Official Career Storm
Chapter 480

Chapter 480: Chapter 480

"Eh, since when did you start wearing a watch?"

Zeng Li noticed the watch on his wrist and asked curiously.

"It was a gift."

Song Guanchao sighed internally, What’s with these women?

Either they don’t give you anything, or they all choose the same time to give.

"Why are you wearing a watch on both wrists?"

"IWC, Jaeger-LeCoultre... neither of them is cheap."

Zeng Li hummed, "I don’t care, if I give you one, you must wear mine."

"I won’t wear it."

Song Guanchao stuffed the watch back into his pocket, "Such an expensive watch, are you hoping someone reports me or what?"

Zeng Li opened her mouth in surprise; she hadn’t thought it through that much.

"Then I’ll exchange it for another one."

"Don’t bother exchanging it."

Song Guanchao said, "A watch is meant to tell time, as long as it works, it’s fine."

He shook his wrist, "I received this as a gift when I successfully completed the case; it was from the Secretary. If I don’t wear hers, whose should I wear?"

"Sister Weiwei gave it to you?"

"Yeah."

"Well, alright then."

Zeng Li pouted, feeling a bit downcast.

Seeing her in low spirits, Song Guanchao said, "Then gift me a tie."

"Sure thing!"

And sure enough, upon hearing this, Zeng Li’s mood instantly improved.

"I’m going to get busy now."

Once in the car, Song Guanchao placed the watch gifted by Liu Lanzi into the glove compartment and put on the one from Wu Qiangwei.

It was all a matter of heart; no matter which one he wore, it wasn’t ideal, so it was a bit troublesome.

In the future, when seeing Wu Qiangwei, he’d wear hers; when seeing Liu Lanzi, he’d change to another one.

...

Dujiang City.

After Hou Wen’s arrest, the officialdom of Dujiang City was shaking in its boots.

They were terrified that Hou Wen would drag them down with him, and they lived in agony every day.

Afraid that they would wake up to find the Disciplinary Committee or the police at their doorstep.

Chen Guanyun was the full-time Deputy Secretary of Dujiang City, and if anyone was the most panicked, it definitely was him.

Ever since Hou Wen was arrested, his phone had been ringing off the hook, and the threshold of his office and home was almost worn down.

Every day, countless people came looking for him.

Those with good relationships directly asked what to do and if they would be affected.

Even those with average relationships made indirect inquiries, hoping for some assurance.

What could he do?

He was just as panicked and also wanted to know what to do.

But he couldn’t show his disorder.

As a member of Hou Wen’s faction, he had to take charge, stabilizing everyone.

In such times, it was crucial to keep his subordinates calm; they absolutely couldn’t have another instance of someone running away.

That day, he purposefully called a group of people into his office for a brief meeting.

He clarified the stakes and analyzed the current situation.

They concluded that Hou Wen’s case was isolated and wouldn’t affect them.

First of all, Hou Wen wouldn’t dare.

Because he still had concerns on the outside.

Firstly, Hou Wen must have backers, but who they are isn’t clear.

He dares to talk nonsense, but within a few days, he’d be dead in prison.

So, there’s no need to worry about Hou Wen speaking out of turn.

Nor should anyone think about running away.

Even if the higher-ups suspect Hou Wen still has his faction, they won’t actively investigate without evidence.

What they care about is stability.

As long as they obey and don’t cause more trouble, turning a blind eye is not out of the question.

Besides, it’s been a long time since Hou Wen was caught, and aren’t they all doing fine?

Listening to Chen Guanyun’s analysis, everyone’s hearts gradually settled.

"Keep a low profile during this period," Chen Guanyun said, scanning the room sternly. "Don’t contact the bank side, and make sure the developers’ progress schedules are guaranteed! No one is allowed to cause trouble there. Director Yao, keep a close watch on this!"

"Nothing serious can happen in Dujiang City for half a year... no, at least a year!"

Chen Guanyun, after all, was the Vice Secretary. When Tu Zhaorui and Hou Wen were still around, he had always been suppressed.

Now, with the two of them gone, Dujiang City lacked leadership, and his authority as Vice Secretary began to show.

Seeing him showing a leader’s demeanor, everyone felt they had found their backbone and weren’t as disordered.

Director Yao nodded, "I’ll take care of it."

At this moment, Dean Hu from the court asked, "Secretary Chen, what’s the story with the new Secretary Zhang who has come in?"

Chen Guanyun replied, "He was the Secretary-General of the Political Consultative Conference, said to be a former secretary of Minister Zhou."

Dean Hu said, "I heard that Secretary Zhang took office on his own initiative when County Magistrate Hou fled. His timing doesn’t seem like someone with powerful backing."

If he really had someone behind him, why would he gamble his political future on Hou Wen?

He could have simply waited until the case with Hou Wen settled down before taking office.

Secretary of the Disciplinary Committee Yang Qingquan also said, "This man is a political opportunist. I’ve heard a bit about his backer, Minister Zhou. It’s said that Minister Zhou’s son was involved in a bank robbery in Dujiang City a few months ago and almost got caught."

"For his son, Minister Zhou used all his political connections over the years."

The implication was that Minister Zhou had already retired from the front line of politics.

And as his former secretary, Zhang Meilin was also like a soft persimmon with no support.

"Secretary Chen, this is Dujiang City, our territory. With Secretary Tu being promoted, based on seniority, you should be his successor. Is a secretary-general from outside worth it?"

Chen Guanyun didn’t respond.

Before Tu Zhaorui left office, he held a committee meeting where the next Secretary of the Disciplinary Committee was decided.

At that time, Hou Wen recommended him, and other committee members also implicitly agreed that Chen Guanyun was the most suitable choice.

However, Tu Zhaorui overruled them and gave the position to an unknown Secretary-General from Lingjiang City.

They were frustrated but dared not speak out.

Chen Guanyun didn’t say much at the time, but he was very displeased.

Now, hearing the complaints from others, his dissatisfaction reached its peak.

But he said, "This is a decision passed by Dujiang City’s committee meeting. Besides, since the person has already taken office, let’s not speak ill and destroy our unity."

Everyone present was his person and could see the discrepancy between Chen Guanyun’s words and feelings.

Yang Qingquan’s eyes darted around, and he chuckled, "Secretary Chen, I have an idea."

Chen Guanyun glanced at him, "What is it?"

Yang Qingquan said, "Secretary Chen knows of Lu Xiaotian, right? When County Magistrate Hou was here, that kid was out of control. Logically, with Hou Wen gone, Lu Xiaotian should have kept a low profile, but I heard that the kid hasn’t reined himself in at all."

Director Yao immediately said, "I’ll talk to him, tell him to keep it down. We can’t afford any more trouble at this time."

Yang Qingquan chuckled, "Director Yao, no rush. In fact, I think we shouldn’t bother with Lu Xiaotian. Let him keep that arrogance - if he’s not brash, how’s he going to cause trouble for our newly appointed Secretary Zhang?"

Chen Guanyun’s eyes lit up, "You mean..."

"Hehe," Yang Qingquan said, "The power of a time bomb isn’t in the destruction after the explosion but in its potential to explode at any moment. Only by connecting Secretary Zhang with this time bomb will Zhang be impacted when Lu Xiaotian blows up."

"Of course, I’d prefer if Lu Xiaotian doesn’t actually blow up, but it would be best to tie him closely to Secretary Zhang."

Chen Guanyun understood his meaning.

He was thinking of using Lu Xiaotian to bring down Zhang Meilin!

And through Lu Xiaotian, secretly control Zhang Meilin!

That way, as Vice Secretary, he would become the real person in charge of Dujiang City!

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