vice Mayor Liu Dachuan’s secretary and entered Secretary Zhao’s name and number into his mobile phone for easier contact.

Secretary Zhu Yan remained silent throughout the drive, eyes closed, lost in thought. As they approached the suburbs of Shazhou, he instructed, "Contact Secretary Zhao. We will be at the office in ten minutes."

Hou Weidong quickly dialed Secretary Zhao’s number. He introduced himself: "I am Hou from the Secretariat of the Yiyang County Party Committee. Secretary Zhu has arrived in Shazhou and will be at the Municipal Government in a few minutes." He did not know how Secretary Zhu had coordinated with Liu Dachuan, so he kept his statement vague.

The voice on the other end was indifferent. "He is in the office." Hou Weidong quickly turned back to report, "Contact made. Mayor Liu is in his office."

Secretary Zhu Yan’s vehicle had a pass for the Shazhou Government compound, so they entered without hindrance. They slowed slightly and parked smoothly within the compound.

The Shazhou Municipal Government occupied a large area. The main building was a sturdy, box-like structure with a large national emblem hanging in the center. The front of the building faced a large courtyard surrounded by tall trees. The layout was simple, yet it possessed a dignity that the Yiyang County Government lacked.

Mayor Liu’s office was on the ninth floor. After entering the compound, they took the elevator up. Six or seven people got on the elevator along the way. Most of them were expressionless, lost in their own thoughts, and ignored Secretary Zhu Yan.

Secretary Zhu Yan, however, wore a smile and stood in the elevator like an ordinary person. Hou Weidong stood close to him and, using his peripheral vision, observed the County Party Secretary. He noticed a scholarly air about Zhu Yan that he had never perceived before.

Mayor Liu was a sturdy, broad-shouldered man. Seeing Secretary Zhu Yan, he smiled and stood up from his office chair. "Brother Zhu, I got terribly drunk last time." He turned to Secretary Zhao. "Cancel the afternoon meeting. Since Secretary Zhu is here, I must break my abstinence from alcohol." He looked at Hou Weidong, who stood behind them. "This is the new secretary. The young man looks energetic."

After a few jokes, Secretary Zhu Yan shifted the tone to business. "Mayor Liu, County Head Ma went to Shandong yesterday afternoon with the municipal delegation. I am here to represent the County Party Committee and County Government to give a special report on the investment matters of the Qingda Group."

Liu Dachuan was the Vice Mayor in charge of industry and had been closely following the fifty-ton cement project. Hearing this, his expression turned serious. "I have a few questions for you as well."

Liu Dachuan sat back in his chair, and Secretary Zhu Yan sat opposite him at the desk. This arrangement established the formal dynamic for the work report.

When Secretary Zhu Yan finished his report, Liu Dachuan said, "You called me yesterday, and I specifically asked the comrades at the Development Planning Commission. This morning, they sent over the materials for the Qingda Group. I’ve reviewed them. This Zhang Mushan is no ordinary man. In over ten years, he has built such a large scale, and all his investment projects have been successful. There are no negative news reports about him. According to the Development Planning Commission, the Qingda Group is classified as an 'A-level' investment partner."

"Our country currently lacks a credit system, both for enterprises and individuals. That is why counterfeit goods, fraud, and deception are rampant. A while ago, I asked the Development Planning Commission to create an enterprise credit rating. They reviewed the top two hundred enterprises in Lingxi Province. Any enterprise entangled in lawsuits or constant disputes would have its credit rating lowered, restricting its investment in Shazhou or requiring us to be more vigilant. The Qingda Group has an 'A-level' credit rating. We in Shazhou welcome such enterprises with open arms."

Not all Shazhou municipal leaders agreed with Liu Dachuan’s credit rating system. The most common view was: "There are more monks than bowls of porridge. Attracting any enterprise is an achievement. If we are too picky, we might not even get thin porridge." Fortunately, Party Secretary Chang Quan had expressed support for Liu Dachuan’s approach, allowing the credit rating system to be implemented.

Secretary Zhu Yan understood the background of this issue and knew about the credit rating system. By reporting on the Qingda Group to Liu Dachuan, he intended to leverage this system to provide better services for the group. This was also a key method to attract Qingda Group’s investment in Yiyang County.

"We have held one round of negotiations with the Qingda Group, which yielded no results. I plan to initiate the next round. Based on my analysis, Zhang Mushan should have the desire to invest."

"I have heard of Zhang Mushan for a long time, but I have never met him."

Liu Dachuan agreed with Secretary Zhu Yan’s analysis and added, "We plan to hold a small-scale investment promotion conference in mid-August, inviting all 'B-level' enterprises. The Qinglin Cement Plant project can be included as a key promoted project. I can also participate in the symposium with Zhang Mushan at that time."

After finishing the business discussion, a smile returned to Liu Dachuan’s face. "Xiao Zhao, go arrange for lunch. No need for a grand restaurant. Book a private room at the Water, Land, and Air section of the Xinyue Building. Get the liquor from my home—Taiwanese sorghum liquor." He turned to Secretary Zhu Yan. "A Taiwanese businessman gave me this liquor last year. It is sixty degrees, very strong, but it won’t give you a headache."