Chapter 12: The Township Chief's Attempt to Woo

"Director Wang, are you free tonight? Let's go out for a meal; I miss you, brother!"

Sitting in his office, Wang Jian received several such calls inviting him to dinner. He sighed, thinking, "The rich feast on wine and meat while the poor freeze to death on the streets. The ancients were right. Previously, there was nowhere to eat at night, but now many people are vying to befriend me!"

Wang Jian thanked each caller but politely declined. He had risen too quickly and needed to remain low-key. The key was still to do a good job in the Party and Government Office. Otherwise, being dismissed after a few days would be even more embarrassing than Fang Zhiming.

Just as he was about to discuss more work, his phone rang again. Wu Lei, sitting nearby, joked, "Director, let me go in your place!"

"Ha ha!" Wang Jian helplessly took out his phone. Seeing the number, he quickly got up and walked out, leaving Du Xiaobei and others wondering who was calling. Liu Yan guessed it might be a leader.

Walking outside, Wang Jian answered the call and laughed, "Yixuan, why did you think of calling me?"

"Ha ha, Wang Jian, you've become a celebrity now. I heard that the provincial party secretary praised you at the expanded meeting of the provincial party committee. You didn't know about this, did you?" Zhao Yixuan said on the phone.

Wang Jian was puzzled about this. Zhang Zeguang had mentioned it without any reason, and he had vaguely agreed to it without knowing what it was about. Now that Zhao Yixuan had called to tell him, he realized that the provincial party secretary had indeed praised him.

"I didn't know. What exactly happened?" Wang Jian asked.

Zhao Yixuan told him what she had heard from her colleagues. Wang Jian finally understood that it was an article that had caught the attention of the provincial party secretary.

"I never thought the provincial party secretary would pay attention to my article. When will you come to guide our work? Come and see my current living conditions!" Wang Jian invited Zhao Yixuan with a smile.

"Ha ha, are your living conditions really that primitive? If it were me, I wouldn't go. I'm already used to a bourgeois lifestyle!" Zhao Yixuan joked.

"Not that bad. Although it's a bit backward, basic human needs can still be met!" With his promotion, Wang Jian's confidence grew.

"Alright, I'll go on a business trip to your place when I have the chance. You should also come to the provincial capital to see me!" Zhao Yixuan agreed.

"Alright, it's a deal!"

After hanging up, Wang Jian was still very excited. He never thought the provincial party secretary would praise him at the expanded meeting of the provincial party committee. For the most powerful leader in the province to know his name was a great honor!

After thinking for a long time, he suddenly realized that his promotion to the director of the Party and Government Office might be related to the provincial party secretary's praise. Zhang Zeguang had specifically mentioned this and said that County Chief Liu had arranged his promotion. Since he had no special relationship with Liu Qingshan, why would Liu arrange for Zhang Zeguang to promote him? It must be related to the provincial party secretary's praise. These people were opportunistic, thinking he had some connection with the provincial party secretary and thus promoted him, not out of kindness for his hard work!

Understanding this, Wang Jian's heart sank. It was right to remain low-key after the promotion. Who knew if one day Zhang Zeguang would find out that he had no special relationship with the provincial party secretary and dismiss him with a word?

Turning back to the office, Wang Jian decided to focus on his work. He thought for a moment and then said to Du Xiaobei and the others, "The work of the Party and Government Office must be standardized. The schedules of Secretary Zhang and Township Chief Li must be recorded in a table. Vehicle allocation must also be recorded, and drivers are not allowed to use vehicles privately. Material procurement must be carefully recorded for verification!"

Wu Lei listened carefully, feeling that the new director was methodical. He realized he couldn't just think about taking advantage of the public resources and needed to be more cautious.

Just as Wang Jian was speaking, Fang Zhiming returned from Zhang Zeguang's office, looking much better. It seemed that Zhang Zeguang had done a good job of persuading him or had made some other promise.

Seeing Fang Zhiming's appearance, Liu Yan became suspicious. She thought, "He was just in deep sorrow, but now he's smiling? To show that she had severed ties with Fang Zhiming and was firmly on Wang Jian's side, Liu Yan deliberately got up to pour water for Wang Jian when Fang Zhiming returned, maintaining a humble and smiling demeanor, like a hotel attendant.

"Fang Zhiming, pour me a glass of water; I'm thirsty!" Fang Zhiming sat down and ordered Liu Yan.

Liu Yan had been taken advantage of by Fang Zhiming that day, though she hadn't lost her virtue, she had suffered a great deal. Now, seeing Fang Zhiming treat her like a servant, she immediately became angry. "If you want to drink, pour it yourself. Do you have no hands?"

"Are you refusing? You'll regret it!" Fang Zhiming's nostrils flared, and he scowled.

"I already regret it!" Liu Yan retorted.

Seeing Fang Zhiming's behavior, Wang Jian felt that Zhang Zeguang must have made some promise to him. Otherwise, he wouldn't be so arrogant. He didn't bother to guess what the promise was.

Wang Jian assigned the work of the Party and Government Office to Du Xiaobei and the others, largely ignoring Fang Zhiming. It was inevitable, as Fang Zhiming was now hostile towards him. His attempt to show goodwill had been rejected, and after returning from Zhang Zeguang's office, Fang Zhiming had become even more arrogant. Wang Jian decided to let him stew for a few days. If he had nothing to do, he wouldn't be able to sit still, and eventually, he would have to submit.

Therefore, Wang Jian decided to focus on controlling the other few people and get the work of the Party and Government Office running smoothly, letting Fang Zhiming isolate himself.

Just as he was thinking this, his phone rang again. Looking down, he saw it was Li Jiarong calling. He quietly walked out and headed to Li Jiarong's office.

Li Jiarong had been promoted from the deputy secretary of another township to the township chief of Xianhe Township. Zhang Zeguang had been the township chief of Xianhe Township for two years before being promoted to the party secretary. Li Jiarong's influence in Xianhe Township was naturally not as strong as Zhang Zeguang's, and he had to follow Zhang Zeguang's lead on most matters. However, Zhang Zeguang sometimes demanded strictness from the cadres, while Li Jiarong, after arriving, implemented a softer policy, winning over many people. Gradually, he gained the capital to challenge Zhang Zeguang, and on some major issues, he no longer aligned with Zhang Zeguang, adding his own content. Zhang Zeguang was displeased but could accept it within limits, and overall, Xianhe Township remained united.

Li Jiarong had just learned the reason for Zhang Zeguang's promotion of Wang Jian. His backer was County Deputy Secretary Chen Zhuangde. Chen Zhuangde had learned about Wang Jian's situation late and immediately called Li Jiarong to ask about it. At that time, Li Jiarong was in a party committee meeting, arguing with Zhang Zeguang about Wang Jian's appointment, questioning his qualifications. After receiving the call, he immediately changed his stance.

After Wang Jian's appointment was approved, Li Jiarong began to consider how to win him over. Although Zhang Zeguang had orchestrated the whole thing, he at least couldn't let Wang Jian know that he had opposed his appointment, meaning he couldn't become an enemy, even if he couldn't become a friend.

Wang Jian, for his part, had not yet considered taking sides. Zhang Zeguang's talk was essentially telling him that he had promoted him and that he should be grateful, but he should still respect the other township leaders. He couldn't become enemies with those who were dissatisfied with Zhang Zeguang just because Zhang Zeguang had promoted him. This was not in line with Wang Jian's character. In politics, there were no absolutes; today's underdog might be tomorrow's victor, and today's victor might be tomorrow's fallen.

Wang Jian walked lightly to Li Jiarong's office. Li Jiarong left his desk, smiled, and walked forward to shake Wang Jian's hand. "Wang, come, come, come! Sit down quickly!"

Wang Jian sat down sideways, looking at Li Jiarong respectfully. Li Jiarong sat opposite him and smiled. "Wang, you have a heavy burden now. Do you feel the pressure? If you have any problems, feel free to speak up; I will fully support you!"

"Thank you, Township Chief Li, for your concern. I just took over as the director of the Party and Government Office, and I'm still not familiar with some things, but I believe that as long as I work hard, I will do a good job," Wang Jian said calmly.

Seeing that Wang Jian spoke and acted steadily, Li Jiarong appreciated him. "Yes, very good, Wang. You have a strong determination. In the future, you will be able to take on greater responsibilities. Last time, you dared to speak your mind in front of Deputy Governor Zhao, which I found very commendable. If many of the township's issues were handled as you suggested, we would have developed much faster. However, the township's situation is complex, and sometimes I am also helpless. Now that you are the director of the Party and Government Office, work hard. There will be many opportunities in the future. Don't neglect the issue of agricultural restructuring. In my view, being an official is secondary; the key is to do things. If you do things well, everything will fall into place. This is my experience. Do you understand?"

Li Jiarong's words easily moved Wang Jian, a recent graduate. Wang Jian felt moved by Li Jiarong's sincerity, and the two seemed to have found some common ground.

"Township Chief Li, I understand. I think the same way. Doing things well is the foundation. I will do my best!" Wang Jian said solemnly.

"Um, very good, Wang. Your awareness is higher than mine. As long as we do our best, things will get much better!" Looking at Wang Jian's determined face, Li Jiarong seemed to be thinking deeply.

Feeling that Li Jiarong's words had some deeper meaning, Wang Jian knew a bit about the tension between the township's top two leaders. However, he did not want to get involved in these matters. Even if he understood, he could not express his support for Li Jiarong. After all, it was Zhang Zeguang who had promoted him, and it was best to remain neutral. After all, he was the director of the Party and Government Office, which belonged to both the party and the government.

"Township Chief Li, you flatter me. Please rest assured, I will work hard and complete the tasks assigned by you and Secretary Zhang." Wang Jian's statement was balanced, not fully supporting either side.

"Ha ha, good. If you have any requirements in the future, feel free to bring them to me. I won't say more!" Wang Jian's not fully supporting Zhang Zeguang made Li Jiarong very happy, and he stood up.

Wang Jian got up to bid him farewell and walked out.

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