Chapter 57: All Are Actors

The morning mist over the provincial capital had not yet fully dispersed when Han Guohao, Director of the First Cadre Division of the Provincial Party Committee's Organization Department, personally drove Li Yifei away from the provincial compound, speeding toward Anyin City.

Outside the car window, the towering cityscape of the capital was gradually replaced by rolling hills and interspersed towns and villages. The atmosphere inside the car was delicate; Han Guohao kept both hands on the steering wheel while his gaze occasionally swept over the calm Li Yifei in the passenger seat.

This young man was extraordinary! Han Guohao chewed over the shocking scene of yesterday. Governor Leng had personally summoned him, and Minister Xue had made the spot decision to place a twenty-three-year-old with zero grassroots experience directly into the position of Party Secretary of Duogang Town—a crucial economic hub—while also granting him the high-ranking concurrent post of Deputy County Magistrate!

In his many years of organizational work, he had never heard of such a thing. What did this mean? Either Li Yifei had connections reaching the heavens, or he was shouldered with some extremely special secret mission that even the Governor held in high regard! Whichever it was, it was enough to make Han Guohao summon his absolute utmost vigilance.

"Director Li, you've had a tiring journey. The climate here in Anyin is a bit more humid than the capital, so you might find it a bit unaccustomed at first." Han Guohao took the initiative to break the silence, his tone carrying a well-judged familiarity and concern. "Duogang Town is our star township in Anyin. Secretary Wei is also a leader of great vigor and determination; working under his command, you will learn a great deal." Though it sounded like idle chatter, he was actually probing Li Yifei's reaction and obscurely mentioning the de facto controller of Duoshui County.

Li Yifei offered a slight smile, gentle yet distant, watertight. "Thank you for your concern, Director Han. Grassroots work is an entirely new challenge for me, and I will surely learn humbly from Secretary Wei and the veteran comrades in the county, familiarize myself with the situation as quickly as possible, and do a good job. The Organization Department arranging for me to go to Duogang Town is both a trust and a tempering, and I deeply feel the gravity of my responsibility." He bypassed any direct evaluation of Secretary Wei, emphasizing only learning and responsibility. His attitude was humble, yet it made Han Guohao feel as though he had punched a pile of cotton.

The journey of over two hours passed in slightly dull probing and responses. The car entered the urban area of Anyin, passed through somewhat aged streets, and finally stopped at the gates of the Municipal Party Committee compound.

Yang Mei, the Minister of the Anyin Municipal Organization Department, a female cadre approaching fifty with a capable demeanor and wearing a well-fitted suit skirt, had long been waiting in front of the office building accompanied by Zhang Jiang, Director of the First Cadre Division, and others.

"Director Han, it's been a tiring journey!" Yang Mei stepped forward, her smile warm yet measured, shaking hands with Han Guohao. Her gaze immediately fell upon Li Yifei, carrying a professional scrutiny and a trace of imperceptible curiosity.

Such a young high-ranking Deputy County Magistrate concurrently serving as Town Party Secretary, directly airdropped from the provincial level—this in itself sent a strong signal.

"Minister Yang! This is Comrade Li Yifei," Han Guohao introduced.

"Comrade Yifei, welcome, welcome! Truly young and promising!" Yang Mei proactively extended her hand, her smile becoming somewhat warmer. "The paperwork is all prepared; let's talk inside."

In Yang Mei's concise and tastefully arranged office, Han Guohao, representing the Provincial Organization Department, completed the transfer of Li Yifei's temporary assignment documents with Yang Mei. The documents were signed, the seals were stamped, and Li Yifei's "roots" in Jiang Province were temporarily planted in Anyin.

"Minister Yang, Director Li is entrusted to your care. The provincial level has high expectations for Comrade Yifei, and I ask the Anyin Municipal Party Committee to give ample support to his work." Before leaving, Han Guohao deliberately deepened his tone.

"Rest assured, Director Han! We will certainly give our full support and cooperation!" Yang Mei promised with a beaming smile.

After seeing Han Guohao off, the atmosphere in the office seemed to ease slightly, but the gaze Yang Mei directed at Li Yifei became even more inquisitive.

"Comrade Yifei, after such a tiring journey, I should let you rest first. However, Secretary Wei over at the county has already made arrangements. Shall we head over now?" Yang Mei consulted, her tone soft yet carrying an unquestionable arrangement-like implication.

She needed to hand this "hot potato" over to the Duoshui County Party Committee as soon as possible, and she also wanted to see how Secretary Wei would react to this airdropped soldier.

"I defer entirely to Minister Yang's arrangements." Li Yifei went with the flow.

It was still an Organization Department car, accompanied by First Division Director Zhang Jiang, with Yang Mei personally leading the team. The trio drove toward the Duoshui county seat.

On the way, Yang Mei casually chatted with Li Yifei about Anyin's local customs and development planning, while actually unobtrusively introducing the city's situation and the characteristics of its main leaders. Her words were watertight, yet they allowed Li Yifei to capture some useful information. This female minister was delicate in mind and adept at handling affairs—a formidable figure.

The Duoshui County Party Committee compound appeared more "down-to-earth" than the municipal compound. County Party Secretary Wei Shili's office was on the top floor, spacious and bright, with huge floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the center of the county seat.

When Yang Mei led Li Yifei and Zhang Jiang pushing open the door, Wei Shili was sitting behind a massive executive desk, lowering his head to read a document.

He was in his early fifties, slightly plump, with his hair meticulously combed. A square face carried the majesty cultivated from long-term tenure as the top official, along with a trace of imperceptible arrogance. Hearing the commotion, he raised his head. Seeing Yang Mei, a warm smile instantly piled onto his face as he stood up:

"Ah, Minister Yang! What wind has blown you here? Please, take a seat!" He walked around the desk to greet her, but his gaze immediately fell upon Li Yifei behind Yang Mei.

"Secretary Wei." Yang Mei smiled and shook hands. "This is Comrade Li Yifei, freshly dispatched by the Provincial Organization Department to our county for a temporary assignment as Deputy County Magistrate and concurrently Party Secretary of Duogang Town." She heavily emphasized the phrases "Provincial Organization Department" and "temporary assignment."

"Comrade Li Yifei, this is the helmsman of our Duoshui County, Secretary Wei Shili."

"Hello, Secretary Wei!" Li Yifei stepped forward, slightly bowing, extending his hand with a respectful attitude. "Li Yifei reporting to you! From now on, I will work under your leadership; please offer me much guidance and instruction!"

The smile remained on Wei Shili's face, but deep within his eyes flashed an extremely obscure haze and displeasure! He grasped Li Yifei's hand with considerable force, shaking it up and down, his voice booming: "Welcome, welcome! Comrade Yifei is truly young! The provincial committee has sent us elite troops and capable generals! Rest assured, Minister Yang, we will make proper arrangements!"

Though his words welcomed him, he was cursing inwardly. The position of Duogang Town Party Secretary had originally been intended for one of his own confidants; he had even scoped out the candidate and operation was halfway through!

This suddenly airdropped provincial Deputy County Magistrate and Town Party Secretary completely disrupted his deployment! Besides, being so young, what did he know about the grassroots? Wasn't this just adding to the chaos?

Zhang Jiang completed the final handover procedures and took his leave along with Yang Mei. Only Li Yifei, Wei Shili, and Duoshui County Organization Department Minister Chen Tao—who had been called in by Wei Shili and looked equally clueless—remained in the office.

The atmosphere instantly grew somewhat stagnant. Chen Tao stood aside, looking at the rather unsightly expression of Secretary Wei and then at the calm Li Yifei, his heart drumming wildly as he dared not breathe heavily.

"Comrade Yifei, sit down." Wei Shili motioned toward the sofa while pacing over to the window, turning his back to the two of them and gazing out at the scenery as if calming his emotions.

After a moment, he turned back, a leadership-style smile once again plastered on his face, though that smile failed to reach his eyes.

"Comrade Yifei, the provincial authorities arranging for you to come to Duoshui is a support for our work, as well as a trust and tempering for you."

He walked back behind his desk and sat down, tapping his fingers lightly on the tabletop, his gaze scrutinizing Li Yifei. "Duogang Town is the economic engine of our county and holds a very important position. Letting you shoulder this burden brings no small amount of pressure. Where are you from? Which unit did you work in before? How much do you understand about grassroots conditions?"

A string of questions carried obvious probing and questioning, even bearing a hint of condescending scrutiny.

Li Yifei sat upright, meeting Wei Shili's gaze, his face bearing a well-judged, modest smile without the slightest panic:

"Secretary, I am actually from Duogang Town right here in Duoshui County. My ancestral home is Li Village in Gangdong." He threw out his place of origin to first close the distance and eliminate some geographical barriers.

"Oh? A locals?" Both Wei Shili and Chen Tao looked somewhat surprised, the scrutiny in their eyes diminishing slightly.

"Yes," Li Yifei nodded. "After graduating from university, I passed the civil service examination and previously worked in the National Development and Reform Commission for a period, mainly doing policy research and coordination work. My grassroots experience is indeed relatively lacking, which is why I actively applied to come down here for temporary assignment and tempering. I hope to learn more, practice more, and contribute a fraction of my strength to my hometown's development under Secretary Wei's leadership."

He deliberately omitted his experience in the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, mentioning only the NDRC, framing his downward dispatch as an "active application," which both elevated the other party, hinted that he had "people above him," and demonstrated a low posture of "learning and tempering."

"The NDRC?!" Wei Shili and Chen Tao exclaimed almost simultaneously, flashes of surprise and sudden comprehension sweeping through their eyes! So he came from the NDRC! That explained it! What kind of place was the NDRC?

It was a core ministry wielding the economic lifeline of the nation! Someone coming from there, even if just a youngster, definitely had an extraordinary background! Temporary assignment? Gilding? This was clearly coming down to pad his resume, to be promoted back up after a couple of years! No wonder the provincial authorities arranged a high-ranking post directly!

Wei Shili's inner displeasure and doubts instantly dissipated by more than half, replaced by a sudden realization and the notion that "this opportunity must be seized!"

An NDRC cadre! This was a path leading straight to the heavens! Fostering a good relationship might mean that running errands for projects or asking for policies in the future could be settled in a single sentence! The somewhat stiff smile on his face instantly transformed into boundless enthusiasm and sincerity, even carrying a touch of warmth:

"Ah! So old brother Yifei is a top-tier talent from the NDRC! And our own person from Duogang Town! Look at what a misunderstanding this turned out to be! Hahaha!"

He stood up, walked around the desk, came to Li Yifei's side, and heavily patted his shoulder, appearing exceptionally warm. "Welcome back to your hometown to work! That's how it should be! Duoshui needs young talents with your vision and connections! Rest assured, coming to Duoshui is just like coming home! If you have any issues, come directly to me! If anyone blind down below dares not cooperate with your work, tell me, and I'll sort them out!"

His address directly changed from "Comrade Yifei" to "old brother Yifei," executing a 180-degree attitude turnaround. Chen Tao off to the side also hurriedly piled on a smile and chimed in: "Right, right, right! Rest assured, Magistrate Li! The Organization Department will definitely provide full guarantees for your work and life!"

Li Yifei chuckled inwardly, but his exterior showed a flattered yet "subordinate" posture. "You flatter me too much, Secretary Wei! I'm no top-tier talent, just a foot soldier down here to learn. In future work, whenever I don't understand something, I will still have to rely on Secretary Wei's guidance and support! Wherever you point, I will fight! I definitely won't shame you!"

He deliberately lowered his profile, elevating Wei Shili and positioning himself as the junior who needed the "big brother" to cover him.

This "sensible" statement made Wei Shili even more pleased. He laughed heartily, as if he had already foreseen the prospect of securing major projects through this "NDRC junior": "Good! Forthright! I like straightforward people like you, old brother! Minister Chen, immediately notify the Standing Committee members currently in town and the heads of the key bureau offices; we'll have a meeting in the small conference room in half an hour! We must properly welcome old brother Yifei! In addition, regarding Yifei's portfolio..."

He paused slightly, looking at Li Yifei. "Old brother, how about this? Duogang Town is your main base, and you must take charge of that. As for the county level, I see you taking charge of... well, cultural tourism and investment promotion! These fields are relatively abstract yet make it easy to produce achievements. It also makes it convenient for you to leverage your network advantage from the NDRC to pull in major projects for Duoshui! How does that sound?"

Cultural tourism? Investment promotion? These were indeed fields relatively detached from heavy core administration yet prone to yielding results. Wei Shili's arrangement gave face without surrendering core practical power, while expecting Li Yifei to use his "NDRC background" to pull in investments—his abacus was calculated shrewdly.

"I defer entirely to Secretary Wei's arrangements! Regarding investment promotion, I will certainly do my utmost and strive not to live up to your expectations!" Li Yifei accepted without hesitation, looking entirely like one who followed Secretary Wei's lead.

This was precisely the effect he wanted—the image of an airdropped cadre who looked well-connected, understood the rules, was easy to control, and could bring "resources." This disguise would be his best protective coloration.

Chen Tao accepted the order and hurried out to make arrangements. Only Li Yifei and Wei Shili remained in the office.

"Old brother, sit, sit, don't stand." Wei Shili warmly invited Li Yifei to sit on the sofa, personally pouring him a cup of tea. "Is everything settled at home? The county will arrange your residence. If you have any difficulties, don't be a stranger!"

He continued to exude goodwill while unobtrusively sounding him out, probing the depth of Li Yifei's connections in the NDRC.

Li Yifei sneered inwardly while maintaining his modesty and a trace of the "newcomer's" restraint on the outside, matching wits with this local ruler who had controlled Duoshui for many years.

He skillfully parried Wei Shili's probes, neither exposing himself nor letting the other party feel he lacked a "profound background" and "investment value."

Half an hour later, in the county committee's small conference room. When Li Yifei followed behind Wei Shili into the venue, it was already packed with Duoshui County's core committee members and heads of vital departments.

Pairs of eyes shot over uniformly—curious, scrutinizing, suspicious, even carrying a hint of hostility... various emotions intertwined.

Wei Shili was beaming, enthusiastically introducing this "Deputy County Magistrate and Town Party Secretary Li Yifei," who had "descended from the National Development and Reform Commission" and was "our own person from Duogang Town."

Li Yifei stood on the podium, meeting dozens of complex gazes from below, a warm and appropriate smile on his face as he gave a brief self-introduction.

His gaze calmly swept across the audience like the most precise scanner, committing everyone's expressions and reactions to memory.

He knew that from the moment he stepped into this conference room, his deep-into-the-tiger's-lair, walking-on-a-tightrope "performance" officially kicked off.

Among those people below, who was a friend? Who was an enemy? Who was a critical node on that invisible giant web? Everything was hidden beneath seemingly calm smiles and official words of welcome.