Chapter 145: Huang Haitao's Intention

  This Spring Festival, Huang Haitao's was particularly lively. Starting from the 28th of the twelfth lunar month, a constant stream of guests came to visit. Of course, all the visitors knew the rules and would never run into each other, as if they had made an appointment. One person would leave and another would arrive, with no one staying for long. They seemed to have nothing in particular to do, but were actually all hinting at congratulating Huang Haitao and making a good impression ahead of time. However, no one would say such things out loud, because Ding Yuan was still the municipal party secretary. Those who came to visit Huang Haitao's home included colleagues, subordinates, both direct and indirect.

  It was originally during the Spring Festival, Huang Haitao soon had some difficulties in dealing with it.

  Subordinates who don't miss the opportunity to visit their superiors at home, seemingly insignificant, are actually taken very seriously by both parties. For Huang Haitao, this is not just a sign that his home has become lively, but rather an acknowledgment of the fact that he will soon take over as secretary of the municipal party committee. It means that the visitors have expressed their loyalty and promised to support him in his work and follow his instructions. If the door remains cold and quiet at such a time, Huang Haitao would definitely feel uneasy and even harbor some doubts. As for those who come to pay New Year's visits, it goes without saying that this is an excellent opportunity, and if you don't take advantage of it, Huang Haitao might forget about you and not consider you in his plans for the future.

  In official circles, everyone understands that visiting a leader's home is not without effect. Leaders are not foolish and they remember those who visit their homes. The so-called deep impression is precisely this principle. The more times you visit a leader's home, the deeper the impression, and your future career path will be broader.

  During the Spring Festival, Huang Haitao didn't put on any airs either, nor would he use work as an excuse. He and his loved one received guests with courtesy, chatting with them equally, adding tea leaves to the teapot again and again, refilling it with boiling water, and the opened pack of Zhonghua cigarettes was placed horizontally and vertically on the tea table.

  Since it's the Spring Festival, no one will come empty-handed. Everyone is clear about the etiquette of New Year's greetings. The quantity and quality of gifts reflect the degree of respect for leaders in a certain aspect.

  There were also special New Year's visitors. One evening, the boss of a certain company came to Huang Haitao's home in a small truck, towing a Toshiba rear-projection color TV. Such TVs are rare on the market and not commonly seen in Huaiyang City, probably purchased in the provincial capital or even further away.

  After a warm handshake with the boss, Huang Haitao asked about the company's situation and chatted for a while. During the conversation, Huang Haitao told the boss that he needed to take a phone call, so his wife stepped forward and spoke in front of the large box containing the rear-projection TV, saying that such an expensive gift couldn't be accepted, as it was Huang Haitao's requirement. The boss hastily explained that the company had prepared this TV for office use and didn't know its quality, asking Mayor Huang to try it out. Huang Haitao's wife spoke again, saying that trying it out wasn't enough; since they had already brought it over, they should just buy it. The boss firmly disagreed, but seeing his opponent's firm attitude, he began speaking. This TV was purchased through an internal channel at a price of 1,000 yuan. Huang Haitao's wife immediately took out 1,000 yuan and handed it to the boss, who smiled and repeatedly said "sorry".

  Huang Haitao came out after finishing the phone call, and this scene had already ended. The boss was drinking tea, and Huang Haitao sat down and continued to chat with the boss until the boss stood up and bid farewell.

  After the boss left, his wife told Huang Haitao that the TV set they bought for 1,000 yuan was actually worth at least 20,000 yuan on the market, as it was a fully imported product.

  On New Year's Day, Zhu Zongxiang came to visit.

  Zhu Zongxiang and ordinary visitors are different, the municipal party committee deputy secretary in charge of political and legal affairs, Huang Haitao is also a deputy secretary of the municipal party committee, Zhu Zongxiang has always been strongly supporting Huang Haitao, Zhu Zongxiang is also from Huaiyang City, has been working in Huaiyang City, from the grassroots level, there are some similarities with Huang Haitao's experience.

  "Old Zhu, why be so polite? I think tomorrow I'll also prepare and come to your home for New Year's greetings."

  "Mayor Huang, this is where you're wrong, you're an old leader now, I came to pay New Year's greetings, wishing you a higher position step by step."

  The two of them burst out laughing, and Huang Haitao and Zhu Zongxiang went straight into the study. Huang Haitao didn't forget to tell his wife that if there were other guests, she should entertain them for a bit, as he and Secretary Zhu had work to discuss.

  "Mayor Huang, congratulations, I should call you Secretary Huang now."

  "Old Zhu, don't say such things, it's not certain yet. What's the relationship between you and me? Don't play this trick on me."

  The electric stove in the study is 3000 watts, with sufficient power. In winter, Huang Haitao was not used to using air conditioning, and the two of them sat beside the electric stove, smoking cigarettes.

  "It's just a matter of time before Mayor Huang..."

  Huang Haitao smiled and no longer denied the matter. Among so many officials who came to visit, only Zhu Zongxiang could say such a thing, while others would not dare to say it. Huang Haitao still had scruples because it was during the Spring Festival, when social etiquette between ordinary people was well-established, and it was customary to make visits during this period.

  "Director Huang, after the new year, personnel adjustments will likely be made. Ding Yuan seems to be leaving soon. I've heard rumors that he might go to the Provincial People's Congress. At this critical moment, you must hold on tight. With so many personnel changes, it will be difficult to carry out future work, especially for key leaders."

  "Haha, there's no possibility of a big move. Secretary Ding didn't mention such a thing last year, but now it needs to be considered. After the new year, as usual, there will always be some personnel adjustments."

  At this point, Huang Haitao seemed to remember something.

  "Lao Zhu, the matter of industrial structure adjustment cannot be neglected. Although Secretary Lang is in charge of the development of Yuhong County's honey tangerines, you are the leader stationed in Yuhong County and your main work is still to be looked at by you. When we determined the county-city relationship earlier, I had this consideration in mind. You are familiar with the situation and won't make any mistakes."

  "Mayor Huang, don't worry, I won't be vague about work. By the way, after the new year, Xiao Jun should also be promoted. My suggestion is to let Xiao Jun take over as deputy commander of the Public Security Brigade. Xiao Jun has the ability and should have been promoted long ago. You've always disagreed before, but this time it's a work requirement, I can't listen to you anymore."

  "Haha, Old Zhu, thanks to you for teaching him. This kid is always out and about, who knows what he's up to? During the Spring Festival, when there are many guests at home, he doesn't even lend a hand. Honestly!"

  "Mayor Huang, this is all thanks to you. Little Jun is a police officer from the Public Security Branch. During the Spring Festival, everyone was on holiday, but they were the busiest, maintaining public order and ensuring that everyone had a peaceful and harmonious Spring Festival. Hehe, we can sit here chatting comfortably, all thanks to Little Jun's efforts."

  Huang Haitao smiled, Huang Sijun was his only son, and the idea of wanting his son to become a dragon was no exception. However, Huang Haitao knew that Huang Sijun's abilities were not particularly outstanding. At this moment, Huang Haitao suddenly thought of Xu Shaojie, Ding Yuan's secretary, a young man he had been paying attention to. Although Huang Haitao looked down on Xu Shaojie for some trivial matters, he appreciated Xu's ability and was impressed by his handling of the Chen Tuo case. Now, he wanted to know Zhu Zongxiang's opinion about Xu Shaojie, sometimes just a few words could reveal one's thoughts.

  "Lao Zhu, Xu Shaojie from the municipal party committee office, this young man seems pretty good."

  Zhu Zongxiang's face didn't change color as he began to speak.

  "Oh, you're talking about Xu Shaojie? I'm not too familiar with him, but I've heard from Lao Liao that he's a talented person and will definitely have a bright future. However, since he's Ding Yuan's secretary, I think he should just follow Ding Yuan all the way."

  Huang Haitao smiled and didn't need to say more. Zhu Zongxiang must have been displeased with Xu Shaojie, following Ding Yuan to the Provincial People's Congress for a break.

  During the Spring Festival, Yu Huaxiang still didn't have much time for many people. Huang Sijun was not at home, and during the day, Yu Huaxiang helped take care of things at Huang Haitao's house. However, he also had to pay attention to the timing, as there were many people visiting Huang Haitao's house to pay their respects during the Spring Festival, which belonged to personal time. If everyone saw Yu Huaxiang still helping Huang Haitao with household chores, it would be bad. Therefore, Yu Huaxiang always arrived very early and very late at Huang Haitao's house to help clean up. As for Yu Huaxiang's meticulousness, Huang Haitao had long been accustomed to it.

  Yu Huixiang also had ideas, now that Huang Haitao was about to become the municipal party secretary, Yu Huixiang no longer wanted to be a secretary, even if it was the secretary of the municipal party committee, after all, it was still a servant. It was far less comfortable than being in charge himself. Yu Huixiang's idea was very practical, and his current efforts were for future gains. Yu Huixiang felt that he had somehow become too clever for his own good, having done his job as secretary too well, to the point where Huang Haitao was reluctant to let him go.

  This Spring Festival is a good opportunity, Huang Haitao's mood is very good, Yu Huixiang plans to find an opportunity to tell Huang Haitao about this matter directly. In fact, Yu Huixiang doesn't need to say it himself, Huang Sijun has already mentioned it several times, helping Yu Huixiang with the matter. Huang Sijun also thinks that Yu Huixiang has been serving as a secretary for too long, but Yu Huixiang refused.

  Yu Huai Xiang somewhat looked down on or despised Huang Si Jun, not just Huang Si Jun, but also Chen Mu Biao. Yu Huai Xiang and Xu Shao Jie were the same, coming from ordinary families and relying on their own efforts to get to where they are today. As for those born into official families, they didn't need to put in much effort to easily obtain everything. Yu Huai Xiang felt uncomfortable about this, but that's just how society is, so he buried these thoughts deep within his heart.

  On the evening of the fourth day of the first month, an opportunity arose. Huang Haitao sat alone in the living room. Huang Sijun had not returned home yet, and Yu Huixiang could no longer delay. According to previous conventions, on the fifth day of the first month, Huang Haitao would enter his office to start work. Although it was still during the Spring Festival period, for Huang Haitao, the Spring Festival had already ended. From then on, when facing everyone, he would have a professional attitude.

  "Mayor Huang, will you be going to the office tomorrow?"

  "Yes, the Spring Festival is over, Xiaoyu, sit down for a while and let's have a chat."

  Yu Huaxiang sat down on the sofa beside him, looking a bit cautious, which was not often seen in his usual demeanor. Huang Haitao had a smile on his face, he had long expected Yu Huaxiang's thoughts and couldn't deceive him.

  "Xiao Yu, you've been following me for many years now. The time we've spent together has exceeded that of my family members, so I consider you as one of the family members. You've worked hard all these years."

  Yu Huaxiang felt somewhat flustered and hastily stood up, preparing to speak.

  "Xiao Yu, sit down and listen to me. We haven't had a serious talk for a long time. Today is the opportunity, I've been thinking of talking to you for a while now."

  Yu Huaxiang sat down, somewhat at a loss.

  "Xiao Yu, I understand your thoughts. You can't always be by my side, you're almost 37 years old. When I was your age, I was already the county party secretary. Alas, I'm a bit reluctant to part with you. I've gotten used to having you by my side, and many things don't require my attention. However, I shouldn't hold back your career. After the new year, I'll find an opportunity to discuss it with Secretary Ding, and you can go to County City. Who knows if you've thought of that place?"

  "Mayor Huang, I thought of going to Shalun County."

  At this time, Yu Huaxiang did not hesitate and was not polite, it was not a time for politeness.

  "Alright, I remember that the economic conditions in Shalun County are not very good, but you have your own ideas. Once you arrive in Shalun County, if you can make a good show of yourself and achieve something, that's also a good thing. Let's not say more, you should get back and rest early, come pick me up on time tomorrow afternoon, it's already started working so quickly, time is passing too fast."

  After Yu Huaxiang left, Huang Haitao fell into deep thought. Yu Huaxiang went to the county and city, it is impossible to take on a deputy role, at least as acting county magistrate, otherwise, his own face would not look good, everyone knows that Yu Huaxiang is someone he highly appreciates, if he goes to Shalong County, he must be acting county magistrate, then, the team in Shalong County needs to be adjusted. The ability of County Party Secretary He Xiong is general, just loyal and obedient, serving as County Party Secretary can be said to be mediocre, unable to achieve any results. County Magistrate Chen Dazhi is still okay, capable and clever, but unfortunately being suppressed by himself. Huang Haitao has some conflicting views on the development of Shalong County, last time when determining the industrial structure adjustment of county and city, Huang Haitao thought of Shalong County, but if it's Shalong County, then the team needs to be adjusted, not his own trusted people, Huang Haitao won't consider, the Huang family has little interest in Shalong County, but the Hou family has a lot of interests, Huang Haitao must be cautious. If Yu Huaxiang goes to Shalong County as county magistrate, Chen Dazhi can take on the role of County Party Secretary, as for He Xiong, transfer him to Huaiyang City and find a place for him to retire, Huang Haitao is also somewhat annoyed with He Xiong's ability. For Yu Huaxiang, Huang Haitao has complete trust, although Yu Huaxiang sometimes shows some excesses in certain places, sometimes being a bit too clever, but if a person doesn't have any personality, doesn't have any backbone, then the person is useless, Li Heqing's matter, Huang Haitao actually knows about it and didn't mean to blame Yu Huaxiang.