Chapter 21: The League Committee Receives Guests

  Lu's icy voice still echoed in the meeting room, "Alright! Originally I wrote a note, thinking that this case might have some problems. Even if there are no problems, since there is public discontent, it is necessary for us to investigate and clear up the rumors! I also hope to follow the normal petition procedure, but how about this? The Secretary of Xiji Township, Jia, has such a high awareness! He asked someone to take 3,000 yuan to buy my note away? What kind of thing is this?"

  "If it weren't for Lao Meng's simplicity, thinking he must thank me, so he came to the county to see me. This matter, I didn't even know about it at all, it's really absurd and inexplicable!"

  It's all good for the Qin family, with Lu Zhong's tone rising and falling, his heart also skipped a beat, this Lu Ding head, when he gets angry, really has an intimidating aura.

  "I think this case needs to be re-examined, I suggest that Comrade Jia Hao take the lead in forming an investigation team, and thoroughly investigate it, give a satisfactory explanation to the people of Xijie and the whole county!"

  The Qin family was shocked and this was definitely not a good thing.

  Lu Zhong finally picked up his teacup, took two sips of water, calmed down and looked at Ma Weiguo: "Secretary Weiguo, what do you think?"

  Ma Weiguo nodded expressionlessly and said: "Let's settle it like this, this case happened after I came to Qinglong, I also hope to investigate clearly."

  "Alright, is there anything else to add?" Seeing that everyone was silent, Ma Weiguo said: "Let's stop here for today, meeting adjourned." His face looked a bit unpleasant, apparently, he had also lost interest in discussing the golf course project.

  Qin Jiahao felt a bitter taste in his heart, but he couldn't understand it anymore. Obviously, Secretary Ma had control over the whole situation, but somehow every time after the meeting, it seemed like he only heard County Mayor Lu's voice? Many things, unexpectedly or not, all seemed to be developing according to County Mayor Lu's will. Qin Jiahao glanced at Lu Zhen who was walking out silently with his notebook and sighed softly in his heart, "Is this guy really that powerful?" Just as Lu Zhen returned to his office, Xu Aini, the League Secretary, followed him in, "County Mayor, have you finished your meeting?"

  Xu Aini, 24 or 25 years old, had just graduated from a prestigious university two years ago. She could have been assigned to a very good factory in Shanghai, but she resolutely applied to return to her impoverished hometown. This was even reported in the newspaper, and the Qinglong County Committee highly publicized her spirit of "achieving success without forgetting one's hometown" and held her up as a model for all university students in the county.

  A year ago, she was promoted to the position of Secretary of the County Party Committee by Liu Pingnan, but since Ma Weiguo took office, he has been critical of her in many ways, and it seems that he has even made her cry several times.

  Xu Aini is a bit short, but she looks lovely and cute. She used to be the lively type, and whenever she was around, there would always be laughter.

  But now, after a year of tempering, Xu Aini gradually understood the awe of officialdom. In reality, it was far from being as beautiful as fairy tales. Now, she was cautious in her words and actions, and rarely joked with people anymore.

  Lu Zhong asked: "What's up, something happened?" He stretched out his hand, gesturing for her to sit down. It seemed he had been waiting for her in Wang Jiabin's house for a while.

  Xu Aini said: "There is something to report to you, and also, I hope you can support the work of the Youth League Committee."

  "What's wrong? When did I ever not support your work?"

  Xu Aini waved her hands nervously and explained, "No, I didn't mean that. Actually, I wanted to ask for your help."

  Lu Zhong smiled and said: "What's the hurry? Haven't your League Committee expenses been approved?"

  Xu Aini said: "It's not that either..." She hesitated, seemingly embarrassed, but finally asked in a low voice: "County Magistrate Lu, can you dance?"

  Lu Zhongqi said: "Yes, how did you know?" In the past year or so, the Student Union organized various gatherings and activities, but Lu Zhong didn't attend any of them.

  Xu Aini finally cracked a smile: "I was attending a meeting in the city, and Pei Dasao mentioned you, she even asked me to give you her regards."

  Lu Zhong exclaimed, and Pei Aihong, the former director of the Municipal Consumer Committee, happened to hear about it. After the Municipal Consumer Committee was abolished, she was arranged to work in the Municipal Youth League Committee.

  Xu Aini said, "Isn't it just two months until the May Fourth Youth Festival? Our league is preparing a gala, which includes a large-scale ballroom dance performance. I heard from Pei sister that you are particularly good at dancing and know various steps. I was thinking, could you help us guide them, especially the leading pair? I always feel that they don't dance very well, but can't quite put my finger on the problem. It would be a waste of money to invite professional teachers from the city, so...". She quickly added, "I know you are busy with work, but even if you have just half an hour to spare, could you come take a look and guide our work?"

  Lu Zhong looked at her and smiled: "Little Secretary Xu, guiding you to dance is fake, but stabilizing the military's morale is true, right? Wei Guo Secretary, have you ever been to their rehearsal site?" Xu Aini's pretty face turned red, she stuck out her tongue, only then did her cuteness show, "I knew I couldn't hide it from you."

  Lu Zhong nodded slightly: "Secretary Wei Guo is very supportive of the Youth League's work, but he has been busy with the golf course project recently and is almost exhausted. Alright, I'll represent him then, let's go tonight." Xue Aini was overjoyed, stood up and said: "Thank you Mayor Lu! Thank you Mayor Lu!"

  Lu Zhong smiled: "Actually, I've taken a look at the preparations for this gathering, and I think it's great that you're partially self-funding and scaling back. Our county is poor, we can't be extravagant and give people the wrong impression, but on Youth Day, holding a gathering to boost the morale of young students and workers is necessary. We can't abandon our spiritual guidance, if we do, there will be negative consequences."

  "Yes, we'll definitely follow through with your instructions, County Magistrate!" Xu Aini said solemnly.

  Lu Zhong chuckled and waved his hand: "It's not an instruction, just a chat. Alright, Secretary Xu, see you tonight?"

  "Alright, County Magistrate, if there's nothing else, I'll take my leave." Xu Aini quickly bid farewell.

  As soon as Xu Aini left, Wang Jiabin followed in: "County Magistrate, have you seen this report?" Wang Jiabin was holding a popular newspaper from the Special Economic Zone.

  Lu Zhong smiled, he had seen it of course, this newspaper would become an eternal memory for people to reminisce about the relaxed political atmosphere of this era in many years to come. The first edition of the newspaper was discussing the issue of one-party rule and multi-party governance, believing that China could gradually achieve multi-party governance. In fact, there are also such voices among the high-level officials now. "What's going on?" Wang Jiabin shook his head in confusion. Lu Zhong smiled and said, "The central leaders will consider it." Wang Jiabin said, "That's true too." Suddenly remembering something, he laughed and said, "The driver's license from the Qing government has arrived." Lu Zhong said, "Really? I thought that kid was quite stupid?" Wang Jiabin smiled and said, "But he's actually very hardworking and persistent, and he really passed the test."

  Now, the driving license in Wushan is gradually open to private individuals, but in many areas of mainland China, learning a driver's license still requires relying on a unit. Some car companies that specifically provide private driver's license and car relationships have also emerged.

  However, Zhou Daqing's driver's license was still the old tradition, and he was registered by the county party committee office, so whether he took the test or not, Wang Jiabin was very clear.

  Lu Zhong smiled: "It's all right now that it's over."

  Wang Jiabin hesitated for a moment, then said: "I think this young man from the Qing Dynasty is quite good, his writing skills are also strong, isn't he? Why not make him a deputy director and have him follow you to learn more?"

  Zhou Daqing was transferred from Guangning by Lu Zhong, and when he was in Guangning, he was already the secretary of County Magistrate Lu. After being transferred to Qinglong, it is natural that County Magistrate Lu also meant for him to serve as a full-time secretary.

  Although according to the central document, only deputy ministerial-level cadres are qualified to have a full-time secretary, in local areas, municipal and county party and government leaders almost all have their own private secretaries. Although they are not called full-time secretaries, they do the work of full-time secretaries. Lu County Magistrate in Qinglong, drivers and cars are not used at all. Although it is said that Changming Company has allocated a special car, most of the time the car and driver are in Wushan.

  Now that Zhou Daqing can drive, he can serve as both a secretary and a driver. Normally, he is the county magistrate's secretary, but occasionally he also acts as a driver to help County Magistrate Lu run errands. These things, County Magistrate Lu would not bring up on his own initiative, so it was necessary for Wang Jabin, the director of the Political Department, to carefully consider the situation and clarify Zhou Daqing's work responsibilities. Lu Zhong waved his hand: "Let's wait for now, we'll talk about it after he achieves some results." Wang Jabin thought for a moment and also nodded in agreement.

  County Magistrate Lu is not a pedantic person, and it's only natural to promote cadres who can implement his own ideas. However, Zhou Daqing has just arrived in Qinglong for more than three months, and the relationship between the county leaders is very delicate at present. At the recent secretary meeting, I heard that Secretary Ma Weiguo's will was not implemented again, and it seems that the county party committee is about to start investigating some cadres who are related to Old Qu by blood or marriage. Maybe it's County Magistrate Lu who wants to move against Old Qu. In this critical moment, when County Magistrate Lu is sharpening his knife, it's better to be cautious in promoting people from his own side.

  Wang Jiabin thought for a moment and felt that something should be reported, so he said: "The son of Secretary Wei Guo has arrived in Qinglong. Yesterday, it seemed like Gao Zhikai drove him to hunt wild game."

  Lu Zhong nodded, Ma Weiguo had a son and three daughters, and he was the youngest son. He was naturally spoiled like a golden boy. He taught music at the Municipal Music Academy. What's his name again? Lu Zhong thought for a moment but couldn't remember, so he asked Wang Jiabin: "What's his name?" "His name is Ma Wenge," Wang Jiabin said with a smile. Lu Zhong nodded and didn't say anything else.

  At more than 8 o'clock in the evening, Lu Zhong arrived at the county party committee's grand auditorium. The hall was brightly lit, and on the stage, some dancers were rehearsing intensively. Under the stage, singers could be seen warming up their voices, and crosstalk actors were finding inspiration for their lines, creating a busy scene everywhere.

  They were all dressed in casual clothes, mainly members of the county cultural troupe, and also young programs sent by the youth league committees of various units. On the stage, there were also many men and women wearing red uniforms from the county reception office, it seems that the county reception office has undertaken a lot of performance tasks.

  Lu Zhong had just entered the side door of the auditorium when Xu Aini, who had received the letter, and 1,000 student union cadres rushed over to greet him. Lu Zhong shook hands with each of them one by one, smiling and saying: "You've all worked hard, I'm here representing the county party committee and government to visit everyone."

  From Xu Aini downwards, the team leaders present were all in high spirits, feeling that their hard work over the past few days had finally paid off and been recognized by the leadership.