Chapter 9

In early July, the weather was warm, but the gentle breeze made people feel quite refreshed.

Ye Ziran, who usually liked to wear T-shirts, changed into a white shirt today, looking particularly spirited. As he walked into the office, Ma Yanli pretended to exclaim in surprise, "Boss, you look so handsome today."

Ye Ziran playfully tapped her on the head and said, "I think you look terrible."

"Boss, I'll call you Ye Chief from now on," Xiao Ma said with a brighter smile.

"Don't join in the commotion about things that haven't been officially announced."

"Oh, I understand," Ma Yanli exaggerated her expression, but her eyes sparkled with excitement and admiration.

"Did the family of Lin Chief make any other requests after the memorial service yesterday?"

"No, He Chunying reported to the service center today. She privately thanked you for your help."

Ye Ziran sighed and said, "She's a hard-luck woman."

Soon, Zhong Ping, Wang Peipei, and Chen Xiaoyu arrived at the office. Ye Ziran, as usual, assigned the day's tasks.

"Wang Peipei, take the public security report from yesterday to Secretary Qin. He's waiting for it."

"Sure." Wang Peipei took the report and left.

"Zhong Ping, the county has notified us that Secretary Tang will come to the town to guide economic work on the 10th of next month. Chief Li wants the party office to prepare a speech. You'll have to work hard on it."

"Sure, sure." Zhong Ping agreed. He had worked in the party office for seven or eight years and was quite skilled.

"Boss, what's my task today?" Ma Yanli, holding a cloth, was about to clean the windowsill and the pot of cactus when she saw Ye Ziran finish assigning tasks to Zhong Ping and asked.

"Chen Xiaoyu will visit Liugang Village and Xiahé Village this morning to understand the medical cooperative situation and write a report. You can take it easy and stay in the office today."

Everyone then prepared to handle their tasks. Not long after, Wang Peipei rushed in and called out, "Director Ye, Secretary Qin wants to see you."

"Did Secretary Qin say what it's about?" Ye Ziran asked, puzzled by her hurried expression.

"He didn't say. I saw him take a call and then asked me to come get you."

"Okay." Ye Ziran nodded and left.

When he arrived at Secretary Qin's office on the fourth floor, Secretary Qin smiled and told him that the county party organization department had called to have a talk with him. He was to go immediately and return in the afternoon for a meeting where his appointment would be officially announced. Ye Ziran thanked Secretary Qin for his concern. As he walked out, the usually low-key Ye Ziran felt a surge of confidence, as if his chest had risen a few centimeters.

Although Mashi Town was the largest town in Changjia County, it only had a population of about 70,000. Three main east-west roads ran through the town, and the county party and government offices, located in the center of Mashi Town, shared a compound.

It took only ten minutes to drive to the county party office. Ye Ziran told the driver to wait and got out, only to see Zhang Liren coming out.

"Hey? Liren, what are you doing here? On business?"

"I'm here to handle some personal matters," Zhang Liren chuckled and asked softly, "What? The organization department called you for a talk? Let's go out for a meal."

At this point, Ye Ziran didn't hide anything from Zhang Liren and said, "Yes, it's probably about that. Do you have plans tomorrow? Let's play bridge at my old home."

Zhang Liren shook his head and said, "Yang Hongmei is taking me shopping tomorrow. I can't make it."

"Alright, let's do it another time." Ye Ziran said goodbye to Zhang Liren.

It was Ye Ziran's first time visiting the county party organization department, and he had to ask two people to find it.

In the office of the county party organization department, Deputy Minister Fu Bin had a pre-appointment talk with him on behalf of the county party committee.

"Comrade Ye Ziran, I am now having a talk with you on behalf of the organization."

"Yes." Ye Ziran straightened his back and sat up.

"The organization has decided to appoint you as a member of the Mashi Town Party Committee and deputy town mayor. What are your thoughts?" Minister Fu looked at Ye Ziran and asked.

"Mashi Town is a key town in Changjia County, ranking third in size. I am concerned about my lack of experience, but I will firmly follow the organization's arrangements," Ye Ziran said slowly.

"The organization is well aware of your situation and has registered you with the Jia'nan Municipal Party Organization Department. The organization has always been concerned about your growth. In the past two years, you have done a solid job in Mashi Town, and the work of the party office has been well-organized. You have also performed very well in terms of integrity, fully meeting the requirements for promotion."

Minister Fu flipped through the documents on his desk, his voice smooth and pleasant. Ye Ziran observed him; Minister Fu was in his early forties, wearing glasses, and looked scholarly.

"The Jia'nan Municipal Party Committee has responded to the requirements of the central and provincial party committees for cadre selection. The organization department has clarified the cadre development plan. You are a young cadre selected through public competition. In the future, you must strictly discipline yourself, work hard, and not辜负 the trust and expectations of the organization. This is also the requirement of the Changjia County Party Committee for you."

"Yes, I will remember the organization's requirements and work diligently and with integrity," Ye Ziran said solemnly.

"Secretary Tang asked me to tell you that he doesn't have time to see you off. After lunch at the government canteen, I will take you to your new post," Minister Fu said kindly, and the talk was concise and clear.

"Thank you, Minister Fu." Ye Ziran knew the talk was over and stood up to thank Minister Fu.

The talk lasted only a few minutes. Since it was still early, Ye Ziran decided to visit the county government office to see Zhu Yuli.

In 1988, as a pilot for cadre selection, the organization department recruited ten college graduates from well-known universities in the province. Two of them were assigned to Changjia County: Ye Ziran and Zhu Yuli, who was assigned to the comprehensive section of the county government office. After starting work, Ye Ziran and Zhu Yuli didn't see each other often, but being in the same county, they still had opportunities to exchange information.

When Zhu Yuli saw Ye Ziran come to the county office, she congratulated him, "Congratulations, you're the first among us ten to be promoted to a substantive deputy section-level position."

"I'm just a step ahead, it doesn't mean I'll go far or do well in the future," Ye Ziran said. "Zhu Yuli, do you have contact with the other eight? If so, let's arrange a gathering."

"I have their contact information, but it might be hard to gather everyone. We're all busy and live far apart."

"It doesn't have to be right away. Just contact them and see if they're interested. If they are, we can meet when there's a suitable opportunity to share our work experiences."

"Alright, I'll contact them. Speaking of which, you should treat us to a meal now that you've been promoted," Zhu Yuli said.

"Sure, when your boyfriend returns to Changjia, I'll treat you both to a meal." Zhu Yuli's boyfriend worked at the county economic commission and was her high school classmate. He had been working for five or six years and was recently seconded to the Jia'nan Municipal Economic Commission for a municipal project.

"Alright, Ye classmate, since you're being so nice, I'll treat you to lunch," Zhu Yuli said.

During lunch, Zhu Yuli asked about his personal life, "Ye classmate, do you have a girlfriend?"

Ye Ziran shook his head and replied, "Not yet, these things can't be rushed. What about you? When do you plan to get married?"

"After the New Year," Zhu Yuli said. "Among us ten, Liu Zhongyuan from Hengshan County is now the secretary to the vice-county magistrate, which is quite an achievement."

"You're also a secretary in the comprehensive section," Ye Ziran comforted her.

The county party comprehensive section had seven or eight people. Although they were all secretaries serving the county party secretary, their roles were different. Secretaries close to the party secretary had more direct interaction, while others mainly handled various documents, known as clerical work. Although all were secretaries, their ranks were different. As the saying goes, first-class secretaries carry water and bags, second-class secretaries write speeches. Secretaries like Zhu Yuli in the comprehensive section spent their days at home racking their brains to write speeches for the party secretary, which were then handed over by the director. They rarely saw the party secretary, so they were considered second-class secretaries. Secretaries close to the party secretary, like Hu Secretary, were both prestigious and practical. They traveled in cars, looked impressive, and were treated with respect by local officials. Departments would always include the secretary and driver in their gestures of appreciation. Small expenses could be handled by the departments. The saying "carrying water and bags, running around with a bent back" referred to these secretaries. Those who didn't understand thought they were just followers, but in reality, without their help, it would be impossible to see the party secretary.

"That's different, you're just comforting me," Zhu Yuli said, looking at him.

While eating, the two chatted about the topic of secretaries. Ye Ziran saw Hu Secretary come in for lunch and greeted him. Hu Secretary, who held the title of deputy section chief, joined them at the table after getting his food.

"Secretary Hu, why are you eating alone today?" Ye Ziran asked.

"Secretary Tang has an event today, so I'm off duty," Hu Secretary said. Because of Secretary Tang, Hu Secretary and Ye Ziran were quite familiar. He knew about Ye Ziran's close relationship with Secretary Tang, so he didn't act superior and spoke politely. "I should congratulate you, Deputy Mayor Ye."

"Thank you, thank you." Ye Ziran put down his chopsticks and bowed. "Secretary Hu, Zhu Yuli is my classmate. Please take care of her."

"Zhu is a talented writer in the comprehensive section and very capable. I often ask her to write speeches," Hu Secretary said with a smile, seeming to have a high opinion of Zhu Yuli.

"Secretary Hu, since Deputy Mayor Ye has been promoted, let's have him treat us to a meal," Zhu Yuli said with a smile.

"Sure, sure," Hu Secretary nodded in agreement.

"Sure, as long as Secretary Hu can find the time," Ye Ziran agreed happily, but he knew Hu Secretary's schedule was not under his control, so the exact time would be hard to determine.

After lunch, the three shook hands and said goodbye. Hu Secretary knew Ye Ziran had to go to his new post in the afternoon and didn't keep him longer.