Family connections: From special recruitment by the county committee to the pinnacle of power

Looking at Xu Hansheng's still somewhat childish face, Zhang Juan could hardly believe that such words could actually come from Xu Hansheng's mouth.

This person is a natural leader!

What is a leader? It is someone who knows how to recognize and appoint people to their positions without any emotional bias. Placing the right people in the right positions is a leader's primary responsibility.

However, Xu Hansheng's success was essentially self-taught.

"No need to be so modest, what you said is very good."

Zhang Juan smiled and nodded, then said to Xu Hansheng, "Okay, you can go back now. Xu He, come to my office for a moment."

"Yes, Director Zhang!"

Xu Hansheng stood up, bowed slightly, and then turned and walked out of Zhang Juan's office.

Immediately afterwards, Xu He, Su Jie, and others were also called into Zhang Juan's office.

Besides Xu Hansheng, only Liu Haitao recommended Lao Shen. Although no one else volunteered, none of the people they recommended were to Zhang Juan's liking.

That's right, Liu Haitao couldn't really explain it, he just felt that Lao Shen was senior and had high prestige.

But these are just words we can only listen to.

We're all colleagues, what's this talk of prestige?

Soon, Zhang Juan reported Lao Shen's list to Jiang Qinghua.

Jiang Qinghua approved it instantly, of course.

Just before lunch break, when Zhang Juan announced that Lao Shen would be appointed as the deputy section chief, Shen Guofu's hands trembled with excitement.

He worked in the secretariat his whole life, writing documents, but was never valued by his superiors. Finally, in his old age, he was able to shine.

"God, you've finally opened your eyes, but... it's way too damn late!"

With mixed feelings, Lao Shen stood up and walked to Zhang Juan and Wang Yuwen's side. Everyone in Chongke bowed slightly.

Zhang Juan smiled and looked at Xu Hansheng, saying, "Comrade Xu Hansheng is indeed very insightful. Director Jiang also believes that only Comrade Lao Shen is capable of shouldering the important responsibility of deputy section chief. Let's all give him a round of applause!"

Swish!

The people around looked at Xu Hansheng again.

But Xu Hansheng remained calm and joined Zhang Juan in clapping.

Xu He felt a mix of emotions as he looked at the scene before him.

In his view, Zhang Juan's public naming of Xu Hansheng was simply to let Lao Shen know who his benefactor was.

In other words, Xu Hansheng's days in the Secretariat would be smooth sailing from now on.

Besides regret, he was filled with jealousy.

How could Xu Hansheng gain Zhang Juan's favor in such a short time?

But Xu Hansheng thought differently.

Zhang Juan wasn't targeting Lao Shen, but rather Xu Hansheng.

There are some things Zhang Juan can't say to Lao Shen directly, but through what she just said, Lao Shen will definitely express his gratitude to Xu Hansheng.

In this process, Xu Hansheng could then tell Lao Shen exactly what he had said to Juan.

If Lao Shen isn't stupid, he should understand what he should and shouldn't do.

Throughout the entire process, Zhang Juan did not say a word, nor did she defend Wang Yuwen. Everything was done voluntarily by Lao Shen.

This is what is meant by "like a gentle rain nourishing the earth, silently and without warning."

If it were someone else, Zhang Juan wouldn't have had such confidence, but she believed that Xu Hansheng would understand her good intentions.

"Alright, everyone, let's get back to work."

Zhang Juan smiled and nodded to everyone before turning and leaving the office.

After seeing Zhang Juan off, Lao Shen first went to Wang Yuwen's office to report on his work. Then, he walked out of Wang Yuwen's private office and said to everyone in the department, "Section Chief Wang said that we can start our lunch break five minutes earlier from now on. It's almost time, everyone go to the cafeteria for lunch."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone present cheered. Finally, they didn't have to see Li Qiang's sour face anymore, and they could even arrive at the cafeteria five minutes early. Wouldn't they get to eat the best food first?

Soon, everyone arrived at the cafeteria.

While eating, Lao Shen secretly kept an eye on Xu Hansheng's every move.

Seeing Xu Hansheng stand up and walk out of the canteen, Old Shen also put down his chopsticks and quickly chased after him.

"Xiao Xu, wait for me."

As he spoke, Old Shen took out a cigarette from his pocket and handed it to Xu Hansheng, saying, "It's still early, have a smoke before you go back."

"Thank you, Brother Shen."

Xu Hansheng accepted the Hongtashan cigarette from Lao Shen with both hands, then took out a lighter and lit it for Lao Shen before walking and chatting with him to the smoking area in the backyard.

"Xiao Xu, thank you so much this time."

Old Shen's face was full of smiles, which made his wrinkles appear even deeper.

"Brother Shen, you shouldn't thank me. The person you should thank is yourself."

Xu Hansheng exhaled a puff of smoke and said calmly, "It is precisely because you have been conscientious and dedicated to your work for decades, and have done an outstanding job, that I recommended Brother Shen to Director Zhang."

After saying that, Xu Hansheng repeated what he had said to Zhang Juan to Lao Shen, and then said to Lao Shen, "This shows that Director Zhang's expectations for Brother Shen are definitely not just for a deputy section chief."

"Section Chief Li was just transferred, and Section Chief Wang might just be on secondment. In the future, we'll still need a section chief to fill the vacancy. I think that, in terms of both work experience and personal ability, Brother Shen is undoubtedly the best choice."

Upon hearing Xu Hansheng's words, Old Shen finally understood. It wasn't that Heaven had opened its eyes; someone had spoken up for him.

However, upon closer reflection, Zhang Juan may have made him the deputy section chief precisely because of the reason Xu Hansheng mentioned.

It seems that if I don't do as Xu Hansheng says, Zhang Juan might very well remove him from office.

While smoking, Old Shen pondered how to maintain his position as deputy section chief.

Soon, Xu Hansheng and Lao Shen returned to the main office together.

Everyone congratulated Lao Shen, except for Xu He, who was sullen.

When Li Qiang was around, he wasn't isolated like this; at least Liu Haitao and Jiang Yuan could occasionally speak up for him.

However, now that Li Qiang is gone, it seems that no one is targeting him anymore. But a tacit understanding has formed throughout the department: no one spoke another word to him all noon.

This is what makes people feel most helpless and embarrassed.

No one is deliberately picking a fight with you, and no one is arguing with you, but everyone selectively ignores you. This silent isolation is actually the most dangerous thing.

"Brother Xu, are you free tonight? I have a few work-related questions I'd like to ask you privately."

Du Xinyang walked up to Xu Hansheng's desk and said in a low voice.

Xu Hansheng thought for a moment and nodded, "Okay, I don't have anything to do tonight anyway."

"Alright, let's meet after get off work tonight, good luck!" Du Xinyang said with a hint of flattery.

Xu Hansheng didn't say much. For the entire afternoon, Lao Shen had already begun to take on the responsibilities of the deputy section chief. He helped Jiang Yuan and Xu Meijing correct many grammatical errors in the documents and also provided guidance on Liu Haitao's report.

It can be said that with Lao Shen's help, the work efficiency of the entire department has improved a lot.

As soon as they got off work, Du Xinyang and Xu Hansheng quickly walked out of the office.

Just as they reached the door, Xu He's voice came from behind them: "Comrade Xu Hansheng, Comrade Du Xinyang, where are you going?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Xu He caught up with the two of them.

Du Xinyang turned to look at Xu He, grinned, and said, "Oh, it's Brother He. We're going to eat. If you're not busy, you can come along too."