booktalesy Chapter 142 As we walked, our hair turned white.
Chapter 142 As we walked, our hair turned white.
Xu Youwei's transfer has been finalized.
He was transferred to a southern province to serve as the Party Secretary of a prefecture-level city.
Although both are municipal party secretaries, this is an economically developed region.
This shows that Chen Mengyan has a lot of influence.
Inter-provincial transfers involve two provinces, and require the approval of the top officials of both provinces.
Leaving aside the southern provinces, just considering Chiang Kai-shek's army, the fact that he was willing to release people shows that he was under great pressure from Beijing and had no choice but to agree to release them.
Before Xu Youwei took up his post in the south, Wu Zhiyuan went to Jiangzhou.
Xu Youwei is in good spirits.
It is indeed disheartening for a 42-year-old cadre, who is in the prime of his life, to retire in the provincial CPPCC.
Liu Qingqing's face was also filled with a relaxed smile as she busied herself preparing dinner.
Xu Yunxi was somewhat disappointed.
When the dishes were served, Xu Youwei unusually ordered a bottle of baijiu (Chinese liquor).
Wu Zhiyuan raised his glass to Xu Youwei: "Secretary Xu, seeing you, Teacher Liu, and Yunxi able to start a new chapter makes me happier than anything else."
"That city in the south has a strong economic foundation and a high degree of openness; it's the perfect place for you to showcase your talents."
Xu Youwei said with emotion, "Zhiyuan, to be honest, I wouldn't have had this opportunity without the help of many people, including your continued support and perseverance."
This glass is a toast to you, and also to the days we fought side by side in Dragon City.
Wu Zhiyuan quickly replied, "Secretary Xu, you flatter me! I owe everything I am today to your guidance and trust!"
After a few drinks, they started talking more, and Xu Youwei asked Wu Zhiyuan about his plans.
"Zhiyuan, now that I'm leaving, Comrade Lin Xue will soon be transferred to another city to serve as the deputy secretary of the municipal party committee. What are your thoughts on this with the municipal discipline inspection commission?"
"Should we stay in Dragon City, or is there some other consideration?"
Wu Zhiyuan put down his chopsticks and spoke his long-held thoughts: "Secretary Xu, to be honest, I do have some new ideas."
Secretary Lin Xue is about to be transferred to another city, and the situation in Longcheng will change accordingly.
During my time at the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection, I experienced and learned a lot.
But the more I delve into the front lines of the anti-corruption campaign, the more I feel that some struggles may need to be carried out on more covert and forward-looking fronts.
In particular, the stories of those nameless heroes in the Hall of Honor that accompanied you on your last visit to the Municipal State Security Bureau had a great impact on me and inspired me.
They guard the light in the darkness, silently dedicating themselves and even sacrificing themselves for the national interest, which I greatly admire.
Secretary Xu, I've had an idea—I'd like to try working within the national security system.
Wu Zhiyuan wanted to join the National Security team not only because he was genuinely passionate about the job, but also because of Lin Keke.
He wanted to become comrades-in-arms with Lin Keke.
Otherwise, he wouldn't even have had the chance to see Lin Keke.
Xu Youwei was clearly very surprised: "National Security? Zhiyuan, this idea is quite sudden. That front is unique in nature, with extremely high requirements and strict discipline, and it often means completely concealing one's identity and sacrificing one's personal life. Have you thought this through?"
"Secretary Xu, I have thought about all of this repeatedly. I know the road ahead is fraught with difficulties. But it is precisely because it is difficult that it is more challenging and more likely to realize my idea of doing something for national security."
My personal situation is relatively simple, and I don't have any family burdens at the moment, so perhaps this kind of position is suitable for me to develop my skills.
Xu Youwei pondered for a moment and said, "Zhiyuan, if this is what you're thinking, I'll call Han Weidong and sound him out."
He was my college classmate, and we had a good personal relationship. Not long ago, he was promoted from the director of the Longcheng City Bureau to the deputy director of the provincial department, where he happens to be in charge of personnel.
Your political integrity, loyalty, adaptability, and especially the resilience and wisdom you demonstrated in the complex Longcheng case are qualities highly valued by the national security system.
However, transfers within the national security system are no ordinary matter; they require extremely rigorous review and special approval. But with a reliable internal recommendation, the chances of success might be higher. I personally recommended you to him.
Wu Zhiyuan said excitedly, "Secretary Xu, thank you so much!"
Xu Youwei said seriously, "Zhiyuan, I'm helping you make the connection because I believe in your abilities and character."
But remember, once you embark on this path, it means you may have to completely say goodbye to your past identity and life. The hardships, loneliness, and dangers involved far exceed your current imagination. You must be fully prepared mentally.
Wu Zhiyuan solemnly replied, "I understand, Secretary Xu! I've thought it through. No matter how difficult it is, I'm willing to accept the challenge and the test!"
After dinner, Xu Youwei went into his study and dialed Han Weidong's number.
"...Old Han, does the department have any plans for selection or special recruitment in the near future?"
"I have a promising young man here whom I can absolutely trust, named Wu Zhiyuan. He used to be my secretary, and later went to work at the Longcheng City Discipline Inspection Commission. He handled several major cases, and his ability and character are top-notch..."
Han Weidong said, "Old Xu, you made this call at just the right time."
A while ago, the department selected a group of people from the public security system.
Recently, we've been preparing a "Hidden Dragon Program" to select talent from outside the system. It's small in scale, but the requirements are extremely high; we'd rather have none than accept unqualified candidates.
Han Weidong paused for a moment, then continued, "However, Lao Xu, we are old classmates, so I have to be upfront about this."
The national security system is completely different from the party and government system you are familiar with.
Here, we don't talk about rank or position; we only talk about absolute loyalty, absolute reliability, and absolute professionalism.
Once you're in, you might be an "unsung hero" for life, meaning you have to completely say goodbye to your past identity and social relationships, live in anonymity for a long time, and endure pressure, loneliness, and even danger that ordinary people can't imagine.
Sacrificing one's personal life is commonplace, and sacrificing one's life is not impossible.
I've met Xiao Wu, whom you recommended, once. He's very clever and outstanding. How could he become your secretary if he wasn't outstanding?
But passion and ability alone are not enough; one must also have the awareness and preparation to dedicate everything, including one's life, to it. Does he truly have a clear understanding of this?
Xu Youwei replied, "Old Han, I understand what you mean, and I appreciate your honesty."
I have discussed these points with him in detail, and his attitude is very firm.
I think we should give him a chance to be tested. Let's see what he's made of.
You have a well-established evaluation mechanism; you use your professional standards to measure him. If he meets the requirements, you keep him; if not, you won't force him. I, Xu Youwei, will never make things difficult for you.
Han Weidong pondered for a moment on the other end of the phone and said, "Okay, since you, Lao Xu, recommend him so highly, and he does have a foundation, I can give him a chance to participate in the preliminary screening."
However, no step of the procedure can be omitted, and the process will be very rigorous.
Ask him to prepare a detailed personal profile, including family background, upbringing, work achievements, social relationships, etc., the more detailed the better.
The department will first conduct a rigorous background check and political vetting. Only after passing this stage will he be notified to participate in the next round of written tests and interviews.
The written test focuses on logical thinking, psychological resilience, adaptability, and understanding of current affairs and international relations.
The interview will be more in-depth, and may even include some special stress tests to examine his loyalty, willpower, and sense of confidentiality.
The entire process may take some time and is kept completely confidential; even if it ultimately fails, no specific explanation will be given.
You need to prepare him mentally for all of this.
"Understood, I know the rules. I will have him prepare the materials strictly according to the requirements and be fully prepared mentally. Regardless of the outcome, thank you for giving me this opportunity."
After dinner, Xu Yunxi asked Wu Zhiyuan to accompany her for a walk.
Xu Yunxi is leaving for the south tomorrow. Thinking about how the two of them have lived under the same roof for several months, Wu Zhiyuan felt a little sad.
The first snow in Jiangzhou fell silently, gradually covering the park with a layer of pure silver-white.
Xu Yunxi and Wu Zhiyuan walked side by side on the quiet path, the snow crunching under their feet, and the world around them seemed to have quieted down.
Wu Zhiyuan said, "Yunxi, it probably snows very little in the south during winter. If you go there, you probably won't see a scene like this."
Xu Yunxi chuckled and said, "Yes, I heard that it's very warm there in winter, so warm that you don't even need to wear a down jacket."
"By the way, Zhiyuan, when are you going to keep your promise? We even pinky swore back then."
Wu Zhiyuan smiled slightly: "Yunxi, your brother Zhiyuan keeps his word. I will fulfill my promise after you get into university."
The snow seemed to be falling even heavier, swirling and swirling.
The ends of their hair and shoulders had turned white.
Xu Yunxi said softly, "Some people drift apart as they walk along; others grow old together as they walk along."