Chapter 399: The Game (Middle)

The municipal government’s work conference on state-owned enterprise reform had dragged on for three hours, showing no signs of ending. It was nearing five o’clock. Hou Weidong felt a growing sense of urgency, knowing he had to accompany Zhou Changquan for evening receptions. However, he was seated directly facing Mayor Liu Bing. With Liu Bing’s stern expression and his earlier emphasis on conference discipline, Hou Weidong knew he couldn’t risk slipping away unnoticed.

Just before the meeting concluded, Liu Bing glanced at Hou Weidong and Zhou Biao, then addressed Bu Haiyun. “Shazhou’s current status is primarily due to its strong industrial base. The purpose of forming this team is to study countermeasures. I recall that Secretary-General Hong from the Municipal Party Committee is the deputy group leader. Given how important this meeting is, why isn’t he attending?”

Bu Haiyun thought to himself, The meeting is about to end. And here we are, speaking in front of two deputy division-level cadres. Is there any point in bringing this up now? Outwardly, he replied, “Secretary-General Hong has reception duties. He called me before the meeting to explain. From the Municipal Party Committee side, Deputy Director of the General Office Hou Weidong and Deputy Director of the Research Office Zhou Biao are attending. Both serve as deputy directors of the Leading Group Office for State-Owned Enterprise Reform.”

Liu Bing snorted. “Fine. Those who come show concern; those who don’t show they are at ease. These matters are, after all, the responsibility of the municipal government.”

He continued, “Let me emphasize one final point. In the near future, Mayor Bu will take the lead in reviewing all municipal state-owned enterprises again. I am referring specifically to enterprises above a certain scale. Each enterprise must propose a solution based on its specific circumstances. These plans will be studied by the executive meeting of the municipal government before implementation.”

Leaders’ speeches often had two sides: the public face and the hidden meaning. While most people could only hear the public message, Hou Weidong, as the secretary to the Municipal Party Committee Secretary, had access to numerous confidential matters. He detected many profound implications in Liu Bing’s words.

The meeting finally dispersed at six o’clock. Hou Weidong rushed like the wind to the small guesthouse. The provincial guests had not yet arrived. Hong Ang was keeping Zhou Changquan company, drinking tea and chatting idly.

Seeing Hou Weidong enter, Hong Ang smiled and said, “That meeting lasted four hours. It was quite substantial.”

Hou Weidong understood that Hong Ang was reminding him to be careful. He immediately reported, “Mayor Liu attaches great importance to the reform of state-owned enterprises. He attended from beginning to end, and the issues were discussed in great detail. He specifically analyzed eight large-scale enterprises, including the cement plant.” He slowed his pace slightly. “However…”

Such transitional phrases often held the most critical information. Both Zhou Changquan and Hong Ang fixed their gaze on Hou Weidong.

On the way over, Hou Weidong had repeatedly analyzed Mayor Liu Bing’s speech, striving to uncover the hidden intentions behind the public words. He said, “According to Mayor Liu’s instructions, the specific reform plans for state-owned enterprises will be executed after being studied by the government’s executive meeting. It seems there is no role for the Municipal Party Committee.”

This statement bordered on sowing discord between the Municipal Party Committee and the municipal government. Yet, Liu Bing’s speech had indeed made no mention of the Municipal Party Committee or its standing committee. Implicitly and explicitly, he emphasized the authority of the government’s executive meeting.

Zhou Changquan said calmly, “You are thinking too simply. The Municipal Party Committee has the final say on major issues within its jurisdiction. I don’t see how the municipal government can bypass the Party Committee. Recently, they have been planning to relocate the municipal government building. They didn’t even consult the Party Committee on such a major matter beforehand. They are being too eager for quick success.”

Since the end of last year, Liu Bing had shown a tendency to operate independently of the Municipal Party Committee. Major projects and large-scale initiatives that previously required discussion by the standing committee were now decided unilaterally by the municipal government.

These matters had reached Zhou Changquan’s ears through countless channels. Regarding Liu Bing’s approach, Zhou Changquan had turned a blind eye. “It is not necessarily a bad thing that the municipal government dares to act. If things go well, the achievements are made under the leadership of the Party Committee. If things go wrong, it is the negative consequence of the municipal government detaching itself from the Party Committee’s leadership.”

As the Party Committee Secretary, he tightly controlled the power of personnel appointments. As long as he held this power, he was not afraid of any subordinates causing trouble.

“Liu Bing played a trick last time regarding the use of Yang Senlin. He is very cunning. I always feel there is a deeper meaning behind his actions. I suggest we draft a set of procedural rules for the standing committee’s deliberations. This is also a party-building topic that the Provincial Party Committee has mentioned multiple times. The procedural rules should clearly define the scope and rules of deliberation. It must be clear what matters must be brought to the standing committee, who raises the agenda items, who presides over the meetings, and how voting is conducted. All these must be specified.”

In this small circle, Hong Ang spoke directly. Having served as a county Party secretary before, he had experience with similar measures. He knew how to restrict the county mayor tightly while allowing the county Party secretary to maneuver freely.

He said, “Once these procedural rules are issued, they can be submitted to the Provincial Party Committee for approval. Once approved, the rules will carry strong authority. If the municipal government acts out of line, the Municipal Party Committee can correct it at any time based on these rules. This is actually a power granted to the Municipal Party Committee by the Provincial Party Committee. If we lose this power, the primary party organization will lose its authority.”

Zhou Changquan was a shrewd man. Although Hong Ang had only made a suggestion, Zhou immediately understood its deeper significance. He said, “These rules essentially refine and standardize previous practices. They are a summary and elevation of our work. Very good.”

These rules were essentially designed to counter Liu Bing. Zhou Changquan could choose to ignore major decisions made by the municipal government, but if he chose to intervene, he could always wield these procedural rules as a weapon, maintaining his voice on key engineering projects.

Zhou Changquan appreciatively tossed a cigarette to Hong Ang, thinking to himself: When it comes to intrigue and petty tactics, Huang Zidi is more skilled than Hong Ang. But when it comes to open strategies, Hong Ang, with his experience as a county Party secretary and his background as an early-generation university graduate, is truly exceptional.

He turned to Hou Weidong. “Xiao Hou, you are the Deputy Director of the General Office and also the Chief of the Comprehensive Section. You handle many trivial matters, and I rarely ask you to write major documents. It is inevitable that the secretaries in the General Office might gossip behind your back. This time, you will take the lead in drafting the Procedural Rules for the Standing Committee of the Shazhou Municipal Party Committee. Do not be afraid. The rules are simply a standardization of the standing committee’s deliberations. Extract the relevant requirements from the democratic centralism principles and the regulations on the work of local party committees. Combine these with some of the previous systems of the Shazhou Municipal Party Committee, and more importantly, with the specific conditions of Shazhou. You should be able to finalize the draft. Do you have any problems?”

Hou Weidong had served as a grassroots leader and persisted in daily study. His thinking and comprehension abilities had improved significantly. Moreover, he understood Zhou Changquan’s intentions thoroughly. Therefore, he did not fear this task. Confidently, he said, “Secretary Zhou, rest assured. I will submit the draft on time within one week.”

Hong Ang added, “The procedural rules are a rigorous and serious task. Director Hou will be primarily responsible. At the same time, we can invite a comrade from the Organization Department and a comrade from the Research Office to form a team. We must study this carefully and organize it meticulously. These rules will be submitted to the Provincial Party Committee and must reflect the high standard of the Shazhou Municipal Party Committee.”

After accepting the task, Hou Weidong’s first thought was to call Wang Hui from the Lingxi Daily. But then he reconsidered. Secretary Zhou is right. Since becoming Deputy Director of the General Office, I indeed haven’t produced any material worth showing off. No wonder people gossip behind my back. I must eventually throw away the crutch of Wang Hui.

He invited Su Mingjun, the Executive Deputy Minister of the Organization Department, and Zhou Biao, the Deputy Director of the Research Office, to Conference Room 5 of the Municipal Party Committee. This was a medium-sized conference room, also used as the daily office for the General Office.

Hou Weidong made the phone calls, took two packs of top-grade Jiaozi cigarettes from his drawer, picked up his notebook and teacup, and waited in Conference Room 5 for Su Mingjun and Zhou Biao. As a full-time secretary, he stood behind the peak of power in Shazhou. He usually tried to maintain a low profile. The saying “Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river” was not just empty talk; it was a summary of countless experiences of blood and tears.

The Organization Department and the General Office were not on the same floor, yet Su Mingjun arrived quickly. Pushing the door open, he saw only Hou Weidong and smiled. “Great Secretary Hou, what instructions do you have for your subordinate?” Hou Weidong and Su Mingjun had a very good relationship. He laughed, tossed him a pack of cigarettes, and said, “Brother Su, what kind of relationship do we have? Why are you joking with me?”

When Zhou Biao arrived, the three of them lit up, filling the conference room with smoke. Hou Weidong stated the purpose. Su Mingjun pondered for a moment and said, “The Provincial Organization Department specifically proposed strengthening party-building work in this year’s tasks, promoting the democratization, scientific nature, and institutionalization of decision-making in leading organs. The procedural rules for the standing committee that the Municipal Party Committee is preparing to draft are a good practical activity. The department will assign Guo Lan to assist you. She is responsible for this area in the department and is very familiar with the situation.”

He chuckled. “Originally, I should have come to assist Director Hou, but I have to go to the province for a meeting. After the meeting, I might have to go out for a bit.”

Zhou Biao also expressed his support. “The Research Office will fully cooperate. For now, Xiao Jin will serve as the liaison. He is an undergraduate from Northwest University of Political Science and Law. People who study law have the most rigorous logic.”

The personnel were quickly finalized. Hou Weidong clasped his hands in a gesture of thanks. “Thank you both for your strong support. I have relatively ample time today. Please ask Guo Lan and Xiao Jin to come to me now. Once the initial draft is ready, I will invite you both to help with revisions.”

After Su Mingjun and Zhou Biao left, Hou Weidong specifically called Su Mingjun again. “Brother Su, when are you going to the provincial capital? I want to treat you to a farewell dinner.” Su Mingjun laughed. “I go to the province for meetings at least twenty times a year. If I had a farewell dinner every time, wouldn’t the workload be too heavy?” Hou Weidong said, “The farewell dinner is just a means. The goal is to have a meal with you, Brother Su. Are you free tonight? Bring Sister Zhao and Su Tang along.”

Guo Lan had several documents to handle. Hearing that she was to assist the General Office, she hesitated. “Minister Su, can we replace me? I have too much on my plate and really can’t spare the time.” Su Mingjun shook his head. “You have always been responsible for this area; you are an expert. Replacing you would not reflect the Organization Department’s level. Moreover, Minister Zhao has already agreed. Go upstairs now. Director Hou is waiting for you in Conference Room 5 of the Municipal Party Committee.”

Guo Lan was somewhat afraid of meeting Hou Weidong. The dream from last night made her blush and feel hot whenever she thought of it. However, since Ministers Zhao and Su had explicitly assigned the task, she had no suitable reason to refuse outright.

Conference Room 5 of the Municipal Party Committee was filled with swirling smoke.

Hou Weidong and Guo Lan had once been colleagues. Knowing that she disliked the smell of smoke, he said to Xiao Jin, “Take one last puff. We must have gentlemanly manners and respect women.” As he spoke, he felt that Guo Lan seemed a bit strange.