Official Career Storm
Chapter 74

Chapter 74: Chapter 74

"Secretary Song, I have something to attend to, please return," Chu Xiao’e said indifferently.

"All right, then. Secretary Chu, you go ahead,"

Song Guanchao smiled faintly as he left the office and happened to run into Mr. Chen, the Secretary from Fengjiang District.

They smiled and nodded at each other as Mr. Chen walked into the office.

Having just returned to the office and hardly warmed his seat, an unimpressive middle-aged man walked over.

"Hello, Secretary Song."

Song Guanchao looked up and quickly stood up, saying, "Mayor He, hello. Are you looking for Secretary Wu?"

"Yes, I have something to discuss with Secretary Wu."

Mayor He, around fifty years old, of average build, neither fat nor thin, about five-foot-seven, always had a smile on his face, presenting a kindly demeanor.

He was mainly responsible for the Science and Technology Bureau, the Industry and Information Technology Bureau, and the Market Supervision Administration—they were insignificant roles in the Qingshui Government.

Song Guanchao picked up the desk phone and informed Wu Qiangwei, then went to the door: "Mayor He, please come inside."

Mayor He stayed for about twenty minutes, and before leaving, he specially greeted Song Guanchao.

Seeing his cautious, inoffensive demeanor, Song Guanchao shook his head inwardly.

No wonder he had been stuck in the position of vice mayor for many years with little upward mobility—like a quail, it would be a miracle if he climbed any higher.

That afternoon, five vice mayors visited, and a few more came the next day.

By the third day, all the vice mayors except the Deputy Mayor had visited.

After the last vice mayor left, Wu Qiangwei called him over.

"Contact Secretary Sun and ask if Secretary Lu is busy."

"Okay."

Secretary Sun was Secretary Lu’s secretary and, theoretically, the top secretary of the Municipal Committee.

It was well known that the relationship between leaders and their secretaries was not that of master and servant, but more like that of lips and teeth—they thrive and falter together.

In other cities, Secretary Sun’s power would be akin to that of a City Secretary and would at least be higher than a typical vice mayor.

But in Lingjiang, his position as the top secretary of the Municipal Committee was merely nominal.

It was just a case of bad timing.

"Hello, Secretary Sun, this is Secretary Song Guanchao, Secretary Wu’s assistant."

"Hello, Secretary Song, what can I do for you?"

Secretary Sun’s voice was magnetic and pleasant.

"Could you please tell me if Secretary Lu is available? Secretary Wu would like to visit."

"Secretary Lu is available now."

"Thank you."

After hanging up, Song Guanchao entered the office to report, and Wu Qiangwei stood up, saying, "Let’s go."

Secretary Lu’s office was on the same floor, and minutes later, they arrived at the office.

Secretary Sun greeted them with a smile and ushered them inside.

This was Song Guanchao’s first time meeting the nominal top official of Lingjiang.

Secretary Lu, real name Lu Zhizhong, was 51, an age considered prime for showcasing one’s capabilities in the world of officialdom.

However, since assuming the role of Lingjiang City Secretary, Lu had accomplished nothing notable and had frequently mismanaged, much to the organization’s disappointment.

Their main discussion was about the upcoming committee meeting next week.

They discussed several matters, including the vice mayor candidates.

"Does Secretary Lu have any recommendations for the candidates?" Wu Qiangwei asked evenly.

Secretary Lu gave a wry smile and shook his head, "I think quite highly of several district and county leaders, but it’s difficult for me to choose just one. They are all capable, and I hate to see any of them overlooked."

This implicitly meant that the decision should be left to Secretary Wu.

He was a shrewd man; Wu Qiangwei had sought him out and specifically brought up the subject, indicating she had a preferred candidate.

Thus, he wisely left the decision to Wu Qiangwei.

Regardless of whom Wu Qiangwei chose, he would support her.

Wu Qiangwei nodded, then continued chatting with Secretary Lu for a while before leaving with Song Guanchao.

When he returned to the office, Song Guanchao poured some tea and asked, "Secretary, should we contact Mayor Zheng’s secretary?"

He suddenly realized that the vice mayors who had been visiting Wu Qiangwei these past few days were probably preparing in advance for next week’s standing committee.

Although these vice mayors did not have the right to nominate, they nevertheless represented a certain attitude.

"No need for now," Wu Qiangwei sipped her tea, glanced at her watch, and said, "Contact Mr. Liang, please. Ask him to come this afternoon."

Song Guanchao was stunned for a second before he realized that the Mr. Liang she was referring to was Liang Hao.

His spirits lifted, knowing the implications of Wu Qiangwei asking Liang Hao to come at this juncture.

"Okay!"

He breathed a silent sigh of relief.

Regardless of whether Wu Qiangwei’s nomination could materialize, at least she had made the nomination.

Leaving the office, Song Guanchao walked into the hallway and dialed Liang Hao’s number.

"Mr. Liang, are you busy this afternoon?" Song Guanchao spoke formally, with a hint of a smile in his voice.

"Not busy, Secretary Song, what can I do for you?" Liang Hao also sensed something, addressing him with equal formality.

"Secretary Wu would like to meet with you this afternoon."

On the other end, Liang Hao’s breathing grew noticeably heavier.

After a couple of seconds, he said, "Brother Song, thanks!"

"No need for thanks. I’ve spoken about your matter with the secretary, but I can’t promise it will succeed."

"I understand!" Liang Hao replied. "Whether it succeeds or not, I’ll remember this favor!"

He had been the district committee secretary for many years, originally under Li Fuhai.

But Li Fuhai was just a lower-ranked vice mayor, and it was nearly impossible for him to shift his position.

Song Guanchao getting his name in front of Secretary Wu was something he wouldn’t have even dared to think about before.

At noon, just as Song Guanchao was about to go get lunch, Wu Yun sent a message: "Let’s have lunch together."

"Not at noon, I have to get lunch for the secretary."

"You’re getting lunch for Secretary Wu, and you’re not eating?"

"The standing committee is about to meet, I have to be on standby for the secretary’s orders."

"I need to talk to you about something."

"What is it?"

"It has to be said in person."

"Alright, then wait for me in the cafeteria."

"Not in the cafeteria, we’ll go out."

Going out to eat?

It seemed like a serious matter.

He thought about it and agreed, then went to the cafeteria and grabbed two portions of food.

He returned to the sixth floor and first ran to Chu Xiao’e’s office.

He pushed the door directly open and under Chu Xiao’e’s furrowed gaze, placed the food on the table.

"Secretary Chu, time to eat."

His smile was ingratiating, a stark contrast to his previous domineering and unreasonable demeanor, which confused Chu Xiao’e about his intentions.

Chu Xiao’e stared at him and said, "Song Guanchao, what is the meaning of this?"

Song Guanchao looked surprised, "Secretary Chu, what do you mean? Although I’m the secretary to the secretary, I am fundamentally also your subordinate. Isn’t it proper for a subordinate to get lunch for their leader?"

"Ha," Chu Xiao’e laughed coldly, knowing she wouldn’t have believed him if she hadn’t seen his shameless tactics before.

"Has Secretary Wu already decided on the vice mayor candidate? Does she want me to support her in the standing committee?"

Song Guanchao suddenly realized that this woman was somewhat slow-witted.

Even Liang Hao was able to deduce from the situation that Wu Qiangwei had come to Lingjiang with a mission.

Yet this woman seemed to think that Wu Qiangwei was here to gold-plate her resume, taking her position as deputy secretary.

No, he couldn’t say she was slow-witted, only that Liang Hao was comparatively smarter.

With this thought, Song Guanchao suddenly had an idea.

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