Chapter 1017: Seeking Guidance

Chapter 1017: Chapter 982: Seeking Guidance

Xu Chunliang was initially worried that the bloody assassination at the market would scare Lin Sijin, but this godmother was bolder than he had imagined. Lin Sijin talked and laughed every day as if nothing had happened.

She had no reason to be in a bad mood. Her main purpose for coming was to find an opportunity to reconcile with her daughter, and now the mother-daughter pair had finally resolved their past grievances.

In the past few days, Elder Xu had told her the detailed past and present of Huichun Hall, and after learning about the Xu Family’s history, Lin Sijin became increasingly eager to write this century-spanning family history into words.

Lin Sijin and her daughter stayed in Dongzhou for three days before returning to the Capital City together, with Xu Chunliang sending them off at the high-speed rail station.

On his way back, he received a call from Lu Ming; the organization had already talked to him, asking him to report to the Culture and Tourism Bureau the next day. It had been decided by the higher-ups, after discussion, to relieve Xiao Dong of his position as deputy director of the Dongzhou Culture and Tourism Bureau. Due to health reasons, Director Li Yushan resigned from his position as director but continued serving as the bureau’s secretary, in charge of party building work.

Lu Ming was appointed as the acting director of the Dongzhou Culture and Tourism Bureau and deputy secretary of the bureau’s party committee, taking full charge of the bureau’s work.

When Xu Chunliang was on Weishan Island, he casually recommended Lu Ming in front of Wang Jianming. Of course, he did it with a bit of selfish intention, hoping Wang Jianming would employ his friend, but he didn’t have high expectations. After all, his recommendation of Qin Zhengyang was successful because, firstly, Qin Zhengyang was indeed suitable to be Wang Jianming’s secretary, and also because Ye Qingya lent a helping hand.

Lu Ming had worked hard for many years to cross this half-level gap that he finally succeeded in overcoming. He knew it was with help from Xu Chunliang. Amidst his joy, he also felt a great deal of pressure given the current state of the Culture and Tourism Bureau. The bureau was newly established and had already replaced two leaders and dismissed three major officials. Without experience in the culture and tourism sector, Wang Jianming employed him due to Xu Chunliang’s recommendation.

However, there was still a wait-and-see attitude toward him; otherwise, he would’ve been appointed director directly instead of acting director. Lu Ming was very clear that if he wasn’t competent in his work, he might be removed before the word “acting” could be dropped. After the organization talked to him, Lu Ming immediately contacted Xu Chunliang; he wanted to have a good chat with him.

Why choose Xu Chunliang and not his old friend Fan Lidada? Lu Ming had thought it over. Although Fan Lidada had always been in the culture and tourism department, he lacked initiative. He had luckily escaped disciplinary actions several times, which also proved that he hadn’t done much actual work in the bureau. Now, Fan Lidada was like a frightened bird, seeking to do no wrong rather than gain no merit. No matter who becomes the chief of the Culture and Tourism Bureau, he wouldn’t escape the psychological shadow easily in the short term.

Xu Chunliang went directly to Lu Yu Tea House, which was run by Lu Ming’s sister-in-law and somewhere Xu Chunliang had visited before.

By the time he arrived, Lu Ming had already made tea.

Xu Chunliang was surprised to find only Lu Ming in the room and said, “Director Lu, why didn’t you invite Brother Fan to share your joy?”

Lu Ming smiled and said, “The organization just had a talk with me; I only told you. I plan to talk to Old Fan about it tonight.”

Xu Chunliang smiled, “Congratulations on your promotion, Brother Lu.”

Lu Ming replied, “I owe it to you. I’ll treat you to a drink some other day, but today, let tea suffice for wine as I seek your guidance.”

Xu Chunliang took a sip of tea and said, “I just casually mentioned you to Secretary Wang, and I didn’t expect him to act so quickly, indicating that you are indeed regarded as a talent in his eyes.”

Lu Ming, amused yet helpless, said, “Without you, would Secretary Wang know who I am? Honestly, brother, I was a bit surprised. Initially, I planned to venture into the field of publicity, but now here I am, directly at the Culture and Tourism Bureau.”

“Not satisfied?”

Lu Ming said, “If I’m dissatisfied, it would seem like I’m acting spoiled after getting a good deal. I meant an unexpected joy, but besides the surprise, I also feel a lot of pressure. I’ve never worked in the culture and tourism sector before. I’m a complete outsider. If I don’t do well, won’t it let down your recommendation and Secretary Wang’s trust?”

Xu Chunliang said: “Isn’t it manageable? Fu Guomin also didn’t have experience in the past, yet he did well.”

“But later, he ran into trouble.”

Xu Chunliang suppressed a laugh and said, “What you said made me realize that the position of culture and tourism director isn’t easy to hold.”

“Exactly, I’m afraid I won’t last six months.”

Xu Chunliang said, “Don’t be so pessimistic; you have Old Fan to help you.”

Lu Ming said, “You might find it funny, but I’m currently quite muddled, totally clueless about where to start. Ever since the establishment of Dongzhou Culture and Tourism Bureau, there’s been a constant stream of issues. After much difficulty organizing a cultural expo, an old case resurfaced. Initially, restoring historical heritage was a great thing enthusiastically supported by the public, but now with the Jianjie Square incident, public sentiment has shifted, with people seeing historic restoration as a facade project.”

Xu Chunliang said, “Look at you, claiming to be an outsider. Yet you’re speaking like an insider.”

Lu Ming smiled, “An outsider remains an outsider, thinking only through the prism of my previous work mindset, which is why I’m here to consult with you.”

Xu Chunliang said, “Li Yushan and Xiao Dong were insiders with abundant experience in culture and tourism work. But why did Secretary Wang remove them? It’s because their thinking was problematic, their methods didn’t work. As far as I know, there were plenty of candidates for the position of culture and tourism director, yet why were you chosen by Secretary Wang?”

Lu Ming said, “Isn’t it because of your recommendation?”

Xu Chunliang shook his head and said, “The recommendation only got you in the running. The final decision was made by Secretary Wang. Have you noticed that whether it was the Jianjie Square incident or the trouble during the barbecue festival last time, it was self-media that stirred things up, quickly forming public opinion? Secretary Wang must have considered this aspect. Your experience in online supervision likely prompted Secretary Wang to choose you, considering Dongzhou Culture and Tourism needs low-key development going forward.”

Lu Ming said, “Low-key?” In his view, getting culture and tourism work right shouldn’t be low-key.

Xu Chunliang said, “Not too low-key, just aiming to correctly guide public opinion, promoting positive messages and minimizing negative news. In this regard, it’s up to you to control.”

Lu Ming said, “Hearing you say that gives me some sense. Chunliang, I have a favor to ask: could you advise me? Of course, if you’re willing to help at the Culture and Tourism Bureau, that would be even better.”

Xu Chunliang shook his head, saying: “Not possible in the short term. I’m busy with the new hospital construction at the Infectious Disease Hospital, and Secretary Wang decided to split the national-level resort command from the Culture and Tourism Bureau, giving it to Qin Zhengyang. Since he is busy enough as his secretary, he can’t manage the work there, so he pushed it onto me, citing it as an order from Secretary Wang. I can’t refuse.”

Lu Ming laughed and said, “Perhaps he’s not lying, and it really is Secretary Wang’s idea.”

Xu Chunliang said, “Though the command has been split from the Culture and Tourism Bureau, they remain closely linked and should work collaboratively in the future. I’m more familiar with that side; if I get the work done there, it eases your pressure too, right?”

Lu Ming said, “I feel even more pressure; the better you do over there, the more it shows I’m not doing well.”

Xu Chunliang laughed, “Isn’t it the same? If you do well here, it reflects poorly on the command side too.” He realized at this point that Wang Jianming might have split the command from the Culture and Tourism Bureau for this reason: to foster competition and motivate both sides to tap into their fullest potential, fundamentally changing the backward state of Dongzhou’s cultural and tourism work.

Lu Ming said, “Between us, brothers, there is no competition, only collaboration. I’d love for you to succeed.”

Xu Chunliang said, “By the way, I am going to Nanjiang the day after tomorrow to sign an investment contract. Are you going?”

Lu Ming said, “Why would I go to Nanjiang?”

“To establish connections. As the new acting director of the Dongzhou Culture and Tourism Bureau, shouldn’t you pay respects to the provincial leader?” The provincial culture and tourism head Xu Chunliang referred to was Secretary Xing Wenhua.

Upon hearing this, Lu Ming realized, slapped his forehead, and said, “Yes, I definitely need to make a trip.”

Xu Chunliang said, “Then let’s go together. Secretary Xing and I have a cross-generational friendship. I’ll arrange a meeting with him so that we can discuss the issue of Jizhou Culture and Tourism Bureau investigating the Underwater City without our permission.”

Lu Ming was unaware of this matter, so Xu Chunliang briefly explained the cause. On hearing the details, Lu Ming became angry: “How outrageous! Jizhou showed no respect, investigating without even notifying us. They’re not placing any regard for us at the Dongzhou Culture and Tourism Bureau!”

Xu Chunliang said, “Initially, I considered reporting this matter to the Dongzhou Culture and Tourism Bureau for negotiation, but with personnel changes there, it’s unclear who is responsible. Now that you’re newly appointed, you’re not suited for negotiation either. Moreover, since they’re acting under Qilu Province’s banner, even if the Dongzhou Culture and Tourism Bureau negotiates, they might not pay heed, so we need to consult at the provincial level.”

Lu Ming nodded repeatedly, “Chunliang, I’ll go with you to see Secretary Xing.”

Xu Chunliang asked, “Have you seen Lu Qi recently?”

Lu Ming replied, “He’s been busy as a bee since his return, bouncing between Nanjiang and the Capital City. The bureau has been overly relying on him like a workhorse.”

Xu Chunliang laughed, “Primarily because he came back with too many cases on hand.”

Lu Ming said, “That doesn’t justify overwhelming him alone. Assigning both the Jianjie Square case and the East Ming Street market murder case to him is too much, as if their leaders think he has three heads and six arms.”

Xu Chunliang said, “I guess it isn’t groundless. Perhaps these two cases are somehow connected, which is why both cases were assigned to his team.”