Chapter 74: Each Takes What They Need

"Director Li, has the candidate for the deputy township head been decided yet?" Xu Rui, the director of the finance office, had been in a state of anxiety and uncertainty lately. Ever since he learned that Deputy Township Head Wang was about to be transferred, his thoughts had become increasingly active. He had received accurate information from the county that the deputy township head would be promoted from within the township. Having served as the director of the finance office for six or seven years, he had always been favored by Yuan Ping. He considered himself one of Yuan Ping's people. In terms of conditions, qualifications, and ability, he believed he was the most suitable candidate.

However, this was just his own assumption. Recently, especially over the past month, Yuan Ping seemed to have forgotten about him. Every time he deliberately brought up the topic of the deputy township head during work reports to Yuan Ping, Yuan Ping would always dodge the question. This made him feel uneasy. Not getting any concrete information from Yuan Ping, Xu Rui had to settle for the next best option and turned to Li Jin for information.

"Old Xu, you must trust the organization. Whether or not you are selected as a candidate, and whether or not you are ultimately chosen, you shouldn't have any mental burdens. Focus on doing your job well," Li Jin said with a smile. In theory, Xu Rui's life as the director of the finance office should have been quite comfortable. Although Shumu Ridge Township was ranked last in the county, the finance office was never too poor. If he were to become the deputy township head, it might not be as satisfying as his current position. Besides, the deputy township head was not a position Xu Rui could easily aspire to. It was laughable that he was so involved in the situation but couldn't see the bigger picture.

"Bullshit, Director Li, today you have to give me a straight answer, or I won't leave your office," Xu Rui, who had been in a state of uncertainty for a while, was starting to panic. Today, he was determined to stand his ground and confront Li Jin.

"Old Xu, you used to be quite astute. Why are you so confused today?" Li Jin laughed and poured another cup of water for Xu Rui. Although he was somewhat annoyed inside, he still maintained his usual smile.

"What do you mean?" Xu Rui felt that he was finally about to hear the truth from Li Jin. His spirits lifted, and he sat up a bit straighter.

"Have you talked to Township Head Yuan? What did he say?" Li Jin asked with a smile.

"What could he say? He didn't say anything at all!" Xu Rui grumbled about Yuan Ping, but when he was in front of Yuan Ping, he dared to be angry but not to speak. Now, in front of Li Jin, he could vent his frustrations.

"Old Xu, that's why I say you're not as astute as you used to be. Township Head Yuan didn't say anything, but that actually means everything. You just didn't understand it," Li Jin said with a smile. Xu Rui was usually a very shrewd person, but when it came to his own future, his intelligence had plummeted to a very low level.

"Director Li, do you mean I have no chance at all this time?" Xu Rui, reminded by Li Jin, quickly came to his senses. He had been stuck in a dead end for a while, always thinking that Yuan Ping was not being honest with him, even if he were to abandon him, he should at least give him a clear answer. Today, after Li Jin's reminder, he suddenly realized and immediately understood Yuan Ping's intentions.

"It's not that you have no chance at all, but this time, it's not an opportunity for you," Li Jin said seriously.

"But apart from me, who else in the township is qualified to be the deputy township head?" Xu Rui asked, puzzled.

"Of course there is. Think carefully," Li Jin said with a mysterious smile.

"You mean Zhu...?" Xu Rui had never thought it would be Zhu Daodong. Although Zhu Daodong had been very active lately, first saving the secretary's son and then selling all the aged liquor from the distillery, renaming the premium old white liquor to Shumu Ridge liquor, which became a hit throughout the county. Now, under his guidance and supervision, the distillery was producing and selling Shumu Ridge liquor, and the wall advertisements had been effective for over a month.

"Exactly. Don't underestimate him. Look at what he's done recently; both the secretary and the township head are satisfied. Even if they weren't, given that he saved the secretary's son, you don't have to think about the deputy township head! Besides, Zhu Daodong is not lacking in either ability or education. This time, Chen Shuli is determined to promote him," Li Jin said confidently.

"Zhu Daodong is really lucky. Saving Secretary Chen's son, he gets a deputy township head position!" Xu Rui sighed. "As long as Secretary Chen is in our township, Zhu Daodong will rise quickly?"

"Not necessarily. Can a deputy township head be promoted to township head? Chen Shuli can decide on the deputy township head, but the township head must be appointed by the county. Moreover, can a deputy township head's position really repay Zhu Daodong for saving the secretary's son? This time, Chen Shuli will promote Zhu Daodong, but the future path will be up to Zhu Daodong himself," Li Jin said with a rare cold laugh.

Although Xu Rui was very reluctant, he couldn't do anything about it since Chen Shuli wanted to repay a favor. The candidate for deputy township head must satisfy Chen Shuli. If Chen Shuli had no one in mind, it would be easier, but now that he was clearly promoting Zhu Daodong, Xu Rui was helpless.

At the same time, in the township government office, Zhu Daodong was carefully "listening" to the conversation between Li Jin and Xu Rui. There were no outsiders in Li Jin's office, and both Li Jin and Xu Rui were part of Yuan Ping's faction, so they spoke without much restraint. Their analysis surprised Zhu Daodong, as he realized that he had been internally selected as the deputy township head.

The last time Chen Shuli asked him if he was interested in the deputy township head position, Zhu Daodong had felt a surge of excitement. He was eager to compete for it, believing that if he became the deputy township head, he could do more for Shumu Ridge. Although he was confident in his abilities, in the government, seniority was a crucial credential. He had only been working in the township government for a little over a year, and many people like him were still ordinary officials, while he was already the director of the enterprise office. Moreover, he had only been in the position for less than two months, so he should be content.

But after hearing the conversation between Li Jin and Xu Rui, he realized that he had not considered Chen Shuli's feelings. Although he had not asked for anything in return for saving Chen Wanli, Chen Shuli clearly did not see it that way. In China, what debt is the hardest to repay? A debt of gratitude. Now, he was going to repay this debt of gratitude by giving him the deputy township head position.

If he had to repay the debt, so be it. If he really refused, Chen Shuli might think he was dissatisfied with the "price." By allowing Chen Shuli to put aside his concerns, he could also advance further. Both sides would get what they needed.