Official Career Storm
Chapter 341

Chapter 341: Chapter 341

Song Guanchao followed Wu Qiangwei back to the office and picked up the thermos to add water to the tea.

Wu Qiangwei gave him a glance, knowing what he wanted to ask.

"Secretary Tu came over to report."

"The basic tone for the matters of Dujiang County has been set."

Song Guanchao nodded, the purpose of Secretary Tu’s visit was very clear, one could guess it.

"Secretary, I’m stepping out now."

"Wait a minute," Wu Qiangwei asked, "I remember, that County Magistrate Fu of Dujiang County, she’s your college classmate?"

"Yes, her name is Fu Ying."

"How’s the relationship?"

"What relationship?"

"The relationship between her and you."

Song Guanchao was somewhat unsure of Wu Qiangwei’s intention, ambiguously said, "Pretty good."

Wu Qiangwei frowned slightly, clearly dissatisfied with the answer.

"After Tu Zhaorui’s reassignment, County Magistrate Hou will also be taken down. By then, the first and second leader positions in Dujiang County will both become vacant."

Song Guanchao was startled and immediately understood the real purpose of Secretary Tu’s visit.

Although he had the province’s top political advisor as his father-in-law, to resolve County Magistrate Hou’s issue without worries, he would inevitably have to offer something in exchange.

The vacancies for the top leaders in Dujiang County were the benefits he supplied to the city.

Song Guanchao said, "The top leader’s position is a bit difficult, but as for the county magistrate, it can be taken over by County Magistrate Fu."

Wu Qiangwei stared at him for a few seconds, and Song Guanchao felt so uncomfortable under her gaze that he grinned and said, "I helped her apply for a scholarship in college, and to be honest, she owes me quite a few favors. She has also hosted me for my last few visits to Dujiang County."

Song Guanchao tried to paint their relationship as one of mutual interest: "Fu Ying has always been marginalized in Dujiang County, very clean. Even if County Magistrate Hou falls from power, it would not affect her."

"That’s right," said Song Guanchao, "I had her gather information about the banks in Dujiang County taking kickbacks, and she’ll let the city know soon."

Wu Qiangwei knew immediately what his purpose was for having Fu Ying collect such evidence.

Song Guanchao said, "Originally, this was done to ensure that she stays out of the fray, unaffected. But since Secretary Tu doesn’t intend to escalate the situation, then there’s no need for that. I will communicate with her later, so she doesn’t have to go through the trouble."

But Wu Qiangwei said, "Let her continue to gather it."

"What?"

"What ’what’?" Wu Qiangwei said, "Do you think Secretary Tu is directly giving these two positions to me? He’s giving them to the city! Mayor Zheng and Secretary Lu are both eyeing them."

"Have your classmate collect the evidence well and bring it to the city immediately."

"Understood!"

Song Guanchao got it, since the three of them were competing, it came down to each using their own skills.

If Fu Ying could make a significant contribution when it mattered, Wu Qiangwei might yet vie for a county magistrate’s position!

However, Song Guanchao didn’t feel secure about it.

While she was contending, Secretary Lu and Mayor Zheng would also compete.

What Song Guanchao was most worried about was Secretary Lu and Mayor Zheng teaming up.

After all, there were two vacancies, and if those two collaborated, Wu Qiangwei might not necessarily be a match.

Song Guanchao had a sudden idea: "Secretary, should we consider allying with Secretary Lu, or maybe Mayor Zheng?"

Wu Qiangwei had considered allying with them but felt it was unnecessary.

She didn’t trust Secretary Lu. That old fox was very cunning; he had backstabbed Mayor Zheng last time and might just stab her this time.

With Mayor Zheng, there had been conflicts over the high-speed rail project.

Even if she proposed an alliance, Mayor Zheng might not fully trust her.

Since there was mutual distrust, she would rely on herself.

Moreover, Fu Ying herself was the Deputy County Magistrate, and by seniority, it was her turn.

Plus, with the evidence she was gathering, the position of county magistrate was almost certain.

Wu Qiangwei glanced at him: "I’ll consider it. Go get busy."

"Okay then, I’m off."

After Song Guanchao left, Wu Qiangwei pressed on her temples.

This was really a bit of a headache.

What she was worried about was not whether Fu Ying could secure the county magistrate’s position, but rather who to choose for County Party Secretary.

After all, the candidate for the County Party Secretary had to be determined before Secretary Tu left office.

The County Magistrate would have to wait until later.

Fu Ying was too inexperienced—assuming the role as County Magistrate would already be a stretch, let alone thinking about the position of County Party Secretary.

Even if she wanted to recommend someone, it wouldn’t follow proper procedure.

But she didn’t want to see the people of Mayor Zheng and Secretary Lu take it either.

She was considering whether to give the spot to someone else.

For instance, Minister Zhou, or Mayor Jiang.

...

Song Guanchao stepped into the corridor and dialed Fu Ying’s number,

He rapidly went over the latest situation in Dujiang County with her and told her that Secretary Wu would promote her to the next County Magistrate.

Fu Ying felt incredibly surreal.

The change was too drastic.

"Collect the evidence from the bank quickly, then come to the city."

"Mhm, got it."

...

Evening.

Red Maple Villa District.

This was the wealthy area of Lingjiang, bustling outside when the door was open, serene inside when closed.

He Sen, the former Mayor of Lingjiang, lived here.

In the spacious and brightly lit dining room, featuring pure Chinese-style decoration, four men were sitting around the table.

They were He Sen and his son He Kang, as well as Director Qin.

The last person was Secretary Tu.

Secretary Tu’s unexpected visit surprised everyone.

They knew that Secretary Tu must have had a reason for his sudden visit.

After all, Xu Hua, Secretary Tu’s former leader, was a mortal enemy of He Sen and belonged to a different faction—they had fought each other fiercely.

The maid brought in the last dish, then discreetly retired to the maid’s room with great discernment.

He Kang picked up a bottle of baijiu and stood up to pour it for Secretary Tu, smiling, "Brother Tu’s visit was abrupt, and you didn’t say anything in advance. I have a bottle of aged Fen liquor at home; I didn’t have time to bring it over."

Secretary Tu smiled, "It’s not about what you drink, but whom you drink with. Drinking with Mayor He, even roadside cheap liquor tastes like a delicacy."

He Sen laughed heartily, "Zhaorui, you’ve spoken right to my heart. Tonight, we won’t return until we’re drunk."

Director Qin kept silent on the side, quietly accompanying them in the drinking.

After a few rounds, they all started to feel tipsy.

He Kang took out cigarettes, offered them to everyone, and then lit Secretary Tu Zhaorui’s with a lighter first.

Taking a puff of his cigarette, He Sen asked, "Zhaorui, you came here today with some business, didn’t you?"

"The old leader’s perception is as sharp as ever."

Tu Zhaorui said, "Indeed, I came with a matter today."

He Sen said, "Let’s hear it—what’s the matter?"

Tu Zhaorui, holding his small glass of liquor, took a sip and then pulled a document out of his briefcase, "Old leader, please have a look."

He Sen took it, flipped it open.

Moments later, the drunkenness in his eyes vanished, his expression turned cold, and his eyes smoldered with rage.

He put down the document, but Tu Zhaorui said, "Director Qin, take a look as well."

Director Qin glanced at He Sen. Seeing that he did not speak, he took the document.

A few minutes later, Director Qin’s expression also turned grim.

Just as he was about to question it, remembering He Sen was there and that it wasn’t his place to speak, he shut up and looked at him.

He Sen grabbed his glass of liquor, downed it in one gulp, and asked, "Secretary Tu, what does this mean?"

The address had changed.

The atmosphere at the dining table had changed as well.

Only He Kang was utterly bewildered; he grabbed the document and flipped through it rapidly, his face changing dramatically before he burst out, "Tu Zhaorui, what are you trying to do?"

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