As soon as he returned to the consul's residence, Zhang Hao couldn't wait to run over to see his little cotton-padded jacket.
"Mom, we are back."
"Zhang Hao, didn't you say it would take a whole day? Why are you back so early?" Kuang Wenhui asked in surprise.
Zhang Hao took his daughter from his mother-in-law and explained casually: "The conditions are difficult now and there are few social activities, so I can have more leisure at night."
The actual situation is that he just excused himself from an internal meeting of the Department of Energy due to physical fatigue. The Department of Energy is currently cooking in a raging fire, and it is better to have less involvement and wait until he returns from his global inspection.
"Since you are at home, I will call Hua Qing's brother later and ask him to come over and talk to you about work." Kuang Wenhui couldn't stand it any longer.
"Mom, brother-in-law hasn't made up his mind yet?"
Zhang Hao asked casually.
Before, he had talked to his brother-in-law about work, but the other party neither agreed nor refused, saying that he wanted to go back and think about it.
"He's a hesitant person, so please work hard and help mom to persuade him later."
Kuang Wenhui pleaded with a face.
"Ahem..." Zhang Hao coughed lightly, and then tried to persuade: "Mom, actually the job of a university teacher is not bad, the income is guaranteed during droughts and floods, and the work is easy. If my brother-in-law is not willing to change jobs, it is better to let him go!"
He really didn't want to get involved in the affairs of his mother-in-law's family.
Kuang Wenhui quickly waved her hand: "It's not about work. Even if he becomes a wandering painter, your father and I have no objection, but he has to get married."
"Maybe it's because fate hasn't arrived yet?"
Zhang Hao advised him dryly.
"There are so many female students in the university, and he didn't even think about finding one. It would be useless to stay any longer. If he hadn't had a girlfriend during college, we would even suspect that he was..."
Zhang Hao quickly interrupted: "Mom, although I don't have much contact with this guy Haoxuan, I can assure you that he is definitely a big man."
"Then help me persuade him. He will be thirty soon and he doesn't even have a girlfriend. When Zhang Hao was his age, he already had three children." Kuang Wenhui couldn't help but sigh.
"Young people today are different from those of our time." Zhang Hao said in an old-fashioned tone.
In fact, starting from their generation, the birth rate plummeted by two-thirds. Coupled with the subsequent eruption of the Yellowstone volcano, which was a rare occurrence in hundreds of thousands of years, the birth rate was even more horribly low.
"Okay, I'll go to the kitchen and have a look. Remember to help me persuade him." Kuang Wenhui waved her hand.
"Mom, don't worry while I'm doing the work."
Zhang Hao quickly agreed.
…
Before his brother-in-law arrived, Zhang Hao took the time to meet with Xia Congwen, chief of staff, and then focused on telling him the upgrade plan for Lingding New District.
After hearing this, Xia Congwen gave a thumbs up on the spot: "Wonderful, Archon, your move kills two birds with one stone."
"I also had an idea."
Zhang Hao said modestly.
In fact, this was not a plan he could have thought of, but something that really happened in the dream, and he just copied it.
Xia Congwen couldn't help but be impressed: "Consul, your achievements in business are unparalleled. I didn't expect that you also have such an outstanding talent in politics. I have begun to believe that there are really almighty people in this world."
"Thank you. I'm a novice in politics. I still have a lot to learn." Zhang Hao waved his hands with a smile, then changed the subject and said softly: "Old Xia, in your opinion, Consul Ji will agree to this.
Plan?"
"Why don't you agree?"
Xia Congwen said without hesitation.
"Oh? I'd like to hear the details."
"Consul, your plan is most beneficial to the central government. It is both public and private. Even Mr. Ji will not object to it."
Zhang Hao pretended to be relieved: "As long as Mr. Ji doesn't object, I boasted about Haikou today in front of Mayor Cao and others. If the plan turns out to be bad, then I will really have no shame to see them again."
"No, you are the consul and you represent the entire federation. No matter what decision you make, the people below will only obey."
Xia Congwen hinted nakedly.
Ever since Ji Zhangqiu intended to appoint Fan Zhenxiang as the Executive Dean, he knew that he could no longer regard the person in front of him as a puppet, and the other party's performance today made him more determined to surrender.
Otherwise, a chief of staff who is not one of our own will never last long and will have to be replaced sooner or later.
Presumably, this is what the old leader himself meant.
Although Zhang Hao said he didn't dare to take it seriously, he was extremely satisfied in his heart: "Lao Xia, I will start a global expedition next month. Please help me keep an eye on this matter."
"Consul, won't you take me with you?"
Xia Congwen suddenly said nervously.
Seeing the situation, Zhang Hao smiled and comforted him: "As the saying goes, having an old man in a family is like having a treasure. You, Lao Xia, are not young anymore. I don't dare to let you collapse from exhaustion.
Besides, this trip is just a formality at best. Without other tasks, you won’t be able to play much role by following me. You might as well stay and help me take charge of the overall situation.”
Generally speaking, the duties and powers of the consul's chief of staff will vary from term to term.
Its main job is to supervise the work of all the consul's staff, arrange the consul's schedule and meeting activities, provide advice on the consul's policies, convene meetings of the consul's office, etc.
Because of his important responsibilities, the consul's chief of staff is often called the "gatekeeper" and "second consul."
That's why Zhang Hao made this decision.
In short, during the two years he was on tour, he could not give up all his power to Fan Zhenxiang. It is easy to give power away, but it is extremely difficult to get it back.
"This this……"
Xia Congwen was stunned for a moment. He did not expect that the new leader would trust and value him so much. If he had been young, he would not have had the urge to die for his confidant.
Zhang Hao reached out and patted the other party's shoulder: "Lao Xia, you also know my situation. Basically, it can be said that I have no foundation at all. Apart from you, I can never find another person who I can trust unconditionally."
His words are definitely not lies.
Xia Congwen needs experience and ability. Although he is Ji Zhangqiu's man, it doesn't mean that he can't use it for his own purposes.
After all, in a sense, he and Ji Zhangqiu can be regarded as allies.
"Consul, thank you for your trust in me."
"This is obvious. You are my chief of staff. If I don't trust you, who else can I trust? Do you think this is true?"
Xia Congwen immediately expressed his loyalty and said: "Consul, I can't guarantee anything else. As long as I am here, I guarantee that Fan Zhenxiang will not take advantage of him."
"That's not necessary. Dean Fan is more experienced than me. This big deal depends entirely on him. During my absence, as long as it's not too out of the ordinary, you should try your best to cooperate with his work." Zhang Hao quickly warned.
He did not want to plunge the federation into violent internal strife because of himself, which seriously violated his original intention.
"I see."
Xia Congwen appreciated each other more and more.
This kind of people have a big-picture view, and they are the ones who really do big things.
…
At lunch time, Yang Haoxuan arrived as scheduled.
Yang Huaqing hurriedly greeted: "You came just in time. Go wash your hands quickly. Dinner will be served soon."
"Sister, what delicious food did you make?"
Yang Haoxuan casually opened the cover on the dining table.
"I disappoint you. It's all home-cooked food."
Yang Huaqing said angrily.
"Isn't this too simple?" Yang Haoxuan frowned subconsciously: "Sister, it's not like your family doesn't have conditions, why do you have to wrong yourself?"
Zhang Hao happened to come over with a pot of loofah and egg soup. Hearing this, he replied: "Your brother-in-law, I am now the consul and I have to take the lead."
"Don't listen to your brother-in-law's nonsense. He wants to lose weight, so he eats so lightly."
Yang Huaqing directly exposed her husband's background.
"Lose weight?" Yang Haoxuan looked confused.
"Ahem, most of the people are as thin as a stick now, and I want to share the joys and sorrows with the people."
Zhang Hao explained casually.
In recent years, because he often stayed at home, didn't go out much, and lacked exercise, his weight has skyrocketed, almost to over 180.
Yang Haoxuan shook his head: "Brother-in-law, I don't think it's necessary. Everyone knows that you are a rich man. You usually eat well, so you should gain some weight."
"Don't persuade your brother-in-law. In fact, it's better to lose weight. It's healthier to be thinner." Yang Huaqing waved his hand.
"Your sister is right, it's better to be thinner."
Zhang Hao followed closely and echoed.
Whether it is for health reasons or personal image, he, as a consul, should not be fat.
Kuang Wenhui walked out with her granddaughter in her arms and quickly waved to her son: "Son, come here and see Guoguo."
"Guoguo, do you still recognize your uncle?"
Yang Haoxuan stepped forward and teased his niece.
"Look at Guo Guo being so cute, don't you want to have one too?" Kuang Wenhui mentioned the old saying again.
Yang Haoxuan suddenly smiled bitterly and said: "Mom, why are you here again?"
"Okay, I won't say anything anymore. Your brother-in-law has something to do with you. Let's talk about it later."
Kuang Wenhui said unhappily.
After lunch, Zhang Hao called his brother-in-law into the office. After the chat, he still had several documents to read. If he wanted to relax, he would have to wait until he resigned.
"Would you like to try the consul throne?"
Zhang Hao patted the back of the chair.
Yang Haoxuan shook his head: "Forget it, brother-in-law, you are busy with work, let's get down to business quickly!"
If he could take a photo and post it on Moments, he wouldn't mind sitting there, otherwise it would be too boring.
"How are you thinking about work?"
Zhang Hao didn't want to waste time either.
"I haven't thought about it yet." Yang Haoxuan shook his head.
"Hurry up, I will start a global expedition next month. If you are willing to come and help me, I plan to take you with me." Zhang Hao said straight to the point.
"Take me with you?"
Zhang Hao nodded: "My father-in-law and mother-in-law want me to take you to see the world. Don't stay in school all the time. The school circle is too small. It's better to go out and walk more if you have the opportunity."
When your brother-in-law and I were young, we spent several years traveling around the world. I have told many people that this experience has benefited me a lot."
Yang Haoxuan was immediately moved. Although he was no longer young, his heart yearning for freedom has never changed: "Brother-in-law, when will you set off?"
"The departure time will be around the 20th of next month. According to the plan, we will first go north to Yandu, then turn around and go south to Shanghai, take a boat from Shanghai to Nissan Island, and then cross the Pacific Ocean to the other side."
Zhang Hao gave a general introduction to the itinerary.
The focus of this inspection was not on the outside, so not much time was spent in the mainland. Ji Zhangqiu has traveled almost all over the mainland since he took office.
"Since it's a global expedition, why not go to the Korean Peninsula?" Yang Haoxuan couldn't help but asked curiously.
"The Korean Peninsula has been a bitterly cold place since ancient times. It's hard to get anything you want. The living conditions are worse than in the Northeast. Almost all the people there have left, so I won't go there."
Zhang Hao explained patiently.
"What about Nissan Island?"
It stands to reason that Nissan Island was hit by volcanoes and earthquakes before, so it should be worse than the Korean Peninsula.
"There are probably not many people left on Nissan Island, but there are several large scientific research stations built there. This time I stopped by to express my condolences."
"Scientific research station? Research or something?"
Yang Haoxuan took advantage of the situation and asked.
Zhang Hao took a sip of tea: "It must be related to earthquakes and volcanoes. It is said that there are also people who study ocean currents. In short, those scientific research stations are very important and cannot be missed."
"Brother-in-law, after hearing what you said, I'm really interested." Yang Haoxuan chuckled.
"A manly man, if you don't do things like your mother-in-law and mother-in-law, do you want to go or not? Let me tell you something now."
Zhang Hao urged.
Yang Haoxuan gritted his teeth: "I'm going."
There is also the factor of parents urging marriage every day. As long as you go overseas, you don't have to worry about this anymore.
"Just go, good men are everywhere." Zhang Hao reached out and patted the other party's shoulder, and then began to draw a pie: "If you are interested in politics, pay more attention and work hard. When I leave office,
Maybe I can become the mayor Dangdang."
"Brother-in-law, thank you for your kindness, but I am not interested in politics. When I come back from the inspection, I want to go back to the university and be a counselor."
Yang Haoxuan declined on the spot.
Zhang Hao did not force it: "As long as it doesn't break the law, you can do whatever you want. I respect your choice."
"Thank you, brother-in-law!"
Yang Haoxuan breathed a sigh of relief.
In their family, the brother-in-law speaks more effectively than his parents, not to mention the fact that he has the blessing of being a consul.
"Why are you so polite as a family? You can go through the resignation procedures as soon as possible in the next few days, and then become a staff member with me. You can return to school in the future. This is also a rare qualification that will be of great help to your future promotion."
Zhang Hao ordered.
"Well, I understand."
Yang Haoxuan nodded solemnly.
Zhang Hao smiled and waved his hand: "Okay, if you have nothing to do, go and have a rest! Your sister has already cleaned up the room for you, and I still have some finishing work to do."
"Brother-in-law, you are busy, so I won't disturb you."
After Yang Haoxuan finished speaking, he exited the room.
Zhang Hao read a document, then estimated that the time was almost up, and then picked up the phone.
"Uncle Ji, it's me, Zhang Hao."
Ji Zhangqiu's hearty laughter came from the phone: "Haha, it turns out to be you, Lao Zhang. I asked why this number is so familiar, but I just can't remember whose call it is."
"You always call it dark under the light. Just like me, I often look for my cell phone."
Ji Zhangqiu said a few polite words, and then got straight to the point: "Old Zhang, why are you calling me so late?"
"Uncle Ji, I didn't disturb your rest, right? The main reason is that I have something to make up my mind about, and I want to hear your advice."
Zhang Hao cooperated.
"Don't bother me. It's easy to have insomnia when you get older. Tell me, what is it?"
Ji Zhangqiu asked knowingly.
Zhang Hao told the story of Lingding New District.
As expected by Xia Congwen, Ji Zhangqiu expressed support for the upgrade of Lingding New District.