Sha Ruijin Becomes Handong Provincial Party Secretary (End of Volume One: In the Name of the People Prequel)

The speculation in Handong Province over the choice of its new provincial Party secretary finally settled like dust as Sha Ruijin's departure audit was completed and the public notice period for his cadre assessment concluded without incident.

The official website of the Central Organization Department.

By decision of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China: Comrade Sha Ruijin was appointed a member, standing committee member, and secretary of the Handong Provincial Party Committee of the Communist Party of China. He would no longer serve as deputy secretary, standing committee member, or member of the Biannan Provincial Party Committee of the Communist Party of China, and his resignation as governor of the Biannan Province People's Government was approved.

Yanjing, Central Organization Department.

Sha Ruijin sat on a broad sofa, facing the official in charge of the Central Organization Department's work.

The conversation went straight to the point, without unnecessary pleasantries.

"Comrade Ruijin, the situation in Handong is rather complicated," the department leader said in a steady voice.

"Comrade Zhao Lichun worked in Handong for many years. He left behind quite a few cadres, as well as some problems. The ranks need to be put in order, and the prevailing atmosphere needs to be cleared. Your primary task on this assignment is to lead the ranks well and build a strong leadership team."

He paused briefly, his tone growing firmer. "The personnel Zhao Lichun left behind must be reassessed and strictly vetted. There is just one principle: no promoting anyone with unresolved problems! Anyone found to have problems must be resolutely removed from the cadre ranks, without any leniency! This will be a hard battle. You must be fully prepared for it mentally."

With a grave expression, Sha Ruijin took careful notes and nodded repeatedly. "I understand. Please rest assured that I will uphold our principles and keep the ranks clean."

"Good." The department leader nodded in satisfaction, then shifted the subject.

"Of course, we must be resolute in fighting corruption, but development cannot grind to a halt either. Handong is one of our major economic provinces. Stability and development are the larger priorities. Comrade Tian Guofu was sent by the higher-ups to assist you with discipline inspection work. He is trustworthy. The two of you must work well together."

As he brought up the most crucial personnel arrangement, the department leader's tone became more pointed. "Comrade Lin Yanzhou was assigned to Jingzhou after careful consideration by the higher-ups, as the central figure responsible for economic development. The concept of high-quality development he proposed accords with the central leadership's directives and strikes at the heart of Handong's problems."

"Once you arrive, you must support his work. Demonstrate the Handong Provincial Party Committee's commitment to 'grasping both with both hands'-maintaining intense pressure against corruption while developing the economy."

These words were less a suggestion than an explicit directive.

Sha Ruijin understood. Lin Yanzhou was not merely Jingzhou's mayor, but an important chess piece placed in Handong by the central leadership. Behind him lay an economic development experiment whose mission extended beyond any single province or locality.

"Yes. I will fully support Comrade Yanzhou's work and safeguard Handong's reform and development," Sha Ruijin immediately declared.

After leaving the Central Organization Department, Sha Ruijin felt no more relaxed. Instead, his heart grew heavier. The task was formidable, and the situation complex.

Rather than returning to his hotel immediately, he drove to two places of vital importance to him-the homes of his adoptive father and his father-in-law.

Both elders were retired veteran revolutionaries. Though no longer in office, they still had a clear grasp of personnel affairs and connections at the highest levels.

His adoptive father spoke plainly and directly. "Xiao Jinzi, once you get to Handong, go ahead and do what needs doing. Don't be afraid of offending people. But there's one thing: you must look after that boy from the Lin family. He is our old regimental commander's grandson in the direct line, as well as the Lin family's third-generation successor. Our old regimental commander gave us a second life. Both publicly and privately, you ought to support him."

His father-in-law's advice carried more political wisdom. Sipping his tea, he said slowly, "Ruijin, at your age, once you finish this term as provincial Party secretary, you'll more or less have reached your final stop."

"If you do well, perhaps you can still secure a deputy post in the people's congress or the political consultative conference, count it as a half-step promotion, and retire with honors. If you do poorly, you may simply stay where you are and get off when your time comes. But Lin Yanzhou is different. He is young, has deep backing and broad connections, and is destined to go much farther than you."

The old man looked at Sha Ruijin. "There is no fundamental conflict of interest between you and him. He seeks political achievements and advancement in his official career. You seek a smooth landing and one last moment of glory. In the broad direction, your goals align."

"So try to forge a good connection. As long as something does not touch your core interests or cross your bottom line of principle, there is no need to interfere with him too much. Supporting him means supporting Handong's development, as well as the central leadership's arrangements."

His father-in-law continued, "Of course, we old fellows aren't telling you to keep backing down. A man cannot grow more timid with every passing year. If something truly touches critical interests or matters of principle, you must fight for what needs fighting for! A great provincial official must have the responsibility and mettle befitting one. If you don't even dare to contend, shrinking from everything in fear, then you truly won't make it to a higher post."

"You must judge that balance yourself. Your father and I will stand firmly behind your choices."

The earnest admonitions of these two close elders were like a pill that steadied Sha Ruijin's heart, while also marking out the boundaries of his actions.

He now fully understood his position in Handong: he was both an "imperial envoy" wielding the imperial sword of authority, sent to clean up officialdom, and someone who needed to catch the economic development express of Lin Yanzhou, this future star, to see whether he could smoothly advance one more stop. He could also be considered a "guardian" safeguarding economic development.

At the same time, when necessary, he also had to display the edge expected of a great provincial official. He had to contend for what needed contending for and seize what needed seizing. At their level, only interests were eternal.

Bearing the organization's weighty trust and his family's expectations, Sha Ruijin set out for Handong. He knew that the skies over Handong truly were about to change.

At this point, the In the Name of the People prequel is complete. Next begins Volume Two, where the In the Name of the People storyline opens.

The earlier material wasn't the author padding the word count. I just wanted to make the protagonist's arrival in Jingzhou more plausible, let him gain control over some key departments and matters, and let him become blindly arrogant once the In the Name of the People arc began, acting mindlessly without using his brain. The aim with this book's protagonist is to stay a little closer to reality, without dumbing things down.