Chapter 932

Zhou Weiguo smiled and remained silent. Then Director Kang emerged from somewhere and said, "You really aren't politically mature at all, kid."

"Oh, by the way, this is also our misunderstanding. If someone at your level were mature, that would be odd. Can't you see it from your dad's expression?"

"Old Zhou, it looks like the discussion went well—the leadership strongly approves of your policy proposal, even praising it highly."

Zhou Weiguo nodded: "More or less, though there are still many shortcomings that need improvement—for example, the barriers to foreign investment and later development."

"These need to be controllable; we can't let them turn the tables on us."

"In addition, we should encourage domestic production starting now, aiming to break international monopolies later."

Director Kang heartfeltly congratulated: "Looks like you're moving up a level, Old Zhou, to see things from a higher perspective."

Zhou Weiguo modestly replied: "Not at all; these are just future major developments, and the leadership will surely mention them before anyone else."

Director Kang said: "Cut the formalities with me; honestly, from yesterday to today the leadership has met you, a provincial-ministerial level official, and then all the way up to the third day of the Lunar New Year they haven't scheduled any meetings with other provincial-ministerial cadres."

"Besides, you've been talking for a long time; when the moment comes, Old Brother Zhou, please give me a hand."

"In his position, he becomes particularly sensitive to certain issues, and he can see more clearly the future prospects of these current provincial-ministerial officials."

Zhou Weiguo said: "Not at all—I still need your help. Oh, by the way, I'm heading to see Secretary Chen later; should I bring you something?"

Director Kang said: "Sure, sure."

"There's another event later, so I won't see you out—the car is waiting outside."

Zhou Weiguo said "see you later," then he and Su Yang left and got into the car.

After getting in the car, Zhou Weiguo said, "Let's head to Secretary Chen's."

He then leaned back in his seat and sent a message; his mood seemed better than before, and his body was now completely relaxed.

He looked at the confused Su Yang and said: "I'm bringing you along for a few things; you should pay attention and learn from them."

"Just like when Director Kang offered all those congratulations earlier—I naturally need to respond, so I'm conveying his greetings to Secretary Chen."

"You don't need me to tell you which Secretary Chen this is, right?"

Su Yang stared ahead, silent.

Zhou Weiguo chuckled: "You're pretty alert, kid, but it's not needed—this car is specially built so the front can't hear anything from the back; didn't you notice that glass partition?"

Su Yang then whispered: "Could it be the Shanghai official?"

Zhou Weiguo said: "Who else could it be?"

"I still don't get why we don't need an appointment to see Secretary Chen—normally I'd have booked these in advance, following his schedule."

Su Yang pondered and said: "Maybe it's because you just came from the leadership after a lengthy talk, and Secretary Chen's side will now regard your visit more seriously."

Zhou Weiguo said: "Your mind is still sharp—not bad. I just came from the leadership after a long discussion, and the leadership saw me earlier today, so Secretary Chen likely knows as well."

"So even at his level, he wants to find out what I and the leadership talked about."

"So as long as he isn't briefing the top leader right now, he'll definitely meet me."

Su Yang fully agreed; this is exactly what Old Zhou just meant by "the big picture comes first."

Then Old Zhou went on: "You're really my good luck charm, kid. Just now you brought up medical insurance—I'd had some awareness of it before, but I never thought it through deeply because my work is so varied and hectic that I hadn't really considered reforming it."

"But you, you instantly opened my eyes—though you pointed it out a little late, at the leadership's meeting, and the credit ended up going to you."

Su Yang quickly said: "Dad, I'm not keeping it from you on purpose—it's just that we had hardly any time; you only returned last night, we met this afternoon, exchanged a few words, then the leadership called us here, and there was no chance to mention it on the way."

Zhou Weiguo laughed heartily, his laughter full of relief: "Do you really think I care about this so-called credit? Actually not— in the leadership's view, compared to someone in my position, they value young people like you more."

"Going forward, the cadre ranks will grow younger; the organization will promote based on ability rather than seniority, and when abilities are equal, younger people will be preferred."

"The reason the leadership could talk with me for so long just now is because you brought up the medical insurance issue. From what I heard, they will likely call a meeting right away, then after the meeting ask relevant scholars and experts to study and verify it repeatedly; if it works, they'll pilot it after this year's two sessions."

"To be honest, I've gotten lucky again thanks to you; your mind works in ways I can't fathom, and frankly my precious daughter's insight is truly unique."

As he spoke, Old Zhou's face involuntarily showed a hint of pride—this pride was a high praise for Zhou Ruohan's vision.

Su Yang immediately launched into a string of flattery: "Dad, look at what you're saying—if it weren't for Ruohan, I wouldn't have had the chance to meet you; without your guidance, I'd probably still be stuck in Huatian Town, unable to free myself, and wouldn't have time to think about these things."

"In short, it's all thanks to your care and support that I have this opportunity."

"Of course, much of it is what I've learned from you."

Zhou Weiguo laughed, somewhat losing composure: "Come on, can you be a bit sincere? It's just the two of us here, and you're still laying on the flattery."

"To be honest, if it's really possible, I'd still prefer you use that flattery with a normal united team of comrades—they'd be more receptive to such talk and more likely to indulge themselves."

"If that's the case, you should change your nickname 'officialdom assassin'; although the leadership just praised your approach, they haven't endorsed that bad reputation."

"When we get to Secretary Chen's later, I'm sure you won't be nervous—if he has any questions, just speak freely; I've got your back."

"Besides, I get along well with Secretary Chen, so you can just think of it as meeting an uncle."

Su Yang's heart churned again; Old Zhou truly conceals his abilities! No wonder he's risen rapidly these past two years—he not only gets along extremely well with new elites like Old Fang, but also maintains a smooth relationship with Shanghai's Secretary Chen.

"Moreover, Shanghai is different from other places; its top leader stands for something that goes without saying."

Old Zhou apparently also saw Su Yang's shock and said: "Actually there's nothing surprising about it—I never told you before, but I previously worked together with Secretary Chen."

At that time we were comrades in the same team, but at that time he served as Municipal Party Committee Secretary in the provincial capital city and was also a member of the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee; I was merely an ordinary Vice Mayor, so counting back he should be my former leader.