Volume 2: Phoenix Nirvana Chapter 18: Seeking Wealth and Honor in Danger

  Put down the phone, Zhang Bin took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, as if he had made up his mind. Wang Li saw Zhang Bin's expression and laughed: "What's wrong, you look like you're going to knife mountain and fire sea?"

  Zhang Bin thought for a moment and asked, "Wang Li, what do you think of Han Qin?" Wang Li pondered for a moment before saying, "Although we haven't had much contact with him, I think he's someone worth befriending. Remember when you fainted during the civil service exam? Many people were just watching the commotion, but Han Qin stood up and helped us out - that's a rare kind of good person."

  When Wang Li said that, Zhang Bin nodded and said: "Han Qin just called me and asked me to help him sort out the information of all party representatives in Fenghuang Township, especially to find Zhang Tiancheng's confidant. I feel that Han Qin is going to make a big move, and he must succeed."

  Wang Li looked at Zhang Bin and asked indifferently, "You promised to help Han Qin with this matter?" Zhang Bin nodded and said seriously, "I feel that Han Qin has a strong determination to succeed. As an outsider, he was able to stand out from the candidates, which shows that Han Qin is not simple and must have a deep background. The several people who participated in the election are all big shots, and without the support of a powerful leader, it would be impossible to win."

  Zhang Bin has been in the system for a short time, but he has also made some progress in this system. To make progress, to put it bluntly, is to want to get promoted. There are two things that are indispensable: one is to have political achievements, and the other is to have a strong backing. The saying "it's easy to be an official when you have someone in the imperial court" has been passed down for thousands of years, and it's really a famous saying. No matter how good your political achievements are, if no one nominates you, everything is just empty talk.

  Han Qin just started working as a deputy director, and in Xiping County, he didn't have any foundation, but he was able to rise so smoothly, there must be something extraordinary about him or it's true what the rumors say, Han Qin's background is unfathomable.

  Looking at Zhang Bin's determination, Wang Li said worriedly: "If we help Han Qin, we will stand on the opposite side of Director Zhang. At this critical moment, if we demolish his platform, we will become his sworn enemy. If Han Qin fails to be elected as the party secretary in the end, and Director Zhang becomes the top leader, will we still have good days ahead?"

  Zhang Bin sneered and said angrily, "What kind of person is Zhang Tiancheng? He's narrow-minded and jealous of others' abilities. In our work, he makes things difficult for me everywhere. I'm not having a good time now. If he becomes the party secretary again, I'll have no chance to turn things around. It's so suffocating, it's better than when I used to work outside."

  Seeing Zhang Bin getting more and more indignant, Wang Li also sighed. After the two of them failed to get into college, they went to work in the south, studying while working, and obtained a self-taught undergraduate degree. Later, they took part in the township civil service examination, and surprisingly, both were selected, becoming enviable civil servants.

  It's precisely because of his peasant worker background that Zhang Tiancheng looks down on Zhang Bin, being sarcastic and making things difficult for him in their work. As a small clerk in the Party and Government Office, the township head doesn't give you a good face, how can you have a good life?

  Wang Li also heard Zhang Bin complain many times, and didn't think that in this government agency, it's so hard to get along with others, full of intrigue and deception. When she was working before, although it was a bit tiring, mentally she wasn't as exhausted as now.

  Look at Zhang Bin, Wang Li said meaningfully: "Zhang Bin, are you ready to take a risk? Right or not?"

  Zhang Bin nodded and said, "There's a saying that goes well, wealth and honor are sought in danger. As long as we help Han Qin become the party secretary of our Fenghuang Township, I'll be a great contributor. Han Qin will definitely not let me down. Even if he doesn't give me any benefits, at least he won't fire me from my job. Now that I'm already at the bottom, what can Zhang Tiancheng do to me even if he rises to power?"

  Wang Li saw that Zhang Bin's analysis also made sense, and she said softly: "Zhang Bin, I believe in your vision. You handle it yourself, but also be careful." Wang Li had no doubts about her boyfriend's vision. In such a difficult environment, the two encouraged each other to persevere in self-study, and finally passed the civil service exam without anyone else's help.

  Seeing Wang Li also supporting her own decision, Zhang Bin said with a sigh of relief: "Thank you, Wang Li. I'm not young anymore, and I want to make something of myself too. Without someone pulling us up, it's hard to get on this stage. I've always had a premonition that Han Qin is my benefactor. Now the opportunity has come, I must seize it."

  Pausing for a moment, Zhang Bin said: "Wang Li, since we've taken this step, we must succeed. There are many party representatives in your education system, and you're quite familiar with them, help me arrange the lineup and see who can support Han Qin. Moreover, Propaganda Commissioner Song Jiare has a good relationship with you, she's also a party representative, and women representatives make up a considerable proportion, try to sound out her attitude and ask for her help."

  Wang Li nodded and said with concern: "Song Jiawei is a good candidate, she absolutely won't support Zhang Tiancheng. The situation in the government agency is complicated, you must not alarm the snake in the grass, don't talk about this matter to others before making sure who is Zhang Tiancheng's confidant, it's not written on his face. Since it's an election, Zhang Tiancheng must also be preparing, we must be careful and absolutely cannot make any mistakes."

  Zhang Bin smiled contentedly, "Girls are meticulous." Zhang Bin said: "Now no one in the countryside knows that we have a relationship with Han Qin. When he came here to inspect the site a few days ago, I pretended not to know him and didn't even greet him, just for this step."

  Look at Zhang Bin, Wang Li smiled and said: "I think you are really unlucky in life. If you were placed in the war years, you would definitely be a qualified underground worker. Working as an office clerk in the party committee is really a waste of your talent. You should go to the National Security Bureau."

  Zhang Bin said confidently: "Do you think I'm willing to be a small clerk for the rest of my life? If Han Qin becomes the secretary, maybe I can even become a deputy township head."

  Wang Li smiled and said, "Give you a little sunshine and it's dazzling. The eight characters haven't even been written yet, and your tail is already raised to the sky. Be careful, Zhang Tiancheng has become the secretary, and he'll let you sweep the floor."

  Zhang Bin said confidently: "Don't worry, wife. I won't do anything that's not a sure thing. I've read the county government's policy plan for Hanqin, which aims to turn our Fenghuang Township into a high-efficiency agricultural base and a green vegetable basket."

  "This is a far-sighted idea. You don't remember, when we were working outside, we had already prepared for it. If we couldn't pass the civil service exam, we would go back home and contract a few hectares of land to grow specialty vegetables. This has great prospects and is definitely better than working outside. On this point, rural party representatives will support him."

  Wang Li exclaimed: "This Han Qin is really capable, it seems he's a man of action, not just all talk. I'll contact Song Jiawei immediately and ask her to help persuade the women's representatives. You'd better hurry up too, don't just daydream."

  Han Qin finished the phone call with Zhang Bin, estimating that this task could be completed quite well. With this information, he can target his efforts, focus on those without a stand in the middle faction, and gain as many votes as possible to defeat Zhang Tiancheng in the election.

  Checking the calendar on my phone, it's time for Secretary Zheng's beauty and skin care treatment again. These past few days, I've been running back and forth from Dongfang to Xiping, so busy that I almost forgot about this important matter. Secretary Zheng's beauty and skin care treatment has been going on for nearly a year now, with great results. Now that I'm working in Xiping, it's definitely not as convenient as when I was at the Old Cadre University, so I need to adjust my schedule.

  After dinner, Han Qin arrived at Zheng Danyan's villa ten minutes earlier than the agreed time. Just waiting downstairs for a while, Secretary Zheng's dedicated car arrived and Wu Xiaofan got out of the car, waving to Han Qin before going to open the door for Secretary Zheng.

  Before coming, Han Qin had already sent a text message to Wu Xiaofan, telling him that the Xiping County Party Committee's Standing Committee had passed it and he had officially received the notification from the Organization Department.

  Secretary Zheng got off the car and saw Han Qin waiting downstairs. He turned his head to Wu Xiaofan and said, "Little Wu, you go up too." Zheng Tongxin looked at Han Qin with great satisfaction and smiled: "Little Han, Little Wu told me on the way that your performance in the public election of Xiping was very good, and you have already entered the final election. Not bad!"

  Han Qin humbly said, "It's all thanks to Secretary Zheng helping me out, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to compete with those local officials." Wu Xiaofan will definitely report to Secretary Zheng about the matter of giving Li Chenfeng a heads up. Since Secretary Zheng brought it up, he should take the initiative to express his gratitude.

  Zheng Tongxin nodded slightly and said: "It's also necessary to give a heads up to the Xiping side, let them not have regional biases when selecting cadres, and treat everyone equally."

  Three people went upstairs, Han Qin first gave Secretary Zheng a ten-minute massage and applied anti-wrinkle cream for him. Secretary Zheng lay on the recliner resting and asked in a soft voice: "Little Han, if you are elected as the township party committee secretary, how do you plan to break the situation there?"

  Han Qin smiled and said, "I was just about to ask for Secretary Zheng's guidance. Let me report my plan first. I have been to Fenghuang Township for on-site investigation. The resources in Fenghuang Township are scarce, and the industrial foundation is extremely backward. If we want to catch up with advanced regions in industry, it's simply unrealistic. However, the land in Fenghuang Township is fertile, the water conservancy conditions are also very good, and the peasants have a tradition of growing vegetables. I think we can do something in efficient agriculture."

  Hearing Han Qin say this, Zheng Tongxin suddenly became interested and encouraged: "That's a great idea, not falling into the cliché, little Han, tell me more about your plan..."

  Han Qin clearly and concisely explained his governance plan. Zheng Tongxin listened attentively, nodding along the way, and thoughtfully said: "Good job, you have a promising future. I'm waiting for this vegetable basket of yours to prioritize supplying Dongfang when the time comes."

  Han Qin smiled and said, "This plan of mine is still a castle in the air. Next, we need to hold elections for party representatives, and it's crucial whether the party representatives from Fenghuang Township will accept this idea or not. I'm an outsider, after all, without any foundation among the masses."

  Zheng Tongxin said solemnly, "Little Han, don't have such a burden of thought. Believe in our masses. Any cadre who truly thinks for them and does practical things for them will definitely support this step. It's also a test of your organizational ability and wisdom. Do it well, I'm rooting for you."