Chapter 224: The Dust Settles (Part 2)

Time flew by. In the blink of an eye, more than two months had passed. Although Zhu Yan had been transferred away, the earth continued to turn, and the people of Yiyang, under the leadership of the Lingxi Provincial Committee, the Shazhou Municipal Committee, and the new leadership team of Yiyang, continued their march toward a moderately prosperous society.

In August, the Yiyang County Party Committee launched a vigorous campaign titled "Surpass Yourself, Strive for Excellence." This initiative was scheduled to last three months. The first month was designated as the study phase, during which all local units were required to establish organizational structures, formulate plans, and diligently complete the study materials mandated by the County Party Committee. The second phase focused on identifying problems; building upon the foundation of the first month’s study, units were to assess their realities and pinpoint gaps. The third phase was for rectification and improvement, aiming to solve the identified issues through concrete actions and genuinely elevate the level of local development. The fourth phase, occurring three months after the campaign’s conclusion, involved a re-evaluation of the campaign’s effectiveness.

This campaign was the first major move by Ma Youcai, the newly appointed County Party Secretary. It was launched with great fanfare, drawing significant attention from relevant departments at both the provincial and municipal levels.

In his mobilization report, County Party Secretary Ma Youcai stated, "This is a minor rectification movement for Yiyang County. Through this small-scale rectification, we will enhance the combat effectiveness and cohesion of our cadre team, pushing Yiyang’s development into a new high tide." Hou Weidong did not recall the entire report clearly, but he distinctly remembered three words: "minor rectification." He secretly mocked the phrasing, thinking, "Ma Youcai has big ambitions; he actually dares to use the term 'rectification.'"

On August 11, the County Party Committee issued a document on further improving scientific and technological work. This was a routine directive aligned with Lingxi Province’s goal of strengthening the province through science and technology, offering little novelty.

Since returning from Lingxi, Hou Weidong had adopted a strategy of maintaining the status quo to handle any changes. Like a cat in the night, he hid within the New Management Office in the southern suburbs, keeping a close watch on every move in the County Party Committee and County Government compound. Deep down, he had no interest in such abstract political maneuvers. He simply followed the County Party Committee’s directives, conducting the activities neither ahead of nor behind schedule, staying strictly within the bounds of propriety.

On August 11, Zhu Yan completed his studies at the Provincial Party School and officially began his work at the Maoyun Prefectural Committee. On August 18, Hou Weidong received a phone call from Dean Jiang Yuxin. He personally drove Jiang Yuxin and Zhu Mei to the Maoyun Prefectural Committee.

The next morning, the nineteenth, Hou Weidong returned to Yiyang alone. Most of Maoyun was mountainous, and its economic conditions were significantly worse than those of Shazhou. Road infrastructure lagged far behind; there were no expressways, and even first-class highways were scarce. The journey involved numerous treacherous mountain dirt roads of the 1990s. It took him over three hours of careful driving before he finally merged onto the Lingxi Expressway.

The Lingxi Expressway was straight and wide. Compared to the winding mountain roads, it felt like traveling on a different plane—one on the ground, the other in the mountains. Hou Weidong pressed hard on the accelerator, and his speed quickly climbed to 120 kilometers per hour.

By the time he drove back to Yiyang, it was already 1:00 PM. Hou Weidong drove directly to an inconspicuous noodle stall and ordered three taels of bowl-mixed noodles (noodles with peas and minced meat sauce). The taste was excellent, a fact verified by countless previous visits.

When he put down his bowl, his mouth was greasy and his stomach slightly full. The comfort in his stomach rivaled a gourmet meal at the Jinxing Hotel. Hou Weidong was sitting comfortably in the driver’s seat, picking his teeth, when Ji Haiyang’s phone rang through. Ji’s tone was urgent. "Weidong, where are you? Ma Youcai is making a move against you."

Hou Weidong was stunned for a moment. "Secretary Ji, where does he want to transfer me?"

"Half an hour ago, Ma Youcai called me and Minister Liu to his office to discuss organizational and personnel matters. Minister Liu suddenly proposed a plan for adjusting cadres in Yiyang County. This plan clearly reflects Ma Youcai’s intentions." Ji Haiyang, as the deputy secretary in charge of organization, should have been briefed by Minister Liu beforehand. This time, he had been clearly blindsided by the joint maneuver of Ma Youcai and Minister Liu, and his anger was palpable.

Ji Haiyang continued, "You are being transferred to serve as the Director of the Science and Technology Commission. According to Minister Liu, you have a high degree of education and strong capabilities, and you can make significant contributions in the scientific and technological sector."

Hou Weidong had not realized Ma Youcai would strike so harshly. "Is there any room for salvage?"

Ji Haiyang checked his watch. "Ma Youcai has prepared carefully; this is a lightning war. The Standing Committee meeting is scheduled for 2:00 PM, which is less than half an hour from now. It’s probably too late to find anyone to intervene. The matter is already settled. I estimate that people previously trusted by Secretary Zhu will be gradually adjusted." Hearing Hou Weidong’s silence, Ji added, "You must endure it. Go to the Science and Technology Commission for a while, then find a way to transfer to Shazhou or Maoyun. It’s better than suffering indignity here."

After hanging up with Ji Haiyang, Hou Weidong immediately called Su Mingjun. Su Mingjun was also anxious upon hearing the news. "Brother, why are you only telling me this now?"

Hou Weidong smiled bitterly. "There was no wind of this for a while. I was somewhat complacent."

Su Mingjun said, "Let me contact Zhu Yan first to gauge his attitude." A short while later, Su Mingjun called back. "His office is empty, and his mobile phone is turned off. It seems Ma Youcai does not wish to take anyone’s calls."

At this point, Hou Weidong could only say, "Thank you, Brother Su. It seems there is nothing more we can do."

"According to general rules, a new County Party Secretary always reshuffles the deck. I reminded you a few days ago, but you did not take it seriously. This is mainly your own fault. After Secretary Zhu was transferred, you should have had a rough idea of whether to stay or leave, so we could help you. Liu Bocheng once said, 'If your five elements are unstable, you will lose everything.' This is a lesson."

Su Mingjun added, "However, it is not a big deal. You are young, which is your capital. There are plenty of opportunities."

After hanging up, Hou Weidong immediately called Zhu Yan to report his transfer situation.

Zhu Yan did not treat this as a major crisis. He laughed and said, "When Ma Youcai took office, I knew this would be the result. His purpose in launching the 'minor rectification' is clear: to use the rectification as an opportunity to remove the cadres I promoted and those who are important. I did not point this out to you because I wanted to test your judgment."

Hou Weidong smiled self-deprecatingly. "Secretary Zhu, my judgment failed this time."

"You have not experienced the Cultural Revolution, and your work experience is insufficient. You are not familiar with official tactics and do not have a deep understanding of human nature. With this lesson, your ability to see through issues will certainly improve. From this perspective, it is a good thing. Suffering losses now is easier to remedy than suffering them in the future."

Hearing Zhu Yan’s tone, Hou Weidong gradually calmed down. "Secretary Zhu, how should I proceed next?"

"The situation in Maoyun is complex, and I have not yet sorted things out. Do not come over for now. Stay in your position as Director of the Science and Technology Commission in Yiyang County for a while. Young people benefit from setbacks. Moreover, the Director of the Science and Technology Commission is a principal section-level position. Taking good care of this work is also a form of training."

These were sincere words. In Maoyun, Zhu Yan was the third-in-command, technically a principal division-level cadre promoted to deputy departmental level. However, in key personnel matters, the Prefectural Party Secretary had the final say. Zhu Yan could not make unilateral decisions, although promoting a few people was still within his power.

Zhu Yan added, "If you want to return to Shazhou, I can mention it to Huang Zidi."

Hou Weidong immediately replied, "Going to Shazhou has no appeal. Secretary Zhu, I still want to follow you."

Zhu Yan was satisfied with Hou Weidong’s attitude. He advised, "Life is unsatisfactory nine times out of ten. Compared to the Five-Seven Cadre Schools and the cattle sheds of the past, this setback is nothing. If you maintain a positive mindset, you can work happily."

After this conversation, Hou Weidong felt grounded. He drove his Bluebird car back to the Shazhou Academy. Soon, a Mitsubishi car pulled up. As he sat down in his office, the Office Director, Yang Liu, brought a folder for him to sign and casually brewed some tea.

Hou Weidong was accustomed to these routines. But today, having heard about his transfer, seeing Yang Liu’s back as she brewed tea, he felt a sharp sting in his heart. He thought, "Yang Liu is one of those who closely follows me. If I am transferred to the Science and Technology Commission, the new director might not keep her."

Thinking of Yang Liu, You Yong, and others who had relied on him, Hou Weidong suddenly realized that since becoming the Director of the New Management Office, many people had depended on him for over a year. By leaving abruptly, he was naturally leaving Yang Liu and others in the lurch.

He sat quietly in the office for a while, then brewed a cup of tea for Yang Liu and called her.

Yang Liu hurried up. Seeing the tea on the desk, she looked confused. Hou Weidong said, "Yang Liu, I am being transferred. Thank you for your support over the past year."

Yang Liu was startled. "Transferred! Why didn’t I hear any news? To which department?"

"Director of the Science and Technology Commission." Hou Weidong pointed toward the direction of the County Party Committee. "The Standing Committee meeting is in session now. They might be discussing my case."

Yang Liu sighed slightly. "One emperor, one set of ministers. This is an old and entrenched custom."

Hou Weidong smiled self-deprecatingly. "Actually, it is quite normal. Any leader in power wants to use people they are familiar with. As long as the appointment system remains, this problem can never be solved. When I first came to the New Management Office, wasn’t it the same?"

Seeing Hou Weidong’s frankness, Yang Liu asked, "Director Hou, there is one thing I do not understand. Why do you dislike Yi Zhongcheng? He is a top-tier writer in the New Management Office. I feel inferior to him."

"When I was in the County Party Committee Office, I tracked the case of the Yiyang Native Produce Company. The general manager of the Native Produce Company was Yi Zhongling. The Procuratorate was embarrassed by this case. I know many things, so I am wary of anyone or anything associated with Yi Zhongling." Hou Weidong took a letter of accusation from his drawer and handed it to Yang Liu. "Read this letter, and you will understand why my decision was correct. If he had become the Office Director, he would have caused me huge trouble."

Yang Liu read the letter carefully and nodded. "Based on the information in this letter, it was written by an insider. The handwriting is disguised, but the writing style is fluent. It must be Yi Zhongcheng."

"Correct. It matches my judgment."

Yang Liu’s expression became somewhat dejected. "Then I must prepare for a change of position."

Hou Weidong comforted her, "You are an excellent Office Director. I believe the new director will have the insight to recognize that." He did not feel these words were empty, but in the current situation, he could not make any promises, so he did not elaborate.

Yang Liu said, "Are you free tonight? I will invite Qin Xiaohong and the couple, Old Liang, and we will have dinner together to bid you farewell in advance." She added, "Director Hou, you are the leader I admire most. Without your painstaking efforts in the New Management Office, it would never have achieved such a situation. I believe gold will always shine. Perhaps one day, you will become a county leader."