In officialdom: After she left, I rose rapidly through the ranks!

"Director Zhou, is the Party Secretary calling to see the County Head? Is there something he needs?"

Sometimes, when leaders want to communicate, they will have their secretaries contact them in advance. After all, leaders all have their own things to do, and no one knows if anyone's schedule will match.

Secretary Zhao doesn't need any special arrangements to find someone; he just needs to give the order. But if he wants to find the county head, he still needs to communicate the time in advance.

Especially at this critical juncture.

Director Zhou is Secretary Zhao's secretary.

Chen Jingcheng knew a bit about Director Zhou. He knew about him even before they met, because at the previous Standing Committee meeting, when Secretary Zhao was promoting him, whether he was joking or serious, he had said something.

That is, he plans to promote his secretary to the rank of section chief soon and send him directly to the township as secretary.

This secretary is Director Zhou.

Director Zhou's voice on the phone was also very gentle, without any condescending attitude, and of course, without any hostility.

"Director Chen, have you arrived at the office? The leader didn't say he wanted to see the county head, but the secretary just asked me to check if you've arrived. If you have, please come to the secretary's office; he wants to see you."

So, instead of going to the county magistrate, they came directly to me?

Although Chen Jingcheng was mentally prepared, he was still somewhat surprised.

Deputy Director Lin, it seems your importance is even greater than I thought.

Was it really necessary for Deputy Secretary Wang to proactively speak to the Secretary for the sake of Deputy Director Lin? Moreover, Secretary Zhao actually agreed to act as an intermediary and personally called him.

There are probably other connections involved.

However, no matter what he thought, Chen Jingcheng had no reason not to go when Secretary Zhao summoned him.

"Okay, Director Zhou, I'm at work. I'll go see Secretary Zhao right away."

After hanging up the phone, Chen Jingcheng noticed that County Chief Li had not yet arrived at the office. After thinking for a moment, Chen Jingcheng went to Director Gao's office.

He was the county magistrate's secretary, and if he was summoned by the secretary, he would have to inform the county magistrate in advance.

Since the county magistrate hadn't arrived yet, Chen Jingcheng didn't want to disturb him directly, so he went to Director Gao's office to let him know.

After entering the office, Director Gao greeted Chen Jingcheng with a smile, wanting to invite him to sit down for a cup of tea and a chat.

It's obvious to the naked eye that Director Gao is now in a much better mood and less stressed than before, with a rosy complexion.

All of this is naturally thanks to the strength and potential shown by County Head Li during the Standing Committee meeting. His future is promising, and with the county head's future looking bright, Director Gao's position will naturally rise accordingly.

After all, in Linchuan County, he was the director of the county government office, directly serving the county head, and at the same time, he was someone who actively sought to curry favor with the county head.

There's no reason not to use the county magistrate, one of my own people, and the advancement I've been longing for might just be coming soon.

Chen Jingcheng looked at Director Gao and said with a smile, "Director Gao, I just received a call from Director Zhou of the County Party Committee Office. He said that the Party Secretary asked me to come to his office. I saw that the County Head is not in his office right now, so I came to say hello to you. When the County Head arrives, please report to him for me."

"I guess it's most likely because of yesterday's night inspection. I'll report to the county head when I get back."

Upon hearing this, Director Gao's expression turned serious. After a moment of silence, he nodded and said, "Secretary, is he personally arranging for you to report on your work?"

"Well, we can't not go then. Jingcheng, you go."

"If you encounter any difficulties, don't be afraid. Just say what you need to say, or remain silent when you should. Don't be afraid of not being able to answer or decide anything. Just be neither humble nor arrogant."

"I will tell him as soon as the county magistrate arrives."

Chen Jingcheng nodded, then left Director Gao's office and went directly up the stairs to the third floor.

Director Zhou was already waiting at the door of Secretary Zhao's office. When he saw Chen Jingcheng arrive, he quickly greeted him with a smile.

"Director Chen, the Party Secretary is waiting for you. Please come with me."

After shaking hands with Director Zhou, Chen Jingcheng nodded and entered Secretary Zhao's office.

Secretary Zhao was sitting in his office chair, working on documents with his head down.

Director Zhou did not enter the office, but quietly closed the door and walked out.

Before Chen Jingcheng could speak, Secretary Zhao looked up and said with a smile, "Director Jingcheng, you're here. Please sit down. I just had Xiao Zhou brew some tea. It's from a friend of mine who grew it himself. It's not anything very expensive, but it tastes quite good. Try it."

There was indeed a steaming cup of tea on the coffee table in front of the sofa. After thanking Secretary Zhao, Chen Jingcheng sat down in front of the sofa, picked up the teacup, and took a small sip.

Neither of them spoke during that time.

This wait lasted for more than twenty minutes.

Twenty minutes later, Secretary Zhao finally let out a soft sigh, stood up from his chair, and walked towards Chen Jingcheng.

Chen Jingcheng also quickly got up.

Secretary Zhao waved his hand, gesturing for Chen Jingcheng to sit down.

"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting, but as you know, as the county party secretary, the head of the county, I have countless things to deal with."

"For all kinds of things and relationships, we must weigh the pros and cons, consider them, and take responsibility. After all, if we do something wrong, the officials will scold me, and the people will scold me too."

"It's difficult, very difficult."

"Others only see my glory and power, but they don't realize how much I have to bear behind the scenes."

"Those who haven't been in this position can't understand how much pressure there is."

Secretary Zhao spoke these words with great emotion, and Chen Jingcheng had no way of knowing how much of it was true and how much was false. But he knew that some of it came from Secretary Zhao's heart. The position of county party secretary was in charge of all the affairs of the county. He was the real top leader, and every decision he made affected the interests of all the people in the county.

If you're right, you might not get praised, but if you're wrong, you'll definitely get scolded.

The pressure from the assessments above, the unity of the leadership team, the trust and reliance of colleagues, and the earnest expectations of the people—this pressure is indeed something not everyone can bear.

Chen Jingcheng was one of County Magistrate Li Feitu's men, so he didn't want to comment on Zhao, nor could he comment on him. Therefore, he could only smile and nod in agreement.

Secretary Zhao didn't say too much about these things to Chen Jingcheng. After the opening remarks, it was time to get down to business.

Looking at Chen Jingcheng, Secretary Zhao smiled and said, "Yesterday, Deputy Secretary Wang came to see me."

"You should have guessed what it is by now."