Chapter 398: The Game (Part 1)

March 3rd was an ideal day for spring outings. The sunlight warmed the skin, and the spring breeze, sharp as scissors, seemed to have snipped holes in the clothes of many young women. It was the season when the vitality suppressed for a whole year was boldly revealed, bringing a time of dazzling beauty that left men breathless.

"Secretary Zhou, I’ve received the meeting notice. There is a conference on state-owned enterprise reform scheduled for 2:00 PM today in Conference Room 4 of the Municipal Government." Hou Weidong added cautiously, "According to the notice, Mayor Liu will be attending." As the full-time secretary to the Municipal Party Committee Secretary, he was supposed to be a transparent figure in front of his leader—at least, that was the theory.

Zhou Changquan took a leisurely sip of tea and said, "You are the Deputy Director of the Leading Group Office for State-Owned Enterprise Reform. Naturally, you must attend the meeting."

Hong Ang entered the office shortly after. He was a frequent visitor to Zhou Changquan’s office. Without ceremony, he sat in the chair directly in front of the desk. His voice was loud as he complained, "Secretary Zhou, I just heard that the Municipal Government held an executive meeting proposing to relocate the government office building to the Southern New District, aiming to drive the district's development through the shift of the administrative center. Such a major matter was not communicated to the Municipal Party Committee in advance. It is quite inappropriate."

He voiced these grievances without avoiding Hou Weidong. He accepted the tea Hou Weidong handed him, sniffed it, and placed it on the edge of the desk. One hand habitually covered the teacup, savoring the warmth it radiated.

Hou Weidong was meticulous. He had prepared a dedicated set of tea ware in the office. Every member of the Standing Committee who frequently visited Secretary Zhou had a specific teacup. Huang Zidi and Hong Ang visited most often; theirs were high-end porcelain pieces from Jingdezhen, adorned with golden lines.

Zhou Changquan had received this news immediately. He glanced casually at his watch. The morning executive meeting had ended at 11:00 AM. Bu Haiyun had called at 11:05 AM, while Hong Ang had come to report at 11:27 AM. Zhou thought to himself, Hong Ang’s information network is indeed agile, and his political sensitivity is strong.

Zhou Changquan’s expression carried a hint of disdain. "Major issues affecting the overall situation must receive the approval of the Municipal Party Committee Standing Committee. This is organizational procedure and iron discipline. Without Standing Committee deliberation, everything remains merely discussion."

Hong Ang reminded him tactfully, "I heard that provincial leaders previously suggested relocating both the Municipal Party Committee and the Municipal Government to the Southern New District. If the province explicitly supports this, the Municipal Party Committee will be in a passive position."

Due to the previous incident involving Yang Senlin’s promotion, Hong Ang had become wary of Liu Bing’s strategy of conserving strength while striking hard. If the main provincial leaders had indeed approved the Municipal Government’s plan, the Municipal Party Committee would face a dilemma. If forced to agree to the relocation, it would set a terrible precedent. If the Party Committee firmly opposed it, it might lead to conflict with provincial leadership.

Zhou Changquan had a clear grasp of the situation. He said lightly, "The sky rains, and mothers marry whom they choose. Let them do as they please." He added, "At 2:00 PM, you and I will visit a few enterprises for on-site investigation."

Hong Ang replied, "In the afternoon, Mayor Liu is convening a meeting of the State-Owned Enterprise Reform Leading Group members."

Zhou Changquan smiled. "Let Xiao Hou and Zhou Biao go. Meetings alone cannot solve problems; we must go deep into the front lines."

Before getting off work, Hou Weidong finished using the restroom and stopped by the office of Sister Ma, who managed logistics. "Sister Ma, I have a meeting at the Municipal Government at 2:00 PM."

Sister Ma was very enthusiastic. She deftly poured water for Hou Weidong and asked, "Don’t you need Ma Bo’s car?"

"Secretary Zhou needs the car this afternoon."

Sister Ma said, "Director Hou, don’t take it as criticism from an older sister, but the office’s Audi is原则上 (in principle) for your use. You are too clean and upright. You never use public vehicles for private matters, unlike some people who guard the public car day and night."

Sister Ma’s real name was Ma Xiaoli. Although her name sounded young, she was a veteran who had worked in the Municipal Party Committee Office for over twenty years. For such female gatekeepers, Hou Weidong’s approach was always to appeal to their emotions. Specifically, he often gave small gifts like scarves. Women were emotional creatures and easily remembered such gestures. Previously, Yang Feng from the Party and Government Office of Qinglin Town had become a good friend through similar means.

Ma Xiaoli picked up a book and said, "I heard Zhang Xiaojia is pregnant. This book is a classic guide to pregnancy. I’m giving it to Sister Xiaojia." Xiaojia had known Ma Xiaoli when she worked in the Construction Commission Office, though their relationship had been merely average. Now that Hou Weidong had become the Director of the Commission Office, in Ma Xiaoli’s mouth, Zhang Xiaojia had transformed into "Sister Xiaojia."

At 1:40 PM, Hou Weidong went downstairs and got into the old Audi of the Municipal Party Committee Office.

This old Audi had served several leaders over the years. The last one was Deputy Secretary Jiang of the Municipal Party Committee. After Jiang was promoted, the car officially retired to the second line. It was now used for general office work. As Deputy Director of the Municipal Party Committee Office, Hou Weidong occasionally used it, and Ma Xiaoli usually assigned this Audi to him.

Under normal circumstances, Hou Weidong rode in Ma Bo’s car and rarely used the old Audi. Most of the time, Zhou Biao, the Deputy Director of the Research Office, used it.

This time, Zhou Biao was going to the Municipal Government for a meeting and habitually intended to take the Audi. Unexpectedly, Ma Xiaoli from the Commission Office said coolly, "Director Zhou, Director Hou just requested the car. It has been assigned to him. Please bear with us and take the Santana 2000 instead."

The Santana 2000 was a new car, and its condition was much better than the old Audi. However, an Audi was still an Audi. Although the interior was worn, the exterior looked relatively new, and more importantly, the brand name carried weight. Riding the Audi to various bureaus for research boosted Zhou Biao’s prestige.

Hearing that the Audi had been taken by Hou Weidong, Zhou Biao was immediately displeased. He said aloud, "It’s just for transportation; any car is the same." As Deputy Director of the Research Office, he held a deputy divisional level rank, the same as Hou Weidong. However, his status within the Commission Office, both openly and implicitly, was inferior to Hou Weidong’s. Ma Xiaoli’s arrangement was justified, so he had no grounds to complain, but his spirits were still dampened.

He harbored jealousy toward Hou Weidong. A year ago, this young man had been the Director of the Science and Technology Commission of Yiyang, a position with little real power. Such principal section-level cadres were as common as cow hairs in Shazhou. Zhou Biao had previously ignored him. Yet, in just one year, Hou Weidong had risen suddenly, becoming a hotshot figure in the Shazhou Municipal Party Committee Office. Even Zeng Yong, the Deputy Secretary-General and Office Director, had grumbled behind his back. Of course, Zeng Yong only complained in private; in person, he was warmer to Hou Weidong than a brother.

Sitting in the brand-new Santana 2000, Zhou Biao thought irritably, I’ve worked on this bluestone slab in the Research Office for seven years. The income is low, and I have to swallow insults. Should I find an opportunity to transfer to a bureau? Sigh, when will my principal divisional level rank be resolved? He was currently Deputy Director of the Research Office. If he were transferred laterally, he would still hold a deputy position. This was a thorn in his side. He wanted to take another step up in the Research Office to achieve principal divisional level status, so that when transferred out, he could become the head of a bureau or a county.

Upon arriving at the Municipal Government compound, Zhou Biao looked up and saw the old Audi and Hou Weidong getting out. He suppressed his displeasure, walked proactively to Hou Weidong’s side, shook his hand, and greeted him. The two chatted cheerfully as they entered the Municipal Government building.

Conference Room 4 of the Municipal Government was on the fourth floor. At that moment, about ten people were waiting for the elevator on the ground floor. Zhou Biao suggested, "Director Hou, why don’t we skip the elevator? Walking up the stairs is like exercising. Most of us in the Municipal Party Committee Office work at desks for long hours, and many have poor cervical and lumbar health. You should pay attention too. These ailments don’t matter much when young, but they become big troubles in old age. Old Sha’s cervical spondylosis is severe; he has to hang his head up every day now."

Hou Weidong shared the same intention. "Director Zhou’s suggestion is good. Let’s take the stairs."

Although Zhou Biao and Hou Weidong both worked in the Municipal Party Committee Office, they had almost no private friendship because Hou Weidong was always busy following Zhou Changquan. To bridge the distance with Hou Weidong, Zhou Biao drove away negative emotions like displeasure and jealousy, chatting and laughing all the way.

The relationship between the Municipal Party Committee and the Municipal Government was subtle. Zhou Biao joked on this topic: "A child pointed to the plaques hanging at the entrance of the building and asked his mother: What do the Municipal Party Committee, the Municipal People’s Congress, the Municipal Government, and the Municipal CPPCC do? His mother replied: The Party Committee is like your father. He does nothing but stands with his hands behind his back, scolding people all day. The People’s Congress is like your grandfather, swinging a birdcage, managing nothing. The Government is like your mother, working foolishly all day, sometimes getting scolded by your father. The CPPCC is like your grandmother, nagging all day, but no one listens to her. What about the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection? The mother said: The Discipline Inspection Commission is like you. It is said to supervise Dad and Mom, but it is also led by them, eats their food, and wears their clothes. It can only pretend to inspect them."

Hou Weidong had heard this joke before. He laughed, "The person who made up this joke must be an official. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have such a detailed and accurate description."

On the fourth floor, Yang Senlin, Deputy Secretary-General of the Municipal Government, was standing at the stairwell talking on the phone. Seeing Hou Weidong and Zhou Biao, he nodded and said, "That’s it. I have something to attend to. Let’s contact each other another day." He hung up, extended his hand to shake hands with Hou Weidong and Zhou Biao separately, and smiled, "Welcome, Directors."

When Yang Senlin had worked in the Municipal Party Committee Office, he was at the same level as Zhou Biao. Now that Yang Senlin had become County Mayor and then Deputy Secretary-General of the Municipal Government, rumors circulated that he would soon succeed Meng Houshi. This made Zhou Biao feel quite uncomfortable. At that moment, Yang Senlin was in the Municipal Government, while Zhou Biao was in the Municipal Party Committee. With no subordinate relationship, Zhou Biao felt at ease. He joked with Yang Senlin, "Comrade Secretary-General, you haven’t treated us to a meal since becoming a leader. It’s rare for us to gather today. Let’s congratulate you."

Yang Senlin, beaming with joy, said, "I would love to treat you. I wonder if you two would honor me with your presence. We won’t go to a big restaurant. Let’s go to 'Shui Lu Kong' outside the Xinyue Building. That restaurant has been open for two or three years. The food is good, and the environment is decent."

Zhou Biao looked at Hou Weidong and said, "Director Hou, the Secretary-General is treating us. Let’s have a good drink tonight, brothers."

Hou Weidong had once been Yang Senlin’s subordinate, so his attitude was naturally different from Zhou Biao’s. He politely said to Yang Senlin, "Secretary-General, I’m really sorry. I have a reception task tonight and can’t get away. Another day, I will host and apologize to my old leader and Director Zhou."

Yang Senlin was currently Mayor Liu Bing’s favorite. Liu Bing always included him in major and minor matters, so he understood Hou Weidong well. He smiled and said, "Then let’s do it another day. Little brother, after your promotion, we haven’t had a drink yet. When you are free, let’s arrange it."

"Secretary-General, I will definitely remember."

At this moment, Liu Kun hurried out of the elevator. He was still the Director of the Yiyang County Government Office. Although he had studied at the Provincial Party School’s Young Cadres Class, he had not been promoted. Seeing Yang Senlin, he hurriedly explained, "County Mayor Yang, there was a traffic jam on the highway. I rushed as fast as I could. I hope I’m not late."

Yang Senlin looked at his watch and said, "Today’s meeting is mainly to study state-owned enterprise reform. Yiyang is an industrial county. Although there are no state-owned enterprises there now, as the Director of the County Government Office, you should still understand the city’s major policies." He criticized, "In the future, for such important meetings, you must arrive early to avoid delaying matters."

Liu Kun nodded frequently like a chicken pecking at rice. "I will definitely pay attention in the future." Although criticized, this was the kind of criticism reserved for insiders. He felt it was a sign of favor.

After Yang Senlin became Deputy Secretary-General of the Municipal Government, Old Liu from the Organization Department and Old Liu from the Propaganda Department of the Yiyang County Party Committee began to scheme. Having struggled at the grassroots level for decades and holding leadership positions, their eyes were sharp. Seeing Yang Senlin suddenly become Deputy Secretary-General, and with rumors that Secretary-General Meng Houshi was about to retire to the second line, the two ministers unanimously judged that Yang Senlin was going to succeed Meng Houshi.

For a County Mayor to become Municipal Government Secretary-General, it was absolutely impossible without "someone above." Recalling previous rumors, "Yang Senlin has a powerful backer" became the consensus of the two Lius.

Since graduating from school, Liu Kun had first served as a secretary in the County Government Office, then as Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Mayor of Qinglin Town, and later as Director of the County Government Office. To outsiders, his career seemed smooth. However, with Hou Weidong as a reference, he felt deeply that his official path was rugged.

Especially after Hou Weidong became Zhou Changquan’s full-time secretary and soared to the skies, Liu Kun felt a strong sense of failure. Coupled with Ji Haiyang, who presided over the County Government work, treating him with indifference, Liu Kun became somewhat disheartened. He began to adopt a mindset of "ringing the bell for a day as a monk for a day" in his work. He even considered transferring to a bureau to become the head.

The two ministers, Liu and Liu, had done ideological work on him several times, analyzed the current situation, and set the goal of clinging tightly to Yang Senlin’s thigh. Liu Kun only then revived his spirit from decadence. He set strict requirements for himself: he must report his work to Yang Senlin at least three times a month.

During the Spring Festival, Minister Liu Yang invited old friends from the city to accompany them and specifically treated Yang Senlin to a meal, enclosing a red envelope.

Through these interactions, Yang Senlin’s affection for Liu Kun deepened.

Hou Weidong was sensitive and read something from the conversation between Yang Senlin and Liu Kun. He said to Liu Kun, "Director Liu, long time no see." Liu Kun, having tempered his character through years of experience in the Yiyang officialdom, was much more沉稳 (steady). He smiled and said, "Director Hou, when will you come to Yiyang for inspection?"

The few people greeted each other at the building entrance without detailed discussion, then entered one by one.

At 3:00 PM, Mayor Liu Bing appeared in the conference room on time. He wore a casual jacket, looking quite fashionable. After he sat down, Vice Mayor Bu Haiyun, who was presiding over the meeting, cleared his throat and said, "Let’s begin."