Chapter 773: Guidance from the Old Father‑in‑Law

Su Yang was deeply moved in his heart; originally, this kind of matter was completely unprofitable for Old Zhou's position, and even unnecessary.

Taking a step back, as long as Old Zhou is present, no one would truly dare to act against him openly. Comrade Old Zhou still chose to step in and help, truly a good father‑in‑law of the nation!

But before he could feel moved for even a few seconds, Comrade Old Zhou added, "However, in the end these matters still have to be decided by Secretary Sha's side; you should go directly to Secretary Sha and tell him."

Su Yang almost choked on the spot; after a good half hour, he finally said, "Dad, you're really overestimating me. I'm just a small Deputy Division-level cadre; if we were discussing a town mayor or even a town Party Committee secretary, perhaps I could participate in the capacity of a County Standing Committee Member, but this is a Municipal Party Committee Standing Committee, and you're telling me to go directly to Secretary Sha—that's making me look good, isn't it? Moreover, doing it this way seems inappropriate and doesn't conform to Cultivation Organization procedures."

Old Zhou said with a smile, "Cultivation Organization procedures are Cultivation Organization procedures, and human affairs are human affairs. One day you'll have to blend into this Jingcheng circle. In the Jingcheng circle, these young masters and princesses, even at your age and without any official posts, can arrange a mayor‑secretary of a non‑provincial‑capital city in a western province just by moving their lips."

"Does it sound absurd? Yet that's the reality. I have always detested this whole system, seeing it as a violation of Cultivation Organization procedures, but in fact, within the Within the System's great dye‑pot, many things cannot be changed by a single person. Sometimes, compromise must be made."

"However, even so, when such matters arise in the future, you must first comprehensively analyze the other party's character, integrity, and ability before considering whether to help."

"Although this is a form of compromise, it is not without limits or principles. If those who are clearly illegal or severely lacking in character and integrity, who rely solely on connections, currying favor with superiors to climb, then you must refuse decisively."

"Now that you've reached the County Division-level, you're no longer fighting alone; you should have your own circle and network. Still, it's better to do fewer of these things; even when you want to help others, it must be within your own capability range. That's all I have to say. Tomorrow, go directly to the provincial capital to see Secretary Sha; later I'll send you Secretary Sha's secretary's phone number."

Old Zhou hung up after speaking.

At that moment, Qiao Yindi said beside him, "You really are something; why make it hard on the kid? These matters could have been settled by just telling Secretary Sha, yet you force him to make a trip—imagine the psychological pressure on him. Moreover, isn't this kind of thing commonplace Within the System? You're even putting him on a higher line. Besides, you already knew these people's character, didn't you?"

Old Zhou laughed, "People say mothers‑in‑law cherish their sons‑in‑law, and that's truly the case. Su Yang may be a raw jade, but he still needs polishing. I want him to understand that it's not that you can't get things done without connections, but that it depends on who you're helping and what you're doing. And having connections doesn't mean you can do anything you want."

"Of course I don't want to constrain him, to make him bound and tied, shackled by those rules. In short, one thing: don't let him pick up the flaws of those young people in the Jingcheng circle, and don't be too rigid, overly relying on principles and regulations. Otherwise, even with me here, at this position, his upward path would be very difficult."

"Especially, listen to his current reputation: he's gone from being a political arena assassin to 'those who follow me prosper, those who oppose me perish.' If the leadership and comrades up and down are not united, his future road will only get narrower, eventually with no way out."

Qiao Yindi added, "You still say I'm favoring Su Yang; seems you've put a lot of thought into this. In my memory, you always wore a stern face, never helping family or acquaintances. When Ruo Han was still at the Civil Affairs Department, competing from Deputy Section Level to Section Chief Level, I never saw you speak a word. It's a pity your precious daughter is now trying to change her status; if she were still at the grassroots, just watch how she would complain about you and that would be it."

Old Zhou said seriously, "I still have principles, unlike some people who are utterly without principle or limits. Moreover, this kid Su Yang knows what's important; indeed, he is wholeheartedly intent on serving the Common People, serving the people. With that mindset, I feel much more grounded. The reason I let him go to see Old Sha himself is to let him bear this pressure, to let him know that pleading on someone's behalf isn't that easy."

Early the next morning, Chen Bo arrived at the hotel early to wait for Su Yang, intending to go together with Su Yang and the others to the Organization Department, then take the Organization Department's vehicle together into the county.

Su Yang thought for a moment, first followed to the Organization Department, and after meeting Minister Lu, he said he wanted to go to the provincial capital today.

Minister Lu's eyes lit up at this, "You're going to see Governor Huang, or what?"

Su Yang said, "Well, roughly that, it's also the matter you mentioned yesterday. Last night I communicated with Governor Zhou, but I think I should still go to the Provincial Party Committee. After all, at my current rank handling such a big matter, merely doing it over the phone feels disrespectful to the leaders. So I'd like to ask you for leave; I'll try to be back early this afternoon."

Minister Lu said, "Look at what you say, going to the Provincial Party Committee is a big deal, and the leaders are all busy. If you can't get an appointment today, schedule it for tomorrow or the day after; there's no rush to rush back to the county. Doesn't the County Party Committee have other people? I'm confident they can manage in the short term, and for the next two days I'll stay in your county, waiting for you to return, so you can at least be at ease, right?"

Leaders are leaders; it's clear Su Yang is going to the provincial capital to handle matters for him, and he should repay Su Yang, but his lofty words made it seem like he was helping Su Yang. Though one shouldn't be too pedantic about this, he quickly thanked, "Thank you, Minister Lu."

Their conversation was entirely open, not behind Chen Bo's back; when Chen Bo heard that Su Yang was going to the provincial capital to meet the Provincial Party Committee leaders, his watery eyes widened roundly. Of course he knew Su Yang had connections above, and he knew who Su Yang's leaders in the province were.

But under normal circumstances, someone of this rank meeting Provincial Party Committee leaders would be in a private setting; directly going to the Provincial Party Committee or Provincial Government makes it very formal. Imagine, he is also a Deputy Division-level cadre, at most he would report to the Municipal Party Committee or Municipal Government leadership. For someone of this rank to go into the province, that would require extremely strong connections.

At the same time, she resolved to unite behind Su Yang in the future, closely follow his steps, so that on the road of serving the people she can go farther and more solidly.