Right path to power

The next day, Yang Songfeng still didn't receive a call from the Municipal Party Committee's Organization Department, but instead received news that Lin Xiao had once again entered the office of Kang Tao, the Minister of the Organization Department of the Municipal Party Committee.

He felt as if all his strength had been drained, and he slumped into his office chair.

Countless questions surged through his mind, but no one could give him the answers.

He recalled how he had boasted in front of Lin Xiao not long ago, and now he felt it was all a joke.

In contrast, Lin Xiao, after having a routine pre-appointment talk with Kang Tao, had already entered the office of Wang Yuanze, the municipal party secretary.

"How's it going? Are you confident about the next step?" Wang Yuanze put down his pen, picked up his teacup, and walked over to the sofa.

Lin Xiao puffed out his chest: "Thank you for your recognition, Secretary. With your emphasis, I am confident that I can do a good job in Zhenxing District."

Wang Yuanze smiled and said, "It's good that you have confidence. It wasn't for nothing that I put pressure on you to achieve your goal in one go, haha."

Lin Xiao gave a wry smile, unsure how to respond.

But he knew in his heart that although his uncle's words sounded like a joke, every time he was promoted, he was under tremendous pressure. Fortunately, he had never let down that trust.

"What? Does what I said make you feel guilty? My requirements for you are still the same: go for it, try to solve the problem yourself, and only come to me if you really can't. This position is different from all my previous positions..."

Previously, Lin Xiao had held positions such as town party secretary, deputy county head, deputy county party secretary, and acting county head, but in the end, he was always an executor, implementer, and collaborator.

Township Party secretaries are responsible for their local areas and ensuring implementation; deputy county heads have limited authority and responsibility, overseeing specific areas; deputy county Party secretaries coordinate and assist the overall situation; and acting county heads are primarily responsible for government administration, economic development, and people's livelihood, but they are always the top administrative leaders under the leadership of the Party Committee.

The district party secretary, on the other hand, is the true head of a region.

They hold the power of overall decision-making, personnel management, and setting the overall tone. They are no longer simply cooperating with or implementing policies for others; instead, they are in charge, setting the direction, determining the overall situation, deciding personnel, and determining success or failure.

This marks a qualitative leap from "a cadre who gets things done" to "a cadre who takes the helm," and it is also a watershed moment in Lin Xiao's career, marking his true entry into a high-level position.

In short, the former depends on execution, while the latter determines the outcome!

Lin Xiao listened attentively. He could imagine the surprised reactions of the other members of the Municipal Party Committee when his uncle, Wang Yuanze, proposed that he take on the role of Party Secretary of Zhenxing District.

After all, a district party committee leader who is less than thirty years old is unique in the province and extremely rare even in the whole country.

"Please rest assured, Secretary, I will do my utmost to promote all aspects of work in Zhenxing District and will never let you down."

Lin Xiao made it clear that he was determined to do a good job in Zhenxing District no matter how difficult the situation became.

This is not only a way to repay the trust of his senior apprentice, but also a way to pave the way for his own future. After all, achieving results in governing a region is a highly valuable resume.

To be precise, he has two to three years to achieve something and lay a solid foundation for his next promotion.

This appointment also involves a crucial issue: the Party Secretary of Zhenxing District is a full-fledged division-level position, but Lin Xiao is still a few months short of meeting the required two-year term for deputy division-level office. Therefore, this appointment still falls under the category of an exceptional promotion.

In fact, Wang Yuanze had made a special trip to the provincial government to give advance notice and verbally report the matter before the five-person group meeting. After the meeting, the municipal party committee immediately submitted a formal written request for special consideration. The provincial party committee's organization department pre-approved the special personnel needs, which led to the smooth vote at the municipal party committee's standing committee meeting the following afternoon.

In other words, the questions raised by Acting Mayor Ma Guanghua were merely points of contention, which were already within the risk mitigation measures of Wang Yuanze's overall plan.

Within the system, the most feared thing is breaking the rules. No matter how powerful your backing is, breaking the rules is tantamount to challenging the authority of the entire organization, which is absolutely unacceptable.

People often say that the essence of officialdom is politics, and the essence of politics is rules.

"After the public announcement period ends, I will personally escort you to your new post," Wang Yuanze said. "Of course, during this time, the work in Fuchuan County must be handed over smoothly, so that your departure doesn't have too much of an impact. By the way, who do you think is the most suitable person to replace you?"

Lin Xiao thought for a moment: "Fuchuan County has just gotten on the right track and needs someone familiar with the overall situation to lead it in order to maintain its development momentum. I suggest that Executive Deputy County Head Qi Mingchen take over, and let him preside over it temporarily for a period of time. In addition, Fuchuan's cadres also have the confidence and passion to start businesses and make achievements, so there shouldn't be any problems with him continuing to lead it."

"Okay, I understand."

The uncle and nephew chatted for about half an hour, so much so that Guo Yuanzheng had to send away the people who wanted to come and report on their work.

As Lin Xiao stepped out of the inner office, she saw Guo Yuanzheng, who had already returned, and immediately went up to greet him: "District Chief Guo, would you do me the honor of joining me for lunch?"

Guo Yuanzheng smiled and said, "I'd be delighted if Secretary Lin wanted to treat us."

"Okay, I'll go reserve a table first."

"Thank you for your help, Secretary Lin."

"You're too kind."

"By the way, Secretary Lin, this is Huang Dewei. He will be taking over my work from now on." Guo Yuanzheng introduced the new secretary to Lin Xiao.

"Hello, Secretary Lin." Huang Dewei nodded to Lin Xiao.

Lin Xiao nodded: "Hello, Secretary Huang, please take care of me in the future."

Huang Dewei smiled and said, "Of course, I should learn more from Secretary Lin in the future."

Lin Xiao simply smiled and didn't reply. The young man's words sounded respectful, but his expression revealed a hint of arrogance. It was unclear whether he hadn't adapted yet or thought that becoming the "chief secretary of the municipal party committee" made him superior.

After leaving the secretary's office, Lin Xiao did not go into the office of any other municipal party committee leader, but walked straight out of the municipal party committee building.

The higher you go, the more attention you need to pay to certain small details.

After having lunch with Guo Yuanzheng, Lin Xiao returned to Fuchuan County.

During the meal, the two talked about many things, a large part of which was about the situation in Zhenxing District.

From the conversation, Lin Xiao could tell that Guo Yuanzheng had made thorough preparations.

After all, this move to the grassroots level is of great significance to his future development.

As soon as the workday began in the afternoon, the Organization Department of the Municipal Party Committee announced the pre-appointment public notice: Lin Xiao is proposed to be appointed as the Secretary of the Zhenxing District Party Committee, and Guo Yuanzheng is proposed to be appointed as a member of the Standing Committee of the Zhenxing District Party Committee and Deputy District Mayor.

Lin Xiao received many more congratulatory calls in no time.

At the same time, he called Qi Mingchen to his office.

"County Chief Lin, congratulations." Qi Mingchen greeted him with a smile as soon as he entered the office.

"I might want to share this congratulation with you," Lin Xiao said with a smile.

"Congratulations?" Qi Mingchen asked, looking puzzled.

Lin Xiao gestured for him to sit down before slowly speaking, "I suggested to Secretary Wang that you temporarily take charge of the county government's work. However, the final decision rests with the municipal party committee, and we'll have news from the city soon."

Qi Mingchen was so excited he almost jumped up: "This...this is too sudden! Thank you so much, County Chief Lin, I..."

Lin Xiao made a downward gesture: "Don't get so excited. It's standard procedure for you to temporarily take charge of the work. As for whether you can be promoted to the permanent position later, that depends on yourself."

"I'm sorry, County Chief Lin, I lost my composure. Don't worry, I will help you maintain the momentum of development in Fuchuan County."

Although Lin Xiao only said that he was temporarily in charge of the work, Qi Mingchen secretly guessed that Lin Xiao should have already recommended him to Wang Yuanze, the municipal party secretary, to take over as county head.

The key point is that he was transferred to the position of executive deputy county head not long ago, and now he is expected to be promoted to another level. Anyone would be excited if he were in his shoes.

"Hmm, I'm relieved to hear that. Over the next few days, try to take over the work. If you have any problems, come to me."

"Yes, County Head."

Subsequently, He Zhiqiang, Yang Xueting, and An Xu entered the office one after another. After thanking them for their congratulations, Lin Xiao couldn't help but give them a few words of advice: The current situation in Fuchuan County is hard-won. We must not only consolidate our gains but also expand them as appropriate.

Immediately afterwards, Liu Yun knocked on the door and came in.

"Secretary Lin, I heard that Zhenxing District is in a mess. How about I be your vanguard?" Liu Yun said half-jokingly.

Lin Xiao smiled and said, "As long as we are still under the leadership of the Party organization, how chaotic can things get? The situation in Fuchuan County has not come easily. Just stay here and wait until you have enough seniority to strive for advancement as soon as possible."

He had considered bringing Liu Yun over, but this time it wasn't suitable.

However, the selection of the district public security bureau chief is indeed very important; he must be a trustworthy person.

The branch bureau chief is a cadre under the management of the city. He is determined by the Organization Department of the Municipal Party Committee in conjunction with the Municipal Public Security Bureau. After he officially takes office and the situation is clarified, the decision will be made on whether he should be promoted locally or transferred from another place.

"Sigh, it seems I won't be able to advance alongside Secretary Lin this time. Oh well, I'll just guard Fuchuan for you then."

"Thank you very much, Director Liu."

"I don't care, you have to treat me to dinner and drinks."

"no problem."

"It's settled then. I'll send you the location later."

"OK."

Then Liu Yun turned and left. Before leaving, he made a gesture of encouragement to Lin Xiao behind his back.

Lin Xiao smiled.