Official Career Storm
Chapter 267

Chapter 267: Chapter 267

Song Guanchao felt increasingly strange.

Li Jun had actually taken the initiative to step down.

"Hehe, there have been so many municipal government affairs lately; I simply haven’t been able to get away."

Li Jun said with a look of apology, "Secretary Song, for the high-speed rail project, I can only trouble you with it. But rest assured, if there’s anything that needs the effort of the municipal government on this end, just ask."

Song Guanchao responded outwardly but was inwardly curious; Secretary Lu and Li Jun’s behavior today was too odd.

After the meeting, Song Guanchao exchanged contact information with He Songming, the engineer, as well as representatives from the Ministry of Transport and the National Development and Reform Commission, and they formed a small group.

Back in the office, before Song Guanchao had a chance to ask, Wu Qiangwei said, "Keep an eye on the high-speed rail project by yourself, don’t let anyone trick you."

Song Guanchao asked, "What is Secretary Lu trying to do? With such a project, officials from both the City Committee and the Municipal Government should be involved, so why am I the only one chosen?"

Wu Qiangwei said, "The high-speed rail project is still in the research stage. If it gets approved, the credit goes to Mayor Zheng. If it can’t be approved, theoretically it has nothing to do with you, but since you were involved, you’ll definitely be blamed."

With her reminder, Song Guanchao understood.

This was a trap set for him.

During the research stage of the high-speed rail project, it was a thankless job no matter who was in charge.

If the project ultimately fell through, it seemed to have nothing to do with him, but any mention of it later would reflect badly on Song Guanchao to some extent.

Li Jun, that bastard, must have understood the pros and cons from the beginning, which is why he pulled himself out at the first opportunity.

The key issue was that Song Guanchao had no way to refuse.

Song Guanchao felt a bit depressed; it was the first time since serving as a secretary that he’d been tricked by someone.

And it was a soft knife, he couldn’t even refuse it.

...

In Zhujiang District, within the high-tech development zone, a Toyota Coaster was slowly traveling on the clean asphalt road.

Inside the vehicle, Mayor Zheng was introducing Lingjiang’s industries to this distinguished personage who had traveled all the way from Hong Kong Island.

Previously, they had invited the Gu Family from Hong Kong Island, hoping the latter would come to Lingjiang for an inspection, but the family had not given a definitive response.

Just yesterday, a company owned by the Gu Family suddenly replied, indicating they planned to come to Lingjiang for a market inspection in the next couple of days.

The director of the Bureau of Commerce informed Mayor Zheng of the news immediately.

Mayor Zheng did not wait to rest and began preparations at once.

He had thought it would take at least a week or two for the Gu Family to come over, but they had arrived last night.

Moreover, it was the wife of Chairman Gu.

This morning, Secretary Cai Zixiang also arrived!

Mayor Zheng felt extremely unreal.

Even many second-tier cities did not receive such treatment, yet it had fallen into his lap.

He felt an unreal sensation, as if struck by immense wealth.

Closely following this feeling was excitement!

This morning, after the other party had breakfast, he immediately took them to inspect various industrial parks in Lingjiang City, fully showcasing Lingjiang’s excellent business environment.

He was very clear about what mattered to these businessmen.

The foremost concern was the political ecology!

A sound political environment was the primary factor in their considerations.

The political ecology was directly linked to the business environment and public order, followed by the preferential policies that the locality could offer.

Additionally, based on different investment types, there were other factors to consider.

For instance, high-tech industries needed high-quality talent.

Manufacturing required convenient transportation and the corresponding labor force.

For chain restaurants, the local spending power had to be assessed.

The Gu Family’s business interests were quite broad, mainly focusing on real estate, retail, banking, shipping, and investment.

This time around, Mrs. Gu did not specify which industry they were interested in, and he, maintaining politeness, did not inquire.

After a full day of visits, and having dinner together in the evening, they emerged from the private dining room when Cai Zixiang said, "Mayor Zheng, thank you for your trouble today. We will continue to inspect Lingjiang City for a few more days, just wander and look around."

Mayor Zheng’s heart first relaxed, but then immediately his heart was in his throat again.

They need to conduct inspections for a few more days, which signifies that their investment intentions towards Lingjiang are strong.

But the line about having a look around implies that they don’t need him to keep them company.

They want to see things for themselves, for only by looking on their own can they truly understand the reality of Lingjiang.

This made him a bit anxious, worried that they might see the undesirable aspects of Lingjiang.

Yet on the surface, he maintained a calm smile, "Alright, if Secretary Cai has any issues, feel free to call me at any time."

After leaving the hotel and getting into the car, Mayor Zheng said, "Notify everyone, they’d better behave during this period! Don’t cause me trouble! If anyone dares to cross me at this critical time, they’ll have me to answer to!"

Li Jun nodded, "Understood."

His greatest fear was that someone would take this opportunity to create trouble and stir up unsightly incidents.

If this were to affect the investments from the Gu Family, he would indeed be prepared to take severe action.

The car headed towards the government compound, but Mayor Zheng was still somewhat uneasy.

He picked up his phone and found Director Qin’s number.

After a moment’s hesitation, he made the call.

During his years in Lingjiang, he had almost never enjoyed the privileges that came with his position as the second-in-command leader of the city.

But things were different now.

He was willing to give it one last shot.

Should he succeed, he would rise even higher, and even entering the Provincial Committee wouldn’t be out of the question.

Moreover, this head of the city bureau, who had always been unyielding, seemed to be having a tough time lately as well.

Not long ago, he even had the audacity to let news of the Hui Po Company incident reach his ears.

He must’ve thought he was unaware of it.

In reality, he was as clear about it as if it were reflected in a mirror.

Also, there was the car accident that resulted in the death of Zhang Xiaoming.

Though he was not directly responsible for it, he could make an educated guess about what had happened.

Zhang Xiaoming’s death was definitely not as simple as it seemed.

All these events indicated that Director Qin, at this moment, was in desperate need to align himself with Secretary Lu or him to gain leverage.

Mayor Zheng couldn’t help but feel a bit of irony. Who would have thought that he, the sidelined Mayor, would one day be courted by Director Qin?

Indeed, as the saying goes, times change and fortunes reverse.

"Hello, Director Qin, I hope I’m not interrupting your rest?"

"Hehe, I’ve just finished dinner. What can I do for you, Mayor Zheng?"

"I’ve been hosting some distinguished guests these past few days. They are still in the inspection phase, so I’ll need Director Qin to inform your subordinates to allocate more personnel and increase patrols, especially in the mornings and evenings."

"You can count on me, Mayor Zheng. I’ll take care of this for you," Director Qin promised readily.

Then, Mayor Zheng reached out to Minister Su of the Propaganda Department, "Minister Su, I’m going to need you to pay special attention during this time and get the internet and media in order. Focus on promoting the positive aspects of Lingjiang, and thoroughly investigate any negative news. It would look bad if the guests who are here to inspect Lingjiang were to see that, don’t you agree?"

Su Zhengwei agreed without hesitation, then added, "Mayor Zheng, perhaps you should also speak with Minister Shao? You are aware of the situation in the Propaganda Department—it’s not just up to me."

He was, of course, well aware of the situation in the Propaganda Department.

So, Mayor Zheng contacted Shao Jingsheng and gave him careful instructions.

...

Tonight, Liang Jiajia got off work on time, a rarity for her, and Song Guanchao ran to meet her as soon as his work finished.

After eating dinner, they strolled through the mall hand in hand.

Passing by a restroom, a young girl emerged just in time to see Song Guanchao and Liang Jiajia holding hands.

The girl froze on the spot, her gaze fixed, as something inside her seemed to shatter.

Liang Jiajia noticed someone looking at her and turned her head.

Following the girl’s gaze, she looked at Song Guanchao.

"What’s wrong?" Song Guanchao stopped, noticing Liang Jiajia’s strange look, and his eyes followed hers. He stiffened instantly.

How could she be here?

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