Chapter 3 The Man from the Countryside

  Many people think that taking the initiative to talk to leaders is all about currying favor. In fact, it's not. Getting close to leaders and leaning on them is a sign of progress in itself. Those who don't know how to respect their leaders will never become leaders themselves. No leader promotes someone they can't control - this is a very superficial truth.

  Zhang Qingyun obviously understood this truth, and as soon as he learned that the secretary and township head had arrived, he rushed to the Xihu Hotel in the first time. Lizi Ping Township is very remote, and as a member of Lizi Ping Township, he must go to visit the leaders and help them solve their worries.

  The Xihu Hotel has already gathered a lot of people, and the leaders of various towns and villages, as well as the secretaries of each village branch, all need to attend this economic work conference, so the Xihu Hotel seems a bit noisy.

  After great efforts, Zhang Qingyun finally found the place where the cadres of Lizi Ping Township were staying. Everyone had just arrived and all the doors were open. Every time he entered a room, Zhang Qingyun would take the initiative to greet them. These were mostly branch secretaries from various villages. Zhang Qingyun had worked in Lizi Ping for two years and was familiar with everyone. After making the rounds, a box of Furongwang cigarettes was almost empty.

  Hu Lie and Wan Guoshu's house was in the innermost part. When Zhang Qingyun arrived, the two were adjusting the heating in the room.

  "Director Wan, Village Head Hu, hello! I've been waiting for you every day. Just now, Secretary Liu from the office told me you've arrived, so I rushed over. How did you manage to call me?" Zhang Qingyun said with a smile as he knocked on the door.

  "Ah, Little Zhang is here? After studying at the party school for a few days, you've made great progress, your tongue is much sharper now!" said Wan Guoshu with a smile, he was already nearly 50 years old and had limited space for promotion, so he was always very easy-going with his subordinates.

  Zhang Qingyun smiled and said, "Secretary Wan, what are you talking about? The leaders have arrived, and I didn't even come to report on my work in the county seat. That's too much. Our Lizi Ping is remote, and I came to see if there's any work that needs to be assigned to me by the two leaders. I guarantee to complete the task."

  Hu Lie glanced at Zhang Qingyun, nodded secretly, he had not paid attention to this young man before, did not expect that this young man still has some local perspective, worthy of being a person from Lizi Ping, thinking of this, he hurriedly said:

  "You know, I really do need your help with something. As you're aware, the village branch secretaries in Lizi Ping don't have a high level of education. Before this meeting, I wanted to unify everyone's understanding, but Secretary Wan and I have been very busy these past few days, so I'll leave this task to you! What do you think, Old Wan?" Hu Lie said with a smile.

  Zhang Qingyun readily agreed, of course understanding that Hu Lie's so-called unified understanding was to make the village branch secretaries' statements consistent and closely united. They shouldn't be saying different things at meetings. This village wants to develop horse-head sheep, that village wants to develop flue-cured tobacco, which would give leaders an impression that Lizi Ping is not united.

  "This will do!" said Wan Guo Shu after a moment's thought, and then his expression turned serious as he spoke to Zhang Qingyun with deep concern:

  "Xiao Zhang, you must do a good job on this task. Originally, I was going to let Liu Huan from the office do it, but his wife is about to give birth and he won't be able to come for a few days. This time, the county leadership team is going to make some adjustments, and our Lizi Ping must give the new leadership team a good impression, isn't that right?"

  Zhang Qingyun nodded seriously and said, "Secretary Wan, don't worry! I've also been working in the government for a few years, so I have a sense of what's important and what's not. However... what does the village think about this?"

  Wan Guoshu smiled and said, "Old Hu, let Xiao Zhang take a look at our report too, so he can have some idea about it."

  Zhang Qingyun took over a new annual economic work plan outline from Hu Lie, looked at it seriously for a while, and neither of the two men disturbed him. After a long time, Hu Lie said:

  "Xiao Hu, how's it going? You're a university student, after all. Neither Old Wan nor I have received higher education, so you can also offer some opinions!"

  Zhang Qingyun was slightly stunned, trying hard to think of how to phrase it. To be honest, Hu Lie's plan was quite mediocre and didn't highlight the advantages of Lizi Ping. It was a middle-of-the-road plan with no loopholes but also no highlights, and some parts were even worth discussing.

  "The report personally drafted by Director Hu is a given! It's farsighted and insightful! However, I heard that the new county head used to be in charge of the municipal rain farm area. Although our Liuziping and Yunong can't be compared in terms of conditions, we do have some commonalities! For example, tea processing and production are our common points! Director Hu, Secretary Wan, what do you think..." Zhang Qingyun said somewhat diplomatically.

  Hule and Wanguo Shu's eyes lit up as soon as they heard it, and Wanguo Shu patted his thigh, saying: "Good kid! I really underestimated you before. I didn't expect that in understanding the leader's intentions, you are actually a good hand! This suggestion is great! Lizi Ping has always been a major tea-producing area, but in recent years, there have been some natural disasters and some tea processing enterprises have not operated well, resulting in this aspect not being successful. The point you made is very good!"

  After finishing the manuscript of "Wanguo Shu", Hu Lie also repeatedly agreed, and finally the two people on the spot decided to appoint Zhang Qingyun to modify this report. For a time, the relationship between the three people immediately became much closer.

  "Ding, ding, ding!" The doorbell rang.

  The three of them turned their heads to look, and at the door stood a middle-aged man in his 40s, dressed in a neat suit, with sparse but neatly combed hair, looking very dignified.

  "Ah, Director Liu, what wind brought you here? I and Old Hu were just about to visit you!" Wan Guoshu was slightly stunned, then immediately stood up and said.

  "Director Liu?" Zhang Qingyun was taken aback, and suddenly reacted in his mind, wasn't this Director Liu of the county committee office? As soon as he thought of this, Zhang Qingyun hastily stood up to greet him.

  "Stop it, Old Wan! You'd better clean up quickly! County Magistrate Li is right next door and will be over soon." Liu Qing said with a smile.

  Wan Guo Shu and Hu Lie's faces changed, the new official took office with three fires, why did County Magistrate Li come at this time for a private visit in plain clothes?

  "Hurry! Hurry, Little Zhang, put these packages in the closet immediately and tidy up the room. Also, notify the servant to serve tea right away." Mr. Wan Guo said hastily, as he himself quickly put on the coat he had just taken off.

  "Haha, Secretary Wan, Director Hu, no need. I'm just here to take a casual look around and get acquainted with the township cadres. You all do as you please." Just as Zhang Qingyun was about to make a move, a bright and cheerful laughter came from the doorway.

  This was Zhang Qingyun's first time seeing Li Gang, he indeed looked very young, tall and slender, with fair skin and a square face, looking quite majestic. His smile was very approachable, although not old in age, but he kept a good distance from his subordinates, making people clearly feel a sense of leadership.