Chapter 1119

A moment later, Su Yang received a call from the County Party Committee's First Senior Secretary.

He had already been mentally prepared for this. If an hour passed and the news still hadn't reached Pan Wenhai's ears, then Pan Wenhai, the Local Tyrant, the bully, wouldn't be so aptly named.

These past two days he had no important work; it was just the so‑called qualification review. The qualification review simply meant anyone willing to register could do so, with no stringent requirements. Moreover, recent graduates, those lacking credentials or ability naturally wouldn't join the fuss.

Su Yang went up to room 905 on the 9th floor and knocked on the office door. After a full three minutes, Pan Wenhai's voice came from inside: "Come in."

Su Yang pushed the door open and entered, momentarily unable to believe his eyes. He had been to countless leaders' offices, even the Ministry of Transport leaders' office.

For other levels—provincial leaders, municipal leaders—the office furnishings relate somewhat to the leader's preferences, but the office size is basically regulated. Even the Ministry of Transport's Ministerial Level senior leader's office is merely an office with a small lounge, appearing only slightly larger.

But this so‑called office must be at least 120 square meters, not counting the suite behind it.

It's a suite; he doesn't know whether there is additional space behind it. Moreover, the office's décor is entirely European, and the desk is three to four meters long.

On the bookshelf behind, it was packed with all kinds of bottles and jars; the walls were hung with various paintings, some of which were so‑called masterpieces.

Su Yang had never seen many of the items and didn't recognize them, but he did recognize a "Ink Orchid" painting by Zheng Banqiao.

Not because he had any calligraphic skill, but because the painting bears the inscription "Ink Orchid" and is signed by Zheng Banqiao.

Besides these, unlike others, his office was carpeted. In Su Yang's memory, no leader's office ever had carpet.

Even if your rank is high, even if your power is great, carpeting seems somewhat unusual, right? Yet he saw it in Pan Wenhai's office.

Of course, the most striking feature was a bizarrely shaped stone placed behind the massive desk, with some decorative elements beside it. Su Yang knew this must be the legendary "supporting mountain stone." It seemed Secretary Pan still indulged in feudal superstition.

Of course, these details are long to recount, but he only glanced around and said to Pan Wenhai, who was bent over documents: "Secretary Pan, you're busy right now?"

Pan Wenhai clearly heard Su Yang arrive, yet without looking up he said, "Please wait a moment; I have a document in hand, let me finish it first."

But he only told Su Yang to wait and didn't invite him to sit. Su Yang had already experienced this routine, the first time probably in Gao Huan's office.

Back then, the other was the proper head of Lancheng, while he was merely the town mayor of Huatian Town. Now they are both County Standing Committee Members, and Pan Wenhai is not his direct superior, only the team leader of the County Party Committee, yet he still sets this tone and plays this routine.

He thought it was laughable; only someone so lacking in vision and perspective would play such a game.

He said nothing politely, sat directly on the leather sofa beside him, took a cigarette from his pocket, lit it, and smoked leisurely. Since they weren't in a strict superior‑subordinate relationship, he didn't need to be so restrained or save face.

Pretending to read documents, Pan Wenhai heard the "click" of a lighter, slightly lifted his eyelids to glance, his expression growing darker. Apart from County Magistrate Niu Guoqing, anyone else entering his office would not dare sit without his permission.

But Su Yang just plopped down without hesitation. He almost wanted to stand up and scold Su Yang by pointing at his nose, yet he knew Su Yang wasn't like the other committee members; a misstep could backfire on him.

Thus, after a full ten minutes, he finally looked up and said, "Comrade Su Yang, you finally came. I was delayed a bit earlier. I have two matters for you: one concerns the upcoming competitive appointment; the other is that the county's entrepreneurs want to invite you to a dinner to strengthen relations."

"First, about the dinner: it's not just you; all comrades in the county must hold joint events with entrepreneurs. Because you already know the county's situation, we are the province's top‑ranked economic county, and to keep the leading seat we naturally rely on local enterprise support."

"We cannot do without enterprises, and enterprises cannot do without us; you could say the government and enterprises are one family. Especially President Huang, who is a top figure among entrepreneurs and their representative, personally asked me to invite you to a meal. I think you should give that face."

Su Yang replied without hesitation, "Sure, sure. Actually I also want to strengthen ties with local entrepreneurs, since there will be many future dealings; being familiar avoids middlemen relaying messages."

Pan Wenhai had originally thought he would need to waste words, but Su Yang's prompt agreement put him at ease.

"Alright, then let's discuss the Public Security Bureau competitive appointment. This time the Provincial Party Committee and Municipal Party Committee both attach great importance, so our county must treat it as a top priority."

"However, can we tweak some details? For example, your written exam, assessment, defense, final inspection—could we drop any of these? Perhaps we could cancel the written exam first."

"Why do I say this? Because the mid‑level officials in the Public Security Bureau are basically approaching 40, some already in their 40s, nearing 50."

"Having them do practical tasks, discuss theory, share work experience, and defend is fine; making them sit for an exam seems excessive. If we talk about exams, the freshly graduated police academy students assigned would be the most suitable, but these officials lack the seniority and aren't qualified for this competition."

"Of course, this isn't just my personal view; it's a collective sentiment. Moreover, there's another issue you may overlook: our county's relationships are tangled, even a low‑level police officer may have a powerful relative or friend behind them."

"I know you always stick to principles, which is a good habit, but our country is a society of personal connections. To quote a perhaps unsuitable saying: 'Politics without personal ties is short‑lived.'"

"You do all this to better serve the Common People, but your single‑minded insistence on so‑called principles may place you opposite the people, and grassroots cadres will be reluctant to deal with you, the 'Cold Noodle King.' When you claim to become a solitary figure, how will you continue your work?"