Official Career Storm
Chapter 358

Chapter 358: Chapter 358

The first candidate had reached a deadlock.

Mayor Zheng and Mayor Jiang refused to budge, while Minister Zhou said nothing, simply watching with a smile.

Wu Qiangwei also remained silent, waiting for Secretary Lu to resolve the situation.

The conditions she had promised Secretary Lu was exactly for moments like this, for him to step in and take action.

If he couldn’t resolve it, then the previously discussed terms would naturally be voided.

Secretary Lu had clearly come prepared and chuckled, "Let’s set aside the choice of County Party Secretary for now, and we can decide by direct vote at the committee meeting later."

Mayor Zheng’s face darkened. If they were to decide by voting at the committee meeting, what was there left to discuss?

"It’s better to determine the candidate first. It’s better not to have too many controversies at the committee meeting."

"What Mayor Zheng said makes sense," Secretary Lu pondered for two seconds, then suddenly asked, "Director Jia of the National Development and Reform Commission is about to step down. Does Mayor Jiang have any recommendations?"

Damn!

Mayor Zheng’s eye twitched, swearing inwardly.

This damned Lu Zhizhong was actually trying to save the situation by a roundabout route, playing this game!

He was using the position of the Director of the National Development and Reform Commission to win over Mayor Jiang!

Mayor Zheng took a deep breath and said, "Let’s discuss Director Jia’s position after he steps down. Secretary Lu, let’s talk about Dujiang County first."

Secretary Lu’s smile disappeared as he said, "There’s no need to discuss Dujiang County. It will pass today’s meeting with three votes against two. The same will be true in the committee meeting."

"Since Mayor Zheng is unwilling to discuss the National Development and Reform Commission, let’s continue discussing Dujiang County."

"Next is the position of Dujiang County’s Mayor. I recommend the current Deputy County Magistrate Fu Ying to succeed as Mayor. Secretary Wu, Minister Zhou, Mayor Jiang, what are your opinions?"

Wu Qiangwei was quite surprised as it was the first time she had seen Secretary Lu be so serious and domineering.

"I agree with Secretary Lu’s recommended candidate."

Minister Zhou also said with a smile, "I agree as well."

Jiang Yuan smiled and said, "For Mayor, I recommend Fang Wei, the Deputy Secretary-General of the City Committee."

Mayor Zheng said expressionlessly, "I agree with Mayor Jiang’s recommended candidate."

Secretary Lu was equally stern as he stated, "It’s still three votes against two. Let’s tentatively settle these two matters and rediscuss them after the meeting."

"Meeting adjourned."

Secretary Lu stood up and left.

Secretary Wu glanced at Mayor Zheng and Jiang Yuan before also leaving.

Today’s meeting had taken her by surprise.

She really hadn’t expected Secretary Lu to be so assertive.

Minister Zhou didn’t leave. He took out cigarettes, tossing them to both of them, and said, "Secretary Lu’s performance today took me by surprise."

Jiang Yuan was all smiles, not at all upset about what had just happened.

"Indeed, quite surprising."

He looked at Mayor Zheng, "As for Dujiang County, you might not be able to get it."

Mayor Zheng took deep drags on his cigarette.

He had thought that, no matter what, he could at least secure the position of Mayor.

However, he ended up with nothing.

But this matter couldn’t possibly be settled like this.

To bypass him and swallow Dujiang County in one gulp? Don’t even think about it!

Jiang Yuan, on the other hand, wasn’t bothered.

When Secretary Lu brought up the National Development and Reform Commission earlier, he was speaking to him.

So, while he may not have gained an advantage in Dujiang County, there was a chance for him to secure the position of the next Director of the National Development and Reform Commission.

Only Mayor Zheng was left empty-handed, gaining nothing.

In the office, Song Guanchao listened to Wu Qiangwei’s story with extreme surprise, almost as if he was seeing Secretary Lu for the first time.

"Secretary Lu was that firm?"

"Without using the power you have, it expires."

Wu Qiangwei said, "Whatever the case, he is the top leader. Unless they are not afraid of catching the attention of the provincial level, they must show respect to Secretary Lu publicly."

She really hadn’t expected Secretary Lu to assert his authority this way.

After chatting for a while, Song Guanchao went to get food from the canteen.

Wu Qiangwei flipped through her phone to find Bai Ruyi’s number and dialed it.

"The number you have dialed is switched off..."

Wu Qiangwei frowned slightly, "Why is it still turned off?"

She felt somewhat uneasy in her heart.

She dialed Wu Ming’s number.

"Big sis, what’s up?"

"Where are you?"

"Eating."

"Go to Dujiang County for me, check on Sister Bai."

"Sister Bai? She’s in Dujiang County?"

"Mhm, her phone is off and can’t get through, go see what’s happening."

"What’s this supposed to mean? Could anything have happened to Sister Bai?"

"That’s why I’m asking you to go."

"Okay, I got it. I’ll go after I finish eating."

After hanging up, Song Guanchao came in with the meals.

During the meal, Song Guanchao noticed Wu Qiangwei was somewhat distracted, thinking she was still preoccupied with the recent meeting.

In his view, the two spots for Dujiang County had already been decided.

Although Secretary Lu had just spread the rumor of Lu Zhizhong reporting Li Fuhai, Song Guanchao quite admired Secretary Lu for his competence.

Besides, he was reliable; if he took an advantage, he would make sure the work was done properly.

At the meeting, Secretary Lu alone took all the heat from Mayor Zheng and Mayor Jiang, shielding Wu Qiangwei.

He felt reassured cooperating with such a person.

"Knock knock."

Zeng Li suddenly knocked and came in. She glanced at Song Guanchao and approached, saying, "Sister Weiwei, my brother wants to meet tonight, do you want to go?"

"Your brother?"

"Yeah, he rarely gets the time recently."

"Just go by yourself."

"Alright then." Zeng Li pouted, "But then I have to borrow Secretary Song from you."

"To see your brother, why would you need him?"

"To drive," Zeng Li said. "My brother’s in the town, and you’re not worried about a young girl like me running into trouble on the way?"

Wu Qiangwei chuckled and said, "Secretary Song, please take her tonight."

Song Guanchao immediately knew the trick Zeng Li was playing and nodded, "Sure."

Before long, it was time to leave work.

Song Guanchao drove his own car with Zeng Li on board.

"Where’s your brother?"

"In Dujiang County."

"Is the training finished?"

He knew Zeng Yingrong was training near Lingjiang, but he hadn’t expected it to be so close.

"Yeah, just finished. He specifically told me to ask you over for a drink."

Zeng Li’s petite hand snuck through the center console, touching his thigh, "My brother used to bully me all the time, you get your elder cousin drunk tonight for my revenge!"

While talking, her hand suddenly crept up, grabbing the vital spot through his pants.

"I’m driving." Song Guanchao got a fright and quickly moved her hand away.

"You keep driving, I’ll keep feeling."

Zeng Li’s smile was devilish, and her pushed-away hand reached out again, touching and grasping through the fabric, making his blood race.

It was rush hour on the road, and a half-hour drive took nearly an hour to get to the county.

Following the GPS, they drove towards the Southern Suburb close to the national highway where the county and town lay in between.

This area was dilapidated and backward, with scattered factories that had turned off their lights for the night, looking like haunted houses.

Near the factories were some food stalls where long-haul truck drivers, tired from the road, would stop to grab some food and drinks.

Song Guanchao parked by the roadside and got out with her.

"Why did your brother ask you to come here? Wouldn’t it be more convenient in the county town?"

"He said training can’t go too far, and he mentioned there’s a food stall here with really good barbeque."

Zeng Li pointed to a shop along the road, "That one, Old Zhang’s food stall."

Updated from fr𝒆ewebnov𝒆l.(c)om

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