Nominal: Starting with an entrance exam for a PhD in Economics at Peking University

“Secretary Sha,” his voice was soft, but each word was slow and clear, “the higher-ups have their reasons. If they have more suitable candidates, we will of course obey. But shouldn’t we reconsider this matter of them voluntarily requesting the appointment of a parachuted-in cadre?”

Sha Ruijin looked at him.

Qi Tongwei continued, “Just six months ago, the provincial party secretary, the secretary of the discipline inspection commission, and the executive vice governor were parachuted in from higher authorities. Now that I’ve just taken office, I’m asking higher authorities for more people—what will the lower-level cadres think? Will they feel that higher authorities have completely lost trust in local cadres? Furthermore, higher authorities will also think, ‘This team from Handong has been here for more than half a year, how come they haven’t been able to build up their ranks, and now they have to ask higher authorities for more people? How are we going to explain this to them regarding organizational development?’”

These words carry significant weight.

Sha Ruijin also frowned.

Things haven't been going well for him lately, and his judgment isn't as sharp as it used to be.

Qi Tongwei is right—at this critical juncture, the last thing he wants is for his superiors to focus too much attention on Handong. Liu Changsheng has just retired, Xiao Gangyu is under investigation, and Zhao Lichun is still navigating the power struggle; every step must be taken with caution. Actively requesting personnel from higher-ups at this time would be tantamount to bringing Handong's "instability" to the forefront—wouldn't that be asking for trouble?

He leaned back on the sofa, closed his eyes briefly, and then opened them again.

“Then let’s go with Lin Long’an,” he said, his tone decisive. “He’ll be the executive vice president, and he can get things in order in the government. You can keep an eye on things there and communicate any issues promptly.”

Qi Tongwei nodded: "Okay, I'll go back and talk to Comrade Lin Long'an so he can be prepared."

"Secretary Sha, there's one more thing. After Governor Liu retires, there are only twelve members on the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee, which doesn't conform to the convention of making decisions with an odd number. This issue also needs to be resolved, and it would be best to submit the nominations for the Executive Vice President together with them."

Sha Ruijin narrowed his eyes slightly, but his expression remained unchanged.

“You’re right,” he said. “It’s customary for the Standing Committee to have an odd number of members, and twelve is indeed difficult to vote on. This additional candidate—”

Who do you think is suitable?

Qi Tongwei didn't speak immediately. He first picked up his teacup and took a sip, as if deep in thought. Then he put down the cup and said, "Regarding this matter, I think it's more appropriate to have the Organization Department recommend candidates according to procedure. However—"

He paused.

"After Comrade Yi Xuexi was transferred to serve as the Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission of Jingzhou, the position of Mayor of Lüzhou became vacant. Lüzhou is the second largest economy in Handong, and the mayor's position cannot remain vacant for long. This position should be filled as soon as possible, which will also benefit the work of the whole province."

Sha Ruijin understood.

Qi Tongwei didn't directly say, "I recommend Dong Dingfang for the Standing Committee," but instead started by mentioning the vacancy for mayor of Lüzhou. The logic behind his words was clear—the mayor of Lüzhou needed to be filled as soon as possible. Dong Dingfang was the vice governor and secretary of the Lüzhou municipal party committee. If the mayor could be chosen, Dong Dingfang could be freed from the specific affairs of Lüzhou and devote more energy to the work of the provincial government.

His next step, becoming a member of the Standing Committee, is a natural progression.

Qi Tongwei is paving the way for Dong Dingfang.

Sha Ruijin didn't respond to that question, but simply said, "The Organization Department will study the candidate for Mayor of Luzhou."

Qi Tongwei wasn't in a hurry and nodded: "Yes, follow the procedure."

He knew that Sha Ruijin's mind was entirely focused on Zhao Lichun, and he didn't have the extra energy to deal with him over personnel matters. He could postpone Dong Dingfang's promotion to the Standing Committee slowly; there was no rush.

The two chatted for a few more minutes about some recent specific work of the provincial government and the provincial party committee—the deployment of flood control and drought relief, the progress of several key projects, and the arrangements for economic work in the second half of the year. Sha Ruijin listened more and spoke less, occasionally nodding or asking one or two questions. Qi Tongwei answered in a well-organized manner, explaining the data, key points, and responsible persons clearly.

After chatting for about twenty minutes, Qi Tongwei checked his watch and stood up.

"Secretary Sha, then I won't bother you any longer. As for the matter of the executive deputy, I'll go back and discuss it with Comrade Lin Long'an first, and then report it to the higher authorities to see what arrangements they make."

Sha Ruijin also stood up and nodded: "Okay. If there's anything from the government, feel free to contact me."

Qi Tongwei nodded slightly and turned to walk out.

Hearing the commotion outside, Bai Jingwen had already opened the door. As Qi Tongwei passed by him, he gently patted his shoulder, said nothing, and walked straight out.

The corridor was quiet. His leather shoes clicked slowly on the tiled floor. Liao Qingyuan caught up from behind, took the thermos from his hand, and asked in a low voice, "Boss, back to the provincial government?"

Qi Tongwei nodded, without stopping.

Lin Long'an's promotion to executive vice president was within his expectations. The provincial government would operate more smoothly, and he wouldn't have to spend too much energy on trivial daily coordination.

As for Dong Dingfang's entry into the Standing Committee—it would be best if he could be nominated together with Lin Long'an, but it's okay to postpone it.

Sha Ruijin is currently busy dealing with Zhao Lichun and has no time for these matters.

Or rather, in order to deal with Zhao Lichun without being hindered, he had to make concessions in other areas.

In terms of personnel matters, I can only take on more responsibility for him myself.

This has really caused me a lot of trouble.

Chapter 197 The New Team (5.9k)

It had been less than a month since Liu Changsheng was hospitalized and Qi Tongwei had taken charge of the provincial government's daily operations, plus the fact that he had only served as acting governor for about 10 days.

During those forty days, he temporarily presided over the work of the provincial government, convened three executive meetings, one coordination meeting for the advancement of key provincial projects, approved over a hundred requests for instructions, and met with the heads of more than a dozen departments and bureaus. Under his impetus, the provincial government's machinery ran at a significantly faster pace.

But once the adjustment period is over, the real test is just beginning.

The roles of acting governor and executive vice governor temporarily presiding over the work are different. The former is "acting," but it is legitimate; the latter is "temporary," and there is always a sense of illegitimacy.

Although the title "Acting" hasn't been removed from his head yet, he is now the top person in charge of the provincial government. This means that from today onwards, he will be fully responsible for all the work of the provincial government. He's not just keeping watch for Liu Changsheng.

Qi Tongwei put down the budget report in his hand, picked up the phone, and dialed a number.

"Comrade Long'an, are you free now? Come to my office."

Lin Long'an's office was downstairs, so he arrived quickly.

He was fifty-six years old, of medium build, with a square face and neatly combed hair. He always wore a dark jacket and spoke slowly and deliberately. He was the kind of person who, at first glance, had been thoroughly influenced by the system.

Many officials joked privately that Governor Lin couldn't possibly go on an incognito visit; he was obviously a leader.

He worked in the government system of Handong Province for nearly 30 years, starting as a staff member in the Provincial Planning Commission and working his way up step by step. He took each step steadily, so steadily that people couldn't remember what outrageous things he had done or what particularly outstanding achievements he had made.

He was the kind of cadre who was "skillful in simplicity." Or, to put it another way, a strategist who achieves great feats without making a fuss.

Qi Tongwei looked up from the documents and nodded to him: "Sit down."

Lin Long'an sat down on the sofa, placed the notebook on his lap, and did not open it.

Qi Tongwei stood up from behind his desk, took his teacup, walked to the sofa area, and sat down opposite Lin Long'an.

"Comrade Long'an, I called you here today because there's something I need to discuss with you." Qi Tongwei got straight to the point. "As you know, I've officially taken office as acting governor, so the position of executive vice governor has become vacant. I recommended you to Secretary Sha."

Lin Long'an pursed his lips slightly and said with a hint of excitement, "Thank you for your trust, Governor Qi."

Qi Tongwei nodded: "Secretary Sha raised objections for some reasons. Don't ask about the specific reasons, and don't hold any opinions about it. It's all for the sake of the work, and Secretary Sha has no personal motives."

The more you emphasize that something is nothing, the more something actually is.

Lin Long'an naturally understood this principle.

Qi Tongwei's words were simple and direct, and his attempts to sow discord were written all over his face, but politics is often not that complicated.

Old tricks are fine as long as they're effective.

Just like during the Wanli era, Zhang Juzheng got rid of Gao Gong by reporting Gao Gong to Empress Dowager Li. It seems simple, but the root cause lies in Gao Gong's disregard for Empress Dowager Zhang and the young emperor during his reign, which led to Empress Dowager Zhang not establishing trust in Gao Gong.

The same is true here.

Sha Ruijin's character and conduct, the relationship between Lin Long'an and Liu Changsheng, and Liu Changsheng's forced early retirement all lend Qi Tongwei's words great credibility.

Lin Long'an nodded: "I understand. Thank you, Governor Qi, for speaking up for me."

He knew that since Qi Tongwei had brought this up, it meant he was doing him a favor.

Qi Tongwei continued, "However, at my insistence, Secretary Sha still agreed to appoint you as the executive vice governor. We will soon report to the higher authorities for instructions, so please be prepared."

Lin Long'an stood up, his face filled with excitement, and bowed slightly to Qi Tongwei: "Thank you for your care, leader. I will definitely cooperate with your work and complete the tasks you have assigned."

Qi Tongwei didn't rush to speak. He first picked up his teacup, took a sip, put it down, and then began to speak, his tone unhurried: "When Governor Liu was in charge, the government's work pace was relatively stable, which was his style. Stability has its advantages; it avoids mistakes and unnecessary disruptions. But in Handong's current situation, stability alone is not enough. The downward pressure on the economy is significant, several major projects are at critical stages, state-owned enterprise reform has reached a point where it's time to tackle the tough issues, and the contradiction between fiscal revenue and expenditure is also intensifying. These things cannot be delayed."

He paused for a moment and looked at Lin Long'an.

"You probably know some of my principles for doing things. There are three: First, everything must be accounted for; second, every task must be completed; and third, every matter must receive a response. I don't like to rush people, but I also don't like to be rushed. If something is due by a certain date, it should be ready by the deadline. If it can't be ready, you must explain the reason in advance. Don't make me chase the progress; I don't have the time."

Lin Long'an nodded without speaking, but his mind was racing to remember.

Qi Tongwei continued, "After you become the executive vice president, you will temporarily retain your original responsibilities in the areas of science and technology, education, and industry and information technology. Keep an eye on these areas for now. We'll discuss it further once we find a suitable candidate. In addition, I will assign you a few more tasks."

He picked up a folder from the armrest of the sofa, opened it, and found several pages of paper inside. Lin Long'an recognized it as a list of the provincial government's key tasks for the near future, but it was more detailed than the version he had seen before, with the responsible person marked in red pen after several tasks—three of which were listed as "Lin Long'an."

"First, the execution of the fiscal budget. In the first half of the year, the disbursement of special funds in several cities was slow. I have already asked the Finance Department to urge them to catch up. Keep an eye on it and make up for the shortfall within half a month. If it cannot be made up, the reasons must be explained, adjustments should be made where necessary, and those who should be held accountable should be held accountable."

"The second thing is the supporting infrastructure project for the Guangming Peak project. This project is the top priority in Jingzhou and involves the coordination of several provincial departments. Take some time to go to Jingzhou and meet with Comrade Li Dakang in person to clarify the project's timeline. Make a list of which department is stuck at which stage, and I will coordinate it."

"The third thing is the reform and restructuring of provincial state-owned enterprises. I've read the initial draft of the plan submitted by the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC). The direction is right, but the steps are too small. Tell SASAC not to be afraid to touch existing assets or offend people. Produce a second draft within a month. If it can't move forward, replace the person in charge."

He spoke slowly, but every point was clear: the task, the deadline, the requirements—all laid out precisely. Lin Long'an jotted down a few notes in his notebook, then looked up and said, "Okay, I'll arrange it when I get back."

Qi Tongwei looked at him, paused for a second, and then said, "Comrade Long'an, you're a veteran comrade who came from the Planning Commission and has worked in the provincial government system for almost thirty years. You've seen it all. I won't be polite with you. The position of Executive Vice President is, in the end, to share my burdens. When I'm not here, you can take charge of the work; when I am, you can help me keep an eye on things that I can't keep an eye on. What I need is a reliable partner, not a mouthpiece."

Lin Long'an's gaze sharpened slightly, but he quickly regained his composure. He understood Qi Tongwei's meaning—don't see yourself as a deputy who "executes the leader's orders," but take initiative within your authority. This requirement was far higher than simply "obeying orders."

"I'll do my best," Lin Long'an said.

Qi Tongwei nodded, not elaborating further. Some things are best left unsaid; saying too much would only seem distrustful.

The two chatted for a few more minutes about the reassignment of responsibilities among the vice governors, the optimization of work processes in the provincial government office, and issues that needed to be submitted to the provincial government's executive meeting for review in the near future. Lin Long'an responded to each point in a clear and logical manner. After listening, Qi Tongwei stood up.

"That's settled then. If you need me to coordinate anything on your end, feel free to contact me anytime."

Lin Long'an also stood up and extended both hands: "Thank you, Governor Qi."

Qi Tongwei extended his right hand, and the three hands clasped together. Lin Longan gripped the handle firmly, clearly still somewhat agitated.

When Lin Long'an walked out of his office, the corridor was quiet. His secretary was waiting at the other end of the corridor. Seeing him come out, she came up to him and asked in a low voice, "Governor Lin, how did the talks go?"

Lin Long'an did not answer directly, but simply said, "Go back to your office."

He went back to his office on the next floor, sat down, wrote down three things on a piece of paper, and stuck it on the wall directly opposite his desk. Then he picked up the phone and dialed the number of the provincial finance director.

"Old Liu, it's me, Lin Long'an. Do you have time this afternoon? I have a few things to discuss with you."

After making the call, he dialed the number of the director of the provincial State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission.

"Old Qian, regarding the state-owned enterprise reform and restructuring plan, the version you submitted last time, Governor Qi read it and said the steps were too small. Can you speed things up? A second draft within a month, is that alright?"

Old Qian's voice sounded somewhat troubled on the other end of the phone: "Governor Lin, isn't one month too tight? This plan involves more than a dozen companies, and just the preliminary investigation will take..."

“Whether it’s urgent or not is your business.” Lin Long’an interrupted him, his tone not harsh but decisive. “Governor Qi’s requirements are very clear—if you can’t move forward, replace him. You decide for yourself.”

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone, then Lao Qian said, "Okay, I'll get on it."

Lin Long'an hung up the phone, leaned back in his chair, and closed his eyes for a moment.

His secretary brought him tea and, seeing that he seemed a little more relaxed, said, "Congratulations, boss, you've taken another step forward."

Lin Long'an opened his eyes and smiled, saying, "You figured it out?"

Qi Tongwei was promoted, and many people were eyeing the position he left behind. Lin Long'an had just come out of Qi Tongwei's office and displayed a work style that was different from usual. His secretary, who had followed him for many years, could naturally guess what was going on.