Chapter 2848: What Are Your Intentions?

The meeting room fell into an eerie silence. The Central Policy Research Office and the Economic Bureau of the Reform Office are also ministerial-level units. Zhou Andong holds a deputy bureau chief position through temporary assignment, and his current rank will not change.

But the Central authorities' intention is already very clear. Once the woolen mill reform is completed, as long as no major mistakes occur, in two or three years Zhou Andong will formally serve as deputy chief of the Policy Research Office and the Economic Bureau of the Reform Office, and his rank will naturally be promoted to vice-ministerial level.

Vice President Yang Zhimin narrowed his eyes, a smile on his face, but however you look at it, the smile seems fake. This guy is fiercely opposed to Zhou Andong serving as vice president, the reason being that he is too young, his experience too shallow, and he cannot convince the masses. In truth, the real reason is still for power and benefits.

The Business Federation has one standing vice president and four vice presidents. With Zhou Andong joining as a vice president, their assigned responsibilities will have to be redistributed. This way, power is dispersed, and benefits naturally decrease as well.

Originally, it was all meat in their own bowls. Suddenly a wolf barges in to snatch it—how could they possibly hand it over willingly? Moreover, this wolf's ability is too strong; once allowed in, he would very likely destroy the existing balance.

Originally, everyone was just going through the motions, like a monk striking the bell for a day. This day, a true Buddha has come to the temple—not only can he chant sutras, but his Buddhist Dharma is profound. Wouldn't that make them look utterly incompetent? By then, where would they put their faces, and how would their superiors view them? So absolutely, Zhou Andong must not be allowed to enter the Business Federation.

Yang Zhimin glanced at the standing vice president Jiang Weihan, then his gaze fell on the faces of the other three vice presidents. Jiang Weihan also holds an opposing view, but this old fox has consistently remained noncommittal, which makes him very dissatisfied.

Damn it, Yang Zhimin cursed in his heart. For Zhou Andong, the president has already convened three party group meetings. Before, we were the ones charging forward on the front lines, offending the big boss, while you bastard hide in the back pretending to be a good person.

If you still remain noncommittal today, I won't say another word. Anyway, if Zhou Andong serves as vice president, the ones whose interests are harmed are not just me alone.

Jiang Weihan felt Yang Zhimin's gaze upon him. He was very clear in his heart: if he does not speak again, no one will stop Zhou Andong from serving as vice president.

"Cough!" Jiang Weihan lightly coughed: "President, you also said Zhou Andong holds a temporary assignment as deputy chief of the Policy Research Office and the Economic Bureau of the Reform Office. But if Zhou Andong is directly appointed as vice president of the Federation, it will certainly be hard to convince the masses. Moreover, it does not conform to our nation's cadre promotion process."

"Hard to convince the masses, not conforming to the promotion process?" The Federation's sole female vice president, Sun Chunfang, snorted coldly: "With Zhou Andong's abilities and his achievements in business and finance, don't even mention serving as vice president—even serving as standing vice president would be more than sufficient."

Sun Chunfang is the only vice president supporting Zhou Andong, so she has no courtesy whatsoever toward Jiang Weihan, the standing vice president. The meaning in her words is very clear: you, Jiang Weihan, compared to Zhou Andong, are far inferior—you should give up your seat for Zhou Andong to sit.

Jiang Weihan's face changed instantly, then quickly returned to normal: "Comrade Chunfang, I know you greatly admire Zhou Andong, but admiration is admiration—rules cannot be broken, promotions cannot violate regulations. Moreover, do not bring emotions into meetings; this is not the conduct expected of a senior party cadre."

Sun Chunfang's eyes carried a mocking smile: "You mean, the Central appointment of Zhou Andong as deputy chief of the Policy Research Office and the Economic Bureau of the Reform Office is breaking rules, is a violation of promotion regulations?"

Jiang Weihan hurriedly denied: "I am not saying that!"

"Then what do you mean?" Sun Chunfang would not yield an inch, leaning forward, her eyes locked tightly on Jiang Weihan, looking extremely aggressive: "Vice President Jiang, you have repeatedly and again and again kept out such a talent as Zhou Andong—what are your intentions?"

Saying this, Sun Chunfang snorted coldly again: "Do you really think I don't know your little schemes?"

"Tap—tap—tap—" Qiao Mingkang's fingers tapped on the table, clearly transmitted to everyone's ears in the meeting room: "These past two days I have also been thinking about the issues you raised. Zhou Andong is young, his work experience shallow, and he cannot convince the masses—this is indeed an unavoidable reality."

Qiao Mingkang swept his gaze over everyone, then said: "But the Policy Research Office and the Economic Bureau of the Reform Office have already set an example—we can completely learn from it."

The meeting room fell silent again. After a while, Han Hui, director of the Party Committee Office, smiled faintly: "I have a proposal: recommend Zhou Andong serve as non-resident vice president of the Business Federation."

"Recommend Zhou Andong serve as non-resident vice president of the Business Federation." Zhang Lianhe, director of the Discipline Inspection and Supervision Office, raised his hand: "This is acceptable—I agree!"

"I agree too!" Sun Chunfang took a deep breath, raised her hand somewhat unwillingly, then looked at Jiang Weihan and the others: "If you still disagree, spouting laughable excuses, then I can only go personally to the Central authorities to report the situation to the leadership."

A victorious smile slowly appeared at the corner of Jiang Weihan's mouth. Temporary assignment means, without changing the cadre's administrative relationship, assigning specific duties to another place for training—a temporary posting.

That is to say, temporary assignment is a temporary post, but it involves concrete work. Zhou Andong's temporary assignment as deputy chief of the Policy Research Office and the Economic Bureau of the Reform Office also involves concrete分管 work.

So, even if Zhou Andong is temporarily assigned as vice president, they will think of every way to stop him. But if he serves as non-resident vice president, then it's different.

What is meant by non-resident vice president? It means no need to go to work—the vice presidency is merely a title. So, in this contest, Jiang Weihan believes they have won.

"I agree!"

Seeing Jiang Weihan raise his hand in agreement, Yang Zhimin and the others also raised their hands in agreement.

Qiao Mingkang looked at Qian Kang, the organization committee member taking meeting notes, and asked: "Are there any omissions in the meeting minutes?"

Qian Kang nodded: "Recorded truthfully, no omissions."

"En!" Qiao Mingkang nodded: "There is one more thing to record: Zhou Andong concurrently serves as deputy secretary of the party group and has voting rights."

The smiles on Jiang Weihan and the others' faces froze instantly. Yang Zhimin was about to speak, but Qiao Mingkang waved his hand: "Adjourn!"

Yang Zhimin's words were immediately stuck in his throat, mouth open, eyes glaring as he watched Qiao Mingkang stand up and walk out of the meeting room.

Even if Zhou Andong's appointment as non-resident vice president, the Federation only has recommendation power, not appointment power—it must be reported to the Central authorities. Finally, whether this appointment can be issued, the Central authorities have the final say.

At the moment Qiao Mingkang walked out of the meeting room, a smile appeared on his face, though this smile carried an obvious mocking tone.