Chapter 383: Study (Part 1)

The year-end procedures were finally coming to a close.

At noon, taking advantage of Zhou Changquan’s nap, Hou Weidong found a moment to return to Xinyue Building. He had originally intended to scold Zhu Mei a bit, but seeing her dejected expression, the words died in his throat.

“It’s fine. Just don’t run around so recklessly in the future,” Hou Weidong sent her a text message. Immediately after, he sent another: “If anything happens, tell Dad first. If that doesn’t work, you can contact me.”

Zhu Mei read the messages and nodded.

Zhu Yan, who had been on edge for a long time, finally relaxed completely upon hearing that Zhu Mei had been brought back to Xinyue Building.

During the Standing Committee meeting that day, he was in a foul mood. Riding that wave of irritation, he successively vetoed the appointments of two bureau and bank heads. In the past, he rarely spoke up on personnel matters, but today, fueled by his pent-up frustration, he vented the emotions he had accumulated over many days. He had been in Maoyun for quite some time now, and facing such a chaotic situation, he felt the need to make his independent voice heard.

Reflecting on the morning’s meeting, Zhu Yan felt a twinge of gratitude toward his own bad mood. Without it, he might have had to hold back for a while longer.

By the time he called Hou Weidong, he had calmed down. “It’s good that you’re back. That’s what matters. I have some things to attend to, so I won’t come over. Wang Bing will come to pick you up.”

After chatting for a few moments, Zhu Yan spoke in the gentle, measured tone of an elder: “Secretary Changquan is not young anymore. After this term, he should be transferred to the provincial level. I’ve heard rumors he might go to the People’s Congress or the CPPCC. You need to work hard in the next two or three years and strive to become a leader at the county level during the next leadership transition.”

He added, “Being a secretary is hard work. Don’t stay in that role for too long.”

These were Zhu Yan’s sincere words. While being a secretary was a shortcut to officialdom, it was merely a shortcut. It did not make one a true decision-maker; to put it bluntly, such a person was merely borrowing the tiger’s might.

Hou Weidong had not heard such genuine advice in a long time. He replied solemnly, “Thank you, Secretary Zhu.”

It was another busy Spring Festival. Hou Weidong did not idle away the holiday. After the second day of the New Year, he began visiting people with Zhou Changquan, while also receiving visitors himself. It was a game of sorts, with many figures in the Lingxi political arena playing their assigned roles.

Before long, the Spring Festival passed. In March, after the city-wide meeting for leading cadres concluded, the work for 1999 officially kicked off.

In 1999, the state placed great emphasis on study. The Beijing Library, the largest in Asia and fourth in the world, was officially renamed the “National Library of China” on February 11, with the approval of the State Council. Before the Spring Festival, the National Library had launched a plan to remain open for 365 days. During the holiday, visiting the library to read became a popular scene.

Meanwhile, at the Central Party School, officials from various regions engaged in in-depth study and research on financial issues. At the graduation ceremony, the General Secretary attended and delivered an important speech. One section read: “Comprehensively strengthening and improving the study of the entire Party is an important guarantee for our Party to maintain its vitality and vigor. If we cannot continuously improve ourselves through new learning and practice, we will fall behind the times and risk losing our right to govern, as well as the trust and support of the people.”

To implement the Central Committee’s decision, Lingxi Province issued a special notice on further strengthening study. Shazhou City was no exception. A city-wide mobilization meeting on strengthening study was held. Within the municipal Party committee offices, a reading trend emerged. Young staff members had one or two books on their desks, and the bookshelves behind the leaders’ desks were stocked with new titles.

Pursuing a master’s degree seemed to become a trend among the younger generation. The Lingxi Party School released its spring enrollment brochure, which was distributed throughout the municipal Party committee offices. While using the restroom, Hou Weidong happened to notice the brochure on the windowsill and felt a stir of interest.

Failing to get into a national key university during the college entrance examination was a permanent regret for Hou Weidong. On the eve of his graduation, he had wanted to apply for a master’s program at Lingxi University, but his English was weak. He had planned to spend a year intensively preparing before applying. However, after starting work, he had thrown his English books aside. The sentence he knew best was “I LOVE YOU,” which he used as a sign-off when calling Xiaojia. Because he used it so often, it became familiar. After marriage, he rarely said it unless Xiaojia was upset, using it only to coax her into a better mood.

Lingxi University was the best university in Lingxi, a key institution ranked among the top in the nation. When Hou Weidong was studying at Shazhou College, he had harbored the wish to apply for a master’s degree at Lingxi University. After starting work, he was busy with administrative tasks, and this wish was indefinitely postponed. Now, with the Central Committee’s decision to strengthen study, the idea of taking the entrance exam again flashed through his mind.

Xiaojia was not convinced by this idea. “You are spinning your wheels with work right now. Where would you find the time to apply for a master’s at Lingxi University? Moreover, even if you have the ability to get in, you would need to study full-time for three years. By then, will there still be a place for you in Shazhou? You’d better prepare for a second job hunt. Taking the exam is just a means, not the end. I suggest you follow the crowd and get your master’s at the Lingxi Party School. You’ll get the diploma and make some connections.”

Seeing that Hou Weidong was still hesitating, she added, “Unless you have extraordinary ability to get into Peking University or Tsinghua, you should just get your in-service master’s at the Lingxi Party School. That is the most realistic option. I don’t want you returning to campus. What if you fall for some campus beauty? Then I’d be unemployed at home.”

Xiaojia was already pregnant. Although her last two sentences were joking, there was a hint of seriousness in them.

Hou Weidong understood Xiaojia’s meaning. After considering it carefully, he joked, “I’ll listen to my wife’s advice and go to the provincial Party School for my master’s. That way, I won’t worry my wife and affect the health of our little baby.”

“So it’s not for my sake, but to avoid affecting the baby. It seems that once we have a son, my status in the family will plummet,” Xiaojia joked back. Discussing their future son or daughter was one of the couple’s favorite topics.

The next day, Hou Weidong reported his intention to apply for the provincial Party School’s master’s program to Zhou Changquan. Zhou Changquan naturally had no objections. “You are my secretary. Taking the lead in studying is a good thing. During the intensive study phase, try to make time to attend classes. You need to set a good example.” Having already obtained a master’s degree from the Party School, he knew exactly how things worked.

Up to this point, Zhou Changquan was quite satisfied with Hou Weidong. “I will be going to the province for a meeting in the next three days. You can take the opportunity to register at the Party School. The tuition will be handled by the Committee Office. It is good that young people are willing to study.”

At noon, Hou Weidong sneaked back to see Xiaojia. Because she was pregnant, he was extra careful. After a tender farewell, he left the warm little house. As he stepped out the door, Hou Weidong thought to himself, “Having served as a secretary for two terms, it really is time to end this.”

Upon arriving in Lingxi, Zhou Changquan was accommodated at the Provincial Party Committee Guesthouse. Ten years ago, this guesthouse had been quite decent, but now, with five-star hotels springing up all over Lingxi, it looked somewhat shabby. However, since the Provincial Party Committee held meetings there, and provincial leaders often visited at night, the attending leaders from various regions all stayed at the guesthouse.

Around dinner time, Zhou Changquan received a phone call. He spoke to Hou Weidong with a touch of excitement: “Call Ma Bo immediately. We are going to Jinxing Hotel. The Secretary-General is waiting for us.” Hou Weidong did not know that Hong Ang had also arrived in Lingxi, but following the principle of doing more and saying less, he quickly notified the driver, Ma Bo. Ten minutes later, Zhou Changquan and Hou Weidong arrived at Jinxing Hotel and went up to the restaurant on the top floor, where Hong Ang was waiting at the door.

“Secretary Zhu will be here in ten minutes.”

During the Spring Festival, Zhou Changquan had prepared to pay New Year’s respects to Zhu Jianguo, the Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee. However, Zhu Jianguo was busy and they had not been able to connect. This time, with the expanded Provincial Party Committee meeting, Deputy Secretary Zhu Jianguo was certain to attend. Zhou Changquan had proactively contacted Deputy Secretary-General Jiang and asked Secretary-General Hong Ang to follow up.

Effort was not wasted. Deputy Secretary Zhu Jianguo finally managed to squeeze out some time from his busy schedule.

Zhu Jianguo’s demeanor was far beyond Hou Weidong’s expectations. He was amiable, easygoing, and quite humorous, like a spring breeze that made everyone present feel warm. Upon meeting them, he shook hands with Zhou Changquan, Hong Ang, and Hou Weidong. He said, “Shazhou ranked third in the overall assessment last year. You rose quickly, almost tying with the second place. This year, push a bit harder and strive to move up another spot.”

Hearing Zhu Jianguo’s praise, Zhou Changquan enthusiastically expressed his determination.

Zhu Jianguo’s stay was brief. After sitting for about ten minutes, he said regretfully, “I really wish I could sit and chat more with comrades from the prefectures and cities, but I am tied up with mundane matters and have another reception duty. Deputy Secretary-General Jiang will accompany Comrade Changquan for a few more drinks. Have a good sleep tonight so that tomorrow the comrades can be energetic in discussing Lingxi’s various development plans.”

After Zhu Jianguo left, the atmosphere in the room instantly relaxed. Deputy Secretary-General Jiang raised his glass and said, “Secretary Zhu has too many things to do. He has to meet with representatives of the old Eighth Route Army in Lingxi at seven o’clock. Today, I will accompany Secretary Zhou.”

The fact that Secretary Zhu attended the dinner and left a Deputy Secretary-General to keep them company was already very satisfying for Zhou Changquan. He happily clinked glasses with Deputy Secretary-General Jiang and said, “Secretary-General Jiang has always cared about Shazhou. You must come to Shazhou for an inspection soon to see the newly developed Southern New City.”

Deputy Secretary-General Jiang replied, “I have heard much about the Southern New City. I must come to study it this year.”

When it was Hou Weidong’s turn to toast Deputy Secretary-General Jiang, the latter asked, “Xiao Hou, serving as a secretary to the Municipal Party Secretary is no simple task. You not only need cultural knowledge but also grassroots work experience to be a qualified secretary. Do not underestimate the role of a secretary; the学问 (knowledge/skill) involved is profound. If you can serve well as a secretary, you possess the basic qualities to become a leader.”

Hou Weidong could only nod. Hong Ang introduced him from the side: “Xiao Hou is young, but his experience is rich. He has served as a Deputy Town Mayor, Deputy Director of the Yiyang County Party Committee Office, and also as the Director of the Yiyang New Management Committee and the Science and Technology Commission.”

Deputy Secretary-General Jiang’s eyes flickered. “Xiao Hou worked in the Yiyang County Party Committee Office? Yang Senlin was once your leader.”

Hou Weidong could not fathom the intent behind Deputy Secretary-General Jiang’s question. He answered cautiously, “County Mayor Yang is a leader in Yiyang. How could I not know him?” He knew that these leaders had fought their way out of the sea of people and were deep in their calculations. They would not casually mention an unrelated person in such a setting. He secretly pondered, “Why did Deputy Secretary-General Jiang bring up Yang Senlin out of nowhere?”

Deputy Secretary-General Jiang did not delve deeper into the topic. He clinked glasses with Zhou Changquan and began talking about light, pleasant subjects.

At the end of the dinner, Deputy Secretary-General Jiang and Zhou Changquan walked to the front alone, chatting in low voices as they went. As they were about to leave, Deputy Secretary-General Jiang shook Zhou Changquan’s hand firmly and said, “That matter is settled.”

Hong Ang and Hou Weidong had been following behind. Hou Weidong only caught that one sentence and did not know what matter Deputy Secretary-General Jiang was referring to. After Deputy Secretary-General Jiang left in his car, Zhou Changquan’s expression turned gloomy. He stood outside the hotel with his hands clasped behind his back, lost in thought.