Chapter 107: Information Obtained During New Year's Visit

  Liu Mu seemed to be a catalyst, from December 18th to December 22nd, Xu Shaojie's dormitory was like a revolving lantern, with the heads of various units coming one after another to pay their respects.

  The first to arrive was the stationmaster of the tobacco station, who had taken office in the second half of last year and had a good relationship with the district committee and district government leaders. Just as Xu Shaojie was about to enter his dormitory, he saw the stationmaster waiting at the door, holding a black plastic bag.

  The stationmaster was very polite, always with a smile on his face, saying that he represented all the cadres and staff of the tobacco station to pay New Year's greetings to Xu Shaojie, thanking Xu Shaojie for his care for the tobacco station over the past year. The achievements of the tobacco station were very good and received praise from the municipal tobacco company, which was inseparable from the leadership and support of the district committee and Xu Shaojie.

  After the tobacco station master left, Xu Shaojie opened the plastic bag, inside which were four packs of Zhonghua cigarettes, a bulging envelope containing 5,000 yuan, and Xu Shaojie took a deep breath, this was the largest red envelope he had ever received.

  Afterwards, many station heads came, all to pay New Year's greetings. They all said the same thing: work can't be done without the leader's support and care. Since it's about to be the new year, they came to pay early respects, hoping that next year the leader will place more importance on this.

  Finally, Zhao Deli came, and before Xu Shaojie could speak, Zhao Deli smiled and said that the cement plant is now a district-level unit, and it's necessary to visit the leaders. Not coming would be ignorant of the situation. The cement plant has very good benefits due to the leader's attention and support, and all cadres and employees are grateful to the district committee and government.

  The gifts from the cement plant are exactly the same as those from the tobacco station. Xu Shaojie couldn't help but think, "It can't be that coincidental, right?" However, during this Spring Festival, Xu Shaojie's income was too substantial. If it were just his salary, he wouldn't know how many years it would take to earn that much. The total cash from the station's New Year's greetings exceeded 200,000 yuan, and there were also a lot of cigarettes. There weren't many people who sent wine, probably because it was too heavy. Besides, leaders drink all year round, so during the Spring Festival, they must be afraid of getting drunk.

  On the 23rd of the twelfth lunar month, Xu Shaojie left Yudu District. He still had a task to complete: visiting Secretary Zhao Deling and Mayor Xu Yunfei for New Year's greetings. Originally, it wasn't just these two people, but after discussing with Zhang Shiqiu, Xu Shaojie decided to visit the secretary and mayor, while Zhang Shiqiu would take care of the rest. However, Zhang Shiqiu didn't think this through - in district and town affairs, shouldn't the main leader be the one to make an appearance? This was a great opportunity to build relationships! Unexpectedly, Xu Shaojie only took responsibility for visiting the secretary and mayor, leaving Zhang Shiqiu unprepared. What ensued was a flurry of activity. Originally thinking he could take a break in two days' time, now he would have to stay in the city for several more days. Nevertheless, this was a good thing - Zhang Shiqiu couldn't be happier.

  All the cigarettes and white wine have been packed in paper boxes, Xu Shaojie won't put them in the dormitory, not afraid of ten thousand but afraid of one in ten thousand, if someone enters the dormitory, taking away the cigarettes and wine is a small matter, spreading it out will have a bad influence, including the pig trotters sent by Zhao Deli, Dong Guihua, Liu Mu and Song Tao, etc., are all placed in the Jeep, and taken away together.

  Back home, when everything was unloaded, Xu Shaojie found two extra pig trotters, which were sent by Yang Chen. With the additional pig trotters, Xu Shaojie wouldn't be using his Jeep for the Spring Festival trip back home; he had already arranged with Zhang Shaocai to use the company car. Xu Shaojie took out two packs of Zhonghua cigarettes and handed them over to Yang Chen, telling him to take them back and smoke them during the New Year. Yang Chen refused repeatedly, until Xu Shaojie lost his temper, at which point Yang Chen finally accepted the cigarettes and left in the car.

  Zhang Xiaoyu looked at the things placed in the house, smiling, these pig trotters are enough to eat for a year, however, when Xu Shaojie returns home for the new year, he still needs to bring some back. Zhang Xiaoyu is so happy because her father-in-law and mother-in-law came from the village and gave her two pig trotters.

  "Xiao Yu, here is 5,000 yuan, take it."

  Zhang Xiaoyu looked at the bulging envelope and didn't dare reach out.

  "I don't want it, it's too expensive, I don't need it."

  "Take this, Xiaoyu, listen to me. When you celebrate the New Year, don't stay here, go back home and take a look around. If you want to buy something, use this money to buy it. You've been away from home for many years, it's time to go back and visit. Don't be stingy with money, your parents have had a hard life. Buy more things, I'll ask your older brother to arrange a car to send you back. This time, stay at home for a few more days, your daughter should also meet her grandparents. Besides, you should also go take a look at Huaguan Village, the situation there is completely different now."

  Zhang Xiaoyu took over the envelope, lowered her head, and had tears in her eyes.

  "Alright, Xiaoyu, take whatever you need from these things."

  Zhang Xiaoyu threw herself into Xu Shaojie's arms.

  "Xiao Jie, I've taken the money, don't worry about the things, you can take them all back home. My family's conditions are not good, what we need most is money, so it's enough for me to bring some money back."

  "Uh, Xiaoyu, from now on, go back home every year to take a look, no matter what happens, you have to go back home for the New Year."

  At night, Xu Shaojie called Zhao Deling. Zhao Deling was not at home. After asking for instructions, it was confirmed that he would go to Secretary Zhao's office the next afternoon to report on his work. After hanging up the phone, Xu Shaojie hesitated for a moment and dialed Xu Yunfei's phone number. The call went through, and Xu Shaojie felt some regret. It was too late to hesitate now.

  Xu Yunfei was at home, Xu Shaojie was overjoyed and set off with a plastic bag.

  Xu Yunfei's home was very tidy, Xu Shaojie knew he couldn't delay, there were many people visiting the leader's house at night, so as not to be seen, he said briefly, anyway, it was just to thank Mayor Xu for his care and guidance in Yudu District, representing the district committee and district government to pay New Year's greetings to Mayor Xu, hoping that Mayor Xu would continue to take care of Yudu District.

  Xu Yunfei's face always wore a smile.

  "Little Xu, you've done a great job this year, I'm really going to miss you. Secretary Zhao isn't home now, but he'll be back tomorrow. When the time comes, have a good talk with him. Yudou District is very famous now, and after the new year, many districts and towns will come to learn from us. The municipal party committee and government have decided to develop large-scale vegetable greenhouses throughout the city. Haha, you've been busy for a year, and during the Spring Festival, Secretary Zhao and I are going to be extremely busy, with everyone looking for us everywhere."

  Xu Shaojie felt somewhat bewildered, but still opened his mouth to speak.

  "The district is also annoyed, the credit union always finds us, thinking of continuing to lend to farmers, we have repeatedly said that now it is the municipal party committee and government unified coordination."

  "Look, I said why it's so busy, it turns out it's your credit. The bank and the credit union are both going to lift up Secretary Zhao and me. Everyone wants to make a loan and won't let go of this business. We're now having a headache."

  Xu Shaojie quickly got up and bid farewell, with a plastic bag under the tea table containing four packs of Zhonghua cigarettes and 5,000 yuan. Xu Shaojie was worried that it was less, but Zhang Shiqiu was full of confidence, saying that this was already a lot, as in previous years they were only 2,000 yuan, and this year there was more due to the cement plant.

  Xu Shaojie couldn't forget Xu Yunfei's words, and he didn't know what it meant. Was he going to leave now? It had only been a year and a half, and at least there were still six months left. Was he going back to the municipal party committee office? All night, Xu Shaojie didn't sleep well. When Zhang Xiaoyu woke up in the middle of the night, she saw that Xu Shaojie was still awake and thought something was wrong. Xu Shaojie smiled and said it was nothing, just that he had to go to the municipal party secretary's office tomorrow.

  When entering Zhao Deling's office, Xu Shaojie felt a sense of unusual meaning, and Zhao Deling's eyes were not right.

  Zhao Deling had been waiting in the office for a while. After Xu Shaojie's phone call, Zhao Deling remembered Ding Yuan Secretary's words.

  "Xu Shaojie returned to the municipal party committee office last year, but achieving today's results in Yudu District is not easy. When it comes to arranging the team, you should seek Xu Shaojie's opinion more often. The situation in Yudu District is special, so don't make casual adjustments. I think you should just follow Xu Shaojie's opinion, he truly wants Yudu District to develop."

  Xu Shaojie is capable, and Zhao Deling really can't bear to part with him. However, once Xu Shaojie returns to the municipal party committee office, it must be a promotion, and no one can stop Xu Shaojie's promotion. Therefore, Zhao Deling prepared for an entire morning to have a good talk with Xu Shaojie.

  "Xiao Xu, you've done a great job in Yudu District! In just one year, Yudu District has undergone such significant changes."

  "Secretary Zhao, what I've done is still not enough. The changes in Yudou District are not significant, mainly some changes have taken place in Huaguan Village, and I need to continue working hard."

  "Haha, results are just results. The municipal party committee and government are very grateful to you because of your outstanding work. The municipal party committee and government were commended by the provincial party committee, and Secretary Ding Yuan decided to recommend Huaian City to receive commendation from the provincial party committee."

  "Secretary Zhao, these are all things I should be doing."

  Xu Shaojie certainly knew that this was the result of the last municipal agricultural work conference.

  "Xiao Xu, what do you think about the team configuration of Yudu District? You were sent by the Huaiyang Municipal Party Committee Office and will eventually return. I believe you must have thought it through."

  Xu Shaojie was shocked, thinking for a night, and now he finally knew that he had to leave Yudu District. He would soon return to the municipal party committee office. Unexpectedly, it was so fast. After the new year, he was still preparing to make a big move on the issue of the team. Xu Shaojie had considered this problem long ago. At this time, Xu Shaojie wouldn't be polite. Yudu District must develop steadily.

  "Secretary Zhao, I have given it some thought. Yudu District is just getting started and the team is generally good. I suggest that Zhang Shikui take over as Secretary of the District Committee, Huang Guangming take over as District Governor, Ma Gong from the Municipal Cement Factory be transferred to work in Yudu District as Deputy Secretary of the District Committee, Sun Jianbo who has worked in Yudu District for a long time can be transferred to work in a municipal unit, Organization Committee member Han Guowei take over as Deputy Secretary of the District Committee, Yudu Cement Factory Director Zhao Deli take over as Member and Vice Governor of the District Committee, concurrently serving as Cement Factory Director, Yu Lin Township Party Committee Secretary Dong Guihua take over as Organization Committee member, Yu Lin Township Mayor Liu Mu take over as Vice Governor, concurrently serving as Yu Lin Township Party Committee Secretary. This way, the team adjustment is not big, and it can facilitate all work to proceed smoothly."

  "Uh-huh, the Municipal Committee also has such considerations, it seems that you are really for the development of Yudu District."

  "Secretary Zhao, I'd like to ask you, if it's convenient for you, could you tell me when I can return to the municipal party committee office?"

  "Haha, Little Xu, I'm really reluctant to part with you. You're young and capable, but the top needs you more. Originally, I was thinking of supporting you in making a big impact in Yudu District after the new year, but now it seems there's no chance. In the future, don't forget about our Huai'an City."

  "Secretary Zhao, I'm not very good at taking jokes, don't tease me, okay?"

  "Haha, such a big thing, how could I be joking? You'll be back to work at the Huaiyang Municipal Party Committee office soon. I also just received the news this morning, you're supposed to report for duty before the new year."

  Xu Shaojie left Zhao Deling's office in a daze, this was too fast. He had thought that after the new year, Zhao Deling wouldn't joke about such things, and he would leave Yudu District before then. For the first time, Xu Shaojie thought that if he left later, he could make Yudu District better.

  Xu Shaojie was on his way when he received a call from the district government office.

  "Director Huang, is there something?"

  "Secretary Xu, I just received a notice from the Huaiyang Municipal Party Committee Office, asking you to arrive at the Municipal Organization Department before 5 pm this afternoon."

  "What did you say?"

  "No, it's just asking you to go to the Municipal Committee Organization Department."

  Xu Shaojie didn't say a word, the district office must have spread it out already, such things can't be kept secret. Xu Shaojie hung up the phone and looked at his watch, it was past 3 o'clock. Soon, the phone rang again, this time it was Zhao Deliang calling personally.

  "Haha, Secretary Xu, you just left and we received the notification. I'm sure you've already received it too. This afternoon, Old Lü and I discussed and decided to treat you to dinner, as a way of celebrating your return. Also, Zhang Shiqiu and Huang Guangming must be in the city, right? I'll have the office notify them. Congratulations on returning to the municipal party committee office!"

  "Thank you, Secretary Zhao. I just received a notice from the office that I need to go to the Municipal Organization Department at 5 o'clock, but I don't know what it's about yet. However, you've already told me."

  "Hehe, Secretary Xu, what's up? Let's talk about it over lunch."

  It's still early, so Xu Shaojie went home directly. Perhaps because of Xu Shaojie's unsatisfactory expression, Zhang Xiaoyu hurriedly stretched out her hand to touch his forehead, everything was normal. Last night Xu Shaojie had insomnia and today his complexion wasn't good, making Zhang Xiaoyu anxious. Seeing Zhang Xiaoyu's worried expression, Xu Shaojie could only say that his work position might change and he would leave Yudu District. He found out the news in the afternoon. Zhang Xiaoyu was a bit tense; in her eyes, being the district party secretary was already a big deal.