The Tempting Road to Becoming an Official

"I won't leave, I won't leave until I see the leader today."

"Why are you so stubborn? I know why you're here to see the leader today. It's useless, for your own future, just leave this matter alone, okay?"

Li Chong was entirely well-intentioned.

As Shangguan Shoudong's secretary, no one understands their leader better than him.

He stopped Chen Fang because he didn't want him to offend the leader over this matter.

"Let him come in."

Just as Chen Fang was determined to persist.

A voice came from the yard.

Undoubtedly, it was Shangguan Shoudong's voice.

Li Chong glared at Chen Fang.

The meaning was to warn him not to speak carelessly.

Then he pushed the door open and said, "You may go in."

The yard wasn't very big.

There wasn't extravagant decoration.

The entire yard was divided into four sections of vegetable plots.

Each planted with some seasonal vegetables.

Although it was already dark.

Shangguan Shoudong was still busying himself in the vegetable plot.

He seemed to be turning the soil for the vegetables.

When Chen Fang came in.

He didn't stand up.

After Chen Fang stood behind him for a while.

He finally put down the hoe in his hand, patted the dust off himself, and said, "Li Chong, go boil water."

"Alright."

Li Chong walked straight into a nearby room.

Shangguan Shoudong said, "Follow me inside."

The two walked into the room that Li Chong had entered first.

The room should be a study, not very large, but the decoration looked quite old, with some places covered in peeling whitewash, merely pasted over with some newspapers for covering. Compared to the Hou Family's mansion, it's like heaven and earth.

"Premium Rock Tea, I'm reluctant to serve it to others, but since you're here, you can have a taste. Consider it tea from your hometown."

After they sat down.

Shangguan Shoudong got busy on the tea set.

At this point.

Li Chong brought over the hot kettle.

Bowed slightly, then closed the door and left.

When a cup of steaming tea was delivered in front of Chen Fang, he couldn't hold back and shouted, "Mr. Shangguan..."

But Shangguan Shoudong directly interrupted him.

Pointing at the teacup, he said, "Drink tea first. The first brew of Rock Tea is the best, don't waste it."

After saying that, he picked up the cup and sipped it.

Helplessly.

Chen Fang could only comply.

Although the tea indeed tasted good, he wasn't in the mood for savoring tea.

Just after he finished drinking.

Shangguan Shoudong poured him some more.

Asked, "How's the tea?"

"Quite good, Mr. Shangguan..."

Opening his mouth again.

Shangguan Shoudong interrupted him once more.

Said, "Since it's good, have another sip. You must be thirsty after rushing over from Jiangdong Province."

This time.

Chen Fang didn't drink.

He pushed the teacup forward slightly.

Said, "Mr. Shangguan, you know why I came this time. Even if you don't let me speak, I must say, in this matter with the Hou Family, Hou Jingjing isn't wrong. Not only isn't she wrong, she's made contributions, so..."

"So you want me to release her?"

"Yes!"

"Impossible!"

Shangguan Shoudong stated bluntly.

Chen Fang wanted to explain further.

Shangguan Shoudong calmly said, "You should be aware of what the Hou Family has done over the years. Hou Jingjing might have merit in this matter, but she's been a CEO for a major state-owned enterprise for years, leveraging her position to gain significant benefits for the Hou Family. Just this alone makes it impossible for me to release her."

"But..."

"Chen Fang, you're too emotional, which is a mistake a competent political figure shouldn't make. Politics is ruthless, without any sentiment. Even though I have high hopes for you, if you don't change this, you won't achieve great accomplishments in the future."

Shangguan Shoudong said with some regret.

Chen Fang gritted his teeth and said, "I don't want great accomplishments, nor am I trying to curry favor with Mr. Shangguan through my role in this matter. I'm simply following my conscience. I know the misdeeds of the Hou Family over the years are too numerous to mention, but Hou Jingjing is different. In crucial matters, she knows what to do and what not to do. If she made the right choice but still ends up punished, won't it chill the hearts of some people? Who would dare stand up in the future?"

After Chen Fang spoke.

Shangguan Shoudong didn't react.

He sipped his tea while pondering.

After a moment of silence.

He raised his head and asked Chen Fang, "If, for Hou Jingjing, you give up everything you have now, are you willing?"

Chen Fang didn't even think about it.

He nodded directly.

Said, "If Mr. Shangguan wants me to resign to save her, I'm willing to. I can write my resignation letter right now."

This decision.

Clearly caught Shangguan Shoudong off guard.

A trace of surprise flashed across his face.

Then he took a deep breath.

Said, "Letting her go isn't impossible. There are two conditions. If you can agree to them, I'll let her go."

"Please tell me."

Chen Fang nodded with some ecstasy.

Shangguan Shoudong sipped his tea.

Said, "The first condition, Hou Jingjing must go abroad and renounce her citizenship. From now on, never return to the country. Listen carefully, I mean never return to the country."

This move was very shrewd.

Once Hou Jingjing renounced her citizenship.

She would never be able to participate in the country's politics again.

Even if she wanted to rally the disciples of the Hou Family later, she couldn't do it.

Furthermore.

Never returning to the country.

Also meant Hou Jingjing would become isolated, unable even to see her relatives.

Despite considering the worst outcome.

Chen Fang still nodded.

Said, "I agree on her behalf."

"And the second requirement, you leave Jiangdong Province and go to Jiuhai Province."

Upon hearing this condition.

Chen Fang's heart skipped a beat.

Why did this emotion arise?

It's simple.

Jiuhai Province is the Hou Family's stronghold. In the early days, Hou Jidao rose from Jiuhai Province, step by step becoming the Provincial Party Secretary, using this position as a springboard to eventually reach the pinnacle of power.

Hou Yuanzheng had a decade-long term in Jiuhai Province before serving as Governor.

Similarly.

Before Hou Yuanzhe entered the Ministry, he also served as Mayor in Jiuhai Province for a period.

In other words.

Jiuhai Province is the Hou Family's fortress.

The Hou Family has been expanding over the years, yet never ceasing their control over Jiuhai Province.

Many of the Hou Family's disciples are sent to train in Jiuhai Province, then sent from Jiuhai to all parts of the country.

Although the matters in Xiaxiang City are confidential.

They can't be hidden from the Hou Family's core.

If Chen Fang goes to Jiuhai Province, those people will pin all the blame on him.

With this, he would be in a besieged situation.

Absolutely!

Too absolute!

Shangguan Shoudong lives up to his name.

No move goes to waste.