Right path to power

Both of them had been drinking, so they took a taxi there.

Quanyan Tea House is a standalone three-story building. It looks square from the outside, but the interior is U-shaped. The parking spaces in front of the door were already full of cars.

Entering through the main gate, there is a short path surrounded by green bamboo, at the end of which stands an artificial hill. The two characters "Quanyan" on the front of the hill are said to have been written by a famous calligrapher.

In fact, its most distinctive feature is that it is quiet!

Before arriving, Guo Yuanzheng had already booked a private room. Upon inquiring at the front desk, a friendly waiter led the way. Looking at the waiter wearing a high-slit cheongsam, Lin Xiao thought that this might be the key difference between it and other tea houses.

"I've been here twice. It's quite quiet, perfect for chatting and discussing business," Guo Yuanzheng introduced. "If you come in the future, just give me a call in advance, and I guarantee there will be a private room available."

Lin Xiao nodded and glanced at Guo Yuanzheng. She could clearly sense the confidence in the other man's eyes. After all, he was the head of the First Secretariat Section of the Municipal Party Committee Office and the secretary of the Municipal Party Secretary. He certainly had face, and the implicit "convenience" he received was naturally considerable.

No sooner had Lin Xiao and his group sat down than someone knocked on the door of the private room. Lin Xiao got up to open the door.

"Minister Zhou, Director Su, you've arrived! Please come in, have a seat."

It turns out that the friends Lin Xiao was inviting were Zhou Zizheng, the executive deputy director of the municipal organization department, and Su Anji, the deputy director of the municipal public security bureau.

Lin Xiao introduced Guo Yuanzheng, and Zhou Su and Lin Xiao greeted him warmly with smiles. They naturally knew Guo Yuanzheng's identity, since everyone was paying close attention to the changes in the First Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee, but most of them didn't have the opportunity to meet him privately.

Guo Yuanzheng also politely stood up to greet them. The two people in front of him were both deputy heads of powerful departments, one at the level of a full division chief and the other at the level of a deputy division chief. In addition, with Lin Xiao's relationship, he didn't dare to put on any airs.

"Zheng and I just had dinner at the big boss's place. Since we had some time to spare, we decided to go for a walk. It's been a while since I've been to the city and we haven't seen each other for quite some time, so I invited you two out. I hope we didn't bother you, haha."

"What are you saying?"

Upon hearing this, Zhou and Su's eyes lit up immediately, filled with hope. They naturally knew who the "big leader" was, and they also understood that such "treatment" was probably still a long way off for them.

"So, how have you two been lately?"

"Well, it's not a matter of good or bad, it's just a bit busy, but it's all routine cadre evaluation and assessment work, and we're used to it," Zhou Zizheng said with a smile.

"I've been under a lot of pressure lately. The higher-ups are paying close attention and have issued several directives. Everyone is on edge. Even though I don't have much work to manage, the tension and pressure are still quite noticeable. And with that incident in Fengshan County, the bureau is even more tense."

Lin Xiao smiled and said, "Director Su, just think of this period as a special one. As the saying goes, 'If you get through winter, spring can't be far behind, right?' Besides, the big boss just told me this afternoon that as long as we have a valid reason and follow the law and regulations, we're not afraid of making a big fuss."

"Yes, yes, yes, what the boss says is true, it's all for the sake of work!"

Lin Xiao paused for a moment and then said, "The top leader also said that he supports anyone who is capable, pragmatic, and solves people's problems. So, I suggest you find some time to report to the top leader and recommend yourself."

Su Anji was taken aback. Did those words mean he should...? Then, he felt a surge of excitement, but also some difficulty: "This... but I don't know if the big leader has time to meet with me?"

Lin Xiao gave Guo Yuanzheng a meaningful look, then smiled and said, "I think there should be, but the specifics will depend on Section Chief Guo's arrangements."

Guo Yuanzheng was increasingly surprised as he listened. On the surface, Lin Xiao was just relaying information, but behind every sentence seemed to be a hidden meaning.

This inevitably made him suspicious: Could it be that the higher-ups had communicated with this lowly deputy section chief about this matter and adopted his opinions?

But what exactly is their relationship? After all, considering their age difference, social status, work, time and space, social circles, and interests, the two have no real connection.

This question had been lingering in Guo Yuanzheng's mind ever since he first saw Lin Xiao. But while feeling envious and jealous, he also subconsciously told himself that he should get along well with Lin Xiao. So when Lin Xiao threw the question at him, he finally smiled and said, "The leader hasn't made any arrangements before 10 a.m. next Monday."

"Okay, thank you, Section Chief Guo."

Su Anji was very excited. Although Lin Xiao didn't seem to say anything, the fact that he was being asked to meet the top leader at this crucial moment meant that the top leader intended to personally assess him. Therefore, he had to make a good impression no matter what.

He raised his teacup with a smile and said, "Section Chief Guo, Director Lin, I'd like to offer you a toast with tea instead of wine to thank you for your support."

Lin Xiao raised his glass and clinked it with his own, then smiled and said, "Director Su, you're too kind. Actually, I didn't do much. On the contrary, our Fengshan County needs Director Su's support. County Chief Gong may make a special trip to the Municipal Bureau next week to coordinate the appointment of the new County Bureau Chief. Given the serious problems that Zhan Shixiong has encountered, the county leaders intend to strengthen the supervision and management of the County Bureau, and the selection of the top leader is of paramount importance."

Su Anji nodded and said, "Yes, I agree with this view. With the strong leadership and support of the county party committee and the county government, the work of the county bureau can be carried out better."

Zhou Zizheng listened quietly, maintaining a slight smile on his face throughout.

Lin Xiao looked at Zhou Zizheng and said, "Minister Zhou, the big leader has only been here for a short time and may not be very clear about the situation of some cadres. I suggest you also find some time to report to the big leader, and you can be the big leader's guide for a while."

Zhou Zizheng's eyes lit up, and he hurriedly said, "Okay, okay, thank you for the suggestion, Xiao Lin. I'll find some time to go to the Municipal Party Committee next week."

He then turned to Guo Yuanzheng and asked, "Section Chief Guo, when is the higher-up available?"

At this moment, Lin Xiao also gave him a look, so Guo Yuanzheng thought for a moment and said, "The leader doesn't have any plans for next Tuesday afternoon yet."

"Oh, thank you, Section Chief Guo. I'm sorry to have troubled you."

Guo Yuanzheng nodded, indicating that there was no need to be polite. Although he could not offer suggestions to the leaders like Lin Xiao, he possessed a wealth of information that was difficult for outsiders to obtain. This information often proved to be highly effective, making his position equally important.

However, the question kept flashing through his mind: it was unimaginable that a municipal party secretary and a deputy section-level cadre would have such an in-depth conversation about personnel matters, and their close relationship might be beyond imagination.

Nearly an hour later, the group emerged from the teahouse. Zhou Zizheng and Su Anji went home, Guo Yuanzheng returned to his government dormitory, and Lin Xiao took a taxi to a hotel near the municipal party committee compound.

The next morning, Lin Xiao went to the nearby vegetable market to buy some things, and then took a taxi to the municipal party committee compound.

"Xiao Lin? Didn't you go back to the county last night? Why are you buying so many groceries so early in the morning?"

When she opened the door and saw Lin Xiao, Shen Liying was quite surprised.

"Aunt Shen, we all drank last night, and then we went out with Section Chief Guo to meet some friends. It was too late, and the car was here, so we decided to stay overnight. These groceries were just bought at the market we passed by."

"Oh, I see. Why didn't you say so? There are guest rooms too. By the way, how much are these? I'll give them to you."

"Aunt Shen, please don't be shy with these dishes. The main thing is, I didn't know what you and Uncle-Master liked to eat, so I bought a few local specialties. Please try them. I have to go back to the county now, so I won't bother you any longer. Goodbye, Aunt Shen!"

After saying that, Lin Xiao turned around and walked quickly out the door. Shen Liying was stunned for a moment and followed him out, but Lin Xiao was very fast. He jumped into the driver's seat, waved to Shen Liying, and started the car.

Seeing this, Shen Liying could only mutter "this child" as she returned to the house. Just then, Wang Yuanze came out of the bedroom.

"Old Wang, this young man is very clever and not arrogant or impatient. He seems to be a good prospect. Your judgment has not wavered at all."

Wang Yuanze smiled and said, "That's right, but my judgment is still a bit inferior to my senior brother's. He is my senior brother's prized student. Last time I went to my senior brother's place, he was there too. I observed him, no, I should say I investigated him. This kid has ideas, he's bold, and he dares to take risks. He's a good young man. I think my senior brother also intends to cultivate him well, otherwise he wouldn't have mentioned his prized student to me several times."

"Since you two both like it, it must be a good choice. However, I just heard him say he's going back to the county seat. Is he still working there?"

"Yes, deputy director of the county government office and secretary to the county head. Although it's only at the deputy section chief level, I think it's a good starting point. So, let's observe it further!"