Just as Dong Xuebing walked out of the newly renovated cafeteria, he ran into Meng Hanmei, the Director of the County Party Committee Office, who had also just eaten. He called her to go upstairs with him.
“Old Meng, how many deputy directors are there in the County Committee Office now?” Dong Xuebing asked.
Meng Hanmei blinked. “Including Secretary Su, there are two.”
Dong Xuebing made an acknowledgment sound. “Only two, huh?”
Meng Hanmei nodded, “There used to be more—five or six at most. However, after the mandate to reduce deputy positions was issued in a red-letter document from above, we had to make the cuts. It’s been just two for the past few years. When Secretary Su was temporarily assigned here, we had three, but Old Sun retired last month.”
Dong Xuebing knew this and nodded. “If we squeeze in two more, is that doable?”
Dong Xuebing said, “I’ll handle the communication with the city.”
Meng Hanmei nodded. “Alright, I’m ready on my end whenever needed.”
If they waited until the county officially became a city, the County Committee Office would also be upgraded, and it’d be harder to bring people in at that point. So Dong Xuebing had to lock things in early. Over the past two years, he had been extremely busy with work, personal matters, and family, and had barely kept in touch with old colleagues and friends—people who had once helped him fight for his “kingdom.” Partly because he was too busy, and partly because there hadn’t been many chances to help anyone. Now that he had a stable footing, Dong Xuebing wasn’t going to forget those old friends.
Back in his office, Dong Xuebing picked up his landline and considered the matter for a moment before calling the city to consult. He also subtly hinted at the progress and results of the State Council Office’s review of the city upgrade plan for Jiaolin County.
About half an hour later, the city responded. A deputy mayor called him back, telling them to submit a list of names once the candidates were confirmed. The message was clear: an exception would be made, and Jiaolin County was permitted to begin its staffing preparations for the city upgrade. They were allowed to expand their leadership structure within a specific range. That green light was practically wide open. Dong Xuebing knew why the city gave such a quick go-ahead. If it were based solely on personal connections, the city had long harbored doubts about the county and had not been very supportive. Under normal circumstances, this kind of approval would never have been granted. However, after the incident on Mount Qingluan, when the Provincial Cultural Department Director, Xiao Dongnan, was removed from his leadership position, Baohong City officials likely sensed a shift in the provincial leadership’s attitude toward Dong Xuebing. The Provincial Party Secretary had chatted and joked with Dong Xuebing like an old friend. Naturally, Baohong City adjusted its stance toward Jiaolin County accordingly.
With that, the rest was easy.
Dong Xuebing didn’t keep it from Zhang Dongfang—he met with him to exchange views. He couldn’t take all the new cadre slots for himself; some had to be left for Zhang Dongfang. They had been cooperating well recently, and there was no need to go overboard.
Zhang Dongfang also knew his place and had long been prepared. He quickly offered some candidate suggestions. The credit for the county’s promotion to city status mostly belonged to Dong Xuebing. Zhang was fully aware of that, so he didn’t make excessive demands and only asked for a small share of the slots.
After the discussion, Old Zhang left.
Dong Xuebing then began making phone calls one by one. His list of candidates was a bit more complicated because his old colleagues weren’t even in the same county—or even in the same province. So he not only had to reach out himself, but might later need to coordinate with other provincial or city governments to get them transferred.
The first call he made was to Guo Panwei, an old subordinate who had been with him for many years. Back when Dong Xuebing first passed the civil service exam and joined the Chengxi National Security Sub-bureau, he was colleagues with Guo. Later, Dong Xuebing transferred him to the Yantai County Investment Promotion Bureau to help with work. Guo helped him accomplish a great deal. When Dong Xuebing summoned him, Guo didn’t hesitate to move his whole family from Beijing. Even after Dong Xuebing left, Guo never once called to ask for favors—just a holiday greeting now and then. Dong Xuebing had always kept this in mind and wouldn’t forget him now that good things were happening. ŔÄNỖ₿ƐṨ
The call was answered almost immediately.
“Hello, Secretary Dong!” came Guo Panwei’s voice.
Dong Xuebing chuckled. “Panwei, what are you up to? At work?”
“No,” Guo replied. “Just finished eating and relaxing. Do you need something, sir? Just say the word—I’ll go through fire and water if you need me to.”
Dong Xuebing laughed, “What rank are you at now?”
Guo Panwei replied, “I’m with the Fenzhou City Investment Promotion Bureau now. Just got promoted to division chief six months ago.”
Dong had promoted him to deputy division level when he brought him to Yantai County. Now, a few years had passed, and Guo was at the division level—not bad. “Just got promoted, eh? Perfect timing. Panwei, I’ve got a few vacancies here. I want to transfer you over. Wanted to ask if you’re willing.”
Guo Panwei was taken aback but immediately replied, “I’ll go!”
Dong Xuebing laughed again. “You’re not even going to ask what the position is?”
Guo Panwei said, “Doesn’t matter what it is. If you say go, I go.”
“Heh.” Dong Xuebing said, “Alright then. I’ll talk to your current leadership and request the transfer. You get ready. Most likely, it’ll be a lateral transfer—deputy director of our County Committee Office. Still a full division-level post.”
This role was about the same as what Guo had now at the city’s investment bureau. Additionally, Guo had worked there for years, was familiar with everything, and had established his network. Moving his whole family westward for a lateral transfer to a less developed place seemed like a loss. But Guo didn’t say a word of complaint. He had waited two years for this one phone call from Dong Xuebing, and he knew the secretary wouldn’t shortchange him.
Sure enough, Dong Xuebing added, “But it’s not an ordinary lateral transfer. You’ll understand once you get here. Don’t worry—I wouldn’t ask you to come unless it was something good.”
Something good? Guo’s eyes lit up, but he didn’t ask further.