Chapter 54: Liu Zhihua's Attitude

  Time passed quietly, and Xu Shaojie was busy with his work, familiarizing himself with the situation of all cadres in the district. The materials provided by the personnel office were very clear, and Xu Shaojie found that Liu Mucai was only 32 years old, but looked like he was 42 years old.

  Xu Shaojie went to Hualin Township every other day. After having dinner at Liu Mucai's home last time, some rumors appeared, such as Xu Shaojie lacking leadership ability, being young and inexperienced, and taking a long time to get into the role. Xu Shaojie didn't care about these rumors.

  During this period, Xu Shaojie went back to the city once to see Zhang Shaocai and also took some money with him. His salary was really too low, and if something happened, it wouldn't be good if he didn't have any money on hand. At the same time, the cigarettes he brought were almost gone. Every time he went to the township government, he had to bring at least two packs of cigarettes. Anyway, Zhang Shaocai had prepared some good cigarettes, so Xu Shaojie took a few packs back with him when he left.

  Xu Shaojie received a notice that the district committee would hold a meeting to specially study the issue of tobacco leaf procurement.

  Xu Shaojie has already attended two meetings and has a good understanding of Liu Zhihua's style. During the meeting, he often uses foul language when assigning tasks, frequently interrupts and scolds some team members, and doesn't allow any opposing views when making decisions. District Director Zhang Shiqiu is very cooperative with him, and their requirements are basically consistent. Xu Shaojie knows that this is the result of their prior discussion. Since neither of the two meetings involved anything related to Xu Shaojie, he didn't speak up. Liu Zhihua didn't lose his temper or use foul language towards Xu Shaojie, nor did he mention the rumors outside, as if he was waiting and accumulating strength.

  The meeting was still the same old routine, with Vice Secretary Hu Deyong in charge of agriculture and Vice Secretary Yi Xiangyang in charge of finance and trade reporting on preparations. The plan is for the entire district to start harvesting on September 10th. During this time, the head of the tobacco station, who was attending the meeting as a non-voting delegate, made a report. Xu Shaojie had already understood that tobacco leaf procurement would be led by the tobacco station, and the district committee's words may not have any effect. This meeting was purely for task assignment, which means the district committee serves the tobacco station. This is an unavoidable situation, as tobacco leaf procurement involves financial income and farmers' interests.

  Zhang Shiqiu made a summary and agreed in principle to all the arrangements. Finally, Liu Zhihua spoke, because what he said was the holy edict, the standard for everyone to follow. The tobacco standards are not just upper, middle, and lower grades, but rather the highest grade is Zhongyi, followed by Zhong'er, and Shangyi and Shang'er belong to another level altogether. Most people don't understand this, but it's something that must be grasped when working at the grassroots level.

  "This damned tobacco procurement, year after year of meetings, year after year of headaches, it's really not worth it..."

  Liu Zhihua began to assign tasks in the midst of such an opening speech, nothing strange, all of which had been mentioned before. Liu Zhihua didn't need to elaborate at all and could have simply agreed with the previous opinions, but instead chose to repeat them to show his authority. Everyone was diligently taking notes except for Xu Shaojie, who hadn't even moved his pen. Liu Zhihua naturally noticed this and felt it necessary to emphasize discipline after assigning tasks, so he changed his tone and began to scold.

  "There are some cadres in the district who are like turtles, they don't listen to arrangements. Just the other day, I heard the village secretary reflect on Liu Mu, who does nothing all day long. What should be done with such cadres? Don't we have a good way to deal with them? Secretary Xu, you're in charge of organization, what do you think?"

  Xu Shaojie was holding back his anger, and now it's just right, you Liu Zhihua are too arrogant, actually sending it to my face, thinking I Xu Shaojie am just a decoration.

  "I'd like to raise two issues. Firstly, as the deputy secretary in charge of organization, which village secretary reflected on Comrade Liu Mu's issue? According to organizational principles, they should have reported it to me. Is this not a case of bypassing the proper channels and disrespecting the district committee and government? Does this village secretary not have even the most basic quality required for their position?

  Secondly, as a district leader stationed in Hualin Township, Liu Mu is a cadre of the Hualin Township government. I've been to Hualin several times, and Liu Mu has performed well, earning the unanimous recognition of the township government cadres, including mine. Secretary Liu's words earlier implied that the Hualin Township government cadres and I collectively deceived the organization, while the village cadres' reflections were true.

  Lastly, I'd like to express a personal opinion: as Communist Party members and leading cadres of the district committee and government, we are all comrades and should respect each other. We are equal in terms of our personal character. I hope that in the future, everyone will refrain from using other nicknames for Comrade Liu Mu. That's my opinion."

  The conference room was as silent as death, this was Xu Shaojie's first speech, everyone felt a sharp and unstoppable momentum, a momentum that was ready to tear everything apart, a confident momentum.

  Liu Zhihua was stunned for almost a minute, he wanted to lose his temper, just as Xu Shaojie went to Liu Mu's house. Liu Zhihua wasn't a fool, having experienced so much wind and rain, he understood strategy. To be sure, he specially went to the city, concocting a series of words that were unfavorable to Xu Shaojie, such as entering the role slowly, adapting poorly, etc. He received a scolding from his leader, who rebuked him for not knowing his place and told him to be careful. It was only then that Liu Zhihua felt a chill in his heart.

  Some words had already leaked out and were quietly spreading outside. This was Liu Zhihua's usual tactic: first create an atmosphere, then launch a fierce attack, and after the opponent surrenders, offer them a sweet deal. However, facing Xu Shaojie, Liu Zhihua felt powerless for the first time.

  Liu Zhihua wouldn't allow any problems with his power to arise. Fortunately, Xu Shaojie didn't make any other moves, so Liu Zhihua let the rumors spread, waiting for the day when they would explode.

  "Secretary Xu, don't be angry. Just now Secretary Liu also specifically mentioned the discipline issue and made an emphasis on it. Discipline is very important in the process of tobacco leaf procurement."

  Zhang Shikui was still explaining when Liu Zhihua suddenly blurted out a sentence.

  "That's all for today's meeting, dismissed."

  Xu Shaojie left the conference room under the gaze of all deputy posts, which was the first time since Liu Zhihua took office as district secretary. Facing the inquiry of deputy posts, he announced the adjournment without saying a word, without explanation, and without reprimand. Everyone sensed a strong smell of gunpowder, as if the air was about to explode.

  Just one day later, Xu Shaojie's speech at the meeting spread like wildfire. In the courtyard of the district committee and government offices, some changes took place. Everyone carefully avoided Xu Shaojie and Song Tao, not daring to offend them or get close to them. The only exception was Yang Chen, who didn't care at all and still chatted and laughed with Song Tao.

  Liu Zhihua's heart ached, so many years had passed, and he had never seen such a situation. This Xu Shaojie, it seemed that the newborn calf was not afraid of the tiger. No matter how hard your background is, I am the secretary, you are the deputy secretary, I want you to go left, you go left, you listen first.

  After saying that, Liu Zhihua always felt that he was not enough, which had never happened before. He already felt that Xu Shaojie looked young but actually had deep thoughts. It's estimated that many old slippery heads would fall into Xu Shaojie's hands if they weren't careful. Liu Zhihua didn't know why the methods that had been tried many times over the years were ineffective against Xu Shaojie. The biggest problem now was that Xu Shaojie was the deputy secretary in charge of organization, and it was impossible to avoid him when trying to move people. This was what made Liu Zhihua most worried. Originally, he thought that after a period of time, things would return to their previous state, but now it seemed that there were some difficulties.

  Thinking of this, Liu Zhihua dialed the phone number. His office had a phone, and Huang He answered it. Liu Zhihua quickly said a few words and hung up the phone. Soon, Zhang Shiqi and Sun Jianbo arrived at his office. Zhang Shiqi was someone he strongly recommended, and loyalty was not an issue. Sun Jianbo used to work at the Cultural Station as a clerk, but Liu Zhihua promoted him, and now he is in charge of politics and law, second only to Xu Shaojie.

  "Damn it, this is infuriating! How can such a thing happen? That Xu Shaojie thinks he's something, young and arrogant, even younger than my son. He thinks I'm afraid of him?"

  Zhang Shikui and Sun Jianbo didn't speak, looking at Liu Zhihua. They knew that Liu Zhihua must have something else to say.

  "Sun Jianbo, you're in charge of politics and law, say something, what's the way to make Xu Shaojie this turtle son suffer a bit."

  Sun Jianbo opened his eyes wide and didn't dare to speak, this wasn't a joke. Xu Shaojie was sent by Vice Secretary of the Municipal Committee Xu Yunfei, which meant something. Sun Jianbo understood that if he made any moves now, he would be exposed later and might lose everything, including his job. Moreover, Liu Zhihua had never been so humiliated before and hadn't even cursed loudly, Sun Jianbo already knew Xu Shaojie's weight.

  "Secretary Liu, this matter still needs careful consideration."

  Zhang Shi-kui was very experienced and knew that Liu Zhi-hua was now in a state of high emotions, so he couldn't say yes or no, and tried to drag out the time as much as possible, thus gaining a lot of room for maneuver.

  "Alright, I understand. What you said makes sense. Let's take this matter slowly. We're about to purchase tobacco leaves soon, so all of you need to be careful. Sun Jianbo, make sure to inform the police station in advance. No one is allowed to use force arbitrarily. The police station will dispatch personnel only if I or Director Zhang give the order. If anyone else gives an order, it's invalid. If any problems arise, I'll hold you responsible."

  Sun Jianbo nodded, it's always been like this every year, and the police station also knows about it.

  "Director Zhang, school is about to start soon. Isn't Xu Shaojie in charge of the Education Station? Find an opportunity to get him to come to the school and take a look. The Education Station will figure out a way to rent a car. I don't want to see him now, the farther away from the District Office the better."

  "Secretary Liu, this matter may require you to speak personally, the education station's people may not listen to me."

  "Oh, I forgot, I'll give the education office a call later and arrange it."

  When Zhang Shikui and Sun Jianbo left Liu Zhihua's office, they didn't feel relieved, but instead felt a bit heavy. Liu Zhihua's emotions were abnormal, seemingly hating Xu Shaojie to the bone, yet there was something he couldn't mention, and they didn't know what the reason was. However, Liu Zhihua had never been in such a state before.

  "Director Sun, Director Liu's mood hasn't been good lately, you must pay attention. During the tobacco leaf procurement period, the police station is the most important force, and you must make more contact to prevent any problems from arising."

  "Director Zhang, don't worry, it's been so many years and nothing has ever gone wrong. It definitely won't this time either."

  The director of the education station suddenly came to ask for instructions and report on work, Xu Shaojie had been there for almost a month, this was the first time the director had come to ask for instructions and report on work. The director's explanation was that previously during the summer vacation, now with the start of school, he had come to ask for instructions and report on work. Xu Shaojie would not be fooled by the director of the education station, he had already understood the situation, the director of the education station and Liu Zhihua had a very close relationship, Liu Zhihua tightly controlled the adjustment of all teachers in the district, others could not say anything, the use of educational surcharges at the education station was also decided by Liu Zhihua's word.

  Now, the rumor that Xu Shaojie and Liu Zhihua have an unpleasant relationship has been circulating throughout the district. At this time, the head of the Education Station came to ask for instructions and report, which would not be a good thing. Rather than being a puppet, it's better to do something within one's capabilities. Through Zhao Deli and Liu Mu, Xu Shaojie had already learned about the various situations in Yudou District, which was like an iron plate. Liu Zhihua has been operating here for many years and is on good terms with the people in charge of the main stations, making it impossible for Xu Shaojie, who has just taken office as deputy secretary of the district committee, to intervene.

  Xu Shaojie explained in a gentle manner that he had just arrived at Yudu District and was not familiar with many tasks. His current work focus is on understanding the organizational work situation of the entire district, so he has somewhat neglected the work of the station. However, this is based on the outstanding performance of the education station and the strong ability of the station head. Now that school is about to start, there is a deputy district head in charge of assisting with educational matters at the district level. If there are any issues, they can be discussed with the deputy district head, which is the same as before. He fully supports this arrangement, as an outsider cannot do the work of an insider and lead to ridicule. In the future, he will definitely take time to become more familiar with the work of the education station. Currently, it is a critical period, so he will not express any opinions or give instructions. Please ask the comrades at the education station to understand and support this.

  The stationmaster was speechless for a long time, Xu Shaojie said this, he felt that there was nothing to say. Originally, the plan was to invite Xu Shaojie to visit all schools in the district, which would take at least half a month. However, Xu Shaojie's intention was very clear: if he were to visit all schools in the district, it would definitely be the deputy director's job. The stationmaster did not want to waste money on this, it was purely useless work, and it would be better to use it for other things.

  The stationmaster was not giving up, Liu Zhihua entrusted the task, if it couldn't be completed, it would be bad to hand over, facing the stationmaster's sincere invitation, Xu Shaojie simply prepared to call in the deputy director in charge of assistance. The stationmaster found that the situation was not right and repeatedly said forget it, since Secretary Xu was very busy, let's talk about it later.

  After the stationmaster left, Xu Shaojie sat alone in the office, slightly sneering. These days were very leisurely, no one came to report work, and no one actively approached him, as if he had become a plague god. Song Tao also suffered losses with him, and everyone avoided Song Tao, unwilling to speak or touch him. Xu Shaojie knew the reason for this situation, and his heart was suffocating with anger. Since the cards were already on the table, he would see it through to the end. Based on Liu Zhihua's rape of Yu Zhihong, Xu Shaojie would not collude with him. What kind of party leader was such a secretary? Xu Shaojie wasn't one-sided or biased; through his own observations and Liu Zhihua's behavior, he had completely believed these things.