Chapter 35: The Well-Informed

"Little Brother Zhu, you have to treat us to drinks today."

Zhu Daodong was just walking out of the township government building when he ran into Hou Yong. As soon as they met, Hou Yong said with a broad smile.

"Drinks? What drinks?" Zhu Daodong pretended to be confused.

"That's not very nice of you. You're now a formal secretary, and you've been promoted six months ahead of schedule. Isn't that worth celebrating? Come on, let's go to Haozailai; we'll get drunk tonight." Hou Yong stepped forward, grabbed Zhu Daodong's arm, and said with a smile.

"Big Brother Hou, you really are well-informed. Did you know about it today?" Zhu Daodong looked surprised. If Hou Yong were a township government official, he might have known, but as the deputy chief of the police station, knowing about a secretary's promotion was surprising.

"That's not really being well-informed. I'll tell you, I knew about it yesterday afternoon. Everyone is saying that Secretary Zhu is capable, young, and a college graduate, with a bright future ahead." Hou Yong laughed. In fact, he knew the reason for Zhu Daodong's quick promotion. That night, he had taken Zhao Jinhai to drink with Zhu Daodong, and they were coincidentally seen by Chen Shuli. This was probably the main reason. Chen Shuli didn't know how deep the relationship between Zhao Jinhai and Zhu Daodong was, but now, using Zhu Daodong to curry favor with Zhao Jinhai wasn't a bad idea.

"Big Brother Hou, you're teasing me. My quick promotion is also thanks to you." Zhu Daodong smiled bitterly.

"I did speak up for you, but the most important thing is that you are capable. If I have to thank anyone, it's you. Our Chief Chen asked me to ask you when you have time to go to the county town. He wants to go with you." Hou Yong didn't tell Chen Shijie about what happened that night, only mentioning that he had taken Zhao Jinhai to the township government to drink with Zhu Daodong. However, Chen Shijie was very perceptive and immediately asked Hou Yong to find Zhu Daodong and arrange a time to visit Zhao Jinhai in the county.

"Let's find a time. I can't today, as I need to transfer my salary relationship to the middle school. Big Brother Hou, I'll treat you to drinks tonight." Zhu Daodong knew what Chen Shijie meant by inviting him to the county. It wasn't about the drinks but about Zhao Jinhai. However, with Zhao Jinhai's drinking habits, Chen Shijie would just have to sit there, and he wouldn't dare to join the drinking.

"I was just suggesting it. Don't go to Haozailai tonight. Come to my house. My wife will cook a few dishes, and you can bring a few bottles of Laobai Gan." Hou Yong patted Zhu Daodong's shoulder and said with a smile.

"I'll definitely come tonight." Zhu Daodong nodded. Even if Hou Yong hadn't stood up for him that night, Zhu Daodong was willing to be friends with him out of respect.

Today, Chen Shuli and Yuan Ping went to the county for a meeting early in the morning. Zhu Daodong took this opportunity to go to Shulinling Middle School to transfer his salary relationship. Previously, Zhu Daodong's salary was always collected at the school, but from today on, he would be officially on the government payroll.

When he arrived at the school, Zhang Zhichun greeted Zhu Daodong with unusual courtesy. He didn't let Zhu Daodong go through any procedures; he instructed the head of the general affairs department, Pan Yong, to handle everything. Zhu Daodong only needed to sign at the end.

"I've always said that gold will shine wherever it is. Talents are always valued wherever they go. Look, Teacher Zhu, no, now I should call you Secretary Zhu. You were an excellent teacher at the school, and you quickly stood out at the township government. Secretary Zhu, you must come back to the school to guide us often." Zhang Zhichun held Zhu Daodong's arm, his face beaming as if it were he, not Zhu Daodong, who had been promoted.

From the moment Zhang Zhichun spoke his first word, Zhu Daodong immediately used the "Turtle Breath" technique to lower his hearing to the minimum. Even so, he still felt some discomfort in his ears.

"Principal Zhang, you're too kind. I just did what I was supposed to do." Zhu Daodong smiled lightly.

"Secretary Zhu, you are a talent from our school. Let's have lunch together today as a send-off, and it will also show the school's appreciation." Zhang Zhichun didn't know what good fortune Zhu Daodong had, but he had been promoted six months ahead of schedule, and it was said that Secretary Chen had personally proposed it. This was very unusual. Could it be that Zhu Daodong had connections with Chen Shuli?

To say that Zhang Zhichun wasn't envious of Zhu Daodong would be a lie. When Chen Shuli had specifically asked Zhu Daodong to be a secretary and then promoted him ahead of schedule, such good fortune wouldn't just fall on anyone. Zhang Zhichun knew Zhu Daodong's background well. He was from Furong County and had no relatives or connections in Shulinling. Apart from a college degree, he had nothing. But if that were the case, his early promotion wouldn't have happened. There must be some unknown reason.

But no matter what, Zhang Zhichun had to maintain a good relationship with Zhu Daodong. Not only had they worked at the same school, but seeing how Chen Shuli valued him, his future would definitely be more than just a secretary. Building a good relationship now might mean he could ask for help in the future.

Although Zhang Zhichun was enthusiastic, Zhu Daodong felt their relationship wasn't that close. "I have some things to do today. Let's do it another day when I'm free. I'll treat you, Principal Zhang." Zhu Daodong found a suitable excuse.

"Didn't Secretary Chen and Township Chief Yuan go to the county for a meeting? You won't have any free time in your position. I think today is perfect. Please do me the honor." Zhang Zhichun's surprise flashed across his face, and then he smiled.

Zhu Daodong was startled. Chen Shuli and Yuan Ping had just left this morning, and Zhang Zhichun already knew. It seemed he had his own sources of information.

"Then I'll trouble you, Principal Zhang." Zhu Daodong had to nod. He was there to transfer his salary relationship and couldn't be too inconsiderate.

Shulinling Township only had Haozailai as a decent restaurant. Zhang Zhichun called Xu Zhengwu and Pan Yong to accompany Zhu Daodong to Haozailai.

Zhu Daodong was very familiar with Haozailai. Seeing Zhang Zhichun order the dishes, he knew he was receiving "county-level treatment," the highest standard at Haozailai. The dishes were all the best, and the wine was Wuliangye.

"Principal Zhang, I'm just a small secretary. I can't bear such high standards." Zhu Daodong smiled. Today, he was the guest, and the only one, which gave him a unique feeling. This was different from drinking with Wuming Daozhang and Hou Yong at Haozailai.

"Once we're at the table, no need for formalities. I'll take the liberty of calling you Little Brother. Little Brother, it's not about the size of the position but where you are. I can see you have a bright future. Here, I'll toast you." Zhang Zhichun laughed and personally poured the wine for Zhu Daodong.

"Then I'll take your kind words, Principal Zhang." Zhu Daodong smiled but didn't contradict Zhang Zhichun. However, calling him "Principal Zhang" clearly expressed his meaning. If it were when he first started working, Zhu Daodong might have stormed out, but now, he just smiled and defused the flattery.

Although Zhu Daodong had participated in the political upheaval led by Zhang Zhichun, he felt fundamentally different from them. He couldn't stand Liu Tao's methods and had no better way to deal with it, so he used Zhang Zhichun to punish Liu Tao. Zhang Zhichun had long known about the ambiguous relationship between Liu Tao and Hu Lihua but had been waiting for the right opportunity to take his position.

Zhu Daodong didn't want to align himself with Zhang Zhichun but also didn't want to offend anyone. As long as Zhang Zhichun didn't break the law, there was no need to offend him. After working at the township government for nearly half a year, he had seen enough. If he opposed everyone he didn't like, he would be the first to be eliminated.

Now, although Zhu Daodong had officially become a secretary at the township government, he had only taken one step into the political arena. The road ahead was long, and he had to be cautious and careful.

"Secretary Zhu, I'll also toast you, wishing you a bright future." Xu Zhengwu didn't call Zhu Daodong a brother. Since he had refused even Zhang Zhichun, he wouldn't dare to.

"Thank you, Principal Xu." Zhu Daodong smiled and drank the toast.

Pan Yong couldn't be left out either. When he toasted, Zhu Daodong accepted it without hesitation. Not only that, but Zhu Daodong quickly returned the toast, making the atmosphere at the table lively.

During the meal, Zhang Zhichun, Xu Zhengwu, and Pan Yong exchanged glances frequently. They saw a hint of surprise in each other's eyes. Zhu Daodong was no longer the naive young teacher who had just entered society. In just half a year, he had become so mature and steady, which was almost unbelievable.

After a few rounds of toasts, Zhu Daodong prepared to leave. He had drunk and made the necessary polite conversation, and Zhang Zhichun had achieved his purpose. Now, if he said he wanted to leave, they wouldn't stop him.

However, as Zhu Daodong stood up, he suddenly heard Zhang Zhichun discussing personnel issues at the county education bureau, mentioning Tang Taojiang. This made Zhu Daodong slowly sit back down and casually pick up a bottle of wine from the table, pretending to pour it for himself.

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