Chapter 7: Meeting the County Party Secretary
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He Shinian found Ou Huasheng’s words peculiar.
Who didn’t know that serving as secretary to the county party secretary was akin to a meteoric rise, a stroke of fortune that many could never hope to attain in a lifetime?
It was also one of the most crucial shortcuts in the officialdom, guaranteeing at least a deputy division-level start when moving on.
A windfall from the heavens—who would object to such a thing?
Anyone who did would be a fool.
“Thank you, leader, for your kindness. I will obey the organization’s arrangements.”
His voice trembled slightly with excitement as he spoke.
“Alright, then it’s settled,” Ou Huasheng said calmly.
He added, “Your position and the nature of your work have changed. I hope you understand who to listen to and follow in the county party office. These are all rules. I don’t want to be selecting a new secretary for the party secretary again in a few days.”
He Shinian realized this was a subtle warning: Ou Huasheng was the top authority in the county party office. If He Shinian didn’t heed him, he had the power to replace him at any time.
At the same time, He Shinian was puzzled. He and Ou Huasheng were strangers—how could Ou Huasheng have recommended him to the county party secretary?
“Please rest assured, Director Ou. Although I lack experience as a secretary, I will do my utmost to fulfill the duties.”
Ou Huasheng stood up and said, “Alright, someone will arrange the transfer for you. Now, I’ll take you to meet Secretary Wu.”
Ninghai County did not have a dedicated secretary section; generally, the departments were called comprehensive offices.
The county party office had three comprehensive offices, named Comprehensive Office One, Two, and Three.
Comprehensive Office One primarily served the county party secretary. In other words, He Shinian would henceforth be a staff member of Comprehensive Office One, concurrently serving as secretary to the county party secretary.
In some places, at the county level, secretaries were not explicitly called such but were referred to as correspondents or liaisons.
The county party secretary’s office was on the fourth floor, in the suite at the far right.
On the way up, Ou Huasheng said nothing. He Shinian had many questions but chose not to ask.
Upon reaching the far end of the fourth floor, Ou Huasheng pointed to an office next to the suite and said, “This will be your office from now on.”
He Shinian glanced inside but didn’t enter, thinking silently that this place would mark the beginning of his new career.
Without pausing, Ou Huasheng took a few steps forward and knocked on the suite door. A calm yet magnetic female voice came from inside.
He Shinian knew that three months ago, Ninghai County had a female party secretary parachuted in from the provincial level.
She was also the first female party secretary in Ninghai’s history, named Wu Yunqiu.
But in the past three months, the new county party secretary had hardly appeared on TV or in newspapers, so He Shinian had never seen her in person.
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“Come in.”
Ou Huasheng pushed open the door and said, “Secretary Wu, Comrade Shinian has arrived.”
At his words, He Shinian saw a tall, distinguished-looking woman with short hair just touching her neck rise from her chair and approach them.
She wore professional attire, walked with purpose, exuding a spirited yet commanding aura.
He Shinian was momentarily stunned. He had heard the new county party secretary was young but did not expect her to be so youthful and beautiful...
As he was lost in thought, Wu Yunqiu smiled and extended her hand.
“Hello, Comrade Shinian.”
During his five years in the military, He Shinian had encountered many leaders, but he still felt a bit nervous and honored.
“Hello, Secretary Wu, I am He Shinian,” he said, shaking her hand with both of his.
After some pleasantries, Wu Yunqiu said, “Comrade Huasheng, you may go attend to your work. I want to have a word with Comrade Shinian.”
Ou Huasheng nodded and then said to He Shinian, “After you finish talking with Secretary Wu, come find me.”
After Ou Huasheng left, Wu Yunqiu took the lead to sit down and said, “Come, Comrade Shinian, sit down. Let’s talk.”
He Shinian sat upright across from her but only occupied half the sofa.
“Comrade Shinian, where did you serve in the military?”
He Shinian was slightly surprised. It seemed the female secretary had already done some research on him.
This confirmed that it was not Ou Huasheng who had recommended him to Wu Yunqiu.
“Southwest,” he answered succinctly.
Wu Yunqiu smiled faintly and said, “Then you should call me Squad Leader.”
Surprised, He Shinian straightened his chest and asked, “You served in the military as well, Leader?”
Wu Yunqiu nodded, “I served twice as long as you did.”
He Shinian relaxed and smiled, “No wonder I felt a sense of familiarity with you the moment I saw you—it’s like being back in the military.”
The soldier’s demeanor, shaped by prolonged military life, left an indelible mark that could not be hidden even after demobilization.
After some light conversation, He Shinian’s nerves completely eased.
Wu Yunqiu continued, “Being a secretary is entirely different from military service. You have to handle errands, like pouring water or carrying bags, and you must also be able to write. Can you adapt?”
He Shinian straightened up and said, “Please rest assured, leader, I will do my utmost.”
Wu Yunqiu smiled, “Good. It’s normal to need some time to adjust at first—I went through the same process. It was difficult at the beginning.”
He Shinian blurted out, “Have you been a secretary before, leader?”
Wu Yunqiu sighed softly, “Yes, after I left the army, I went to the organization department of the provincial party committee.”
“Oh, then I am following the path you once fought on,” He Shinian said.
Wu Yunqiu smiled and said, “Don’t call me ‘leader’ all the time—it sounds stiff. We will be working together for a long time. You can call me Yunqiu or Comrade Yunqiu.”
He Shinian thought, Would that be disrespectful, ignoring hierarchy?
“So, at formal occasions, I’ll call you Secretary Wu, and privately, I’ll call you Sister Qiu?”
This was his tentative suggestion. Wu Yunqiu didn’t mind and smiled, letting the topic drop.
Their conversation lasted about fifteen minutes.
After leaving Wu Yunqiu’s office, He Shinian breathed a long sigh of relief, feeling light and free from any invisible pressure.
Returning to Ou Huasheng’s office on the second floor, he happened to hear a man standing at attention say, “Please give your instructions, Director Ou.”
Ou Huasheng looked up and saw He Shinian, then pointed to the man and said, “Comrade He Shinian is Secretary Wu’s new secretary starting today. You two will hand over the work.”
The man was none other than He Shinian’s predecessor, Wang Dongge.
“Yes, I will resolutely follow Director Ou’s instructions,” Wang Dongge said obsequiously.
Ou Huasheng was unimpressed, snorted, and scolded, “Cut the slick talk.”
Then he turned to He Shinian, “I was going to personally take you to visit Comprehensive Office One, but I have matters here. Let Comrade Wang take you.”
Wang Dongge continued to flatter, “I guarantee to complete the task.”
Once outside Ou Huasheng’s office and around the stairwell corner, Wang Dongge’s previously sycophantic face immediately hardened.
“Shall we hand over the work first or tour the office?” he asked.
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