Qi Tongwei: Sign-in relationship started during student days

Chapter 1061 Xia Guanglei's New Year Greetings

This is really a difficult decision.

Secretary Gu, the current top leader, is at the height of his power and has several more years of political life ahead of him.

The Zhong family, as one of the founding families, is also a force to be reckoned with.

To be honest, he wanted it either way.

Unfortunately, one cannot have both fish and bear's paw for the time being; my sign-in ability is not yet at that level.

If he wants to obtain more resources, he must enter the core camp of one side.

After all, goodwill is one thing, but when it comes to core competition, such as the position of a regional governor, the boundaries are still very clear.

He needs to think about it carefully.

……

Xia Guanglei also did not return to his home in Beijing this year.

The moment a new official takes office, he rushes to the capital before he's even settled in. In the eyes of seasoned veterans, this is absolutely a foolish thing to do, giving others a handle to use against him.

It's obvious that they don't care about the local area and only care about the imperial court in the capital. How can they expect to have a good reputation?

So on the second day of the Lunar New Year, Xia Guanglei followed the cadres from Hanjiang to the provincial party committee compound, using the pretext of paying New Year's visits to greet the provincial leaders with smiles. He didn't see himself as some gilded young master, but as an ordinary Hanjiang bureau-level cadre.

He arrived early and waited to meet Pei Yihong and Zhao Anbang in the morning.

The provincial party secretary and the governor, the top party and government officials in the Hanjiang area, all treated him with great respect.

He shook hands firmly, smiled warmly during pleasantries, and never uttered a harsh word.

Xia Guanglei knew perfectly well that this politeness was a politeness behind a layer of glass, a politeness of keeping a respectful distance, and even more so, a subtle estrangement.

They're practically telling you outright that you, Xia Guanglei, were sent down from above and that your roots aren't in Hanjiang. We'll just keep things superficial; it's too early to really open up.

Xia Guanglei didn't expect to be noticed by these two. His real targets were Qu Zhengping, a member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee and Executive Vice Governor, and Jiang Zhongliu, Minister of the Propaganda Department.

Jiang Zhongliu was promoted and recommended by his cousin Xia Guangyuan. Qu Zhengping was able to become the executive vice governor thanks to the Xia family; he only got there by using the bridges paved by the Xia family.

These two are the two pillars that the Xia family has planted in the Hanjiang officialdom; they are important peripheral figures of the Xia family.

The two seemed to have anticipated his arrival, and waited for him specifically at Qu Zhengping's Building No. 4.

He had met Qu Zhengping a few times and was fairly familiar with him, but this was the first time he had met Jiang Zhongliu. He was a short but very energetic middle-aged man.

At just over fifty years old, sitting in the position of a member of the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee and Minister of the Propaganda Department, one could say that his career path has been smooth.

If one could take another step forward and secure the top two positions in the provincial party committee, then one would be a true regional governor.

But this step is as difficult as climbing to the sky.

At fifty years old, he was a vice-ministerial level official and a member of the provincial party committee standing committee. He seemed to be only one step away from becoming a powerful regional official, but in reality, there was an insurmountable chasm between them.

Twenty years ago, this insurmountable barrier might have been overcome with solid political achievements. Back then, the principle was "only those who are capable can get a position." If you could really fight your way through, maybe one out of ten people could even get close to the threshold.

But now, the odds are probably less than one percent.

Because those positions that determine the selection of regional governors have long been the private property of various powerful families.

Like a sliced ​​cake, the most central and succulent pieces have long been held by the founding families who survived the ups and downs of life, and are not for outsiders to touch.

If you don't believe me, go and dig into the family backgrounds of the current high-ranking officials. Go back three generations, and you'll find that they are all from prominent and influential families.

As history has progressed to this point, let alone the upward mobility channels in officialdom, every industry has long been blocked by invisible barriers in places that cannot be seen.

First comes family background, then seniority, and only then do we talk about political achievements and abilities.

It's like an airtight iron house, where people have lived for generations, and it's harder than climbing to heaven for outsiders to squeeze in.

Over time, this channel became a hereditary channel, and this power became a power of captivity.

The son of a provincial governor can naturally rise to the position of provincial governor by virtue of his father's legacy; the son of a mayor can also sit comfortably in the mayor's chair by virtue of his family's prestige.

But if you want the mayor's son to compete for the governor's position, that's wishful thinking. After all, the governor also has a son. Why should he give up such immense wealth and power to an outsider?

These words may sound crude, but they incisively expose the truth about power: power has always been inherently class-based and closed.

It will grow bigger and bigger, more and more private, like a snowball, eventually blocking all paths to advancement and turning into a hereditary, walled city that belongs only to a few.

"Governor Qu, Minister Jiang, hello both of you." As soon as he entered, Xia Guanglei greeted them respectfully, as if he were no different from other officials.

"Comrade Guanglei, you're being too polite." Jiang Zhongliu stepped forward first, a familiar smile on his face, and gently shook his hand. "Just call me Zhongliu, there's no need for us to be so formal."

Jiang Zhongliu knew very well that his position as head of the propaganda department was recommended by Xia Guangyuan, so he dared not flaunt his status in front of the Xia family's scions.

Moreover, these young noblemen rise quickly, and in just a few years, their rank will likely surpass mine. Why put on airs like a standing committee member now? Isn't that just asking for trouble?

Qu Zhengping also came over and patted Xia Guanglei's arm, speaking in a very warm tone: "That's right, Comrade Guanglei, your cousin Comrade Guangyuan and I have a long-standing friendship. He gave me a lot of advice back then. When you come to Hanjiang, treat us like you're at home. If you're too polite, you'll be treating us like outsiders."

Xia Guanglei nodded with a humble smile, showing no trace of the arrogance of a newly rich man.

There are rules in officialdom, and even with the powerful Xia family behind you, those rules cannot be broken.

The three of them took their seats on the sofa, and Li Yongbao, who had been waiting nearby, quickly stepped forward and poured hot tea for them.

As soon as they sat down, Jiang Zhongliu spoke first, his tone tinged with concern: "How are you? Are you settling in well since you came down to this place?"

"Thanks to you, everything is going smoothly." Xia Guanglei picked up his teacup and touched the warm rim with his fingertips.

Jiang Zhongliu waved his hand, his face frank: "Forget about TOEFL, if you have any difficulties, just ask. Comrade Guangyuan took such good care of me back then, now it's your turn, so don't have any reservations."

"Thank you, Minister Jiang, I will." Xia Guanglei's attitude remained humble.

"Hey, we're family, why are you being so formal?" Jiang Zhongliu smiled, but he was quite pleased with Xia Guanglei's attitude.

He was also worried that this young master of the Xia family was young, and that a rich young master with a bad temper would be difficult to serve.

Looking back, they still seem to understand the rules of officialdom quite well, giving them plenty of face.