"Lu Hao, looking at your resume, you've just completed three years of work. Work hard and strive to get promoted to a deputy section chief position as soon as possible," Hong Haifeng encouraged Lu Hao as they climbed the stairs.
"Mayor Hong, it's not that easy," Lu Hao replied with a wry smile.
"It's all about making things happen. By the way, where do you live now?" Hong Haifeng asked again.
"I live in the town's middle school. My fiancée used to teach there, and I'm staying in her dormitory."
"I know the teachers' dormitory, the conditions are not good, just bunk beds. How about this, I'll arrange a new dormitory for you right away," Hong Haifeng said, frowning slightly before making the offer.
"Thank you, Mayor Hong," Lu Hao quickly expressed his gratitude.
Hong Haifeng waved his hand, as he was eager to bring newcomers to his side. Soon, he led Lu Hao to Zhao Gang's office, knocked on the door, and walked in: "Secretary Zhao, Lu Hao is here."
"Xiao Lu, come, come, sit down," Zhao Gang, sitting behind his desk, said warmly.
Hong Haifeng, knowing when to make an exit, left without overstaying his welcome.
"Thank you, Secretary Zhao," Lu Hao hid the sarcasm in his eyes and sat opposite Zhao Gang.
After a few polite exchanges, Zhao Gang sincerely got down to the main topic: "Actually, the previous punishment against you was not my intention. It was Mayor Li who insisted, and the poverty alleviation office's accounts were indeed under your management at the time. I couldn't refute it too strongly. Fortunately, the municipal disciplinary committee intervened in time to clear your name. So, as soon as I learned the situation, I organized a meeting to revoke the punishment against you."
"Then I must thank you even more, Secretary Zhao," Lu Hao showed a grateful demeanor, but in his heart, he cursed Zhao Gang as an old fox.
If it weren't for overhearing Zhao Gang urging Deng Song to quickly implement the punishment against him in the boiler room, he might have actually believed Zhao Gang's words.
"There's no need for thanks, doing a good job in poverty alleviation work is the best account you can give to the party and the people. Don't learn from Song Bo and Niu Dashan; they have disappointed me too much," Zhao Gang said with a pained expression.
"Secretary Zhao, rest assured, I will study more and consult with leaders on any issues," Lu Hao, having been with his cousin for so long, was well-versed in the language of officialdom and now appeared sincere.
"Awareness is a good start. By the way, our Secretary Lin used to work in the city, rich in theoretical knowledge and broad in experience. You can talk to her more about poverty alleviation work," Zhao Gang was satisfied with Lu Hao's attitude.
He deliberately mentioned Lin Xiyue, wanting to test Lu Hao's reaction.
But Lu Hao just kept nodding in agreement.
Zhao Gang didn't see any abnormalities on Lu Hao's face and wasn't disappointed, after all, he was doing this to ingratiate himself with Lin Xiyue.
Next, Zhao Gang officially talked with Lu Hao, all about the poverty alleviation work in Fangshui Township, emphasizing the importance of his position as the director of poverty alleviation.
After leaving Zhao Gang's office, Lu Hao still had some doubts in his heart.
A few days ago, Zhao Gang was still using him as a scapegoat, but now he suddenly promoted and valued him, and the change of attitude made Lu Hao feel uneasy.
He didn't return to the poverty alleviation office right away but called Fang Jing in the hallway.
"Why are you calling me? You were disciplined, and I gave you advice, but you told me to stay out of your business. Do you still have me in your eyes?" As soon as the call was connected, Fang Jing complained.
She was still upset about the last argument with Lu Hao, and of course, she was more disappointed that Lu Hao's punishment would prevent him from being promoted to a deputy section chief position in the short term.
"Fang Jing, my punishment has been revoked," Lu Hao rubbed his temple and hurriedly said.
"Revoked?" Fang Jing was taken aback.
Soon, Lu Hao told her everything that had happened in the past two days.
He knew that Wang Shaojie would not take the initiative to tell Fang Jing about his good fortune.
After Lu Hao finished speaking, Fang Jing's mood indeed improved a lot, and she happily said, "Not bad, not bad, then you are now a middle-level cadre in Fangshui Township."
"It's a pity that it's not a deputy section chief and cannot enter the leadership team," Lu Hao said with a wry smile.
"You know that, don't slack off, you must be promoted to a deputy section chief as soon as possible, so that my parents will be satisfied and let us get married," Fang Jing also immediately reminded.
"Well, when are you coming to see me?" Lu Hao couldn't help asking, hinting that they hadn't been intimate for a while.
Fang Jing couldn't help but understand Lu Hao's meaning, but thinking that she still had to urge Lu Hao, she said, "Bad guy, don't think about good things, I will only come to see you after you are promoted to a deputy section chief."
"Promoting to a deputy section chief depends not only on relationships but also on opportunities. It's not that simple," Lu Hao was a bit disappointed and couldn't help complaining.
"Who said that, there is an opportunity now. I heard that the appointment of the new county party secretary is coming soon, and it is an airdrop from the province, not Li Zhen. There will definitely be adjustments to the county's cadres, so you try to seize this opportunity and use all means to flatter the new county party secretary, and you will definitely be promoted," Fang Jing revealed the news she had obtained.
Lu Hao didn't take it seriously. He had already heard Zhao Gang and Deng Song say this last time, but the new county party secretary was from the province, which had nothing to do with him. Why should he be promoted?
But to avoid arguing with Fang Jing, Lu Hao didn't refute and just said he would try.
Seeing that Lu Hao still didn't take her words seriously, Fang Jing perfunctory a few words and took the initiative to find an excuse to hang up Lu Hao's call.
The officialdom is to try every means to climb relationships. Lu Hao didn't listen to her words and would suffer losses sooner or later.
When Lu Hao returned to the poverty alleviation office, Niu Dashan had just come back.
He took a bellyful of grievances and anger to find Li Haotian, but as soon as he went in, he was blasted out.
He had done so many dirty jobs for Li Haotian for so many years, and now that he has no use value, Li Haotian has crossed the river and kicked him away. Niu Dashan was naturally gnashing his teeth with hatred.
"Director Lu, these are the three people transferred from other departments by Mayor Hong just now, and they will work in our poverty alleviation office in the future," Tang Chunyan came forward and said to Lu Hao.
Lu Hao had to admit the speed at which Hong Haifeng sent people. Now their poverty alleviation office has been reorganized, and a lot of work can be arranged.
"Hello, Director Lu!"
The three newly transferred people quickly greeted Lu Hao.
They have been working in the township government for several years and know that the township government has changed. Song Bo has fallen, and the poverty alleviation office must be what Lu Hao has the final say.
As for Niu Dashan, he has been frustrated in the township mayor's office and can no longer make any waves.
The few people's Director Lu made Lu Hao a bit uncomfortable with the change of identity.
"Hello everyone, we will work in the same office in the future, and our work goal is to use poverty alleviation funds to do practical things for the people," Lu Hao was embarrassed for a while and immediately set the general policy for poverty alleviation work.
He absolutely cannot allow the poverty alleviation office to appear again. The phenomenon of embezzlement and bribery, deducting the subsidies of poor households, and the misuse of poverty alleviation funds.
"You can really shout slogans. The water of poverty alleviation is deep. You don't pee and look at yourself to see if you have the ability to manage it well," Niu Dashan felt more and more uncomfortable in his heart, and he also muttered in a low voice at the moment.