Chapter 146: The Suspended Adjustment

  After the Spring Festival, Ding Yuan's attitude became more and more gentle. Xu Shaojie knew that Secretary Ding had already begun to prepare for a peaceful transition. When convening the municipal party committee meeting, Secretary Ding's speech was noticeably shorter, mostly seeking everyone's opinions.

  Zhang Shikui, Huang Guangming, Zhao Deli, Dong Guihua, Liu Mu, Song Tao and Yang Chen, etc., still came to pay New Year's greetings to Xu Shaojie. They were still spirited and vigorous, but their positions had changed, making it difficult for them to know about the changes in the upper echelons. Xu Shaojie wouldn't tell them these things either. In fact, Xu Shaojie even envied them a little - the less they knew, the happier they would be. However, Xu Shaojie felt somewhat guilty towards Yang Chen. Yang Chen had once said that when Xu Shaojie went to work in the county and city, he would follow him together. Xu Shaojie didn't know if he could fulfill Yang Chen's wish now, but judging from the current situation, it seemed very difficult.

  Xu Shaojie was clear that, as usual, after the beginning of the year, there would be a personnel adjustment. In any case, Ding Yuan was still the municipal party secretary. This personnel adjustment should still be centered around Secretary Ding Yuan. Since Xu Guangkun went to the Provincial People's Congress to serve as deputy director, Xu Shaojie found that Secretary Ding Yuan had become more decisive and no longer necessarily considered or took care of the opinions of the municipal government.

  At the beginning of the year, Xu Shaojie felt that there were endless meetings to attend. For several days in a row, from morning till night, he was attending meetings about spring plowing and production, family planning, social security, safe production, party conduct and clean government construction, agriculture and rural areas, etc. All these tasks required careful consideration and discussion. However, the meetings were not just one person talking; everyone had to speak up. Xu Shaojie thought that some of the comments were completely unnecessary and repetitive, wasting time and causing mental fatigue.

  The endless meetings finally subsided a bit, and Xu Shaojie also felt annoyed. In his opinion, many meetings didn't need to take so long and could be concluded quickly. Xu Shaojie admired Secretary Ding Yuan's ability to remain calm and composed while listening to countless nonsense.

  One day in early March, Secretary Ding Yuan was working in his office.

  These days, Xu Shaojie felt even more unusual, perhaps because of the upcoming personnel adjustments. Lu Changzheng went to Secretary Ding Yuan's office several times, and Xu Shaojie and Qian Dazhi also discussed personnel adjustments when they were together. Both were very cautious. At present, the situation in Huaiyang City is confusing, and no one knows what will happen to Secretary Ding Yuan. As long as Ding Yuan is still in Huaiyang City, he can decide the political fate of lower-level cadres. As for the main responsible persons of the county and municipal party committees and governments, including the main responsible persons of the municipal units, they often come to report on their work, and sometimes Xu Shaojie was overwhelmed with arrangements.

  Huang Haitao arrived at the municipal party committee.

  When Xujie stood up and shook hands with Huang Haitao, he felt Huang's carelessness. Xujie could only suppress the feeling in his heart. This kind of signal, Xujie was already used to it. If Huang became the municipal party secretary, Xujie would absolutely not be able to get a good position. He might really have to go ask Chen Dengxiang to transfer him to work in Xilin City. Although there was a rival, Liu Hong, it was still better than having no hope at all in Huaiyang City.

  Huang Haitao entered Secretary Ding Yuan's office. After Xu Shaojie made tea and came out, he saw that both Ding Yuan and Huang Haitao had smiles on their faces.

  Yu Huaxiang sat on the sofa, saw Xu Shaojie come in, and took out a cigarette from his body, handed one to Xu Shaojie, and the two lit up their cigarettes simultaneously.

  "Director Xu, this time you might go to the county or city to take on a leadership role, so be sure to take care of me then."

  Yu Huaxiang suddenly said such a thing, which made Xu Shaojie somewhat surprised. As for the situation in Huaiyang City, Yu Huaxiang was very clear about it. Why would he say that? Xu Shaojie thought of Li Ming and smiled on his face.

  "Director Yu smiled and said, Director Yu has more seniority than me, maybe this time he will go to the county or city to take on a major leadership role, at that time I'll still have to rely on Director Yu's care."

  "Director Xu, don't say that. I'm just following Mayor Huang to do things. The municipal party committee decided on personnel adjustments. I didn't have many extravagant ideas. I'll still be by Mayor Huang's side, doing practical work."

  Xu Shaojie's feeling became clearer, it must be that Yu Huaixiang is likely to make adjustments. Today, Huang Haitao came to find Ding Yuan Secretary, and they won't discuss other things, just the content of personnel adjustment. Yu Huaixiang has been following Huang Haitao for a long time, and according to the timing, he should also go to the county or city to take on leadership roles. Xu Shaojie, who understood the reason, no longer mentioned the matter of personnel adjustments, although it was Yu Huaixiang who brought up this matter.

  The two continued to chat, talking about the interesting things that happened during the Spring Festival. Although the Spring Festival had passed for a long time, there were still topics to talk about. Both of them came from ordinary families and had common language in this aspect. Although they served different leaders, there were still some commonalities between their personalities.

  An hour later, Huang Haitao came out of Ding Yuan's office. Ding Yuan walked to the door of the office. The expressions of both were very calm, as if nothing had been discussed in the past hour. Xu Shaojie and Yu Huixiang simultaneously felt that something was wrong. Xu Shaojie was familiar with Secretary Ding Yuan's style. When Ding Yuan insisted on a certain idea, his face would show such an expression. But Yu Huixiang's heart sank because Huang Haitao's face showed no expression, indicating that the matter was somewhat difficult and had no result.

  "Xiao Xu, you've been working a lot lately, must be exhausted,"

  "Mayor Huang, I am serving the leaders, Secretary Ding and you are busy, Director Yu and I will follow suit."

  "Haha, Little Xu can really talk, good job, you have a bright future ahead of you."

  Xu Shaojie noticed that Secretary Ding Yuan's face changed for a moment, and quickly returned to normal.

  After Huang Haitao and Yu Huaxiang left, Ding Yuan occasionally walked into Xu Shaojie's office, looking at Xu Shaojie sorting out materials, Xu Shaojie hurriedly stood up.

  "Shao Jie, you're busy, I came over to take a look, nothing's going on."

  Two minutes later, Ding Yuan returned to the office. Xu Shaojie found it a bit strange. What exactly did Huang Haitao say to Ding Yuan today? The two leaders seemed somewhat abnormal. Xu Shaojie couldn't have imagined that at this moment, Ding Yuan was having an intense internal struggle, all stemming from his conversation with Huang Haitao today.

  Huang Haitao directly mentioned the adjustment of the Shalong County team, suggesting that He Xuxiong take over as Vice Chairman of the Municipal CPPCC, Chen Dazhi take over as Secretary of the Shalong County Party Committee, Yu Huixiang take over as Acting County Governor of Shalong County, and Deputy Secretary Hou Yibing be in charge of organizational work.

  Secretary, due to age reasons, took office as county CPPCC chairman.

  Ding Yuan was slightly caught off guard, as Huang Haitao had never directly proposed personnel adjustments before, especially regarding the main leadership of Salong County. According to previous conventions, candidates were usually put forward first, mainly by Ding Yuan and Huang Haitao. If the two main leaders did not propose any candidates, Lu Changzheng and Organization Department Head Zhang Taizhong would suggest suitable candidates based on the assessment of cadres. Of course, other municipal standing committee members might also put forward their own candidates. Comprehensive consideration was given to major leadership positions, with only vice-secretaries above proposing candidates, while other standing committee members generally did not speak up, unless there were special circumstances. Each standing committee member had a county or city under their jurisdiction and would offer opinions on the team in charge of that area. This was normal procedure. Ultimately, changes to main leaders mainly depended on Ding Yuan, Huang Haitao, and Lu Changzheng.

  Huang Haitao brought up Yu Huaxiang's arrangement, which made Ding Yuan very uncomfortable. It was precisely in Shalong County that if it were any other county or city, Ding Yuan wouldn't be so agitated. Because Li Ming is the lowest-ranking deputy county head in Shalong County, one being the secretary of the municipal party committee and the other being the secretary of the mayor, this arrangement is a direct blow to Ding Yuan, no different from a slap in the face.

  Ding Yuan thought of Xu Shaojie and Li Ming's affairs, which had already passed, and could be temporarily set aside. However, Xu Shaojie's arrangements were pressing, and compared to Yu Huixiang, he had many shortcomings. His age was the biggest problem, and his experience was too shallow. If he were to be forcibly arranged as the acting county magistrate, it would be extremely difficult. Not to mention Huang Haitao, even Lu Changzheng would hesitate. Ding Yuan had already understood Xu Shaojie's choice, which was to always be with him, and there was a sense of being together until the end. Ding Yuan was moved by Xu Shaojie's choice, but did not approve of it. In official circles, one must avoid being too dependent on a single person.

  Huang Haitao's suggestion was politely declined by Ding Yuan, who tentatively mentioned Xu Shaojie's arrangement. However, Huang Haitao implied that Xu Shaojie was still young and needed more time to hone his skills, and only after gaining some experience would he be suitable for the position. Huang spoke naturally and calmly, with an tone that brooked no argument. At this point, Ding Yuan fully understood that if he left Huaiyang City, Xu Shaojie would not have a good outcome.

  Ding Yuan and Huang Haitao's discussion this time was very calm, the two seemed to be chatting about family matters, but had already clashed several times in the calmness. Ding Yuan brought up Xu Shaojie's matter, as the municipal party secretary, discussing such an arrangement with the mayor was unacceptable, it would have been impossible in the past, but Ding Yuan had to make an effort for Xu Shaojie's future. Huang Haitao refused without hesitation, seemingly indifferent to Yu Huixiang temporarily not being able to take office as the county magistrate of Salong County, he rejected the transaction conditions proposed by Ding Yuan, which was not simple, indicating that Huang Haitao already had full confidence.

  Ding Yuan, having served as the municipal party secretary for so many years, would not easily express his opinion. Since Huang Haitao disagreed with this exchange, Ding Yuan naturally refused Huang's proposed adjustment suggestions, which was nothing out of the ordinary. However, the anxiety deep within Ding Yuan's heart grew heavier and heavier. Ding Yuan even thought about forcing Xu Shaojie to take over, so that even if Huang Haitao became the municipal party secretary, it would not be easy to adjust Xu Shaojie in a short period of time. With Xu Shaojie's promotion, after leaving Huaiyang City, he might find opportunities to seek help from Chen Dengxiang, and the outcome might be better.

  Ding Yuan understood that in the officialdom, background is too important. If you say there's no relationship, re-establishing one takes a long time, but there's still a chance. However, Xu Shaojie's situation is too difficult, not only is his relationship with Huang Haitao bad, but also with Zhu Zongxiang, that's the biggest trouble.

  "Secretary Ding, regarding the personnel adjustment matter, the Organization Department has already drawn up a plan. When will you review it?"

  "Old Lu, slow down a bit. The current situation is tough, you know that too. I adjusted in the front, but soon after it changed again, making it look not serious. Everyone will have their opinions."

  "Secretary Ding, I don't think so. What needs to be adjusted should be adjusted. Whoever takes the main leadership role, there are certain principles for personnel adjustments."

  "Lao Lu, let's not talk about this matter anymore. I think you should go to the provincial city and move around a bit. With the current situation, just waiting at home will hardly bring any good results."

  Lu Changzheng silently smoked his cigarette, not speaking a word. He didn't want to take another step forward, which was crucial at this moment. In today's Huaiyang City, if Ding Yuan left and Huang Haitao took over as the municipal party secretary, unless someone from the provincial party committee came down from above, no one in Huaiyang City had more qualifications than Lu Changzheng. However, things in the official circle were hard to predict, and the most likely arrangement often wouldn't happen.

  "Lao Lu, don't think too much about it. Relationships are a very important aspect. You have this ability, you should go and actively strive for it. Between you and me, there's no need to hide or conceal anything. I will make suggestions to the provincial committee. I've worked in Huaiyang City for 6 years now, but haven't achieved much in terms of work accomplishments, which makes me feel uneasy. Now, I may have to leave this place, and I don't want to leave a mess behind either."

  "Secretary Ding, although the situation in Huaiyang City is such that many people think you will definitely leave, I don't think it's certain. You can also go to the Provincial Committee to fight for it."

  Lu Changzheng's tone was very soft, and later on, he became somewhat uncertain. Both of them were high-ranking officials and had a deep understanding of the officialdom.

  "Haha, don't mention my affairs, you think more about what I said, regarding personnel adjustments, put it aside for the time being, no adjustment will be made temporarily, and there won't be any trouble. There are some vacant positions that can be adjusted sporadically. Old Lu, do you have any other opinions?"

  "Secretary Ding, I have no other opinions on this adjustment plan, let's put it aside for now."

  The municipal party committee temporarily suspended the personnel adjustment, and soon it was spread out. Such things are almost impossible to keep confidential, and many people have been waiting with bated breath. After this news came out, some were happy, while others were disappointed. However, since the municipal party committee has already made a decision, no one can raise any other opinions, they can only obey, and work still needs to be done.

  Xu Shaojie had confirmed his own ideas, the plan for personnel adjustments must have been determined long ago, and Huang Haitao also knew about it. However, Huang Haitao suddenly raised other demands due to Yu Huixiang's affairs. Secretary Ding Yuan estimated that he did not agree, and under such circumstances, the municipal party committee temporarily suspended personnel adjustments.