Chapter 353: Another Village (Part 2)

Hou Weidong had learned in advance that Secretary Chang Quan would attend the Young Talent Forum, and that the event carried a specific purpose. This gave him a slight edge over the average candidate. However, selecting a secretary was much like choosing a life partner; it required not only excellence but also a certain affinity. Although Huang Zidi was helping behind the scenes, whether Secretary Chang Quan would take a liking to him ultimately depended on Hou Weidong’s own ability and luck. If the Secretary found him disagreeable, no amount of scheming would help.

Therefore, Hou Weidong approached the matter with the attitude that "man proposes, but God disposes." He prepared meticulously but faced the selection process with a relaxed mind.

"Yang Liu, I need the speech materials from Secretary Chang Quan over the past two years." He called Yang Liu, who had recently been transferred to the Comprehensive Section of the Municipal Party Committee Office.

The Comprehensive Section was a critical department within the Shazhou Municipal Party Committee General Office, overseen by the First Deputy Secretary-General, Zheng Zhong. Zheng Zhong managed both the Comprehensive Section and the Secretarial Section, enforcing particularly strict work discipline.

Upon hearing Hou Weidong’s request for Secretary Chang Quan’s speech materials, Yang Liu immediately understood his intent. Although the former secretary’s transfer to the Deputy Director position at the Local Taxation Bureau had not yet been finalized, it was an open secret. Many staff members in the various sections of the Committee Office were already strategizing.

In the cadre selection system of Lingxi Province, higher-level leaders held the final say. In Shazhou, Secretary Chang Quan was the top official, so his secretary’s career path would naturally be secure. Becoming Secretary Chang Quan’s secretary was akin to taking the most direct route to success in officialdom. Secretary Chang Quan was well aware of this, which is why he was so particular about his choice.

There were several people sitting in the Comprehensive Section at the time. Suppressing her excitement, Yang Liu adopted a strictly professional tone. "Understood. I will call you once the materials are collected." As soon as she hung up, a male colleague in the section began to joke, "Yang Liu, looking at your cautious demeanor, is it your boyfriend?"

Yang Liu smiled. "Keep your voice down; that’s polite behavior. We don’t want to disrupt the train of thought of all these great talents." Having served as the Office Director at the New Management Committee, and benefiting from Hou Weidong’s full trust, she wielded influence comparable to that of a deputy director, and in some matters, even more so. Her time at the New Management Committee had been highly rewarding, and she had quickly adapted to her new role in the Municipal Party Committee Office.

The colleagues in the section, having worked closely with leaders for a long time, were adept at reading the room. Once, when Huang Zidi passed by the Comprehensive Section and saw Yang Liu writing materials, he casually walked in and exchanged a few words with her. The other staff members instantly understood the implication: Yang Liu’s transfer from the New Management Committee in Yiyang County to the central organ of the Shazhou Municipal Party Committee was undoubtedly facilitated by Huang Zidi.

Huang Zidi, the former Secretary-General, was a decisive figure. Consequently, Yang Liu’s status within the section rose significantly, and her colleagues treated her with warmth and friendliness.

The next day, Hou Weidong drove to Shazhou. He handed over all his responsibilities at the Science and Technology Commission to Deputy Director Zhou Yongtai. Zhou Yongtai had previously led the commission and was familiar with the work. He had a good impression of Hou Weidong. Although the young man seemed restless, as if he had nails under his seat, he had achieved something no previous director had: securing a major project for the commission in a short time. Therefore, Zhou Yongtai respected this young director and assumed he would not stay in the commission for long.

At eleven o’clock, Hou Weidong parked his car at the entrance of the Municipal Party Committee compound. Resting his elbow on the open window, he smoked comfortably, watching the compound while waiting for Yang Liu.

Shazhou was a prefecture-level city, where the Prefectural Party Committee and the Administrative Office were separate entities, with distinct compounds for each. In contrast, Yiyang was a county-level city, where the County Party Committee and the Government shared the same building, with government leaders on the third floor and Party Committee leaders on the fourth. This was one of the subtle differences between county-level and prefecture-level administrative structures.

While waiting, he called Xiaojia, but her phone was turned off. Xiaojia’s courses in Shanghai had nearly concluded, and her entire class had traveled to Northwest China under the guise of inspecting gardens, though in reality, it was a sightseeing trip. Since her phone was unreachable, she was likely on a flight.

By noon, the Municipal Party Committee compound came to life. Female staff members emerged first, walking briskly. With his experience in government work, Hou Weidong guessed they were rushing home to prepare lunch for their children and husbands. They were followed by male colleagues in small groups. Although the compound had a cafeteria, the food was notoriously bad, so the male staff often gathered to eat at restaurants nearby, usually splitting the bill, though occasionally someone would treat the group. The building represented power, status, and dignity, but for most of the people working inside, power was out of reach. It belonged only to a few: the Standing Committee members and the leaders of various departments. The ordinary staff, who made up the majority, were just regular people earning modest salaries. Their only advantage was having slightly more opportunities than those in other departments.

At 12:20, as the compound emptied, Yang Liu’s petite figure appeared, holding a file bag. She walked directly toward the familiar Bluebird car.

"Let’s eat first and talk while we eat." Hou Weidong led Yang Liu to a restaurant outside the Xinyue Building, a place known for its fresh water, land, and air delicacies. Benefiting from the popularity of the Xinyue Building, the restaurant had thrived for years, attracting many other eateries to the area. The street in front of the Xinyue Building had become a food street.

Hou Weidong was a foodie with ample funds. Facing such culinary delights, he felt delighted. Over time, combined with driving more than walking, his stomach had gradually expanded, prompting him to buy a treadmill to burn fat and improve his fitness.

"Director Hou, is there any progress on this matter?" Yang Liu asked, unable to resist as she watched Hou Weidong carefully review Secretary Chang Quan’s speeches.

"Selecting a secretary is like two turtles looking at each other; it works if you catch each other’s eye. So, I need to understand Secretary Chang Quan’s thinking." Yang Liu smiled. "The key is to meet Secretary Chang Quan." She added, "Director Hou, you served as Secretary Zhu’s secretary before. Will Secretary Chang Quan have any reservations?"

Hou Weidong had considered this issue. "Let’s not worry about that for now. Opportunities favor the prepared." He did not mention the youth forum.

Relying on Hou Weidong’s connections, Huang Zidi would surely speak with Secretary Chang Quan. Yang Liu said, "I really hope Director Hou can transfer to the Committee Office soon." Hou Weidong replied casually, "If I become Secretary Chang Quan’s secretary, I will definitely join the Comprehensive Section. We have a strong affinity; we could become colleagues again."

He spoke without much thought, but Yang Liu tasted different emotions. She looked at Hou Weidong, chewing a piece of chili pepper. She hadn’t realized it was the famous "Sky-Piercing" chili from the mountains. A fiery sensation spread through her mouth, and she quickly drank some soup to suppress the heat.

Hou Weidong continued to study the report intently. At that moment, Xiaojia’s call came through. "I just got off the plane. The sky in Xinjiang is so blue, and it feels much higher." A beautiful song by Wang Luobin had filled Xiaojia with longing for Xinjiang. As a woman with a touch of bourgeois sentimentality, Xinjiang suited her taste perfectly.

After chatting for a while, Hou Weidong had wanted to discuss his plan to secure the position of Secretary Chang Quan’s secretary. However, seeing Yang Liu present, he felt it was inappropriate to speak freely. Moreover, Xiaojia was currently close with Zhou Ping. Although Xiaojia was discreet, Hou Weidong feared she might inadvertently reveal information, so he decided to hold off for now.

"I plan to return to work after this inspection tour ends. It’s been two years; I wonder what the Landscape Management Bureau has become." Xiaojia said enthusiastically. "Sister Zhou spoke to Director Li. Once you transfer to Maoyun, she will transfer me to the Maoyun Landscape Bureau for two years of study. We’ve lost two years together; once we’re in Maoyun, we must not be separated again."

Hou Weidong said, "I visited Maoyun. The situation there is too complex. We can discuss the details when you return. I have one heart but two preparations. Secretary Zhu shares this view."

Xiaojia paused. Zhou Ping had just come out of the restroom, making it inconvenient to speak freely. "If it’s Secretary Zhu’s opinion, it must have its reasons. We should consider it seriously. I’ll be back in a week, so there’s no need to rush the decision."

In no time, the Youth Forum organized by the Municipal Youth League was in full swing. Recommended and arranged by Ji Haiyang, the Deputy Secretary in charge of organization, Hou Weidong participated as one of the ten representatives from Yiyang County. Given his seniority and position, he was fully qualified to represent Yiyang County. Liu Kun, the Director of the County Government Office, also had the qualifications if he had wished to attend. However, having served as Office Director for some time and dealing with major county affairs, he looked down on the Youth League’s activities. When the County Youth League Secretary extended the invitation, he refused without hesitation.

Except for a few individuals like Huang Zidi and Hou Weidong, no one expected Secretary Chang Quan to attend the discussion in person, let alone with the intention of selecting a secretary. Of course, Secretary Chang Quan was not solely focused on finding a secretary. He had always valued youth work. Although these young people held low positions, they represented the future of Shazhou. "If the youth are strong, Shazhou will be strong," was Secretary Chang Quan’s philosophy.

As the discussion began, the audience erupted in applause when they saw Secretary Chang Quan enter, accompanied by Deputy Secretary Huang Zidi.

Hou Weidong had originally planned to speak first. However, after reviewing most of Secretary Chang Quan’s speeches from the past two years, he changed his mind. Secretary Chang Quan was steady and did not favor those who sought the spotlight. Therefore, Hou Weidong decided to speak third.

The first to speak boldly was the Deputy Secretary of the Municipal Youth League, a beautiful female colleague. Her pure Mandarin was pleasant to hear. She focused on how to conduct youth work, but her content was flashy and lacked practical significance.

The second to rush forward was a colleague from the Municipal Party Committee Office. He had not prepared a speech, but upon seeing Secretary Chang Quan and Deputy Secretary Huang Zidi, he was startled and quickly wrote down three points on a piece of paper. Having written speeches for leaders for a long time, his three points addressed Shazhou’s economic development.

Secretary Chang Quan listened attentively.

As soon as the colleague from the Municipal Party Committee Office finished speaking, Hou Weidong quickly raised his hand. "I would like to speak."