A whirlwind marriage with a high-ranking official: Lights out, don't force me to take the initi

Director Zhang said goodbye to Zhang Yunxia and went back inside to sit for a while.

She took a couple of sips of tea, pondered for a while, and decided that she still needed to find out the truth about it.

"Xiao Wang, I'm going to the division headquarters building. I don't know when I'll be back."

"Yes, Director Zhang," Xiao Wang replied.

The matter that Director Zhang and Zhang Yunxia were talking about was just relayed to her that morning by Director Huang of the Political Department.

Director Huang said that this year, the higher authorities have begun soliciting nominations for the "National March 8th Red Banner Pacesetter" award.

In previous years, the military region did not pay much attention to this matter, and neither the military region nor family mutual aid organizations reported it much.

This year they decided to fight for some people, the most prominent example being Ding Jiahe, a combat hero with first-class merit.

The other person they wanted to nominate was Ye Wenxi, a leading figure in entrepreneurship among military dependents and the founder of a mutual aid society.

As for whether the selection can reach the municipal, provincial, or national level, it depends on the specific circumstances.

Director Huang's initial intention in approaching Director Zhang was to have her sit down and talk with these two people, start collecting information and stories, and then report them upwards.

However, time is a bit tight now, with less than a week left, so we need to get this done as soon as possible.

Director Zhang was puzzled: "Why did you suddenly decide to apply? And there are only a few days left before the arrests begin? How long has it been since Ding Jiahe received his first-class merit award?"

When asked about this, Director Huang looked a little embarrassed: "I did know about this national policy before, but I didn't pay much attention to the specific application deadline. A couple of days ago, some comrades reminded me. This year is indeed different from previous years. There have been some outstanding individuals within the military region, and it's only right to advocate for them."

Director Zhang then understood what was going on.

She returned with the order, intending to talk to Ye Wenxi in the afternoon, but before the afternoon even arrived, Zhang Yunxia came over with melons.

She first told Zhang Yunxia the news, so that they could share the joy.

After listening, Zhang Yunxia's eyes lit up, and she grabbed Director Zhang's sleeve:

"Director Zhang, could this... be done like this?"

"What's wrong?" Director Zhang asked, surprised.

Zhang Yunxia leaned forward and lowered her voice, "Could we bypass the individuals involved and submit the application directly to them?"

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"What I mean is," Zhang Yunxia patted her chest, "I'll help you with the application materials. I know about their deeds."

Director Zhang looked at her and smiled: "Yunxia, ​​are you going to protect them both?"

"Oh, you know what kind of people they are," Zhang Yunxia waved her hand. "If you talk to her, she'll definitely say 'I don't want it,' 'No, no' first..."

Director Zhang thought about it for a moment and thought it was a good idea.

This wasn't the first time they'd done something like this.

Whenever the selection criteria are announced from above, those below start to decline, saying things like, "Let's give the opportunity to other comrades," or "I'm not qualified yet, I need to train more," or "I haven't made that much of a contribution, I just did my job..."

They were always so polite and formal, but this time it was different.

Ding Jiahe's combat achievements speak for themselves; his first-class combat merit is unique in the entire military region.

What about Ye Wenxi? What she did was even harder to quantify than military achievements. She single-handedly pulled a group of family members out of the kitchen and revitalized the economy for everyone.

If neither of these two is qualified, then who is?

Director Zhang hopped on her bicycle and pedaled furiously. The late summer breeze brushed against her face, carrying a hint of heat.

Zhang Yunxia's words kept replaying in her mind: "Don't tell Wenxi yet. Don't you know what kind of person she is? She'll definitely refuse."

you do not say.

If Ye Wenxi knew about the March 8th Red Banner Pacesetter award, her first reaction would definitely be to wave her hand and say, "No need, no need, don't nominate me."

Then they'll find a bunch of reasons to shut you out.

Ding Jiahe guessed it was about the same. After that girl came down from the battlefield, she would shrink back whenever honors were mentioned, as if she had picked up that first-class merit.

Thinking of this, Director Zhang pedaled even harder, and the chain rattled.

When she arrived at the division headquarters building, she parked her bicycle against the wall, not even bothering to turn the lock, and ran upstairs with her bag in hand.

I climbed up to the sixth floor in one go, stood at the door of Director Huang's office, and took a couple of breaths while leaning against the door frame before raising my hand to knock.

"Please come in."

Director Zhang pushed open the door, his forehead beaded with sweat, his chest heaving: "Director Huang."

Director Huang was leaning back in his chair reading documents when he looked up and saw her. He paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "Oh, Xiao Zhang, what's the rush? Come, sit down, let's talk."

Director Zhang waved his hand, didn't sit down, and stood directly in front of his desk: "It's still about that matter from this morning. I ran into Yunxia in the middle of the day and mentioned it to her, and we were on the same page."

"How about this: let Yunxia help Wenxi with the materials; she knows better than Wenxi herself how much she's done. I'll handle Ding Jiahe's side."

Director Huang put down the documents in his hand, took off his reading glasses, and pinched the bridge of his nose: "It's not impossible... as long as there are materials and complete information, it can be promoted."

Director Zhang stepped forward half a step and lowered his voice: "Director Huang, I'd like to ask, is our intention this time simply to help submit the report, or... to strive for it?"

Director Huang looked up at her when he heard this.

He had been leaning back in his chair, but he slowly sat up straight, leaning forward with his elbows resting on the table, and pondered for several seconds.

He didn't answer directly, but looked up at Director Zhang and asked, "What do you mean?"

When Director Zhang was questioned in return, he simply sat down.

"I believe that Comrade Ding Jiahe, with her war achievements, experience, and spirit, is fully qualified to strive for the national-level March 8th Red Banner Pacesetter award. We must fight for it, not just submit an application and call it a day."

"She was the only first-class meritorious soldier to come back alive from our military region. We must carry on this banner."

Director Huang listened and slowly nodded.

He picked up the enamel mug on the table, unscrewed the lid, took a sip of water, and then screwed it back on.

"Ding Jiahe's deeds are indeed outstanding. From top to bottom, no one has any objections. National-level... it's worth fighting for."

"Furthermore," Director Zhang paused, tapping his finger on the table, "we must also strive to win over Comrade Ye Wenxi."

Director Huang put down the enamel mug, looked at her, and said nothing.

Director Zhang knew what he was thinking.

She leaned forward, carefully choosing her words: "Comrade Ye Wenxi's deeds don't have the same high level of consensus as Ding Jiahe's, with no one questioning them from top to bottom. Her case... is somewhat controversial. Some people might think that she's just a self-employed businesswoman, and that her selection as a March 8th Red Banner Pacesetter is illegitimate."

Director Huang's eyebrows twitched.

"But what she did was very special." Director Zhang's voice rose a notch. "As a military dependent, she started a business and built a mutual aid platform within the military region's walls, creating jobs and increasing income for hundreds of people."

"This is extremely rare throughout the entire military. No! It's even uncommon outside the military region; it's incredibly groundbreaking. If this doesn't qualify someone as a March 8th Red Banner Pacesetter, what does?"

Director Huang was silent for a few seconds, then traced two lines on the table with his finger. He looked up at her and said, "Her case is difficult to write."

"That's why we need to fight for it," Director Zhang quickly added. "Whether it's the Military Commission or departments at all levels, we need to work together to help her, provide materials, and issue letters of recommendation."

"Her story needs to be packaged and proven. Someone needs to gather her scattered stories from the garment factory and mutual aid society together. But once it's promoted, her influence will be no less than that of Ding Jiahe."

Director Huang leaned back in his chair, took a deep breath, and then slowly exhaled.

He stared at the ceiling for a moment, then sat up straight and nodded: "Okay. You take the lead in organizing things. If it's confirmed that you'll be taking care of both of them, you'll have to shoulder more responsibility and work harder during this period. We need to get things moving within a few days."

"No problem." Director Zhang stood up. "I'll get started right away."

She turned to leave, but stopped at the door, placed her hand on the doorknob, and turned back to ask, "Director Huang, what if they refuse after finding out?"

Director Huang smiled, picked up the documents, and put on his reading glasses again: "Then don't let them know for now. Once all the materials are gathered and the deed is done, then tell them. By then, they won't be able to refuse."