Chapter 102: The Struggle for Standing Committee Membership

  Liu Siyuan couldn't help but say that this guy, Ma Feng, was quite thorough in his analysis. He must have spent a lot of time studying these things when he had nothing better to do. This is what they call an "official enthusiast", Liu thought to himself: "In any case, the selection of county committee members needs to be discussed and approved by the municipal committee. So in the end, who gets into the leadership team still depends on the decision of the city leaders."

  Ma Feng said with a listening expression: "Secretary Liu is right, the city leaders' decision-making is not something we can comment on, but generally speaking, the county party committee's recommendation is also very important. If it's not even on the list of recommended candidates by the county party committee, then it's out of the game in advance. I estimate that in a few days, the county party committee will study the matter of recommending candidates at its standing committee meeting. Director Zhang probably has some thoughts on this too, so he found me and wants to hear your opinion."

  Liu Siyuan nodded and said "I know", without explicitly expressing his attitude. Saying half of what you mean is also a required course for leaders, let alone that he really had no idea about this matter at all.

  Ma Feng estimated that he didn't expect him to express any attitude anyway, as long as he conveyed the words to Zhang Zhongyi. Then he said some work-related things and left.

  He had just left, and Liu Siyuan's phone rang. The caller was Zheng Gaofeng, who said as soon as he picked up: "You little brat went to play at the Han River last night without even calling me, your brother - that's not very considerate of you."

  Liu Siyuan cried and laughed helplessly: "Zheng Ge, I'm not going to play, but instead I'm running projects for the town. With this non-stop back-and-forth run, you think I'm enjoying it?"

  Zheng Gaofeng chuckled and said: "You little rascal, I heard you're still trying to play dumb, and that you've even hidden from Ouyang Qian the fact that you've hooked up with a stunning beauty?"

  Liu Siyuan's heart tightened, and he thought to himself that good news never spreads far, but bad news travels a thousand miles. He didn't know how to explain himself, but fortunately, Zheng Gaofeng quickly changed the subject: "Don't say anything else, don't explain anything either. Come to the county town tonight and let's have dinner together. I have something important to discuss with you." He put special emphasis on the word "important" to stress its significance. Liu Siyuan thought for a moment and since he didn't have anything else going on, he agreed.

  After work, Liu Siyuan took the special car again and arrived at the magnificent Jinbi Huang's large restaurant. In recent years, the county town has also developed rapidly. Ma Feng mentioned that only three to five years ago, it was difficult to find a house with more than ten floors in the county town, and there were no high-end restaurants. Now, luxurious large restaurants, KTVs, and newly built residential areas are everywhere.

  As soon as Liu Siyuan followed the waiter into the private room, he was shocked to find that it wasn't just Zheng Gaofeng waiting for him inside. There were also County Deputy Secretary Zhao Yingfeng and Executive Vice County Magistrate Wang Tingxiang.

  His mind turned several times in an instant, these two people and Zheng Gaofeng got together, pulling himself up, the purpose was not difficult to guess, it was clear that they were going to do something big. Moreover, Liu Siyuan took a look around, there were only four of them in the private room, no one else accompanied them, he wasn't new to the official circle, so he quickly guessed that today must be about some secret matter, otherwise, a normal dinner party would not let four county committee members eat by themselves without anyone accompanying them.

  What surprised him most was the composition of these four people. Zhao Yingfeng, as the third-ranked person in Cheng'en County, had always been low-key and had heard that Fan Yugun had always followed orders from him. Wang Tingxiang was the only local in the county party committee, with deep roots in Cheng'en County, many descendants, and great influence, but he had also been low-key at the Standing Committee meeting and did not attract attention. When did Zheng Gaofeng get together with these two?

  "Si yuan has arrived, we can have dinner now, haha." Zhao Yingfeng took the lead and stood up, extending his hand. Liu Siyuan quickly came back to his senses from the shock, hurriedly reached out with both hands, shook hands with him forcefully, and repeatedly said: "I'm really sorry to keep you leaders waiting."

  At this time, Wang Tingxiang also walked forward and said: "We haven't been here for long either. It's actually Siyuan who has come from afar in the town and is tired."

  Liu Siyuan hastily said: "Being able to have dinner with several leaders, what hardship could there be?"

  Zheng Gaofeng was familiar with him and didn't exchange pleasantries, he just patted his shoulder and said sit down to eat, let's chat slowly.

  The dishes were probably prepared long ago, and as soon as Liu Siyuan sat down, the dishes came out one after another, with an astonishing number of them. Zheng Gaofeng also ordered two bottles of white wine, presumably to have a big drink.

  After eating and drinking for about half an hour, the four people at the table chatted casually about some irrelevant things, no one touched on the main topic, until Zheng Gaofeng looked around and saw that everyone had almost finished eating and drinking, he waved his hand to let the little sister who was responsible for pouring wine leave first. Liu Siyuan knew that it was finally time to get down to business.

  Zheng Gaofeng cleared his throat and was the first to speak: "Siyuan, have you heard anything about our county party committee adding a new standing member during your time in the provincial city and municipality?"

  Liu Siyuan had vaguely guessed that today's gathering might be for this matter, and indeed it was as expected. After all, matters that require the discussion of four standing committee members must be major events in the county.

  He nodded and said: "I vaguely heard some rumors, don't know what's true or false."

  Wang Tingxiang put down his cup and gently tapped on the table: "Siyuan, what's your personal opinion?"

  Liu Siyuan was taken aback and said: "Me? Isn't the county committee's affairs supposed to be discussed at the municipal committee meeting? What could I possibly think?"

  Zhai Yingfeng smiled and shook his head, saying: "Siyuan doesn't know something. I heard that the municipal party committee's standing committee meeting has basically reached a consensus. In principle, this time's newly added candidate for the standing committee will be mainly based on our county party committee's opinions."

  "How could it be..." Liu Siyuan said in surprise.

  "To put it bluntly, it's about the last time you were promoted to a standing committee member, which embarrassed Old Huan. This time, we're giving him some compensation." Zheng Gaofeng added straightforwardly.

  Zhao Yingfeng also smiled and said: "Gao Feng's words are rough but his reasoning is not rough, it's more or less this meaning."

  Liu Siyuan nodded to show he understood and then asked again: "What did Secretary Fan mean?"

  Wang Tingxiang took a big mouthful of wine, chuckled and said with a hint of sarcasm: "Secretary Fan is indeed unsuspecting in his use of people. I heard he's still thinking of promoting Comrade Zhong Hanyun."

  Liu Siyuan's heart tightened, although it was none of his business, but Zhong Hanyun definitely didn't have a good impression of him, so he felt a bit uncomfortable about him joining the team and had an instinctive resistant psychology. Thinking of this, he casually said: "Secretary Fan is planning to add another town party committee secretary to the standing committee? Won't it be a bit..."

  Zheng Gaofeng sneered and said, "Don't underestimate Old Huan too much, he's quite cunning. His idea is to let Zhong Hanyun become the deputy county head first, and then enter the Standing Committee."

  Liu Siyuan was slightly surprised and said, "Add another deputy county head?" In fact, he didn't dare to say it out loud. With the population of Cheng'en County, 7 deputy county heads were already too many.

  Wang Tingxiang also shook his head repeatedly: "Isn't that so? After coming, how can Lao Jian divide the work?"

  Liu Siyuan thought about it and felt that if they followed Fan Secretary's meaning, Zhong Hanyun would still be a standing deputy county head, and with just one ranking adjustment, he could come up. They couldn't possibly give him the work of family planning and women's affairs, could they? But if those lucrative positions were given out, would the original deputy county heads be happy about it? Even Wang Tingxiang might become a victim, no wonder he showed up here today.

  At this time, Zhao Yingfeng also added: "So, as expected, the next step for the Organization Department is not to increase and supplement the regular members of the county party committee, but to increase and supplement the deputy county heads."

  Liu Siyuan nodded, and at this time Zheng Gaofeng also said: "Siyuan, we brothers found you because we think that Lao Huan is not doing well by continuing to dominate the conversation. So first, let's work together to block him in the county committee meeting, and secondly, I know you have some connections in the municipal committee, it's best to also make some moves, so that the municipal committee won't appoint a deputy county head."

  Liu Siyuan's mind turned around and felt that things were a bit complicated. He originally wanted to agree immediately, but suddenly remembered that he had also beaten up Old Huan's nephew before. Although it seemed like nothing had happened until today, the relationship was obviously irreparable. It would be better to go all the way down this road, and since he was an exchange cadre, even if things didn't work out, he could just return to the provincial city, without too much mental burden.

  But he felt a little uneasy, and hesitated, habitually thinking of Xiao Hei Ben and Fang Xinyi. However, the former was not helpful and ignored him, while the latter had been angry lately and wasn't answering his calls, making things difficult for him. After some deliberation, he thought of a plan, taking advantage of the fact that no one was paying attention, he secretly sent a text message to Fang Xinyi, saying there was something work-related they needed to discuss.

  It turned out that his girlfriend was still thinking of him in her heart. Fang Xinyu called back after a minute...

  For a very long time afterwards, he was grateful for having received this phone call in time.

  Liu Siyuan hastily greeted the three standing committee members and said he was going out to answer a phone call. The three of them guessed that he might want to consult with his backers, and they tacitly smiled at each other without saying much.

  Although Fang Xinyu's attitude was a bit cold, she still patiently listened to him finish speaking and thought for a moment before saying: "I have an idea. Actually, nominating Zhong Hanyun as deputy county head, I think it might be a feint..."