Fifty-Third Stroke: Not Giving Face

  Please vote for this book and support Nan Xian's writing, thank you!

  Tang Guoqiang pondered for a moment, then said: "As it happens, the Municipal Propaganda Department has issued a notice. On September 6th, the Municipal Propaganda Department and the Municipal Public Security Bureau will jointly hold an awards ceremony to commend you, Zhang Liping, Liu Bing, and others for your heroic actions in killing the 'Two Lis' and ridding the people of harm. The notice was just received this afternoon, and it will be sent to the Mashan Township Party Committee tomorrow morning. At that time, I'll take you with me to see Secretary Gu and listen to his instructions."

  Ye Ziran hastily nodded in agreement: "Okay, I'll follow Comrade Tang's arrangement." He knew that Tang Guoqiang must have a well-thought-out plan for bringing him to meet Secretary Gu, and although he was close to Tang, their positions were vastly different, so there were some things that couldn't be asked or said.

  Tang Guoqiang picked up his teacup and took a sip of tea, casually asking: "Are you still eating at Ye Lao's house every day?"

  Ye Ziran nodded and said: "As long as it's in Changsha, I'll go there every day."

  Tang Guoqiang smiled slightly and asked: "Do you know Ye Lao's identity?"

  Ye Zhen shook his head and said: "I only know that Ye Lao's status is not low, but what position he held before stepping down I'm not clear about." He paused for a moment, then asked tentatively: "Secretary Tang, do you know?"

  Tang Guoqiang looked at him and didn't seem to be lying, so he really didn't know. He smiled and said: "I heard that Ye Lao was the top leader of the NJ Military Region before, although he has retired now, but he is still a member of the Central Advisory Commission."

  Ye Ziran was shocked to hear the words, and he explained that the Central Advisory Commission was a transitional central institution established after the 12th Party Congress. Members had to have 40 years of party seniority and have made significant contributions to national construction. Ye Ziran had some guesses about Ye Lao's identity, but he still felt surprised when he heard it. He couldn't help but say with reverence: "Ye Lao was in a high position, but after retiring, he didn't cling to power at all, and he was willing to live a peaceful life in Changsha. It's really hard to imagine for those who don't know the situation."

  Tang Guoqiang looked up at him and said calmly, "I heard that Old Ye is a general who always wins on the battlefield, but his temper isn't very sociable. You can get along with him so well, it's out of the ordinary."

  Ye didn't deliberately recall the process of getting to know and becoming familiar with Ye Lao, but the whole process seemed to be natural and effortless. As for why Ye Lao was so aloof in nature, yet they could get along like old friends at first sight, it can only be explained by "fate". He thought about it and also found it strange that Ye Lao, with such a high status, could participate in bridge games like an ordinary retired worker, getting along with everyone, and in daily life, he was very kind to ordinary people, without any so-called "not fitting in" at all.

  Ye Ziran replied, "Secretary Tang, I can only say that Ye Lao and I have a good affinity. We've always gotten along naturally. I treat him like an elder, and he treats me like a younger generation with whom he can discuss anything. I did think that he might have had a higher status or position in the past, but I don't want to grow up under his protection. Having you as my mentor and leader is already enough for me to grow healthily in officialdom."

  Tang Guoqiang smiled and said, "Although it's like that, it also can't be separated from your own ability and efforts." After thinking for a moment, he added, "As for Ye Lao, don't distance yourself or get too close to him just because you know his identity now. It's best to maintain the current relationship."

  Ye Ziran understood that Tang Shuji was doing it for his own good, and with the existence of Old Ye, even if he didn't lend a hand in the future, anyone who wanted to bully him would have to think twice. He sincerely accepted Tang Guoqiang's opinion: "Tang Shuji, I understand, I will respect him as before, neither more nor less."

  Tang Guoqiang said with relief: "This is for the best."

  The two of them chatted, and before they knew it, time had passed quickly. After a while, Tang Hong came out of the study room and said to Ye Zhenran: "Brother Ye, I'm going to read books tomorrow, so I'll go sleep now, bye."

  "Alright, I should be going too, I completely forgot about the time."

  Tang Hong smiled and went in. Tang Guoqiang beckoned to him and said, "Xiao Ye, slow down, there's something else." When Ye Zhenran sat back on the sofa, he said, "This year is an election year for the change of term, and in November, Jianan City will start the change of term."

  Ye Ziran's face lit up with joy and asked: "Secretary Tang, is it possible for you to take another step forward?"

  Tang Guoqiang shook his head and said: "I've only been the county party secretary for a few months? At least I have to serve out this term before there's any possibility of making a move, and besides, it's not easy for me to take this step."

  Ye Ziran let out a disappointed "oh".

  Tang Guoqiang said: "The township-level election in Changjia County is scheduled for early November, and the team of Mashixiang needs to be adjusted. During this period, you must do a good job and cannot make any mistakes."

  Ye Ziran's heart skipped a few beats upon hearing this, could it be that he had the opportunity to advance further? This was somewhat sudden, after all, his tenure as deputy village head was still short.

  He couldn't help but hesitate and say: "Secretary Tang, I will do my own job well and not make mistakes. However, I have been a member of the party committee and deputy head of the township for less time than you..."

  Secretary Tang smiled and said: "So I say you are a lucky general. Firstly, you made up for Lin Xiangzhang's deficiency, which can also be considered as serving as a deputy township head; secondly, after striking down the 'two Lis', you received praise from provincial and municipal leaders, bringing honor and fame to Jianan City, especially Changjiang County, with extraordinary encounters; thirdly, the promotion of section-level cadres does not have the strict requirements for seniority like that of department-level cadres."

  Although Ye Ziran was excited, he remained calm and said: "Thank you, Secretary Tang. I will definitely be strict with myself and not give anyone a reason to suppress me."

  Tang Secretary saw Ye Ziran still so calm at this time, feeling very satisfied. Details can often reveal a cadre's character. This little Ye has great potential for cultivation!

  Things developed unexpectedly, and the next day, Tang Guoqiang had just instructed Hu Secretary to send out the notice of the commendation meeting of the Municipal Propaganda Department when he received a call from Wang Wenrong, Deputy Secretary-General of Jianan City Government, saying that Yin Shengli, Deputy Director of the Provincial Planning Commission, would come to Changjiang County for inspection this afternoon, accompanied by Yu Hongjun, Executive Vice Mayor of the city government.

  It really came quickly!

  Tang Guoqiang immediately notified the emergency convening of the county party committee and county government's second-level cadre meeting, reporting on the situation of the provincial and municipal government leaders' visit to Changsha in the afternoon. The main reception work was assigned to the county government, which is a matter of course, and Yin Mingquan had nothing to say.

  This reception work, the secretary and relevant personnel of the municipal government communicated directly to confirm the exact departure time of the leaders from Jianan. Tang Guoqiang brought a full set of four teams from the county party committee, county government, people's congress, and CPPCC to meet at the county boundary.

  Leaders of all sizes in the county arrived at the county boundary, and within half an hour, the city government's motorcade arrived. Yu Deputy Mayor accompanied Yin Deputy Director to meet the welcoming team in front of Changja, introducing: "This is Comrade Yin Shengli, Deputy Director of the Provincial Planning Commission, representing the provincial government to inspect work in Changja."

  Tang Guoqiang hastily stepped forward and shook hands with Director Yin: "I am Tang Guoqiang, Secretary of Changjia County Party Committee. Welcome to the provincial leaders and municipal leaders to guide our work in Changjia."

  As expected, the four sets of leaders from Changja County came to greet them. Director Yin was always polite, but when he shook hands with Secretary Tang, he just said lightly, "You've worked hard," and quickly withdrew his hand.

  Tang Guoqiang stepped forward and shook hands with Yu Deputy Mayor, saying: "Welcome Mayor Wang to Changsha to guide the work."

  Yin Shengli came to Chang Jia, since Wang Wen wanted to accompany him, Tang Guoqiang knew that Yu Deputy Mayor and Yin Deputy Director were of the same system. Sure enough, Mayor Wang also said lightly: "Secretary Tang worked hard."

  Tang Guoqiang introduced the county leaders who came to greet them one by one to the two superior leaders.

  Yin Shengli is a good showman, when he walked in front of Yin Mingquan, he changed his face and shook hands with County Mayor Yin, not afraid to flatter him, saying: "County Mayor Yin, I know you have strong work ability, since you took over as the first-in-command of the government, all the work has been carried out very solidly."

  Next, when Vice Mayor Yu shook hands with Yin Mingquan, he also intentionally prolonged the time. This is of course to show that among the leaders of the county party committee and government, they attach the most importance to County Magistrate Yin Mingquan, rather than County Party Secretary Tang Guoqiang.

  Leaders need to release some kind of signal, and there are many ways to do it, so don't worry that the lower-level officials won't understand the situation.

  Yin Shengli also shook hands with the principal of the People's Congress, the chairman of the CPPCC, the deputy secretary of the county party committee and other leaders. When he came to the front of Vice County Mayor Ma Tiancheng, something happened. Yin Shengli deliberately ignored Ma Tiancheng who had already stretched out his hand and skipped him directly to shake hands with the next leader. This signal was too strong, and Ma Tiancheng's face changed at that moment.

  Tang Guoqiang hastily signaled to him with his eyes, but in his heart he was also indignant for County Magistrate Ma. Between leaders, even if there are great differences, the etiquette on the scene must be taken into account. Deputy Director Yin's approach undoubtedly slapped County Magistrate Ma in the face, and this method is a bit shameless.

  Tang Guoqiang knew that Vice Director Yin deliberately embarrassed County Magistrate Ma, and it was nothing more than the fact that he felt County Magistrate Ma no longer supported him. As the executive vice county magistrate, he only listened to Tang Guoqiang's instructions and ignored Vice Director Yin, making him a mere figurehead. At this time, Tang Guoqiang realized that when Vice Director Yin took office, he came to Changjia, a small place like this, with the purpose of re-establishing his nephew Yin Mingquan's authority. Meanwhile, he took the opportunity to shift the target of suppression directly to Ma Tiancheng, rather than himself, Tang Guoqiang.

  People like Yin Deputy Director, who have no hope of promotion and are in a high position, will easily make people lose face once they become shameless. Such people only act on their own preferences. Fortunately, Yu Deputy Mayor is not as overbearing as him, and shook hands with Ma County Magistrate without making any noise, and there was no obvious difference.

  After shaking hands with the main leaders, everyone returned to the car and headed towards Changja County Government.

  Before entering the conference room, Tang Guoqiang patted Ma Xianchang's shoulder to show comfort and support. Both of them knew that at the upcoming meeting, Vice Director Yin would continue to suppress Tang and Ma while promoting County Chief Yin.

  It's really good.