Chapter 40

After exchanging a few words with Li Yifeng, Xu Junran was called into the study by Li Dongyuan.

Li Dongyuan was already forty-three years old this year. If Xu Junran hadn't lived his life over again, he wouldn't have believed that the ordinary middle-aged man before him would become the top leader of the Jiangnan Province's political and legal system within the next fifteen years. After all, at present, he was just a fallen political and legal committee secretary.

"Uncle Six, what do you want to say?" Xu Junran looked at Li Dongyuan and said calmly.

He knew that if there wasn't something to tell him, Li Dongyuan wouldn't have called him into the study alone.

Li Dongyuan looked at Xu Junran with a kind expression, his eyes filled with gentleness. When he first met Xu Junran's father, he seemed to be about the same age. More than twenty years had passed in a flash, and his old friend's son had grown up.

"Junran, tell Uncle Six, do you really want to pursue a political career?"

Li Dongyuan asked Xu Junran earnestly, needing a definite answer to make his own judgment and decision.

Xu Junran nodded: "Uncle Six, when I was in college, I thought about how to change the lives of the villagers. From a young age, I've seen the villagers work hard just to have enough food to eat. I don't think it's because the villagers aren't diligent; it's just that we haven't found the right way to get rich. So, I believe that I should use what I've learned in Wude County, on this land that gave me life and nourishment, to help more villagers have food to eat and clothes to wear. Being an official is the only way to achieve this goal."

Li Dongyuan's expression remained calm: "Since you think so, I have nothing more to say."

Looking at Xu Junran, Li Dongyuan said seriously: "I've discussed with the old secretary. He and County Chief Yang have communicated, and they plan to send you to Li Family Town Commune as the deputy secretary. What do you think?"

Xu Junran, who had already known about this, nodded: "I have no objections; I will follow the organization's arrangements."

Li Dongyuan hummed, lit a cigarette, and after a long silence, said: "You know the situation in the county. Between County Chief Yang and the old secretary..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but Xu Junran already understood what Li Dongyuan wanted to tell him. It was about the differences between Yang Weitian and Yan Wangsong. After all, this was no longer a secret in the Wude County Committee. Who didn't know that County Chief Yang and County Party Secretary Yan had already had several confrontations over the county's development path?

Yang Weitian was young, educated, and full of ideas. With support from above, he was determined to rapidly develop Wude County's economy and make great strides forward. On the other hand, Yan Wangsong had experienced many movements, was well-qualified, and had extensive connections in the city and county. His approach was stability-focused, making him a conservative leader.

The struggle between progressive and conservative ideologies existed in various grassroots units throughout the 1980s.

Without a doubt, Li Dongyuan was on Yan Wangsong's side.

However, Xu Junran knew that although Li Dongyuan was on Yan Wangsong's side, he hadn't fallen into obscurity. In his previous life, he was recognized by a major figure in the political and legal system for solving a significant case in 1986. That figure later became the deputy secretary of the Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission and naturally promoted Li Dongyuan.

This time, with Xu Junran around, he wouldn't even give Li Dongyuan the chance to fall into obscurity.

"Uncle Six, do you think food is important?" Xu Junran suddenly asked Li Dongyuan.

Li Dongyuan was taken aback and looked at Xu Junran in confusion: "You know I didn't read much, so why are you speaking in riddles to me?"

Xu Junran chuckled: "Uncle Six, think about it. Whether it's County Chief Yang or the old secretary, their goal is the same: to make the people of Wude County live a better life. I'm not wrong, am I?"

Li Dongyuan nodded: "That's true."

Even he had to admit that Xu Junran was right. Both Yang Weitian and Yan Wangsong were people who cared about the people. In the early 1980s, most cadres, except for the few who had climbed into the ranks through rebellion and violence, focused on their work rather than personal gain. Of course, there were still some corrupt officials like Cheng Hongda and Qin Guotong.

Seeing that he agreed, Xu Junran said straightforwardly: "Uncle Six, I think as long as the county doesn't make a clear statement, I can conduct a pilot project in Li Family Town. What do you think?"

Li Dongyuan remained silent. He understood Xu Junran's meaning. Li Family Town could develop like the first village to implement the household responsibility system, focusing on the things Xu Junran mentioned. Whether it succeeded or failed would have no direct impact on the county.

If it developed well, the county could observe the higher authorities' reaction and then decide how to proceed. If it didn't develop well, the county wouldn't suffer much loss, at most bearing the responsibility for inadequate supervision.

However, if this were to happen, Xu Junran would be the one bearing the greatest responsibility.

Because everything would be led by him.

"Junran, have you thought about the consequences?" Li Dongyuan looked at Xu Junran seriously, more experienced than him, knowing that in the current situation, with the great turmoil just over, if there were any setbacks, Xu Junran would bear a huge responsibility.

Xu Junran smiled. He naturally wouldn't worry like Li Dongyuan. He understood that Li Dongyuan was concerned that if the policy changed and the focus on economic construction was abandoned, he would be in an irredeemable situation.

However, he couldn't tell Li Dongyuan that in the coming decades, only by focusing on economic construction could one advance in their career.

So, Xu Junran shook his head firmly: "To make the villagers live a better life, this is the only way."

Li Dongyuan remained silent. With his experience, he understood that Xu Junran's choice would be a path filled with thorns and difficulties, but he couldn't stop this young man.

"Junran, what can I say to you?" Li Dongyuan sighed after a long pause.

Xu Junran smiled: "Uncle Six, don't worry. I have a plan and won't let you down."

After a slight hesitation, Li Dongyuan asked Xu Junran his last question.

"What about you and County Chief Yang?"

Xu Junran smiled: "Uncle Six, I already said, County Chief Yang isn't a bad person, and Secretary Yan probably thinks the same. Otherwise, why would he agree to let me be the deputy secretary of Li Family Town Commune?"

Hearing Xu Junran's words, Li Dongyuan's furrowed brows finally relaxed: "Yes, yes, ha ha, I was overthinking it. You, do your best. If you need anything, just let Uncle Six know. By the way, you probably don't know the chief of the commune police station. I'll call him over to our house for a meal when you have time."

He was a seasoned official and quickly realized that Xu Junran's appointment was likely the result of a compromise between Yang Weitian and Yan Wangsong. It seemed that County Chief Yang and Secretary Yan had already reached some agreement, waiting to see if Xu Junran could put on a good show in Li Family Town.

Since that was the case, Li Dongyuan also needed to plan well for his nephew.

Xu Junran nodded: "Alright, I won't be formal with you, Uncle Six."

Everything was ready; only the wind was needed!

(Beautiful people, the ranking has dropped! Where are the recommendation votes? More collections, please! The new book ranking has also been overtaken, hehe, let's work hard to get it back!)