Section 6 Recommendation Candidate

  After the second-level team meeting, a five-minute break was taken and then an emergency meeting of the Ma Shi Township Party Committee was convened. Although Ye Zhenran is not a member of the party committee, as the director of the party and government office in charge of recording meetings of the party committee, he usually attends the meeting as a non-voting delegate. Zhang Liping is the head of the police station, and generally also attends the meeting as a non-voting delegate.

  Two people went to the corridor and lit a cigarette. Zhang Liren asked: "Xiaoye, were you busy last night?"

  Ye Ziran nodded and said: "Lin Chang has a big deal going on, he's already very busy, plus He Guitian this 'troublemaker' is making things even busier."

  "Lin Chang is out, now it's your chance, Little Ye. You must seize it."

  Ye Ziran smiled slightly and said nothing affirmative or negative. "Go in, the meeting is about to start."

  The Party Committee meeting was still presided over by Secretary Qin Daming: "Comrades, this emergency meeting of the Party Committee has been convened to discuss two personnel matters. First, due to He Guitian's work mistakes, which have led to a passive situation in the township party committee and government work, I suggest transferring He Guitian to the Township Agricultural Science Station as deputy secretary of the party branch. Let's proceed with the vote."

  This matter has been raised at the second-level meeting just now and is only going through the motions. Secretary Qin directly proposed a vote, without giving everyone a chance to express their opinions.

  Ye Ziran saw that except for Lin Xiangzhang, everyone else raised their hands in agreement at the first moment. Li Xiangzhang hesitated for a moment and also raised his hand.

  Secretary Qin took a look at Township Head Li and said, "Very well, the first proposal has been unanimously approved and passed. The second agenda item is an instruction from the County Party Committee. After Lin Chang's accident, in order not to affect the normal operation of the Mashan Township Government, the township party committee recommends two deputy township head candidates for examination by the county party committee organization department. Next, Comrade Pan Qisheng, the organizational committee member, will propose the candidates."

  Pan Qiu-sheng had already received a hint from Secretary Qin before the meeting, and now he put forward the candidates: "In accordance with the spirit of the county party committee's instructions and the principles of cadre selection, I recommend Comrade Ye Zhen-ran from the Party and Government Office and Comrade Yang Zheng from the Family Planning Office."

  "Comrade Pan Qiusheng recommends Ye Zhenran and Yang Zheng, let's discuss them one by one. Let's start with Ye Zhenran first." Secretary Qin said calmly. Through the Lin Chang incident, an irreparable rift had appeared between him and Li Xiangzhang, now was a good opportunity to observe the attitudes of other party committee members.

  Ye Ziran and Secretary Qin walked closely, everyone in the township party committee knew. This time, Secretary Qin actually hoped that Mayor Li would come out to oppose Pan Qiusen's nomination, so that he would lose more points in front of Secretary Tang.

  Unexpectedly, Li Xiangzhang did not object this time. He raised his hand and said: "Comrade Ye Zhenran has strong work ability and is young and promising, I agree."

  Secretary Qin's face changed color, with a feeling of punching empty air.

  Other committee members understood the reasoning and unanimously affirmed Ye Zhenran's work with a show of hands.

  Secretary Qin said: "Since everyone's opinions on Comrade Ye Zhenran are relatively consistent, I agree. Let's discuss Comrade Yang Zheng again."

  Li Xiangzhang said: "Comrade Yang Zheng is already 45 years old and does not meet the requirements of youth."

  Yang Zheng was a backup candidate, according to Secretary Qin's hint, Pan Qiu Sheng chose him to take out, just to ensure Ye Zhen Ran's next victory in the county standing committee. Because the appointment and removal of section-level cadres must go through the county standing committee meeting, the township party committee is only recommended. Li Xiangzhang also understood this logic, he did it on purpose, to show off his presence as a township head.

  Yang Zheng is Vice Secretary Wang's person. She supported him: "Comrade Yang Zheng has a positive work attitude, strong abilities, and as a candidate he is suitable, I agree."

  Since he was an alternate member, other committee members all expressed agreement.

  Unexpectedly, the deputy county head candidate's recommendation was calm and peaceful.

  Secretary Qin said: "Since comrades unanimously agree, the recommended candidates are determined as follows: Ye Zhenran is recommended as the first candidate for deputy township head, and Yang Zheng is recommended as the second candidate. The meeting will be adjourned after reporting the results to the county party committee organization department."

  After lunch, Ye Zhenran went to town to buy a flower basket and pay his respects at Lin Chang's funeral.

  The weather in July was hot and humid. Lin Chang's body was placed in a coffin filled with ice in the mourning hall, covered with a white cloth, and a copy of the Chinese Communist Party Constitution on his chest. The room was filled with wreaths and flower baskets. Ye Zhenran presented a flower basket, bowed before the body, and then was led by Lin Chang's relatives to drink tea next door.

  Ma Yanli was accompanying Lin Chang's widow, He Chunying. When she saw him arrive, she came over and greeted him softly. Ye Zhenran expressed his condolences to her. He Chunying sat down beside him and thanked him, saying: "Director Ye, Mayor Cheng has come over, thank you for helping me with my affairs."

  Yeh's words were humble, saying: "Sister-in-law, this is the decision of the village party committee, not my personal credit. You can rest assured now that Lin Zhang has left, you should take care of your body and think more about the child."

  He Chunying and Lin Chang have been married for many years, naturally understanding the style of officialdom. As the old saying goes: "When the master dies, no one cares, when the mistress dies, the bridge is broken." In the official circle, there are many people who are eager to curry favor with those in power. When a leader dies, many people dodge and few offer help. Moreover, Director Ye and she have an ordinary relationship, making it even more difficult for her to take care of Lin Chang's funeral affairs. "Director Ye, I know what's good for me, you've taken so much trouble over Lin Chang's funeral, I'd like to thank you on behalf of Lin Chang in the underworld."

  "Sister, don't be like this. Although I helped with some things, it's all within my job scope." He paused and asked, "Has the compensation from Changrong Company been settled?" Changrong Company was the unit that the truck belonged to, which caused the accident. Although Lin Chang bore full responsibility for the traffic accident, China is a country that values human nature. Even if someone is not legally responsible, they still need to provide economic compensation. After the incident, he instructed the party and government personnel to work together with Lin Chang's relatives and the other party to negotiate. Changrong Company heard that the deceased was the deputy head of the township, so they were more cooperative.

  "It's settled, they compensated us 600,000 yuan." He Chunying replied.

  Ye Zhenran nodded, "Oh" sound. Generally, the compensation standard for traffic accident deaths is less than 300,000, and Changrong Company can pay 600,000, which is very good. Ye Zhenran calculated that the township government's compensation for work-related death, funeral expenses, and additional subsidies from the township government would also be around 1.8 million, and the family's life should be able to get by in a short period of time.

  As they were talking, half an hour had passed. When Ye Ziran stood up to bid farewell, a "Crown" car drove over. Upon closer inspection, it was County Committee Standing Committee member and Executive Vice Mayor Ma Tiancheng who got out of the car. He hastily said to He Chunying: "Go greet him, Mayor Ma has arrived."

  He Chunying was taken aback and went forward with Ye Zhenran to welcome him.

  Magistrate Ma didn't say a word, shook hands with He Chunying and Ye Ziran, then went to the mourning hall to offer wreaths and bowed. Afterwards, under He Chunying's guidance, he came to the next room to have tea.

  "How long has Xiao Ye been here?" Magistrate Ma asked after sitting down, first speaking with Ye Ziran.

  Ye Zhenran and Magistrate Ma had contact at the county party school, where Ye gave a deep impression to Magistrate Ma in three lectures.

  "It's not long since you arrived, County Magistrate Ma." Ye Zhen replied humbly. He had vaguely heard that Vice Township Head Lin was a subordinate of County Magistrate Ma, and it seemed to be true. But after Vice Township Head Lin passed away, the fact that County Magistrate Ma personally came to his funeral could only mean that County Magistrate Ma was a man who cherished old friendships and treated his own people with great leniency.

  Magistrate Ma turned his head and said to He Chunying: "Lin Zhang left suddenly, you should be prepared for the worst. Is there any difficulty at home? If you need help, just say so."

  He Chunying was very grateful for Magistrate Ma's arrival. After some thought, she realized that the arrangements for Lin Zhang's funeral had been made very smoothly, and Ye Zhenran had helped her a lot. She was worried about how to repay him, but now it seemed like an opportunity to "return a favor". So she said: "Thank you, Magistrate Ma, for your concern. If Lin Zhang knew, he would be very comforted. The arrangements for Lin Zhang's funeral are almost complete, thanks to Director Ye's help..."

  She quietly told him how Ye Ziran defined the accident as work-related, how he fought for compensation, and how he fought for her job at the party committee meeting.

  Magistrate Ma also felt that the arrangement was very satisfactory. He is a sentimental person, otherwise he would not have come to the home of his deceased subordinate to offer condolences. When he came, he thought about calling the countryside to help Lin's family members solve some difficulties, but now it seems unnecessary. His heart felt much more comfortable, and looking at Ye Zhenran made him feel even more pleasing to the eye.

  "Xiao Ye is pretty good." Magistrate Ma praised and said to Ye Zhen Ran.

  "I don't dare, County Magistrate Ma, this is something I should be doing."

  "If every cadre can 'do what they should do, and not do what they shouldn't do', then our county will have a great future." County Magistrate Ma said with a smile: "Work hard, you're a capable person, I support you taking on more responsibilities." Few words, but very to the point.

  Ye Ziran hastily said: "Thank you, County Magistrate Ma, for your encouragement. I will definitely remember your instructions and do a good job."

  Ye Ziran is a sensible person, and what Mayor Ma meant was that if the county's standing committee discusses the deputy head of Mashizhen Township, he would vote for him. This is an unexpected delight. With the support of Secretary Tang and Mayor Ma, his chances of passing are very high, and more importantly, this joint effort will be a successful cooperation between Mayor Ma and Secretary Tang.

  Ye Ziran was not working in the county, but he was very clear about the power struggle within the county party committee.

  After Secretary Tang parachuted into Changjia County, he blocked the path of County Magistrate Yin Mingquan's promotion. On the surface, County Magistrate Yin didn't seem to mind, but in reality, he wasn't very cooperative during county committee meetings. Having served as Vice County Magistrate and County Magistrate for seven or eight years, he had deep roots and a significant influence. Although Secretary Tang could rely on the municipal party committee's support and his authority as the top leader to suppress him, his advantage was extremely weak in the county committee meeting. If this collaboration with County Magistrate Ma changed the power structure of the county committee, it would be highly significant for Secretary Tang's control over the committee. It's worth noting that County Magistrate Ma had mostly stood on County Magistrate Yin's side in the past.

  It is true that "the fragrance of roses remains on the hand after giving them away", and this "fragrance" was given back to him by He Chunying and Magistrate Ma.

  Magistrate Ma sat for a while, then stood up and said to He Chunying: "Little He, I've been quite busy lately, I may not be able to attend the memorial service, so I'll give you advance notice."

  He Chunying hastily said, "County Magistrate Ma, work is urgent. You've already visited Old Lin, and he's only grateful in the spring. Our whole family feels extremely warm about your arrival."

  Ye Zhenran took advantage of the situation and sent County Magistrate Ma on his way.