Chapter 12: Shaojie Takes Office

“I understand,” Lu Hao said earnestly.

“Have you decided who to give gifts to? Maybe we should ask Wang Shaojie to put in a good word with County Mayor Li? Or...”

Listening to Fang Jing suggest one bad idea after another over the phone, Lu Hao furrowed his brow. “It’s fine, don’t worry. I’ll find a way.”

“Alright then, just hurry up and get things moving. Wang Shaojie is already your superior and will report to your Fangshui Township tomorrow. If people see him as deputy township chief, that’s one rank above—you’ll be crushed by his authority. If you don’t get promoted to deputy section chief soon, you’ll always have to look up to him. That’ll be so awkward when you meet,” Fang Jing muttered.

Hearing Wang Shaojie’s name, Lu Hao’s expression darkened further. In front of Xiaoyue, he didn’t lose his temper but just placated Fang Jing, saying he would use his connections, then hung up.

Getting promoted to deputy section chief within a month was no easy feat. For a while, Lu Hao lost his appetite.

Xiaoyue had naturally overheard Fang Jing’s side of the conversation but didn’t ask further. Instead, she continued their earlier topic, “Yes, I’m not from here; I came from the provincial capital for work.”

“What do you do? A teacher?” Lu Hao asked in surprise.

“What I do isn’t important. What matters is that I have a reason to be here. But you, why have you come here?” Xiaoyue didn’t answer his question directly. She smiled faintly, her expression intriguing.

Lu Hao forced a smile. “That’s a long story. I thought my official career would be smooth sailing, but luck hasn’t been on my side. Maybe I just don’t have the fate to be an official.”

“That’s not necessarily true. Maybe you just haven’t met your benefactor yet,” Xiaoyue said meaningfully.

Lu Hao shook his head, naturally not taking her words seriously.

...

Early the next morning, in the Poverty Alleviation Office, a few colleagues whispered as soon as they arrived.

“I heard a deputy township chief was transferred here from the county?”

“He’s just been promoted and is one of the youngest deputy section chiefs in the county.”

“I heard Secretary Zhao sent Director Deng to welcome him. There’s a leadership meeting later.”

Lu Hao listened without much surprise. Fang Jing had already told him yesterday that Wang Shaojie was coming to Fangshui Township to take office.

As the roar of a car and voices sounded in the township government courtyard, Lu Hao knew Wang Shaojie had almost certainly arrived.

Downstairs, Party and Government Office Director Deng Song, who also served as propaganda committee member, personally greeted him, accompanied by mid-level managers like Song Bo from various departments.

---

“Township Chief Wang, your transfer to Fangshui Township is like adding wings to a tiger,” Deng Song said, shaking Wang Shaojie’s hand. “Secretary Zhao informed us there will be a leadership meeting at 10 o’clock. You can join to get familiar with township affairs.”

From what he knew, Wang Shaojie had a strong background in the county. Coming to Fangshui was just a way to polish his credentials. It wouldn’t be long before he was promoted to executive township chief or even township chief. He was a promising talent and someone to keep on good terms with.

“Director Deng, you’re too kind. Since there’s still time, please take me to visit the departments. I’d like to meet everyone,” Wang Shaojie said with a smile, glancing at his watch.

“Which department would you like to visit first?”

“The most important thing in Fangshui Township is poverty alleviation. Let’s start at the Poverty Alleviation Office,” Wang Shaojie said with a smile on his lips.

He had just taken office, so of course, he wanted to check on the struggling Lu Hao. After all, he was now Lu Hao’s superior. He was eager to see Lu Hao’s reaction when the deputy township chief came to inspect the work.

“Township Chief Wang, this way, please,” Song Bo said excitedly upon hearing they were headed to the Poverty Alleviation Office.

Wang Shaojie followed proudly, with other department heads accompanying them.

This boosted Wang Shaojie’s ego even more. He loved being the center of attention. Even if he was just a deputy section chief, he could still overshadow Lu Hao completely.

Inside the office, Lu Hao was flipping through poverty alleviation files.

That morning, Song Bo had specifically assigned him to manage the poverty alleviation files from now on.

This task used to be handled by Niu Dashan. Suddenly, it was handed to Lu Hao, which felt strange.

But he knew he was now in the Poverty Alleviation Office and couldn’t refuse work assigned by Song Bo.

“The new township chief is here to inspect. Get up and greet him,” Song Bo called from the door, waving inside.

The colleagues, including Lu Hao, all stood up.

Soon, Wang Shaojie appeared, hands behind his back, smiling as he entered the office.

“Township Chief Wang, this is our deputy director of the Poverty Alleviation Office, Niu Dashan, an experienced comrade,” Song Bo introduced.

---

“This is Tang Chunyan, the youngest clerk in the Poverty Alleviation Office,” he continued, introducing everyone one by one.

Of course, he didn’t forget to introduce Lu Hao last.

“This is Lu Hao, recently transferred from the county to our Poverty Alleviation Office. He is also a deputy director.”

“That concludes the introductions. Township Chief Wang, please give your instructions.”

Wang Shaojie glanced at Lu Hao and the towering piles of documents beside him, a trace of pride in his smile. “No instructions, really. Seeing all these poverty alleviation materials, I can tell you all are doing good work. Poverty alleviation is the most important task for our township and even the county. Everyone must take it seriously.”

As he finished, Song Bo led the applause, and everyone joined in.

“Some of you may not know, I used to work with Lu Hao in the county. He is responsible and capable—a rare good comrade. I hope he will achieve great things in poverty alleviation from now on,” Wang Shaojie praised Lu Hao, then stepped forward and patted his shoulder with a smile. “Lu Hao, not long ago we were on the same level. Now... well, just work hard. I believe you’ll be promoted to deputy section chief sooner or later.”

His words sounded grand, but everyone detected a hint of schadenfreude. Some veterans even guessed that Wang Shaojie and Lu Hao might have some history.

“Thank you for the encouragement, Township Chief Wang. I won’t let you down,” Lu Hao said calmly.

He knew Wang Shaojie wanted to provoke him into a fight, but Lu Hao wasn’t foolish. Quarreling with a deputy township chief in such a setting would only make him look ungrateful.

“Let’s visit the Party and Government Office next,” Wang Shaojie said, seeing his plan had failed and not lingering further.

He was now deputy township chief. There would be plenty of opportunities to undermine Lu Hao later.

Soon, the group accompanied Wang Shaojie out of the Poverty Alleviation Office.

Niu Dashan eagerly followed, hoping to curry favor with Wang Shaojie.

“Lu Hao, I think Wang Shaojie is a smiling tiger. If you really have bad blood with him, be very careful,” Tang Chunyan said worriedly, approaching Lu Hao.

“And Song Bo suddenly handing you the poverty alleviation files—I have a bad feeling about that. Watch yourself.”