Chapter 332: Legend Arrives! The Scrutiny of Thirty Eyes!

The conference room was dead silent, the more than thirty gazes focused on Lu Qingshan like spotlights, shock, curiosity, scrutiny, worship—emotions interwoven into an invisible net that pressed the air to near solidification. The ashtray's piled cigarette butts gave off a choking smell, mingling with stale tea and the musty odor of old documents, making the space feel even more oppressive.

Zhang Rongfeng clasped Lu Qingshan's hand, his palm sweating slightly from excitement while his mind raced. He had worked in ministries for nearly twenty years, crawling and climbing, reaching the bureau level, seemingly glorious, but at forty‑nine he knew there was no further chance to advance; his life was likely to end like this.

He understood that the young director brought personally by the minister was a crisis, but also a massive opportunity that could change the second half of his life! He had bet correctly!

Just as the atmosphere solidified to its peak, Zhang Jianshen's booming voice rang out again. He stepped forward, his palm‑sized hand slapping Zhang Rongfeng's shoulder so hard his body jolted.

"Comrade Rongfeng, quick response! Promising!" Zhang Jianshen grinned, then straightened his expression and announced to everyone, "The Ministry Party Committee has studied and decided, and higher approval has been reported, that Comrade Zhang Rongfeng, effective today, is promoted to Executive Deputy Director-General of the Foreign Economic and Trade Development Department, to preside over the department's daily affairs!"

Boom!

If the previous appointment was a bomb, this was a chain reaction.

Everyone was stunned, especially Zhang Rongfeng himself; he felt as if struck by two successive bolts of heaven, his whole being a bit lightheaded. Executive Deputy Director-General? Presiding over daily work? This… isn't that just shoving the department's master‑key straight into his hands!

All present were sharp minds, instantly catching the flavor. Several Deputy Director‑Generals who had been peers of Zhang Rongfeng showed a flash of unmistakable jealousy on their faces, then quickly replaced it with congratulatory smiles.

It's like giving the newly arrived "immortal" the most capable "Landlord Deity"! And also giving the old veterans in the department a calming pill!

Zhang Jianshen looked at Zhang Rongfeng's startled‑yet‑joyful expression, nodded with satisfaction, then turned to him and said in a tone that was both command and request, "Director Lu is young, his thinking is agile, and will focus mainly on macro strategy and overseas deployment, rarely staying in the department. As Executive Deputy Director‑General, your burden is heavy! You must report often, communicate more, proactively cooperate with Director Lu's work, and keep our 'family' in order! Understand?"

"Understood! Rest assured, Minister! I will fully assist Director Lu, be a good staff officer, and handle logistics!" Zhang Rongfeng straightened his back sharply, answered loudly, his excitement turning into burning drive.

He knew that his political career, from this moment, was completely tied to the young man before him. One's rise is the other's rise; one's loss is the other's loss!

"Alright." Zhang Jianshen surveyed the room with satisfaction, then squeezed his eyes at Lu Qingshan, his expression as if saying "Big brother, I've done my part," and waved his large hand, "You all continue the meeting; I won't disturb your team's first gathering."

Finishing, he laughed heartily, turned and left, leaving a dashing silhouette, a room full of subordinates with varied thoughts, and a newly appointed captain forced into the captain's seat.

"Squeak—Bang!" The heavy wooden door shut, the sound like a dividing line, completely cutting off everything outside.

【7】 In the conference room, the atmosphere turned subtle again. Everyone's gaze withdrew from the doorway and fell back on Lu Qingshan.

【8】 Now, he was the sole ruler here.

【9】 Lu Qingshan did not immediately deliver an inaugural speech. He calmly released Zhang Rongfeng's hand, his deep eyes scanning the room without a flicker.

【10】 His gaze swept over each face, his mind as clear as a polished mirror.

【11】 The first he looked at was the newly appointed deputy Zhang Rongfeng; his eyes were eager, his back straight, a smart, opportunistic talent who could be a useful knife, but his loyalty still needed time to be tested.

【12】 Next were a few thirty‑year‑old youths, faces flushed with excitement, their eyes glittering with near‑fanatical worship. Lu Qingshan felt a slight stir; these people were natural supporters, potential direct‑line forces to be cultivated.

【13】 Then his sight fell on a corner of the conference table. An elderly cadre with grizzled hair crossed his arms, leaned back, adjusted his reading glasses, his eyes showing unabashed scrutiny and doubt. Lu Qingshan's mouth twitched with an indistinct curve; this was the representative of the old guard, the first nail to be hammered.

【14】 There were also several Deputy Director‑Generals, wearing standard smiles, but the deep‑seated resentment and restless ambition in their eyes could not be hidden.

【15】 Just one glance, and the hidden motives of everyone in the conference room were clear to him.

【16】 He approached the head seat but did not sit, instead nodding at the still‑standing Zhang Rongfeng, "Comrade Rongfeng, take a seat. Everyone, sit as well."

His voice was calm, yet carried a weight that made people obey unconsciously.

"What was the meeting's topic earlier? Let's continue. Time is precious; don't let me delay the real business."

This move shifted four ounces to move a thousand pounds.

No long speeches, no three‑fire debut of a new official, just a direct dive into work. This pragmatic attitude instantly made the seasoned senior cadres in the room feel much more comfortable, and left those waiting to see his "inaugural speech" empty‑handed. A few young clerks who had been sweating now let out a sigh of relief.

Zhang Rongfeng felt a chill of admiration, thinking silently that this new leader was indeed extraordinary; this light‑as‑feather control was a hundred times smarter than any harsh lecture. He hurried back to his seat, picked up a piece of chalk, pointed at the flowchart on the blackboard, and reported, "Director Lu, we were just discussing next year's textile export quota to Europe and how to handle potential technical trade barriers there…"

The meeting continued, but everyone's attention was a bit scattered. They listened to Zhang Rongfeng's report while covertly glancing at their new director.

Immediately, his gaze fell on the corner of the conference table. An old cadre with hair Handcrafted Flower white crossed his arms, leaned against the chair back, pushed up his reading glasses, his eyes showing undisguised scrutiny and suspicion. Lu Qingshan's mouth curled into an almost imperceptible arc; this was the representative of the old forces, the first nail that needed to be hammered.

When Zhang Rongfeng reached a critical point, a young man in the front row, wearing glasses and looking about thirty, could no longer hold back; his cheeks flushed bright red, a mix of idol‑like excitement and scholarly stubbornness, he sprang up, summoning the greatest courage of his life, and raised his hand.

"Director Lu… Director Lu!" his voice trembled with nerves, yet his words were crystal‑clear and sharp, "Report! I have a question I think is more important than discussing the textile quota!"

He walked to the head seat, but instead of sitting down, he nodded at the still-standing Zhang Rongfeng: "Comrade Zhang Rongfeng, have a seat. Everyone, please sit."

His voice was plain, yet it carried a calm that made people obey without realizing it.

"What was the topic of the meeting just now? Let us continue. Time is precious; do not let me delay the business."

This move — four ounces deflect a thousand catties.

No long-winded remarks, no new official's three blazing fires on taking office — he went straight to work. This pragmatic attitude instantly put the veteran officials in the meeting room at ease, and it left those who had been preparing to watch him give an "inaugural speech" empty-handed. Several young clerks who had originally been tense enough to sweat even let out a long sigh of relief.

Zhang Rongfeng's heart skipped a beat, and he thought to himself that this new leader was indeed not simple; this ability to handle the heavy as if it were light was a hundred times more clever than a stern lecture. He hurried back to his seat, picked up a piece of chalk, pointed at the flowchart on the blackboard, and reported: "Director Lu, we were just discussing next year's textile export quota issue for Europe, and how to deal with possible technical trade barriers there..."

The meeting continued, but everyone's attention was somewhat scattered. While listening to Zhang Rongfeng's report, they furtively glanced at their new director from the corners of their eyes.

Lu Qingshan listened attentively, occasionally nodding slightly.

Just as Zhang Rongfeng reached a crucial point, a young man in the front row, wearing glasses and looking about thirty, could no longer restrain himself; his face flushed red with both the excitement of facing an idol and a scholar's obstinacy, he suddenly sprang to his feet, summoning all the courage he could muster and raised his hand.

"Director... Director Lu!" his voice trembled from nervousness, but his words were perfectly clear and sharp: "Report! I have a question, and I believe it is more important than discussing the textile export quota!"