Chapter 364: Old Tricks (Part 1)

Chapter 364: Old Tricks (Part 1)

My colleague’s mother passed away from a long illness, and I had been helping run errands for the family, which delayed today’s update.

Sigh. Winter has arrived, and for many elderly people suffering from chronic illnesses, it is a test of survival. Seeing the mourning hall, a phrase suddenly came to mind: “Filial piety cannot wait for conditions to be perfect.” I hope all children in the world can share this sentiment.

Hou Weidong felt a guilty conscience, though he had already calculated his next move. He said, “Since the article is going to be published in the Shazhou Daily, I feel a lot of pressure. For the past few days, I’ve been cramming at the last minute, collecting and studying relevant articles from the provincial and municipal newspapers, and combining them with Secretary Zhou’s speech from the semi-annual work conference.”

Seeing that Secretary Changquan’s expression showed no displeasure, Hou Weidong continued, “This is my first time writing an article from the perspective of the entire city. It’s difficult. If it doesn’t meet the requirements, I’ll take it back and revise it.”

Secretary Changquan said, “You’ve read my speeches from this period?” Hou Weidong answered honestly, “Over the past few days, I’ve collected quite a bit of material from your speeches.”

A faint smile appeared on Secretary Changquan’s face. “Overall, your article is not bad. It has both ideological depth and practical content. However, there are two shortcomings. First, the integration of theory and practice isn’t quite smooth yet; it needs more polishing. Second, you haven’t accurately captured the distinct characteristics of the various regions in the southeast coastal area.”

He took a notebook out of his drawer. “This is my travel notebook, where I’ve recorded my insights. I’ve noted the key points regarding the major regions on the last page.”

“Go and photocopy the last page. This is my private notebook, so do not look at the other contents.” He glanced at his watch. “Time is up. I’m going to the small conference room for a meeting. If Mayor Bu comes looking for me, please receive him.”

That morning, Secretary Changquan was scheduled to listen to Zhao Dong, the Organization Department Minister, report on the preliminary plan for adjusting leadership in certain districts and counties. This was one of the most important tasks for the Municipal Party Committee this year and a crucial demonstration of its authority.

By the time Secretary Changquan arrived at the small conference room, Huang Zidi, Zhao Dong, and Hong Ang were already there, chatting idly. Seeing Secretary Changquan enter, Zhao Dong’s expression turned serious. He opened his notebook and assumed a posture ready for reporting.

“Secretary Zhou, following your instructions, the Department has conducted a thorough assessment of the district and county leadership teams, as well as some municipal department leadership teams. We have drafted a preliminary adjustment plan.”

Zhao Dong had only been promoted to Organization Department Minister that day. He had been dispatched from the Provincial Party Committee’s Organization Department in March of that year. At only thirty-five or thirty-six years old, with his hair neatly combed, he looked energetic and vigorous, embodying the prime of his career.

Secretary Changquan took the printed materials, listening while reading carefully. The names on the paper were cold and impersonal, but in his mind, they represented vivid, living figures. When Zhao Dong finished his report, Secretary Changquan did not immediately state his position. Instead, he turned to Huang Zidi. “Zidi, what are your thoughts?”

Huang Zidi replied, “I have discussed this opinion with Comrade Zhao Dong several times. Although there are still some aspects that are not entirely satisfactory, the plan is generally feasible.”

Secretary Changquan said, “The adjustment plan for the district and county teams is not yet mature. This afternoon, we will only submit the partial adjustment plan for the municipal level to the Standing Committee.”

Huang Zidi added, “There might be controversy regarding the candidate for the Director of the Construction Commission.”

Secretary Changquan remained silent for about two or three minutes, rubbing his face. “We will stick to this plan. No changes.”

In Shazhou City, personnel matters had always been tightly controlled by Secretary Changquan. Every time there was a major personnel change, it had to be studied jointly by the Organization Department Minister, the Deputy Secretary in charge of organization, and Secretary Changquan before being submitted to the Standing Committee. Unless there were special circumstances, Secretary Changquan would not seek the Mayor’s opinion.

His viewpoint was clear: “The Party manages cadres, which is reflected in specific personnel appointments. Otherwise, the authority of the Party Committee would be shaken.”

Hou Weidong took the hot-potato notebook and hurried to the photocopy room. When the machine finished, he watched the dark green notebook lying quietly inside and thought to himself, “This is the Municipal Party Secretary’s notebook. It must contain many secrets about Shazhou.” Although he was curious, he was not foolish enough to flip through it. After retrieving the notebook, he immediately closed it and returned to his office, carefully placing it in his drawer.

An hour later, Secretary Changquan and Hong Ang walked back to the office together. Hong Ang sat opposite Secretary Changquan again. After a brief chat, Hong Ang left Secretary Changquan’s office directly.

Hou Weidong had been observing Secretary Changquan’s office. As soon as the Secretary-General left, he took out the notebook and respectfully handed it to Secretary Changquan.

Secretary Changquan’s face showed no expression. He was drinking tea and lost in thought. He took the notebook and casually placed it on the corner of his desk. After Hou Weidong returned to the adjacent secretary’s room, Secretary Changquan picked up the notebook and flipped through it. Seeing that the glued spots were still intact, he silently placed the notebook back in its original position.

The previous night, Secretary Changquan had lightly glued six or seven spots in the notebook. If anyone had flipped through the small notebook, these glued areas would have torn apart. This was a small trick Secretary Changquan had learned from a book, and he had already secretly tested it on several secretaries. Although this trick slightly damaged the towering and majestic image of a Municipal Party Secretary, it was very effective. It belonged to Secretary Changquan’s privacy, and he would never tell a second person about it.

“Secretary Zhou, Deputy Director of the Construction Commission, Liu Dazhi, and Secretary Zhao Lin of Wuhai County have called. They are ready to report on their work.”

Secretary Changquan habitually rubbed his face with both hands. “There is no time this afternoon. What is the schedule for tomorrow?”

Hou Weidong held his notepad and read, “The Standing Committee meeting is at 2:00 PM. At 5:00 PM, we welcome the Provincial ‘Nine-Year Compulsory Education’ Inspection Team. In the evening, we will have dinner with the inspection team. There are no arrangements for tomorrow morning.”

“Please ask Secretary Zhao Lin to come at 10:00 AM. Do not see Liu Dazhi for now.”

Hou Weidong returned to his seat and pondered silently. “Do not see Liu Dazhi for now? What does that mean? Liu Dazhi was originally the Executive Deputy Director of the Construction Commission and is currently in charge of the commission’s work. Does Secretary Changquan’s refusal to see him mean that Liu Dazhi has no hope of being confirmed in the position?” He had just arrived at Secretary Changquan’s side and was still in the period of secret observation, so he did not accurately grasp the deeper meaning of these words. However, the fact that Secretary Changquan temporarily refused to see him was certainly not a good sign.

Zhao Lin received Hou Weidong’s call and said happily, “Secretary Hou, thank you. The Spring Festival is coming. When are you free? I’d like to treat you to a drink.” Hou Weidong was from Wuhai County, and most of his relatives and friends lived there. Naturally, he could not neglect Zhao Lin, the local leader. He smiled and said, “As long as Secretary Zhao summons me, I will go through fire and water.”

At 2:00 PM, the Standing Committee meeting convened on time. Hou Weidong, as Secretary Changquan’s secretary, attended the meeting as a non-voting delegate. He sat in a corner with his notebook, a spot so inconspicuous that Hou Weidong felt like a voyeur hiding in the dark, watching the most powerful group in Shazhou City decide the fate of another group of officials with just the tip of their tongues.

The first agenda item was a decision on further promoting investment attraction. This was a matter of consensus, so it was passed quickly.

The second agenda item was also passed.

The third agenda item was the personnel issue, which was the most concerned topic for everyone and became the focus of the Standing Committee meetings at all levels.

After Zhao Dong finished reporting the preliminary plan, Mayor Liu Bing expressed dissatisfaction with the departmental adjustment plan. He asked, “Last time, we discussed adjusting the leadership teams of some districts and counties. Why isn’t it brought up for discussion today?”

Zhao Dong replied, “Mayor Liu, the adjustment plan for the district and county teams is not yet mature.” Liu Bing said, “If it’s not mature, then make it mature before discussing it.”

These few simple sentences entered Hou Weidong’s ears without missing a word. He thought to himself, “I’ve long heard that Secretary Changquan and Mayor Liu are not on good terms. Seeing the situation today, it is indeed so. Mayor Liu’s words are pointed and express dissatisfaction.”

Secretary Changquan looked down, writing something, as if he hadn’t heard the conversation between the two. His lack of response was itself a response. The Standing Committee continued to discuss according to the predetermined agenda.

The meeting soon entered the discussion phase. Everyone spoke in turn. Regarding the position in the Health Bureau, Leng Guoqiang, a member of the Municipal Party Committee and Executive Vice Mayor, raised a different opinion. This candidate was connected to Huang Zidi. After Huang Zidi explained briefly, Leng Guoqiang no longer insisted and agreed.

Finally, only the position of Director of the Construction Commission sparked significant controversy.

Liu Bing explicitly opposed it: “The volume of urban construction in Shazhou is huge. We must have comrades who understand the business to better serve as the Director of the Construction Commission. Comrade Dong Li is excellent, but he does not understand the business after all. I suggest we reconsider the candidate.”

Secretary Changquan had long anticipated Mayor Liu’s reaction. He said calmly, “In that case, let’s put the position of Director of the Construction Commission on hold for now. We will discuss it again when we have considered it more thoroughly.”

Hou Weidong thought to himself, “No wonder Secretary Changquan didn’t plan to see Liu Dazhi. It seems Liu Dazhi’s hope of being confirmed is very slim.” He did not know Dong Li personally, but thinking that Dong Li had lost such an important position as Director of the Construction Commission simply because of Mayor Liu’s opposition, and that perhaps his life would change because of it, he couldn’t help but sigh silently in his heart—for Dong Li, and for countless other cadres.

In the evening, after accompanying the inspection team from the Provincial Department of Education to dinner, Hou Weidong returned home at nine o’clock. As soon as he got home, Xiaojia said, “Director Liu of the Construction Commission called me. He invited us to dinner tomorrow.”

Hou Weidong said, “We’re not going.”

Seeing Hou Weidong’s firm tone, Xiaojia said, “Director Liu is a veteran leader of the Construction Commission and has always taken care of me. If he invites us to dinner, we must give him face, no matter what.”