76: Chapter 76 County Party Committee Standing Committee, Personnel Adjustments

The eighth day of the first lunar month, the first workday after the Spring Festival holiday.

Inside the Anjiang County Committee Building, staff from various departments gathered in small groups, wishing each other a belated Happy New Year and exchanging local specialties brought back from their hometowns.

The entire County Party Committee Compound was still immersed in the lazy aftertaste of the holiday, with most people yet to detach themselves from the festive atmosphere.

However, the somewhat aged Standing Committee conference room on the third floor of the County Committee Building presented a different scene.

Heavy curtains shut out the night outside, and the pale fluorescent lights on the ceiling illuminated everyone's expressions with stark clarity.

The conference table was covered in dark green velvet, surrounded by a dozen leather chairs, and the air was thick with the heavy scent of tobacco.

The hands of the old-fashioned wall clock quietly slid to eight o'clock sharp, and with a steady sound of footsteps, County Party Secretary Yuan Kai pushed open the door and entered.

He wore a dark gray Zhongshan suit, his hair was combed meticulously, and his expression carried an inherent authority that did not require anger to be intimidating.

"Is everyone here?"

County Party Secretary Yuan Kai swept his gaze around the room, his voice soft yet filled with authority.

After receiving an affirmative response, he walked straight to the main seat and sat down, casually turning the teacup in front of him half a circle so the handle faced to his right.

This subtle gesture made the members of the Standing Committee present understand tacitly that tonight's meeting would not be short.

"Comrades, the Spring Festival has just passed, but work cannot slacken in the slightest." Secretary Yuan's opening remarks were concise and forceful.

"Tonight, there is only one agenda item: to discuss the issue of cadre personnel adjustments. Minister Huang, you go first and share the opinion of the Organization Department."

After speaking, he nodded slightly, showing respect and trust toward Minister Huang Lixin of the County Party Committee Organization Department.

Upon hearing this, Minister Huang Lixin immediately straightened his back.

Those who knew him were well aware that this Organization Department head had an astonishing memory; he could recite the resumes of all one hundred or so section-chief-level cadres in the county by heart.

"Very well, Secretary Yuan."

Minister Huang Lixin opened the folder in front of him, his voice steady and unhurried: "In accordance with the guiding spirit of the Party Secretary's office meeting held before the New Year, our Organization Department has, after full deliberation, proposed this personnel adjustment plan."

"It involves six section-chief-level positions and nineteen deputy-section-chief-level positions... The specific details are as follows..."

As Minister Huang Lixin gave his report, the atmosphere in the conference room gradually grew solemn.

Every Standing Committee member lowered their heads to note down key information in their notebooks, occasionally looking up to exchange tacit glances.

Having struggled and climbed in the grassroots officialdom for many years, they had long since mastered the skill of catching political winds between the lines.

Once Minister Huang Lixin finished his statement, Secretary Yuan nodded slightly, acknowledging the work of the Organization Department.

He then spoke: "Mm, thank you for your hard work, Minister Huang! Next, let's discuss the candidates for these positions one by one."

"Let's first talk about the position of Director of the Labor Bureau. What is the Organization Department's thinking?"

Hearing the question, Minister Huang Lixin put down his materials and looked up to answer: "Secretary Yuan, regarding the candidate for Director of the Labor Bureau, our Organization Department, after strict screening and comprehensive evaluation, has identified two suitable candidates."

"One is Comrade Lu Dongyang, the current Town Mayor of Jinfeng Town. He has been deeply rooted in the front lines of the township for a long time, and has very rich experience in township work and a solid foundation among the masses."

"The other is Comrade Xu Bin, the current Deputy Director of the Labor Bureau. He has been serving in the Labor Bureau all along, is well-versed in all aspects of the business, and possesses solid professional qualities and operational capabilities."

Minister Huang Lixin's introduction was detailed and objective, giving the attendees a preliminary understanding of the two candidates.

After listening to the introduction, Secretary Yuan swept his gaze over everyone and said slowly: "In that case, everyone, please share your opinions and discuss which comrade is more suitable for the position of Director of the Labor Bureau."

Upon hearing Minister Huang Lixin place Lu Dongyang's name first, everyone immediately understood that the Organization Department—or rather, Secretary Yuan—favored Lu Dongyang.

After all, the Organization Department was simply implementing the intentions of the top leader, and Minister Huang Lixin, as the head of the Organization Department, had always closely followed the steps of County Party Secretary Yuan Kai.

In fact, this personnel adjustment plan had basically been decided at the Party Secretary's office meeting before the New Year.

The so-called Party Secretary's office meeting was a meeting attended by core leaders such as the County Party Secretary, the County Magistrate, and the Deputy County Party Secretary, with the Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary and the head of the Organization Department sometimes attending as non-voting members; it later gradually evolved into a five-person small group meeting.

Once these five people decided on something, it was basically set in stone and could not be changed.

Bringing it to the Standing Committee for discussion was merely going through the motions and fulfilling procedures—a necessary process to turn individual decisions into collective ones.

Regarding this, everyone was tacitly aware.

Therefore, as soon as Secretary Yuan mentioned discussing the candidate for Director of the Labor Bureau, the other Standing Committee members expressed their views one after another:

"Comrade Lu Dongyang is more steady and mature, making him suitable for the position of Director of the Labor Bureau."

"Mm, Comrade Lu Dongyang is excellent; I agree."

"I know Comrade Lu Dongyang; he has broad vision and strong work capabilities. I believe he can open up a new situation for the work of the Labor Bureau."

...

Amidst the chorus of agreement, Secretary Yuan delivered the final verdict: "Very well, since everyone agrees to appoint Comrade Lu Dongyang as the Director of the Labor Bureau, it is passed unanimously."

Because the main leaders had already exchanged opinions and reached a consensus prior to this personnel adjustment, the meeting proceeded very quickly, basically following the intentions of the Party Secretary's office meeting.

The others just needed to raise their hands to vote in favor, and no objections were raised.

The meeting proceeded unexpectedly smoothly, with the Education Bureau, the Agriculture Bureau, the Finance Bureau...

The candidates for one important position after another were all approved in less than two hours; such efficiency was truly rare in the history of the Anjiang County Party Standing Committee.