166: Chapter 166 Was it worth it?

Zhou Shizhong narrowed his eyes slightly and cast a sidelong glance at Song Daoli.

Could this guy have written himself silly from working on reports all day?

If you can even ask such a question, how could you not know the answer?

He never picks him up or drops him off, yet he hasn't been replaced; that alone speaks volumes.

It serves you right that despite your age and seniority, you can only ever be a deputy.

Zhou Shizhong raised his right hand slightly, signaling the other committee members who wanted to speak to remain silent.

"What grounds are there to promote Zhao Yang? Don't you have any idea?"

Zhou Shizhong moved his gaze away from Song Daoli and scanned the room:

"Twenty-six years old, deputy division level—everyone thinks Zhao Yang is too young, don't they?"

"Comrade Zhao Yang's 'Research Report on the Mixed-Ownership Reform of the Tongan Die-Casting Machine Factory' has already been promoted throughout the province."

"The 'Proposal on the Future Industrial Development Direction of Jianghan Province,' which he led the drafting of, has become the guiding document for the province's economic development."

"And the proposal to accelerate the development of the logistics industry. Now look at yourselves; you've spent decades in these offices, what have you achieved?"

At this point, Zhou Shizhong's gaze suddenly turned stern:

"Absolutely nothing!"

Song Daoli picked up his teacup and took a sip, saying nothing more.

Deputy Director Li Guoxiang spoke up at the right moment: "During his time at the Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection, Comrade Zhao Yang was awarded a personal first-class merit, which qualifies him for exceptional promotion."

General Office Director Zhang Hongtao did not speak, keeping his eyes on Zhou Shizhong with a smile.

He was very satisfied with Zhou Shizhong's performance.

"Then submit it according to the procedure." Zhang Hongtao made the final decision.

When Zhao Yang received the notice, he was organizing materials in his office.

Li Guoxiang placed the document on his desk and smiled: "Comrade Zhao Yang, congratulations."

Zhao Yang looked down—it was the "Public Notice Regarding Comrade Zhao Yang's Proposed Appointment to a Deputy Division-Level Position."

He was stunned for a moment, then immediately stood up: "Director Li, thank you."

"Don't thank me," Li Guoxiang waved his hand. "Your achievements are there for all to see; no one can say anything against it."

He paused, then added: "Director Zhou spoke up for you quite a bit at the meeting."

Zhao Yang was slightly taken aback.

Zhou Shizhong?

He recalled the warning Zhou Shizhong gave him when he first arrived at the First Comprehensive Section: "Learn the rules."

This old fox certainly knows how to change his tune quickly.

Returning home in the evening, Zhao Yang told Jiang Nan the news.

Jiang Nan looked up upon hearing this, her eyes brightening.

"Promoted to deputy division level? So soon?"

"It's the normal procedure; a first-class merit allows for exceptional promotion."

Jiang Nan put down her bowl, walked over, and hugged him:

"My husband is amazing."

Zhao Yang wrapped his arms around her waist and smiled: "You're not bad yourself, Deputy Director of the Provincial Department's Technical Center, a section-level position. We're well-matched."

"Who's well-matched with you?" Jiang Nan rolled her eyes at him. "I rely on my own abilities, while you rely on the Governor."

Zhao Yang pretended to be angry: "Is that first-class merit of mine fake?"

Jiang Nan giggled: "Alright, alright, you're amazing, happy now?"

The public notice period lasted seven days, and there were no objections.

In early December 2002, the General Office of the Provincial Government officially issued a document:

Comrade Zhao Yang is appointed Deputy Director of the First Comprehensive Section (Deputy Division Level), and continues to serve concurrently as the Governor's secretary.

A 26-year-old deputy division-level director.

After the news spread, there was much discussion in the Provincial Government compound.

Some said he was lucky, others said he had strong connections, and some said he earned it through his own ability.

Zhao Yang turned a deaf ear to these discussions.

He knew that the deputy division-level position was just the starting point; the real tests were yet to come.

According to Zhao Yang's memories of his past life, cases of SARS had already appeared by this time.

However, official reports had not yet disclosed any news about the epidemic.

It wasn't until after the 2003 Spring Festival that mainstream media in Nanyue Province officially reported the epidemic to the public for the first time:

As of February 10, a total of 305 cases had been discovered in Guangdong, with 5 deaths.

When he noticed these reports, Zhao Yang's heart sank.

What was meant to come, has come.

Reporting it to the public meant the epidemic could no longer be contained, and they had to give the public an explanation.

Having experienced COVID-19, Zhao Yang was skeptical of the number of cases officially announced.

The SARS period did not have the same level of information transparency as the COVID-19 period.

He estimated that the actual number of SARS patients was likely at least three times the announced figure.

In other words, the epidemic had exploded.

Thinking of this, Zhao Yang immediately called Sun Hongwei.

Sun Hongwei was now the Wuping City Municipal Party Committee Secretary, so his responsibility for epidemic prevention was certainly significant.

It took several calls for it to connect. "Brother Yang, do not come to Nanyue Province under any circumstances recently."

Sun Hongwei's voice was somewhat muffled, clearly because he was wearing a mask, but his tone was filled with concern.

Zhao Yang asked: "Is it very serious?"

"Very serious. Many residential compounds have already been locked down."

"Brother Hongwei, I have a suggestion for you."

"Go ahead."

"Students should stop attending classes immediately and isolate at home. Implement temperature screening at stations and airports, and designate specific hospitals to treat fever patients. Medical and epidemic prevention personnel must take proper protective measures. Pacify migrant workers to prevent the spread caused by them returning home."

Hearing Zhao Yang say so much in one breath, Sun Hongwei was secretly surprised.

The advice this guy gave was incredibly timely.

He nodded repeatedly: "Thank you, Brother Yang, I will arrange for this to be implemented as soon as possible."

Just as Zhao Yang finished the call, the landline on his desk rang.

He picked it up and heard Sun Zhendong's calm voice:

"Little Zhao, come here for a moment."

Zhao Yang knocked and entered; Sun Zhendong looked at him with a smile:

"You're already deputy division level now, do you have any thoughts?"

Zhao Yang smiled: "It's better to stay by your side; this way I can be exposed to more critical departments and learn more."

Sun Zhendong shook his head: "Almost all the new policies recently introduced by the province have had your involvement, so there's no need to talk about learning."

Zhao Yang was a bit confused; was I not humble enough?

He only heard Sun Zhendong say: "Little Zhao, have you thought about how always staying by my side, lacking experience in various positions, will seriously affect your future development?"

So the Governor was considering his future and wanted to send him out for training.

Zhao Yang immediately nodded: "Thank you for your concern, Governor, but it is too early for that now.

"I assume Brother Hongwei has already told you that the epidemic has broken out in the south, and I am worried that cases will spread to Jianghan.

"Once the epidemic prevention and control is over, I will go wherever you tell me to."

Upon hearing this, Sun Zhendong was even more satisfied with Zhao Yang.

He had already learned from his son that the epidemic had broken out in Nanyue Province and that the prevention and control tasks were arduous.

Zhao Yang's choice to stay and help him prevent the potential epidemic made him feel much more at ease.

Sun Zhendong couldn't help but ask: "Judging by what you said, you already have ideas on epidemic prevention and control?"

Zhao Yang sat up straight and said solemnly:

"Governor, I suggest immediately launching a daily reporting and zero-reporting system for fever cases.

"Strict temperature checks at stations, airports, and provincial borders, and the establishment of observation stations.

"Call on all localities to discourage migrant workers from returning home to reduce the movement of people.

"Designate specific hospitals for treatment and stockpile epidemic prevention supplies.

"Mandatory ventilation and disinfection in public places, morning health checks in schools, and the suspension of large-scale activities."

After listening to Zhao Yang quietly, Sun Zhendong's expression changed slightly, and his voice became serious:

"Little Zhao, have you thought about how much money the provincial treasury will have to spend if the whole province executes this as you suggested!

"Is it worth it?"