Chapter 143: Xu Guangkun's Inspection

  Time passed slowly, and everything seemed to have returned to calmness.

  After Xu Yunfei arrived in Yuhong County, he acted quickly. Yuhong County chose to develop navel oranges, and the development of navel oranges requires a cycle, which will take at least two years to be effective. During this period, Xu Shaojie accompanied Ding Yuan Secretary to Yuhong County several times. Each time they went, Secretary Ding Yuan would care about the development of navel oranges. Huang Haitao's attitude also changed, and after visiting Yuhong County to see the development of navel oranges, he affirmed the decision made by Yuhong County and publicly praised Xu Yunfei.

  Ding Yuan and Xu Shaojie's conversation suddenly became more, with many questions being asked, such as why Huang Haitao changed his attitude. Xu Shaojie answered according to his own understanding, thinking that no matter what, Huaiyang City must develop, and in the future, even if Huang Haitao is in charge, he will still have to grasp the development of Huaiyang City. Yuhong County made the right choice, and Huang Haitao would not sit idly by, but would definitely make a statement. In his heart, Xu Shaojie still had some admiration for Huang Haitao, who had been in office for so many years, advancing and retreating with ease, able to endure, and knowing when to seize the opportunity.

  Ding Yuan asked more about Xu Shaojie's future plans, hinting at letting Xu Shaojie take a position in a lower county or city. Xu Shaojie didn't say much, perhaps because Ding Yuan was thinking of solving Xu Shaojie's rank problem before he might leave Huaiyang City, so that Xu Shaojie would have some capital. But Xu Shaojie wasn't optimistic, if Huang Haitao became the Secretary of Huaiyang City, no matter what position he held, it would be difficult for him to exert his abilities, unless he begged Huang Haitao for mercy, which Xu Shaojie would never do. Since ancient times, traitors have been despised by people, and once he chose to do so, it would become a huge stain on his political career. Even if Xu Shaojie had such thoughts, Huang Haitao might not accept them.

  The work of industrial structure adjustment has not been fully launched, and Ding Yuan also has concerns. Yuhong County is currently developing pomelos on a large scale, and other counties and cities, even if they want to carry out structural adjustments, it's not something that can be done in a short time. Huang Haitao's words still make some sense. If everyone rushes into it without considering the actual situation of Huaiyang City, problems will arise later, and there won't be enough time to make up for them. Moreover, Ding Yuan is unclear how much longer he will stay in Huaiyang City, and his relationship with Huang Haitao has already deteriorated. If things get too awkward, he can just leave, but the outcome for the officials who follow him will be very miserable.

  Xu Shaojie slowly felt something was amiss. As the deputy director of the municipal party committee office and Secretary Ding's secretary, he should have had a wide circle of friends. However, recently, not many people were willing to befriend him. After some time passed, it was still just a few old friends: Qian Dazhi, Qiao Yurong, and Huang Meng from the municipal party committee office, who were close to him. As for Gu Xuejie, that went without saying. The others were just ordinary acquaintances. Besides Chen Mubiao and Li Ming, there was no one else. Xu Shaojie understood the reason: political winds were what people in official circles paid most attention to.

  Zhang Shao Cai's company is having a bit of a tough time. In the past, doing things according to the old rules of the construction industry and giving gifts was enough, but now it requires more effort. The attitude of many departments is also slowly changing. On the other hand, Jin Jian Company is thriving, with business booming. One time, after drinking with Xu Shao Jie, Zhang Shao Cai revealed his true thoughts: if Ding Yuan Secretary leaves Huai Yang City, the headquarters of Zhang Shi Construction Group will consider moving back to the provincial capital. Moreover, Xu Shao Jie also wants to find a way to return to the provincial capital, as Tang Wan Rou works there and they cannot be apart for long after getting married. Xu Shao Jie feels guilty, as since interacting with Zhang Shao Cai, it has always been Zhang Shao Cai helping him, but he has not been able to help Zhang Shao Cai in return, instead dragging down the group company.

  In November, Xu Shaojie followed Ding Yuan to the provincial capital for a meeting. The content was not notified in advance. Huang Haitao also attended the meeting. Xu Shaojie felt that the personnel adjustment of the Provincial Party Committee might have been carried out.

  As expected, the Central Committee adjusted the provincial party committee of Xishan Province.

  Xu Guangkun is no longer serving as the deputy secretary of the provincial party committee, and has been appointed as the vice director of the provincial people's congress. Sun Zhichao has taken over as the deputy secretary of the provincial party committee, in charge of organizational work. Zhong Lin, formerly the vice governor of Xishan Province and mayor of Xilin City, has been appointed as a member of the standing committee of the provincial party committee and executive vice governor. Chen Dengxiang, formerly a member of the standing committee of the Xilin Municipal Party Committee and secretary general of the municipal party committee, has been appointed as the vice governor of Xishan Province, concurrently serving as the mayor of Xilin City.

  This adjustment has caused a stir in Huaiyang City, which is self-evident. After the meeting, Ding Yuan specially went to visit Xu Guangkun and invited Xu Guangkun to go to Huaiyang City for a spin and work at the Provincial People's Congress. Xu Guangkun must have been uncomfortable in his heart, taking this opportunity to go out and take a look around, which can also be a good relief. Xu Guangkun readily agreed and promised that after taking office, he would go to Huaiyang City for a visit.

  Xu Shaojie followed Ding Yuan back to Huaiyang City. This time, Ding Yuan didn't seem troubled, but instead felt a sense of relief. Xu Shaojie did not participate in any of Ding Yuan's activities. During the two days in the provincial capital, Xu Shaojie spent more time with Tang Wanyu. Originally, Xu Shaojie wanted to visit Chen Dengxiang, but Chen had just been promoted and didn't know how many people would go to congratulate him. At this time, Xu Shaojie did not want to join in the celebration.

  Back in Huaiyang City, Huang Haitao was unexpectedly low-key and didn't show any signs of excitement. The more Huang Haitao acted like this, the more worried Xu Shaojie became. Only someone who is about to be promoted would have such a calm attitude. Judging from the current situation, it's highly likely that Ding Yuan Secretary will be adjusted and won't have a chance to be promoted. If things go well, he'll be assigned as the Secretary-General of the Provincial Government; if not, he might be sent to the Provincial Party Committee to serve as Deputy Secretary-General, or even to the Provincial People's Congress or Provincial Political Consultative Conference to serve as Secretary-General.

  At the end of November, Xu Guangkun arrived in Huaiyang City.

  Ding Yuan specially went to the highway exit to meet Xu Guangkun. As Xu Guangkun was already the deputy director of the Provincial People's Congress, Ding Yuan did not notify other leaders to go and greet him together. The etiquette for welcoming and sending off guests is governed by rules, and the higher the level, the more attention must be paid to such matters.

  The banquet was arranged at the Huaiyang Hotel, and the Municipal People's Congress had received notification early on. All members of the team were waiting at the hotel to greet them, and Lu Changzheng and Liao Hongyun were also waiting at the hotel, but Huang Haitao did not show up. Although Ding Yuan did not notify Huang Haitao, the Municipal People's Congress would definitely call the municipal government, and Xu Guangkun was the first deputy director of the Provincial People's Congress, so Huang Haitao must have known that Xu Guangkun had arrived in Huaiyang City.

  Xu Guangkun didn't bring any staff, only a secretary accompanied him. The secretary was newly assigned and wasn't very familiar with Xu Guangkun's habits. It seemed that Xu Guangkun had come to Huaiyang City purely to clear his mind.

  Xu Shaojie had met Xu Guangkun several times, and this time when he saw Xu Guangkun, he felt that Xu Guangkun's attitude had become much more gentle, and the expression on his face was not as serious as before. When he was serving as the deputy secretary of the provincial party committee, he was mostly very serious, with a hint of arrogance. Xu Shaojie sighed, "With a change in position comes a change in attitude. People in officialdom can adjust themselves quickly."

  Xu Guangkun was not in high spirits, and during dinner, he didn't drink much wine. About an hour later, the banquet dispersed, and Ding Yuan accompanied Xu Guangkun to his room to rest. The other leaders went their separate ways, while the staff of the Municipal People's Congress waited at the hotel to see what arrangements Xu Guangkun would make next, so they could make preparations accordingly.

  Xu Shaojie was also in the hotel, he felt that today's atmosphere is not very good, Lu Changzheng and Liao Hongyun both knew the ins and outs of the matter, their spirits were equally low, but on the other hand, a group of leaders from the Municipal People's Congress remained calm and composed, their attitude unchanged.

  In the afternoon, Xu Guangkun went to the Municipal People's Congress to take a look. Since he came to Huaiyang City, he had to go to the lower-level government agencies to take a look. Ding Yuan accompanied him all the way. When they left the Municipal People's Congress, Xu Shaojie saw them and Xu Guangkun whispered something to Ding Yuan. Although Ding Yuan had an embarrassed expression on his face, he nodded repeatedly.

  "Shao Jie, Director Xu Guangkun is going to Shalong County tomorrow for an inspection. The Municipal People's Congress has already been notified, please notify them again and request that Shalong County do a good job in receiving him."

  "Secretary Ding, aren't you going with us to Shalong County?"

  "Alas, Director Xu disagreed, and I couldn't do anything about it. I'm familiar with Director Xu's temper, he's always been one to speak his mind, and now that I've just started working at the Provincial People's Congress, I need to pay even more attention to these aspects."

  "Secretary Ding, I don't understand why Director Xu wants to go to Shalong County."

  Some things, Xu Shaojie obviously didn't find it convenient to say, but he had his own thoughts. Shahong County was Huang Haitao's turf, why did Xu Guangkun have to go there? It would be better to go to any other county or city.

  "Shao Jie, you will understand later, many things need to be experienced in person."

  Looking at Ding Yuan's somewhat helpless expression, Xu Shaojie did not continue to ask, the thoughts of high-level leaders, he did not understand, perhaps it was still not reaching that level, some views, even if they were spoken out loud, may not be understood. Xu Guangkun had been in Huaiyang City for almost a day, and Huang Haitao had not shown up, Xu Shaojie didn't quite get the meaning behind this, normally meeting someone wasn't a big deal.

  "Did Secretary Ding and the leaders of the Municipal People's Congress accompany Director Xu to Salong County?"

  "Yes, it won't be long, Director Xu will return to Huaiyang City tomorrow afternoon."

  A deputy director of the Municipal People's Congress accompanied Xu Guangkun to Salong County. As for this arrangement, Xu Shaojie really couldn't understand it. However, he didn't dare express any opinion on something arranged by his leader.

  At 11 o'clock in the morning, Xu Shaojie entered Secretary Ding Yuan's office and saw Ding Yuan full of anger.

  "This is utterly unbelievable, how can such a situation occur?"

  Ding Yuan rarely gets angry, even when he has a clear disagreement with Huang Haitao, there is no sign of anger. Xu Shaojie has almost never seen Ding Yuan get angry, the only time was when Yu Hong County submitted the industrial structure adjustment work plan.

  "Director Ding, is there anything I need to take care of?"

  "The county committee and government of Shalun County are arranged like this, how can they do this? The person who came to greet Director Xu was the director of the county people's congress. After He Xuxiong finished his work report, he left with an excuse that he had something to attend to. Chen Dazhi didn't show up at all. At noon when it was time for lunch, the two of them also excused themselves from attending, citing they had things to do. What kind of attitude is this? Director Xu's emotions are a bit unpleasant."

  Xu Shaojie was stunned, how dare Salong County be so bold. Xu Shaojie believed that Huang Haitao would not make such arrangements or hints. After all, in these small matters, Huang Haitao wouldn't be confused to the point of being at home. This can only explain that He Xiong and Chen Dazhi from Salong County are a bit dizzy.

  "Director Ding, can you think of a way to make up for it?"

  "Never mind, things are already like this. Sigh, Director Xu's temper is just too stubborn. I had thought of it before, and might have anticipated such a situation. If I had accompanied Director Xu down there, such a thing wouldn't have happened."

  Xu Shaojie understood Ding Yuan's helplessness. The county was receiving guests according to the rules, with the main leaders of the county people's congress coming out to receive them, and the county party secretary reporting on work. As for eating, it was a kind of competition in private, which no one could bring up openly. The county party secretary and county magistrate were busy with work, and in terms of reason, it was clear that Sha Long County did not attach much importance to Xu Guangkun, even with a hint of coldness. However, there was nothing they could do about it. This was a provocation, directly targeting Secretary Ding Yuan.

  "Hey, Brother Chen, what's going on with Salo County?"

  "Alas, don't mention it, I've already made suggestions at the Standing Committee meeting to give Director Xu a grand reception, but the main leaders don't see it that way. They say it's year-end and there's a lot of work to be checked and implemented. Yesterday, County Mayor Chen went to inspect the work, and this morning, after Secretary He reported, he also went directly to the countryside. What kind of thing is this?"

  "Director Chen, didn't other county leaders raise any objections?"

  "Old Xue, you think this is what the situation is like now. Director Xu is the deputy director of the Provincial People's Congress, not the deputy secretary of the Provincial Party Committee anymore. Besides, someone with Director Xu's status, once they've stepped down to the second line, it's not easy to say anything about personnel matters. The successor has new ideas, and Director Xu won't make things difficult for himself. He is a person with status, he won't get angry over such small things, let alone speak ill of the leaders of the Shalong County Party Committee and government. If I'm being blunt, this is called looking for trouble and asking for humiliation."

  "Chen Ge, I understand, no matter what others are like, you must always be with me."

  "I knew that, I've been with Director Xu all along, but it's not necessary now. Director Xu has already left Saloon County and is said to have returned to Huaiyang City. Judging from the situation, I think he's preparing to head straight back to the provincial capital."

  "Didn't Director Xu say how it would be arranged?"

  "My old Xu, have you gone mad? How can Director Xu arrange things without telling me? I'm already in a bad mood, and the leaders of the Municipal People's Congress won't even ask."

  Xu Shaojie had just hung up the phone when Ding Yuan ordered Xu Shaojie to go out immediately.

  "Director Xu is preparing to head back to the provincial city directly, let's go see him off."

  Xu Shaojie immediately informed Ma Yaping, who was waiting downstairs.

  "Secretary Ding, should we inform other leaders?"

  "It's okay, I can go myself."

  The sedan drove away from the municipal party committee compound and headed in the direction of the highway.