Official Career Storm

"Knock knock."

The secretary opened the door: "Mayor Jiang, Minister Zhou is here to see you."

"Let him in."

Minister Zhou hadn't called ahead, and with his sudden visit, Jiang Yuan couldn't quite figure out his intentions.

The secretary poured some tea and then left.

Minister Zhou said, "Old Jiang, between us, let's skip the formalities."

"There are some things Secretary Wu finds inconvenient to say, so she asked me to relay them to you."

"Go ahead."

"Secretary Wu wants to know if you'd like to remain as Deputy Mayor, or if you'd like to move up?"

"If you want to move up, she won't come here. If you're not interested, she'll come over."

Jiang Yuan asked, "If I move up, is her next step to move against me?"

Minister Zhou shook his head: "You're overthinking it. Secretary Wu is a smart person; her next step is to go to the provincial level. Lingjiang is just a temporary stop for her. She won't stay for long, a year and a half at most, and then she'll return to the City Committee."

"You're well aware of how important the City Government's tenure is for her. She also hopes you'll cooperate, at least during her term as Mayor, and take her lead."

Jiang Yuan smiled slightly: "Old Zhou, you know me well. I'm not very interested in the position of Mayor nor in heading to the provinces."

"Like you, if I really wanted to move up, I wouldn't have waited until now."

"If she comes to the City Government, I'll welcome her with open arms because when she moves to the provincial level later, I might get some benefit."

"However, I have a small request."

"Go ahead."

"She must not interfere with commerce and taxation."

Jiang Yuan said, "Let Wu Xinan and Si Qingqing do their jobs as Directors and not meddle where they shouldn't."

Minister Zhou nodded: "Understood."

Understood?

Jiang Yuan smiled warmly: "Just earlier, Secretary Zheng visited me."

"Old Zhou, can you guess what he came here to tell me?"

Minister Zhou looked at him.

Jiang Yuan said, "He said Secretary Wu wants him to hold both the City Secretary and Mayor positions temporarily, for three to five months, before going to the provincial level to recommend her as Mayor."

Minister Zhou's expression slightly tensed, immediately catching on to what Jiang Yuan meant.

Jiang Yuan said, "Old Zhou, you're acting as a mouthpiece for Secretary Wu, but it seems she hasn't been honest with you."

"It's understandable that Secretary Wu is uneasy, but shouldn't she consider my position as well?"

"Commerce and taxation are the core of the City Government. If she meddles with these two departments, it's like forcing me to confront her."

"But since you're here, I will give you some face. Make it clear to Secretary Wu that if she wants my cooperation, she shouldn't play games."

"I can keep Zheng Bihui in check, and I can do the same with her."

"She has connections in the province, and I have them too."

Minister Zhou nodded slightly with a somber expression, took a sip of tea, and stood up: "I'll let you get back to your work."

Back in the car, Minister Zhou called Wu Qiangwei: "Secretary Wu, Secretary Zheng has visited Mayor Jiang."

Wu Qiangwei had already discussed the conversation with Zheng Bihui with Minister Zhou.

But neither of them expected that just after leaving the office, Zheng Bihui would turn around and betray Wu Qiangwei.

Wu Qiangwei was silent for a few seconds, then said, "I understand."

She put down her phone and took a deep breath.

She was tempted to immediately call the provincial level to expose his theft of project materials.

But she held back.

If she did, Zheng Bihui might just continue as Mayor.

Her plans to go to the City Government would be ruined too.

She picked up the phone: "Come in for a moment."

Song Guanchao walked in, asking: "Secretary, you wanted to see me?"

Wu Qiangwei said, "I have a task for you."

"What is it?"

"Assist Director Wu and Director Si in taking over commerce and taxation."

She couldn't agree to Jiang Yuan's request to hand back the two core city departments she had just gained.

Since Jiang Yuan was already aware of her intentions, she might as well make the move.

Getting control of those departments sooner rather than later was crucial.

Regardless of his cooperation, at least having these departments would give her leverage when she joins the City Government to compete with Jiang Yuan.

Song Guanchao nodded thoughtfully: "Alright."

He was just about to leave when Wu Qiangwei suddenly took out a bank card: "There's 500,000 inside."

"If you need money in the future, talk to me, don't borrow from anyone else."

Song Guanchao felt a bit awkward: "Secretary, I have my own money."

"Take it."

Alright.

He picked up the bank card, suddenly feeling like he was being kept.

Just as he turned around, his phone rang; it was his grandmother calling.

"Hello, Grandma...so soon? Huh? I'll have to check."

Wu Qiangwei heard his grandmother calling and immediately perked up her ears.

After the call ended, Song Guanchao turned around with a hesitant look.

Wu Qiangwei tactfully asked: "Do you need to take leave?"

"Ahem." Song Guanchao said: "Secretary, it's almost the New Year."

Wu Qiangwei paused, remembering that today was already the 18th, and New Year's Eve was just a few days away.

"Secretary, my grandma asked if you'd like to come over for the New Year."

As he spoke, Song Guanchao's eyes wandered, and his heart raced.

Wu Qiangwei blushed instantly, retorting lightly, "Why would I go to your house during the New Year?"

Song Guanchao argued reasonably: "You're my boss; during holidays, visiting an employee's house to offer some benefits is normal, isn't it?"

Wu Qiangwei's face turned even redder, knowing Song Guanchao was making excuses for himself, but it made her feel she was thinking in an unhealthy direction.

She glared at him in embarrassment: "We'll see."

Song Guanchao chuckled and left.

He leaned back in his chair, calmed his mind, and pondered the task Wu Qiangwei had given.

Suddenly aiming for commerce and taxation, it seemed that Mayor Jiang had sensed something.

There was no need for Wu Qiangwei to spell it out; analyzing it, he was almost spot-on.

Having just spoken with Zheng Bihui, agreeing with him holding the position for three to five months, then being told to handle commerce and taxation clearly meant Zheng Bihui had reported to Jiang Yuan.

Truly a damned dog.

"Commerce and taxation..."

Song Guanchao thought, rubbing his chin. Qingqing was in charge of commerce, and among the Vice Directors, Chen Jie was already under his control.

As for the other Vice Directors, he had just accompanied Jiang Yiren yesterday on a walk, chatted a bit, but hadn't had much deep contact.

If he approached them rashly, Jiang Yuan would definitely notice.

The simplest way to deal with these people was to catch them with some dirt.

But collecting dirt isn't something you can do just because you want to.

He wondered if Director Feng had any dirt on these Vice Directors.

Even if he did, the guy probably wouldn't speak up.

Being Jiang Yuan's man, with sentencing looming, if he dared speak offhand, Jiang Yuan wouldn't just fail to help him but would make his life hell.

So, counting on Director Feng was out of the question.

"Ah!"

Song Guanchao suddenly smacked his forehead, realizing he'd forgotten a ready ally.

If anyone could get dirt on these Vice Directors, apart from Jiang Yuan, it would be Zhu Qiushui!

He immediately went downstairs, sat in his car, and dialed Lu Zhizhong's number.