Chapter 70: Breaking the Rules for Promotion

Zeng Yi had just arrived at the Health Department in the morning when Guo Penghui asked his secretary to invite him over.

"Xiao Zeng, sit down, quickly," Guo Penghui said with a smile, pointing to the sofa in front of his desk. "I just brewed some tea. Sit down and have a cup to refresh yourself."

There was another person in the room, the head of the Personnel Department of the Health Department, Yang Shuanghe. Zeng Yi greeted Yang Shuanghe and then found a place to sit down. He had been coming and going frequently lately and had become very familiar with the heads of various departments in the Health Department. If anyone had a headache or a fever, they would go to his office.

"Director Guo, what work do you need me to do?" Zeng Yi asked with a smile.

"It's good news, great news!" Guo Penghui feigned mystery but did not rush to reveal the secret. Instead, he picked up his teacup and said with a smile, "Guess what it might be."

Yang Shuanghe, who was in his early fifties, was a well-known veteran of the Health Department, having worked there for thirty years. He sat in the sofa, holding his large belly, and laughed, "I can vouch for it; it's definitely good news."

Zeng Yi was a bit puzzled. He only held a nominal position in the Health Department, with no real power. What good news could there be that required Guo Penghui to call him over specifically? He smiled and said, "Director Guo, Director Yang, please don't play riddles with me. How could I possibly guess?"

Guo Penghui put down his teacup and said, "Xiao Zeng, you're going to have to treat us!"

Zeng Yi laughed, "Of course, I'll treat you if it's good news, but I still don't know what the good news is."

Guo Penghui took out a document from his drawer, looking pleased, and read it again. "After the Party Committee of the Bureau decided, you are appointed as a Chief Section Officer, with your position to be determined. Here's the document; take a look!"

Zeng Yi was very surprised. How did they suddenly give him a rank? A Chief Section Officer is a solidly ranked official. He stood up, took the document, and read it, finally believing it was real. However, he still couldn't quite understand. He was just an expert in the expert group and, strictly speaking, not an official of the Health Department. Although he was under the leadership of the Health Bureau, he was not under its jurisdiction. How could the Health Bureau's appointment letter be issued to him?

"Xiao Zeng, you must treat us today," Yang Shuanghe chuckled. "In our Nangjiang Province Health Department, a young Chief Section Officer like you is one of a kind."

Yang Shuanghe looked kind and friendly, but he felt a bit bitter inside. When he graduated from university and was assigned to the Health Department, it took him five years to go from a clerk to a deputy section officer, and another five years to become a chief section officer. He only managed to reach the chief section level by seniority when he was close to retirement. The young man in front of him, however, had directly skipped the deputy section level and become a chief section officer, which was like a leap to the sky.

Comparing things and people can be disheartening. The deputy section level is a significant barrier that stops many from advancing. According to Yang Shuanghe's knowledge, in the Health Department, many people worked their entire lives and never reached the deputy section level, only enjoying the benefits of a deputy section officer after retirement.

Guo Penghui was also somewhat moved. Recently, he had noticed that Feng Yuqin was going to heavily rely on Zeng Yi, but he didn't expect it to be to this extent. From an expert with only a nominal position, not even a civil servant, Zeng Yi was directly promoted to a Chief Section Officer.

As a veteran of the department, Guo Penghui understood the significance. Although a Chief Section Officer is a non-leadership position, it is not ordinary. At the grassroots level, when a deputy section officer retires from their leadership position, they are usually promoted to a Chief Section Officer and wait for retirement. In provincial agencies, the position of Chief Section Officer is a stepping stone to higher positions, from which one can smoothly advance to a chief section officer or even a deputy department-level position.

Given Zeng Yi's youth, being promoted to a Chief Section Officer suggests that his future career path will be much faster and more impressive than that of ordinary people.

It truly shows that having connections at the top is beneficial for one's career! While Guo Penghui was moved, he was also glad that he had made the right move. He and Zeng Yi had only known each other for about a month, and Zeng Yi had already become a chief section officer. Who knows, in the blink of an eye, Zeng Yi's rank might surpass his own.

Guo Penghui walked from behind his desk to Zeng Yi, who was still in a daze, and patted his shoulder. "Xiao Zeng, work hard. I have high hopes for you. You should know that, according to regulations, to be appointed as a Chief Section Officer, one must first serve as a deputy section officer for three years. This time, you have been exceptionally promoted, which is not easy. You must work even harder and not辜负 the trust placed in you by the organization."

Although Zeng Yi still didn't understand what was happening, he knew what Guo Penghui meant. He was trying to take credit. Zeng Yi didn't want to expose this, so he said, "Director Guo, I am very grateful. Without your support, I wouldn't have become a Chief Section Officer."

Guo Penghui was very pleased. Smart people are indeed smart; a little hint is all it takes. "This is also due to your own abilities. Your performance has been recognized by all of us."

Yang Shuanghe thought to himself that Guo Penghui was shameless. Such an exceptional promotion is not something a deputy director can decide. It must be Feng Yuqin's decision. However, he still maintained a kind smile and said, "Yes, Xiao Zeng is young and capable. Promoting such talent is a popular choice."

Zeng Yi also understood that this must be Feng Yuqin's decision. He bowed and said with a smile, "I will treat you tonight at Venus. I hope both of you will honor me with your presence."

The two were surprised. Venus is not a place for ordinary people; it is a venue for the wealthy and the elite. Guo Penghui and Yang Shuanghe, both with certain status in Nangjiang Province, had their Venus VIP membership cards given to them by pharmaceutical companies. It would be impossible for them to afford to go there with their salaries. They didn't expect Zeng Yi, at such a young age, to be a wealthy person!

"Other people's celebratory drinks can be skipped, but Xiao Zeng's drinks, we must have," they both said with a smile. "You should be prepared to spend a lot!"

"As long as the leaders are happy and enjoy themselves, it will be worth it!" Zeng Yi said politely, made an appointment with the two, and then left.

After leaving, Zeng Yi went directly to Feng Yuqin's office.

Feng Yuqin was writing something and didn't look up, just gestured, "Sit down!"

Zeng Yi had to sit down and wait for Feng Yuqin to finish.

"Has Director Guo told you?" Feng Yuqin asked while writing.

"He has."

"You need to be mentally prepared. The department may give you more responsibilities," Feng Yuqin said.

Zeng Yi's brows furrowed slightly. "I'm afraid I won't do well. Apart from treating patients, I haven't done any other work."

"When you joined the expert group, you said the same thing. But the facts have proven that I didn't make a mistake. Your work in the expert group has been excellent, even exceeding my expectations," Feng Yuqin put down her pen and looked into Zeng Yi's eyes. "I believe in my judgment and in your abilities. I hope you don't underestimate yourself and give yourself a chance to prove your worth."

Zeng Yi thought for a moment and said, "I will do my best."

"It's not about doing your best; you must do well!" Feng Yuqin said seriously to Zeng Yi for the first time. "Whether you like it or not, your exceptional promotion has been noted by many. They are watching you closely, hoping you will make mistakes and embarrass yourself."

Zeng Yi suddenly understood that he was now in a difficult position. If he embarrassed himself, it would not only affect him but also make people think that Feng Yuqin had poor judgment and promoted the wrong person. He nodded firmly and said, "I will do well."

Feng Yuqin smiled. "Young people should have lofty aspirations and ideals. Achieving success can also be a way to help others. In the future, you will understand that the decision I made for you today is correct."

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