Chapter Thirty-Nine: Division of Labor

  Zhou Peiming finished reading the organizational decision of the local revolutionary committee, and both Yan Yuchen and Liu Jinchang's heads were a bit dizzy.

  The blink of an eye, the old hen turned into a duck! It's already dizzying. Nowadays, with the blink of an eye, the old hen has become a white swan. The two newly appointed county revolutionary committee directors did not, like Fan Jin, get so excited that they started dancing in the street, and it can be said that their composure is quite high.

  After the appointment document was announced, the atmosphere of the conversation changed.

  Long Tiejun became serious, on the contrary, Zhou Peiming, who had always been cold and calm, showed a few degrees of warmth. Only Qian Jianjun remained steady as ever. He was a cadre from the Central Propaganda Department who came to investigate, and his relationship with the appointment of cadres in Baozhou area was not great. Through conversations with Yan Yucheng and Liu Jinchang, he basically understood what he needed to know. And through this appointment, the Baozhou area also clearly showed its attitude. After Qian Jianjun returned to Beijing, he could submit a very clear investigation report to his superiors.

  It wasn't until he was stunned for a while that Yan Yucheng thought of saying a few words to save face.

  "Director Long, Director Zhou, Comrade Qian, I think...my ability is still lacking and I'm not suitable for such an important leadership position. Please reconsider this appointment..."

  Liu Jinchai also hastily modestly said: "Yes, Director Long, Director Zhou, Section Chief Qian, I used to do technical work and was transferred to administrative work not long ago, afraid it will be difficult to take on such a heavy responsibility..."

  Long Tiejun smiled slightly and said seriously: "Comrade Yan Yucheng, Comrade Liu Jincan, as a party member cadre, being humble and cautious is correct. But don't be overly humble either. Our revolutionary committee made this decision after careful consideration. You should trust the organization's vision and also believe in your own abilities. Excessive humility is equivalent to arrogance... I believe you will not disappoint the organization's trust and will take charge of Yangyang County's work well."

  "Yes, the work in Xiangyang County has deviated from the correct path for some time, especially in terms of political propaganda... The original county revolutionary committee was responsible. Therefore, the prefectural revolutionary committee decided to adjust the work of Comrades Wang Benqing and Zheng Xingyun, as well as Cui Xiuhuo. We are promoting you two comrades to such important leadership positions, Director Long and I have high hopes for you!"

  Zhou Peiming smiled and said, also mentioning the transfer of Wang Benqing, Zheng Xingyun and Cui Xiuhuo.

  Yan Yucheng couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

  Since he was appointed as the head of Xiangyang County, Liu Jincai was appointed as deputy director and minister of propaganda, and the transfer of Wang Benqing and Cui Xiuhuo was inevitable. However, Zheng Xingyun also left at the same time, which was beyond his expectation. Zheng Xingyun had been operating in Xiangyang County for many years and his influence could not be underestimated. Yan Yucheng had just taken office, if there was such a powerful deputy, it would be difficult to carry out work. It seems that the local revolutionary committee made a very determined decision to fully support his work.

  "Yes, we must work hard and never betray the trust of our superiors and the two directors."

  "Hmm, it's good that you have such determination. Comrade Yuchen, you've worked in Xiangyang County for many years and have a lot of experience. With you in charge of the work in Xiangyang County, I and other comrades from the Prefectural Revolutionary Committee can rest assured. Comrade Jincan has been in an administrative leadership position for a short time, but his theoretical foundation is good, so he should be able to handle propaganda work without any problems. Director Qian from the Central Propaganda Department is also here, and if there are any difficulties with propaganda work in the future, you can ask him for guidance and report to him... Director Qian, as a big intellectual from Beijing, don't be stingy with your knowledge, give us more guidance on our grassroots work, haha..."

  Director Qian smiled and nodded: "Director Long is too modest, the political propaganda work in Baozhou area has been done very well. The leaders of the Central Propaganda Department have repeatedly praised it at departmental meetings..."

  Yan Yucheng and Liu Jinchai finally had some understanding of their own promotion this time.

  ……

  After the conversation, Long Tiejun surprisingly decided to personally escort the two new directors back to Xiangyang County to take office.

  Originally, personnel adjustments have always been impossible to keep secret, and often the parties involved had not yet received any definite news, but rumors were already flying everywhere. But this time, the personnel adjustment was really too sudden, not only was there no news leaked beforehand, but even after the appointment decision was announced, the big and small leaders of Xiangyang County were still confused and unaware.

  The original three-handed Tang Haitian received an urgent notice from the region, saying that Director Long would soon come to Xiangyang County for inspection and asked him to immediately gather all deputy directors of the county revolutionary committee and main leaders of the county directly under the jurisdiction in the conference room of the county revolutionary committee.

  Two hours later, two small cars of the Prefectural Revolutionary Committee drove into the courtyard of Xiangyang County Revolutionary Committee. Tang Haitian still had no idea what big thing had happened. It wasn't until he saw Yan Yucheng and Liu Jinchang closely following Long Tiejun on either side that he suddenly seemed to understand something.

  The head of the organizational department of the Revolutionary Committee read out the appointment decision of the Revolutionary Committee at a cadre meeting, and the conference room was quiet, with everyone holding their breath, as if they were afraid that one more breath would be too much.

  It was really too sudden.

  Before this, Wang Benqing had decided to double open against Yan Yuchen and Liu Jinchang today.

  Until Long Tieshen coughed lightly, everyone came back to their senses and applauded.

  Xiangyang County's personnel adjustment this time was beyond the imagination of the vast majority of people, not only sudden but also with a large magnitude. One person took away the original number one and two hands and the fourth-ranked deputy director, and promoted two grassroots cadres who were about to be expelled from public office and party membership for "making mistakes" to high positions, which can be imagined to have shocked Xiangyang County. The Baozhou Area Revolutionary Committee used thunderbolt tactics, with Long Tiejun personally taking charge, coming to put pressure on the scene, clearly revealing the determination of the Baozhou Local Revolutionary Committee.

  With Long Tiejun in charge, there will naturally be no more trouble. Long Tiejun carried out the "everyone passes" campaign, and all county revolutionary committees' deputy directors took a stand one by one, expressing their firm support for the prefectural revolutionary committee's decision, and fully supporting the work of Comrades Yan Yuchen and Liu Jinchang.

  The meeting lasted for almost two hours, and Long Tiejun finally made an important speech, encouraging everyone before smiling and leaving.

  All members of the county revolutionary committee lined up in front of the county revolutionary committee's courtyard to see off Director Long's car as it sped away. Yan Yucheng turned around, his resolute gaze slowly sweeping across everyone's face, and smiled as he said: "Comrades, don't mind the hard work, let's continue the meeting!"

  The tone is not severe, but it's unquestionable.

  Everyone looked at each other in dismay and silently nodded in agreement.

  Although it is said to be a breakthrough promotion, Yan Yucheng's qualifications are actually very old. He had already served as the director of the Agricultural Bureau at the deputy department level before *. If there hadn't been ten years of turmoil, with his education and ability, he would have been promoted to this position long ago. This is probably also one of the reasons why the Baozhou region dared to appoint him as the head of the county revolutionary committee.

  In official circles, seniority has always been very important.

  Those deputy directors, from Tang Haitian downwards, no one dared to act as an old leader in front of him. In fact, two deputy directors with relatively shallow seniority still had to call Yan Yucheng "old leader".

  Only I don't know what big deal the newly appointed county revolutionary committee director is in a hurry to hold a meeting to decide.

  Eight full-time and part-time directors sat in the conference room, and Yan Yucheng said openly: "This time our county revolutionary committee leadership team has made a relatively large adjustment. Many tasks need to be replanned and arranged. Let's discuss the division of labor."

  Isn't this a bit too hasty?

  Everyone's perfunctory smile on their face has disappeared. The division of labor in the team is a serious matter. Once Wang Benqing and Zheng Xingyun, two strong figures, are transferred away, a huge void appears in the power structure of Xiangyang County. Although it is said that one day the emperor and one day the minister, when facing the actual distribution of power, no one wants to let it go easily.

  Everyone's eyes were focused on Yan Yucheng.

  Yan Yucheng sat down in the position that Long Tiejun had just vacated, which was also where Wang Benqing used to sit. Then, pointing to the empty seat on the left, he said to Liu Jinchang: "Jinchang, you sit here."

  This position used to belong to Zheng Xingyun.

  Tang Haitian's face changed color, and other deputy directors also shifted their buttocks uncomfortably.

  Yan Yucheng's intention was very clear, that is, to let Liu Jinchai replace Zheng Xingyun as the second-in-command. Others might not mind, but Tang Haitian couldn't help feeling resentful in his heart. Yan Yucheng was officially appointed by the Revolutionary Committee as the first-in-command, and everyone had nothing to say. According to the ranking order, since Zheng Xingyun has been transferred away, it should be Tang Haitian, who ranked third, who moves up one position. How could Liu Jinchai, a newly promoted nobleman from deputy department level, usurp the position in such a way?

  Everyone was still reeling from today's sudden turn of events, and they were also intimidated by Long Tieshen's personal presence. Although they were unhappy, they could only temporarily tolerate it. Let's see what Yan Yucheng has to say.

  Liu Jincai was originally sitting at the end, and upon hearing this, he slightly nodded and picked up his tea cup without hesitation and walked over. This is not the time to be polite.

  After waiting for Liu Jincai to sit down, Yan Yucheng scanned from left to right, and every deputy director who met his eyes smiled and nodded in greeting, including Tang Haitian.

  The prestige of the newly appointed leader is gradually established in this silent exchange.

  "Comrades—"

  As soon as Yan Yucheng spoke up, everyone involuntarily straightened their backs.

  Yan Yucheng nodded slightly, relatively satisfied with everyone's performance.

  "Comrade Choi Su-heo's work has already been clearly taken over by Comrade Ryu Jin-jae. We will follow the decision of our superiors, so there is no need to discuss this further. As for the organizational and personnel work managed by Comrade Zheng Xingyun, I will temporarily take charge of it. The division of labor among other comrades remains unchanged for the time being. Does anyone have any opinions on this arrangement?"

  Silence.

  To be honest, Yan Yucheng's arrangement is also reasonable. Originally, the organization and personnel under the second-in-command had a lot of power. Yan Yucheng had just taken office and temporarily took charge himself, which was also reasonable. The other deputy directors did not suffer any losses. Everyone was in no hurry to make a statement, probably because they were concerned about Liu Jinchang's ranking, and also wanted to gain some benefits from this unexpected change. After all, Yan Yucheng and Liu Jinchang used to be their subordinates.

  Yan Yucheng picked up his teacup and took a sip, his eyes scanning from left to right before finally coming to rest on Tang Haitian's face.

  Tang Haitian's face slightly flushed, and he coughed before saying, "I have no opinion, I agree with Director Yan's arrangement."

  Tang Haitian made a statement, and the other deputy directors immediately followed suit. The new official took office with three fires, and even the director of the Revolutionary Committee was moved, squeezing out Wang Benqing, Zheng Xingyun, and Cui Xiuhuo, the three most powerful figures, overnight. It's better not to confront him head-on for now. There are still many days ahead, as long as you maintain a good relationship with Yan Yucheng, it won't have much impact on your own interests.

  ……

  Years later, Liu Jun visited Qian Jianjun, who was then the secretary of the J Provincial Party Committee, as a junior. In casual conversation, he learned some inside information about this inexplicable incident.

  Qian Jianjun told him that the promotion of Yan Yucheng and Liu Jinchang was a competition between two ideological systems. At that time, a central leader who strongly supported the idea of "practicing truth" mentioned Yan Yucheng and Liu Jinchang by name at an important meeting. He said that these two grassroots comrades were under tremendous pressure to explore the truth, fearing no power, and it was very rare and precious. He pointed out that the three theories of "seeking truth from facts" were reasonable and based on actual work experience, which was a perfect interpretation of the idea of "practicing truth". Such comrades should be promoted and reused, giving them more opportunities to engage in practical work and gain more theoretical basis.

  Qian Jianjun was entrusted by this central leader to rush to the Baozhou area. When Qian Jianjun learned that Yan Yucheng and Liu Jinchang were criticized and disciplined by the Yangyang County leadership for their pragmatic work style, and had even been isolated for investigation, he was shocked and immediately reported back to the central leader. The central leader was extremely outraged and personally called the first secretary of N Province and Long Tiejun. The detailed content of the call is unknown, but it can be inferred from the rapid reaction made by the Baozhou area.