230: Chapter 230 Parting Gifts of Calligraphy and Painting, Cao Rui Descends to Linjiang

Secretary Cao Hang stood tall, the hesitation that had previously weighed on his chest swept away.

"Wenhao, today's conversation has truly cleared the clouds to reveal the sun." Secretary Cao Hang lifted his teacup, "As for Director Qi, tell him to rest easy and wait for news. I will meet with Secretary Feng immediately. Once matters are settled, I will have Cao Rui send you a message."

Zhu Wenhao gave a slight nod.

With the main business settled, according to standard etiquette, it was time for the guest to take his leave. Secretary Cao Hang set down his teacup, shifting his body slightly, preparing to stand up and see his guest out.

Zhu Wenhao, however, remained seated in the wooden chair, showing no intention of getting up.

He picked up his tasting cup and tossed out an indifferent question: "Secretary Cao Hang, Cao Rui has been at the Jingjiang Municipal Government for some time now. I wonder if he has any interest in going to Linjiang City for some training?"

Secretary Cao Hang paused, then settled back into his seat.

He understood the character of the young man before him well; words without purpose would never come from his mouth.

"Wenhao, what considerations are hidden within this arrangement?" Secretary Cao Hang waited quietly for the rest.

Zhu Wenhao placed his teacup on the table.

"When parents love their children, they plan far ahead for them."

Zhu Wenhao's tone was steady. "Secretary Cao Hang, once you and Secretary Feng join forces to challenge Bureau Chief Hao Jianguo of the Municipal Public Security Bureau, the sky over Jingjiang City will be churned up by a violent storm."

"To maintain his authority, Secretary Gao Zhiyuan, and to protect his own interests, Executive Vice Mayor Wang Jianming—once these two face an impending attack, they will inevitably launch a fierce counterattack."

"Open spears are easy to dodge, but hidden arrows are hard to guard against."

Zhu Wenhao methodically dissected the remaining situation.

"Let's start with Secretary Cao Xue. She is in the Municipal Party Committee of the Communist Youth League, holding the position of Deputy Secretary, which is also a Division-level cadre position. Although the Youth League is not a core center of power, it has its own set of comprehensive protection rules. Furthermore, she has been deeply involved in this position for many years, and her foundation is solid. It is extremely difficult for others to find fault with her or make an issue out of it. Even if a storm passes through, it won't affect her core."

The tone shifted, pointing directly to the crux of the matter.

"Cao Rui's situation is completely different."

"He is currently just a staff member at the Municipal Government, doing miscellaneous work of receiving guests and relaying messages. He is at the very bottom of the entire administrative operation and is the easiest to scapegoat."

"In the infighting here, as long as the 'gods' above are battling, the mortals below are usually the first to suffer."

"In the past, everyone maintained a facade of harmony, so he could live peacefully and wouldn't suffer much. It was merely a matter of heavy workload, with no one deliberately framing him."

"However, once you tear off the mask at the Standing Committee meeting and the struggle intensifies, Cao Rui will be a ready-made target in their eyes. By simply tampering with the circulation of a document or the minutes of a meeting, they could pin a staff member into the mire, never to rise again."

Secretary Cao Hang listened, his fingertips rubbing against the outer wall of the purple clay teacup.

As his uncle, how could he not be worried?

"I had also considered transferring him to the Municipal Party Committee Office, keeping him under my own nose," Secretary Cao Hang said, revealing his own plans.

Zhu Wenhao shook his head, rejecting the idea.

"That is not a good move."

Zhu Wenhao broke down the key points one by one. "First, the Municipal Party Committee Office is a core location. If you transfer your own nephew in, it will give people something to talk about and create a handle for accusations of nepotism out of thin air. This is a major taboo during the critical period of assessment and promotion."

"Second, don't forget that the Secretary-General of the Municipal Party Committee, Lin Zhichao, is a trusted general of Secretary Gao Zhiyuan. Placing Cao Rui in the Municipal Party Committee Office is equivalent to sending a sheep into a tiger's den. Lin Zhichao is the head steward of the Municipal Party Committee; he could easily assign him a task full of errors and put shackles on Cao Rui. At that point, will you save him or not? If you save him, you disrupt the rules; if you don't, you ruin your nephew's future. The situation would be a hundred times more dangerous than in the Municipal Government."

Secretary Cao Hang felt cold sweat seeping from his back. He had only been thinking of protection, ignoring the cruelty of the Municipal Party Committee Office, this meat grinder.

"Linjiang City is an ideal safe haven," Zhu Wenhao said, offering the solution at the right moment.

"Transfer Cao Rui to the Linjiang Municipal Party Committee Office and place him in the Second Secretary Division."

"There, my father, Secretary Zhu Tianhe, is in charge. The authority of the Deputy Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee is enough to completely ensure Cao Rui's safety. Whoever wants to move against him must first ask if the Zhu family agrees."

Zhu Wenhao continued to lay out the ecological environment of Linjiang City.

"A more important layer of security lies in the stance of Linjiang Municipal Party Committee Secretary Lin Weimin. Secretary Lin Weimin was personally appointed by Secretary Lao Liguo. In the big picture, he is of the same mind as us and would absolutely not engage in such underhanded schemes or framing."

"As for Mayor Su Changming, although he and Secretary Lei Zhen belong to the same camp, he manages the government side of things. He cannot reach into the threshold of the Municipal Party Committee Office. With Cao Rui there, his personal safety will be secure."

After avoiding harm, it was time to pursue benefits.

"That is only to ensure his safety," Zhu Wenhao said, leaning forward. "The more long-term goal is to plan for his future."

"Cao Rui performed excellently in his graduation assessment at the Spark Class of the Provincial Party School. According to the Provincial Party Committee's organizational policy for cultivating young cadres, it will be logical to appoint him as a Deputy Section Chief after the new year."

"Secretary Gao Ming, who is the head secretary beside my father, has been with him for some years. Next spring, the organization will arrange for him to be sent down to the grassroots level to take on a real-power deputy position in a district or county. Once Secretary Gao Ming leaves, the position of Secretary to the Deputy Secretary will become vacant."

"At that time, we can arrange for Cao Rui to take over this position."

"On one hand, this is an extremely rare training platform that will allow him to truly learn about checks, balances, and coordination at the core center."

"On the other hand, before Secretary Gao Ming is sent down, the two can have a half-year transition period. The experienced leading the new, having a buffer, will prevent him from being at a loss when he first arrives."

"This kind of opportunity for smooth advancement is something others would beg for."

The planning was meticulous, stitching together the avoidance of disaster and the promotion seamlessly.

Secretary Cao Hang had also started as a secretary in his early years and was most familiar with the value of this arrangement.

He sat upright at the tea table, weighing all the pros and cons.

After a while, Secretary Cao Hang picked up the teapot and took the initiative to refill Zhu Wenhao's tea.

"Wenhao, I thank you on behalf of Cao Rui for this matter," Secretary Cao Hang said, his words heavy with weight. "Let it be done as you say. I will let go and act here in Jingjiang; Cao Rui's safety and future are entrusted to Linjiang."

"Secretary Cao Hang, you are too kind; we are all in the same boat," Zhu Wenhao replied.

The tea was finished, and all matters were settled.

Zhu Wenhao stood up straight. "I will not disturb you any further, Secretary Cao Hang. As for Director Qi, I will await your good news."

Secretary Cao Hang stood up as well, and the two walked to the door.

At the top of the stairs, Cao Rui saw the two come out and hurried to meet them. Secretary Cao Xue walked to Secretary Cao Hang's side and whispered a few words of household matters.

Zhu Wenhao walked slowly downstairs, with Cao Rui accompanying him.

"Cao Rui, in two days when the procedures are done, we will see each other in Linjiang City. There are many things that need to be discussed in person," Zhu Wenhao said, his gait steady.

Cao Rui thought it was just a routine work discussion and readily agreed.

Upon reaching the entryway, Zhu Wenhao bent down to put on his leather shoes.

A sound of slightly hurried footsteps came from the top of the stairs.

Secretary Cao Xue walked down the stairs quickly, holding a long brocade box in both hands.

She walked up to Zhu Wenhao and handed him the brocade box with both hands, her attitude extremely respectful.

"Wenhao, my father specifically instructed me to gift this to you," Secretary Cao Xue explained. "Father said that today, having heard your words of wisdom, he has benefited greatly. This item would only gather dust if left at home; handing it over to someone who knows its value is the only way to truly show its worth."

Zhu Wenhao's gaze fell.

Inside the brocade box was the replica of the "Dajun Tie" (Great Army Calligraphy) that had been hanging on the wall of the study on the second floor.

This was by no means a simple gift of calligraphy and painting.

Secretary Cao Hang sending out that calligraphy of his, which lacked strength and faltered halfway, was an extremely subtle declaration of his stance.

Zhu Wenhao reached out with both hands and steadily took the brocade box.

"Please thank Secretary Cao Hang for me. I will surely treasure this calligraphy."

After speaking, he finished changing his shoes, pushed open the security door, and stepped into the biting night wind of Jingjiang City.

Secretary Cao Xue turned back and gave Cao Rui a look: "Cao Rui, hurry up and drive Wenhao. This is the etiquette Father instructed."

Cao Rui grabbed the car keys and chased out the door.