Official Career Storm-Chapter 1322

Upon hearing Secretary Gao's words, Secretary Tian wanted to recommend himself.

But he held back.

It's not that he's afraid of Secretary Gao, but he knows it's meaningless to do so.

Even if he recommends himself, the final decision requires a vote.

However, the final appointment authority lies with Secretary Gao.

So-called voting is just a procedure.

If the recommended candidate isn't to his satisfaction, it won't pass.

Thus, Secretary Tian sat silently with a scowl.

Secretary Gao slowly glanced over several committee members, finally settling on Governor Hou: "Governor Hou must have a recommended candidate?"

As the retiring governor, the organization usually pays attention to his recommendations.

Governor Hou nodded, "Indeed, I have a recommended candidate."

Everyone perked up their ears, eager to know who would be nominated as governor.

"I recommend the City Secretary of Tongzhou City, Lu Zhizhong."

Upon hearing this, the already quiet conference room became even more silent, reaching the point of hearing a pin drop.

Wu Qiangwei's beautiful eyes widened, her red lips slightly parted in shock.

Other committee members and attending officials were equally stunned.

They couldn't believe that Governor Hou would recommend Lu Zhizhong!

Many were unfamiliar with such a name.

They only knew Tongzhou City.

Precisely because they knew Tongzhou City, they were shocked.

How could the City Secretary of such an economically struggling city catch Governor Hou's eye?

No, this was the shared candidate of Secretary Gao and Governor Hou.

It was just spoken through Governor Hou's mouth.

Those who hadn't interacted with Lu Zhizhong were curious about what kind of person he was.

Only Qu Xiangru remained relatively calm.

She learned about this from Song Guanchao last night, though it was more speculation than certainty.

Upon confirmation, she was surprised but didn't react as strongly as the others.

"Lu Zhizhong?" Secretary Gao nodded slightly, "I have some impression of this Secretary Lu; he once served as Lingjiang City Secretary…"

He paused and looked at Wu Qiangwei, "Mayor Wu, you once worked with Secretary Lu, how is his governance ability?"

Although Wu Qiangwei didn't understand why Secretary Gao and Governor Hou favored Lu Zhizhong, she knew how to respond at this moment.

Wu Qiangwei said, "Secretary Lu is highly capable. Under his guidance, Lingjiang's economy soared, its public security improved, achieving a significant leap forward."

Some who knew a bit about Lingjiang's affairs twitched their mouths upon hearing this.

Lu Zhizhong served as Lingjiang City Secretary for several years, and though not entirely unproductive, it was more like he was idling.

Yet from Wu Qiangwei's mouth, he became a highly competent leader.

While they wanted to retort, they feared drawing Secretary Gao's displeasure.

They were certain that Lu Zhizhong's appointment as governor was certainly fishy.

Secretary Gao acknowledged and looked at other committee members: "Let's proceed to vote."

He turned to the Minister of the Organization Department, Yuan Chunlin, "Minister Yuan, what do you think?"

Yuan Chunlin said, "I am quite familiar with Comrade Lu Zhizhong; his governance skills are indeed strong, and he has good relationships with colleagues. Besides, since Governor Hou recommended him, he must know even more than I do. I support Governor Hou's recommendation."

Yuan Chunlin's voice had barely faded when Qu Xiangru quickly followed, "I have no objections."

Some people looked at her in surprise, clearly not expecting her to express her stance so swiftly.

Thus, four committee members already showed support.

Next, Minister Chen of the Propaganda Department also expressed clear support.

Other committee members certainly wouldn't go against the tide at such a moment, leaving only Secretary Tian.

Given the circumstances, whether Secretary Tian supported or opposed it was no longer important.

He forced a smile, "I agree."

Hence, the new governor nominee was unanimously approved.

At eleven o'clock in the morning, the Provincial Committee meeting concluded.

After the meeting, Secretary Tian returned to his office, smoking gloomily. The secretary, unaware of the events that transpired, could recognize Tian's foul mood and didn't dare to disturb.

Secretary Tian gritted his teeth with a grim expression.

This time, he genuinely believed he was a sure win.

He also knew that Secretary Gao and Governor Hou didn't want to see him become governor.

Because he and Secretary Gao had differences in governance philosophy.

In his view, despite differences, once it reached the committee meeting, with the seats he had managed to secure, his chances were very high!

But he never anticipated Secretary Gao and Governor Hou would undercut him at the last moment, drawing the final appointment power to the province.

Such a move is equivalent to openly tearing face, clearly telling him that as long as they're around, he'll never ascend to governor!

Ruining one's career is like killing one's parents!

Secretary Tian couldn't swallow this indignation!

"They won't let me be governor, so they promote a useless person instead!"

"Do they really think I'm some mud figure, without temper?"

Secretary Tian's eyes were cold, his anger extending to the yet-to-assume office Lu Zhizhong.

...

Lingjiang.

Jiang Yuan had been waiting.

Since Song Guanchao told him that Secretary Gao secured appointment rights from the Central Organization Department, he'd been waiting for this day.

Checking the time, the committee meeting should have ended, though he didn't know which house the governorship landed in.

He wanted to call Secretary Tian but felt it might be inappropriate.

If it was Secretary Tian, things would be fine, but if it wasn't, it would only fuel the fire.

At that moment, his office door suddenly knocked, and his secretary entered, "Mayor, Mayor Liang asked if you have time for lunch."

"What's the matter?"

"Secretary Lu is here and wants to invite you for a meal."

"Secretary Lu? Which Secretary Lu?"

"Secretary Lu Zhizhong from Tongzhou City."

"He's come to Lingjiang?"

Jiang Yuan was quite surprised, but not too concerned.

After pondering for a moment, he checked the time and stood up, "Let's go."

At noon, several Lingjiang committee members gathered in the restaurant's private room.

Secretary Lu was also quite surprised.

Returning to an old place, although he planned to casually dine with former colleagues, he was prepared for no face to be given.

After all, when he left Lingjiang, the commotion was considerable, dragging quite a few people almost down with him.

Even if they held gripes against him, Secretary Lu wouldn't be surprised and wouldn't be angry.

Unexpectedly, Zheng Bihui not only agreed to meet but also brought several other committee members along.

As soon as they sat down, Secretary Lu raised his teacup and said, "Congratulations on your appointment, Secretary Zheng."

Zheng Bihui smiled faintly, raising his cup for a toast.

Subsequently, Secretary Lu congratulated Chu Xiao'e, Liang Hao, and others one by one.

In a matter of months, Lingjiang had significantly changed.

Zheng Bihui took on the leadership role, yet the mayor wasn't Jiang Yuan, but the recently appointed Vice Mayor Liang Hao.

The Deputy Secretary had also changed to Chu Xiao'e…

If someone told him after Wu Qiangwei took office that Lingjiang's local faction would decline, he wouldn't have believed it.

With the reality before him now, he could only admit Wu Qiangwei's indeed considerable ability.

"Why has Secretary Lu suddenly returned?"

Jiang Yuan asked casually, with a hint of sarcastic tone, "Is it to attract investment for Tongzhou City?"

This remark recalled some negative memories among those present.

The atmosphere at the table grew subtly awkward.

Lu Zhizhong didn't feel the awkwardness, merely smiled, "Reporting to Secretary Gao at the province, and dropping by for a visit."

"Reporting?" Jiang Yuan deliberately emphasized those words as if mocking him, an economically challenged city's leader, for having anything worthwhile to report.

Secretary Lu seemed oblivious to the mockery, smiling while eating.

Just then, his phone rang.

Since noon, his phone had been ringing incessantly.

He wasn't planning to answer, but seeing the call was from Qu Xiangru, he wiped his mouth and smiled, "I'll take this call."