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墨書 Inktalez
A month later, Comrade Weiguo, the Mayor of Gaoqiao Town in Annan County, was appointed as the Vice County Head of Annan County. In addition to overseeing the Business Bureau and the Economic Planning Committee, he also took charge of Commerce, Sports, Culture, and Education, which were previously under the purview of the dismissed Vice County Head.
Under normal circumstances, a deputy county-level official would not have a secretary. However, in practice, there was always a staff member from the County Office assigned to assist a serving Vice County Head.
Director Huang Zonghua of the County Office approached Vice County Head Mao with a list of personnel to seek his opinions on staffing. To his surprise, Vice County Head Mao did not even glance at the list and directly said, "Director Huang, I’ve heard that there’s a young man named Zhang Qiang from the Education Committee who is quite impressive. He was specifically recruited by our county. Why don’t we borrow him for a trial period? If he performs well, I’ll speak with the Secretary and the County Head to formally transfer him; if not, we can send him back."
Huang Zonghua had been in his position for three years; if he still didn’t understand what the new Vice County Head meant, it would be a waste of his time. He promptly arranged for the necessary procedures after returning.
Zhang Qiang was from Huangchuan County. His family could be described in one word: "poor." Fortunately, he had always been ambitious and maintained top ranks in his class from elementary school through middle school and high school until he graduated from Jinan Normal University.
In his graduation year, Annan County came to recruit at their school. The teacher in charge of recruitment appreciated his overall qualities greatly, and Zhang Qiang was touched by Annan's eagerness for talent. He then joined the Annan County Education Committee and was appointed as the head of the Human Resources Supervision Division just over a year later, earning envy from many classmates still stuck in ordinary clerk positions.
However, good times did not last long. After starting a relationship with Ouyang Xiaxue, everything changed; Director Kuai Jianghao began to make things difficult for him at every turn. Eventually, he was sent to work at Xipo Store Township under the guise of "training young talent."
In principle, it was just work; one could not consider an organizational assignment as wrong. If everyone picked and chose their assignments, some jobs would simply go unfilled! But upon arriving at Xi Po Dian, he realized he was essentially being sidelined—his skills were going to waste, which was truly tragic.
Later on, he learned some of the underlying reasons from his girlfriend Ouyang Xiaxue. This passionate girl first shared her family background and her conflicts with her father while encouraging him and believing in his abilities and future.
At the beginning of his career, his income was low and he needed to support his family. Xiaoxue bought him clothes and secretly sent money home in his name! She even risked falling out with her own family for him! When her parents arranged for him to be sent to Xi Po Dian, she told him: "Don’t lose heart; I’ll send you there. I… I’ll give you my all!"
That night, he cried on her lap as she tenderly wiped away his tears, holding him close and kissing him deeply while whispering in his ear: "Come on, let me give you a child!"
She also shared stories about Mao Na and Xiao Qiu and mentioned Hu Ruoyun's song called "Plum Blossom Melody," softly murmuring in his ear:
"…
In this world, there are those who are infatuated,
Do not laugh at their foolishness.
If it weren’t for a bone-chilling cold,
How could plum blossoms emit such fragrance?
What is love in this world?
It only teaches life and death to be bound together.
…"
So, no matter the circumstances, he decided he would not let her down!
During this time, no one told him what to do, and there was nothing for him to occupy himself with. He wandered around, observing what the nearby villages cultivated and raised, what the locals liked and lacked, as well as the local customs and traditions.
As time passed, the villagers began to share everything with this refined and approachable "scholar."
One day, it was already dark when he was at the home of a villager named Liu Tiechui, enjoying a meal. As the villager enthusiastically ladled soup for him, he said, "Cadre Zhang, could you please talk to the higher-ups? The taxes and allocations are just too much... The grain harvested from the fields is plentiful, but prices aren’t rising. Everyone is struggling with these costs; it can't go on like this!"
However, at that moment, he could barely look after himself; he could only listen to their grievances.
Suddenly, someone shouted from outside the courtyard, "Tiechui, is Cadre Zhang at your place? Hurry up and send him back to the Town Government; there's a call for him!"
On the other end of the line was the director Kuai Jianghao, whom he despised deeply. Yet this time, he did not hear Kuai's usual sarcastic tone or haughty attitude. Instead, there was a hint of caution in his voice: "Xiao Zhang, the bureau has discussed it. You are a person of great talent; a short period of training is all you need... It has been decided to transfer you back! A car will come to pick you up tomorrow morning; make sure to pack your things tonight!"
What was going on? How could this old fox let him off so easily?
The next morning, the bureau's only official vehicle arrived. The driver, Qin Ming, usually reserved for senior officials' use and indifferent to others, was unexpectedly enthusiastic as he helped Zhang Qiang load his belongings into the trunk.
When he arrived, no one had greeted him; now that he was leaving, even the Town Chief came out to see him off: "Xiao Zhang, this is also a place where you have worked before; make sure to come back and visit when you have time!"
This made his heart feel warm.
In the car, driver Qin Ming spoke in a confusing manner: "Little brother, you've endured hardships and now it's time for sweet rewards; don’t forget your brother when you make it big!"
Zhang Qiang could only respond vaguely in confusion.
The car barely stopped at the bureau before Director Kuai opened the door and got in. He told Qin Ming urgently: "Hurry up; go to County Government! We can't keep Vice County Head Mao waiting!"
Upon arriving at County Government Compound, an office staff member was already waiting downstairs.
Leading them upstairs, Huang Zonghua came out to greet them: "Kwai Director, just sit in the reception room for a moment; I’ll take Xiao Zhang over." He didn’t even give Zhang Qiang a chance to report directly to the county head.
Inside Vice County Head Mao's office, everything felt new.
Huang Zonghua led Zhang Qiang in and went to refill Mao's cup with water. Zhang Qiang stood up: "Director Huang, let me do it."
Vice County Head Mao said to Huang Zonghua: "Old Huang, you've got plenty of work on your plate; I'll have a chat with Xiao Zhang first. You don’t need to waste time here."
Huang Zonghua left and closed the door behind him.
Vice County Head Mao noticed that Zhang Qiang seemed a bit uneasy and smiled kindly at him: "No need to be nervous; we’re just having a casual chat."
Zhang Qiang pressed his lips together and nodded slightly.
Vice County Head Mao took off his glasses and leaned back comfortably in his chair: "Let’s start with something personal. I’m Mao Na’s father; I’ve heard about your situation from her. Personally speaking, I sympathize with you."
"Regarding official matters," said Mao Na, "you are considered quite capable. However, given the current situation, it's no longer suitable for you to stay in the Education Committee. I've just taken office and need someone to assist me with my work.
So, I would like to bring you on board for a trial period. If it works out, we can formalize your transfer. If you’re just someone who can serve tea and chat, I will send you back.
What do you think? Are you willing to come and give it a try?"
After taking a sip of tea, she added, "Regardless of whether you stay or not, when you marry Ouyang Xiaxue in the future, I will definitely contribute to your wedding."
Zhang Qiang did not hesitate at all: "I’m willing to give it a try. If you find me unsuitable later on, you don’t need to push me out; I’ll leave on my own. No matter who has the upper hand over me then, I won’t have anything to say!"
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