Official Career Storm
Chapter 92

Chapter 92: Chapter 92

Director Liu did not understand what Song Guanchao meant.

His throat felt a bit dry, but his reaction was extremely fast, he immediately said, "I won’t hide it from Secretary Song, I actually have some feelings for Xiao Xue."

What he meant was that he wanted to pursue Tian Xue, which was why he gifted the golden bracelet.

This reason was sensible and logical, without fault.

Song Guanchao smiled and said, "It seems Director Liu is very interested in Secretary Wu’s whereabouts?"

A flicker of confusion passed through Director Liu’s eyes, "What do you mean by that, Secretary Song?"

His reaction seemed genuine, which actually confused Song Guanchao a bit.

Was it not him who spread the information about Wu Qiangwei’s residence?

Was this guy, a bachelor, with no one backing him?

"It’s nothing much, you can get back to your work."

After Director Liu left, Song Guanchao sipped on his coffee, analyzing in his mind.

It seemed he had guessed wrong.

It did not appear to be him who leaked Wu Qiangwei’s residence.

Only Tian Xue, Director Liu, and himself knew about it.

But that pretty boy, Feng Sheng, indeed approached Wu Qiangwei that very day.

Since it wasn’t him who spread the information, there was only one possibility: someone was investigating Wu Qiangwei in secret.

That was not particularly surprising.

After all, knowing your friends and foes assures a hundred victories in a hundred battles.

He was doing the exact same thing at the moment.

In that case, Director Liu approaching Tian Xue, it seemed, was merely to forge connections, using Tian Xue’s secretary identity to transfer his organizational relations to the City Committee.

Just as he was constantly currying favor with himself now.

"Ding Ling Ling."

His desk phone rang.

"Secretary."

"Please contact Secretary Lu, Mayor Zheng, Minister Zhou, and Secretary Wang from the Disciplinary Committee to ask if they are available this afternoon."

"Does the secretary want to call a group meeting?"

"Yes."

"Alright."

The first person Song Guanchao contacted was Secretary Sun, "Secretary Sun, is Secretary Lu free this afternoon?"

"He is."

"Please let Secretary Lu know that Secretary Wu wants to call a group meeting this afternoon, and the City Committee leadership team will need to borrow Secretary Lu’s office for it."

"Alright."

"Also, could you please contact Mayor Zheng, Minister Zhou, and Secretary Wang?"

"Alright."

Group meetings are generally notified by the first or second in command; Wu Qiangwei is only the third in command.

In theory, she is qualified to preside over it, but given the strict hierarchy within the system, a leader’s authority and status are unique. Even among deputies, a clear order must be maintained, otherwise, conflicts can easily arise.

For example, heads of party and government are unlikely ever to share a car.

Once, two deputy leaders from a city department, who had an ongoing conflict, came to blows over who should get in the car and take the main seat when leaving the hotel for an event, ending up fighting in the parking lot.

For the issue of precedence, they discarded all courtesy and decorum.

Thus, even though Lingjiang’s officialdom had many issues and the first and second in command held no real power, they still needed to be outwardly respected.

Otherwise, if word got out, people would say that Wu Qiangwei did not understand the rules.

Wu Qiangwei asked him to notify them, but he truly couldn’t just go and notify them.

Secretaries must consider what the leaders could overlook.

This was the role he needed to embody as a secretary.

However, after receiving Song Guanchao’s call, Secretary Sun turned and walked into the office, saying to Secretary Lu, "Secretary Lu, Secretary Wu is going to hold a small group meeting this afternoon and needs you to make some time."

The art of language was perfectly demonstrated by Secretary Sun.

The call had made it very clear that Wu Qiangwei was merely suggesting, and nominally, Secretary Lu was still in charge.

But when Secretary Sun spoke, the message seemed to change.

Sure enough, Secretary Lu frowned slightly and after a few seconds of silence, he asked, "Where will it be held?"

"They said they need to borrow Secretary Lu’s office for a bit."

"Hmm, I see." Secretary Lu’s furrowed brows finally eased a little.

At least his face was saved.

Secretary Sun, adept at observing and responding to others’ words and expressions, said, "Secretary Lu, our Secretary Wu certainly has a decisive and efficient working style. The small group meetings are generally held by either Secretary Lu or Mayor Zheng, but Secretary Wu this..."

"Enough, let’s not say things that are not conducive to unity."

"It was my indiscretion."

Secretary Sun gave a slight smile, withdrew from the office, and began to contact the other committee members.

...

At two o’clock in the afternoon, the five standing committee members gathered in Secretary Lu’s office.

Although the small group meeting was not a formal one, the topics discussed still fell within the realm of confidentiality, and their secretaries naturally could not attend.

While the leaders were meeting in the office, the secretaries chatted outside.

This was Song Guanchao’s first encounter with the secretaries of the other standing committee members.

The secretary of Li Jun, the second-in-command Mayor Zheng, was named Li Jun; the secretary of Minister Zhou of the Organization Department was Zhang Meilin; and the secretary of Disciplinary Committee Secretary Wang was Hu Lang.

They were all around 30 years old, with Song Guanchao being the youngest.

Their conversation focused on current politics, all holding firsthand information about Lingjiang, with talk of someone soon stepping back and someone else’s position likely to shift in the near future.

They spoke with the air of those atop a mountain, decisively gesturing and strategizing.

"The gun lost by the Police Department has reportedly drawn the provincial authorities’ attention."

"The Police Department has already set up a special task force. Director Liang has staked his claim, vowing to resign if the gun is not found within half a month."

"Heh, it’s just a gesture."

"Let’s hope the gun is found soon. The news has been kept under wraps for now, but once it’s leaked by someone with an agenda, it could have a major impact on Lingjiang."

"I heard that the Investment Promotion Department has invited a Hong Kong businessman who is coming to Lingjiang soon for an inspection. It’s a bad time for the gun to go missing; if it coincides with his visit, he might dismiss Lingjiang altogether."

"Secretary Li, is it true that Mayor Zheng met this Hong Kong businessman during an investment promotion conference in Europe?"

"Yes." Li Jun smiled elegantly, "Mayor Zheng spent half a month whirlwind touring six countries—he managed to accomplish a thing or two."

Song Guanchao chuckled.

Traveling through six countries in a fortnight and securing not a single investment project contract or a high-tech cooperation project, he had merely invited a Hong Kong businessman and dared to consider it an achievement.

He shook his head privately, no wonder the power was being undercut— with such ability, holding the position of Mayor was just drawing an unwarranted salary. It would be better to step down early and leave the opportunity to someone competent.

"Secretary Song." Secretary Sun passed over a cigarette, speaking in a hushed tone, "Do you have time tonight?"

A thought crossed Song Guanchao’s mind; was it all starting again?

He hesitated a bit, saying, "The committee meeting is coming up soon; I’m quite busy during this period."

"Understood," Secretary Sun replied with a smile, "after the committee meeting, let’s you and I have a good drink. Sister Lin called me this morning, mentioning you. She said she wanted to have a few more drinks with you."

"Let’s wait till next week then." Song Guanchao looked forward to it.

Inside the office.

The meeting was nearing its conclusion, and discussions about the nomination for Vice Mayor were put on the table.

Secretary Lu asked, "Secretary Wang, do you have any thoughts?"

Generally, on such topics, it is customary for the top leader to speak first, setting the tone.

Other committee members would not typically contradict this.

But Lingjiang was unique, many committee members and officials were actually unaware that Wu Qiangwei was now the de facto leader of Lingjiang.

Secretary Wang glanced at Wu Qiangwei and said, "I think Director Qin of the Police Department shows outstanding capability and could perhaps take on the position of Vice Mayor while also continuing to serve as the Police Department’s Director."

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