Official Career Storm
Chapter 353

Chapter 353: Chapter 353

Song Guanchao felt a shock in his heart.

Zhang Meilin continued, "I know that Secretary Wu and Minister Zhou cooperate, each getting what they need. But I’ll remember your favor in my heart."

He raised his glass and drained it in one go.

He didn’t care what Song Guanchao’s ultimate purpose was in suggesting this.

He only knew that he was the beneficiary.

He also knew that even if Song Guanchao hadn’t brought it up, Wu Qiangwei was highly likely to cooperate with Minister Zhou anyway.

But, since Wu Qiangwei had specifically mentioned that it was Song Guanchao’s suggestion, he owed him the favor.

Song Guanchao said, "I merely mentioned it offhand; the decision-maker here is Secretary Wu, Brother Zhang is too kind."

When given respect, one should still be modest.

What puzzled him was Zhang Meilin’s identity.

"Brother Zhang, if you’ll allow me to be so bold as to ask, this recommendation process of Minister Zhou, it’s probably not going to sit well with Secretary Lu and Mayor Zheng, is it?"

Typically, many places have unofficial job tenure regulations.

For instance, to become a County Party Secretary, one must have held a formal director-level position for over three years.

And that’s just the threshold to be eligible for the position of County Party Secretary.

To actually assume the role of County Party Secretary, it’s generally required to have at least three years of experience at the formal director level. This could mean serving as a director in a department at the prefecture-level city or as both a director and a district or county head for over three years.

Zhang Meilin was merely the secretary to the director of the organization department—a far cry from the required status.

So far that Minister Zhou’s recommendation felt a bit like forcibly rushing him into position.

Song Guanchao’s comment was a bit offensive, but Zhang Meilin could tell that there was no malice intended, just pure curiosity.

Zhang Meilin smiled and said, "Guan Chao, you seem quite interested in the city’s affairs."

"You should be aware that, strictly speaking, city-level leaders such as the City Secretary and Mayor aren’t actually supposed to have full-time secretaries."

"For instance, you, if we’re going by the book, your immediate superior should be Secretary Chu, not Secretary Wu."

Song Guanchao nodded; of course he knew this.

But rules are rigid, while people are flexible.

To ensure smooth operations for city-level leaders, secretarial staff can be provided in principle.

Zhang Meilin said, "Even for the Secretary and Mayor, this is the case, and the same goes for Minister Zhou, the head of the organization department. In theory, none of them have full-time secretaries."

"Thus, I’m actually not Minister Zhou’s secretary. You must have met Minister Zhou’s secretary before, Xiao He."

Xiao He?

Song Guanchao didn’t have any recollection of him.

Zhang Meilin said, "My actual position is the Secretary-General of the Municipal CPPCC (Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference)."

"The Secretary-General of the CPPCC?" Song Guanchao’s eyes widened.

"Yes," said Zhang Meilin. "So in terms of level, I am a formal director-level official. It’s just that the National People’s Congress (NPC) and the CPPCC have always kept a low profile, not attracting much attention. For this reason, my director-level status is often overlooked."

Song Guanchao’s mouth twitched. If Zhang Meilin hadn’t said anything, he would have had no idea.

And, as he said, whether it’s the NPC or the CPPCC, they indeed keep a low profile, not showing themselves unnecessarily.

Sometimes, without taking deliberate notice, one might forget that these two organizations exist in the city.

After all, the core hubs in the city have always been the City Committee and Municipal Government.

Song Guanchao raised his glass, "Brother Zhang, let me toast in advance to your promotion to County Party Secretary! Oh, no, I mean to the future Dujiang City Secretary!"

The two clinked glasses and drained them in one gulp.

...

That night, upon returning home and seeing his empty bed, Song Guanchao suddenly felt uncomfortable.

Ma Legebi Jiang Yuan!

Following me!

Making me sleep alone in this big room!

...

In the morning, Secretary Lu entered his office and saw Secretary Sun cleaning. No matter how he looked at her, he couldn’t help feeling annoyed.

"Secretary, good morning."

"Morning."

As he turned his head, Secretary Lu switched to his unchanging smile.

Secretary Sun finished cleaning up and made a cup of tea to hand over, prepared to leave.

"Xiao Sun, sit down, I have something to tell you."

The summoned Secretary Sun, felt a tightness in his heart, knowing the time to judge his fate had arrived.

He discussed this matter with Director Qin.

But Director Qin couldn’t offer any good advice either.

Secretary Sun sat down, suppressing the palpitations in his heart, "Secretary, do you have any orders for me?"

Secretary Lu blew on the steam rising from his teacup, and asked indifferently, "Xiao Sun, how old are you this year?"

"31."

"31, not so young anymore."

Secretary Lu said, "In the blink of an eye, I’ve also been in Lingjiang for quite some years. Ha, over these years, I haven’t been able to achieve much success, I truly feel undeserving of the position of City Secretary."

"Secretary, you are too modest. Your contributions to Lingjiang are there for all to see..."

"Enough, let’s not talk about that."

Secretary Lu interrupted his flattery, "I plan on sending you to Dujiang County for a position, and I wanted to ask for your opinion."

"Dujiang County?" Secretary Sun asked, "Secretary, if I go to Dujiang County, what will I be doing?"

He hadn’t heard of any recent movements in Dujiang County.

Could it be they were sending him to be a minor leader?

Keep in mind, he was the City Secretary’s secretary!

Such a prominent role, if relegated to a county or district, would at least be the top or second in command there.

But the head of Dujiang County had just applied for the county to be upgraded to a city, and Mayor Hou was sitting very securely in his position.

What was he to do there, pick up their leftovers?

Secretary Lu said, "I’ll see if I can vie for a position as County Magistrate for you. If I can’t get that, Deputy County Magistrate should not be a problem."

County Magistrate?

Secretary Sun’s pupils suddenly constricted.

He had never heard anything about County Magistrate Hou relinquishing his position.

But Secretary Lu’s tone didn’t sound like he was just leading him on.

Moreover, even if he couldn’t become County Magistrate, being Deputy County Magistrate was quite something!

This was Dujiang County!

The place that was about to be elevated to a Prefecture-level City!

The Deputy County Magistrate would soon become the Deputy Mayor!

"Think it over, if you’re interested, I’ll run it by for you."

Secretary Sun nodded vigorously, "Secretary, your kindness to me... I am at a loss for how to repay it! Should you need me in the future, I will not decline!"

Secretary Lu chuckled, "Don’t talk like you’re in some martial arts brotherhood. You do have capability. But what you mainly lack is experience in governance. I am sending you down so that you can grow. In the future, who knows, I might have to rely on you."

Secretary Sun was touched in his heart.

He had originally thought that Secretary Lu’s changing his secretary meant that he was being cast out to the grassroots level.

But instead, he was being assigned to Dujiang County!

This wasn’t marginalizing him at all!

It was clearly an intention to groom him!

"Alright, you can leave now. And while you’re at it, reach out to Secretary Wu and ask her to come over... never mind, I’ll go myself."

He stood up, sighing softly, "After all, I am asking for a favor, it’s more sincere to make a personal visit."

Asking for a favor?

Secretary Sun questioned, "Secretary, could it be that Secretary Wu... "

"Mmhmm, she and Mayor Zheng both want to place their own people in Dujiang County. Otherwise, what do you think was the purpose of having you spread those negative rumors about Song Guanchao?"

He patted Secretary Sun on the shoulder, "Don’t worry too much, I’ll discuss it with Secretary Wu. One spot shouldn’t be a big issue."

Secretary Sun’s heart swelled with gratitude.

So, disseminating Song Guanchao’s rumors was also to pave his way!

Secretary Lu, he truly had his struggles!

Internally, Secretary Lu chuckled to himself; a few cheap words, they cost nothing, yet look how moved the kid is, he’s almost in tears.

This level of intelligence, better to get rid of him sooner rather than later, or else he would eventually cause big trouble for him.

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