Gao Ziqing's report was handwritten, but the handwriting was quite skillful. It was truly a fine hand! Cheng Jemin's eyes were fixed on the report, but his thoughts were on Gao Ziqing. Despite his not being particularly imposing in stature, what left the deepest impression on Cheng Jemin was that Gao Ziqing seemed to be a wise person, someone who rarely gave others the chance to observe him from the side or behind.
Now, Gao Ziqing was treating him like a brother, even showing signs of trying to please him. Cheng Jemin had already read the diary twice, and with the insights from his past life, he could clearly sense the distance between himself and Gao Ziqing.
Even though Gao Ziqing was now trying to please him, in reality, he was the one who was the big tree, a tree that would not fall just because of someone else's job change.
Although Cheng Jemin seemed to be in a position of great influence, it was because he was clinging to the big tree of Director Chen. Once Director Chen was transferred, he would be cast into the dust, with no room for a comeback.
It seemed that in the future, he needed to remember two principles: first, to widely cultivate good relationships. To widely meet useful people and then make these useful people serve him. While it was impossible for everyone to serve him, he should strive for more and better; second, to seize every opportunity to strengthen himself. By any means necessary, he should quickly grow into a towering tree, only then could he stand firm and solid in the face of winds from all directions.
"Brother, is there anything inappropriate?" Gao Ziqing asked nervously, seeing Cheng Jemin's silence.
Cheng Jemin hesitated for a moment, then looked up and smiled. "Secretary Gao, this report is very detailed and will suit Director Chen's taste. Just focus on the key points when you report, and leave the rest to me."
"Oh, thank you so much, brother!" Gao Ziqing nodded repeatedly.
"Brother Tang, you stay with Secretary Gao for a while. I'll check if Director Chen has arrived and arrange things quickly."
Although he had the idea of using Gao Ziqing, the person Cheng Jemin truly wanted to cultivate was still Tang Zhenshan. Not only because Tang Zhenshan would be more useful in the future, but also because compared to Gao Ziqing, Tang Zhenshan was more worth befriending.
When Cheng Jemin entered Director Chen Bingnan's office again, Chen Bingnan was already sitting in his chair, reading documents as usual. Cheng Jemin refilled his water, and Chen Bingnan put down the documents. "Xiaocheng, I talked with Director Li yesterday. He fully recognized your sacrifice in firmly supporting the voting results."
Although he had expected the outcome, Cheng Jemin still felt a great relief, as if a heavy burden had been lifted. After a moment's thought, he smiled. "Thank you, Director, for your cultivation and trust."
Cheng Jemin's words made Chen Bingnan laugh. As his secretary, Chen Bingnan naturally hoped that the secretary would thank him, even though he had mentioned Li Zhonghua first.
"Xiaocheng, this time going to support agriculture, you are indeed being put to some inconvenience!" Chen Bingnan, who was still unaware of his impending transfer, said with a hint of guilt. "If you have any unresolved matters, take care of them quickly. If you encounter any difficulties, I'll make a call."
Cheng Jemin, who was thinking about how to bring up the matter, seized the opportunity. "Director Chen, I have an uncle in my hometown who works in the county. They are planning to build a small reservoir, and the county leaders have come to see him. I didn't want to get involved, but..."
Cheng Jemin blushed and couldn't continue. Seeing this, Chen Bingnan, who was eager to make up for Cheng Jemin's sacrifice, waved his hand and decided. "This is no problem. As long as it complies with the policy, the department will support it wholeheartedly."
"Thank you, Director." Cheng Jemin was not surprised by Chen Bingnan's quick agreement. He then steeled himself and said, "Director, the county's Secretary Gao admires you very much. Could he come to report on this matter?"
Chen Bingnan's eyebrows raised instinctively. With his shrewdness, how could he not see that Cheng Jemin wanted to show off in front of Secretary Gao? Although he understood, he didn't point it out. Thinking about how this young secretary had humbly gone to support agriculture to reduce the attacks on him, he decided it was no big deal to give him some face.
With this in mind, Chen Bingnan smiled kindly. "Alright, Xiaocheng, go and bring Secretary Gao in."
Cheng Jemin agreed, refilled Chen Bingnan's water again, and then left the office.
Everything went smoothly, but Cheng Jemin still felt a bit guilty for using Director Chen. Thinking about how Tang Zhenshan had been driven out of the planning and design department by Wang Chenghua, his resolve hardened. If he didn't want to repeat the same mistakes, he had to make the most of every opportunity now.
"Brother Tang, come with me, Director Chen is looking for you." Back in the office, Cheng Jemin found Gao Ziqing and Tang Zhenshan chatting happily. He hesitated for a moment and then beckoned to Tang Zhenshan.
Tang Zhenshan was taken aback. He gave Gao Ziqing a complex look and then quickly walked out. Just as he was about to head to Chen Bingnan's office, Cheng Jemin stopped him.
"Brother, something has changed?" Tang Zhenshan saw Cheng Jemin wink at him and immediately understood. He shook Cheng Jemin's hand firmly in gratitude.
Cheng Jemin smiled and shook Tang Zhenshan's hand firmly. "Let's wait a minute, and then I'll bring Secretary Gao in."
A minute passed quickly. As Cheng Jemin led Gao Ziqing to Chen Bingnan's office, Tang Zhenshan was walking in from the direction of Chen Bingnan's office. Cheng Jemin nodded at him, and Gao Ziqing gave Tang Zhenshan a grateful look.
When Cheng Jemin led Gao Ziqing into Chen Bingnan's office, Chen Bingnan was watering a plant on the windowsill. Seeing Gao Ziqing enter, he asked casually, "Xiaocheng, is this Secretary Gao?"
Before Cheng Jemin could introduce him, Gao Ziqing quickly walked over to Chen Bingnan and said respectfully, "Director Chen, hello, I am Gao Ziqing."
"Secretary Gao, please sit down. You don't need to be formal here." Chen Bingnan, wanting to give his secretary some face, spoke with more warmth. After shaking hands with Gao Ziqing, he didn't return to his desk but sat down on the sofa next to Gao Ziqing.
As a county party secretary, Gao Ziqing was skilled in conversation, and Chen Bingnan wanted to give his secretary some face, so the two quickly got into a lively discussion. By the time Cheng Jemin brought in the tea, Gao Ziqing had already started reporting on the small reservoir.
"Jemin, call Wang Chenghua over and have him review Secretary Gao's report to see if there are any issues." Chen Bingnan stopped Cheng Jemin as he was about to leave.
Cheng Jemin had planned to personally take Gao Ziqing to see Wang Chenghua after the report and finalize the matter today. Now that Chen Bingnan wanted him to call Wang Chenghua, it suited his plans.
He agreed and used Chen Bingnan's office phone to notify Wang Chenghua. As the deputy director in charge of the planning and design department, Wang Chenghua arrived at Chen Bingnan's office in just two minutes.
"Director Chen, you called me?" Wang Chenghua greeted Chen Bingnan respectfully.
"Director Wang, this is Secretary Gao from the county. They urgently need to build a reservoir. Please review this report and see if there are any issues." Chen Bingnan was direct with Wang Chenghua.
Wang Chenghua glanced at the report and realized it was the same one that Tang Zhenshan had submitted yesterday, which he had dismissed. His heart sank as he realized that the person sitting next to Director Chen was no ordinary visitor.
But if you have a connection with Director Chen, why did you go to Tang Zhenshan, who is useless? You almost caused me a big problem!
Although he thought this, he smiled and said, "Director, building a small reservoir in Secretary Gao's jurisdiction has been on our agenda for a while. Now that Secretary Gao is taking the initiative, it's like a timely rain!"
Gao Ziqing, who had learned about yesterday's events, knew that this Director Wang had said their county's plan was impossible. Although he was furious, he understood that while he could be picky in his own jurisdiction, he was here to seek help. So, he thanked Director Wang for his support.
In just half an hour, Wang Chenghua had completed the procedures. After leaving Wang Chenghua's office, Gao Ziqing tightly held Cheng Jemin and Tang Zhenshan's hands, expressing his deep gratitude.
Cheng Jemin subtly redirected all the gratitude to Tang Zhenshan. The county leaders, having accomplished their mission, were about to leave. Everyone became more friendly toward Tang Zhenshan. The local specialties they brought were all given to his father-in-law, Ma Tianbao, who was leaving in a car.
Tang Zhenshan saw this and said nothing. Their attitude was clearly to cultivate a good relationship with him. Often, such seemingly cliché methods were used to strengthen and develop relationships. Secretary Gao, holding his hand, sincerely apologized for any past neglect and asked for his understanding.
The ridicule of yesterday and the gratitude of today made Tang Zhenshan feel like he was in a dream. But the reality told him that everything was true. His current position was entirely due to Cheng Jemin's support.
Without Cheng Jemin, he would probably have become a laughingstock in his hometown.
"Zhenshan, Secretary Gao just told me that your brother is teaching well at the county high school and is considering promoting him to vice-principal," Ma Tianbao whispered to his son-in-law.
Tang Zhenshan looked at his satisfied father-in-law, feeling warm inside. He looked at Cheng Jemin with gratitude. Cheng Jemin was smiling and talking to Gao Ziqing.
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