Official Career Storm
Chapter 394

Chapter 394: Chapter 394

If it were him, what would he do?

Wu Qiangwei didn’t know, but she felt that Song Guanchao definitely had a way.

This bastard always had so many tricks up his sleeve.

Thinking of this, a slight smile uncontrollably bloomed on Wu Qiangwei’s face, with the corners of her lips gently curling up, as if she had thought of something delightful.

A group of people were watching her, and upon seeing her suddenly smile, they felt bewildered but couldn’t help but take a couple more glances.

Secretary Wu really was beautiful when she smiled.

"Cough cough."

Secretary Lu coughed lightly, and Wu Qiangwei also realized she had been somewhat distracted. She composed herself and said, "Next item on the agenda."

Secretary Lu said, "The next item of agenda is concerning the candidate for the next County Party Secretary of Dujiang County."

"Secretary Tu’s nomination came quite unexpectedly, but let’s proceed with the protocol. Let Secretary Tu make the recommendation."

"If Secretary Tu doesn’t have a suitable candidate, then the standing committee members can recommend one, and then we’ll decide by vote. Does anyone have any objections?"

Even though the position of the County Party Secretary was pretty much a done deal, the procedure still had to be followed at the standing committee meeting.

We don’t want anyone to say it’s not in accordance with the procedure, finding fault.

Secretary Lu was a meticulous person; at least in terms of procedure, he would not leave any room for people to gossip.

Everyone nodded, indicating no issues.

Secretary Lu smiled and said, "Secretary Tu, do you have a candidate to recommend?"

According to standard protocol, Secretary Tu would normally shake his head to indicate he didn’t, and then hand over the choice to those higher up in the city.

However, Secretary Lu saw that Secretary Tu nodded.

His expression turned startled.

Secretary Tu, nodded?

Did I see that wrong?

"I do."

The affirmative response echoed in the ears of Secretary Lu, Mayor Zheng, and the other standing committee members.

The standing committee members who were unaware of the specifics didn’t sense any issue.

But those in the know had their expressions frozen, as if turned to stone.

Secretary Lu and Mayor Zheng had smiles that solidified on their faces.

Mayor Jiang suddenly looked up, his brow set in disbelieving constriction.

Minister Zhou had a relaxed smile, as if drifting on a tranquil cloud.

Wu Qiangwei abruptly raised her head to look at Secretary Tu, her face full of shock as well.

Chu Xiao’e wore a strange expression, faintly sensing that this seemingly settled matter might have taken a turn.

Secretary Wang and Director Qin exchanged glances, looking at each other in confused silence.

What was going on?

The standing committee members, as well as other leaders attending the meeting, although clueless about the details, also sensed that the atmosphere in the conference room had subtly shifted.

They prudently straightened their posture, regulated their breathing, refrained from touching the teacups in front of them, and tried not to make any noise, lest they become an outlet for the leaders to vent their frustration.

After a brief silence of two to three seconds, Mayor Zheng, as if disbelieving, asked, "Secretary Tu, you have a recommendation for a candidate?"

"Yes."

Secretary Tu nodded, disregarding the dubious, confused, or angry gazes from everyone, and calmly stated, "I recommend the Secretary-General of the Lingjiang City Political Consultative Conference, Zhang Meilin, for the position of Dujiang County Party Secretary."

"This candidate has already been unanimously approved by the standing committee of Dujiang County."

Hearing his words, Secretary Lu’s face darkened, but he soon recovered with a smile.

Mayor Zheng didn’t have such patience; his expression was dark, not caring in the slightest that others could gauge the anger in his heart through his face.

Jiang Yuan pondered thoughtfully, then suddenly chuckled silently, finding this unexpected turn of events quite amusing.

Chu Xiao’e and Xu Xin were shaken inwardly.

It was supposed to be Secretary Tu and Mayor Zheng dividing the spoils – so how did it suddenly fall into Minister Zhou’s hands?

No, not Minister Zhou.

It was Secretary Wu!

This was something Secretary Wu had already discussed with Minister Zhou earlier on.

How could this be?

Why was there not even a hint of news about this in advance?

They quietly glanced at Wu Qiangwei and discovered that she too had a hint of confusion in her eyes.

Secretary Wu didn’t know either?

What was going on?

Who had convinced Tu Zhaorui?

They looked toward Minister Zhou, who appeared calm, with an air of having everything under control.

Was it Minister Zhou?

But why would Minister Zhou do such a thing?

By doing so, he would offend both Mayor Zheng and Secretary Lu.

The shock in Wu Qiangwei’s heart was no less intense than anyone else’s.

When she heard Secretary Tu’s recommended candidate, it felt incredibly surreal to her.

But why had it come to this?

She too cast her doubtful gaze toward Minister Zhou.

"Secretary Tu, are you sure?" Mayor Zheng asked in a low voice.

As he inquired, his gaze swept over Wu Qiangwei and Minister Zhou, his barely contained fury almost bursting forth from his eyes.

He had no idea how Wu Qiangwei and Minister Zhou had spoken privately with Tu Zhaorui.

But the fact was they had convinced Tu Zhaorui.

After all, if the County Committee had voted and passed the appointment, then it was more or less a done deal.

Of course, they at the city level could reject it.

But that would mean snubbing the face of Dujiang County’s Committee.

If Tu Zhaorui didn’t have the Provincial Political Consultative Conference Chairman as his backer, they could have snubbed him and that would be that.

But he did.

Moreover, the decision to elevate Dujiang County to a county-level city had already been made.

In a sense, Dujiang County could not be viewed as just a county anymore.

Its administrative level was already that of a county-level city.

It had to be regarded as an equal.

If they really wanted to get technical, Tu Zhaorui was nominally already the Dujiang City Secretary, on equal footing with him.

Tu Zhaorui had given them face by attending the Committee meeting.

If he hadn’t shown face and not attended, there wouldn’t be much they could say.

So, faced with Tu Zhaorui’s recommendation, they had only one choice - to accept.

"Mm," Secretary Tu said, "this is the decision of all the standing members of Dujiang County."

Mayor Zheng took a deep breath, suppressing the urge to slam the table, and nodded without saying another word.

Secretary Lu said cheerfully, "Since Secretary Tu already has a recommended candidate, then there’s no issue."

Before the meeting, he had seen Zhang Meilin attend but hadn’t thought much of it.

Now, upon reflection, it was clear that Zhang Meilin’s attendance was waiting for this moment.

He glanced over the other Committee members, "Does anybody have objections?"

Jiang Yuan smiled, "None."

The other standing members also nodded one after another.

The next County Party Secretary of Dujiang County had been decided.

At the moment when the dust finally settled, Zhang Meilin, who had been tensely suspended since the meeting began, at last felt a sense of steady relief.

After enduring so many years, he was finally going to be in charge!

Just as the meeting was about to close, Mayor Zheng suddenly spoke up, "Director Qin, regarding Secretary Song’s case, you should expedite things and not drag it out any longer."

Director Qin’s face twitched, aware that Zheng Bihui had suffered a loss and wanted to vent his frustration on Song Guanchao.

"Mayor Zheng, we are still investigating..."

"Then investigate quickly!" Mayor Zheng said, "The police prioritize evidence over testimony. If you can find evidence of a frame-up, clear Secretary Song’s name as soon as possible. If not, then deal with Secretary Song accordingly. You can’t just keep delaying because he is the Secretary of the Municipal Committee. If word gets out, what will people think of Secretary Wu?"

"They will think that Secretary Wu is deliberately shielding him!"

Director Qin smiled silently, choosing not to respond to his comment.

You jerk, if you want to go after Song Guanchao, go do it yourself; don’t freaking drag me into it!

"Mm, Mayor Zheng also has a point; it should be expedited," Secretary Lu agreed with a cheerful tone. "Director Qin, you take on the extra work, keep a close eye on it. Alright, let’s adjourn the meeting."

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