Chapter 407: The Active Deputy Secretary

Just before the end of work, the Municipal Organization Department head Zhang Ziqiang came to Lu Fan's office, looking disgruntled, and said, "The official airs are not small; you just took office and called me to the office to report work, and even set a few rules for me."

Lu Fan smiled and consoled, "Just go along with it; after all he's the Deputy Secretary, his authority is there, don't I also have to serve him? Many tasks can't be avoided!"

Zhang Ziqiang asked, "Are you free tonight? Shall we, as comrades, have a few drinks?"

"Secretary, if you have nothing tonight, I'll arrange it!"

"Alright, I'll await your word."

At eight p. m., after Lu Fan "served" the Secretary's work, he took Xia Li and hurried to the Yingjiang Hotel.

The Organization Department head Zhang Ziqiang, Political and Legal Committee Secretary Chen Zijun, Executive Vice Mayor Zhang Rongqiu, Standing Committee Vice Mayor Yang Shaokai, and Vice Mayor Bian Jide had already arrived early; they drank and chatted, and the atmosphere was very harmonious.

Lu Fan didn't call Discipline Inspection Committee Secretary Wu Xiaohua, because everyone who came today were truly "comrades"!

Seeing Lu Fan enter, Zhang Ziqiang smiled and said, "We've been waiting for you, let's officially start!"

Lu Fan lifted his glass and said, "I'm often late and leave slowly, I'm embarrassed myself; here, I'll punish myself with three cups first!"

Zhang Rongqiu said, "If the Secretary doesn't finish work, you can't finish either; everyone understands. Seven people, total limit three bottles; just drink well!"

After three rounds of drinking, Zhang Ziqiang said, "Secretary Si is ambitious; from now on our Organization Department will have another 'mother‑in‑law' on top!"

Chen Zijun laughed and said, "There's no way around it; since the Deputy Secretary became full‑time, he's the undisputed third‑in‑command, and many tasks we the Political and Legal Committee also have to report."

Zhang Rongqiu chuckled, "It doesn't relate much to our government, but our mayor hasn't been idle lately; he's been 'pulling' Wang Wenhui and Zheng Kai, being extremely 'enthusiastic' about projects and engineering!"

Yang Shaokai said, "I think Yingjiang is about to get lively; the primary and two deputies each have their own ideas!"

Lu Fan said, "We are all deputy positions; no fighting, no grabbing, no haste, no impatience—just do our primary duties well!"

Chen Zijun echoed, "Let the winds blow east, west, south, north, I remain steadfast! We follow Lu Fan; doing our primary work well is our responsibility."

Lu Fan raised a cup and said, "As long as everyone thinks as one, works as one, we'll row the same boat and forge a united wall; there'll be no task we can't accomplish, no hurdle we can't overcome! Come, brothers, I propose a toast!"

The crowd responded enthusiastically, all drinking in one gulp, and the atmosphere quickly rose.

Then everyone passed cups and glasses, clinking, drinking merrily, chatting and laughing!

The day before the National Day holiday, Si Daiqiang held a draft document and went to Secretary Li Ruifang's office, reporting, "Secretary, I've recently touched base with the Organization Department; a Vice Director of the Municipal People's Congress will 'arrive' in October—can we make a slight personnel adjustment?"

Li Ruifang said calmly, "What suggestion do you have?"

Si Daiqiang replied, "Secretary, my thought is to promote a County Party Secretary to serve as Vice Director of the Municipal People's Congress, solving the deputy‑department‑level benefits."

Li Ruifang asked, "Which County Party Secretary would be suitable for promotion?"

"County Party Secretaries Ma Yajun of Anbao County and Wang Jiaming of Fu County are relatively older; their seniority poses no issue. This is just my personal view; the final decision rests with the Secretary, and I will fully support it!"

Li Ruifang knew Si Daiqiang wasn't a 'model worker'; such elaborate scheming always has a motive—she guessed he coveted the County Party Secretary's 'throne'!

Sure enough, Si Daiqiang said, "Achieving good results and having good cadres both encourage and spur the masses of officials, and can foster a clean, vigorous political ecology."

Zhenbei District has ranked first in the city for both economic volume and growth rate for five consecutive years. I think the city should establish a clear personnel orientation that values practical work and tangible achievements, judging heroes by results and appointing cadres by results, continuously improving mechanisms that reward merit and punish faults, thereby maximally stimulating the enthusiasm and creativity of the cadre team. City leaders will thus become more vigorous, practice earnestly, radiate a new state, create new achievements, and realize new accomplishments! I would like to recommend District Chief Wu Xiaojun of Zhenbei District to the Organization; this comrade has devoted himself to Zhenbei's development and made outstanding contributions, and such cadres deserve the Organization's recognition and heavy use!"

Li Ruifang smiled, "Just a reminder: last year Zhenbei District was overtaken by Ganshui County! Daiqiang, Ma Yajun and Wang Jiaming seem only just over 40, not in a hurry to go to the People's Congress or Political Consultative Conference, right? The Organization must respect their personal wishes when staffing!"

"Secretary, shall I talk to the two of them first?"

"The Vice Director of the People's Congress vacancy does need to be filled quickly. Fine, you talk first, solicit comrades' opinions, and select a suitable candidate!" Li Ruifang thought that young cadres need a "Peng Peng stone", otherwise they become restless and seek quick success!

Having obtained the Secretary's permission, Si Daiqiang immediately arranged for the Municipal Party Committee Office to notify, and asked Ma Yajun and Wang Jiaming to come to his office.

In the afternoon, Ma Yajun first arrived at Si Daiqiang's office, kindly bringing a box of tea leaves, after all one must respect the leaders.

Si Daiqiang poured a cup of tea himself, smiling, "Yajun, you haven't spent a short time on the grassroots, have you?"

Ma Yajun naturally replied, "I previously served as a Party Secretary in a township, then was transferred back to the city; the past two years I was 'seconded to Chang'an', and then went to Anbao County."

Si Daiqiang suddenly said, "Your achievements in Anbao County are evident to all; I discussed with the Secretary and intend to recommend you for Vice Director of the Municipal People's Congress, thereby solving the rank and benefit issue!"

Is this a good thing? Why didn't the Secretary‑General disclose it? Though puzzled, Ma Yajun still happily said, "Thanks for the Organization's recognition, Secretary Si's support; I will certainly fulfill my duties and do a good job in Anbao County!" Some veteran County Party Secretaries indeed concurrently hold the Vice Director post of the Municipal People's Congress; advancement is certainly positive.

Si Daiqiang felt Ma Yajun had misunderstood his meaning, so he clarified, "Yajun, I mean for you to serve full‑time as Vice Director of the Municipal People's Congress!"

Hearing this, Ma Yajun directly stated his stance, "Secretary Si, I think my health is fine, I can continue to work for the Organization and serve the people; it's not yet time for retirement!"

Si Daiqiang frowned and said, "The People's Congress is a very important department, representing the people's interests and will, participating lawfully; how can you say it's for retirement? Without rules, nothing works. Obeying the Organization's arrangement is the most basic requirement of Party cadres; you must not make petty calculations, play tricks, or scheme for personal gain! Moreover, this is the Municipal Party Committee's trust in you, a promotion! I hope you treat it correctly and obey the Organization's arrangement!"

Ma Yajun grew increasingly irritated and retorted, "Secretary Si, I'm straightforward and don't beat around the bush. If the Organization promotes you to be Director of the Municipal People's Congress, that's a regular‑department‑level post; would you go?"

One sentence killed the conversation; the two parted on bad terms!

An hour later, County Party Secretary Wang Jiaming of Fu County, with a sullen face, also left Si Daiqiang's office.

Hiding in Vice Secretary Xia Li's office, Ma Yajun called Wang Jiaming in and whispered, "Congratulations, Secretary Jiaming, on your promotion; from now on you should be called Director Wang!"

Wang Jiaming shouted angrily, "I'll go kick your grandma's leg; you're the one who's Director Ma!"

"Hey, don't be ungrateful; the Organization is promoting you!"

"Why the hell aren't you going? I'm only 43, younger than you!"

"Enough nonsense, this matter should be reported to the Secretary‑General, right?"

"Definitely need to report!" Wang Jiaming said, then dialed Lu Fan's phone and reported the entire process of Si Daiqiang's talk with him.

At that moment Lu Fan had already arrived in Jingcheng; after hearing this 'far‑fetched' matter, he simply replied, "Just don't agree to it."

Having not met the expected goal, Si Daiqiang felt unwilling, so he went to Secretary Li Ruifang, briefly reported the outcomes of his talks with the two County Party Secretaries, and stated that personal obedience to the Organization is a principle; when the Organization's decision conflicts with personal needs, one must not focus solely on personal issues, must not bargain with the Organization, and must resolutely ensure the individual obeys the Organization and subordinates obey superiors.

Li Ruifang said, "Daiqiang, the Organization's work studies human issues; the Organization is not heartless. When adjusting cadres, we must respect comrades' wishes and actual circumstances, striving for harmonious unity between the Organization's intent and individual desires. Since the two are unwilling, let's select new candidates; we could consider picking a bureau chief from a city‑direct department."

"Alright, I'll re‑search for candidates."

Li Ruifang said lightly, "You are the Municipal Deputy Secretary; you don't need to handle everything personally. Professional matters should be handled by professionals; let the Organization Department find candidates, otherwise what's the point of that department? A leader's role is to set direction, oversee the big picture, and ensure implementation!"

"Alright, Secretary, I'll brief the Organization Department." Si Daiqiang, well‑versed in the ways of officials, follows leaders' instructions selectively.

Returning to his office, Si Daiqiang thought for a long time; he felt his biggest shortcoming was being alone, having no 'allies' among the Standing Committee, and he must find a way to break the 'impasse'!

Having reviewed the Municipal Standing Committee, Si Daiqiang felt very pessimistic; Discipline Inspection Committee Secretary Wu Xiaohua seemed closer to Lu Fan, while the Organization and Political‑Legal cadres were promoted by Li Mingzhou, and United Front by Li Ruifang.

The massive Municipal Party Committee seems to have only the Propaganda Department head Zhao Honglan with any chance of 'unity'!

As for the City Government, forget it; even the mayor can't handle it!

Carrying the aura of Secretary Hong Tao's secretary, Si Daiqiang originally thought that being assigned to the leader's hometown would bring universal support and allow him to showcase his abilities.

Ideal is plentiful, reality is skeletal! Except in Zhenbei District, he, an imposing Municipal Party Committee Deputy Secretary, actually can't compare to the Municipal Party Committee Secretary Lu Fan.

It was almost off-work time, Si Daiqiang planned to return to Chang'an. After going downstairs, he happened to run into Publicity Department Head Zhao Honglan, and he took the initiative to go up and greet her: "Director Zhao, are you returning to Chang'an?"

Zhao Honglan smiled and replied: "Yes, Secretary Si, are you also returning to Chang'an?"

Si Daiqiang said with a smile: "The National Day long holiday, we definitely need to rest properly. Can you handle a long drive? Director Zhao, how about riding in my car?"

"Then I'll hitch a ride in the leader's car, and I can report on my work at the same time!"