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

For the next month, Qi Tongwei's life was almost monotonous: he ate on time, rested on time, and spent most of his time in the office.

He stopped trying to get more information by going around in circles, and he didn't rush to go to the townships.

He simply sat quietly at the table, constantly sorting out and refining the theoretical framework and writing logic of his research report, using his notebook and the limited materials he already had. He recorded all the viewpoints, angles, and possible lines of reasoning he could think of, waiting for the opportunity to flesh out the details.

Xiao Luo's attitude remained consistent; he maintained respect for him and continued to work diligently.

This "unchanging" quality is especially precious in such a delicate environment.

Time slipped by quietly, and it was already the end of June.

The "east wind" that Qi Tongwei had been waiting for has arrived!

His teacher, Gao Yuliang, completed a six-month public administration training program in the United States and returned to China as scheduled.

Furthermore, his position underwent a significant change: he was transferred from Deputy Chief Prosecutor of the Handong Provincial People's Procuratorate to Standing Committee Member of the Lüzhou Municipal Party Committee and Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission!

That afternoon, after receiving the news, Qi Tongwei called Luo Xuejun to his office.

He looked at the young man in front of him, whose eyes had become more composed after several months of training than when they first met, and a meaningful smile appeared on his face.

“Xiao Luo,” Qi Tongwei said calmly, “your time has come.”

Luo Xuejun was stunned for a moment, not understanding why.

Qi Tongwei tapped his fingers lightly on the table and smiled:

"Help me make an appointment with Director Luo Xiangdong."

Chapter 75 "The Cadre at the Road Crossing"

Qi Tongwei was naturally very familiar with his teacher Gao Yuliang's career path.

This mentor, who was both a teacher and a father figure, was undoubtedly one of his greatest assets in returning to Handong.

However, although Gao Yuliang is now a member of the Standing Committee of the Lüzhou Municipal Party Committee and Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission, holding real power as a deputy director-level official, his foundation and promotion path are still closely related to Liang Qunfeng to a large extent, and he has not completely broken free from the "Liang faction" imprint.

At this moment, it would be inappropriate to rashly request Gao Yuliang to step forward and directly confront Liang Jin and even Liang Qunfeng behind him in order to break the deadlock. It would also be beyond Gao Yuliang's current political situation and capabilities.

However, this does not mean that Gao Yuliang's "card" cannot be played. The key lies in how to "leverage" the relationship and transform it into a practical resource, rather than simply providing military support.

As evening fell, Qi Tongwei, led by Xiao Luo, arrived at a relatively quiet residential area in the county town and entered an ordinary two-story house.

"County Chief Qi, this is the wedding house my parents prepared for me. It was just transferred to my name not long ago, and we haven't started decorating it yet. It's usually empty, and not many people know about it," Xiao Luo explained in a low voice as he opened the door.

The few decent restaurants and teahouses in the county are places frequented by familiar faces; there are too many people and it's inconvenient to talk to them.

The room was simply furnished, with white walls and cement floors, and only a few basic pieces of old furniture. The air was filled with a faint smell of dust and building materials, making it look like a bare shell waiting to be renovated.

When Qi Tongwei went in, Luo Xiangdong, the director of the county government office, was already waiting inside.

Upon seeing Qi Tongwei, Luo Xiangdong immediately stood up from his chair, a shrewd smile spreading across his face, and quickly stepped forward to greet him: "County Chief Qi, you've arrived."

Seeing this, Xiao Luo wisely prepared to leave and close the door behind him.

"Xiao Luo, you stay too, listen to it with us," Qi Tongwei said gently, stopping him.

Xiao Luo paused for a moment, then looked at his second uncle, Luo Xiangdong. Luo Xiangdong's eyes flickered slightly, then he nodded: "County Magistrate Qi asked you to stay because he values ​​you. Listen carefully."

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Luo Xiangdong took the initiative to get down to business, tentatively asking, "I wonder if County Chief Qi has any instructions for inviting me here today? Is it... that I should contact County Chief Yi?"

He thought Qi Tongwei wanted to use him to convey some message to Yi Xuexi or seek support.

Qi Tongwei waved his hand, his smile unchanged: "Director Luo has misunderstood. Today, I'm not looking for County Chief Yi, I'm looking for you."

Luo Xiangdong was even more puzzled, but he didn't show it on his face: "What are your instructions, County Chief Qi? As long as it's within my power, I will definitely cooperate."

"It's not so much an order, but I'd like to ask Director Luo for a favor," Qi Tongwei said sincerely. "Some parts of my research report for my temporary assignment will require Director Luo's strong support to complete."

Upon hearing this, Luo Xiangdong immediately looked troubled: "County Chief Qi, without the explicit approval of County Chief Yi or the relevant leader, I, as the office director, am really unable to help with those county-wide economic data and project materials you requested. It just doesn't pass the procedural requirements."

"No need for Director Luo to worry about the data and general materials." Qi Tongwei leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice, which carried a hint of sincerity. "I'll also be frank with Director Luo. My mentor, Professor Gao Yuliang, has just been transferred to the position of Standing Committee Member of the Lüzhou Municipal Party Committee and Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission. If needed, I will ask Professor Gao to help coordinate access to the relevant data from Daokou County at the municipal level. We do have that kind of connection."

"Secretary Gao?!" Luo Xiangdong was shocked, his eyes widening suddenly.

As the director of the county government office, he naturally paid attention to changes in the city's main leaders, and he certainly knew about the newly appointed Secretary Gao Yuliang.

But to his utter surprise, this newly appointed member of the Municipal Party Committee Standing Committee and Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission was actually the "mentor" of this young cadre on temporary assignment! He quickly searched his memory for Gao Yuliang and Qi Tongwei's resumes—early 1990s, Handong University… That's right! The two did have a period of overlapping resumes!

However, Qi Tongwei's later experiences as a Peking University PhD, a model worker of the Ministry of Public Security, and a cadre of the State Economic Commission are so dazzling that people subconsciously overlook his earlier background at Handong University.

Furthermore, Gao Yuliang only officially took office today, and the information has not yet been fully digested and connected. If Qi Tongwei had not pointed it out himself, he would indeed have had difficulty accurately connecting these two lines in a short time.

Luo Xiangdong's heart was in turmoil.

This County Chief Qi has connections with Vice Chairman Han of the State Economic Commission, and now he also has a strong connection with Secretary Gao of the Lüzhou Municipal Party Committee!

What kind of powerful background does this person have? Could it be that someone is specifically "protecting" him during this temporary assignment?

If that's the case, then this young man's importance is terrifying; he's practically a "crown prince" level figure!

It's no secret that Gao Yuliang's backer is Liang Qunfeng, but it's not something someone of Luo Xiangdong's level would know.

Seeing the shock and rapidly changing expression on Luo Xiangdong's face, Qi Tongwei could roughly guess what he was thinking. This was exactly the effect he wanted—to make the other party fully aware of the resources and potential "background" he could utilize, thereby gaining a psychological advantage in the subsequent negotiations.

He didn't point it out, letting the other person imagine and overestimate it.

Luo Xiangdong barely managed to compose himself, his tone becoming even more respectful, even tentative: "I never imagined that County Chief Qi and Secretary Gao had this connection. I'm truly... my apologies. It seems that the little... 'trouble' on Secretary Li's side is really nothing to you. Then... is there anything else I can do to help?"

Qi Tongwei smiled, ignoring the topic of the "controversy," and instead asked, "Director Luo has been in the organization for many years and is also a leader. In your opinion, how should an official perform to stand out at work and gain the appreciation of superiors?"

Luo Xiangdong was taken aback, and quickly waved his hand: "County Chief Qi, you flatter me. How dare I call myself a leader in front of you?"

"Director Luo, there's no need to be modest. We're just having a simple exchange of views," Qi Tongwei said calmly.

Luo Xiangdong hesitated for a moment before cautiously replying, "I think... the most important thing in work is to be meticulous, conscientious, hardworking, and avoid making mistakes so that the leader can rest assured."

"Yes, Director Luo's words are mature and prudent, and it's also the duty of the head of the government office." Qi Tongwei nodded, but then changed the subject, "However, this can be seen as 'tactical diligence.' But sometimes, simply doing this is not enough to 'cover up strategic laziness.'"

Luo Xiangdong's eyes narrowed, and Xiao Luo beside him held his breath.

Luo Xiangdong naturally understood his unspoken meaning: "Please give me some guidance, County Chief Qi."

Then, turning to Luo Xuejun, who was standing quietly serving, he said earnestly, "Xuejun, you must listen carefully. The secrets of a figure like County Magistrate Qi are priceless."

Luo Xiangdong's words, seemingly meant to educate younger generations and give them a sense of purpose, are actually just a form of flattery.

Qi Tongwei looked at Luo Xuejun, his tone carrying a hint of advice for a younger man: "Of course, you should do your best to do your job well, as that is the foundation of your career. But leaders are busy with countless tasks, and their vision and needs are constantly changing. If you are only satisfied with doing what the leaders assign you, the leaders will only think that it is 'taken for granted,' and you will become a 'useful' but 'replaceable' tool."

He paused, then looked back at Luo Xiangdong, speaking to Luo Xiangdong as well: "Like me. Everyone knows I have a PhD in economics and am good at macroeconomics and industrial policy. So, even if I write a beautiful economic research report on Daokou County, with detailed data and thorough analysis, in the eyes of the higher-ups, it's just 'using my expertise,' 'taken for granted,' and won't bring any extra 'surprises.'"

“Therefore,” Qi Tongwei said calmly, revealing his intention, “my research report during this temporary assignment cannot simply be an excellent ‘economic research report.’ That would be too thin and too ‘expected.’ It must be a ‘political research report,’ with the economic section serving only as a supporting chapter, or even just an introduction. Through this report, I want to demonstrate my profound insight and analytical ability regarding the grassroots political ecology, the cadre team, and the governance structure. Only then will the leaders see that I, Qi Tongwei, am not only a ‘technical’ economic cadre, but also a ‘comprehensive’ cadre with comprehensive qualities, a political mind, and the ability to understand complex situations. That is the ‘surprise’ that exceeds expectations.”

After hearing these words, Luo Xuejun's face showed shock and admiration as if he had been enlightened, and his gaze toward Qi Tongwei became even more ardent.

Luo Xiangdong was initially moved, but having been immersed in officialdom for many years, he quickly snapped out of his reverie and began to think at high speed about the true purpose of Qi Tongwei's words and what he needed to give up.

After a long pause, Luo Xiangdong chuckled twice and flattered, "Hearing your words is better than reading for ten years! County Chief Qi is so young, yet your vision and perspective are so profound. I admire you, I truly admire you! However... I'm afraid that as a mere county office director, I can't really be of much help with the grand ideas in your 'political research report'."

He preemptively shut down the conversation, adopting a very humble attitude.

Qi Tongwei smiled.

This person is shrewd; they can tell what the other person wants just by listening to their tone of voice.

He didn't beat around the bush and said directly, "Director Luo, don't rush to refuse. Let me explain what you need." His smile faded, and his tone became clear and firm. "The title of this part I plan to write is tentatively 'Cadres at the Road Crossing'."

Luo Xiangdong's eyelid twitched.

"The content will cover," Qi Tongwei said in a steady but clear voice, "an analysis of the group composition of cadres at all levels in Daokou County (from deputy section chief to director): gender ratio, age structure, educational background, place of origin distribution, and channels for entering the cadre team."

Luo Xiangdong's expression began to turn serious.

“Furthermore,” Qi Tongwei continued, “the assessment of cadres’ main ‘achievements’ and actual effectiveness, whether there are ‘showcase projects’ or ‘data inflation’; the connections and marriage relationships of local political families; informal networks of relationships (fellow townsmen, classmates, comrades-in-arms, etc.); the possible flow of ‘votes’ and the form of ‘networks’ in certain major decisions or personnel changes; and…” He paused briefly, “and compiled a summary of disciplinary issues involving cadres at checkpoints in the past five years, whether verified or rumored.”

Upon hearing this, Luo Xiangdong's face turned so dark it looked like it could be wrung out, and fine beads of cold sweat even appeared on his forehead.

Xiao Luo, standing to the side, also sensed the terrifying implications behind these words, his face turned pale, and he was at a loss for what to do.

Qi Tongwei seemed not to notice their reaction and added at the end: "Of course, all names and place names in the report will be technically processed and pseudonyms will be used."

This report will never be published publicly; it will only be submitted to relevant leaders of the Economic Commission for reference as internal research material.

Luo Xiangdong was not comforted by the "pseudonym" and the promise of "internal reference".

In this small county of Daokou, within its intricate network of relationships, some things and some people, even if only hinted at with code names, are immediately obvious to anyone with discerning eyes.

Once he provided this crucial information, it was as if he had personally torn open the unspoken veil of understanding within the local community.

At that time, the network of connections he and his family had cultivated in Daokou County over decades would suffer a devastating blow. He would not only become the target of public criticism, but he might also be completely excluded from this "circle," leaving him with no place to stand.

There has been a saying since ancient times: "County officials come and go, but clerks remain."

Although the term "clerk" no longer exists, the local political ecosystem at the grassroots level still maintains a stable network of connections formed by local cadres through kinship, hometown ties, classmate relationships, and comrades-in-arms. Its resilience and exclusivity are no different from those of ancient times.

What Qi Tongwei had to do was to find the starting point of this seemingly chaotic but actually well-ordered "tangle" and try to expose its structure to the light of day.

Luo Xiangdong remained silent for a long time, and the air in the room seemed to freeze.

He licked his dry lips and spoke with difficulty, "County Magistrate Qi, I... admire your courage and ambition. However, please forgive my frankness, but I really cannot help with this. I myself, and my family, are deeply entangled in this network. Once I do this, our Luo family... will have nowhere to go in Daokou. This is a matter of severing our roots."

Qi Tongwei nodded, indicating his understanding: "I understand Director Luo's concerns. Therefore, I am not asking you to take any risks without reason. I have prepared a bargaining chip."

Luo Xiangdong raised his eyes warily: "What bargaining chips?"

"To give your Luo family the possibility of upward mobility and further advancement," Qi Tongwei said, enunciating each word clearly.

Luo Xiangdong's body trembled slightly, and his eyes became even sharper.

Qi Tongwei said calmly, "Secretary Gao Yuliang has just arrived in Luzhou and is in dire need of people. He probably lacks trustworthy and well-known confidants around him. I plan to recommend Xiao Luo to Teacher Gao to be his secretary. Director Luo, what do you think of this offer?"

"Secretary?!" Luo Xiangdong gasped, almost jumping out of his chair. Behind him, Luo Xuejun's breathing quickened, his eyes gleaming with unbelievable hope as he stared intently at Qi Tongwei.

Qi Tongwei continued to press, his voice carrying a seductive calmness: "Professor Gao is forty-two years old this year and is already a deputy director-general with real power. He is also following the orthodox path of promotion through academia. With his age, ability and background, becoming a director-general is the minimum requirement, and he has a good chance of becoming a deputy minister, or even... it is not impossible for him to rise to a higher level."

He glanced at Luo Xuejun, who was trembling slightly with excitement, and said, "If Xiao Luo can become Secretary Gao's secretary, as long as he doesn't make any major mistakes, his future promotion to deputy director level will be a natural progression."

As for how far he can go, that depends on his comprehension and destiny. Director Luo, wouldn't you say this deal has opened a door to a higher level for your Luo family?

This offer is incredibly tempting! Countless families at the grassroots level have exhausted the efforts and resources of several generations just to "go one step further".

Now, a promising leadership secretary position, leading directly to the Standing Committee of the Municipal Party Committee, is like a glittering golden ladder laid out before me.

Out of ten people, probably nine and a half wouldn't hesitate.

However, after the initial surge of his heartbeat, Luo Xiangdong fell into deeper hesitation. His expression was uncertain, his lips trembled, and he hesitated several times before finally speaking.