The Tempting Road to Becoming an Official

"Good morning, Secretary Cen. I'm here to report to the Organization Department."

Chen Fang promptly greeted upon seeing the situation.

Cen Qingmin nodded, then looked at Zhou Shoucheng, who seemed clearly uneasy at the moment, with a hint of panic on his face and a slight sheen of sweat on his forehead.

Although not knowing what had happened.

But those in disciplinary work have a keen eye.

With just a glance, he noticed the abnormality within.

"Do you need me to take you over?"

Cen Qingmin asked.

This question frightened Zhou Shoucheng even more.

People within the system generally dislike the Disciplinary Committee, sometimes even fear it.

He didn't expect Chen Fang, transferred from another place, to be on such good terms with Cen Qingmin from the Disciplinary Committee.

This was bad; offending Chen Fang was equivalent to offending Cen Qingmin.

Chen Fang waved his hand repeatedly, saying, "No need, Secretary Cen, you go ahead with your work. Director Zhou said he would take me over, right, Director Zhou?"

Zhou Shoucheng immediately nodded, saying, "Yes, Secretary Cen, I'm here to escort Comrade Chen Fang."

Cen Qingmin smiled slightly.

He patted Chen Fang on the shoulder, saying, "Alright, you go ahead with your work. Come have tea in my office when you have time."

"Alright, Secretary Cen."

Chen Fang nodded.

Cen Qingmin and his entourage proceeded to leave.

Once they left.

Zhou Shoucheng felt a weight lift off his heart.

His whole body relaxed.

He said to Chen Fang, "Secretary Chen, thank you so much just now. I... I was really thoughtless before..."

"Alright, Director Zhou, let's go."

After saying this.

Chen Fang walked away with brisk strides.

If it were the old Chen Fang.

He would have certainly floored someone like Zhou Shoucheng with a punch.

With age comes maturity.

He had realized that his previous "black and white" perspective was a flaw, not a merit.

The officialdom is a melting pot; making enemies everywhere is ultimately detrimental to oneself, so he had grown more cautious, which could be considered growth brought by time.

At this moment, he didn't expect.

Not giving Zhou Shoucheng a lethal blow would later greatly aid him.

After reaching Li Yunzheng's office.

Li Yunzheng had already inquired from Secretary Wu about the events leading up to Chen Fang's departure.

Upon seeing Chen Fang, he chided Zhou Shoucheng a few times.

Of course, Chen Fang also spoke up in his defense, making Zhou Shoucheng extremely grateful, as if escaping death.

After the pre-appointment conversation was over.

With Zhou Shoucheng's facilitation.

The organizational procedures quickly concluded.

Around ten in the morning.

The Provincial Committee Organization Department dispatched a car, with Deputy Minister Li Yunzheng personally taking Chen Fang to assume his position in Shangqing City.

The distance between the two places was less than 300 kilometers.

On the way, they had lunch at a service area.

A little past two in the afternoon.

The car from the Provincial Committee Organization Department slowly drove into the Shangqing Municipal Committee courtyard.

Speaking of Shangqing City's economic condition, although not great, the City Committee and the City Government building were still quite impressive.

In front was a massive square, with ponds, flowers, and activity areas all complete; it would not be an exaggeration to say that this square alone made other cities seem inferior.

The entire office area consisted of three main buildings.

Arranged in a "pin" character shape.

The central position was occupied by a ten-story tall building with the largest footprint.

On both sides were two seven-story buildings symmetrically arranged.

In the center was a giant flag-raising square.

Today, flags were flying around the square.

An LED screen in the center displayed the scrolling message, "Welcome leaders for guidance, welcome Comrade Chen Fang to work in Shangqing City."

From the steps below.

Nearly all the major leaders of the four groups in Shangqing City were present.

Enduring the scorching sun, they awaited the arrival of Li Yunzheng and Chen Fang.

As soon as the car halted.

Shangqing Municipal Party Secretary and Director of the People's Congress Tang Guozheng promptly stepped forward.

He helped Li Yunzheng open the car door.

Warmly shaking Li Yunzheng's hand, he said, "Minister Li, welcome to Shangqing City."

"Secretary Tang, thank you for the hard work. To have you all come out in such hot weather."

"It's our duty, our duty."

After greeting Li Yunzheng, Tang Guozheng then stepped forward to greet Chen Fang.

He shook Chen Fang's hand warmly, saying excitedly, "Comrade Chen Fang, Shangqing City has been eagerly waiting for you, welcome, welcome."

"Secretary Tang, I am honored to work in Shangqing City."

Chen Fang replied formally with a sentence.

Holding Chen Fang's hand, Tang Guozheng didn't let go immediately.

He brought Chen Fang before the neatly arranged teams.

At this moment, the team was divided into four rows.

Each row having about a dozen people.

First.

Chen Fang was brought in front of a middle-aged man of moderate height and slightly bald, and since he had done his homework beforehand, Chen Fang knew who he was.

"Comrade Chen Fang, let me introduce you. This is our Mayor of Shangqing City, Comrade Liu Yi."

"Hello, Mayor Liu."

Chen Fang greeted.

Liu Yi was also very courteous, shaking hands with Chen Fang and exchanging a few pleasantries.

Next, it was Zhong Youlu from the CPPCC.

Of course.

Like the two before.

Zhong Youlu was equally polite.

When preparing to introduce the fourth person.

Tang Guozheng suddenly paused and asked Zhong Youlu, "Where is Comrade Liansheng? Why hasn't he arrived yet?"

The Liansheng referred to was naturally the Vice Secretary of the Shangqing Municipal Party Committee, Cui Liansheng.

Zhong Youlu shook his head, saying, "No idea, I haven't seen him."

An awkward expression crossed Tang Guozheng's face.

He said to Chen Fang, "Comrade Liansheng might be busy, come, let me introduce you to the next person."

Cui Liansheng's absence.

For Chen Fang, it wasn't unexpected.

After all, at last night's banquet, Chen Fang had made Cui Liansheng quite unhappy. It was reasonable for him to skip the welcome ceremony in protest against Chen Fang.

"Comrade Chen Fang, let me introduce you. This is our Deputy Mayor of Shangqing City, Comrade Ji Shuzhen."

This fifty-something woman before him was one of only two female officials in all of Shangqing City.

Ji Shuzhen was not tall.

Her looks were quite ordinary.

But there was an air of competence between her brows.

When shaking hands with Chen Fang, she did so with a minimal gesture and a slight smile, as a form of greeting.

Shangqing City Standing Committee had a total of thirteen members.

Except for Cui Liansheng, everyone else was present.

Everyone behaved quite amiably.

Of course, Chen Fang, having been to many places, was no longer a novice. He was very much aware that beneath this surface politeness could be hearts filled with animosity towards him, though one could not tell.

As previously mentioned.

Among the members of the entire City Standing Committee.

There were only two female officials.

Another one was City Committee Member, Standing Committee Member, and Propaganda Minister Li Xuan.

Why mention Li Xuan specifically?

Because before Chen Fang's arrival, she was the youngest official in the entire leadership team.

Li Xuan was 38 years old this year, standing around 1.63 meters tall.

She sported short hair.

Chen Fang had only seen her in photos.

The impression wasn't particularly striking then, but seeing her in person was indeed unexpected.