No one responded to Pang Bin's proposal, and the meeting room fell into a brief silence.
The first objection came from Deputy Director Zhao Jinxi. He was Political Commissar Zhou's die-hard loyalist, someone with the commissar's label practically pasted to his forehead. Wherever Zhou Guoan pointed, he struck. "Director Pang says we should consider seniority. I completely agree with that, but Director Pang seems to have gotten one thing wrong. Comrade Guo Shunjie joined the branch bureau around the same time as Guo Panwei, didn't he? There couldn't have been more than half a year between them. Does half a year really make Guo Panwei more senior than Guo Shunjie? What kind of logic is that?"
Pang Bin looked at him. "I'm not referring solely to that kind of seniority. Contributions to the branch bureau count as well."
Zhao Jinxi's wrinkled old face broke into a faint smile. "Guo Shunjie is also an excellent comrade who has devoted himself wholeheartedly to his work and made many contributions to the Chengxi Branch Bureau. Besides, I believe that the steady and mature Guo Shunjie is far more suitable for the position of Deputy Director of the General Office than Comrade Guo Panwei. Don't you think Guo Panwei is a little... too frivolous? How could someone like that become a deputy director? That would be irresponsible toward everyone in the General Office."
Pang Bin flared up at his words. "Frivolous? Is that the kind of derogatory term you use to describe one of our own comrades? I'd like to ask Deputy Director Zhao to watch his words and conduct. Guo Panwei is a resourceful and socially adept person. That kind of talent is exactly what the General Office needs." He had stopped calling him Director Zhao and switched to Deputy Director Zhao, showing