Grandpa Luo quickly replied, "He's my son, he works in the propaganda department."
"Oh, so you're a writer?"
"..." Luo Wei was a little embarrassed. He didn't have the opportunity to use a pen. He was just a handyman, usually repairing the bulletin board and writing slogans on the walls.
Song Dongzheng didn't continue the topic, but asked, "I just arrived here and wanted to get some information from you. Are you familiar with the situation in the county?"
Grandpa Luo and Luo Wei straightened up a bit, then looked at each other without saying a word.
Grandpa Luo smiled and said, "You see, all we gatekeepers know are the things that happen to people coming and going."
Luo Wei remained silent.
They knew some of the details, of course, but didn't want to be casual. Even though this person was the county magistrate, they weren't prepared to be gossips.
Seemingly angered by their reaction, Song Dongzheng said sternly, "How could we not know? Isn't this young comrade from the propaganda department? Could it be that you look down on me, a newcomer, and therefore don't want to tell me?"
Luo Wei broke out in a cold sweat and said nervously, "County Chief Song, we really have nothing to hide."
"Comrade, I'm short a secretary," Secretary Song hinted deliberately.
Luo Wei and Grandpa Luo were stunned for a moment. Grandpa Luo looked at his son, paused, and remained silent.
Luo Wei's heart pounded. He knew this was an opportunity. Maybe, just maybe, something could please the new county head... "I'm sorry, County Head, I really don't know. I'm in the propaganda department. If you ask me to write slogans on the wall, I'm sure I can do it."
No, some bottom lines cannot be crossed. Opportunities are important, but some things are too complicated. He absolutely cannot be tempted by these immediate gains.
Secretary Song stood up angrily and walked out.
The Luo father and son were on tenterhooks. What should they do? It seemed they had offended the county magistrate. Would they even lose their jobs?
"Wei, what should we do?" Grandpa Luo asked anxiously.
Luo Wei said, "It's okay, at worst we'll lose our jobs. If we work here and become gossipy trolls, everyone will look down on us."
Grandpa Luo nodded. Although some people did not do things that satisfied him, he shouldn't use that to curry favor with them.
Although they said it that way and tried to comfort themselves, the Luo father and son were actually very frightened and nervous.
They were terrified that County Chief Song might take them away at any moment. If they lost their jobs, their families would have nothing to eat.
Every time Grandpa Luo saw County Chief Song passing by the gate, he wanted to call out to him and say something nice. But then he felt that doing such a thing would be too spineless.
Four days passed in this anxious state. Song Dongzheng then went to Director Wu and gave him Luo Wei's information, saying, "This is the one."
Director Wu looked at the documents Song Dongzheng had taken out and scratched his forehead.
This was the person he thought was the least likely to be there. He had no qualifications, no education, and his only background was having a father who was a gatekeeper.
This is really something. County Chief Song, what are your standards for judging Rao?
Not only was Director Wu surprised, but Luo Wei himself was so shocked he almost thought he was dreaming. He had been worried about being taken away, but after waiting for a few days, he was told to pack his bags and become County Chief Song's secretary.
"Director Wu, are you sure you're not mistaken?"
"I'd think there was a mistake!" Director Wu said with a smile. "Of course there's no mistake. County Chief Song gave it to me personally. Luo, you must work hard and serve County Chief Song well. Don't let him down for promoting you."
"...Okay, okay, I will definitely try my best." Luo Wei nodded in a daze.
When Luo Wei arrived at Song Dongzheng's office to report for duty in the afternoon, he looked embarrassed.
Song Dongzheng placed the teacup on the table and asked, "Do you know how to make tea?"
"Yes." Luo Wei quickly ran to make tea for County Magistrate Song.
As Song Dongzheng sipped his tea, he said, "I have no other requirements for you. Just like in the guardhouse, if anyone tries to bribe you with sweet talk to ask me about my situation, you have to keep your mouth shut."
Luo Wei: "..." Fortunately, fortunately I managed to hold back.
After the warning, Song Dongzheng smiled and said, "Don't be nervous, come, sit down and talk. Tell me everything you know about the county. You know the duties of a secretary, to act as the eyes and ears of the leader. You and I are doing that now within our responsibilities."
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