"Director, you’ve kept me here for my own good! But the more you do this, the more I can’t let you go against everyone’s objections to overturn the voting results. Director Li may not oppose it, but this will give others an excuse to attack you. I can’t put you in this position for my own selfish reasons; it would make me feel terrible."
Cheng Jemin spoke with genuine emotion. Without waiting for Chen Bingnan’s reaction, he continued, "Director Chen, I’m not afraid of going to support agriculture. After all, I’m still part of the Water Resources Department. As long as you’re here, no one will dare to make me suffer. Therefore, I’m willing to dedicate my knowledge to the construction of my hometown, which has been one of my childhood dreams."
Chen Bingnan looked at the pure-faced Cheng Jemin and felt quite moved. Chen Bingnan preferred young people who dared to think, act, speak, and do. He had always thought that Little Cheng was good at maintaining the status quo but lacked the ability to innovate. Now, it seemed he had underestimated this young secretary. On a large scale, the child lacked broad vision and political maturity, but on a smaller scale, he was full of enthusiasm and still quite naive. However, the willingness to turn small matters into significant achievements and to immerse oneself in practical experience was indeed a commendable spirit.
To reduce an excuse for others to attack him, Cheng Jemin was actually serious about going to support agriculture. But he was right; as long as Chen Bingnan was in the Water Resources Department, what did three years matter?
After a moment of contemplation, Chen Bingnan patted Cheng Jemin on the shoulder and said, "Since that’s the case, go ahead. Remember my words: sharpening the axe doesn’t delay the cutting of wood. I’ll always keep your position here for you."
"Thank you, Director." Cheng Jemin felt a great relief, his heart filled with a secret joy. Thinking about how he had managed to change his fate as written in the black notebook, he felt an urge to cry.
Seeing Cheng Jemin’s expression, Chen Bingnan felt even more that this child was quite good. Not only could he understand his predicament, but he also took the initiative to help shield him from trouble. He was quite malleable.
"Alright, it’s not early anymore. Go back, and I’ll talk to Director Li about the rest."
Chen Bingnan’s voice carried a hint of understanding. Cheng Jemin smiled gratefully at him and quietly left.
Back in his office, Cheng Jemin’s mind raced. Today’s events were truly risky. Any small problem from either Director Chen or Zhao Huazhong could have derailed his plans.
Director Chen was genuinely good to him, but such a good mentor could only stay in the Water Resources Department for two more days. During these two days, he could continue to enjoy his current status, but once Director Chen left, he would be sitting on a cold bench.
Fortunately, the agricultural support officials would be in place by the beginning of next month, so even if he sat on a cold bench, it would be for a limited time. However, since he had these two days of power, it would be a waste not to make the most of this opportunity.
Unfortunately, the notebook didn’t have any lottery information. If he could remember a couple of winning numbers, his life would be much easier.
Cheng Jemin chuckled to himself and sat down to drink some water. It was raining outside, and looking at the dark night, he suddenly remembered what Pang Xiaoguang had told him today.
Tang Zhengshan, according to the notebook, would become Secretary Liu’s secretary in the Provincial Party Committee. This was a resource of immeasurable value. He should take this opportunity to establish a connection.
As the saying goes, adding flowers to brocade is far less valuable than bringing coal in the snow.
Thinking about having Tang Zhengshan as a powerful ally in the future, Cheng Jemin felt a sense of urgency. He paced around the office a few times and then walked toward Tang Zhengshan’s office.
Tang Zhengshan was in his thirties. Although he was two levels higher than Cheng Jemin and already a section chief, he had been sitting on a cold bench for years. In the Water Resources Department, his current situation was far from the popular and influential Cheng Jemin.
Cheng Jemin and Tang Zhengshan didn’t have much interaction. Cheng Jemin was in a favorable position, while Tang Zhengshan was in a difficult one.
Thinking about the limited information he had on Tang Zhengshan, Cheng Jemin arrived at the Office for Retired Cadres, which was one of the departments in the Water Resources Department but had little business for half the year.
When Cheng Jemin entered the large office, he saw Tang Zhengshan sitting alone, scribbling. Noticing that Tang Zhengshan hadn’t seen him come in, Cheng Jemin was curious about what he was writing.
"Wang Chenghua, Wang Chenghua, Wang Chenghua."
On the white draft paper, it was all the name of Wang Chenghua, the head of the Planning and Design Department. The information from Pang Xiaoguang made Cheng Jemin understand why he was writing this name. Cheng Jemin instinctively took a few steps back and then smiled, saying, "Brother Tang, what are you busy with?"
Tang Zhengshan had been idle for years, and sitting on a cold bench had dulled his sharpness. Or rather, he had deliberately hidden his sharpness. In the political arena, a cold bench was like the alchemy furnace of the Supreme Elder, and anyone who sat on it for a while would be tempered into steel.
However, Tang Zhengshan was still young, with a vibrant heart. He genuinely hoped to be busy. The Office for Retired Cadres was usually not busy, especially on a rainy day. Today, everyone in the office had taken a day off, but he had come because he didn’t want to stay at home.
Thinking about his wife’s resentful face, he felt particularly distressed. But it wasn’t his wife’s fault for being upset. His father-in-law, who worked in the county, had surely said many good things about him to the county magistrate. Now, when someone came to him for help, he had eagerly taken his hometown people to the office, only to be driven out with harsh and cutting words.
County Magistrate Lu wasn’t a fool; he could see that Tang Zhengshan was struggling in the Water Resources Department. He had probably disgraced his father-in-law. Damn Wang Chenghua, if I ever get the chance, I’ll never let you off!
He grabbed a piece of draft paper and wrote Wang Chenghua’s name, stabbing it with the pen tip. As he immersed himself in the pleasure of this revenge, he suddenly heard a strange voice greeting him. Tang Zhengshan was startled and instinctively covered the paper with his hand before looking up at Cheng Jemin.
Tang Zhengshan recognized Cheng Jemin, after all, as the secretary of the deputy director, he was a man of influence. After a moment of hesitation, he forced a stiff smile and said, "Oh, it’s Director Cheng. What brings you here? Does the leadership have any instructions?"
"I was passing by and saw you were busy, so I came to say hello."
Tang Zhengshan watched as Cheng Jemin sat down and quickly stood up to pour him water. "Oh, Director Cheng, what brings you to the Office for Retired Cadres? I’m truly honored."
"Brother Tang, don’t flatter me. If you put me on a pedestal, I might fall. Let’s be honest, being a secretary looks great, but in reality, a secretary is just a dog for the leadership."
Hearing Cheng Jemin’s humble words, Tang Zhengshan suddenly felt warm inside. He had been feeling very frustrated all day, and everyone looked at him strangely. Being driven out of the office in front of outsiders was a great humiliation.
"Director Cheng, everyone has their struggles!" Tang Zhengshan’s attitude softened.
"Calling me Director is a bit too formal, isn’t it?" Cheng Jemin took a sip of water and changed the subject, "Brother Tang, I read a report you wrote a few days ago. I realized you are the top talent in our department!"
"Cheng... Jemin, no, Brother Jemin, I don’t deserve the title of talent. That’s just a reputation I don’t live up to." Tang Zhengshan waved his hands, but Cheng Jemin could see from his upturned lips that he was quite pleased.
Cheng Jemin smiled inwardly. In politics, one needed to know how to scratch where it itched. A few well-placed words could have unexpected effects. Tang Zhengshan, who had been wary of him, was now chatting and laughing.
Looking at Tang Zhengshan’s spirited face, Cheng Jemin thought about how to steer the conversation to the matter at hand. Although they were getting along well, he knew that to build a deeper relationship, words alone were not enough.
The phone rang, interrupting their conversation. Tang Zhengshan smiled apologetically and answered. The person on the other end said something, and Tang Zhengshan replied unhappily, "Can’t I say I’m not feeling well today?"
From their earlier conversation, Cheng Jemin knew Tang Zhengshan was a gentle and refined man. Whatever had upset him so much must have hit a nerve. What could it be?
Tang Zhengshan said a few more words and then, as if resigned, said, "Alright, I’ll be there soon."
He hung up, took a deep breath, and then said to Cheng Jemin, "Jemin, I have a dinner I can’t miss. How about we continue our chat tomorrow?"
"What kind of dinner? Is it a department gathering?"
"Some people from my hometown came, and I need to keep them company." Tang Zhengshan said helplessly.
The people inviting Tang Zhengshan to dinner were probably the ones who had come to him for help. Cheng Jemin thought this was a perfect opportunity.
Thinking about this, Cheng Jemin smiled and said, "Brother Tang, I haven’t had dinner yet. Can I join you?"
PS: Brothers, keep up the support! Recommendations and collections, all of them, please give them to me. I’ll work even harder to repay you all! Please give me your strength!