Chapter 271: Personnel Decisions (Part 1)

The stone had stirred up a thousand waves. Zhu Yan’s unexpected defeat in the competition left many in Yifu with mixed feelings of relief and anxiety.

County Mayor Ma Youcai was among the most disappointed. After receiving information from the newly appointed City Mayor Liu Bing some time ago, Ma had been actively maneuvering behind the scenes, waiting only for Zhu Yan to be transferred so he could formally assume the position of County Party Secretary.

Now that Zhu Yan had failed to secure a promotion, Ma’s dream of becoming Secretary was naturally delayed.

In official circles, the saying “miss this village, and there will be no such shop” proved most accurate. Moreover, the “spell of cadre rejuvenation” loomed large. Realizing he had already passed forty, Ma Youcai felt a growing sense of urgency.

Ma’s close associates shared his disappointment. For years, Zhu Yan had been like the Great Sage’s hand, pressing them firmly under his palm, preventing them from moving or turning over. Only if Ma Youcai became Secretary did they see a chance to rise. Thus, when news arrived that a Vice Mayor had been parachuted in from the province, they were all deeply disheartened.

In Yiyang County, Hou Weidong was the person closest to the truth. He knew that Zhu Yan would soon be attending the Party School for study. To make the most of this precious window of time, Hou convened meetings with the New Management Committee leadership team and mid-level cadres above. They focused on discussing the “positioning and development of the New Management Committee,” the “proposal to form a high-tech enterprise zone in the south,” and the “construction of roads connecting to the development zone.” Ultimately, under Hou Weidong’s guidance, the New Management Committee produced a substantial report—Report on Further Promoting the Development of the New Management Committee—and submitted it to the County Party Committee and County Government.

This document was the collective结晶 (crystallization) of the New Management Committee, drafted by Yi Zhongcheng. Looking at the ten-plus pages of beautifully formatted text, still smelling of fresh ink, Yi Zhongcheng felt a strong sense of accomplishment and deep satisfaction.

However, once the document was sent to the County Party Committee and County Government, whether it would receive serious attention remained uncertain. Apart from Hou Weidong, others in the New Management Committee, including Zhang Jin, Zhang Xiangyu, and Yi Zhongcheng, lacked confidence. After all, some aspects of the document exceeded the authority of the New Management Committee and the Development Zone. If the County Party Committee and County Government approved it, significant changes would occur in Yiyang County’s construction sector, particularly requiring major adjustments in urban planning.

To the great surprise of Yi Zhongcheng and others, a result came quickly. County Party Secretary Zhu Yan wrote a bold instruction: “This document is excellent. Distribute it to all towns, townships, and departments in Yiyang. Study earnestly the New Management Committee’s spirit of daring to think and dare to act. Combine this with local realities, pioneer boldly, seek truth, and be pragmatic. Additionally, the matters mentioned in the document should be studied at the Standing Committee meeting.”

Looking at Zhu Yan’s instruction, Yi Zhongcheng sat dazed for half an hour. On one hand, he marveled at Zhu Yan’s favor toward Hou Weidong. On the other, a surge of entrepreneurial passion stirred in his blood. Even when drinking tea with his cousin later, that passion still lingered.

“Zhongcheng, Hou Weidong is a new rising star in Yiyang’s officialdom. What do you think of him?”

Yi Zhongling was a key figure in the Yi family. Having entered the workforce first, he took control of the Yiyang Native Produce Company and continuously supported his younger cousins. Several of his cousins had attended university and were gradually making a name for themselves. Apart from the cousin organized by the Provincial Party Committee, the one he respected most was Yi Zhongcheng, who had excelled academically since childhood.

First, through Ma Youcai’s connections, Yi Zhongling transferred Yi Zhongcheng from the school to the County Government Office. Later, seeing Ma Youcai losing ground in the struggle between Zhu and Ma, he moved Yi Zhongcheng to the New Management Committee as Office Director.

Yi Zhongcheng felt deep gratitude and respect for this eldest cousin who had transformed into a private entrepreneur. He poured wine for Yi Zhongling and said, “Hou Weidong is sharp and capable. With Zhu Yan’s deep trust, the New Management Committee will surely achieve great development under his leadership.”

Yi Zhongling had also indirectly clashed with Hou Weidong. In the case of the Yiyang Native Produce Company, Hou Weidong acted as Zhu Yan’s envoy to the political and legal system and was one of the behind-the-scenes commanders. Yet, despite the mobilization of the entire political and legal apparatus, Yi Zhongling had executed a flawless escape, successfully transforming from a state-owned factory director into a private entrepreneur. This was one of his proudest achievements.

“Zhongcheng, take it easy. Don’t get too close to Hou Weidong. From my observation, Zhu Yan will leave sooner or later. Once Ma Youcai takes power, all of Zhu Yan’s confidants will be dismissed, including Hou Weidong.”

Thinking of the New Management Committee’s blueprint, Yi Zhongcheng said with some indignation, “When a person exists, their policies exist; when they perish, their policies perish. This is the poison of feudal society infecting modern reality. It is true that Hou Weidong is Zhu Yan’s man, but the blueprint he has planned is the most scientific and fits the future development of the New Management Committee. If this blueprint is destroyed due to power struggles, it would be a tragedy.”

Yi Zhongling looked at Yi Zhongcheng with interest. After a long pause, he said, “I didn’t expect my younger brother Zhongcheng to still be as angry and idealistic as he was back then.” He pointed to his head and said, “Once you enter officialdom, your way of thinking must change. Don’t think about truth, and don’t think about justice. You only need to stand in Hou Weidong’s position to infer what he wants to do next. This is an experience that never fails.”

“If I were Hou Weidong, I would find a way to squeeze you out. I would never let you stay in the office. There are many methods to achieve this.”

Yi Zhongcheng did not believe it. “The report for the New Management Committee was drafted by me and received full affirmation from the County Party Committee. From this point, I feel Hou Weidong is not that kind of slick old bureaucrat; he has the capacity to tolerate others.”

He was a man of letters, having worked in writing at the Government Office, and he held his literary skills in high regard. Moreover, the previous pen-wielders in the New Management Committee had truly poor writing foundations.

Yi Zhongling sneered twice. “What I say is realized from reality. Hou Weidong became the head of the New Management Committee at such a young age; he is definitely no simple character. Those who follow me prosper; those who oppose me perish. Strong personalities all like this approach.”

Yi Zhongcheng shook his head. “Not necessarily.”

The debate between the two Yi brothers was soon resolved.

On April 7, the County Personnel Bureau issued a document approving the establishment of a Research Office within the New Management Committee, with a staffing quota of three. Its responsibilities were basically the same as those of the County Party Committee and County Government Research Office.

After this document was issued, Yi Zhongcheng sensitively recalled his eldest brother Yi Zhongling’s prediction. Although no one had spoken to him yet, the passion surging in his heart had already fallen from the sky onto cold cement. His mood changed, and looking at Hou Weidong, he felt an indescribable awkwardness.

On the morning of the 8th, Hou Weidong took out the document from the Personnel Bureau and the Report on Further Promoting the Development of the New Management Committee. He lit a cigarette, smoking slowly. Halfway through, Yi Zhongcheng walked in.

“Director Yi, you deserve great credit for this report receiving such high attention from the County Party Committee and County Government.”

Yi Zhongcheng sat opposite Hou Weidong, cursing inwardly: “First suppress, then praise. Old routine. Spit out whatever nonsense you have.”

As Yi Zhongcheng had guessed, Hou Weidong quickly expressed his true intention. “For the Yiyang County Party Committee, County Government, and us, how the New Management Committee develops is a new topic. It requires comrades with theoretical levels to study seriously. This is the purpose of the Personnel Bureau assigning this quota to the New Management Committee.”

He paused, then added, “In the New Management Committee, Director Yi’s theoretical level is obvious to all. Without you, there would be no such report. My opinion is to pull you out of the miscellaneous tasks of the office and focus on studying the general direction of the New Management Committee’s development. This is a matter of global importance. I hope you can shoulder this heavy burden.”

Yi Zhongcheng had already cursed Hou Weidong thoroughly in his mind. “I didn’t realize that despite his young age, Hou Weidong is like those old bureaucrats—expert in internal strife, incompetent in external competition.”

Cursing aside, one must bow under someone else’s eaves. Yi Zhongcheng had spent several years in the County Government Office and did not explode on the spot. He simply said coldly, “Director Hou, thank you for your trust. I am shallow in talent and learning, and I fear I cannot shoulder such a heavy responsibility.”

Hou Weidong said with apparent sincerity, “In terms of theoretical level, you are second to none in the New Management Committee. Don’t be modest. You will surely do an excellent job in the Research Office.”

As Yi Zhongcheng left, he couldn’t help but recall a couplet: “If they say you are capable, you are capable; if they say you are not, you are not.” At the corner, he quickly wiped the corner of his eye.

Watching Yi Zhongcheng’s somewhat desolate back, Hou Weidong’s heart softened slightly, but he immediately hardened again. The incident of the internal traitor in the Yiyang Procuratorate had given Hou Weidong too strong a shock. He simply could not trust Yi Zhongling’s cousin. He simply could not trust someone who had once served Ma Youcai.

To deal with external threats, one must first secure the interior. Although this phrase had become derogatory due to the Anti-Japanese War, from the perspective that fortresses are always breached from within, this approach had its logic. One just needed to grasp the degree accurately; going too far would turn into internal strife.

The conversation with Yang Liu was much simpler. Hou Weidong and Yang Liu were both from the first batch of public recruitment students in Yiyang, with similar work experiences, allowing them to understand each other.

Yang Liu said, “Director Yi is very excellent. I worry that if I take over his position, I won’t do the office work well.” Hou Weidong interrupted her bluntly, “The earth turns the same way regardless of who is there. You must believe in yourself.”

Seeing Hou Weidong trust her so much, Yang Liu’s eyes reddened. “Director Hou, I will work hard and not let down your expectations.”

Hou Weidong and Yang Liu had originally been friends on the same starting line. Now, Yang Liu had unconsciously corrected her attitude psychologically, appearing purely as a subordinate in front of Hou Weidong. The transformation was so conscious, so rapid, and so thorough that Yang Liu herself was secretly surprised.

Outside the compound, Yi Zhongcheng quietly called his cousin Yi Zhongling.

Yi Zhongling chuckled on the phone. “Hou Weidong is young, but he is truly a formidable character. You should learn from him more. Zhongcheng, I warn you, with such a young and impetuous leader, it is best not to show your cards, or you will die a very ugly death.”

“You haven’t suffered many setbacks from studying to working. Experiencing this kind of thing will be good for you. Besides, the position of Research Office Director is not bad. Hou Weidong has still left you an opportunity. It depends on whether you can seize it.”

After hanging up, Yi Zhongcheng still hadn’t figured it out. He looked up at the clouds scattering and gathering, feeling the impermanence of it all.