Volume 1: Against the Tide Chapter 48: The Struggle Meeting Without Worries

  Chapter 48: Struggle Session Meeting

  The municipal party secretary's commendation made Peng Yuanzheng famous again. However, compared to some people's envy, Peng Yuanzheng remained unusually calm in his heart. Because Secretary Xue is about to leave Xin'an City, no matter how high his evaluation is, it will not have much effect on him, and may even have the opposite effect.

  After the meeting, Peng Yuanzheng and Ma Zixiao walked slowly along the corridor to the news office. Many old comrades from other departments of the Propaganda Department nodded or patted him on the shoulder when they passed by, encouraging him with a few words.

  Peng Yuanzheng smiled and exchanged pleasantries with everyone one by one, as if nothing had happened before.

  Ma was somewhat indignant and said in a low voice, "These old slippery guys are not good at all, their sycophantic eyes are too sharp! This morning when Director Zhu criticized you a few words, they couldn't wait to trample you underfoot; now that Secretary Xue has publicly praised you, these people immediately changed direction, it's really disgusting!"

  Peng Yuanzheng smiled slightly, "It's also normal. Ma Ge, the organization is a big melting pot, no matter black or white, fragrant or stinky, they're all mixed together in one pot. The relationship between people is basically like this. You entered the organization earlier than me, you should understand it better!"

  Ma Zixiao took a deep breath and walked away with large strides in silence.

  Peng Yuanzheng looked at Ma Zi's back and shook his head secretly. People like Ma Zi are not suitable for working in an official institution. If he continues to struggle like this, he will lose his personality and won't get promoted in time. His youth and passion will be consumed by the daily routine of office work.

  A steady footsteps came from behind, Peng Yuanzheng immediately knew it was Gong Hanlin. He stopped and stepped aside, Gong Hanlin smiled and said, "Let's go, Xiao Peng, back to the department, we'll have a short meeting!"

  Gong Hanlin met Zhou Dayong, the head of the Organization Department's First Division, when he left the municipal party committee auditorium. The two chatted for a few sentences and inadvertently talked about Peng Yuanzheng, who had just been praised by the municipal party secretary. As old colleagues in the organization, they generally had a good relationship, and Zhou Dayong intentionally or unintentionally made a few comments to Gong Hanlin.

  The point is that this little Peng comrade from the News Department is not simple, he was personally named and selected by Minister Song as one of the reserve cadres, so when Gong Hanlin needs to take care of him, he must take care of him, otherwise it will be embarrassing if something "unpleasant" happens.

  Zhou Dayong didn't say anything explicitly, but as someone like Gong Hanlin who has been in the organization for over 20 years, he's sharp and can pick up on Zhou Dayong's hints.

  Gong Hanlin's heart suddenly shook, and he began to take it seriously.

  Newly graduated college students can enter the municipal party committee, definitely with some background; but there are many people in the organization with a background, including Ma Zi and Wang Na from the department, as well as Sun Ping, who doesn't have connections? So Gong Hanlin never paid much attention to it. But now it seems that Peng Yuanzheng's background is not so simple.

  Not to mention anything else, just the fact that his ordinary and unimpressive article today was publicly praised by the municipal party secretary is suspicious in itself! Perhaps it can only be explained... Gong Hanlin thought of this and let out a sigh.

  ……

  ……

  Gong Hanlin put down his teacup and beckoned to Ma Zi, "Little Ma, close the office door, we're having a brief meeting in our department."

  "Lately, Kory has been working a lot and hasn't had time to sit down and talk with everyone. Today, before leaving work, there's still some time, so let's have a chat. Recently, there are three issues that need everyone's attention, including myself. Everyone's work style is a bit slack now, coming late and leaving early, doing nothing during working hours, and putting energy into miscellaneous things... This is not good! Kory has both old and new colleagues, and I hope the old colleagues can set a good example for the new ones."

  "Secondly, the unity issue. The five of us are a department, and working together is also a fate, hoping that everyone can unite, work division does not divide the family, old comrades need to do a good job of passing on... jointly doing a good job in the department's work."

  "The third question, also a very important one, needs to be taken seriously by everyone." Gong Hanlin's voice became serious. "The work in the department, I hope that all of you present will follow the procedures step by step, do not skip levels when reporting, and do not take liberties with your own ideas."

  As soon as Gong Hanlin's words came out, everyone understood that he was "beating" Sun Ping. Sun Ping's face was already very ugly, and after hearing Gong Hanlin's words, her pale face suddenly turned bright red, like a plucked chicken breast, which was quite frightening.

  She clutched a pencil tightly in her hand, with a slight twitch at the corner of her mouth.

  "For example, when Director Zhu assigns tasks, I will reassign them to everyone, or ask Section Chief Sun to handle it, or ask Xiao Ma and Xiao Wang to take care of it. I believe that Director Zhu won't directly assign tasks to you few people, this is the work procedure; conversely, with the same logic, for the work in our department, since I'm sitting in the position of Department Head, I should take on the corresponding responsibilities. I don't hope that some comrades will bypass levels to report work, or even run to the leaders to gossip and complain, making the work in our department very passive!"

  "Do your own job well, as long as you can achieve results, leaders will take notice. Just like Comrade Xiao Peng, the materials were completed very well, and Secretary Xue praised him at the meeting, this is a recognition of Xiao Peng's work."

  "That's all I have to say, meeting adjourned! Work is over, everyone can leave early today!"

  As soon as Gong Hanlin's voice fell, Wang Na suddenly giggled and applauded, Ma Zidong also smiled and started applauding, shouting "The leader's words are really insightful! Please rest assured, Comrade Kezhang, we will definitely work hard in the future and resolutely learn from Comrade Xiao Peng!"

  "Gong Ke, I think you spoke very well at today's meeting. The work in our department is about drawing clear lines, the head of the department is the head, the deputy head is the deputy head, and we several staff members are just staff members. Everyone should be aware of their own identity! They can't always run to the leadership of the ministry to tattle or spread rumors, this kind of person should have been criticized and self-reflecting a long time ago!"

  Wang Na said indifferently.

  Wang Na's words directly broke the last string that Sun Ping could bear, she stood up in shame and anger, grabbed her bag and walked out, accidentally knocking over the water cup on the table, spilling tea leaves and water all over the table.

  But Sun Ping didn't even have time to pick up her things and rushed out immediately.

  Gong Hanlin frowned, "Xiao Wang, don't speak so sharply in the future!"

  Wang Na burst out laughing loudly and deliberately said, "I didn't say a single false word, nor did I see what kind of virtue she has. It's disgusting! Alright, Gong Ke, I'm off work - bye!"

  Wang Na grabbed her bag and left.

  Peng Yuanzheng also stood up with a smile, preparing to leave. Suddenly, Gong Hanlin said, "Little Peng, tomorrow's ideological and political work seminar, Director Zhu will attend, my intention is that you follow him for a trip..."

  Peng Yuanzheng was taken aback, but soon understood. Gong Hanlin wanted to create an opportunity for him to ease his relationship with Zhu Chengrong. After all, Zhu Chengrong was a leader in charge, and even if Peng Yuanzheng was wrong, he couldn't bow down to him. It had to be Peng Yuanzheng who humbled himself and took the initiative to "report" on his work to the leader, thereby giving the leader an opportunity to save face.

  "Alright, Gong Ke, I understand. Then I'll go prepare the materials first." Peng Yuanzheng smiled and agreed.