"You're too humble!"
Xu Lu complained in her heart, but on the surface, she still spoke very politely.
She was very clear that for someone so young to be able to transfer from the military and become a County Magistrate, there were only two possibilities: either he had achieved first-class merit in the military and was full of honors, or he had a significant family background.
Of course, it could also be both.
Am I humble?
Qin Mu didn't immediately understand what Xu Lu meant; he hadn't said anything wrong.
Based on past experience, transferring from the military to a local government position usually started with a non-essential role.
He was a Deputy Regimental level cadre in the military, and transferring to a local position would generally mean enjoying Deputy Section Chief level treatment, being assigned a Principal Section Chief level post, and usually a non-essential one.
It was basically impossible for someone without local government experience to directly hold an important position.
However, he didn't say much more to Xu Lu.
The officialdom was as deep as the sea, and he wasn't familiar with her.
Saying too much would be counterproductive and might expose too much about himself.
"Please, come in!"
Upon reaching the fifth floor, Xu Lu led Qin Mu directly to the innermost office.
She knocked on the door, and a man's deep voice came from inside.
"Come in!"
Xu Lu immediately pushed the door open, walked in, and said, "Minister Chen, Comrade Qin Mu has arrived!"
After speaking, she gestured for Qin Mu to enter.
"Minister Chen, hello!"
Qin Mu stepped forward, looked at the middle-aged man sitting in front of a pile of files, and greeted him.
"Old Master Qin's grandson is indeed extraordinary!"
Chen Wenhua looked up at Qin Mu, nodded slightly, and said, "Have a seat, wait for me for two minutes!"
"Alright!"
Qin Mu responded, pulled over a chair, and sat down, looking very relaxed and unconstrained.
Xu Lu, standing nearby, watched this scene and already had a guess.
In her opinion, Qin Mu's casual demeanor in front of Minister Chen surely meant he had a powerful figure in his family, like the Old Master Qin Minister Chen mentioned!
But what she didn't know was that Qin Mu usually interacted with many leaders at the Principal Military level in the army, so how could he possibly care about someone like Chen Wenhua, who was only at the Deputy Department level?
Xu Lu really wanted to stay and listen, but unfortunately, her rank wasn't high enough, so she had to leave first.
"You served as the Commander-in-Chief of the Flying Eagle Brigade, Deputy Regimental level, right?"
Chen Wenhua closed his folder and asked.
"Yes."
Qin Mu nodded in response.
"When an excellent Comrade like you transfers, our local government takes it very seriously.
Considering your own wishes to go to Huaining County, our Organization Department has decided to appoint you as Deputy County Secretary of Huaining County, nominate you as a candidate for Deputy County Chief, and have you serve as Acting County Magistrate!"
After Chen Wenhua finished speaking, Qin Mu's eyes were filled with surprise.
Isn't that crazy?
To make him, a demobilized soldier, Acting County Magistrate?
He had no experience in local government.
To directly serve as Acting County Magistrate, this appointment was too bold!
"Minister Chen, isn't this arrangement a bit exaggerated?"
Qin Mu took a deep breath and said seriously.
"What, do you think the official position is too high?"
Chen Wenhua chuckled and retorted.
"An official position, of course, the higher the better."
Qin Mu pondered for a moment and said, "But we also need to consider the actual situation.
After all, I don't have experience in local government.
If I rashly take on such an important position as County Magistrate, I'm afraid I might fail the Organization's trust!"
"Both I and the Municipal Committee Secretary have considered this point."
Chen Wenhua waved his hand slightly and said, "Municipal Committee Secretary Li believes that you are from the military, have principles and integrity, and have achieved countless military merits at a young age.
You are a role model for young cadres.
Appointing you as Acting County Magistrate is a commendation for your past achievements!"
"At the same time, when you go to Huaining County, there will be a six-month assessment period.
If you pass the assessment, you will be formally appointed as County Magistrate.
If you don't pass, you will be reassigned to another position!"
I understand!
Acting County Magistrate was an assessment.
If he could pass it smoothly, he would be officially appointed as County Magistrate.
If he didn't pass, he would be transferred to another position.
"Alright, Minister Chen, I will obey the Organization's arrangement."
Qin Mu no longer hesitated and said directly.
"Tomorrow morning at ten o'clock, I will send you to Huaining County to assume your post."
Chen Wenhua continued, "If you have nothing else to say, you can go back now."
"Alright, Minister Chen, farewell!"
Qin Mu naturally had nothing to say, stood up, and left directly.
Chen Wenhua looked at Qin Mu's retreating figure, thought for a moment, got up, walked out of the office, and went straight to Municipal Party Secretary Li Guobin's office.
"Secretary Li, I just met Comrade Qin Mu and conveyed the Municipal Committee's opinion to him."
Chen Wenhua said simply.
"He didn't say anything?"
Li Guobin put down his pen with interest and asked curiously.
"He didn't say anything.
He seemed very confident, just politely declined a little, and then expressed his obedience to the Organization's decision."
Chen Wenhua smiled and said, "It seems that Old Master Qin and Minister Qin have already made arrangements.
Although Huaining County is a deep place, if Qin Mu goes there and just gets some experience steadily, there generally won't be any problems!"
"That's right, we were overthinking it."
Li Guobin nodded.
"Huaining County has always been the poorest and most backward area in Jiangzhou City.
Arranging for Qin Mu to go there is probably to increase the value of this experience and pave the way for his next promotion!"
"We just need to do as we're told.
Qin Lao and Minister Qin have their own arrangements!"
These two were very clear about Qin Mu's background: a respected veteran in his family and a Principal Minister level high official.
Arranging for him to serve in a poor and backward place like Huaining County was definitely for the sake of gaining experience!
Because training in poor and backward areas would certainly be more convincing, and having this experience on his resume would make it even more dazzling.
However, they didn't know that Qin Mu's choice to go to Huaining County was purely an accident.
If he were given another chance, he would definitely choose to continue serving in the military.
...
"County Magistrate Qin, let me add you as a friend.
If you have any questions, you can contact me anytime!"
After leaving the office, Xu Lu accompanied Qin Mu downstairs again.
In the elevator, Xu Lu proactively asked to add Qin Mu as a friend.
"Sure!"
Qin Mu didn't refuse either.
The other party worked in the Municipal Party Committee Organization Department.
If they maintained a good relationship in the future, he might even get inside information in advance!
Even he, an outsider, knew that the Organization Department was on par with the Two Offices and the Discipline Inspection Commission.
It was the place where countless civil service exam takers believed they could 'progress' most easily, holding significant personnel power.
Making more connections wouldn't hurt.
"May I ask, are you married?"
Xu Lu added him as a friend, and with no one else in the elevator, she mustered her courage and asked seriously.
"No, actually, I just broke up."
Qin Mu gave a bitter smile and answered truthfully.
What?
Just broke up?
Isn't this a good opportunity?
A bright light flashed in Xu Lu's eyes.
An excellent man like Qin Mu wouldn't have a long period of being single.
If she could take the initiative now, there was still a slight possibility.
"Someone as excellent as you certainly won't lack girlfriends."
Xu Lu immediately moved a little closer, stood next to Qin Mu, and with a hint of shy smile, said, "Do you have friends in Jiangzhou?
If not, I can treat you to a meal.
When you break up, you should eat more and talk to friends, that way you won't feel bored."
As soon as she finished speaking, the elevator door opened.
Before Qin Mu could speak, he immediately felt a different kind of pressure.
He subconsciously looked outside, and a familiar figure came into view.
Zhao Yanan!
What a small world!