DEFYING FATE

Chapter 73: Fierce confrontation

Pang Bin's suggestion was not supported by anyone, and themeeting room fell into silence again.

The next person that spoke was Deputy Branch Bureau ChiefZhao Jinxi. He was a loyal follower of Political Commissar Zhou. He will dowhatever Political Commissar Zhou ask him to do. "Chief Pang mentioned that wemust look at the experience of the candidates. I totally agree with him. ButChief Pang seems to forget that Guo Shunjie and Guo Panwei had entered thebureau at around the same time. The difference between them is not more than 6months. How can Guo Panwei be more experience than Guo Shunjie? What logic isthis?"

Pang Bin looked at him. "What the experience I am talkingabout is not only the length of service. I also look at his contributions tothe bureau!"

Zhao Jinxi had a smile on his old wrinkled face. "GuoShunjie had also devoted all his heart into his work and made manycontributions to our bureau. I personally felt the matured Guo Shunjie is moresuitable to be the Deputy Chief of the General Affairs Office. Don't you thinkGuo Panwei is a bit... frivolous? How can such a person be the Deputy Chief?This is being irresponsible to the people in the General Affairs Office!"

Pang Bin was furious. "Frivolous? How can you use suchdegrading term on our comrades? Deputy Chief Zhao, please watch your words. GuoPanwei is capable of dealing with everyone. This type of people is mostsuitable to work in the General Affairs Office!" Pang Bin was furious. He didnot even address Zhao Jinxi as Chief Zhao. He purposely added the word "Deputy"in front.

Zhao Jinxi and Pang Bin started quarreling.

Yan Liang knocked on the table and shouted: "Stop! This is ameeting!"

Zhou Guoan secretly glanced at Cheng Haimei's direction.

Cheng Haimei did not say much. She only said: "I support GuoShunjie."

Pang Bin had a terrible look on his face. The should be thefinal outcome. There's no point arguing anymore. He lowered his head and pouredwater into his cup.

"I also support Guo Shunjie." Deputy Political Commissar LiMingyu, in his fifties, was closer to Political Commissar Zhou faction. He sawYan Liang did not show any support or objections, he knew what Yan Liang wasthinking. He continued: "I am not looking down on Guo Panwei. But I feel GuoShunjie is more suitable for this role. The ages of most staff members in the GeneralAffairs Office are young, and there are many new faces. That's why the GeneralAffairs Office need someone mature like Guo Shunjie to lead them!"

After hearing this, Xu Yan felt uncomfortable. Who are youto meddle with my General Affairs Department? If it's the Political Commissaror Political Section Chief, I can still understand. But you are not respectingme now and stepping out of your place!

Yan Liang still had an indifferent attitude. He could tell PoliticalCommissar Zhou had planned all these and this should be the final outcome. It'stime to end this topic and move on. They were short on time.

But at this moment, Xu Yan spoke. She placed her teacup onthe table loudly. "The General Affairs Office is under my jurisdiction. I thinkI am the most suitable person to talk about the candidates." She then narrowedher eyes and looked at Li Mingyu and Zhao Jinxi. "I know Guo Panwei and GuoShunjie better than anyone else here. Both of them are good in many ways, butthey lack something. What do they lack? It's not experience or attitude! It's adrive!"

Li Mingyu was stunned and did not understand what Xu Yan wastalking about.

Xu Yan then said something shocking. "I proposed DongXuebing! The reason is simple! This young man has the drive and is full ofvigor!"

Zhao Jinxi laughed. "Dong Xuebing? How long has he been withthe bureau? One month or two months? He is too junior! How can he be the DeputyChief?"

Xu Yan replied emotionlessly. "I would like to say thatexperiences are not about the length of service. What we want is results andcontributions to our branch bureau. Do you remember the fire in Director Li'soffice? Xiao Dong is the one who ran in to retrieve the documents. I am sureall of you have heard of this incident. Chief Yan had also granted exceptionalapproval for Xiao Dong to enter the Party. All of you should also know aboutthis. During the football tournament a few days ago, Xiao Dong was the one whohelps our branch avoid losing all matches. I am sure all of you are aware ofthis. If all these are not contributions, what are contributions?"

Yan Liang frowned. He also did not expect Xu Yan to try topush this young man up.

Commission for Discipline Inspection Secretary Song Shoujiecleared his throat. "I agree with Chief Xu. Although Xiao Dong is new to ourbranch, all of us can see what he had done for the bureau. Many departmentheads and colleagues acknowledge Xiao Dong. This is very rare."

Li Mingyu shook his head. "He is too young. He is only 23years' old, and he did not even pass his one-year probation!"

Zhao Jinxi thought nothing about this and laughed. "I knowabout soccer matches. But that's only a friendly game organized by the CityBureau. What has it got to do with our Western District branch bureau's work?You cannot use this to judge him. We are choosing the Deputy Chief of theGeneral Affairs Office and not an athlete!"

Xu Yan looked at him. "What I am emphasizing is not DongXuebing's football skills. It is his attitude in times of need. He dares tostep up in difficult situations! This is an important aspect for leaders! Icannot accept Guo Shunjie's attitude during the matches. He hides behindeveryone when there are difficulties. How can someone with such attitude besuitable to lead the General Affairs Office?"

Zhao Jinxi said. "Chief Xu, I think you have misunderstoodGuo Shunjie. I am confident Xiao Guo is not what you said."

Yang Yizhong suddenly speaks. He was a straight forwardperson, and his words were direct. "I also do not like that Guo Shunjie. He istoo..." Yang Yizhong was searching for the right word to describe. His educationlevel is low, and he thought for a few seconds before he got the word. "... impetuous."He then continued: "Dong Xuebing is good. Smart and dependable!"

Xu Yan and Song Shoujie exchanged looks. They were surprisedthat his newly transferred Yang Yizhong chose to join her faction. Actually,Yang Yizhong was the sort of person that do not take sides. He looked at theproblems objectively and was considered a free person in the Party Committee.He will just speak his mind and did not consider joining any faction.

Political Commissar Zhou who had been keeping silent allthis while could feel the tension. He frowned as he never expects the candidateDong Xuebing, he looks down upon had gotten 3 votes supporting him!

But Political Commissar Zhou remained expressionless. It'sonly 3 votes. Even if he got 4 votes, he still does not stand a chance.

This personnel appointment had already decided during aprevious conversation between Zhou Guoan and Yan Liang.

No matter what was discussed during the meeting, Yan Liangwill surely support Guo Shunjie!