Official Career Storm
Chapter 553

Chapter 553: Chapter 553

At noon, 11:00 a.m., Wu Qiangwei left early, followed by Song Guanchao and Zeng Li, heading to the hotel.

In the hotel banquet hall, five tables were set up.

All members of the action group had arrived. When Song Guanchao entered, everyone looked over at him and then started clapping vigorously, welcoming Song Guanchao.

This scene made Song Guanchao a bit uncomfortable.

Being too much in the spotlight sometimes isn’t a good thing, especially with leaders like Secretary Lu present.

Zeng Li’s eyes curved into a smile as she looked at Song Guanchao, as if she was the one who had achieved something.

Everyone took their seats and the dishes were served.

Secretary Lu stood up, holding his glass, and said, "I propose we all toast to Secretary Song!"

Song Guanchao quickly stood up.

He knew Secretary Lu meant no harm and wasn’t intentionally putting him on the spot, but it was still drawing attention.

Others might praise, but you shouldn’t get carried away.

Everyone stood up and raised their glasses.

After one round of toasting, Song Guanchao, holding his glass, approached the leaders’ table, starting with Secretary Lu and continued toasting each one of them.

After completing the round at that table, he moved to the other tables.

Although they were small glasses, having toasted at five tables meant he had consumed half a liter of liquor.

Secretary Lu watched from a distance and gave a slight nod, appreciating that Song Guanchao remained composed under both adverse and favorable circumstances; indeed, he was talented.

Then looking at Secretary Sun...

That guy seemingly had nails on his backside as he never took the initiative to toast.

Just as Song Guanchao sat down, Jin Rong approached, "Brother Song, let me toast to you."

After a drink, Jin Rong did not leave; instead, he pulled up a chair and sat next to him, whispering, "Brother, Governor Qu asked me to pass on a message to you."

"What message?"

"Governor Qu would like you to help recommend someone."

"Me?" Song Guanchao pretended to be surprised. "Secretary Jin is really overestimating me. I am just a minor secretary, freshly appointed at the vice-section level, what merits do I have?"

"Brother, don’t be modest, everyone knows your capability."

"Governor Qu said that your word is even more effective than hers, and as long as you speak up, there will be absolutely no problem."

"Governor Qu also said that if you help her this time, she will never refuse you if you need something in the future."

"Secretary Jin, I really can’t handle this. Please ask Governor Qu to find someone more capable."

On the surface, he appeared troubled, but internally, he criticized Qu Xiangru for only making empty promises.

The favor she owed him last time wasn’t even brought up.

Thinking it’s easy because it’s a large debt?

In any case, owing one favor or two, might as well keep stacking them up, right?

Jin Rong, seeing no matter what he said, could not get an agreement, was quite annoyed but didn’t dare to speak harshly.

After speaking a few more words, he returned to his place and took out his mobile phone; it appeared he was going to snitch to Governor Qu.

During the banquet, Song Guanchao’s phone kept ringing incessantly, but he was too lazy to answer.

After the celebration banquet ended, Song Guanchao discussed the matter of Jin Rong approaching him with Wu Qiangwei as they headed back to the City Committee.

"Don’t bother with it."

Wu Qiangwei was also somewhat unhappy.

Qu Xiangru’s appetite was simply too big.

Both Dujiang City’s Finance Bureau and Housing and Construction Bureau had been given to her, yet she still wanted more.

Besides dissatisfaction, she was also curious.

What exactly did Qu Xiangru want to do?

She was already the second-in-command of the Provincial Government, so young and with a bright future ahead.

Additionally, she had asked around her staff, and there were no issues with Qu Xiangru’s background.

It was truly strange.

At that moment, her phone rang, and seeing the caller ID, she was somewhat surprised; it was Uncle Hong.

Uncle Hong rarely contacted her proactively; if he did, there must be something important.

She did not avoid Song Guanchao, "What’s up?"

Upon hearing Song Guanchao’s tone, Uncle Hong knew there must be someone with her.

Uncle Hong said, "Qu Xiangru has come to the city."

"Now?"

"Yes, right after you left, she and Secretary Lu left."

"Okay, I got it."

After hanging up the phone, Wu Qiangwei’s eyebrows slightly furrowed.

Song Guanchao expressed his concern, "Secretary, is there a problem?"

Wu Qiangwei shook her head, "Qu Xiangru just came to the city to meet with Secretary Lu."

Song Guanchao was surprised.

She actually had someone secretly follow Secretary Lu?

Suppressing that thought, and focusing on the matter at hand, Song Guanchao said, "Does Governor Qu intend to use Secretary Lu to arrange for her own people?"

"Probably."

She guessed it was because Song Guanchao didn’t comply with her, so she turned to Secretary Lu instead.

Song Guanchao wondered, "Does Secretary Lu have that much influence?"

Wu Qiangwei frowned, "Strategically we can dismiss, but tactically we must value. He is still officially the top leader of Lingjiang City, at least."

Moreover, the official Qu Xiangru recommended was from another region, unrelated to him.

The provincial department will certainly investigate this matter.

As long as it’s confirmed there’s no relationship between them, and he still recommends, the provincial department wouldn’t snub his dignity.

As for whose dignity it was that got the recommendation, the provincial department wouldn’t care too much.

"Do you think Secretary Lu will help?"

"He will."

Secretary Lu had no reason to refuse.

Recommending one candidate in exchange for a favor from the second highest in Provincial Government was too good a trade.

Wu Qiangwei pinched the bridge of her nose, then suddenly asked, "Do you know about the Fengmen Building old town renovation?"

Song Guanchao thought for a moment, "The project under Mayor Zheng’s responsibility?"

"Yes," Wu Qiangwei said, "In a few days at the City Committee meeting, I will try to sneak Liang Hao into this project."

Song Guanchao was surprised, "Secretary, are you planning to take over this project?"

This project, initially tied with the high-speed rail project, had been pending due to some procedures and hadn’t started yet.

He clearly remembered that Wu Qiangwei had never been interested in this project.

And usually, such projects were managed by the city government, whereas the City Committee mainly handled personnel issues and rarely interfered with governmental affairs.

"Yes!" Wu Qiangwei did not hide anything from him, "I had no such plan originally, but now, we need to do some more strategic planning."

Song Guanchao’s thoughts became clear, he asked, "Secretary, are you worried about Governor Qu?"

"Yes."

The extent of Qu Xiangru’s interference in Dujiang City was too deep.

Besides, her ambitions clearly went beyond just a few departments directly under the city.

Earlier, her demand for Lingjiang City’s Finance Bureau had already revealed some of her intentions.

Thus, Wu Qiangwei had reason to believe her target was not just Dujiang City, but possibly to take control of Lingjiang City as well.

Secretary Lu was astute, always collaborating with whoever brought him benefits.

Although Mayor Zheng was not a fence-sitter, if Qu Xiangru were to tempt him with his future prospects, she could easily sway him to her side.

Moreover, given Qu Xiangru’s current tactics, the likelihood of her doing such a thing was not low.

Although Wu Qiangwei couldn’t fathom why Qu Xiangru would do this, that wasn’t the point.

The point was, Qu Xiangru’s interference would further fragment the already decentralized political authority in Lingjiang City.

The slight authority she had painstakingly established would crumble under her impact if not stabilized.

This was something Wu Qiangwei could not tolerate.

Thus, she had to find a way to grasp some control over the city government.

"Secretary." Song Guanchao suddenly said, "Why not just eliminate Zheng Bihui?"

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