Nominal: Intercepting Zhong Xiaoai, Dominating Handong

"Lin Yuanshan is currently a deputy director-general, while Fang Zhenguo is a division chief. If Fang Zhenguo were to be directly promoted to deputy director of the Provincial Development and Reform Commission, it would be too much of a leap."

"Therefore, this matter requires room for maneuver," Wang Rucheng said.

"The Provincial Party Committee Organization Department can first transfer Fang Zhenguo to the Industrial Division of the Provincial Development and Reform Commission as the director, and then, using his position as the director of the Industrial Division, promote him to deputy director within six months based on his outstanding work performance. This would make sense in terms of the process."

Gu Mingyuan quickly reviewed the feasibility of the plan in his mind.

First, transfer Fang Zhenguo to the Industrial Division of the National Development and Reform Commission as its director; this is tantamount to securing this crucial position in the Industrial Division.

As long as the Industrial Affairs Department is staffed by reformists, project approvals in Wenshan and Ningchuan will no longer be hampered.

Six months later, Fang Zhenguo was promoted to deputy director, which was a natural progression and would not cause much of a backlash.

"What is the biggest risk of this plan?" Gu Mingyuan asked.

"The biggest risk is that North China will discover our intentions," Wang Rucheng said.

"If he brings up Lin Yuanshan at the Standing Committee meeting while we bring up Fang Zhenguo, he will definitely do everything in his power to block it."

"So we need a way to get Fang Zhenguo transferred in before Yu Huabei notices it."

Gu Mingyuan put down his pen: "Then we need to make Yu Huabei feel that our focus is not on the National Development and Reform Commission, but on other places."

Wang Rucheng's eyes flickered slightly: "You mean...?"

"I haven't figured out a specific approach yet," Gu Mingyuan said.

"But I have a preliminary idea—to feign an attack on one side while secretly advancing on another."

Wang Rucheng looked at him, waited a while, and when he didn't continue, asked, "What are your specific plans?"

Gu Mingyuan did not answer immediately. He picked up the tea on the table, which had gone cold, took a sip, and then said, "Secretary Wang, this plan needs to be considered more carefully. I will go back and think about it for two days, and then I will report back to you when I have thought it through."

Wang Rucheng didn't press further, but simply nodded: "Okay, tell me when you've thought it through. This matter can't be delayed; the province will be discussing cadre adjustments before the end of the year."

"I know."

Gu Mingyuan stood up, walked out of Wang Rucheng's office, stood in the corridor, and took a deep breath.

The snow outside the window had stopped, and the gray-white sunlight shone through the glass, casting a soft glow on the corridor floor tiles.

He stood there, and the idea slowly took shape in his mind—to feign an attack on one front while secretly advancing another.

The key question is where to build the plank road and how to cross Chencang.

He returned to his office, sat down, picked up a pen, and wrote a few words on a piece of white paper: Lin Yuanshan, National Development and Reform Commission, Yu Huabei, Pei Yihong, Zhao Anbang.

Then he drew a line under Zhao Anbang's name.

This plan can only be implemented with Zhao Anbang's participation.

He needs to see Zhao Anbang.

Tuesday, November 30.

Gu Mingyuan got up half an hour earlier than usual.

After finishing his breakfast, he changed into a neat dark suit, fastened his tie, picked up his briefcase, and went out.

Today he is going to the provincial capital to see Zhao Anbang.

He made an appointment with Zhao Anbang's secretary in advance, saying he would arrive around 10 a.m.

When the car got onto the highway, most of the snow on the roadside had melted, leaving only a thin line of grayish-white snow in the shady ditches.

The winter fields stretched out on both sides of the car window, vast and quiet.

At 10:05, he arrived at the provincial government compound.

Zhao Anbang's secretary was waiting downstairs and greeted him with a smile: "Mayor Gu, Governor Zhao is waiting for you in his office. He doesn't have any other plans this morning, so please feel free to chat with him for a while longer."

"Thank you." Gu Mingyuan followed the secretary upstairs. The corridor was carpeted in dark gray, and the radiators on the walls quietly emitted heat. There was a dry and clean smell in the air.

The secretary stopped at the door of the governor's office and knocked: "Governor Zhao, Mayor Gu has arrived."

"Come in."

Gu Mingyuan pushed open the door and went in. Zhao Anbang did not sit behind his desk, but sat on the sofa by the window as before, with a cup of steaming hot tea in front of him.

He was wearing a white shirt with a dark gray vest over it today, and he looked more composed than usual.

"Mingyuan's here, have a seat." Zhao Anbang gestured to the sofa opposite him.

Gu Mingyuan sat down opposite him and placed his briefcase on the armrest of the sofa.

Zhao Anbang's secretary brought in a cup of tea and placed it in front of him, then quietly withdrew.

Zhao Anbang picked up his teacup and took a sip: "How did things go with Qian Huiren's matter the day before yesterday? Did he contact you after he went back?"

"I've made contact," Gu Mingyuan said.

"Mayor Qian called me and said he had come to his senses and would fully cooperate with the work in the future."

Zhao Anbang nodded: "That's good. Comrade Huiren is a good person at heart, but sometimes he tends to get stuck on minor details. The fact that you took the initiative to talk to me about this shows that you consider the overall situation."

He then changed the subject.

"You didn't come here today just to report on Mayor Qian's matter, did you?"

Gu Mingyuan didn't beat around the bush: "Governor Zhao, I've come to see you mainly about two things. The first is the stalled approval process for Wengang's equipment. The second is about the selection of the deputy director of the Provincial Development and Reform Commission."

Zhao Anbang put down his teacup, his gaze lingering on Gu Mingyuan's face for a moment: "Tell me about the approval of the Wengang equipment."

Gu Mingyuan recounted the entire situation from beginning to end, emphasizing the background of the deputy director of the Industrial Division and Lin Yuanshan's role in it.

He didn't embellish the story, but simply stated the facts, concluding with, "There's nothing wrong with the equipment itself, the contract is fine, and the technical upgrade filing is complete. The only obstacle is that the Industry Department is dragging its feet on approval."

After listening, Zhao Anbang remained silent for a few seconds, then said, "I will handle this matter. I will have the General Office of the Provincial Government send a letter to the Development and Reform Commission under the pretext of supervising the efficiency of industrial technological upgrading project approvals, requiring them to conduct a special review of all technological upgrading projects that have been submitted for more than a month."

"Wen Gang's approval will naturally fall within the scope of this review."

"If the Industrial Development Bureau still doesn't approve it by then, we'll have to take responsibility for the delay ourselves."

Gu Mingyuan felt relieved: "Thank you, Governor Zhao."

Zhao Anbang waved his hand: "Equipment approval is a minor matter, but your approach is correct—when you encounter problems, don't just whine to people below; find the right level to solve the problem."

"Alright, let's talk about the second thing. What rumors have you heard about the candidate for deputy director of the Provincial Development and Reform Commission?"