Absolute power in officialdom

Chapter 372 The Officialdom is Like a Chess Game

Yuan Jin was speechless for a moment.

Wang Chengtang spoke up: "County Chief Wu, what you said is indeed thought-provoking."

But that happened several years ago, so bringing it up now is pointless.

Comrade Liao Jinshen's current status is that of a staff member with a public institution position; this is a fait accompli.

We're discussing whether he should be promoted now, not whether he should have joined in the first place.

If he's never given a chance for promotion just because there were problems with the initial application process, that wouldn't be fair, would it?

Wu Zhiyuan said, "Secretary Wang, I didn't say I would never give him a chance."

I just hope that the relevant departments can verify the situation clearly, explain the problems thoroughly, and give the officials an explanation.

If these issues are not clearly explained, and someone is promoted without any clear understanding, what will the disciplinary committee do if they receive a report later?

How will the Organization Department respond? Who will be the one left on the defensive?

Bao Chunyan then spoke up: "Since County Magistrate Wu said so, it must not be unfounded."

Are there any issues with Liao Jinshen's academic credentials? Has he obtained overseas degree authentication from the Ministry of Education?

If there's a problem, how did it pass the review in the first place? I think it's necessary to investigate.

When it was Qian Long's turn to speak, he said, "Let me interject. There are many rumors circulating about why Comrade Lü Xinghua was transferred to the Archives Bureau back then."

If Comrade Liao Jinshen is promoted this time, while Comrade Lü Xinghua remains in the archives bureau, it will indeed easily spark discussion.

But if Comrade Lü Xinghua also takes action this time, from the Archives Bureau to the Government Office, then there will be some explanation.

In this way, that matter can be considered closed.

Qian Long's words were a strategic retreat; although he didn't say it too directly, the implication was that Lü Xinghua should be promoted, and Liao Jinshen's educational background should not be a point of contention.

Preventing Lü Xinghua from entering the county government office was not Yuan Jin's main task; his main task was to ensure Liao Jinshen's promotion.

Yuan Jin could accept Qian Long's compromise.

So he looked at Wu Zhiyuan and asked, "Comrade Zhiyuan, what do you think of Comrade Qian Long's suggestion?"

Wu Zhiyuan was silent for a few seconds, then slowly nodded: "If Comrade Lü Xinghua can go to the government office, it will be a way to give him an explanation."

However, regarding Liao Jinshen, I hope the organization department can provide a detailed explanation of the circumstances surrounding his initial talent recruitment, clarifying what needs to be clarified and acknowledging what needs to be acknowledged.

If there were indeed any irregularities in the initial operation, at least an internal statement should have been made.

Yuan Jin nodded: "That's fine. Chunyan, please organize the materials related to Comrade Liao Jinshen's talent introduction, and explain what needs to be explained."

Bao Chunyan nodded: "Okay, Secretary Yuan."

Yuan Jin looked at Wu Zhiyuan: "Comrade Zhiyuan, do you have any other opinions about Liao Jinshen?"

Wu Zhiyuan conceded: "As long as the procedures are clearly explained, I have no objection."

Yuan Jin said, "Then it's settled. Shi Xianqiang will serve as the mayor of Chengguan Town, and Lü Xinghua will serve as the director of the county government office. Does anyone have any objections?"

Wu Zhiyuan said, "Secretary Yuan, I have another personnel suggestion here, and I hope we can discuss it together today."

Yuan Jin said, "Speak."

Wu Zhiyuan said, "Comrade Niu Jie, the Party Secretary of Wuhe Town, has worked in Wuhe Town for many years. It should be said that he has made a lot of contributions and achieved some results."

However, the current situation in Wuhe Town is obvious to all. Despite its unique geographical advantages, its development has been lukewarm, drawing much criticism from the public.

During my investigation, I found that Wuhe Town had serious infrastructure deficiencies, and the road conditions leading to the provincial capital were very poor.

The streetlights in the town were broken and no one was repairing them; the wall of the central primary school was cracked and propped up with wood; and the road in front of the health center was full of potholes.

Meanwhile, the town spent more than 20 million yuan to build a cultural square.

I believe this development approach and view of political achievements need to be adjusted.

My suggestion is that Comrade Niu Jie and Comrade Liu Jingjing, the chairwoman of the county women's federation, be swapped.

When Comrade Liu Jingjing served as the mayor of Nanping Town, she made outstanding achievements, especially in securing a highway project from the Provincial Department of Transportation, which solved the transportation problems of this mountainous town.

After she joined the county women's federation, she worked diligently, had clear ideas, and was enterprising, making the work of the women's federation very successful.

Wuhe Town is a crucial hub for Qingyan's northward development and its connection to the provincial capital, requiring a more visionary and capable leader to oversee its work.

Yuan Jin frowned.

Although Niu Jie could not be considered his confidante, her cousin worked in the provincial Party Committee's Organization Department.

Even if we don't care about the monk, we should care about the Buddha. If Niu Jie is transferred to the Women's Federation, what will her cousin think?

The fundamental reason why Liu Jingjing was transferred from the mayor of Nanping Town to the county women's federation was that she was disobedient.

Liu Jingjing was quite attractive, and Yuan Jin had hinted at it when he talked to her. However, the woman always changed the subject, which annoyed him.

Yuan Jin spoke up: "The development of Wuhe Town in recent years has been lukewarm for many reasons, including objective limitations and too many historical debts. We cannot put all the blame on Niu Jie alone."

Comrade Liu Jingjing did a good job in Nanping Town, but after she went to the Women's Federation, I haven't heard of any particularly outstanding achievements.

"If Niu Jie is transferred away at this time, what will she think? What will the cadres of Wuhe Town think?"

Wu Zhiyuan argued forcefully: "Secretary Yuan, it is precisely because Wuhe Town has obvious locational advantages but lagging development that we need to adjust our thinking and replace our leaders."

Comrade Liu Jingjing's ability to secure projects and funding in Nanping Town is evident to all. Wuhe Town needs cadres like her to connect with the provincial capital, build roads, and develop industries.

Comrade Niu Jie has been in Wuhe for many years, and her thinking has become rigid. Changing her environment will be a good thing for her.

Although the Women's Federation may seem like a niche organization, it can still achieve remarkable results.

When Wang Chengtang spoke up, he naturally sided with Yuan Jin: "County Chief Wu, Comrade Niu Jie was doing a good job in Wuhe Town and didn't make any mistakes. There must be a reasonable explanation for the sudden adjustment."

"You can't just replace a town's Party Secretary because a streetlight is broken or a wall is cracked. That's a far-fetched reason, isn't it?"

Wu Zhiyuan chimed in, "Secretary Wang is right. Broken streetlights and cracked walls are certainly not enough to warrant the removal of an official. But what if we add over 20 million to build a plaza?"

The self-sufficiency rate of Wuhe Town's finances is less than half, and the people have difficulty accessing drinking water and the roads are in poor condition. Yet, a lot of money is spent on building vanity projects. This is a political achievement project and a vanity project!

If all the townships follow Wuhe's example and prioritize vanity projects over people's livelihoods, how can we explain this to the people?

Furthermore, adjustments are not made only because cadres have made mistakes; adjustments can also be made as needed for work.

Back then, when Liu Jingjing was transferred from the position of mayor of Nanping Town to chairwoman of the county women's federation, did the relevant departments explain the reasons to her?

I believe that even if the organization wants to talk to me, the reason will be just four words: "Work requirements."

A brief silence fell over the meeting room.

Bao Chunyan broke the silence: "Judging from the performance evaluation, Comrade Niu Jie's work in Wuhe was indeed not outstanding in terms of economic indicators."

However, Wuhe Town still has its highlights in Party building and stability maintenance.

Of course, the issues concerning people's livelihood and development strategies mentioned by County Head Wu do indeed exist. These need to be viewed dialectically.

Bao Chunyan was a peacemaker, so her words were essentially saying nothing at all.

Qian Long said, "The Discipline Inspection Commission has received quite a few reports about Wuhe Town."

It mainly concerns engineering construction; although there's no concrete evidence, it's not entirely baseless.

Adjusting Niu Jie's position at this time, in a sense, is also a form of protection for cadres.

This was a clever remark. On the surface, it was speaking up for Niu Jie, but in reality, it was implying that Niu Jie was involved in something and should be removed from the situation as soon as possible to avoid being caught off guard later.

Yuan Jin understood the implied meaning.

Wu Zhiyuan has already made concessions today—he is not going to fight Liao Jinshen to the bitter end.

It was only natural that Lü Xinghua would be appointed to the government office; the county head certainly had the right to choose who would be the director of the county government office.

Shi Xianqiang's move to Chengguan Town wasn't a bad deal; the position of town mayor is no less prestigious than that of the director of the government office.

If we stand up to Wu Zhiyuan now because of Niu Jie's matter, and if things get complicated with Liao Jinshen, it will be hard to explain to Liao Chenggong!

Although Niu Jie has a cousin who works in the provincial Party committee's organization department, he hasn't been able to help him much over the years.

Moving Niu Jie to a different position isn't a demotion. They can easily shift the blame to Wu Zhiyuan, saying that Wu Zhiyuan strongly demanded the move, and that they tried to stop him but couldn't.

Yuan Jin felt a surge of irritation whenever she thought of Liu Jingjing, that ungrateful woman.

Despite several hints, she pretended not to understand. Transferring her to the Women's Federation was a way for her to experience being sidelined.

Now Wu Zhiyuan is going to take her to Wuhe Town. Isn't this giving her a chance to turn her life around?

However, if they don't agree, and Wu Zhiyuan continues to harp on Liao Jinshen's academic qualifications and investigates further, not only will Liao Jinshen not be promoted, but he might also be removed from the system.

Most importantly, this personnel reshuffle involves not only these few individuals, but also a large number of other cadres.

Most of them were people he suggested promoting or giving important positions to. Wu Zhiyuan was new to the area, and he only tried to protect a few people, such as Lü Xinghua and Liu Jingjing.

After weighing the pros and cons, Yuan Jin realized that he was the biggest winner in this personnel reshuffle. If he opposed Wu Zhiyuan's nominee and Wu Zhiyuan took it seriously, it would be a lose-lose situation.

Yuan Jin took a sip of water and said slowly, "Comrade Zhiyuan is right. The development of Wuhe Town does indeed need new ideas and new impetus."

Comrade Niu Jie has been in Wuhe for many years; it's time for a change of scenery.

The work at the Women's Federation is also very important, and we need an experienced comrade to take charge.

"Alright then, as Comrade Zhiyuan suggested, Niu Jie and Liu Jingjing will switch places."

He paused, his gaze falling on Bao Chunyan: "Chunyan, the Organization Department should expedite the procedures and get it reviewed and approved by the County Party Committee Standing Committee."

Bao Chunyan nodded: "Okay, Secretary Yuan."

Wu Zhiyuan didn't say anything more.

He knew that Yuan Jin's words just now were clearly an exchange—I'll help your people, and you won't get in the way of mine.

Every personnel reshuffle is a war without gunfire.

Who gets promoted and who doesn't is related to ability, but not that much.

What matters is whose people you are, who stands behind you, and what you can offer your superiors.

The officialdom is like a game of chess; every move is a game of strategy.

Lu Xinghua was finally able to leave the lowly archives bureau and take on the crucial position of director of the government office.

Liu Jingjing will also be transferred from the relatively marginalized Women's Federation to Wuhe Town, an important front.

As for Liao Jinshen—a deputy director whose academic credentials weren't even verified—he can't cause much trouble. But this matter will inevitably be thoroughly investigated sooner or later.

In officialdom, sometimes it's not about fighting for short-term gains, but about learning to play the long game.