Official Career Storm
Chapter 252

Chapter 252: Chapter 252

Song Guanchao didn’t speculate wildly, but asked directly, "Does Minister Cheng know He Sen?"

"I do," Minister Cheng nodded. "He Sen was once the County Party Secretary of Dujiang County, and County Magistrate Hou was his secretary in his early years."

Just as expected!

With this in mind, many things began to make sense.

Moreover, some matters were not as simple as they appeared on the surface.

For instance, according to Fu Ying’s understanding, Secretary Tu, known for his overbearing style and autocracy, firmly grasped the reins of power in Dujiang County, possessing absolute authority.

However, after learning about County Magistrate Hou’s career history, Song Guanchao felt that Secretary Tu’s willingness to delegate a portion of power to Hou wasn’t necessarily because Hou was particularly adept at flattery.

More likely, it was because County Magistrate Hou had founded a solid base for himself in Dujiang County.

Nonetheless, Song Guanchao thought that this yet to be met Secretary Tu likely had even greater capabilities.

An average person wouldn’t be able to suppress County Magistrate Hou.

He asked, "What about Secretary Tu? What’s his background?"

Although he had reviewed Secretary Tu’s profile, the file was lifeless, only recording some significant milestones; it was far from understanding as Minister Cheng did.

He might be able to gather more useful information from him.

"Secretary Tu..." Minister Cheng smacked his lips and opened another bottle of baijiu.

He poured himself a glass but didn’t drink, merely wetting his lips and sipping lightly.

"Secretary Tu is also a local."

"This man’s abilities are very strong, even stronger than County Magistrate Hou!"

"And he was once the secretary to the county leader Xu Hua."

"At that time, Xu Hua was the second in command in the county, with He Sen holding the top position. However, Xu Hua was so domineering and decisive that He Sen was completely suppressed by him."

"So although County Magistrate Hou had the support of He Sen behind him, he was no match for Secretary Tu, who had Xu Hua’s backing. After all, though He Sen moved up to the city earlier, a local official holds more sway. Once He Sen left, Dujiang County utterly became a one-man show under Xu Hua."

"Before Xu Hua left Dujiang County, he recommended Secretary Tu as the next County Party Secretary, laying out a smooth path for him."

Song Guanchao frowned and said, "But I heard that Secretary Tu and County Magistrate Hou have a good relationship."

If we were to go by Minister Cheng’s words, Xu Hua and He Sen should have been at loggerheads.

Then, as the protégés cultivated by these two leaders, Secretary Tu and County Magistrate Hou should have been the same.

Yet in reality, the two of them had a good relationship.

Minister Cheng said with a smile, "This brings us to the shortcomings of Secretary Tu."

"Secretary Tu, in terms of his style, is actually even more overbearing than Xu Hua, but he has a fatal flaw: low theoretical expertise and bravery without strategy."

"And County Magistrate Hou is the exact opposite."

"County Magistrate Hou is proficient in maneuvering, always praising Secretary Tu in front of others and following him as if he were the leader. This made Secretary Tu let down his guard, allowing the power to gradually slip into Hou’s hands."

Minister Cheng snorted with laughter, "Secretary Tu hasn’t even realized it yet. He still thinks that County Magistrate Hou knows the way of the world and is a good and obedient underling."

"But in reality, the Police Department and the Disciplinary Committee have long been under County Magistrate Hou’s control."

"Our dear Secretary Tu, compared to his former leader Xu Hua, is significantly lacking."

Song Guanchao nodded slightly. As he listened to Minister Cheng’s explanation, he gained a clearer understanding of the current situation in Dujiang County.

His recognition of the two main leaders in the county became more comprehensive as well.

One a reckless brute, and the other, a smiling tiger skilled in scheming.

Fu Ying listened on the side with a sense of shock.

Having served as the deputy county leader for so long, she had always felt that although her understanding wasn’t deep, she more or less knew the ins and outs of the county.

But today, she realized she knew virtually nothing about the several leaders in the county.

Minister Cheng asked, "What does Secretary Song plan to do? As far as I know, even if there are problems in Dujiang County, it’s not appropriate for the city to directly intervene, is it?"

Normally, before problems erupt, the higher authorities would not directly interfere in local matters.

If they must intervene, it’s always done covertly.

And this, is a true test of political acumen.

If Song Guanchao were to intervene using his own status, that would be politically insensitive.

No leader likes someone who disregards politics.

His political career would basically be over.

Song Guanchao smiled indifferently, "At the recent Standing Committee meeting, Mayor Zheng criticized Lingjiang’s business environment. Lingjiang has now established a guidance group to rectify the issue concerning the business environment."

"Dujiang County has not yet been upgraded to a county-level city, so it is still under the jurisdiction of Lingjiang City."

Minister Cheng frowned and said, "Does Secretary Song plan to dispatch the guidance group to Dujiang County?"

Song Guanchao replied, "This is just a preliminary idea. As for how to proceed, I need to go back and report to the Secretary, and she will decide."

Minister Cheng nodded his head. He could see that Song Guanchao had not yet come up with a suitable solution.

He had invited him tonight just to understand the basic situation in Dujiang County.

"If Secretary Song needs my help later on, feel free to contact me."

"Thank you, Minister Cheng," Song Guanchao filled his cup with wine and said, "I was too harsh earlier. I owe you an apology."

Minister Cheng shook his head, "You were not wrong. I indeed adopt a complacent attitude, not wanting to offend anyone yet still thinking I am above the fray. You have awakened me with your words."

He was not the least bit resentful or angry but spoke in an even tone.

From this, it was clear that Minister Cheng was a man of broad-mindedness, someone who could accept criticism and was capable of self-reflection.

Song Guanchao said nothing as he drained his glass of wine.

Afterward, they left the private room.

As he watched Minister Cheng leave, Song Guanchao took out his car keys, "I’ll drive you back."

"You’ve had too much to drink; you can’t drive."

"You drive," Song Guanchao pressed the car key and started walking toward the car.

Fu Ying looked at the small car with curiosity, "Have you changed cars?"

"That car was too conspicuous and easy to be tracked." Song Guanchao opened the passenger door and sat down.

Once in the car, Fu Ying drove towards the County Committee Compound, continuously checking the rearview mirror on the way.

Song Guanchao said, "Stop looking; no one is following us."

Fu Ying breathed a sigh of relief; she was the Deputy County Magistrate, and Song Guanchao was the Secretary of the Municipal Committee.

If people saw them together, it wouldn’t take long for the news to spread throughout Dujiang County.

When the car pulled into the County Committee Compound, Fu Ying turned off the engine, grasped the car keys in her hand, and said, "I’ll make you some honey water to sober up."

After that, she got out of the car and walked naturally toward the main door.

Tonight, Song Guanchao had drunk two bottles of baijiu, and even though he had a high tolerance for alcohol, he was feeling dizzy and sluggish at the moment.

After entering the house, he collapsed onto the sofa.

Fu Ying brought over honey tea made with warm water and asked, "Did you bring clothes?"

"I did; they’re in the trunk."

"I’ll go get them for you."

Song Guanchao picked up the teacup; the warm tea was comfortable as it went down.

It was not until he saw Fu Ying walk to the door that his sluggish mind belatedly realized.

He had been brought back to her house by Fu Ying.

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