Jiang Haoxuan was panicking at this moment. He had been working for half a year, and on the first day of the new County Magistrate's tenure, he was actually called by name to be seen. Was it really as Director Duan said, that his workload was going to increase?
“County Magistrate Qin, hello, I’m Jiang Haoxuan!”
Jiang Haoxuan walked into the office, closed the door, and quickly introduced himself.
“Sit!”
Qin Mu pointed to the chair in front of him and said with a smile, “How do you feel working in the County Government Office?”
“I… I think it’s pretty good…”
Jiang Haoxuan scratched his head and said, “There’s a lot to do in the County Government Office. I’m not very smart, so it’s taken me most of this year to basically get familiar with things. I’m constantly learning!”
This answer was perfectly conventional!
From the moment the other party entered, Qin Mu had been observing him, judging his character through his body language, tone of voice, and eyes.
This was Qin Mu’s old profession!
It was very handy!
From his observations, this Jiang Haoxuan was just a diligent and ordinary person, perhaps not good at talking or flattering leaders.
But this was the secretarial candidate Qin Mu wanted.
“You graduated from Jiangnan University. Logically, when looking for a job, you should be able to get a decent salary. What made you think of entering the system?”
Qin Mu changed the subject and asked.
“County Magistrate, please don’t laugh at me when I say this!”
Jiang Haoxuan gave an awkward smile and said, “I just wanted to be closer to home, to be able to spend time with my parents. Plus, within the system, the work is stable, which I think is pretty good!”
“What’s there to laugh about?”
Qin Mu waved his hand slightly and said, “Being able to show filial piety means you are kind-hearted by nature. Seeking stable work is not strange.”
“Thank you for the compliment, County Magistrate.”
Jiang Haoxuan didn’t know what to say for a moment, so he could only bite the bullet and express his gratitude.
“I just arrived and need a liaison. Are you interested?”
After his assessment, Qin Mu asked directly.
Oh, this…
Liaison?
Isn’t that just the County Magistrate’s secretary, just with a different title?
“County Magistrate, can I… can I do it?”
Jiang Haoxuan was shocked, but also a little excited. In this day and age, who doesn’t want to follow a leader?
Within the system, following a leader certainly elevates one’s status!
Jiang Haoxuan might have been a bit slow-witted, but being slow-witted doesn’t mean being foolish.
With such a great opportunity in front of him, it was impossible for him not to have some ideas, but he was also a little worried that his abilities wouldn’t be up to par.
“Whether you can or can’t isn’t important. What’s important is whether you’re willing. No one is born knowing everything; you can learn slowly.”
Qin Mu smiled, “My requirements aren’t high. The most important thing about being my secretary is being reliable!”
“Go back and think about it. Give me an answer tomorrow!”
“Okay!”
Jiang Haoxuan readily agreed and then walked out. His mind was filled with the word “reliable” that County Magistrate Qin had said.
In his understanding, reliable meant being diligent and not procrastinating in work, being cautious in words and actions, keeping secrets, and being tight-lipped.
After all, working for a leader involves coming into contact with many secrets, and if one isn’t reliable, those secrets could be leaked at any time.
“How was it? What did the County Magistrate talk to you about?”
As soon as he came out, he ran into Duan Ze, the Director of the County Government Office. The latter pulled him aside and asked in a low voice.
“Nothing much, just asked me about my work, why I took the civil service exam, and so on.”
Jiang Haoxuan casually gave a perfunctory answer.
“That’s it? Just those?”
Duan Ze was puzzled and asked.
“Yes, the County Magistrate didn’t ask anything else.”
Jiang Haoxuan nodded stiffly, not revealing the truth. He felt that he couldn’t let down the County Magistrate’s trust; being reliable had to start from this moment.
Really? Or fake?
Duan Ze always felt that Jiang Haoxuan hadn’t told the truth, but the other party had always been honest and straightforward, and he spoke so firmly that Duan Ze didn’t feel it was appropriate to press him further.
“Alright, then go back to work. Remember, do your own job well. Don’t take what isn’t yours, otherwise, you won’t be able to bear the consequences.”
Duan Ze patted Jiang Haoxuan’s shoulder and reminded him, “In the County Government Office, you’re a newcomer. Be low-key in your behavior and actions. Having too much ambition isn’t a good thing!”
As soon as these words came out, Jiang Haoxuan understood.
Director Duan was hinting at him!
The position of County Magistrate’s liaison was probably already reserved. The County Magistrate calling him was probably an impromptu idea, and Director Duan was telling him to give up quickly.
“I understand!”
Jiang Haoxuan responded, lowered his head, and returned to his workstation.
Duan Ze looked at the other party’s back and didn’t really care. He was just a newcomer. After a few hints and threats, he probably wouldn’t dare to be the County Magistrate’s secretary anymore.
Tomorrow, he would push Gu Lin in front of the County Magistrate. With this comparison, the County Magistrate would definitely think Gu Lin was more outstanding.
In this way, Gu Lin becoming the County Magistrate’s secretary would basically be secure.
By arranging for Gu Lin, he could also gain some favor with the Gu Family, which would give him opportunities for promotion in the future!
…
Qin Mu met several people in the morning and gained a general understanding of the current situation in the County Government Office. There were many people with connections, and those who actually worked were suppressed.
This situation was unavoidable in the County Government Office because it was close to leaders, offered many opportunities for promotion, and was definitely eyed by many people.
The goal of those with connections was all to get promoted!
But with Qin Mu here, some of those with connections might be in trouble.
“County Magistrate Qin, it’s lunchtime now. How about… I lead you to the cafeteria?”
Just as he sat down to rest for a while, Duan Ze walked in again, smiling and saying.
It’s lunchtime already?
Qin Mu looked at the time; it was already eleven-thirty. He had only talked to two people, and it was already this late. Time really flew!
“Alright, let’s go take a look!”
Qin Mu was indeed a bit hungry, so he immediately stood up and followed Duan Ze to the cafeteria.
Upon arriving, he saw that there weren’t many people inside, only a scattered few. In the large cafeteria, there were only three or five people eating.
“Is no one here to eat at this time?”
Qin Mu asked casually.
As the saying goes, if you’re not active in eating, there’s something wrong with your brain. In the military, as soon as it was mealtime, everyone rushed to eat. Could it be that people in government units aren’t in a hurry?
“County Magistrate, you don’t know, but in our Huaining County government cafeteria, eleven to twelve o’clock is for leaders to eat, and twelve o’clock onwards is for everyone else!”
Duan Ze explained with a smile.
Oh?
Even eating has to be in order of seniority?
Qin Mu really hadn’t expected that!
“Also, our cafeteria is completely free, and leaders usually get one or two extra dishes.”
Duan Ze continued, “You see… you can choose any of these dishes, as long as you can eat them.”
Qin Mu glanced around. There were five meat dishes, eight vegetable dishes, two soups, plus fruit and pastries. The richness of the cafeteria’s food was no less than that of a military zone cafeteria.
Qin Mu even had a momentary illusion: was he really in a poverty-stricken county?
That classic saying suddenly popped into his mind: “The front lines are tight, but the rear is eating well!”
“Director Duan, is our county’s financial situation very optimistic? Just this cafeteria alone must cost a lot of money each month, right?”
Qin Mu couldn’t hold back for a moment and asked casually.
This…
Duan Ze was stunned for a moment. Wasn’t this County Magistrate quite astute in the morning? Why was he asking such a foolish question now?