Chapter 471: with translation of chapter title

Zhou Hongtao's heart gave a slight start—aren't you talking about Su Yang? You might as well just name Su Yang's ID; why beat around the bush?

Besides, this feels odd; based on what he knows, even if he wanted to promote Su Yang, these remarks should have come from Zhou Ruohan.

For example, in a suitable setting and opportunity, this proposal would be put forward by Comrade Gao Fengming, head of the Organization Department.

Then Zhou Ruohan hemmed and hawed modestly, and only after strong approval from everyone did he finally hammer out the decision—wouldn't that be perfect?

But in personnel matters, this top leader has absolute authority; before reaching a consensus, he certainly won't express his stance lightly.

He simply turned his gaze to Zhou Ruohan, because there's another factor: if Zhou Ruohan herself proposed it, wouldn't that make him, the County Magistrate, look a bit shallow?

How could that be so straightforward—promoting one's own person? If done that way, where would others' chances be? And if it got out, it would be greatly detrimental to Zhou Ruohan's reputation.

He really couldn't figure out what the relationship between Zhou Ruohan and Fang Jingwen was—sometimes it felt like they were about to flip the table, other times they could go to any lengths to seek justice for the same person.

Seeing Zhou Hongtao and Fang Jingwen both looking at her, Zhou Ruohan coughed and said, "The candidate Secretary Fang mentioned is really hard to pin down right away—there are too many limitations."

"Besides, I'm in charge of economic work, and I'm not very familiar with the county's personnel affairs."

"Moreover, following the conditions you mentioned, I might need to go back and review the personnel files of each township; if necessary, we can study it at the next coordination meeting, or directly at the standing committee meeting."

Fang Jingwen almost choked; she had originally picked a poison‑pie question for Zhou Ruohan, also meant as a face‑slapping retort.

"You said our organizational work is lacking; I'll show you right now."

Given those limitations, picking a decisive leader for Xiushui Township is something anyone with sense knows can only be Su Yang.

And I've already laid out the conditions clearly enough; you just need to state it.

Then I'll take the moral high ground to mock you, and even bring up another unrelated quota just to disgust you properly.

Anyway, it won't affect the final outcome.

But who would have thought Zhou Ruohan is far smarter than her—she dug the trap, yet Zhou Ruohan didn't jump into it.

But she's already spoken those words; she can't just take them back, or else it would look too childish.

"Secretary Zhou, I have a decent candidate; I had worried before that people might gossip in private that I practice favoritism, and this comrade was just removed from office after making a mistake."

"But as Deputy Secretary, I believe in promoting the worthy without avoiding relatives; otherwise, that would be the greatest irresponsibility in organizational work."

"I think regarding this candidate, Secretary Zhou surely has it in mind—it's none other than Comrade Su Yang, deputy director of our Poverty Alleviation Office."

"This cadre's strengths and weaknesses are obvious, so I needn't list them; but for us, what matters most—isn't it placing the most capable cadre in the post that needs them most?"

"Su Yang may be a bit rash, sometimes acting without considering consequences, but he's very capable."

"So I'm willing to bear the risk of public condemnation and strongly recommend placing Comrade Su Yang in the position of Party Committee Secretary of Xiushui Township."

Moreover, the post of deputy director of the Poverty Alleviation Office will remain, but the work focus should shift partially from overall poverty alleviation to the daily management of Xiushui Township.

"As for the township head, we won't consider letting him shoulder both roles for now; doing so would also help completely turn around the dire situation in Xiushui Township's villages."

"Especially their township's work style—I believe Secretary Zhou has already reached the limit of his patience; I don't know how Secretary Zhou and County Magistrate Zhou view this."

Zhou Hongtao thought to himself, "What else can I say? Don't have the two of you one sing red face, the other white face, winding me up in the end."

But the top leader's authority should still be shown appropriately; he said, "Um… County Magistrate Zhou, what do you think? You're also our County Party Committee Deputy Secretary, so your opinion matters too."

Zhou Ruohan gave a light smile and said, "I was originally hesitant about this, but after hearing Secretary Fang say that, promoting the worthy without avoiding relatives—well, I don't see a problem."

"If it can be confirmed, we'll bring it up at the standing committee meeting later."

Originally, regarding this matter, Zhou Ruohan wasn't in a hurry at all, hadn't considered nominating someone from the county, but had thought of directly appointing someone from the province—then going along with the flow would be fine.

But now Fang Jingwen wants to nominate; she has no reason to refuse, and she even gives Su Yang the maximum authority—holding both the Party Committee Secretary and township head positions.

This is very advantageous for Su Yang's future control of the overall situation.

But Fang Jingwen had originally dug a big pit for her; in the end, she didn't even get to the pit's edge, and it's estimated that this could cause Fang Jingwen to suffer internal injury from holding back.

Upon hearing Zhou Ruohan's agreement, Zhou Hongtao immediately went along with the flow, saying, "Great, great—I also think Comrade Su Yang is the only suitable candidate for the current Party Committee Secretary of Xiushui Township; no other cadre could fill the role. Good steel belongs on the cutting edge."

"Even before mentioning this candidate, I had thought of letting a County Party Committee Standing Committee member hold the post concurrently, given how dire the situation in Xiushui Township is."

"If Comrade Su Yang can go, it would be a great boon for both Xiushui Township and our County Party Committee—so let's just decide this now; we'll hold a meeting tomorrow and then follow the procedures."

"Let Comrade Su Yang take over all work as quickly as possible, striving to transform Xiushui Township's work style in the shortest time."

Fang Jingwen said, "Okay, Secretary Zhou, then we'll bring it up at the standing committee meeting tomorrow."

After saying that, he left the room together with Zhou Hongtao; as they were about to walk out, he inevitably rolled up his sleeves again, revealing that bright bracelet.

"Hey, you say nowadays cadres not only have to work well, but also need to think of ways to curry favor and win people over."

"My job as Deputy County Party Committee Secretary isn't easy either, but in principle I still prefer this kind of capable cadre."

This time, he really gave her a show, leaving Zhou Ruohan embarrassed; Zhou Ruohan just snorted coldly and said nothing.

She was furious inside, still hadn't had a chance to ask Su Yang about the bracelet; although Fang Jingwen's attitude annoyed her, she could be certain the bracelet was definitely Su Yang's.

Otherwise, with Fang Jingwen's status, what kind of jewelry doesn't she have? Insisting on wearing a silver bracelet—isn't that obvious?

At this very moment, hearing this conversation, Cui Mingjiu felt numb all over—this was the first time he'd heard county leaders decide on a personnel appointment so easily.

Moreover, he thought that without him, Xiushui Township couldn't function at all, but over there it's just a matter of a single sentence.

He originally thought Su Yang was going down to help them gouge out profits, but now he realizes Su Yang went there precisely to take up that position.

"You're not happy hearing this? I'll tell you, someone like you, a worm corrupting our ranks, being allowed to stay free this long is already the utmost leniency."

"Your attitude today has made Secretary Zhou very displeased, so when the procuratorate decides your sentence, they will give you special attention…"