Absolute power in officialdom

Chapter 93: A Major Power Reshuffle is Coming to Provinces and Cities?

Wu Zhiyuan was not surprised.

Indeed, Lin Xue asked Xu Youwei for people more than once.

He was also puzzled. What did he do to deserve the appreciation of the municipal discipline inspection commission secretary, who was known as the "Black Widow"?

Wu Zhiyuan calmly replied, "Secretary Xu, I will follow the organization's arrangements and your arrangements as well."

No matter what position you hold, you are serving the people.

I personally have no particular preference; everything is based on the needs of the work and the overall situation.

Xu Youwei nodded: "Zhiyuan, Comrade Lin Xue has tried to recruit you several times, which shows that your ability and character have been highly recognized by her, which is a good thing."

The work of the Discipline Inspection Commission is very important; it is a sharp sword to punish evil and promote good. Now that you've joined the Municipal Discipline Inspection Commission, I believe you'll soon be able to handle things independently and become a sharp dagger piercing the heart of corrupt officials.

Working in the municipal party committee office is like being a strategist in the "central command tent," requiring strategic planning and command.

The Discipline Inspection Commission, on the other hand, is more like a "vanguard officer," requiring someone to charge into battle.

Both experience and practical skills are indispensable. Gaining experience in multiple positions will greatly benefit your growth and development.

Then, Xu Youwei changed the subject: "However, Zhiyuan, now is not the time to send you to the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection."

During the time you've been by my side, you've become very familiar with my work methods and pace, and have become my right-hand man. Many tasks have just been streamlined, and this is precisely the time when we need your help.

Back in his seat, Wu Zhiyuan calmed himself down.

As the secretary to the municipal party secretary, he was the center of attention; although his rank was not high, he was the number two leader.

However, on the other hand, the secretary's power and influence are entirely dependent on the municipal party secretary himself. To put it bluntly, he's a fox borrowing the tiger's power.

Once the leadership changes or is transferred to another post, this influence will quickly dissipate.

Just like He Jiaping's secretary, Jiang Hao, who has now been reassigned to the Municipal Fisheries Bureau.

Moreover, while working in coordination and service roles alongside leaders for extended periods can cultivate a broad perspective and coordination skills, it can also lead to a disconnect from specific business operations and frontline practical experience, resulting in a lack of opportunities to work independently.

In the Discipline Inspection Commission, one can directly participate in the struggle to punish evil and eliminate wrongdoing and purify the political environment. This kind of experience is invaluable for the growth of a young cadre.

On his way back from lunch at the cafeteria, Wu Zhiyuan happened to run into Lin Xue.

Lin Xue remained dressed in black, her expression serious and unsmiling.

Wu Zhiyuan greeted him respectfully, "Hello, Secretary Lin!"

Lin Xue nodded, and after a while, said, "Zhiyuan, come to my office for a moment."

Wu Zhiyuan was a little reserved when he entered Lin Xue's office.

"Have a seat." Lin Xue seemed to notice Wu Zhiyuan's nervousness and smiled slightly. "We're just chatting for a bit."

Lin Xue actually laughed!

This was the first time Wu Zhiyuan had seen Lin Xuexiao.

It's worth noting that even when she was with Xu Youwei, Wu Zhiyuan never saw her smile.

"Zhiyuan, Secretary Xu mentioned the move to you, right?"

Lin Xue looked at Wu Zhiyuan and the more she looked at him, the more he seemed like her first love.

Her thoughts suddenly drifted back to many years ago.

The reason why the Discipline Inspection Commission repeatedly asked Xu Youwei for Wu Zhiyuan was not because the Commission couldn't handle the case without him, but because they wanted to find a trace of long-lost warmth and shadow in his face, which resembled that of an old friend, to comfort the unknown loneliness and longing deep in their hearts.

"As I said, Secretary Xu asked me to connect with you."

"Zhiyuan, it's like this. I used to live in the city's armed police detachment camp. It was safe there, but the management was strict. Outsiders couldn't come and go as they pleased. Because of work needs, sometimes comrades would report on their work at night, which was very inconvenient."

After much deliberation, we decided to move into the municipal government's temporary housing.

Both locations are fully furnished and ready to move in. Beds, furniture, and appliances don't need to be moved; only some books and personal belongings need to be brought over.

Wu Zhiyuan immediately said, "Secretary Lin, leave this to me. If you're not picky about the moving time, tonight is fine."

Although he had time on the weekend, Wu Zhiyuan was worried about scheduling conflicts because he also needed to pick up and drop off Xu Yunxi for her art lessons. Therefore, he hoped to finalize Lin Xue's move tonight.

Lin Xue smiled slightly again: "What's the big deal? Do we have to choose an auspicious day? Let's do it tonight then."

Wu Zhiyuan tentatively asked, "Secretary Lin, should I bring someone with me to help?"

"No need," Lin Xue refused decisively. "You only need to drive twice at most, so I won't trouble others. Besides, I'm not one to shirk my responsibilities."

"Yes, Secretary Lin."

After get off work, Lin Xue got into Wu Zhiyuan's Jetta.

This is a used car that Wu Zhiyuan bought for 40,000 yuan back then. Its performance is still pretty good. Su Taohong used to drive it.

But now, Su Taohong has been missing for many days and is most likely no longer alive, which is somewhat saddening.

When Wu Zhiyuan arrived at the dormitory, he found that Lin Xue had already packed her personal belongings, filling several cardboard boxes and a plastic box for clothes.

As Lin Xue bent down to tidy the bedding, Wu Zhiyuan, while packing his belongings, suddenly noticed a faded black-and-white group photo on the bedside table, framed in a wooden frame.

The photo shows a young Lin Xue, wearing a white shirt and plaid skirt common in that era, with her hair in a ponytail and a bright, pure smile on her face, a stark contrast to her current aloof and glamorous appearance.

Standing next to her was a young boy with delicate features and bright eyes, wearing a white sweatshirt. The boy's hand was naturally placed on Lin Xue's shoulder, and the two of them were close together with their heads close together, their smiles incredibly intimate and natural.

The boy in the photo had eyebrows, the curve of his nose, and even the subtle expression on his lips when he smiled, which were eight or nine parts similar to his own.

In that instant, all of Wu Zhiyuan's doubts were answered.

Why did Lin Xue repeatedly ask Secretary Xu for her name? Why did she sometimes look at her with an indescribable, complex emotion?

It turns out that she resembles the person she has kept hidden deep in her heart so much!

Wu Zhiyuan pretended not to see and tidied up other items.

Because this was Lin Xue's secret, he had seen the secret but didn't want to reveal it.

Wu Zhiyuan moved several boxes into the car.

Back in the dormitory, Lin Xue suddenly asked, "Zhiyuan, isn't Secretary Sha from the Provincial Party Committee coming to Longcheng next Monday for the provincial on-site meeting on building a strong agricultural province?"

Wu Zhiyuan answered truthfully, "Yes, Secretary Lin."

Lin Xue said, seemingly unintentionally, "Secretary Sha greatly admires Secretary Youwei. You may also know that Ai Kun was Jiang Jun's former secretary. On the issue of the candidate for Secretary of the Longcheng Municipal Party Committee, Jiang Jun naturally did his best to recommend Ai Kun, but Secretary Sha preferred Secretary Youwei."

Secretary Sha and Jiang Jun did not have a good relationship. According to rumors, Secretary Sha would soon be retiring to a secondary position.

Although it is generally true that ministerial-level officials retire at the age of 65, it is not absolute. Some may retire one or two years earlier. Secretary Sha is 64 years old this year.

As expected, after Secretary Sha stepped down to the second line, Jiang Jun succeeded him.

Lin Xue didn't say it too bluntly, but Wu Zhiyuan understood.

If Jiang Jun becomes the top leader, Ai Kun, as his former secretary and confidant, will surely be given important responsibilities, and Xu Youwei's situation will become difficult, and he may even be sidelined or transferred.

Those who closely follow Xu Youwei will also be impacted.