25: A simple and honest speech

After the applause stopped, Comrade Li Chunchang spoke again: “Comrades, today I was entrusted by the County Party Committee and Minister Zou to escort two Comrades to assume their posts here in Heping Town.

Comrade Lin Zifeng and Comrade Jiang Yufei are both excellent and very young Cadres.

The leaders of the County Party Committee have assigned these two Comrades to our Heping Town, placing great hopes on the future development of Heping Town.

I believe the arrival of these two Comrades will bring a new atmosphere to Heping Town.

They will be able to lead the vast number of Cadres and the masses in improving Heping Town's work and various construction projects.

I greatly anticipate the future performance of these two Comrades, and I hope they will achieve new merits in their new positions.”

After saying this, Comrade Li Chunchang led the applause.

Yu Hualin wore a formulaic smile and lightly clapped his hands a few times.

He felt a bit disdainful towards Comrade Li Chunchang's speech, which was clearly supporting Lin Zifeng.

He couldn't help but think: Forget you, a Deputy Minister of the Organization Department; even if Zou Dekai, the Head of the Organization Department, came in person, if I choose to ignore him, he can't do anything to me.

With the County Party Secretary backing me up, who in Yushu County can possibly deal with me, Yu Hualin?

If it weren't for his elder brother telling him not to expose their relationship, claiming it would be detrimental to future promotion and advancement.

If I made this relationship public, Comrade Li Chunchang, that clown, wouldn't dare to be so smug in front of me.

It turned out that Yu Guodong and Yu Hualin were paternal cousins who shared a grandfather.

This was only because Yu Guodong's father had gone to work in another province when he was young, taking his whole family with him.

Later, after their grandparents passed away one after another, due to the inconvenience of transportation and the long distance at that time, they never returned to their hometown.

Therefore, few people knew that Yu Hualin's father had an older brother.

Unexpectedly, Yu Guodong was eventually transferred to Yushu County, first serving as the County Magistrate, and two years later, being promoted to County Party Secretary.

After the two brothers privately acknowledged their kinship, Yu Guodong chose to conceal the relationship, fearing public criticism.

In just a few short years, he promoted Yu Hualin from a Director of the Government Party and Administration Office to the position of Town Party Secretary.

Yu Hualin benefited from this and kept silent about his relationship with Yu Guodong. To others, they had no connection other than sharing the surname Yu.

It simply appeared that Yu Guodong highly appreciated Yu Hualin.

Just as he was lost in thought, Cao Shuang's voice rang out again.

“Next, we invite Town Mayor Lin Zifeng to speak. Let's welcome him with applause!”

The applause started again. Lin Zifeng turned on the microphone in front of him and pressed his hands down in the air to quiet the crowd.

After the applause stopped, he spoke steadily: “First, I want to thank the County Party Committee leaders for their trust in me.

Thank you, Minister Li, for the expectations you placed upon me in your recent speech.

I also want to thank all Comrades for your applause! Even if it was just ceremonial.”

Friendly laughter erupted below the Rostrum. He then continued: “In the future, I won't need your applause; what I need more is for everyone to offer suggestions and advice for the development of our Heping Town.

The door to my office is always open to everyone. If you have good plans for the development and construction of our Heping Town, I am willing to work with anyone to study and implement those plans for the development and construction of our Heping Town.

I only arrived today to assume my post in Heping Town; I am a new soldier among the Comrades.

In my future work, I will strive to understand the situation better, walk more, listen more, and observe more, so that I can quickly familiarize myself with the various tasks in Heping Town and avoid irresponsible practices like making hasty, impulsive decisions.

I ask all Comrades to supervise me. That concludes my speech.”

He avoided official jargon and clichés; his simple speech earned him warm applause.

After the applause stopped, Cao Shuang spoke again: “Next, we invite Secretary Hualin to speak. Please welcome him with applause.”

Yu Hualin scanned the crowd below the Rostrum, cleared his throat, and began speaking: “First, I must thank the County Party Committee leaders for sending such young and excellent Cadres to our Heping Town.

Not only have they injected fresh blood into the leadership team of Heping Town, but they have also lowered the average age of our leadership team by several years.

With the addition of Town Mayor Lin and Committee Member Jiang, the average age of Heping Town's leadership team is no longer the highest in Yushu County.

These two Comrades have significantly improved one of our Heping Town's statistics immediately upon their arrival.

I hope we can all work hard together in the future, leveraging the momentum brought by these two Comrades to elevate the other tasks in Heping Town to a new level.

We must have the determination and confidence to surpass other towns and townships, and provide good service and support for the more than 30,000 masses in the entire town.”

Applause rang out in the venue once more.

Finally, Cao Shuang summarized the meeting and announced its adjournment.

Everyone on the Rostrum stood up and were the first to exit through the side door.

Outside the meeting room, although Yu Hualin didn't particularly care for Comrade Li Chunchang, he still had to maintain appearances.

He held Comrade Li Chunchang's hand and said with a smile, “Minister Li, you rarely visit our Heping Town!

Our cafeteria has made preparations in advance, and lunch is ready. You must allow us to fulfill our duties as hosts!”

Comrade Li Chunchang knew clearly that Yu Hualin disliked him, and he equally looked down on Yu Hualin.

But he replied with a beaming smile: “Thank you for Secretary Hualin's kind invitation. If my schedule permitted, I would also like to share drinks and conversation with Secretary Hualin and all Comrades.

Unfortunately, Minister Zou is attending a meeting in the City Level, and there is still some work in the Department waiting for me to arrange.

So, I'll have to regretfully decline Secretary Hualin's kind invitation. Next time, when Secretary Hualin comes to the county seat, I will treat you to a drink.”

After saying this, Comrade Li Chunchang released his hand and grasped Lin Zifeng's hand.

The two looked at each other and nodded simultaneously; everything was understood without words.

After Comrade Li Chunchang shook hands with everyone, he got into the sedan. Under the gaze of the crowd, two cars drove toward the main gate, one following the other.

Only then did everyone look away. Yu Hualin spoke again: “Town Mayor, to welcome you and Comrade Jiang Yufei, the office specifically instructed the cafeteria to prepare lunch.

Minister Li had to leave due to business, but we can't let the cafeteria staff's hard work go to waste.

Since all the leadership team members are here, let's have a meal together and get to know each other better!”

“I will follow the Secretary's arrangements.”

Lin Zifeng showed a brilliant smile.

Just like that, the group walked toward the cafeteria.

Upon reaching the cafeteria, they walked together into one of the large private rooms.

Eleven members of the Heping Town leadership team sat around the dining table.

Yu Hualin also kept Office Director Hu Yulin, who had been busy running errands, in the private room.

Since they still had work in the afternoon, everyone only ate and did not drink alcohol.

They finished lunch amidst conversation filled with mutual probing.